This is the Hardest Post I think I've ever had to do.........Prayers and Cyber Hugs Please!

If you read my last post, this one was going to be "Part Two" of the Ruffles and Rust Event.....and Yesterday?  I thought, "Shoot, my friend Jana and her Sister Missed it." And Yesterday? For some silly reason, I stopped at an Real Estate Open House closeby and thought, "Jana and Bob would LOVE this house,,,but they'd already moved out of the Historic District and alas, I lost 3 great Neighbors. Jana, Partner Bob, and their daughter, a little bright light on this World,  the ooooooh, so precious Bella.......

Jana and Bella at our Bonnet making Session prior to the Easter Parade Last Year.....

(I need to STOP here and Clarify for the Moment,,,,this is NOT about Jana from Joyworks. She is fine. Lives in Seattle and Married to Dean. It IS Confusing and I'm sure there may be MORE confusion in the future because BOTH "Jana's" shared the last name Johnson for years and lived, worked and grew up in the same area..)

This is the REALLY REALLY hard part,,,,,and my heart is breaking. Sweet, Sweet Bella was with her Mother getting ready for a bath last nite,,,,," And her Mommy fell, and Bella couldn't wake her up." Dad Bob called from work,,,,and Bella answered the phone and told him about Mommy. She's 4. She's 4 years old!

Bob called 911 and the Medics got there first. They worked on Jana,,and talked and played with Bella....They did their best. Jana didn't make it.  She passed away last nite. We still don't know. . .

This is personal, yes. This is horrific, yes. This is a woman that was a Former "Miss Washington", a dedicated and late in life "Surprised" as a "Mommy to Be." My Sweet neighbor, with whom I celebrated hers and Bob's Miracle/Gift- her pregnancy at 43,,,,,,that was Bella.  We ALL laughed and smiled and this beautiful child entered, yes, their lives, but Mine too! What a special Gift! Beautiful, Bright Bella.

And Jana? Well, I cannot remember a more animated, positive, funny and beautiful inside AND out person. Truly, she was a GIFT! One I will always treasure! And oh,,,,,,one I will miss SO!

I'm Sorry, I just could NOT, not,post about this. I wish you ALL could have known her. She would light up your life! As she did mine, always. And that Bella girl? Well,,,,,,I just hope you all pray and surround her mentally with Love and Hugs......She lost her Mommy and the World is never going to be the same.

I know God has a Plan, I tell myself that when there are World Disasters, or when My Husband died  when I was a newlywed. And now, there is a precious 4 years old I LOVE with all my heart that no longer has a Mommy. I'm trying to accept and understand, once again.......

(Bella Girl Last Spring, Making her own Easter Bonnet at my Event)

Please pray for Bella,,,,,She is as beautiful inside and out as her Mommy was. Pray for her Daddy, Bob, and her loving Auntie Kris.

And please? Hug those you love and hold them just a BIT closer, because life IS Short and unknown. And I always try and tell all of YOU how much you mean to me, but I hope you KNOW how special and important you all are! Just go Hug, phone, connect with someone NOW,,,,,,,,because, Jana Would!

I'm a mess, I'm going to miss my friend SO,,,,,,and my heart just aches!
Ohhhhhhhhhh. Big old Sloppy Hugs, and a Bus on the Cheek!
Shell

Ruffles and Rust (Part One)

The "Ruffles and Rust" Event  was TOO MUCH FUN!!! We were "Kickin' it" BIG Time  here in Western Washington!!!!!!!!

Our Booth,,,,,,"Joyworks, with a Twist."

This Show, Jana was busy with "Magic," the Apparel extravaganza in Las Vegas, So Kim Brandt and I hosted the Joyworks booth,,,,,,with OUR creations and "Junk."

Kim and I

(Minutes before the doors opened for the Gala-We're Tired, but Happy! And we've got the whole nite, not to mention the full Day of Friends, Family and Shoppers ahead of us~!)

Random Pics of our booth,,,,,,,,My "Crafty Corner"

We had Tons of Birds, Cages and Color!

I got a custom Request for some of my Bird Cage Creations and Baskets for a shop in Seattle....too fun! I'll keep you posted When and Where they'll be for Sale!

Planters, Vintage Silver, Eggs and Hints of Spring!

Did I mention Birds???? And Books and Sheet Music used in Various Projects.........

Flowers, Crowns, Pots and Baskets..........

This one's a bit Dark,,,,,,,,,,but Kim's Fabulous "Moss Purses" with glorious Early flowering plants!

(Timi liked these so much, they were also featured on the Opening Nite Table!)

Another of Kim's cute "Purses".....

A touch of Easter, "Wishing Wands and old Porcelain.....

Crafting Supplies (available at Joyworks)Glass Glitter, Ribbons, Netting,  Festooning and More!

