Pretty in Pink, Prizes, and Pals!

What a fun week and weekend, I’ve had! I celebrated another birthday, heard from friends old and new, and I hosted a pink, girl’s party to celebrate my dear friend's Julie and Sally’s 50^th birthdays!

Do you remember how much I’ve been jonesing over the Franciscan, Desert Rose dishes? Oooh, I just love ‘em! When my folks were in town for Julie’s birthday party, they went out and about for a little bit and my mom happened to spot an Estate Sale sign. Being much like me (actually, I guess I’m just like her), she directed my dad to “Turn in there!” My dad, being used to quick maneuvering for just this sort of thing, put the car on two wheels and did as he was ordered asked.

You know what she found, right?

You Know it!

She got a fairly complete set of Desert Rose dishes, which became my birthday gift!

They also had a matching table cloth and napkins so my table can be set beautifully. What a surprise! Only thing is, after she saw them, she decided that I do indeed have exquisite taste (LOL) and so she’s decided to collect them, too. Won’t we have fun giving each other dishes for our various gifting occasions!? I still need want more pieces so am still on the lookout but I have a really nice start. Thanks, Mom (and Dad, too)!!!

The dishes were just what I dreamed about using to set the perfect, pretty table for Sally and Julie’s pink birthday party but didn’t dream I’d actually have them! Here’s a picture of the table, set in all its pink glory. At each place setting I included a heart shaped tart tin filled with pastel colored chocolate (what else?) kisses. The plate without a heart is mine – I forgot to put one out for me….

Behind the table, on the cart I found in someone’s rubbish (previous post), I placed all things pink. Included were pink candles, more serving dishes, pink marshmallows stocked in mason jars, chocolate bars wrapped in white paper, stamped pink and tied with pink ribbon for s’mores, and other goodies. I served pink wine and our DF Linda brought the best strawberry frozen, vodka punch to coordinate with the pink theme. The weather finally broke and we had a beautiful evening - not too hot, not too cold, it was just right. I know, I can’t really take credit for the weather.

BTW, Sheila has now decided to collect these, too! They are just so pretty and she's a girl that loves pink, also!!!

For milestone birthdays, which seem to come all too quickly, we all chip in and get the birthday girl something special.

For Sally, we got a Troll Beads ™ Cross. I have a couple of Troll Beads bracelets and this cross, too. Sally had admired it a time or two, so we thought that would be a perfect gift for her. The bead in the center (although you can't really see it here) reflects her August birthstone.

For Julie, we got a clock made by a folk artist couple that she loves. Mo and Kelly Dallas create the most fabulous Noah’s arks. Mo does the carving and Kelly does the painting. We saw them last year at the Country Living Fair in Ohio in September. You can see pics of their stuff (and our fun adventure) on this post: http://chocolates4breakfast.blogspot.com/2009/09/lots-of-news.html

We fell in love with their hand carved, hand painted pieces. They do have a line thru a company that produces a few of their designs for a lot less money. But, the originals are fairly expensive. I contacted them soon after the fair to see if they would do one of their clocks for Julie. They did, they even signed the back, and Julie loved it. I asked them to carve giraffes for her animals as they are her daughter Meghan’s favorite! Isn’t it pretty!?

For this pink party, I requested that all the girls wear white and pink as their primary colors. Here's a pic of all of us together in all our pinkness!

So, another year has come and gone and in addition to Julie and Sally, I am also a year older. UGH. But, with the birthday came some extraordinary gifts. Take a gander at the beautiful gift I got from Loraine!

I saw this on the SB site when it first came out and she’s already stitched, finished and mailed it to me. Can you believe it? It is so pretty and I just love it and will treasure it. Loraine and I have become great friends over the course of the last year or so and I can’t wait to spend lots of time together in SLC, Utah in September (SB retreat, here we come!) She also sent me these great scroll rod covers, too. Thank you so much, Sweet, Loraine!

From my dear friend Robin in VA (no blog) I received the most wonderful pillow stitched from a Mary Garry design (I am a huge MG fan!). Although I didn't take the picture on my living room couch, that is where this pillow is happily residing. She also sent me these darling Hello Kitty accessories! How fabulous! Thank you so much dear, Robin!

From Jan, I won a giveaway (talk about perfect timing) – well, I came in 2 second or third place but I felt like I won. She sent the most wonderful 32 count fabric, a needle minder with a crown because, even if she didn’t know it, I AM the princess (at least in my mind), and this gorgeous silk floss. Oooh, what awesome treats! Thank you so much, Jan!

So, here is Loraine’s gift (scroll rod covers) and Jan’s gifts (fabric and needle minder) being used for my current project. Not much to show right now but this is a sweet A&E sampler called The Garden of Eden by The Goode Huswife. I converted the theads from DMC to AVS so we’ll see how it turns out. I thought I’d stitch the border till I couldn’t stand it anymore and I’m just about to that point.

I have more to show and tell but I’ve been told my posts are a bit long winded. I tend to write the way I talk – which is WAY too much, some have said, so I think I’ll stop here.

Okay, just one more thing! Check out these pretty handled screw drivers I've picked up lately. Won't they make a pretty base for a pincushion or punch needle design? I can just imagine the strong man hands that worked with these over the years to give them such a beautiful patina. You want some too, don't cha?

Okay, that's really it. So, until next time, dear friends – much thanks for stopping by – thanks even more for your sweet notes and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Peace,
Terri