Sunday, December 13, 2009

Tasha Tudor's "Take Joy!", A Snowy Card...and SO Many Thanks!

Good evening, everyone!  Hope this weekend has been a festive one for you all, and that this Sunday has been quiet and peaceful...it feels like such a cozy, nappy day today!  Got the fire going, everyone's just snacking on delicious food left over from our party last night...Momma doesn't have to cook today--yes!!!


I wanted to share something with you tonight that's been special to me since I was a young girl...first printed in 1966, Tasha Tudor's beautiful Christmas book, "Take Joy!"



My Mom got this book sometime in the early '70's, I believe, and it held a treasured spot in our family's Christmas celebrations....stories and poems were read from it...



...carols sung from it, piano played with it's beautifully illustrated music to inspire me, and recipes made...so many memories!



This beloved book is out of print now, but there are quite a few to be found on Amazon (I checked!) for various prices, of course! But, if you're looking for something special...something wonderful, warm and beautiful to help your family celebrate the holidays, this is the just thing!

My Mom has no wish to part from her old copy of this book--nor would I wish her to! When the cover on her book fell apart from too many loving little hands, she even made it a tapestry book cover--now that's love!

When I had my own family, I really wanted this to be a part of our family Christmas as well...searched and searched...was finally able to get one used through Amazon...didn't even have ANY available for quite a while!

I made a card today using a sweet little image from Crafty Secrets' "Christmas" Images & Journal Notes booklet...kind of reminded me of something Tasha Tudor would do...




So many fabulous images in these Crafty Secrets booklets...from Victoriana vintage to '40's & '50's kitschy classics--so much fun to use!



A close-up of my snowflakes and snowy accents I added to the image using "Icicle" Stickles...nice and easy! 

The beautiful green satin ribbon I used was left behind at our party last night...we had a White Elephant gift exchange, and while cleaning up afterwards, I was so excited to find this lovely piece of ribbon...didn't waste any time, did I?! 

And now for my thanks...I feel like the luckiest, winningest (is that a word?) girl on the planet lately!  Last week, I received this beautiful Pink Paislee stamp set from Samantha Sibbet's giveaway on her blog, More Paper Please...

Isn't that a fabulous set?  Thanks so much, Samantha!

Marie of A Year From Oak Cottage, (who I just love!) picked my number for her give away last month, and I just received the package yesterday...lucky me!


Look at all that lovely stuff!  The best of it all, though, is her beautiful artwork!  Isn't she adorable!  My daughters were so smitten with her work...couldn't believe it wasn't a stamp she'd used and just watercolored!  She has such a lovely style, and I will be introducing you to more of her beautiful pieces very soon!  Thanks so much, Marie!

Lastly, I just found out last night that I won Elizabeth's giveaway at Creative Breathing...a beautiful, handmade Christmas countdown calendar--I just loved it when I saw it on her post, and can't believe I actually won!  Thanks so much, Elizabeth!  I can't wait to see it and show you all how beautiful it is!

Trust me--I don't win very often in real life...this has been a charmed blog month for me, I guess!  Thanks to all you wonderful, creative women!  I hope you all go and visit them, if you don't already--you're in for a treat with all three!

Well, off for some more family time, then we're all heading to a Christmas musical program at the church, so more Christmas spirit to share with good friends...I just love this beautiful season, don't you?!

Hope you have a wonderful night with your families....see you soon!

19 comments:

  1. I totally just went to PaperBackSwap to look for that book, they didn't have it but it's on my wish list now! lol

    Love your card so much and congrats on your fabulous winnings!!!

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  2. The book looks lovely, I love Tasha Tudor, I'm going to try to find it. Thank you. Have a wonderful week!
    Debra

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  3. That Tasha Tudor book is glorious and was released the year I was born. :) Your card is gorgeous! I always save leftover wrapping paper and ribbon; all my friends know that and just automatically hand it over. Great giveaways that you were so fortunate to win! Fun stuff! Blessings :) Tammy

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  4. Julie, congratulations on winning Elizabeth's countdown calendar. I can tell you her work is exquisite! You will be amazed at her stitches. That book looks so special. I want one now! Have a nice week! Twyla

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  5. Oh Julie, something else we have in common! A love of Tasha Tudor! Are you sure we weren't twins!!! How wonderful. I just love this newest card you have shown us as well. How very beautiful it is, but then all your cards are! I was thrilled that you won my giveaway and am so pleased that you are enjoying the gifts I sent! Also to win that beautiful stamp set! Lucky you!! You are probably sleeping now and I am beginning my Monday. Hope you are having sweet dreams! xxoo

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  6. Congratulations to you! What wonderful things :)

    I like that card very much!

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  7. What a beautiful blog you are sharing with us today; thank you!
    Rita

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  8. Wow girl, you've HAVE been lucky! :) Enjoy all of your goodies, I'm sure it REALLY feels like Christmas!
    As for that book, it's beautiful. I've never heard of Tasha Tudor but it seems like she has touched many!!!! What a precious little keepsake~
    everything vintage

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  9. It's wonderful you have a book you treasure so much. Your card you made is lovely. Blessings!
    Gwen

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  10. Christmas memories to be cherished every year as a result of Tasha Tudor is a great thing. Your card is so lovely and now I want to order one, or two, or THREE of those Crafty Secrets Booklets. The images are so sweet. Congrats on your newest blog giveaway windfalls. You really should play the lottery, while this winning streak of yours is on fire!
    Maureen

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  11. WOWZA girl ... you've hit the jackpot! Good for you ... you deserve every beautiful little thing you receive!! You are an inspiration to us all with your stories, recipes & of course awesome card creations!! Enjoy your goodies!

    This book looks amazing, I'll have to check it out! Happy Day my friend! Hugs to you from across the miles!!

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  12. Glad the parties were successful! Party leftovers are always a hit in our family! :D

    Congratas on the blog candy. It looks like a great set! :D

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  13. The snowy accents are the perfect touch to that truly beautiful card you made!! And the Tasha Tudor book looks so wonderful...how nice that you have something so special to be a part of your Christmas memories!

    :) T

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  14. What a wonderful book! Love your card! :-)

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  15. Morning Julie

    You sound like you had a great weekend. We had a family day on Saturday as well, sixteen of us in all, lots of cooking and real fun.

    Well done on the win and beautiful cards as always.

    B x

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  16. Such a beautiful card! Really wonderful book too:)
    Have a wonderful day!

    Hugs Hanne

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  17. I just love family traditions like your Tasha Tudor book. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Your card is lovely as always. I'm very partial to Crafty Secrets and gingham ribbon so I love it! Congrats on all that scrumptious blog candy.

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  18. I'm so behind with blog hopping - forgive me! Love your Christmas tradition book, glad you managed to track down a copy for yourself. Great nostalgic look to the card too and how lucky have you been this month on your winnings, fab!

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  19. Wow! You've been one lucky girl winning so many things. Good for you. Love your story about your book and your card. Just love how you always glitter up those snowflakes! They are beautiful!

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