HALLOWEEN CONTEST ICON

I would love it if someone out there in blogland would post my Halloween contest icon on their site - we need to make this a little more interesting. Thanks in advance. Don't forget to sign up for the polka-dot and rick rack swap at Red Geranium Cottage. That picture is adorable!

S.W.A.K.

HALLOWEEN CONTEST

Okay, let's go wild - comment as many times as you want!

S.W.A.K.

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL... AND GIVEAWAY TOO!

I know it's just the beginning of September, but here at my house, when school starts the Halloween planning begins. After all, we need something to look forward to, right? You can see from the photos below that for the past three years Frannie has opted to be a fairytale princess. Well, this past weekend we went to our nearest Joann's (about 25 miles away - for some reason they won't put one closer - arrrrgh!) and purchased our costume pattern and fabric for this year.

Snow White - 2005
(Would you believe I hand-sewed those red-sequins around each of the red tear drops on the sleeves individually. What was I thinking?!!)


Cinderella - 2006
(Thank goodness for Walmart - that's where I purchased all this gaudy fabric!)

Sleeping Beauty - 2007
(By the way, the trim at the bottom of this costume is vintage, from the 50's. I have oodles and oodles of it, that's why I didn't mind using it on a costume.)

? - 2008

So here's the deal: Make a comment and tell me who or what you think Frannie will be for Halloween 2008. All the people who guess correctly will have their names put into a hat, and on Wednesday, September 30th, at 8:00 pm EST, Frannie will pick a winner. If no one guesses correctly, then everyone's name will be put into the hat. Now, when you make your comment, make sure you specify which prize you would like. You may choose either a Halloween banner made by me (if you liked the cupcake banner at Sharon's party, then you'll probably like the Halloween one too (I can't show you a picture of it because I haven't completed it yet), or you may pick a bead knitted purse like the one shown in my post of Saturday, August 9th. It will be made out of these festive, fun and funky orange/silver-lined seed beads (they really sparkle!) - just right for the upcoming Halloween/harvest season.

Orange w/Silver Lining Size 11 Seed Beads

So keep those comments coming in girls. I love to hear from you all!

S.W.A.K.

CUPCAKE GOODNESS

I received my cupcake goodies from my swap partner, Sharon, at Red Geranium Cottage. It was like taking out at all the goodies in my stocking on Christmas morning. What fun! Look at everything I received:

Inside the box were cupcake wrappers, pick, tins, non-pareils, mini heart-shaped silicone baking cups, a really clever measuring spoon, cupcake take-out box, stickers, bath fizzy, cupcake card with polka-dot handkerchief inside (I do love those polka dots!), 500 Cupcakes book (love, love love), a cake tester with a little cupcake on top (it's sticking out of the book), and also a cupcake wristlet that Sharon made (adorable!). Also,

Is this cute or what? It can hold photos or recipe cards. Wait, something's missing! Oh, there it is. Somebody, whose name is Frannie, took this out of the box when I wasn't looking.

This is an adorable little quilt that Sharon made. I hope you don't mind Sharon, but please feel honored because next to this little crib is another bed:

And upon that bed sits Frannie's favorite doll, Lauren, along with the doll quilt my grandmother made when I was a little girl.

And one more thing Sharon, I'm honored that I was picked in the contest, but just reading your blog and seeing your photos is prize enough. Keep 'em coming!

Next post, contest (giveaway) details, stay tuned.

S.W.A.K.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!

I can't tell you how happy you have all made me by sending me such wonderful comments. I appreciate your coming over here from Red Geranium Cottage to take a peek at my blog (especially since I am very new to all of this). It is such a thrill to see so many viewers! I hope you will come back often as I have so many ideas and pictures to share. Now I want to do something special for you. I'm going to have a giveaway. I hope to post this within the next 24 hours - it will be open for the entire month of September, so you will have plenty of time to join in the fun.

S.W.A.K. S.W.A.K. S.W.A.K. TO YOU ALL!