Bits and Pieces and Squished Boobies

I bet that title got your attention!!! I wanted to share two of the cool things I did this week - the first was finishing my collage piece for Jenny Holiday's Bits and Pieces Swap - She has one of the most beautiful blogs I have ever seen. The girl has magic hands!!

This is on it's way to Julie from Jane's Apron. I am really pleased with how it turned out! I saw a sneak peak of the collage she made for me and we even used the same stamp! (the ladies in the top row - second square from the right) Isn't that cool!!!

I still have wonderful pictures to take of several absolutely lovely birthday presents I received!! I probably won't have time to do that until this weekend as Miss S has swimming lessons every night this week...we get home, she takes a bath and we head to bed!! Tonite we've already stayed up later than we should.

So to explain the second half of the title of this post...I received a lovely birthday present from my OB/GYN for my 35th birthday:) My first annual mammogram. I had a couple mammograms when I was about 18 and remembered them as being extremely painful. Well not anymore!! I was a little worried that the scars from my reduction would really hurt but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It was very uncomfortable...but only for about 15 seconds at a time....and there was no pain!! Yeah for technology advancements!

Sweet and Good Mail

My mailman has been working overtime this week delivering lots of lovely packages and cards.
Here's just a sampling of what I've received this week:

Darling birthday cards from fellow Good Mail Girls - Tori (I love how you decorated the envelope!), and a card, cool kleenex and some wonderful smelling lotion from Jenny - thank you girls!
A set of vintage napkins and card from Ann-Margret, and a lovely handmade card and atc from Danielle.

A beautiful floral bouquet from my dad and step-mom:

And goodies from my FAA group (fabric addicts annonymous flickr group) - a set of quilted coasters from Wendy and a zippered pouch from Courtney. These sweet ladies knew I loved purple:):)

And a VERY late post about a swap Mary Ann and I recently did - a yard sale swap - these goodies were packed in the box she sent me:



I have already put just about everything to good use:) Thanks Mary Ann for such an awesome swap, and such a unique theme:)

I have several more thank yous on the way as soon as I take pictures of more wonderful treasures I received for my birthday:)

Lucky Ladies

I was out partying last nite with my girls group until midnite so I didn't get a chance to post the final winners yesterday. Today I am off to have a garage sale with Moki - cross your fingers that I sell everything:):) I need the money:):)

Without further ado:
The WINNER of the adorable heart pincushion is DANIELLE!! Your persistence paid off, you sweet lady!

AND the grand prize WINNER of the mini quilt it LUCINDA - a sweer flickr pal!!

Please email me with your addresses at raeshadrz at yahoo dot com
I have so many wonderful things to pack up and mail this weekend - the mail man is going to LOVE me on Monday:)

Congratulations and thank you to everyone that participated, and won, and wished me happy birthday, and wished me happy blogaversary!!

Adorable Bedfellows

It's past my bed time but I just couldn't resist taking a pic of this sweet scene. Miss S and Bree sound asleep on the office floor while Hubby and I were working...er...I mean playing on our computers:) Sweet Bree snuggled up under the blanket with Miss S. They are both happily snoozing away. I love this dog. I love all three of our dogs, but Bree is so different from the pugs...she's mellow and easy going, and she makes a great pillow:) I once laid on the floor with my head on her side and fell asleep for about 2 hours.

Big Bertha's Big Day

The WINNERS of the two Big Bertha tissue holders are:

DANA and EST!!

Congratulations ladies...please email me at raeshadrz at yahoo dot com with your addresses:):)

Heart-Felt Giveaway

I really admire the bloggers that have cute, witty titles for their posts. That requires more brain power than I normally have after a full day of work...but I'm hoping to get better at it:)
EDITED: Thanks moki for the awesome title suggestions! I love it:)) You are so good with words...me not so good...but I can whip up any type of legal document that KICKS ass!

This is my lovely giveaway for today:

A sweet heart and flower felt pincushion. I made a whole bunch of these in different colors and I loved how they all turned out. Leave me a comment to be entered into this drawing:)

Winners of the Big Bertha tissue holders will be announced this evening:) And tomorrow I will announce the winners of the mini quilt and the pincushion.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments I have received this week! My in box is absolutely overflowing with over 300 emails/comments that I want to reply to. I am slowly making my way through them. Please know that I cherish each comment and email that I receive and forgive me for being so slow in responding! This weekend I plan on catching up on that while I'm packaging up all my party favors and giveaways to mail out:):)

A Sweet Ditty from k8tykat

I love these little things...it is so much fun learning new stuff about each other:) Thanks to Kerry for sending it to me!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My Dad and Mom (Ray + Marsha = Raesha)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Today driving home from work listening to THIS fabulous CD

