My Giveaway Winner is . . .

Well, yesterday was my Birthday and I had promised that I would pick a lucky winner. Well, the day got away from me. I worked in my Studio in the morning - the Christmas orders are starting to roll in. I finished two crocheted scarves; one went to New Jersey, the other going to Georgia. I had a beautiful pair of Christmas red earrings that went to a lovely lady here in the Seattle area. I love Christmas . . . and I love to see where Tippy Stockton is going to show up all over the world. My Birthday was perfect, quiet like I like it! My husband surprised me with a few lovely gifts, one of them being a Nook. I need your help friends - I have fought buying one of these because I love the feel and smell of a book. Hmmmm, still thinking on that one. He also indulged me with my favorite perfume, and a dozen roses. Last night we met up with 2 couples at Maggiano's. Way too much food, but oh so enjoyable with the people that I love. And it's not over . . . I hate surprises, but apparently there is something happening on Saturday night. Don't know a thing about it! I guess I need to just roll with it. But the topper to my evening was when my sweet son, Kellan arrived home from college in time to wish me a Happy Birthday. Can't wait to spend the day with him today.

So without further ado,

the Giveaway Winner is . . .

Dianalynn

Congratulations, I will be emailing you later today to get your address so I can get your copy in the mail to you so you'll have it for your decorating inspiration after Thanksgiving.



Thank you to everyone who wrote in. Your stories put a smile on my face and gave me pause to remember some of my favorite Christmas memories. So, I'll share one with you:



I have many, but the one that comes to mind so vividly was the year my baby brother Chris was in the Navy. He had been away for some time, and had no immediate plans to be home. But, he was able to get 5 days leave over Christmas and we surprised my Mom and Dad by flying him in for the Holidays. I can still see the looks on their faces when he came strolling in dressed in his "Navy dress whites". The tears of joy that spilled from both of their eyes is definitely something I will never forget. What I loved was, it wasn't about the presents at all, it was about Family!!!



So from my Family to yours . . . a blessed Thanksgiving to all of you. Cherish the time you have with your parents, family, children and friends. Life is short . . .

A Special Gift for YOU!

It's my Birthday week . . . so I thought I would share a present with you. It just wouldn't be right to have gifts and not share, right??? So, here's a 20% off one item coupon (exp. 11/21/10) for you to use any way you would like. Just write "Birthday Gift" in notes to seller at checkout. Treat yourself to the "Noel Bracelet", recently featured in Matthew Mead's HOLIDAY magazine - yours for $60.00 with your coupon. Oxidized Sterling Silver, Red Czech glass beads, and Vintage Miram Haskell pearls. Oh so pretty for the upcoming Holidays! Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/59998384/noel-bracelet-red-czech-glass-miriam

Get a jump start on your Holiday Shopping. Buy handmade this Christmas!

HO HO HO Happy HOLIDAY Giveaway

Well, it's the morning after . . . yes, IT has arrived!!! HOLIDAY by Matthew Mead was on my doorstep yesterday morning. I can't quite explain to you how excited I was to open this "Bookazine" and see what Matthew and his crew have been furiously working on for months. It was their baby, and wow what a beautiful baby it is. GORGEOUS!!! This is NOT a magazine - the paper alone tells you the love that was involved in putting this together. It's thick and has a beautiful hand, like a lovely piece of fabric. The photography is amazing! The stories . . . well, lets just say, they are perfect in every way.

The other reason I was so excited to receive my copy was because I was chosen to be featured in this inaugural magazine. Tippy Stockton's Noel Bracelet is proudly featured. I have had many pinch me moments this past year, and I have to say, this one is pretty exciting.

Not only have I been featured, but I have been blessed with having had the opportunity to meet Matthew and his wife Jenny. I think it's safe to say that our friendship will continue long after the Holidays are over. To know Matthew is a gift - this man is so sincere, charming, kind and uber talented!!! Thank you!

So, let's have a giveaway! Share a favorite Christmas memory. I will pick one lucky winner to receive a copy of HOLIDAY by Matthew Mead. I will pick a random winner next week, Thursday, November 18 (which happens to be my birthday).

There isn't a page in this lovely "bookazine" that you're not going to love! Good luck everyone!

