WHAT A KID

There are days when a Mom just has to brag a little, especially when you have a kid that was born completely deaf. You set certain goals for him and well, you just can't set them high enough because he keeps Jumping over those goals so that he can reach even higher goals he has set for himself.

Yesterday was the JROTC 2011 Awards Ceremony at F's high school. He decided on his own last year to join this program. At this Awards Ceremony he was awarded 9 different ribbons to wear on his uniform for things like attendance, personal appearance, athletics, cadet challenges, good conduct, raider's team and academic achievements. But the most impressive part of the ceremony came at the end when several National Awards were handed out. F was the only freshman to receive a national award. He was awarded the Emry-Riddle award for outstanding performance in academics, leadership and cadets corps activities as a first year JROTC cadet.

This award came with a beautiful shiny metal to be worn on his uniform. I don't know who was more proud, me or him. His face was just glowing with pride. We are so proud of him and the man he is turning into.

The Queen's Mirror Swap

Remember that last month I was busy creating a hand mirror for one of my art swaps? I sent my mirror off to my partner and have now received my mirror back. Just take a look at it, isn't it just lovely? It was created by Sarah. She writes a wonderful blog called http://mysocalledjunkylife.blogspot.com/ . It is full of all types of vintage stuff, just up my alley.

I sure if she lived in the Atlanta area we would have blast creating together. Thanks Sarah creating such a treasure.

Winners of my Give-A-Way

I let the Queen Art Chix choose the four winner for my Alpha Stamps Blog Hop Give-a-way.

She was very happy to have a special role in such a special day. Thanks to all the wonderful

Alpha Stampers who visited me last Saturday and left such lovely comments.

The winners are as follows:

Pandora

Phoebe

Pretty Ragged Threads

Gayl

Please send me your addresses and I'll get your prizes out to your right away.

WELCOME ALPHA STAMPERS/ SPECIAL GIVE-A-WAY

Happy Saturday Alpha Stampers and thanks for visiting. I've already visited half your blogs this morning and I am very honored to be a part of such a wonderfully talented group of people.

I currently have 4 differnent Stationery sets in stock and would like for four lucky visitors to win today. Great odds, don't you think. All you have to do is leave a comment today and sign up as a follower. I'll be drawing for my prizes on Wednesday, April 6th. Good Luck and have a great time hopping from Blog to blog.

You can see my stationery sets above, they are all created from my original watercolors. I have a site for just my watercolors and stationery if your not to tried already.

www.watercolorsbyjacooper.com

You don't have to be a Alpha Stamper to leave a comment or entry to winner, I love all comments and followers.

LINEN TEA TOWELS

One of my favorite blogs to follow is a "Bird in the Hand".

http://http//a-bird-in-the-hand.blogspot.com/

This Lady's sewing techique is very inspiring to me. She takes a little bit of this and a little bit of that and puts together these wonderful little creations that just make you smile. Something about her work makes me feel close to my grandmother, who taught me to sew. This week I was so inspired by one of her post that I pulled out all my favorite antique laces, old fabrics and got busy creating a my own little creations to make others smiles.

These beautiful tea towels are handmade of linen fabric and are almost 40 inches long. I hate a skimpy tea towel. All of the lace on them are from my collection of vintage laces, some of the fabric is even vintage. The images are either my own watercolors paintings or images I have collected over time. There are only 6 towels and each towel is a unique piece of art. After this week they will be going into the Boardwell Cottage but you can purchase them directly from me for only $24.95.

By the way I hope they are making you smile.

Quarterly Ribbon/Cloth Flower Swap

My flowers for this Quarter's Swap

Something special for Terri, our hostess.

Joanne's Ribbon Shop at Lakewood 400

Some of Joanne's Flowers

Joanne's Ribbon Shop at Lakewood 400

It's time again for the Quarterly Ribbon/Cloth flower Swap in Marie Anntoinette Mail Art Group.

This is one of my favorite swaps to participate in. I also love to purchase my ribbon from my favorite place. It's a little shop at a monthly antique market , I am not even sure if it has a name, all I know is that a very sweet lady named Joanne owns it. She also has an etsy store.

http://www.ribbonemporium.etsy.com/

She has the most amazing ribbons. Most of the ribbons are vintage and she hand dyes them. When ever I visit her, her hands are stained many colors. My children hate to go with me because I spend way to much time visiting with her and dreaming in the shop. Just take a look at the pictures and you'll see why.

The first picture is of my flowers made for the swap the quarter with Joanne's ribbon. I have been using a book she recommended, RIBBONWORK, The Complete Guide. So many projects so little time. The second picture is of a little ribbon work I did for our swap host, Terri.

Let me now what you think.

New Stationery Now Available

The Famous Shoe

Tennis Anyone

I love Bunnies

Flowers from the Garden

I have had so many request for my watercolor stationery sets lately that I spent the entire week last week printing, cutting, folding and stuffing. So there they are ladies, just as you requested. The first set is the ever popular "Flowers from the Garden". Second is a new "I love Bunnies" set. Most of the bunnies are the same but I've added a new one that I created this season. The last two sets are everyone's favorites this time of year, the famous "Colorful Shoe" and "Tennis Anyone". The first two sets come with 5 different cards and the last two sets are 5 of the same note card. Each set is only $6.95. Please get them, while I got them. They go fast. They make great end of the year teacher gifts. These sets are all preprinted but if your looking for personalize sets or to see my full line of stationery check out my website

http://www.lulusletters.com/