A Week of Love, Gratitude...and Goodies! What a Mail Week!

Isn't it nice to receive surprises?! I have had so many this week. I truly don't deserve so many lovely treasures - I don't really deserve any of them.

On the other hand, I'm so glad to receive them! Whether it is an off-hand email or a special surprise, it's wonderful to know that your friends are thinking of you as often as you think of them!

This week I got a terrific surprise - my upstairs neighbor "thanked" me for something or other (I don't even remember what I did) with a bouquet of red roses and baby's breath. There is nothing like red roses to brighten a cold dreary grey New England afternoon!

This surprise brought tears to my eyes. My friend, artist JoAnna of Moss Hill Studio, sent me this exquisite piece of work entitled "Strength." JoAnna creates these marvelous characters from vintage dolls and fabrics (often antique clothing and linens) and assorted findings and embellishments. Trust me, this photo does NOT do it justice. You probably know her, but if you aren't familiar with her work, you owe yourself a visit to her blog and see all the splendid things she creates. She works in various mediums - but her signature look is on everything. This beauty is hanging next to my bed - and I see her first thing every morning. I truly treasure her. And my friend! Both bring me strength.
You can't imagine the fun packaging job that arrived this week - constructed of paper tower rolls and about five pounds of shipping tape. It was something! But inside - ooh la la! My friend and artist Marie Antoinette - yes! that's her name! - has peacocks. And she sent me I-don-know-how-many-but dozens of peacock feathers! Long ones! - they're almost four feet high! The colors in the sunlight are amazing and in the evening they glisten and look mysterious. Right now I have them in a huge vase - but I have every intention of using them in some art pieces. She also makes lavish and extravagant dolls - with a heavy leaning towards (guess who!?) Marie Antoinette inspired pieces. Please visit her blog at Creations by Marie Antoinette.
Yet another gift that blurred my eyes with a little moisture. Friends at the Fiber Pirates group banded together and made me this quilt. It's bright and cheerful and large enough for both of us to snuggle under while watching "Criminal Minds" or "Nip/Tuck" - heh heh - and you thought I was a classy guy, right? Everybody made one block and Deb assembled the various sized and colored blocks into a terrific composition, and the whole thing was quilted by Frank. Apparently, this was started as a wedding gift for us ... but as several years have gone by, LOL, it's become a treasured anniversary gift. We are so thankful for such amazing friends.
Okay, the friend who sent me this swore she'd "get me back" if I blogged about her on here. The poor shy thing. (pfffffftttt!) But, nonetheless, it's yet ANOTHER incredible arrival in my mailbox this week. It should be no surprise to anybody that, as a fanatical Francophile, I love the Eiffel Tower. It would seem that this was on sale somewhere, my-not-to-be-revealed-shy-friend thought of me immediately - and voila! It's mine! Isn't she a doll?! An anonymous doll - but a doll, anyway.
Knowing that I'm a huge fan of all things cowboy, (hmmm. an obsession with cowboys, Marie Antoinette and all things French, and vintage films. What an odd conglomeration. I'm so darned weird.) I received this adorable wall hanging 'pocket' from Ricë at Notes From the Voodoo Café. I just love the image - and the copper plate reads: a cowboy's work is never done. And the whole thing is studded with gold beads. It's so fun! I have it hanging in my studio; nothing is in the pocket yet, but when I get around to it, I think I'll store all my cowboy and cowgirl charms and findings in it. Perfect, huh?

This, also came in the mail this week! It wasn't a gift. A dear friend and collaborator (in art, not the French Resistance, silly!), Anne Huskey-Lockard of el Milagro Studio, has put her painting on a few products at Zazzle. I couldn't resist it - I love the image! I actually got too large a mug - I got the 15 oz. one and it's too big for me. The coffee gets cold before I finish it. So I think I'll have to order another in the 110z size to drink out of and use this to store Splenda in. She also has stickers and other goodies. If you are a Java-Love-sorta-person, as I am, click on the image below and go get yourself some!


And, last - but certainly not least - I received my (personally autographed!) copy Gabriela Delworth's new book, Paper Headdresses. If you haven't discovered Gabriela yet, you must click here and find all the beautiful things she does and creates! She's a lady who follows my eternal mantra: Sparkle! Shimmer! Glimmer! Gleam! She makes the most scrumptuous crowns and hats and headdresses - and she has shared so many of her secrets and tips (and templates!) in this gorgeously photographed book. If you would like one of your very own, you can click on the image below and it will take you to the magical spot to get it!


Well, that's my tale of a fantastic mail week! Aren't I just the luckiest guy ever?! I have the best friends ... and, I salute them!
Well, off to get some work done in the studio. Making some fun stuff that I'll share later this week.

Thank you for visiting with me today, and allowing me to crow about my friends and treasures.

I hope you're having a fabulous day.

Now, go make something beautiful!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