~SWEETNESS FROM GOODWILL~

~MY FAVORITE GOODWILL FIND!~
(Fabulous Old Rose Print)

While shopping at a pretty large thrift store (aka: Goodwill) in my sister's Tennessee town the most incredible thing happened (and NO it wasn't finding the amazing print above although that was pretty GREAT)!  I Honestly think this was a God-thing and the entire experience was both mind boggling and fun!

 ~MEETING UP WITH MISS PATTY~

I was walking up and down the store's aisles looking at a bunch of super-fabJUNQUE when a sweet little voice behind me said:

"Rebecca!?"

At first I didn't turn around because my sister calls me Becky and has introduced me to all her friends as Becky.  I was pretty sure whoever was saying the name REBECCA wasn't directing their comments to me...

Anyway, just to make sure I turned around ever so slowly only to find a lovely lady with blond hair staring at straight at me...

~BEAUTIFUL LADY~

Then she said:

"ARE YOU REBECCA?"

Now you must understand I was 650 miles or so from home and I couldn't imagine who would know me by my name, Rebecca!

"ARE YOU REBECCA FROM
A GATHERING PLACE?"

Right then (as my voice caught in my throat and I picked myself up off the floor)

I smiled big and said:

"YAH-ESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS????!!!!"

Come to find out the lady is a sweet blogger friend named Patty who lives in Tennessee (I think a couple of towns away) and just HAPPENED to be shopping at the same place I was at the very same time!  I couldn't believe it!  We've chatted by email before and I was thrilled to meet her in person!  Her handsome hubby was there, too, and I give him the credit for figuring out the camera on my phone (Thank You, Mr. Patty!)!!!!  He snapped this picture of the two of us because I'd left my camera in my SUV.

We stood there and talked for at least 30 minutes or so and shared and shared and shared.  I just love her to pieces and the unexpected meeting reaffirmed for me something I've always believed.  God directs our every step!  I never have and never will believe in coincidence.  Meeting Patty in person was meant to be and I was so blessed by her kindness and grace.  For sure a new forever friend!

Isn't life sweet?

Yes!  Yes it is!

Love to you this Monday...

~~~~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING~~~~ Springtime Tea With Friends

"Friends...they cherish one

another's hopes.  They are kind

to one another's dreams."

Henry David Thoreau

~BEAUTIFUL TALENTED TAMMY~ 

On Saturday I joined some of my sweet blogger friends

for an absolutely precious

Springtime Tea.

~TAMMY'S LOVELY HOME~

The Tea was hosted by Tammy from

Tammy's Heart

at her delightfully sweet home

here in Oklahoma.

 ~BEAUTIFUL GINGER~

Both Tammy's Mother, Miss Ginger from

Glitter and Roses

and her lovely Grandmother,
Miss Mary,

were in attendance.

~GINGER'S BEAUTIFUL MOTHER~

I was so honored to be invited!!!

 ~MY SPECIAL PLATE~

When I arrived at Tammy's address I

walked into the most charming

cottage I've ever seen!

Magazine worthy!!!

Tammy's entire home was beautifully

decorated with a a darling Easter-time theme.  

The weather was perfect and the

sun was shinning bright!

We couldn't have asked for a

lovelier day!

~PRECIOUS TABLESCAPE~

And the food!  Well...I was too busy eating it

to take any pictures!  Spinach Salad with 

fresh strawberries, walnuts and raspberry

vinagrette dressing!  We lunched on Chicken

Croissant Sandwiches and sipped on tea and

sweet lemonade.

 ~TAMMY'S FIREPLACE~

Not only was the food scrumptious but

the favors took my breath away!

There were precious cupcakes and sweet

treats made from Marshmallows dipped into

white chocolate.  I couldn't believe it!

Tammy was such a

gracious hostess and her talent is

like nothing I've ever seen.  I've been to many 

parties, showers and teas in my lifetime, but 

never have I seen everything so 

beautifully appointed or so 

lovingly prepared.

I'm still speechless!

(And I am NEVER Speechless!)

 ~HANDMADE BAGS~

 Tammy's gifted ways, no doubt in part, come to her

by way of her mother, Miss Ginger!  Ginger

helped make the most precious little bags

filled with tea and candy and all

sorts of take-home treasures.

 ~HANDMADE BOXES~

She even sent me something home for my

sweet Miss K.

 

 ~PRECIOUS FRIENDS~

Aside from the wonderful food and fellowship

Tammy shared a lovely little devotional

that truly made my heart sing!

I love to hear about the love my 

friends have for our loving Father

and His precious Son.

"Dear Tammy...

Thank you for including me in your

very special day.  I want you to know

how much I loved spending the afternoon

with you, your mother and grandmother

and will remember always your grace 

and beautiful hospitality.  God has

blessed you with the spirit of giving

and again I was honored to be so

welcomed in your home.

Thank you for sharing your

hopes for the future with me!

I'm excited to see how God works out

all the details and for those

dreams of yours to take flight!

I can't wait to watch you soar!

All those special things that God

has placed within your heart will

one day come true!

In His time.

In His time.

He makes all things beautiful

In His time.

I love you, friend. xoxoR"

~~*~~

Blessings to you today as you share life

and fellowship with those you love.

Love to you...

PS:  My Website Reopens SOMETIME today!!!

