HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY BLOGGING BUDDIES

TO CELEBRATE ~ I'M HAVING A CONTEST!

PLEASE HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD...

Opening a new website has been wonderful and very exciting. But with the holiday rush, I haven't had as much time to spread the word as I would have liked. So I am having a contest to do just that. Will you help me spread the word? There is a GREAT prize for you if you enter and win.

Here are the simple rules.

1. Go to my new website: www.Eleganceandwhimsy.com and take a look around to get a feel of the site so you will have something to blog about.

2. Take my new banner and use it in your blog post and tell everyone what you love/like about it then while linking the banner back to my website (www.eleganceandwhimsy.com).

3. Add my banner to your Favorite Links page on your website. I will be happy to reciprocate on my Favorite Shoppes page.

4. Come back here and post your name, blog name (and website) so I can read all blogs and see what you like and would like to see in the future at
Elegance and Whimsy.

5. Tell everyone you know about the contest.lol

The contest will end on January 17th, my birthday!
My gift will be a Prize for you...
Now the PRIZE you ask???? I think it's a great one myself.

A $50 Gift Certificate to purchase anything you choose on either one of my
websites. Either "Treasured Heirlooms" or "Elegance and Whimsy"!
(S&I not included unless prearranged with me via email)

Won't you join in the fun and help out a fellow blogger?
I would really appreciate it.
Thank you kindly,
Cathy

MY SWEET PEA AND I GOT MARRIED YESTERDAY
NINE YEARS AGO!

It was a wonderfully, exciting, and very romantic day when Mike and I eloped on the Boardwark in Disney, December 28, 1999.

Definitely a "Cinderella Story full of Magic"...
and it keeps on coming!

Oh, to still be that thin again! lol

AND IT KEEPS ON SNOWING!!!!

It looked beautiful last night. Good thing I took a few photos. We are buried with the beautiful white stuff today!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS
EVERYWHERE I GO.....

Our first big storm this year and right before Christmas. I couldn't have asked for more. I just love having a white Christmas. The weatherman is forecasting snow every day this week, except Tuesday and of course, rain on Christmas Eve. Hopefully we will have enough snow on the ground on Christmas Eve for Santa to park his sleigh on the rooftops.

Here are a few pics I took this morning when I came back from getting my morning Iced Coffee. Mmm, mmm Banana Cream Pie coffee. Delicious.....

Hopefully I will have time to get some photos while it's snowing at dusk with the lights on outside. Until then, enjoy my front porch covered in snow.

LET'S GO SHOPPING....

LOLLISHOPPING THAT IS!!!!

There are so many wonderful and talented artists at Lollishops I just don't know where to begin. I have done some window-shopping, some purchasing and spent time this week making new friends.

I wanted to send you over to one of my favorite shops to take a peak. Hopefully from there you will do a bit of your own window-shopping and may be find some "must have" treats while you are there.

Here is what I have my eye on this week.
It is a "Cherry Crumb" candle from "Candle Confections".

Click on the photo and you will be sent right to her Lollishop.

Click here and you will be transported to my very own Lollishop!

Elegance and Whimsy

"MY SWEET TOOTH"

I have been wanting for so long to get back to just creating everyday pretties for my new website, especially some new wreaths. I had so much fun today with my glue gun and all the faux sweets I've been collecting for months.

Ta Da! "Sweet Tooth" is my newest creation. I love it so much. I did have a bit of a difficult time photographing it, but I think you can get the idea of the colors from the close ups.

This lovely will be added today to my new website
"Elegance and Whimsy".
I hope you like it.

GRAND OPENING TODAY!

"ELEGANCE AND WHIMSY"

I hope you find my new website as a magical journey and a fun place to shop. I am opening with as much as I can possibly get featured during this crazy busy holiday season.

New and exciting products will be added as they become available and most of the website will be One-of-a-kind hand made treasures created either by myself or amazing Artists from around the world.

Enjoy poking around and have a wonderful day.

They're here.....

