I recently participated in Vintage Dragonfly's Winter 'Whites Matchbox Swap.'  I was partnered with JoAnne of Vintage Dragonfly, and we exchanged our matchboxes about a week and a half ago.  I have been her partner a few times, and I am never disappointed.

Below is the matchbox that I sent out to JoAnne.  I sure had fun creating this one for her.  She is so generous and works so hard hosting these monthly swaps.  Thanks for all you do JoAnne!

 I have taken the design of this one from a couple that I have received.  Up on little feet and opening like a trunk would.

 Inside I filled it with buttons, embellishments, baubles and anything I could find that was related to winter without shouting Christmas.  I also sent another larger oval white framed picture, and some other goodies.  I love these matchbox swaps, so much.  It is just plain old fun,.

Now, here is the matchbox that I received from JoAnne.  

It's just so pretty and reminds me of an enchanted wintry forest.  Like the one in the movie 'Narnia.'

I swoon over stuff like this, especially the frozen Charlotte doll from Germany

I have already found uses for some of these sweet embellishments on some of the things I have made.

Now onto the next swaps I am involved in for Valentine's Day.  Moving on. . . . . . . . . . . . 

Celebrating 500 followers

Just realized that I have been blogging for 5 years (not just this blog) and I just hit 500 followers on my Something Special Blog.  Woo Hoo!!!!! And to show my appreciation to all my followers, I am also having a giveaway to celebrate these two milestones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Here is the prize to one of my followers.  If you are already a follower,  as in one of the 500.  This tin chalkboard with stand!  All you have to do to be entered into this drawing is tell me in a comment on this post if you are already a follower.  The drawing for both my giveaways will be on February 1st

Grow Your Blog Party

What a great idea for a blog party!  And this is me!  (this photo was taken 1-17-2013)

I am Michele

 Below are some of my favorite things from some of my favorite posts at Something Special.  And I have Something special that I would like to give away to some lucky blogger. . . .It will be revealed farther on down.  

                                     My antique baby shoe collection in my studio

My collection of old shakers which house micro-beads, glass glitter and more 

some of my shabby jewelry

Some ornaments I made at Christmas.  

I framed this antique Valentine card a couple of years ago!

 A Valentine's Day Decoration.

 A sweet patchwork pillow

One of my favorite layouts that I have ever done.  This is one of my granddaughters at age 4.  She is 10 now!

I love paper projects.  I had to keep him, as he was my first paper mache snowman!

And now for the giveaway. . . . . . . . .

This lovely Vintage French inspired pillow, handmade by me.  All you have to do to win this is 

to comment on this post and make sure you are a follower on my blog, and please let me know that you are, in the comment.  Thanks, and I look forward to visiting your blogs as well in this great little party!

Announcing the Sweet Vintage Candy box swap

Well, Valentine's Day is one month from today.  I thought I better announce "The Sweet Vintage Candy Box Swap" for Valentine's Day.  It will be also posted on the Flickr group site of the Honey Pot's Vintage swap.  Here are the rules . . . . . . . .  In the interest of time this swap will be open until Sunday January 20th.  At that time I will assign partners.
Anyone who joins this swap must realize that you have to have your swap to your partner no later that Thursday February 8th, 2013, so they can enjoy it for Valentine's Day!  That is in about 3 and a half weeks from right now, so that means you will have to post accordingly.

1.  Take a candy box like the one below (or similar)

 It DOES NOT have to be a Whitman's Sampler box, just a candy box of some sort, or a box similar in size.  Or it can even be a heart shaped candy box.   Decorate it up for Valentines.  Think vintage and make it something you would love to receive in the mail.  Fill it up with scrapbook supplies, embellishments, vintage goodies, and probably chocolate (lol) and keep it light weight so it won't be such an expense to ship.

2.  Make or handcraft at least one item to put in the box.  Here is the one I have decorated.  I have already been planning on what I will put in it.

3.  Absolutely do not join in on this swap if you cannot deliver on time!  PLEASE DON'T DO THAT TO YOUR PARTNER.  It is very rude and not good swapping practice.  Some people burn their bridges and become known as a bad partner.  I am sorry to be so harsh, but I have had some bad experiences with some people who have joined in on my swaps.  If you have a problem after you have joined and won't be able to follow through please be courteous and let me know.  I don't want anyone to not get their package.  Please be prompt, do your best work and give something you would be tickled beyond measure to get!

4.  Please email me at askm_mac@yahoo.com with all of your info.   Name and physical address, blog address and your likes and dislikes.  You have one week to decide. but again Please don't join this swap unless you are sure that you can follow through!

Vintage Linens

 Back in November, a good friend of mine brought me a box of old Linens and lace pieces.  I have been so busy that I kind of forgot about it.  I got it out yesterday and went through the box, and to my delight there were some wonderful surprises in the box.

 In that box, there was dish towels, pillow covers, doilies, chair scarfs, dresser scarfs, handkerchiefs and some great pieces of lace and crochet items.  What fun it was to go through it and to know that I could do whatever I wanted with it.  My friend had taken what she wanted from the box, and knew I would appreciate the rest!

 I am amazed at the embroidery skills of the generations ahead of us all, and the trim that someone crocheted by hand.

The trim is so very tiny and delicate on the edge of this dresser scarf.   I decided that this box was not only filled with old linens, but lots of history and love too!

All caught up

For Christmas I asked my husband for Season 1 and 2 of the "DOWNTON ABBEY" series on DVD because I had never watched it, simply because I wanted to see it from the beginning.  I like to get a feel of the characters from the start.  I did get it for Christmas, and I am happy to report that I have watched it all, just in time for the new season to start, and I absolutely love it!  Wow, I am so into it,

and I got a new Blu-Ray player to play this on.  Woo Hoo!  I am a fan!

They Know what I like!

 For Christmas this year there were things I received that were so me.  My daughter knows how much I like shiny silver vintage items, so when she found this beautiful Silver Platter at an estate sale, she picked it up for me for my gift.

 It is quite a heavy piece, and it sits up on 4 pedestals.

 I found a great place to show it off on this shelf.

I received this little metal beauty from my Son and daughter-in-law.  And I am sure I found the perfect spot for it!  I could not be more pleased.

 My good friend and also my daughter's mother-in-law gave me 5 very old ornaments.  As I looked at each one of them, tickled to death, she explained from what era each one came from.  The above one I believe came from the early 1930's

 This one is from the early days in the 1900's

 This little bird is made of paper mache'  and is hollow.  The head comes off to reveal a place for small toys or candy.  She said this one came from the 1930's  It is covered with old fashioned glitter.

 This little glass ornament is probably from the 20's and the one below is also early 1900's  Notice the very old tinsel.

I thank them all for the perfect little vintage gifts.  They mean so much, because I know there was lots of thought gone into these gifts.