a lapse of memory again, or am I just careless?

Sugarwings and I had a pretend tea party this weekend, and we both opened hostess gifts from the Dorothy tag books swap.  I'm so touched by all the thoughtfulness!  Anyone who knows me, knows that the way to my heart is to spoil that little fairy grand baby of mine.

Or to make something for me,  I Iove hand made things!  Or to give me ephemera and supplies to use in my own work. Or to to make a thoughtful gesture.  I guess there are lots of ways to get to me,  I so appreciate an act of kindness! 

Before the party started, we opened a gift from Barbara, that she sent, "just because".  I swear, don't you meet the nicest people in the blog world?

We called it the Yellow Brick Road Dress. It's a colorful concoction featuring a road, appliqued ruby slippers down the front, and poppies stitched to the shoulder.

Sugarwings has both red glittered slippers from the Oz movie and silver glittered slippers that were in the Oz book. I found them at garage sales, and she loves them so much, that she insists they are on her bed at night when I tuck her in.  Not exactly cuddly, but they make her happy.  And I know how women can be about their shoes.  Personally, I have Fred Flinstone feet and am always happy to find a non-Birkenstock that fits me. So, I can't be a shoe person like she is. Wish I could.

 Agnes Rosebud was invited to the party, and I dressed her up in the poppy headband that Barb had made to go with the dress. But the little pup wasn't all that interested in our presents.

Until this one came out of the box!  Even the dogs were remembered with a hostess gift of tasty treats.

And oh my! Do you see that flying monkey on the altered blocks??  Sorry its not facing the camera completely, the two blocks spell OZ in green glittered letters and its cuter than a bug! Its from Amy Bauer.

The monkey was all wrapped up as a gift to me,  but Sugarwings can't quite believe it is not for her.   If we have to arm wrestle for it, I think I can take her.

The ribbon in her hair was part of the wrapping that I saved from the packages filled with tags.  I salvage every little bit of tissue, bubble wrap, and ribbon that comes along with the avalanche of artwork.  When you order goods from my shop, I try to use as much recycled packaging as I can, and the outside of the envelopes often are covered with black sharpie scribbles marking out the old addresses. But I really take time and care to make the purchases look good when you get the package open.

And so many of the swappers did too. I did some oohing and awing over the way some of the tags were wrapped up.  Then, I scooped up the stuff to save and use again! Thanks, swappers!

The Good Witch/Bad Witch buttons that are pinned to her Yellow Brick Road dress were gifts from my Sissy to Sugarwing's Hippie Chick Mommy.  This kid gets her love of all things Oz from her mom and her dear departed Nanny, who were both huge Oz fans.

As much as I enjoy the Dorothy story, I don't come close to those girls.  They are fanatics. 

I've become more of an Oz afficionado since being around them. I can definately quote the movie, act it out, and sing the songs when called for.

Toto is my favorite character, so I really enjoyed this cute zipper pull and will add it to my little fairie's winter coat.

Many of the swappers included extra tags for my own book, or hand made thank you cards that were so cute, I had to add them to my tag book.

 

This one features little Agnes Rosebud as a tiny baby. 

When I host a swap, I'm lucky to get lots of extra tags to fatten my books up.  I have them all on display in the studio hanging from this metal shelf. And everyonce in a while I'll take them down to flip through.  Its wonderful to have a mini collection of so many artist's work.

 

To receive hand made, personal gifts from the artists too, is just amazing!  Cheryl made this box and book and I was floored when I opened it.  Do you ever feel like  a dweeb compared to other artists?  I was overwhelmed by so many of the really extrordinary art that arrived at my doorstep for this swap.  Its impressive to see the talent out there, and even more impressive to see all the tags spread out on my table tops to drool over.

So, if your book is a little curled up on the edges, that is just drool from my admirations.

Okay, now here comes the embarrassing part. I hate to admit this to you, but I might have screwed up.  After finishing all the mailing, there is still a book on my desk….

I never said I was good at this. I just said I tried really, really hard to stay organized.

All the names are marked off the list.  So, I have no idea who didn't get one.

On the other hand, so many people sent in extra tags, and I made so many myself,  and of course, that will really throw off the numbers.

So, if you don't have your book by the end of the week, please let me know. So Sorry.  Very Sorry.

Also, someone didn't get a Toto tag in their basket on the cover of the book. If your basket is empty let me know. There is a Toto on my desk waiting to be reunited with his Dorothy.  ooops again.

Thank you, to all who were part of the swap and thanks also for all of the thoughtful gifts!  Totally unessacary, but greatly enjoyed by us both!