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING
Sometimes – it depends on what pen I am using

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT?
I’m not a big lunch meat fan…if I have to eat it I choose turkey.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
One human child and three canine children

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Pretty much everyday

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I have no idea – probably not

10.  WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?
Frosted shredded wheat

11.  DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Not usually

12.  DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically – a little
Emotionally - yes

13.  WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM?
Chocolate chip cookie dough

14.  WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their clothes

15.  RED OR PINK?
Both

16.  WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My temper….I get mad at really stupid things

17.  WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
My best friend, Tammy, who lives WAY too far away

18.  DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Most definitely

19.  WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I’m not wearing any pants!!!.....get your mind out of the gutter - I’m wearing a dress:) and sandals

20.  WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
manicotti though I'm getting ready to have an ice cream bar with caramel in the middle

21.  WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The sound of World of Warcraft coming from hubby’s computer

22.  IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Army green

23. FAVOURITE SMELLS?
lavender
Fresh cut grass
Dryer sheets

24.  WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Hmm…my sweet friend, Carla.

25.  DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I LOVE the person who sent this to me

26. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Figure skating

27.  HAIR COLOUR?
light brown, in desperate need of a cut!

28. EYE COLOUR?
Blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope – I had RK surgery almost 14 years ago

30. FAVOURITE FOOD?
Anything that I didn’t have to make:)

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Both, with emphasis on the happy endings.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Serenity (the movie from the “Dragonfly” series)

33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
None – see above answer:)

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Early summer

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs with kisses

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Ian

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
Not sure

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
I can’t even remember…A Million Little Pieces – James Frey (I had to go look!) I am about 2 chapters into about 8 different books, but I am the farthest along in this one.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I don’t have one at home. At work I have a plain black one that’s built into my keyboard tray. BORING! But it's not big enough for me to use anything else.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Nothing.

42. FAVOURITE SOUND?
My daughter’s laugh

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Hmm…that’s a hard one:) However, I do really like the Stones too…I’ve always had a thing for Keith Richards.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I can play the piano and the organ, quite well (not to brag, but I have been playing since I was 7 years old)

46. WHERE WERE YOU BOR?
Provo, Utah

47. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE?
I want Peter Petrelli’s power (from Heroes) – he can absorb the power of any hero he is around

I don't know why my font is so messed up with this post...GGRR!!!

I would love to have anyone participate in this little ditty that would like to:) If you do, please leave a comment so I can read all your answers:)
But I also love that little feeling when people tag me though so I am going to tag the following sweet friends:
Em
Monica
Roxanne
Dawn

Wacky Wednesday

When I was a kid I always thought the term "hump day" for Wednesday was wacky!! Until I was probably 15 I thought it had something to do with sex:):):) and I could never quite figure out what sex and Wednesday had in common. Now that I'm a working girl I can't wait for hump day as it really means it's halfway to the weekend.

Without further ado - THE WINNER of the adorable polka dot pouch is LESLIE!! Congratulations! (Please email me at raeshadrz at yahoo dot com with your snail mail)

And here are my two fun giveaways for today...you all know my obsession with making tissue holders so I'm going to give away two!

I call these my big bertha tissue holders as the fabric is covered with big, beautiful, buxomy (is that a word?) women. Leave a comment if you would like one and I'll announce the winners on Thursday evening:)

A Fabulous Birthday

Thank you to all of you who joined my party today!! (and the day isn't even over yet:)) I have to say you have all made this perhaps my best birthday ever:) I arrived home to 7 packages waiting for me and Hubby and Miss S got me exactly what I asked for (THE NEW PAUL MCCARTNEY CD!!!!) I can't wait to show you all the wonderful presents I received. Here's a peek at a couple:

Mary Ann sent me this very cool purse - this is one side...

and this is the other side...


And look at what my mama sent me....my very own Pandora charm bracelet! She included these charms on it - music, a puppy, a dangly pearl, a little girl and a thimble along with a couple cool spacer beads. I can't wait to add more charms to it. I love traditional charm bracelets and this is such a cool twist on that concept.


You would think with all the sewing I do that I would make a new ironing board cover. I hate this ugly scorched plaid one, but have had it for over 10 years and never bought or made a new one.

I'll have two more giveaways posted tomorrow and Thursday and then on Friday I'll have the drawing for the little mini quilt....so get your comments posted on the original posts if you want a chance at the polka dot bag or the mini quilt.

It's Party Time!!!

