OMGosh, Jeanne, you really hit a jackpot....I think you just gave Candy a run for her Bargain Queen title. LOL. At least for one round. So MANY wonderful things that I hardly know where to start. But the big Santa in the first photo really is fabulous. I'd have gladly paid a LOT more for him. The little Elf reading the book is just darling, and perfect for you. But all the elves are cute and the little fairy girl too. I'm so glad Dollbaby now has her very own cloche. You'll have to find her some miniatures to put in it. I have to applaud your restraint, coming home with only two boxes. I shudder to think of the load I'd have bought, and no place to put any of it. The only restraint I have is to NOT GO shopping in the first place. LOL. You did good, Girl. And should be grinning all week over it. hugs, Karen

Jeanne, I love that outfit on Dollybaby! Adorable. Karen, Teegan looks delighted with her new tree, village house and santa. So sweet. I still love her on the sled too. I had redressed TJ in her Christmas dress but hadn't got that picture and table posted when I seen this post. BTW, things are moving pretty fast here for me these days. So I took her out of the high chair and thought I would set her on the old sled. Didn't work, her little legs don't spread that far, so sat her in front of it with some snowies and her bear. Then I remembered seeing everyones neat ice skates. I ran to get a set I had painted but could only find one. Yes, one! The other one must be out in the shed. To cold to go hunt it down tonight so decided to share the one I found.LOL Placed it on top of the sled and here she is. I have a couple of the kids little red wagon's that I will have to drag out and play with sometime. Dollbaby & Teegan, TJ's ready,"Let's Party". Hope the others will join the party here. Punk

Very sparingly. LOL Normally, I don't step foot in a store without knowing what I'm looking for. I'm not really a "browse around" type of shopper...I'm a get in, get what I need, and get out type of girl. I will spend more $$ to buy something quickly and in a comfortable (ie, not busy or bustling) environment just because it's worth it to me. If I see an item I've been waiting to buy on sale somewhere else at a higher price, I'll get it - saving the gas and frustration is totally worth the extra $$, IMO. Making most of my gifts means I don't have to shop as much, which I like a lot. LOL This year I have a book I need to buy for a gift, and some little stocking stuffers for my mom (I've already bought the usual christmas coffee samples for it), and some small gifts like a gift cert. to the dog groomer for one of their dogs, cat and dog treats, maybe some candles or potpourri. Luckily most of the women in my family read, so books are always an option - I like bookstores, so that is an easy shopping trip (though I end up buying myself stuff too - expensive). If I have to *buy* the gift, it will usually be something small from a smaller-type store, rather than something from department stores or mall stores. I try to keep bought gifts under $25 or so, but I try to get something the person will really like and appreciate, not just a "token" gift (which is why actually *shopping* drives me nuts LOL). Handmade gifts are a different story - I think nothing of spending $50 on yarn for an afghan or sweater, plus the time it takes to make. ;-) I don't do much shopping online, really - just books if possible. But I don't buy for that many people, so it's really not necessary (there are about 10-11 people on my christmas gift list...that's it). When I do go to the stores, it's usually early Sat. morning or in the evenings...sometimes I'll take a half-day on a Friday or something to shop if need be, but I never shop the day after thanksgiving or those type days. I do shop after Christmas sales if I have the $$...normally they aren't too busy, and it's a great time to find stuff for next year. :-)

Gram, I just bought some small paper doilies. I'm trying to make some "wooden" valentines cookies with different "toppings" on them. Wanted them to look like the ones Minnie postefd on the crafts or holidays forum. (Her's are real.) Thought I would use a doily as a stencil on a couple of them. Make them look like I sprinkled powdered sugar on them. I think I've stenciled over a doily before but it would have been eons ago! I have seen lace used on projects and it looked beautiful--just haven't had occassion to try it myself. Probably wouldn't want to ruin the piece of lace--I love lace! Ha ha I have some old bottles of texture paste, so I used some of it to ice a few of the "cookies" last night. The one product really looked like icing! Sure hope nobody picks one up when I am not looking--wouldn't want anyone to break a tooth! LOL Not sure this project will be worth all the cutting and sanding--but decorating them is sort of fun! I think my post about the painting roses on suitcases video is on the Trash to Treasure forum. This suitcase was only 99 cents, so figured "Why not"? I often want to try things--but then have no place to use them. I used to let that stop me, but now I figure I will just do it and enjoy myself. I can always have a YS or donate it to Goodwill, right? Paintingfool, Bet that was a good book. I have a couple of magazines with painted teapots in them. I've also seen some on ebay and on some of the Shabby Chic sites. I am sort of curious about this one--the metal is different from most that i have seen--not copper but very gold colored. It's really heavy and the inside is beautiful. We use Maas polish on the silver and pewter items at the store--so I think I will try that on this one. Just want to see if I might have found a diamond in the rough! LOL If it doesn't clean up and look good, then I will spray paint it and paint some roses on it. What a great idea with the bowls. Bet they are wonderful. That sounds like challenging painting too. You are just amazing. I think it is so fun to hit a YS or TS and look for things to revitalize with paint. That duck I found has to be from the 80's. I think I have a painting book with a whole bunch of them in it. For 55 cents, I couldn't not give him a 2nd lease on life. I think I will sand him off and repaint him--he'll add a little whimsey in my sideyard flowerbed. Happy painting! Luvs