My Garden Retreat

My Garden Retreat
photo Gridley Graves for Country Living

I've returned...just in time for Rebecca's Birthday

Hello my friends!
It has been a wild week! So many things have happened!
But more on that in a bit!
It's Rebecca's Birthday!



So...to celebrate, I am linking up with her to show a few things I have been working on as Christmas Gifts!

But here's the catch! I can only show a few closeups of the piece I just finished...
because the recipient...
reads my blog!!!




I made a cream linen lumbar pillow and did some tone on tone embroidery work using vintage lace pieces


there is also some beadwork...


here and there a pearl or sequin

This piece is complete and (hopefully) on it's way to my dear friend today

I hope you can't guess who it's for (or she can't guess!) hee! hee!

I have been pouring soy candles again as well...


All of my candles are made with 100% soy wax and cotton wicks.
I love pouring them in old glass pieces


Old goblets and small compotes are my favorite!
I  also have been pouring some in vintage wine and sherry glasses!

I then add the  fragrance . I use only natural essential oils from a company right here in Indiana!
I blend them together to create my own scent...one that I hope will be my signature fragrance
French Fig
It has done quite well at the store in Tipton!


I have  been making some paper cones!
This one is a grey flocked damask with paper doily trim!
I am filling it with candy and using them as place setting gifts at Christmas!


Well, that is what I have been doing in my studio this week!
I do hope you pop over to Rebecca's and wish her a 
Happy Birthday!
She is such a precious person and dear friend!




So...as you know from Rebecca's give-away announcement post...
My Computer crashed!!!

We are talking absolutely and totally!
After spending hours on the phone with the tech...
A tech was sent...twice...with all new insides!

Yep! I lost everything!

It's basically a brand new computer and all my programs are yet to be reloaded!
but there is a silver lining!
We had 5 days left on our warranty...and everything was FREE!

And...my youngest son...arrived home last night
(The Navy allowed me to see him for the Holidays!)

He and hubby are recovering what they can from the old hard drive!

I got so desperate to access the internet this week...I was using my wii system!

I even took a picture or tow to show you!
I left a comment on the post Rebecca did for me!

I wanted to see if I could send email too....
I can!

I had no idea how addicted I was to my laptop...until this happened!
Are you as bad as me too?


Well...I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I am going to let my hubby and youngest have my laptop for a bit and I...
Am returning to my studio!
Until next time....







20 comments

  1. I'm so glad you are feeling better! And also glad you've got your computer up and running again.

    You've been busy with all your new cureations. They're just lovely!!

    Take care.

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  2. I just love your pillows, their gorgeous... love the embroidering on them too!!!
    Blessings~~ Daphne

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  3. Woo Hoo... Houston we have lift off! Glad to see you are up and running.
    Thank you so much for your birthday wishes and joining my party today, I know it wasn't easy with all your computer problems.
    Your pillow is goreous and she will love it... it looks just like her! Your work is so detailed and impeccable, you are such a talent.
    Blessings today... I love you Girl
    Rebecca

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  4. Your Pillow Gift is fabulous, I'm sure the recipient is going to need smelling salts after opening this Gift!!! I LOVE handmade Gifts and when its between Friends it makes it priceless in my eyes. Thanks for giving us a preview sneak peek at the Gift you were in the process of readying for presentation... I felt like part of a Surprise Party. *Giggle*

    Christmas Blessings... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  5. HI,
    I just love your blog and your home is to die for!
    What a wonderfully beautiful gift that you created and one from the heart. Your friend will love it!
    So glad to hear your feeling better.
    Have a lovely day.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  6. Your needle work is divine, lucky recipient, that friend of yours. Just beautiful! Have a wonderful holiday!

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  7. There is nothing...I repeat nothing...worse than a computer that won't compute. I felt like I was cut off from civilization when mine went on the fritz.
    With that said I have to ask...are you in the market for a new special friend 'cause friend, that little peek of the pillow is fantastic! I'm up for grabs...BTW!!!
    Debbie

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  8. What wonderful news ~ so happy you are back and that your son is home for the holidays. Beautiful pieces you have made and a Happy Birthday to Rebecca.
    Take care ~ Merry Christmas if I don't get back before then, Rebecca
    p.s.
    To answer your question...the answer is yes! I am lost without my computer thank god the hubby can fix anything!

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  9. Glad your feeling better. I know what you mean about laptops...I'm so addicted to mine.
    Love that pillow, you are so talented. The candles are pretty too.

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  10. Hi Donna,
    What beautiful work you do! I am sure your recipient will love it!!
    Do you sell your candles online??
    Hugs~

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  11. Everything you create is so elegant. Your candles are beautiful. The gift sneak peek is beautiful. The paper cones as gifties are beautiful. Happy Holly Jolly Joy to you...

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  12. You have been creating pure magic in your studio Donna! Whenever I see anything you make, I fall in love with it. I think our style is so similar. (only I like yours better)
    I am still in awe of that slipcover you made!!!! Your friend is going to die when she gets her pillow! My gosh...that is gorgeous! Do you really do the embroidery too?!

    Me thinks I can smell the candles burning clear over here in Idaho. They are yummy!
    Well I have to get to Rebecca's to wish her a Happy Birthday before I go to bed, so I will see you later. I'm still dreaming of the three of us getting together next year!
    big Christmas hugs to you!!!

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  13. What a lovely gift. And I would be the same way if my computer croaked. AARGH! SO addicted...LOL!

    Enjoy your weekend,
    Judy

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  14. Donna everything you touch is just spectacular! "You know who" is going to love it.

    I can why your candles are a big hit. Love the glow from the vintage glasses.

    You poor thing to have lost everything. Like Christmas isn't hectic enough. Glad to here you were still under warranty and it will all be ok in the end.
    I still have never backed everything up which really scares me.

    Hope calm and joyous days are ahead of you!

    xx
    Carole

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  15. Where to begin?! Everything is LOVELY! The pillow (love those vintage details), the candle (would love your basic soy candle recipe), the paper cones, etc. I'm on a paper cone kick. I saw cutest wax paper cones holding bird seed in my Jeanne D'Arc magazine. I {LOVE} the idea of using them as place settings. You are so darn talented, Donna. I would have totally wigged if my computer crashed...and would have also hopped on my wii! What a blessing that you had 5 days left on that warranty. Wow. My warranty is up and after a laptop droppage a while back, I have to type a "j" before I can type an "l" (and then have to arrow back and delete the j) AND in order to type a "k", I have to copy and paste one. Ugh! I think Santa is bringing a new computer because I could blog in a third of the time. Anywho, how awesome to have your boy home for the holidays. Please pass along my gratitude for his service!

    Hugs to you,
    Jami

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  16. Glad you are feeling better and all is on the right path for your computer! At least everything was covered! I sent you an e-mail about the wreath! Let me know if you got it or not!
    Theresa
    aka:tot

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  17. I am just do glad I found your blog - pure inspiration! I am adding you to my favorite places to visit on my blog as I don't ever want to miss a post again! Happy Holidays!

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  18. What a beautiful blog.
    And yes, a crazy computer can send me into a tailspin!

    I am so glad I found your blog-

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

    I am a new follower-

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  19. I saw the rest of your beautiful pillow over at Laughing with Angels! You are definitely one of June's Angels!! Julie

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I love reading them~they truly make my day!
~Donna Reyné