Today is my birthday and I am dang excited about it:) 35 years ago today I was born in Provo, Utah to Ray and Marsha Terry (do you get it now... how I got this lovely name of Raesha?). I am the oldest of 6 kids - three girls and three boys. I live now in New Mexico and we have not a lick of family anywhere in the state with us....so I'm celebrating MY way...with Hubby, Miss S and my wonderful, fantastic, blog buddies.

Here I am celebrating my 3rd birthday:) Hmm...I still have that same hairstyle:)


And here I am near my 4th birthday - don't you just dig the fabulous crocheted outfit I am wearing? I'm pretty sure my Granny Esther made this for me....she is still crocheting and going strong!


I'm glad you are here to celebrate with me...I am overwhelmed and feel so extremely loved with all the goodness that the mailman has delivered to me the last few days. Once I get over being a little verklempt I intend to post proper thank yous to you all.

Now for the good part - what's a party without party favors?? I put together a bunch of these paper packs with all sorts of fun stuff in them just perfect for paper crafting:) I have one for each of you so leave me a comment and I'll get one in the mail for you:) Each will be topped with a lovely postcard from good old New Mexico!

Thank you for celebrating with me!!

PS WE HAVE WINNERS!!! Miss Mary Ann won the cigar tin and Regina won the pincushion!! Congratulations to both you beautiful ladies! I have both your addresses so I'll get these out to you shortly:) Tune in tomorrow for the winner of the polka dot pouch:)

My Kind of Family Time

Miss S and I spent the evening cheering on Hubby's hockey team - tonight was the playoff game for the intermediate league and Hubby's team won!! That's him on the far left:)

Miss S screamed her daddy's name the whole game, but instead of Michael, it came out myCULL myCULL myCULL...she is a fabulous little cheerleader and quite the poser. A few of Hubby's friends from work came to watch the game so that was really cool.


I worked on my newest scarf for the first two periods of the game - a simple green shell stitch using some lovely yarn that Moki gave me:)

See you tomorrow...I hope you'll join me for my birthday party:)

Today's Giveaway

Today we have a sweet little pouch that I made with brown and blue fabrics (it's about 5 in x 8 in). Just leave a comment if you'd like to be in the drawing for it and I will announce the winner on Wednesday.



Father's Day was nice and quiet...we went out to dinner for a joint Father's Day/my birthday celebration. Miss S was really wound up so while dinner was nice, it certainly was not relaxing:)

I cleaned house all weekend and found at least 50 more things for the yard sale I am hoping to have on Saturday. I finally got the kitchen all put back together after the little mousecapades. I finished my charms for Dawn's swap, packaged up a few packages to be mailed, and I'm afraid that was the extent of my creativity this weekend.

Overdue Thank Yous

I have received so many wonderful things the last few weeks and I have been remiss about posting them. Mostly, I have not been home during the day to take semi decent pictures of all these goodies:):)

Vallen sent me a wonderful box stuffed with treasures - she even included a flower pin, jar and mini pincushion that she made. Thank you so much my sweet friend!



Teresa of MaggieGraceCreates sent me these two dishclothes after I commented how lovely they were. They are one of my absoolute favorite shades of green:):) Thank you my dear!


I participated in an ATC swap on swap-bot - the theme was polka dots and spots. "I CU" is the one that I sent out and the other three are the ones I received. Aren't they cool?? The flower one is even from another NM crafter! She lives about an hour south of Albuquerque. I am not doing too many swaps on swap-bot anymore - but I still like to do the occassional ATC swap.

Look at what my sweet sister, Ryalin, sent me for my birthday!! I burned the candle yesterday and it smells fabulous! Remind me one day to tell you about her nickname and how she got it:):) Thank you Rye bread!! (that's the G-rated nickname....I need to tell you about the PG-13 rated nickname)
Regina sent me a pair of her awesome flip off earrings....they are the COOLEST!! She also sent a hair pin and a lovely notecard. Thank you so much!

These are the goodies I received for my June flickr fat quarter swap...if you are not part of this group and you love fabric you need to go join!!! I can't wait to make something with these lovely green fat quarters.

While Miss S was at her art class yesterday I took advantage of my free time and ran to Goodwill. I found a few really fun things....including this "make your own paperweight" still in the box from Hallmark. I wasn't quite sure what the price was though....it had no less than 14 price stickers on it.

I've started collecting vintage travel plates for the states I have been to. Goodwill prices them high - usually about $3.99 but I've found several that were the color of the day. Thrift Town prices them at $1.99 which is even better when they are the color of the day. Here are the 4 most recent ones I have found.
Florida and Texas:
Washington and Washington DC:
I know I have a couple more but I can't quite remember where I put them.

