Monday 3 December 2007

Stockings, Dresses and Awards

This huge carton arrived from America a few days ago. It was from my Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap partner Jess of Jetful.



So exciting, I ripped into the box and wrapped in oodles of bubble wrap was the most divine stocking ever. Jess stitched it together using crazy patchwork made from beautiful rich fabrics.The stocking 'cuff' is gorgeous soft fur (I love fur) and it is heavily embellished down one side. The photo just does not do the stocking justice.

It was overflowing with prettily wrapped gifts!



Jess embellished the side of the stocking using lots of my favourites, millinery flowers, sparkly grapes (wine!) a tassel and check out that fabulous beaded bird.



Here is the back of the stocking, love that fur and the herringbone stitching.

Lots and lots of pretty wrapped parcels.



Jess really spoiled me. First of all Toblerone chocolate, its a family tradition in Jess's family to put one in each stocking. Its a big fave with Babes and I, really expensive chocolate in New Zealand, we usually only have it when Babes brings it back duty free.

A packet of black and white tissues, perfect to carry in my basket. Black and white print craft ribbon, two stamps which is so funny because a few weeks ago I was going to buy some and changed my mind because of my tight budget that week! Also a musical note shaped paper punch.

Beautiful smelling pomegranate hand and body lotion and soap with an angel engraved into it.

Pez candy and a Pez candy dispenser. We have never heard of Pez candy but The Princess and I loaded up the dispenser and sampled . . . two packets! Gail came to stay this weekend, she lived in Canada when she was a little girl and remember Pez candy from then!

A bag of Jellied Candy Bells, The Princess and I also sampled one of each colour bell. This was all around 5pm, not the best time to be gorging on candy! Oh well!



And my absolute favourite thing, aside from the stocking is this pearl letter R. How GORGEOUS is that! Thank you so much Jess, I just love, love the stocking and all the lovely goodies that were inside.



My Princess has her Christmas concert this coming Wednesday. She is going to be an Angel, of course! I had to provide a white dress so one night last week I made her this. Its made from white lawn, lace, ribbon and vintage doilies. Its the first piece of clothing I have ever made her and I am so pleased with how it turned out.



Close up of the doilies.



Remember the Bloglandia Ball. Well I have had an email from Artful Blogging magazine asking for permission to consider publishing my dress as part of an article they are doing about the Bloglandia Ball. Wow!!!!! Even if they don't use it I am still so thrilled that it would even be considered!



I have been given some awards over the last few weeks. Its so nice to have this happen. The first was the You Make Me Smile Award, given to me by Jenn and Jacqui at The Bowerbirds Nest. Thanks girls, you make me smile also!



I am going to pass this on to some ladies who have tickled my own sense of humour recently:

Brittany at Adeline's Cottage
Felicia at Fluffy Flowers
My Mum at Lizzie

Jen at My 3 boys and I gave me the following two awards. Thanks Jen:)

You should all have the Nice Matters Award so if you visit my blog I am passing it on to you. I would just like to mention a few blogs by name though;

Jenn and Jacqui at The Bowerbirds Nest
Lori at Faerie Window
Meredith at Not So Long Ago
Vicki at All Bliss Be Thine

This award here, also given to me by Jen, is called the "tough blogger who is true to your self" award.
I think you should all have this one also, but again, just off the top of my head a few blogs by name:
You are all award worthy!
Blessings!
Take Care

37 comments:

The Old Painted Cottage said...

Congratulations on so many wonderful awards! Wow!

oxox
Jennifer

Lori said...

oh my goodness!!! that stocking is just gorgeous and what wonderful goodies Jess packed inside!!!

the dress you made for your little angel is very sweet indeed!!!

and thank you so very much for the award:)

*fingers crossed* for you, hope you do get published, your dress is beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

First off....Thank you so much for the award!! Yay! Makes up for all the pain I've been in.....Of course not too much pain that I can't come and read and comment on all the blogs...hee hee...I'd have to be in a coma before I stop my blogging obsession!

Congrats on the dress! It will be published for sure....simply beautiful!! Talk to you soon!

Aimz said...

hey girl, your Christmas stocking gifts are beautiful! Thanks for the award :-)

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Congratulations to you on so many wonderful awards! And many thanks for bestowing an award on me! You are so kind, I do appreciate it! :-) You've made me smile just thinking of your thoughtfulness!

Thanks again,
Melissa

Anonymous said...

thanks for the award

you were blessed by your Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap partner

I like your daughters angel costume

jen at http://my3boysandi.wordpress.com

Alicia ~ Time Worn Style said...

Cripes thats a lot of awards, well done. I love the dress you have made for your little princess, if thats a first go then you are doing REALLY well!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rachael, what a lovely surpise the parcel from the States was for you! Wow, beautiful stocking, we love fur too! As long as it's faux!! The Princess is going to look like an Angel in this dress, well done, it's so pretty can't believe it's your fist attempt :) Thank you so much for the Award Rachael, you are a sweetheart to all of us :) Jenn and Jacqui

Felicia said...

Aw, thank you so much for the award. I am delighted to hear that me and my little creatures put a smile on your face :)

Love the beautiful Christmas stockings stuffed full of treasures!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

That was a great dress, I hope they use it! Congrats.

Sugar Bear said...