Back to Work

We just returned from a much needed week of downtime. Our week in Myrtle Beach was pretty uneventful, albeit a visit to the Walk-in Clinic for me. It seems that I don't really like air conditioning that much. I had a whopper of a sinus infection, so with a Z-pack and Mucinex in hand, I was as good as new. Have I mentioned I LOVE the EAST Coast??? I was born in New York, and I guess once you have had a taste of the Atlantic beaches, your hooked forever. We were able to take in a little of bit of southern history when we took a ride to Georgetown. The homes in this area are all marked with their birth dates, circa 1830, etc. It was so fun to see that these beautiful homes are still standing and are definitely not showing their age. The rain that day kept us from really getting out to take advantage of more of the historical sites, but we were content to just drive and take in the beauty of South Carolina.

But, now it's back to work for me. This week is a pretty exciting one. Matthew Mead's HOLIDAY magazine will hit mailboxes all across the world, and I was lucky enough to be featured in this new magazine. I hope that you ordered your copy.

It's Sunday today, and here's a little sneak peek preview of some of the things that are now in my shop for the Holiday Season. In the next week, look for many new items that will be showing up. I will be a creative elf getting so many things ready for the approach of the most amazing time of the year!
So, the suitcases have been unloaded and stowed away for another day, 5 loads of laundry are waiting for washing, and my mind is spinning with all of the possibilities that Christmas brings. Oh, and the most exciting thing, my TV now has "Sounds of the Season" running Christmas songs 24-7. I am a happy girl . . .

Who goes on Vacation right before the kick-off to Holiday Season

My in-laws, who enjoyed many years of their timeshare unit in California are no longer able to travel, so John and I were the recipients of this amazing gift. Last Summer we traveled to Ft. Lauderdale, and this year we decided on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I grew up on the East Coast, in New York. I have always loved the beaches along the Atlantic. White sugary sands, gentle waves, it doesn't get any better. We arrived in Myrtle Beach just in time to see a beautiful sunset last Saturday. But it's the sunrise that is so amazing to me. Because we now live on the West Coast, the Sunsets are what we look forward to. The sunrise over the Atlantic is incredible - it's the beginning of the day for our United States. As you gaze across the water, it's hard to imagine that across that big pond is another world . . . Europe. It just makes me have such an appreciation for our Universe.


It seemed a little crazy to me to go away on the eve of the Holiday Season, but I can honestly tell you that I have done nothing but relax, read, hang out at the beach (and yes I did get sunburnt), and dine at some of the best Seafood restaurants on the Atlantic Ocean. I know that I will be in a much better mood when I get back home - ready for the season of hustle and bustle.

Next week, my much awaited feature in Matthew Mead's HOLIDAY magazine will be hitting homes all across the country. I hope that means that Tippy Stockton is going to be busy filling orders for good little girls near and far. With Christmas music already uploaded onto my IPOD, I wish you Happy Holidays from Myrtle Beach!

It seems my Vacation is OVER . . .

Well, if you must know, I really didn't go anywhere. I guess you could say I had a bit of a "stay-cation". I just wanted to take a little break from work, just long enough to jot down some thoughts about the upcoming chaos of the Holiday Season. Don't get me wrong . . . even though my business is somewhat Holiday oriented, I do love Autumn and of course Christmas!


So here's a few things I did while on my "stay-cation".

Kellan is back at school - we had a great Summer together. We delivered him to his new apartment at WSU (Washington State University - yes, they stink at football, so you probably have never heard of the Cougars). He's ready to finish off his Senior Year and graduate in May, 2011 with a degree in Communications/Public Relations. I'm already keeping my fingers and toes crossed that jobs will be readily available - oh, and I think I will throw in some Hail Mary's too.

I do have some great news too! I was selected to be featured in Matthew Mead's Holiday Magazine that comes out in late October. I can't wait to see what Matthew and Jenny will select as my featured piece. To read the whole story, I've attached the link here: http://www.holidaywithmatthewmead.com/2010/08/announcing-our-winning-advertisers.html

So, I'm back into my Studio to be inspired by all of the new and pretty things that I have picked up along the way this Summer. More to come . . .

Christmas in July???

Okay, so I know that Christmas is months away, but I have to let you in on a little bit of Holiday spirit going on over at Matthew Mead Holiday Magazine. He's having a contest to send in your best Holiday Home Christmas pictures. OMGosh, how fun is this??? Have you ever thought that your home should be in a magazine? Did you put up an amazing display of collectibles and stood back and marveled at your design prowess? Well, if you said yes, get scouring your photo boxes, sift through all your picture files on your laptop, and hurry over to Matthew's site and get the information for this great contest. By the way, have you ordered your magazine yet??? It's only available on-line and yours truly, yes moi, is advertising in this issue. So you just gotta got get yourself a copy today. If you loved Flea Market Style, you must get a copy of Matthew's Holiday magazine. Here's the link: http://www.holidaywithmatthewmead.com/