So now that you've made it to the end of this incredibly long post I think I'll have two giveaways today instead of just one to reward you:):)

First up - a darling little pincushion I made using the Heather Bailey tutorial in the latest issue of Quilts and More - the one featuring the fabulous Miss Monica on the cover:)


Up next - a VERY cool cigar tin. I found 5 of these at Goodwill for .39 each and I just couldn't resist. The design on the tin is so cool.

Leave a comment and I'll announce the winner on Tuesday!

It's All About ME!!! (and you)

Today I'm celebrating my one year blogaversary (since I stupidly missed the actual date)....hubby cannot believe I have kept up with this for a whole year. I am so grateful to Moki for getting me hooked!!

To celebrate my blogaversary and my upcoming birthday I'm going to have several giveaways for the next week....here's the first!!


A sweet little mini quilt (really mini - like 7 inches by 7 inches) that I made. The drawing for this beauty will run for a week so if you'd like a chance to win it, please leave me a comment and make sure to add your email address to the comment.

Be sure to check back often for other giveaways this week...and especially on the 19th as I have a fun surprise planned for my birthday.

Epiphany

I had an epiphany at work today....I realized in my former life I was a gay 45 year old man. I've mentioned our new paralegal before - he is the gay-est man I have ever known, and I've had lots of gay friends in my life. Alex and I like the same music, the same movies, the same books...it's really quite funny.

I also realized today that I a doofus (well I've always known that, but it was brought home again today) when I realized I MISSED by own blogaversary. I thought it was June 16 (tomorrow) when really it was June 11 (Monday) - oh well, better late than never and I will be posting my special blogaversary post tomorrow: )

So tune in tomorrow - I have a fabulous giveaway planned!

Lastly, Miss S and I went shoe shopping last night. She desparately needed some new tennis shoes, but I let her sweet talk me into getting these adorable pink polka dot shoes too. Look at how tan little Miss S is already. She has her daddy's dark complexion and she tans really quickly - unlike me who turns beet red in minutes unless slathered with 50 spf sunscreen.

Happy Birthday Moki!!!

Head on over here and wish my sweet friend, Moki, a happy birthday!

Crafting ADD

I flitted and floated from craft to craft all weekend...feeling a little like I had ADD and couldn't concentrate on anything:) In between crafts I cleaned out a bunch of clothes I no longer wear, shredded a whole bag of old financial docs and deep cleaned my sewing cabinet. Next up is the kitchen - I have everything that is normally on the counters piled on the kitchen table while I have the moustraps out. I'm kind of liking the clean, clear cabinets so Hubby and I have decided to try to pare it down in the kitchen. That will be my goal for this coming weekend.

Now on to the good stuff:

I worked on my fabric charms for Dawn's swap

Finished a new top (yes, it's the Built By Wendy top - but I swear I bought the pattern and the fabric before it became the new "it" top:) I LOVE it!! I'm going to make at least three more. The only alteration I made was adding about an inch to the bottom - I love that I could bend over and not show any granny panties. Sorry for the blurry picture:( But the soft focus makes me look thinner and younger.

And some crochet - a little flower, a dishcloth and a necklace made from crocheted wire.

Atcs

There are five more left, so if you're lurking, or didn't ask for one before....please do so:)
Also - Danielle and Jess - can you email me your address at raeshadrz at yahoo dot com
Thanks!!

Moki's New Site

My dear friend Moki is a constant source of inspiration for me:) Check out this new blog she started....she is WONDERWOMAN!!

Saturday

I had my local atc trade today - our numbers were small this month so I came home with 10 of my cards. Please leave me a comment if you would like one and I'll send it off to you:) Be sure to leave your email in the comment if I don't already have it:)


The theme was "Pearl" - I started with a quote, which I love to do. The background is old ledger paper and the flower is origami, layered on paper from an old book. I love this font too - classic old typewriter. I have no idea where I found it though.

Miss S and I had lunch with Moki, her sister and their kiddos. It was rowdy, but totally fun:)

AND my handsome brother, Shay, called me yesterday and said he and his family might be moving to Albuquerque!! YEAH!!! I went and looked at a rental house today for them. He should know by the end of next week or so if and when they are coming. It has been almost 13 years since we've had any family in New Mexico and I would be so thrilled if they moved here.

Finally, THE letter arrived today:( Thanks, but no thanks, from the law firm I interviewed with. I'm okay though....interviews are such a good learning experience and it just may open a door in the future. I wanted to share one of the questions I was asked during the interview - If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be. I answered Paul McCartney, Jesus Christ and John Steinbeck:) Just thought I'd share that with you:):)