A bit of this, a bit of THAT...Old , New, Crafted  and Found items......

Fun little Giveaways for Opening Nite,,,,,,,Sweets and Sweet little "booklets" from My Joyworks Coworker Rita!

(Flowers  Donated from My Friend Diane,owner of Garden City Floral, here in Snohomish, for our Cash and Wrap Table,,Oooooh! The fragrance was only surpassed by their beauty!)

I'll have MORE images tomorrow-Other Booths, the Sensational and delightful Hats worn during the Gala.

I think a good time was had by all, it was SO stinkin' fun to catch up with some of my Vendor Friends (Debi, Amy, Tamara, Jodi, et. al ), See old Classmates (Lisa), Old Co-Workers (Linda from Nordstrom a Bazillion years ago)  and ALL the awesome and loved Customers from Joyworks, New Vendors I got to know (ie, Jackie of Island Chicks) .....Well, in general, just a GREAT group of Friends and like minded people!

Make sure you check out my Sidebar, for my Booth-mate Kim and her Mother Luanne's ,"Nest and Garden"  Event at their cute little Cottage on April 30th here in Snohomish....

Okay (Shew!) Put a fork in me I'm done!...And "Shut the Front Door!".....More photos tomorrow,,,,,,,

Hugs, Love and a Big old "Ruffley and Rusty" Bus on the Cheek to ALL!

Shell

(PS,,,,,I SO cannot WAIT to catch up on all the Blogs/Emails/Sites now that the Event is over,,,,,,at least till the next one!)

Two Winners and Ruffles and Rust Venue!

Okay, I'm Dog Tired, and Sore,,Getting Ready for the Fantabulous "Ruffles and Rust" Event tomorrow and Sat,,

,so Here's the Winner for OWOW

The winner of the OWOH Custom Giveaway is Thespa of http:''Vintiquitiesworkshop.blogspot.com
She'll get to pick a custom handcrafted Item!


And the Winner of my 200th Follower contest is............Wow! She is a lucky Lady! Suz, of Katsui Jewelry!!! I'm having email issues once again with Microsoft,,,,,,,so if you have Suz email/Facebook info, let her know to Contact me! Pls!

Congrats to BOTH! I'm exhausted setting up for Ruffles and Rust,,,,it's going to be Incredible! Stay tuned for pics,,,,,,,,,,,,,or if you are Local? You'll be REALLY sorry if you don't attend.

(This is Shell, on "Auto-Pilot" - I ache, my brain if fried, my feet hurt from being on Cement all day,,,,,but Happy as a Clam!)

Hugs, Love and a Big Old Bus!
Shell
(Cannot WAIT to share photos of the booths/events!)

Happy Valentine's Day,,,,,,,Make a Wish...

Hi All, Happy Valentine's Day to YOU and yours! Being Single and all, I'll be spending tonight with my Fur Babies.....primarily the dogs-Kodi and Shadow! The two Cats have their own agenda!

I'm pulling out a "Magic Wand"
 I made,,,, feel free to USE IT to create your OWN Valentine Wishes and Dreams.........

Since it's Valentines Day,,,,,feel free to use it for FOUR Wishes!,,,,,,,,Yep! An Extra one!

My Four Wishes at the Moment?

Have  MORE time to catch up with Friends and Family more! (My family is Small, so I count a LOT of you-my Blog friends in there BIG TIME~)

See if my creations are Worth the time it takes to make them......(Will they sell at events, or am I just delusional?) Do I go forward with handmade items,,,,,,,,or let it GO?

Do I get a REAL Job once again in Advertising/Marketing OR continue creating handcrafted items???

Do I invest monies in a venue/event for and/or WITH fellow Crafters/Artists???

Well you can see, I'm kind of up in the Air right now. I DO know I need to move in an artisitic Venue.....

I'm hoping the "right Light" shines on the path I'm supposed to follow!

So,,,,,,,again, I hope YOU Grab the "Magic Wand" And what are YOUR Wishes????

They are endless!!!

 Happy Valentines Day to All of you!Hugs, Love and a "Bus" on the Cheek!

Shell

One Week until Setup for Ruffles and Rust Event.....a few more Projects....

Oh My Stars! The days are speeding by! I've been working on a few more things for the Ruffle's and Rust Event.......

We recently got this Lady in Joyworks,,,let's see how she looks adorned in some Mini Crowns...........

I also had fun, altering some Crystal pieces with  Vintage and Antique Wallpapers, I purchased back in November while visiting Hidden Treasures  in Iowa, with my Silver Bella Friends...........

And, some fun, altered Eggs,embelished  with Chenille, Sheet Music and Seam Tape!

And My last project? Chenille Lillies....

