A Thank You and A Couple of Give-Aways!

A few weeks ago Corey Amaro from Tongue in Cheek 

featured an artist that she admires named Alwen Rambo

 who authors the blog La Belle Brocante.

Alwen is a consummate, passionate collector

 of many of the same things that I am drawn to.

But, she...is a true artist...

...as well as a wordsmith with a wonderful sense of humor.

photo by Alwen Rambo, La Belle Brocante

My interest piqued, I popped over to visit Alwen's blog...

La Belle Brocante

...where I was mesmerized by what I found.

photo by Alwen Rambo, La Belle Brocante

Not only that...she happened to be hosting a give away.

I left a comment and much to my surprise and delight

 was picked the winner.

When I returned from Florida

 there was a most exciting little package waiting for me.

It was meticulously wrapped in beautiful papers...

and contained enchanting tiny gifts...

...bits of French ephemera, old clock faces, a teensy key,

 a coin, some vintage lace,

 a wonderful antique French document...

and a little bisque baby doll who we fondly call Brocante Baby.

Oh lucky me!

I was completely enthralled with her art

 and am now a passionate follower of her blog.

Corey did a wonderful post about Alwen ...

...if you missed it...

you simply must click HERE to read it...

photo by Alwen Rambo, La Belle Brocante

Alwen is hosting another give away ...

...one which she calls "slightly dangerous"

...and this one requires a bit of an imagination.

photo by Alwen Rambo, La Belle Brocante

To try your luck and to enter her giveaway click HERE!

Good luck!

Thank you, Corey for introducing me to Alwen

 as well as the other artists that you have been featuring

 in your Saturday Art Saves feature.

I am enjoying it immensely!

source

And now....

another blogging friend is having a wonderful give away too!

Jackie from Bliss Farm Antiques is on her way to France!

She is promising to bring back a treasure from her trip and give it to one lucky winner!

It could be You!

Click HERE to enter!

:)

A Little Help From My Friends

To start I would like to express my gratitude for your kind and encouraging comments on my last post...
...for thinking of me and my coworkers and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
...Your support is deeply appreciated.

As we have all said before...change is good but not always easy.

Because things have been so busy this week there hasn't been much time for picture taking.
No fears!
Fortunately, with a little help from my friends and digging in my photo archives...
I have a few pretty images to share!

The photo above was taken at dear Evi's home on New Year's Day. The little antique French basket pictured on the library stairs was to hold a drinking glass for Vichy water. I saw these little turn of the century baskets at the brocante when in Paris years ago but passed up my chance to buy one...I have regretted it since and coveted Evi's little basket carrier. I was delighted when Corey put several up for sale in her online shop, Tongue in Cheek Antiques and am happy to say one of these dear little basket holders is on its way to me from France!



Evi and I both love our bunnies...
...this one sits on a dresser in a corner of her living room...



Evi's husband sometimes calls her by the pet name Bee...
...(I forget why)...but one can find the bee motif frequently in her home...
Evi...tell us that story again please!



More bunnies on the kitchen wall...



...and birds....
...these wonderful burlap birds she got from Ballard Designs...
...don't they look charming flying about the chandelier in her dining room?



So there you have it...
...the birds and the bees...some bunnies...
...and a little photo inspiration and help from my friend Evi tonight!
She is a never ending source of inspiration to me!

I hope you all have a good night's sleep and wake up refreshed and ready for a new day tomorrow! :)

Home Again

Finally home after our whirlwind trip to Florida to celebrate my father in law's 90th birthday! It was great to be together with our family for a few days although it was incredibly cold for Florida.....26 degrees this morning!



The beautiful Cathy Penton charm above was received from the fabulous Julie of Being Ruby....
I was so lucky to be one of the winners of her give away in November. I have tied a beautiful blue vintage silk ribbon to my inky blue Paris charm....The ribbon came all the way from France and was part of the paper bundle that I purchased from Corey at Tongue in Cheek Antiques.....Thank you again Julie and Corey!
Don't they look perfect together?

Time for bed! Good night! :)