*a bit of serendipity*

One Year

So, today is one year since I started my blog. It's also my birthday. I know most people have a wonderful party or giveaway on their one year, but it kind of snuck up on me and I have nothing planned ~ but I thought that at least I wanted to write a post. Maybe I'll have a really wonderful party or giveaway when I reach my 100th post, another blog milestone, right?

Okay, since I haven't planned anything, I'll share a birthday story with you.

To preface my story...there is kind of a family tradition going on in our family with my Mom. Every year, for everyone's birthday, she calls them first thing in the morning and sings Happy Birthday to them, the full song, our entire lives, without fail.

My story:

Whichever day my birthday falls on each year, my birthday "party" almost always happens on Labor Day weekend and is at my sister's house.  It's kind of our summer's end BBQ/Pool Party Bash.

Well a few years ago, my actual birthday fell on the day of my party. I woke up in the morning and realized I hadn't received the call of my "birthday song" from my Mom. So I waited for a while and still no call. I knew, of course, she hadn't forgotten my birthday, she was at my sister's probably crazy getting ready for my party.

So, around noon, I thought I'd be funny and I called my sister's house and when my sister answered I started singing..."happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me...etc.", my sister started laughing, thought it was funny, then told my Mom it was me calling singing "Happy Birthday" to myself.  Well, my Mom was NOT amused.  She wasn't mad at me of course, but she was really bummed that she hadn't called me yet to sing Happy Birthday.  Here she is cleaning, cooking, blowing up balloons, decorating, etc., and she is upset with herself for not having called yet.  It's no wonder she is so adored!  But lesson learned...do NOT call Mom on my birthday before she's had a chance to call and wish me happy birthday.

Well, you would think lesson learned right?  This year, this morning, I needed to ask my sister something and started to call her, but realized she hadn't called yet to wish me a happy birthday, so I waited.  A while later I started to call again, but stopped myself.  Finally, I really wanted to ask her a question so I just called, and got her voicemail.  She called me back a few minutes later and when I answered, the first thing she did was wish me a happy birthday.  Then she immediately said, "you are NOT supposed to call me on your birthday before I've had a chance to call you".  Yikes!  We laughed, but really, I promise to never again call ANYONE on my birthday before they've had a chance to call me.

What I Did On Sunday

So, a few posts ago I wrote about Etsy, and my procrastination, but put it out there that I was committed to finally start listing things in August ~ and then I promptly joined about 1000 swaps.  Between Halloween, Marie A., and magic wands, there were some I just couldn't pass up.

I decided I would alternate, make one swap item, one Etsy item, swap item, etc.  I can't show you my first swap item yet, but Sunday was Etsy day and I can show you that.

Shades of Red and White

Playing in Photoshop

I was playing around in Photoshop with one of the images I took for the Dress Form Party.  I've been wanting to try distressing photos, adding textures, etc.  I thought I'd share my first (and second) one...I know I've got a long way to go, but I'm having fun!  Edited:  Okay, one more...

I'm sure anyone experienced with this wants to scream "LESS IS MORE!", but it's my first one, I can go a bit overboard, right?

Show Me Your Form Party

Tiffany from Shabby Scraps is hosting a dress form party.  There is such a cute story behind this party.  If you haven't read her post yet, you should check it out, it's pretty funny!

This dress form was JUST delivered so I haven't had much time to work with it.  Not sure what I'm going to end up doing with it, but I just played around a little for this party.  I love that it opens and has a shelf inside for display.

And then I played around with it a little more...

I tried to keep the background dark so you can see all of the detail!

And this is just a little gal, about two feet tall...but I love the shape.

There was one more I wanted to show you, but I haven't had time to photograph it.  If I can, I'll add it a little later!

There are so many lovely ladies participating in this party.  Tiffany's post has a list of all participants, if you're a dress form lover, be sure to check it out!

Thanks to Tiffany for hosting such a fun party!