Valentine Swap

From Viv

 Happy February everyone! I have enjoyed this month so far. It has included a fun swap that Viv from Viv out on a Whim had this year! What a fun swap this was and a fun challenge for me, too!

We were to make a Valentine card and a decoration, and include lots of goodies or joy!

From Viv

 As, you can see, Viv really did a great job of spoiling me! I sure had fun opening each little present that she individually wrapped for me! I had an empty spot on my old Singer sewing machine which made a great place to put all her wonderful Valentines! She made a cute decorated Valentine box, a beautiful deer Valentine on a spool, a sweet girl on a swing, and the sweetest heart ornament with a key! She also included plenty of chocolate to keep me smiling, and some pretty towels for my kitchen! Do you see those cute paper globes? I have never had any of these before! I am excited to use them in my decorating throughout Spring!

From Viv

 I am really amazed by Viv's talent. I am thankful for her swap and the challenge it provided for me to flex my creative muscles. Bloggers are the most talented people and doing a little something outside of my comfort zone is fun in a challenging and learning way!

I sent Viv a package of Valentine fun as well, which she kindly has posted about on her blog.

So I hope you go give her a visit and take a look at those as well!

But here is a peek at a few things that I made for her!

Paper craft Valentine

I am so happy to be part of a fun online community where I have met some of the sweetest people on earth.

Felt Heart

I have made friends with gals that I share more interests with than the people most of the people I interact with every day. Thank you so much for your friendships!

Cupcake on my vintage music box cake stand

Thank you again Viv! This was a fun swap to be included in! And I hope everyone has a sweet Valentine's Day!

God bless you,

Little Susie Home Maker

Christmas in the Kitchen Exchange with Erica

 Merry Christmas everyone! Swaps are a lot of fun and Erica decided to do a Christmas swap this year that was kitchen themed! "Christmas in the Kitchen" Exchange 2014, Her blog, Golden Egg Vintage, is so much fun and she is such a delightful young woman! If you haven't already been visiting and following her, I urge you to do so! Thank you, Erica, for having such a fun swap!

All my sweet swap gift from Patti!

I was partnered up with, Patti , her sweet blog is called, Pattin-Patti. Yes! She is another fun and super talented sweet lady! These swaps are so much fun for so any reasons. But getting to know another blogger a little better is always the best part! Patti, was also very understanding that it would take me a little longer for getting her gifts made, as I have been suffering so many frequent migraines. I think I will call her Patient-Pattin-Patti! Thank you Patti for understanding.

Adorable measuring spoon snowman tag!

Now on with the swap! Her are photos that I took of all the, "Oh, so awesome" Christmas crafts and items that she sent me! Just look at this tag! Isn't it so cute and smart! Measuring spoons make the snowman! This really makes me smile every time I look at it!

Christmas cookie cutter ornament!

Here is such an adorable cookie cutter ornament! I was really excited to see this one! It is a combination of some of my favorite Christmas vintage thingies! The glass balss, The Christmas tree cutter and the cute little wooden bead Santa! Wow! Can you say, Cute!!!

Snowman Vintage Nut-grinder snow globe!

Now on to the bigger and very awesome kitchen ornament! Yes, you guessed it! It is a vintage nut grinder! All decked out in Christmas Winter wonderland! Isn't this just an amazing snow globe! Cute, cute, cute!! 

Here is a different angle so you can see the outside decorations better!

So, now I have some really fun items to decorate my kitchen with!

And of course Patti didn't stop there! She included a wonderful travel coffee mug that I have already been using like crazy! Candy which you know didn't last long! lol

Look at this adorable Mrs. Clause! Oh, my! I have just the perfect Santa to pair her up with! I will save that for another post!

All the wonderful swap items from Patti!

Did I mention the kitchen towel and pot holder, cookie cutters, match box Santa and craft stickers?

Isn't this candy filled boot so sweet!

 I really was happy and I had fun making the fun kitchen crafts that I came up with! So I am sure you can see those over at Patti's blog. I will post some of my own pictures later.

 Thank you both, Patti and Erica! And thank you for visiting my blog today! I sure pray that everyone has a safe and happy Christmas. Be blessed and keep a smile on your face!

God Bless You!

Little Susie Home Maker

Our Tags are Swapped!

It's time to share with my blog the Christmas Tag Swap 2011 that Sue over at It's a Very Cherry World  hosted! Thank you, Sue! What fun this has been. My partner in this was the wonderful, Deb of Garage Sale Gal! Deb is an amazing person and I love her blog, so if you haven't checked it out, I really hope you do, and tell her I said "Hi"!

Now for the fun! We set out in November to start making a tag that we would swap with our partners. I had never read Deb's blog before, but quickly knew she had a blog to follow. I found out that Deb is an avid collector of antiques and vintage finds. She also, has a love for her dear family pet dogs. She has several pictures posted on her blog of family Pets.

I wanted to make her tag personal, so I used these as clues to how I would  design her gift tag. But I will show you my results later. Now, our packages had been mailed to each other, and I was getting nervous about our exchange. You know, the good kinda nervous, where you just can't wait. Then finally it happened, and I got my pretty little package in the mail! Oh, it was so pretty wrapped in a golden angelic Christmas wrapping paper with the mailing label on top! My it is already looking good!

I opened the box with anticipation, and wow! Look at this beautiful little tag! Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

It has been stamped and embossed in the stunning golden and green glitter. And a pretty ribbon. It looks elegant and I am very pleased! But look.. it is resting on top of white glitter tissue paper.

I fold back the tissue paper to reveal what is inside..

A little box of treasures, with this nice note from my new friend, Deb.

And look at all the vintage goodies.. a Santa and a Snowman cupcake topper!

I will play house with these and the white glitter Church ornament, and a little tree from a snow scene!

A really charming old Nativity Christmas card, and a beautiful Christmas ornament of a church. A vintage Christmas post card, too.

Now here is a special tag. This must be the special one!

If you look close here there is a little pin tack of some chickadees on a sprig of holly.

Now isn't that a clever idea?

I love chickadees! Some of my favorite little buddies just outside my window every day!

The tag background is a gold embossed doily, with red gems in each corner!

The pretty gem studded Christmas tree and the Merry Christmas banner are raised for a 3-D effect!

Very Nice!

The tie is a red, green and gold cord with tassel.

Elegant! Deb, it's just great.

Oh, look.. a tag that Deb made from an old vintage Christmas print of a snow man. Isn't he cute!

There are some chocolate goodies. Yummy!!

There is a oh so pretty little vintage Poinsettia handkerchief. Isn't the most delightful handkerchief?

As I start to reveal all that is in the box, I am so overwhelmed with the kindness that she has shared with me.

Deb has taken the time to really put an effort into our swap, and I am thrilled with the tags and other goodies she has included for me.

Deb, you are so kind, Thank You! Thank you So very much. You have made me happy.

I am really hoping that Deb is going to like my swap that I sent to her. We can check out what she thinks over at her blog, Garage Sale Gal.

But here is a sneak peek...

Merry Christmas to all!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker