Stacie Rife Bailey's Bliss

A KIND GESTURE

Audrey recently received a package from a dear lady, Tracia.

It was given to her because she saw Audrey's carousel and wanted to gift her with some creative supplies! It was the kindest gesture EVER! Not only was Audrey absolutely excited about receiving a package (which was monumental in itself) but to receive ALL the wonderful creative supplies...

she was absolutely BESIDE herself, as you can see by her expression in this picture!

Thank you Tracia.. for giving a child MORE of a reason to be creative and express herself!

I think it's time to talk Dad into making us BOTH a creative studio!!!! :)

 

XOXO, Stacie

Necklace for Mom

This was one of the Christmas presents I made for mom this year. She is always so encouraging with anything and everything I do, so I knew she would appreciate this as a gift.

 

It's a freshwater pearl strand with aqua marine drops and garnets. Aqua marine is her birthstone and garnets were my aunts birthstone (who passed 5 years ago and whom we all deeply miss)

She loved it!

XOXO, Stacie

A special gift delivered today

The doorbell rang this morning and to my ultimate surprise the mailman hands me a little package and from the return address I knew it was from my dear friend Hope.

My sheer joy of opening this gift I may of well as won the lottery :) I guess the thought of packaging up these little "treasures" with me in mind is what makes me so happy. It's nothing you can run to the nearest store and by. It's what I LOVE to find myself and better yet to receive!

Thank you dearest Hope, it meant so much!

 

XOXO, Stacie

Surprises in the mail!

OOOhhhh I received lovely gifts in the mail this week from some of my artist friends...

So kind!

I got this sweet Hello Kitty outfit from Erika Tysse

Only a few more weeks until she can fit into it!! I can't wait!

and this sweet little musical doll from JoAnna Pierotti which came in a package that was just as sweet as the doll!

and then my dear friend Hope Wallace (Paper Relics) made us these beautiful announcements for Audrey. I have yet to get them all mailed out! (shame on me!)

Thank you all SOOOO much for thinking of us! :)))

Baby is doing very well! She is my little sidekick! I love her to pieces!

Daddy is pretty smitten too... here is a picture of him feeding her tonight...

Gift from a friend

I received this beautiful hand painted canvas in the mail the other day from my friend Wendy Crumbley in FL. She too, has furry friends that she calls kids and knows how much Bailey and Scout mean to me... This is a gift from her and her talented hand... I almost cried when I saw it because it was painted after a picture from her last birthday.

She has a way of capturing the spirit of the dog and all they mean to us... please go check out some of her other works on ebay... her seller id is 2dogstudio

This touched my heart! Although it's been over a year now since she passed away.. it still hurts just as much when I miss her.. This will be a constant reminder to me that she will always be in my heart!!!!!Thank you SOOO much Wendy.. I will treasure this forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gifts!!!!!!!!!

Today I got a double whammy in the mail!!!

I got this beautiful mini wall hanging (that goes perfectly in my kitchen.. perfect colors!!) from the sweet Carla Naron ... Thank you so much Carla.. YOU MADE MY DAY!!!!

and then I was in a Valentines Day swap with the wonderfully talented...Erika Tysse LOOK AT ALL These faboulous goodies.. I CANNOT WAIT to use some of this and start creating again!!!!!

Thank you SOOOOOOOO much ERIKA!!!! You definitely have my taste down pat.. and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the material starter.. I will make it into a pillow and will treasure it forever!!!

and since I am so bad about posting pictures... I took some today of some of the BEAUTIFUL things my dear friend Tracy got me for Valentines day... we spent the weekend in Centralia when we swapped Valentines Day gifts.. and these pictures are only a PORTION of how much she spoiled!! me!!!

You gals are UNREAL!!!...thank you SOOOOO much!

Lovely People.. Lovely Gifts!!!

 

First goodie package was from my friend Wendy Crumbley from FL! Thank you Wendy!Love it all!

The next 3d collage was sent to me by Deb Trotter  (she says a belated bday gift.. which was totally unnecessary,, but I'm glad she did) :)

the pastel drawing was from my friend Brandi Powell.. she sent this to me when Bailey passed away.. I will cherish this forever...

and last but DEFINITELY not least.. was a gorgeous collage from JoAnna Pierotti or better known as Moss Hill Studio.. it is WAY more beautiful in person..and totally her style.. which I just love..

Thank you ALL for being so generous, giving... AND talented!!!

:)

Beautiful Presents!!!!

Within the last week I have received the most incredible, inspiring and thoughtful gifts in the mail!

This one is from Liz Smith. She sent me this package all the way from Europe, and made it especially for me. It almost brought tears to my eyes when I opened it as it was so beautiful!

She hand made/hand bound this beautiful journal for me along with a bunch of other wonderful treats!

These old buttons are SO beautiful.. I think I will have to frame them somehow!