~~~~~~~ A SWAP TO MAKE ME SWOON~~~~~~~ And Treasures from Piney Rose Melissa

Ooo....I'm so late with my Saturday post!  Constantly coming, going, creating, working or playing around here!  Sometimes squeezing in a moment or two to BLOG is difficult~

Sooo~here I be!  Late or not, today I just had to share with you something exciting that came my way this past week.

 

First...the back-story~

 

I "met" Melissa from Piney Rose Cottage several years ago during the height of my eBay selling days.  She'd pop in now and then with the sweetest emails and one day I got word that she had been one of a group of ladies that had written ROMANTIC HOMES MAGAZINE about my work and SOMEHOW that led to being in several issues of their amazing magazine.  Ever since then I've tried to keep tabs on her.  She's blessed me more than I can say...

Anyway, a couple of months back while visiting Miss Melissa's sweet Bloggie I read some chatter about a MATCHBOX SWAP she had either hosted or participated in.  Now...I've never been in a Swap...didn't really know much about them or even what to do.   Miss M wrote me back with the details and we decided to do a Swap just between the two of us with a ship date of 8/1.

Well...a few days ago my box from Melissa arrived and it is just the sweetest thing EVAHHH!  She hand decorated a sweet matchbox and filled it up and overflowing with the neatest treasures.  Old buttons, lace (gobs of lace), trinkets, rhinestones, old roses, leaves, ribbon, picture cards, etc.

 

You name it she tucked it inside...  Not only that she sent me a separate rose tin/box filled up, too!  I couldn't believe it.  And...to make my already happy heart sing even louder she sent me a sweet card and hand written note.

Now...I would LOVE to show you the box that I sent to Melissa.  I took pictures of it and everything...but, I can't find where I put them on my computer and I've looked everywhere.  My offering to my friend greatly paled in comparison to what she sent me, however.  I'll let her tell you about it if she feels so led.  If I run across the pictures over the next few days I'll upload them for you...

Thank you, Miss M, for your generous heart.  I learned a great deal doing this FIRST SWAP and I just very well may have to participate in another one in the future!  It was so much fun and I hope you liked the FEW treasures I sent your way...

At the very least your box was painted with LOVE!  

Let it be said~

Your heart

is

MUCH MORE GIVING

THAN MINE!

Love to you all this beautiful Saturday...

~BECAUSE I HAVE TO BLESS ME~

~Adrienne and Momma~

Easter Sunday 1987

Back in the late eighties, right around the time this picture was taken of my precious daughter, Adrienne, she began to say the most delightfully sweet things.  She was not quite three years old and her big brother, Brandon, generally did most of the talking for her back then (boy has THAT changed!).  So, when she did finally start to speak we were always excited and more than eager to listen...  She had the tiniest of lisps and the loveliest way of chattering away about, well, nothing everything...  :)

 

 ~HANDMADE LACES~

One day after experiencing a wee little 'sneezing fit' I noticed my girl would always follow up her 'kerchooooos' with the statement

"Momma...I have to bless me!"

