Swaps, Sales, and other Stuff

It's amazing how much you miss when you're gone for a week with only dial-up Internet!
So much to report:
First of all, I've been shopping on Etsy again--and no, I will NOT be ashamed!

If you're looking for something fun, check out The Overloaded Noggin. I purchased two rings--one for me and one for sister, so she wouldn't be jealous!--made of Scrabble tiles and decorated with the album cover from U2's Zooropa. And the proprietor, Mike, sent two fabulous Bono buttons! And, he sent it all in an adorable take-out box (like from the Chinese restaurant) accented with a sewn-on flower. What's even more fun is that his 7-year-old daughter has her own Etsy shop--Art by Fiona--where she lists magnets and pins to raise money for college.

In the past few months, I've taken part in a few swaps. However, with life being crazy, I've not blogged about them and given the goodies their due!

First up: the Marie Antoinette swap. I received a fabulous box from MaryAnn of Follow Your Bliss (and of course I still haven't taken a good pic of it!). It was full of a "tea for one" that included cookies, blooming flower tea, a beautiful teacup/saucer and sugar bowl set, and my first ATC!

Then I was in a Spring Swap, and Jewel of Shabby Boutique sent a box of FUN! A mask, a decoupaged "T" for my wall, a decoupaged hat box full of cards, clothespins (yay!), and other assorted fabulousness!

And just today I got a box of amazing finds from Amy of Julia Belle Vintage. She makes the most amazing bracelets! We've become friends these past months online, and we decided to do a one-on-one swap with a twist--we had to write a story to go with one or more of the treasures. She wrote this great spooky story to go with a photograph she sent. My box also included some vintage trims, buttons, book, hankie, salt shaker, and a painted vase.

Want more pics? Of course you do!

I just got back from Arizona where I snagged a sewing basket FULL of vintage goods, including yards and yards and YARDS or ricrac, buttons, trims, and even a set of hearts cut from a vintage quilt, ready to be appliqued to a pillow!

Some I'll keep, some I'll share with sister, but some will end up listed on the Etsy shop. Speaking of, there are some new vintage "bundles" up for grabs, including this Pink Lady Bundle with vintage garter clips...

And this set of vintage embroidered linen silverware "envelopes"!