Adorable Baby Booties

I honestly think most moms like to buy unique and interesting booties for their babies. Nothing looks more adorable than a beautiful pair of booties on a baby.

After a few hours of experimenting with my needles, I came up with these sweet little gems. Many babies don't have grandmothers, aunts, and other family members (or lucky enough) to make something a little different like a sweet pair of these Mary Jane booties.

If you would like me to knit you a pair, please email me, or leave a comment on this post. I can make just about any color you would choose for $12.00, in sizes 0-3 months to 12 mos. They are hand-knitted, 100% acrylic, machine washable and dry able.

Can you imagine your recipient opening a box with these absolutely precious booties as a gift at a baby shower? They may not be big-girl patent leather, but your sweet little girl will get a lot of attention with these cute socks on her tootsies.

Play it Forward Thank You and Giveaway

Last month, I offered three giveaways for the One World One Heart event. Not only did I give away, I also will be receiving two gorgeous gifts. There were an astounding number of artful blogs to visit this year, and it is pure luck to have won two of them.

A big bear hug goes out to my dear friend, Debra Abel, from "It's All Good." She did the random generator, and I was the No. 2 comment. What are the chances of this happening? She insists that it was legitimate, and I'm sticking to it! I have always admired the image of her sweetheart of a mermaid piece. I love the sea, the ocean, and what lies beneath. Please visit Deb's blog to get a glimpse of some of her beautiful pieces of art, plus a mixture of her thoughts on what is happening in her world. I am so excited to own this brilliant print and all it's fine detail!

And it won't be long before, I will be receiving another package from across the Atlantic Ocean. Linda Woolford, of "The Briar Rose Gate," painted a magical moonlit crow image in winter, "Nobel Gwynan, Raven of the Dark Woods Clan." She says it's on it's way. I think it is just stunning! Her site is wonderful with photo images of her town, family, and neighboring villages. You will even meet her lab, Poppy and his new pal Prince. I love the music she chose for her blog.

As a thank you to the above blogs, please leave a comment for them by clicking on these links. Then come back and leave a comment on this post with your email address. On Friday, March 5th, I will choose 5 lucky winners to receive one of my hand knit coffee cup cozies that are shown below.

Thank you so much Deb and Linda!

Nancy

Inspiration from Across the Country

When I first started seriously blogging, I began to receive sweet comments from my "imaginary" friend, Becky. I used to think quite a bit about her, where she lived, where she created her amazing pieces of art, and basically, I just loved her style. Her words were powerful, and they encouraged me.

As time passed, I would link to her very colorful blog, and think to myself "I wish I could do that!" I loved her little girl images, her mysterious backgrounds, her poetry, and the mood of her pieces. I would visit her blog practically every day, and dream about the art she posted. Sometimes we would coincidentally have the same background on our blogs. It was rather funny! Then I started commenting back, and we exchanged a few "Awards."

Today, I have turned some of my work towards the things I love about Becky's style. I couldn't believe it when she opened her own shop and started selling her own digital collage sheets. I was in heaven! It seems like I have known Becky for ages, but we have only known each other for a blip in time.

You can imagine my surprise, when I received this gorgeous bookmark in the mail this past weekend. She wrote on the package "Happy Valentine's Day.....sending sweet Valentine wishes your way." ~ Becky. I feel so honored to own this original piece of artwork from my friend who lives half across the country. I am so glad we met this way, but a little sad that I may never meet her in person during my lifetime. Thank heavens for artful blogging!

Please visit Becky's beautiful and inspiring blog, Whymsical Musings.

Winning is the Greatest!!

Because of the overwhelming response to my One Word One Heart Giveaway, I decided during the comment process to increase my prizes from two to three. I used the random generator and these numbers magically appeared.

Here are the winners:

Knitted Hat and Scarf Set

to

Nancy Lee Malay from Fairbault, Minnesota

"Victorian Whimsies"

Comment 303 and Booth #419

Coffee or Tea Cup Cozy

to

Twyla and Lindsey from Missouri

"Two Crazy Crafters"

Comment 143

Since there are two of you, I will be mailing two cozies!!

and

Marie Antoinette DVD

to

Kimberly Lynn from Florida

"Sea Gypsy Studio"

Comment 130 and Booth #555

I am truly honored that so many of you have stopped by my blog and left such lovely comments. I wish I could have sent a gift to all of you!!! I tried to visit as many blogs as I could, but it was really quite overwhelming. I am very happy that I joined in this annual giveaway, and will be looking forward to next year's magical caravan.

I have added so many new and amazing artists to my favorite links and added myself to countless blogs. Thank you for sharing all your brilliant artwork with the world. Thank you, Lisa, for hosting this fabulous event!

Hearts With Wisdom

"It is in loving, not in being loved,

the heart finds its quest;

It is in giving, not in getting,

our lives are blest."

Valentines With Hope

What can you say when you find out that your sister's best friend is diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer? It has been dwelling on my mind, causing me to worry, and there is nothing you can really do except offer your support. If only there was a cure when the cancer has grown too large.

Because I love Valentine's Day, and only wish for a complete recovery for my sister's friend, I have lovingly created a few little valentines with the thought of all those women who have suffered from this frightening disease. What could be more appropriate than to create art in memory of those women we have loved and lost?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Vintage Wedding Cards

For most of my adult life, I have loved vintage graphics. I am especially fond of vintage wedding cards. Their pastel beauty is beyond compare from the cards of today!

In celebration of having achieved more than 100 precious followers last week, I have brought out a few of my dreamy wedding cards from my special drawer I label "Antiques." Thank you so much for your friendship and interest in my creative journey! I sometimes stroke the cards from this drawer, and think of those gals of long ago that treasured these aging paper goods and how they were definitely held close to their hearts. I am sure that some of these women have passed, but I still keep these cards as if they were really my own wedding cards! Here are a few of my favorites.

I have yet to use them in any of my personal art projects, but someday soon I hope to. You are welcome to use these digital images of my cards as you please. I have scanned them at a higher resolution, so they should be beautiful for all your altered art projects.

Enjoy these FREEBIES,

and come back again!

P. S. If you have any problems with the digital

quality of these images, please

email me at ncvanhoose@comcast.net.