~INCREDIBLE NEEDLEWORK~

No matter how many times I tried to explain she was misunderstanding the sentiment "Bless You" after sneezing she just didn't seem to get it.  One day I finally just let it go.  Amazingly the expression somehow found it's way into the heart of my family and today it lives on...

 

 ~FABULOUS TRIM~

As a result a little life-lesson about giving was born which helped my children learn early on that if they did something for someone else in love the side benefit was they had a chance to bless themselves as well.

 ~FEMININE PILLOW SLIP~

~ROMANTIC and FLIRTY EDGING~ 

Today I was reminded once again by a faithful, loving friend that blessing others is most certainly what life is all about.  

 ~GORGEOUS CROCHET~ 

I've never met my friend, Francy in person.  She lives far away from me down south and I've known her since my early eBay selling days...about nine years now or so.

~LOVELY TATTED LACE~

We've formed a lasting friendship and I love her more than I can say.  She's nearly old enough to be my Momma and I can talk with her just like I was her daughter.

I'm so proud and blessed to call her friend.

 ~CAMISOLE TOP~

A few days ago Miss Francy emailed me to let me know she was sending a package of trims (and things) my way and today our trusty Mr. Postman delivered a big ol' box to my front door...

 ~VINTAGE CROCHET HOOKS~

~OLD PINK THIMBLE~

I was totally unprepared for what the box held.  Vintage laces and trims, crochet hooks, buttons, pillow slips and doilies were neatly tucked inside.  All the goodies were sent to both help me with my little business and to allow vintage laces, trims and edgings to live on and on...

I thought about the generosity of such a very special gift for quite a long spell...

(I'm sad to say I rarely give the BEST I have...) :(

 

~Vintage Buttons~

  Dear Francy-Girl

I want you to know that today I whispered a prayer of gratefulness for you.  You are an amazing, giving woman and I'm so taken with your benevolent, caring spirit.  My hope today is that by blessing me the blessings will return to you a hundred fold.

I adore you, girl!  Thank you...

Love~Rebecca

~~*~~

Tonight my now grown-up Adrie-Girl is coming over and we (along with my Miss K) are taking our recently widowed neighbor homemade soup, fresh-baked bread and strawberry jam for dinner...

Wanna know why?

"Because I have to bless me!"

Love to you as you share your best...

~FRIENDS IN FAR AWAY PLACES~

 ~A LAND VERY FAR FROM AMERICA~

Today I am very pleased and excited to share with you some pictures I just received from one of my online friends.  Miss M (as I will call her for privacy reasons) lives approximately 9,700 from me here in America and I find it nothing but miraculous our paths have crossed all because of the internet (I'd like to think God had a hand in it, too!).

Actually...I have to thank eBay for her.  Somehow in the maze of many talented women selling their wares Miss M somehow found me.  She has become as sweet friend over the years and also a valued customer.  I'm so grateful for her and the support she's shown me both personally and in my work.  I just adore her!

 ~BEAUTIFUL MISS M~

(Lovin' her 'Barefoot Roses' Outfit)

The vintage Train Case (Gathering Case) I showed you a couple of days ago was custom ordered by Miss M and it now lives in a home almost ten thousand miles from me.  I just love that even though many miles separate us and our culture is very different, I find it nothing but thrilling to see how much we are alike!  She loves shabby cottage chic decor and all things romantic just like me!!!  All the pictures you see today were taken by Miss M and sent to me in an email!  Isn't her display lovely?

~FILLED and OVERFLOWING~

I guess we aren't so different after all! 

Are we?

 ~PRETTY JARS and SACHETS~

(Some Greeting Cards, too!)

Miss M told me that when her child gets older she hopes to fill up her case with little cards and mementos gifted to her over the years.  How precious is that?

