Sorry, I've been MIA - is it too late to wish you Happy New Year?

     Here it is, the second week of the year and here I am with my first post of the year!  For someone who really wanted to see 2008 end, I have really been slow to get started with 2009.  Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to check on me; my family and I are fine - the past two or three weeks have been a stretch of time where my get-up-and-go truly got up and went and forgot to tell me where it was going.

     We had about a ton of rain the other night (okay, maybe half a ton) - enough that my hubby was concerned the creek might flood its banks.  He went out to check on it and look what he saw:    No, not a snake.  Here's another shot:    Can you make it out?  There was actually a pair of them - salamanders!   And they were huge!  He put a Coke can on the ground before he took the pictures so I could see how large they were.  They were at least twice as long as the can.  

    The two of us will be heading out again for Indiana in just a few short days.  My grandson will be born January 16 (if not before).  I'll be taking sewing supplies with me, along with my camera(s) because I'm STILL working on a few items I wanted to put together BEFORE Christmas.  That lets you know how far behind I've allowed myself to get.

   I have somehow managed to do a few florals for Valentine's Day.  They've proven to be pretty popular at the shop (the Corner Nest in Elizabethton, TN) in the past and I've already sold some.  Here are a couple I've made:

     

I ended up putting a couple taller flower stems in the baby shoe.  It looks really sweet.  Too bad I have no idea where the other shoe is.  

I've been hand-dipping individual florals and stuffed cloth hearts into scented wax and I love the primitive look of them.  If you have silk flowers that have lost their shape, try dipping them into wax and allowing them to dry upside down.  

This old teapot was in a boxlot I recently purchased at an estate sale.  It didn't have a lid and the handle had been broken but mended.  I love the windmill design and of course you know how I don't like loading up our landfills with items that still have some kind of reusable value.  I've added these and a few others to my Webshots album if you want to take a look.  I'll try to get the rest uploaded in the morning.  

    Finally, are you wondering whether I had a monthly Giftaway last month that you missed?  Well, I decided not to have one because it was such a busy month for all of us.  But, yes, there will be one this month and here's one item that will be included:

Isn't it cute?  A handpainted wicker cup and saucer!  Yes, there will be a bundle of other items included, as usual.  So, stay tuned and be sure to leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing.  All of you who commented in the month of December will receive extra chances for the January Giftaway, so keep commenting!

And, have a very blessed and Happy 2009!