Love your goodies and congrats on all the awards!
Karla

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

A beautiful stocking! And that dress is just so sweet! How talented!

Have a wonderful day
Kitty

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on all your awards!
What a gorgeous stocking and filled with such wonderful treasures...you are so lucky!!
Kathy :)

Unknown said...

Hi sweetie!! THank you so much for this wonderful award! I am so honored :)

The dress you made for princess is GORGEOUS!! I would love to have that to hang in my house! So pretty!

What a wonderful stocking swap too! i love that stocking, so unique! My boys LOVE PEZ! THey just got new Christmas dispensers :)

I have been so lazy with my blog and visiting lately, so I apologize! I am having my 100th post soon and will be having a small giveaway.

Love ya Rachael!
Amy

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh! Here I was reading along thinking, what beautiful things she always has on her blog, and then tadadh! There I was; ). I was shocked! I am truly appreciative! THANK YOU!!

Brittany said...

Wow!! That costume is GORGEOUS!!! I can't believe that is your first dress! And the stocking was wonderful and full of nice gifts!! Lucky you! I'm also quite certain that your dress will get published. How could it not? It's beautiful!!

Thank you very much for the award! I'm honored that you would think of me!!
xoxo,
Brittany

Anonymous said...

Hi Rachel,
Thank you for the prayer for my sister. That is so very sweet & means so much to me. Thank you also for my two awards. I will post them tomorrow on my blog. Wishing you days filled with bliss.

Miss Rhea said...

what a wonderful stocking !! You really got spoiled. And Pez is the best !! :) That dress for Princess is adorable. :)

Linda said...

Dear Rachael, Thank you so much for my Nice Matters Award, it is very special to me and a honor to receive.

Congratulations to you on all your wonderful awards, you are most deservings.

I love your swap stocking with all the yummy fur, and what neat goodies you got too.

Wishing you and yours a happy day...Linda

karri said...

i just love your beautiful blog! congrats on your awards! you are very deserving of them! : ) karri

karri said...

hi rachael,
yes, i am new to blogging. although i have enjoyed other's for a while--now i have decided to jump in and do one myself! your daughter is so adorable! i love being a mom, especially to a daughter! it's sooo much fun! just like you, i LOVE martha and oprah! i have been to the oprah show twice and it was so much fun!
thanks so much for your comment! i will frequent your beautiful blog! : ) karri

kari and kijsa said...

Congrats on all the award....how fun...and that swap box...you hit the jackpot! Fabulous finds!

Have a very blessed day!
smiles, kari and kijsa

Barbara said...

to the award QUEEN! you are sooo deserving of all these awards! the dress looks just beautiful! the dress you made LOOKS angelic! fantastic job! and i'm drooling over you stocking! just beautiful!
big hugz

Artifax said...

Gorgeous stocking! And filled with so many lovely goodies - enjoy!!

Congrats on the dress! I just know you are going to be published!

CIELO said...

Oh my goodness!!... so many treasures and goodies... lucky you! And congratulations on your award. Well deserved.

It's always a pleasure to visit your site.

Have a marvelous day.

Cielo

Lori said...

Rachael, Congrats on the magazine article. That is an awesome dress, I'm so mad at myself that I haven't made one dress yet! Great to see you had so many things you liked in your stocking exchange! I 'm still giddy everytime I look at what I won in your give away! I so love each and every item!! Hope you have a fun time with all your new goodies!!! Lori

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

I have something for you on my blog
Jen at http://my3boysandi.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Rachael your award is not at my sons blog its at mine sori
Jen at http://my3boysandi.wordpress.com

bluemuf said...

Oh my!!! great stocking and so many wonderful goodies. I love the dress you made for the princess, she will be a lovely angel. Congratulations on the ball dress, I hope they pick it as it's stunning. The dress you sent me is also stunning and some have made it a favourite on my flickr site.

Hugs Karen

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Hey Rachael! This is a great stocking full of stuff! That pearly R is wonderful.
I am hoping by now you got the two vintage dresses I sent?

a Pocket Angel said...

Oh my gosh what a gorgeous stocking! I love it..
The dress you made is so beautiful for your little Angel..
How thrilling that your dress from the ball may get published. Good luck!
~Mary~ :-}

Britt- Sparkled Vintage Charm said...

what a fabulous stocking!!! soo cute! I love vintage millinary flowers too. :-)

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

oh I love that stocking!!! It is sooo pretty. Lots of goodies inside too :)))

Unknown said...

Hi Racheal! Thank you so very much for your SWEET and much needed comment on my blog yesterday! I hope you are feeling much better and it is subsiding. I am trying to feel better. I had my meds increased and I am so hoping that can help. I dont want this to ruin the holidays!

Love ya :)
Amy

Anonymous said...

Hello you in the beautiful hat!! Goodness, that stocking is simply delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gosh, and so is that slip-dress type of goodness! And congrats from me too on your award! You deserve it !!!

Hope you're staying sane throughout this holiday season. (I'm not!)

Beth Leintz said...

I'm so glad you were introduced to Pez! And of course everything else in your stocking was wonderful, too- you must have been a very good girl!

Your first sewing project turned out so pretty what a great way to use doilies!

Congrats on the nod from Artful Blogger- you're right, its an honor to be asked!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful blog!!! That was a great dress, I hope they use it! And congratulations on your award..Keep Blogging!!!

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