PLEASE SAY "HELLO"

I have literally had no time at all to spend blogging or emailing my friends just to say "hello". It has been a crazy 6 weeks since we were featured in "Romantic Homes" and I have been busy beyond belief to say the least. That's a GOOD THING!

My Christmas tree, mantle, sideboard and kitchen are all undecorated and are waiting patiently for my undivided attention and their share of the holiday decorations. I am hoping to at least have time to decorate my tree before Christmas actually arrives. Last Wednesday it was really warm here in MA so DH and I decorated outside and it looks lovely ~ although since then I haven't been out there in the dark to see the lights or to take any photos.

My sweet friends, even though I haven't been by to visit, please leave me a quick message just to say "hello".
I always read my posts and then go directly to read your blogs. I'm sure this will help me take a little more time for myself and for you.

Some of the faux sweets have arrived, but the majority of them are still in transit. I have taken my own personal treasures and added them in with the new stock that arrived (which will be for sale soon) and took a photo for you all to see what is coming within the next week or two.

I have uploaded all the available faux sweet Holiday Ornaments on "Elegance and Whimsy"
Click here to find them.

Have a great week and enjoy the sweets my sweets.

THE "CUPCAKE FAIRY" ARRIVED TODAY!!!

There's no doubt about it! I am the happiest girl on the planet because my favorite mailman made a "Special Delivery" today. Being the ultimate "girly girl" that I am (which I know you already know by now) I just can't tear myself away from all the beautiful faux sweets created by my wonderful friends.

Today my "Special Delivery" from "Tami of PinkButtercreme" made me dozens of the most delightful and scrumptious looking cupcakes. No one paints them like Tami, this I know first hand. I, myself, wouldn't even try. Tami pours magic in her paintbox before she begins and when she is finished her creations just melt your heart away.

Once you have experienced her goodies, you will not be able to stop going back for more and more. Everything she creates touches my heart and inspires me to create magical items for my own customers.

O.K. ~ Don't be jealous because I'm the lucky recipient...lol

DRUM ROLL PLEASE... HERE THEY ARE ~
MY SPECIAL DELIVERY CUPCAKE STASH!

If you would like some of your very own, just click on the picture and visit Tami's beautiful shop. Hurry, go, go, go....
OH! and have fun shopping girls.

"Romantic Homes Magazine"

"Home for the Holidays"

January issue
on sale now...
here at Treasured Heirlooms

Click on the photo to buy your copy.
I will ship it right off to you.

My dear friend Michelle from
ROSE PETALS AND BLOOMS...

has something BIG going on at her website.
Here is a sneak peak at her very first collection
"Winter Wonderland"...

"Darling Isabella"

~*~

A vintage teapot brimming with an abundance of charm, many frills,

oodles of daintiness, and most outstanding... she's a lamp!!

Isabella is so very feminine, and an over the top "fu-fu frilly" lady.

She is donned in soft ivory with white accents...I hand crafted her

delightful ruffle and Roses, the enchanting frame, including each sweet

pearl that surrounds the pot , the quilted design and her fluted lid.

I especially love her tiny toes peeking from her ruffled skirt~

Isabella's "hat" was designed using Venice Lace appliques gathered

from a vintage wedding gown, then crowned with a gorgeous vintage

rhinestone brooch. The shade color is Ivory with White appliques.

I will continue creating one of a kind lamps for each Collection, but

be assured, there will only be one, "Darling Isabella"

THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY!!

FAUX PASTRIES & SO MUCH MORE


EXCLUSIVELY AT
"ELEGANCE & WHIMSY"

Do you want to be the first to know when the Pastry Shop is open, all you need to do is move your mouse over to the "Newsletter Sign-Up" box and sign-up. Don't miss out.

Remember if your favorite pastry, cake or cookie is "sold out" ~ or you would like to order it in a specific color, just email me and I will take a special order for you. It will take approximately 2-3 weeks for delivery.

MAJOR BLIZZARD AT THE
NORTH POLE
I CAN'T SEE THROUGH THE
GLITTER AND SNOW!