Thank you SO much Liz.. have fun in CA and good luck with your move!

When you move in and get cozy.. I will send you a house warming gift! :)

My second present I received in the mail was from sweet Katie Kendrick. She is about as sweet and gentle natured as they come! Her and I are both participating in the MMCA Calendar journal round robin. In the journal mailing order... Katie is whom I mail mine off to. I TRY.. but am not always as good as I should be.. to try and put a little something in there for Katie.. it's always nice to have a little surprise now and then. And SHE sure surprised me.. with a wonderful package FULL of all sorts of fun stuff.. but I have to say.. my favorite is the copy of one of her pieces. I LOVE her style and work.. always have!

Look at the little tiny doll she sent! Isn't that just the cutest thing!!???

Thank you Katie,, for such a lovely surprise! I have been running around lately like a chicken with my head cut off.. using EVERY spare minute I have .. BUSY BUSY BUSY! It is so nice to be able to take a minute out.. and ooohhh and ahhhh over a beautiful package send from beautiful people!

Liz and Katie.. THANK YOU.. I am SO blessed to know both of you!

LOVE THOSE SURPRISES

Yesterday I received a surprise in the mail from Erika Tysse.

We had decided a while ago that we would do a collage trade, (which I was ecstatic about because I adore her work, and have bought several of her pieces in the past!).. but with everything that has been going on lately I hadn't had a chance to get hers out.. and low and behold hers came to me on Saturday (pleasant surprise!).. I was thrilled with the piece she made me.. I just LOVE IT!

Not only did she send the collage but it was packed with incredible treasures she also sent!

THANK YOU ERIKA!

Love it ALL, and yours is on it's way!

First Bday Gift & MUCH needed!

I came home today to a wonderful surprise awaiting me on my front porch! My dear friend HOPE sent me a fabulous bday present!!!!

and after you see this post.. you'll know why and HOW bad I wanted it...

She bought me a book I've been wanting for a while now.. Organizing your Craft Space by Jo Packham  I couldn't have been more thrilled.. or surprised!!!!

I will probably regret this.. but I at least owe it to Hope.. to show her just HOW bad I need this book! See my "art" area is located in a corner of our 1926 home's unfinished basement. Honestly it's a perfect little hide-away.. but one that needs a lot of TLC to get it looking somewhat decent without a lot (if any) money. I think the biggest problem.. isn't the unfinished basement part.. but ME! I am totally disorganized (yes I whole heartily admit it) and would love to whip that part into shape.. but it is such a big job.. I don't even know where to begin (THIS BOOK WILL HELP!)

There is minimal light.. which I have attributed to feeling somewhat depressed when I come down to create (shouldn't have to feel that way when doing something I love!).

Being as it's a basement.. majority of my little hide-away is cement. The ceiling is short, but tall enough for my 6'2" husband to stand up straight and has exposed beams boards, rafters and (more recently installed) minimal recessed/can lighting (which is 100x better than the 1 florescent hanging light that was there when we moved in).

My "plan" was to paint the walls and ceiling (rafters)..white (or another very light color)... but every time I think about it I realize how contingent it is.. to getting things organized so I can move out.. to paint it all.. just stresses me out to even think about it.. and besides the fact who has the time! I have a lot of rearranging/organizing to do before I can even attempt this.. and this BOOK is JUST what I need.

So HOPE.. here you go.. this is the BEFORE.. and hopefully... by the (lets just be brave and say) end of summer... I will have an AFTER!

(If I had the money.. I would hire someone to come in and do it..HEY.. I wonder if those home shows would come in and do a studio re-vamp???)

I am ashamed to even show these... but here you go! (Stacie's Pile of Crap--good crap though)

The blue (ick) was an honest attempt to spruce things up.. but 1/2 way through I gave up.. mainly because I hated the color but hated the existing grey even more! (gee.. just like the Pacific Northwest's weather.. blue and grey-mostly grey!) It has been years now.. and the blue (and grey) still remain..1/2 way done.. Another problem I have.. being as most of the walls are cement..I can't hang anything from them.. no shelves or pretty hangers with art displayed! I have managed to slip a few nails in the cracks in the brick that houses the chimney.. but other than that I resort to my mini cork-board for little bits of things I like!

So there you have it.. WHEW..Makes you stressed out just looking at the pictures doesn't it? I want one of those studios that I have seen SO many people have.. nice.. organized.. clean and pretty!

The good thing is at least my area is not a site where visitors see and I CAN leave all my stuff out! I am thankful for that!!! It's the RARE few that actually get to see the INSIDE of it...that probably want to run.. as fast as they can!!!! (including my husband!)      

SO.. if you read this.. and feel sorry for me..and feel so inclined to submit these pictures and my post to a home show.. HEY.. have at it! Feel free! :)