These were too fun to Make! I have enough of this Vintage Chenille to make a few more....I love this Rose Color,,,with the Celadon Centers in Burlap.........

Hmmmmmmmm, Can you sense a Color theme here for the Event? Lots of Creme, Bits of Black, Spring  Greens  with  Pops of Pastels and Hints of Vibrant Colors! I'm Loving This look! If you're Local, I hope you stop by Next Weekend-----the 18th and 19th.... 

(See my Sidebar for further info and Links )

Hope you are  all having a great week!

Hugs, Love and a Bus!

Shell

(Don't forget,,,,,,I have TWO giveaways right now! The One World One Heart Event,,,,,and my Own 200th Follower's Blog Giveaway! Scroll Down to Previous Posts  for Details on Both Giveaways!)

"In the Pink"-Happy Birthday Clarice and Where or Where did the DAY GO?

So today? We Joyworks Gals celebrated Clarice's "70" something Birthday! We switched things up a bit and surprised her with a Brunch,,,,,,instead of our usual afternoon  bithday luncheon! (I think she was surprised, when she walked in the door and we were ALL there, singing "Happy Birthday!" )

My fabulous Boss, and Dear Friend Clarice, Love's Pink! So, we had a Pink themed party-Thanks to her youngest, Amy,, Party Planner Extrodinaire,,,Pink Balloons, Pink plates, Darling Pink Napkins and TONS of Pink themed Flowers from us All!!

Accckkkkkkk! Sure, it's the first  bits of February, but the hint of warmer days and thoughts of the approaching  Spring delighted us all!

 Our Dear Kay brought in a Fabulous Breakfast Casserole,,,,,,,To Die For! And Jill, made homemade Cinnamon Rolls that I think were the BEST I've ever tasted! Oh my Stars!!! And,,,I'm not sure WHO brought the fruit salad,,,,,but it was awesome too! Jana brought a "Jug" of Coffee from Starbucks .......Yummy Brunch!

Amy's "extra" touches-.Darling Pink Primrose Napkins/Balloons and of Course, Coordinating "M&M's"- (She picked all the RED ones out of the mix,,,,,LOL)

Clarice got lots of great flowers,,,but this arrangement and container from Penny was Spectaular!!!

Luanne added  the darling Pink Primroses to this "Moss Purse." Too Cute!!!

(Luanne's daughter Kim will have Variations of these "purses" available for sale at our "Ruffles and Rust" Booth on Feb 18th and 19th)

We all chipped in and Got Clarice a "Two Night's Stay at the  Five Star Davenport Hotel in Spokane", to use as she chooses.......She could use it to attend  Farm Chicks,,,,,OR to Visit her Grandson at Gonzaga University! We all hope She has  fun whenever she decides to Visit!

I've just gotta say, Clarice is appx. 20 years my senior. Technically, she COULD be my mother. But I know, that she runs circles around me! Her energy level is amazing and I SO admire that! Even more so, I admire her as a successful business woman, "Boss," friend and confidante.

Happy Birthday Clarice! You truly ARE the best Boss, EVER! But more than that,,,,,,,and I mean SO much more than that,,,,,,,,you've been a dear friend-supportive at the hardest times in my life, , non-judgemental, appreciative and loving-in your own quiet way. Thank you. Just for "Being" you!

After the Brunch party was Over, I spent time with Jana in the Store and Kim, who is doing the whole Ruffles and Rust Event with me this time,,,,,and the afternoon/Day-just slipped away! Kim and I vivited some Antique stores and local booths,,,,,,,,and *poof* the Day was Gone! How did that happen? I guess when you are having fun spending time with people you love and preparing for something you are passionate about,,,,the Day just slips Away!

I hope you had a great week-What\ever you did!! Stay WARM, Dry and look towards the days ahead!!

Hugs, Love, And Happy Birthday to My Dear Friend and wonderful Boss Clarice!

And as always, my Best to all of You!

Shell

200th Followers Giveaway!

Okay, So? This whole One World Heart Event/Giveaway is going on? And I'm part of that.....but I just reached 200 followers on my blog. Truly, I know that some people just follow for an event......and never come back.......but basically,,,,,,I'm overwhelmed and wish I had time to talk to each and every one of YOU that do follow regularly............

So, I'm having a Giveaway,,,,,,aside and apart from the OWOH deal.....You Don't have to have a Blog..Just leave a comment,,,,,,,on this post.

You can receive a One of a kind, Easter,"Yard Egg." This is a sample and I still have  a few "Raw" plastic eggs left,,,,,,,,which I  will embellish/alter with as many colors and images as you would like.........

Just leave a comment,,,,,,,and follow if you don't already.   (One point for a Comment, One point for Following) That is IT! Drawing will be held on February 15th.........Have fun, Good Luck!
Shell