A major storm has hit "Santa's Village" at the North Pole. They say about 100 feet of glittery snow dropped last night and as you can see, everything is covered. The snow is so crisp and white it actually glistens and it's blinding here. I hope you guys can manage to see between the whisps, billows and mounds of glitter (oops, I mean snow) that has landed on the rooftops, down the lane, through the forest, and on the trees.

I must say even though the temperature has dropped dramatically and we are snowbound, the view is quite stunning. Everyone is running around in their fleece p.j.'s with cups of cocoa in hand, tape and wrapping paper are stuck to our slippers as we run around trying to get everything perfectly wrapped. We are feasting on delicious chocolate and sweet candies which is dripping off our faces. Candy canes are properly hanging from the hundreds of decorated trees here and mounds of gifts are waiting to be wrapped. All in a day's work at "Santa's Workshop"! Christmas is almost here and we are having the time of our lives.

There are still so many more treasures to complete and so much work to get done in just a few short weeks. I have to run for now and get back to my crew (no crew really, just me ~ lol), but I will be making a huge announcement soon. So hang in there kiddies and enjoy the glittery storm.

FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO READ THIS.

I received this email this morning and felt it was important
not only to forward it to five people, but instead share it with all of you!

IN honor of women's history month and in memory of
Erma Bombeck
who lost her fight with cancer.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck?
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).?

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and
more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it...... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us!

SWEET PEA CANDIES
IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Every year around this time I start my kettles and warm up my stove and get into high gear. All home made and decadently delicious are each of my crazy concoctions. All made in small fresh batches, with the highest quality ingredients and gourmet Dutch chocolate.

Jump over to my Sweet Pea Candies boutique and see what's brewing this year. Here is a small sampling of what you will find.

A FEW PINK THINGS HAPPENING HERE!

I am doing my very best to get all of my newest creations up on my website.
Please be a tiny bit patient with me. Thanks.

"PINK BOTTLE BRUSH TREES"
"HAND PAINTED AND GLITTERED"

Marie Antoinette's Birthday Celebration
Sunday, November 2nd

I thought this would be a perfect time to introduce everyone to my newest website "Elegance and Whimsy"

ONE OF MARIE'S ELEGANT SHOES

Reminder! Polish your tiaras and fluff your ball gowns because the Soiree is going to be amazing! There are participants from all over the world who are excited to share their Marie Antoinette inspired treasures. I hope you all enjoy the birthday festivities.

MARIE AND LOUIS THEMED WREATH

IT'S A VERY MAGICAL TIME FOR TREASURED HEIRLOOMS!

My husband and I cannot describe the sheer excitement and unexpected privilege to have our holiday home featured on the cover of the December issue of "Romantic Homes". I had no idea until a friend received an early copy and called me screaming with excitement, that our magical home made the cover. Once I began to breathe again, she informed me that they had written a 10-page article and each page was beyond words.

I knew our "Magical Candy Themed" decorations were really sweet and pretty, but I had no idea just how amazing they looked until I received my copy of Romantic Homes yesterday. As I said to my DH (Mike), "I can't believe we actually live here".

It is pink and dreamy inside our home and outside in our English cottage garden, but what makes it all that more important is that he and I made this magical place "together".

Throughout the hardships that fell upon me during my life, I believed that if I stayed the course, treated others with kindness, lent a hand when necessary, and putting the lives of those less fortunate before myself, one day I would be "blessed" and I would be the "receiver" of joy and all that is good. This is my proof that "dreams do come true" to those who patiently wait. Just when you least expect it, there it is.

I hope I have inspired you all to continue on your path and that you too receive the joy that I have received this past year. I also want to thank a few of the following creative ladies who sent me such amazing creations in the "Holiday Swaps" last year. They too have been mentioned in the "Marketplace" on Page 89.

Pink Rose Pastries (Catherine)

Vivs Whimsy (Viv)
Of Bluebirds and Roses (Becca)
Miss Rhea's Sweet N Shabby Roses (Rhea)
Rose Petals and Blooms (Michelle)