Out the door again for a bit, some lovlies and an important reminder!!

I'm so afraid that you'll think I don't do anything but travel, it has certainly been a busy summer and fall with little trips. We had a great time at the Outer Banks with Charlie and family and now I'm heading out again solo for a visit to New Jersey to see my sister in Chatham and this beautiful woman...

our daughter Michelle. She lives in Jersey City and works in New York City so we'll be spending lot of time in the BIG city visiting some fun places and having lots of quality Mom/ Daughter time!

Before I go I wanted to show you some pictures of several beautiful things that have come in the mail over the past month or so, aside from my swap tin.

I'm sure many of you shop or at least have visited Etsy. It is a great place to find quality handmade items and vintage items as well.  I have lots of favorite artists whose things I love to look at and often buy from. Somethimes the things I buy are for gifts but I also buy things for myself. Most recently I been lucky enough to find the following beauties...

First up is this bewitching witch from Mary Lou at House of Whimsey-2

The witch's banner says "spooky" but I don't find her anything but boo-t-ful! (You do know that the candy corn was just for enhancement?) I have purchased other things from Mary Lou and the quality is exceptional and she is a peach of a woman and a gifted artist! I have gotten to know her through her blog which you can find here. Right now her shoppe stock is down a bit but keep checking...she does amazing things!

Next are these paper crafts from Wood and Fabric

The first is a notepad. Look at the detail!

and Michelle refers to this as a card, but it's so much more...

It's made from a paper bag!!! Her work is so inspirational and I love to just look at her pieces. They are always in colors I love and of course you know how crazy I am for that vintage look. Michelle lives in Canada and I'd like to know where she gets her rubber stamps-some of them are unlike ones I've seen here in the states.When I went to her shoppe to copy and paste her address, I almost bought 2 more things but decided to leave them in case you were interested.....just saying! Sadly, Michelle does not have a blog and she told me if she had one...it would be in French! Oh well.

 I found Lori, of Goody, Goody Gumdrops (how much fun is that name!) on Flickr.com first. After seeing her beautiful, original artwork, I visited her Etsy store and couldn't leave without prints of her "buffet" series. She painted the same buffet decorated for different holidays. I decided to get the Halloween print first but I couldn't resist and got the Christmas and Spring prints, too! I bought one 8X10-inch frame and I keep the prints not being displayed behind the one you see here. When the season changes, I can just swap it out. She actually has a new Christmas buffet print that you must see....visit her shoppe for all the goodies!

Lori's blog is here. Lots of talent there!

Last but not least is this cheery card from Cherry's Jubilee!

I loved the flower on the front of the card, fashioned from a paper doily. Cherry has lots in her shoppe right now and her blog is a great one to visit, too.

OK kids! I have a lot of packing to do and some laundry to finish so I'll sign off for now! I've left you with lots to explore. I hope you enjoy these places as much as I do! If you click on any of the pictures, you can see them in greater detail.

Oh...and if you like a lot of fun....A Swap for All Seasons is having a new swap for the winter...who wouldn't want to play along with this?

Bye for now. Have a good week everyone! I'll try to check in while I'm gone.
~Joyce
PS- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
If you have not had a mammogram, please call to schedule one....for your own sake
My mother died of breast cancer in 1977. She was 58 years old and I was 28. I miss her every day. I do breast self-examinations and have an annual mammogram. I have just read this blog post of Amy Tara's. It is very touching and heartfelt. Please take time to read it and follow her suggestions. I just did.
xoxo