 ~CREAMY WHITE CASE w/Pink Roses~

I'm back working on my studio today getting ready for the "Where Bloggers Create" Party III!  It's all done I just need to spiffy it up a little bit.  Don't want you all to think I'm a big ol' pink pig or anything... (OINK!)

~~*~~

Thank you Miss M for your belief in me and my work!  It means more to me than I can say!  I value you and your friendship so very much!

~~*~~

Blessings to each of you today!  Thanks for stopping by again...  Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Love to you...

~VISITING SARA SARA CUPCAKES and Miss Mary B~

~SARA SARA CUPCAKES~

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 (left click pics to enlarge)

I've had the most wonderful week of "laying low" and even though I've gotten a whole lotta stuff done I sure have missed you all!  I've taken a few tiny peeks to see what many of you have been up to... but, pretty much kept my little comments to myself!  Betcha didn't know I was lurking about, huh?  I promise to stop in and say hello soon!

 ~My Miss K~

I've been really busy working in my studio, the place where I find pure creative joy.  I love transforming both vintage finds and the menagerie of fabric I've collected over the years into keepsakes for the home.

 ~Miss C, Miss M and My Miss K~

(Friends for life?  Maybe!)

If the truth be known there are times when closing my workshop door behind me and calling it 'a day' is difficult.  I'm not sure even wild horses could keep me from my passion.  By some miracle (Thank you, God!) I've figured out how to get paid while doing exactly what I love...

~Me, Miss K, Miss C, Miss Mary and Miss M~

When I tiptoed into the world of Blogging in January '09 I had no idea what was in store of me.  I've met the most amazing women (and some men, too!) and been introduced to more talent than my mind can sometimes take in.  What a world!  WHAT A WORLD!

~What To Choose?~

Additionally I discovered there is more generosity in Blogland than I ever thought possible.  Tomorrow I will be sharing with you two lovely Blogging Gals who have blessed me by their incredible selfless giving.  Can't wait to tell you more...

 ~Snicker Bliss~

See the pictures above?

Well...they tell a bit of a story.  Not too terribly long ago I received a blog comment from Miss Mary B from Texas (Mary loves visiting her favorite Blogs but hasn't as YET started one of her own!).  She has family here in Oklahoma and was planning a July vacation.  Earlier this summer she stopped to visit the booth space I once had at French Quarter Antiques in Oklahoma City.

 ~Did Anyone Choose This One?~

I didn't have the pleasure of meeting her then but when she shared her plan for returning before summer's end we agreed to meet up at Sara Sara Cupcakes.  SSC is a sweet cupcake shoppe/bakery located near downtown Oklahoma City.  It is housed in a turn of the century, two story home that has been transformed into a quaint little eatery.  I loved it!

~Squeal!~

Miss Mary brought two of her grand-girls, Miss C and Miss M and YOU KNOW I had to bring my Miss K with me as well...  We had the best time visiting and gobbling up some truly divine cupcakes.  This was a real treat for me as I'm still doing my Weight Watchers thingy (yippeeee...down 22 pounds!).

~Nuts Anyone?~

~Tough Choices!~

It was wonderful meeting up with Mary and two of her favorite girls.  We sat and chatted a couple of hours and enjoyed watching our grand-girls gobble up their treats before snapping a ton of photos as they visited and played together.  Childhood is fleeting.  My Miss K started 2nd grade today...sniff.

~Frosting on Chin!~

~ Darling Miss M~

~Beautiful Miss C~

~Sweet New Friends~

Blogging has taken me to places I never dreamed I'd go and introduced me to so many lovely people.  I'm so grateful for the chance to have met several of you face to face (blessings to you Mary B...loved our visit).

As I shared this latest experience with my computer-genius son, Brandon, he reminded me of something I said to him several years ago when he (and my Mr. AGPMan) were wanting me to sign off on spending those enormously BIG BUCKS on a home computer...

I only had one question...

"What does it do?"

Blessings for a lovely day!  Thanks for the much needed break!

Love to you~