Gratefulness

Now this post could be huge. Of course there is always so much to be grateful for. But in the spirit of my last two posts I will try and keep it short(ish) and sweet. Firstly, I am once again grateful for the generous spirit of crafty bloggers, and in particular I want to say a HUGE thank-you to Net from Area Thrifty-One. A little while ago Net ran a giveaway on her blog, and the winner was a friend of mine (Ali) who belongs to BrisStyle, the Brisbane Etsy Street Team that we both belong to. When I mentioned to Net how pleased I was that Ali was the winner, she sent through a little pressie for me with Ali's giveaway pack. Isn't this little brooch just too gorgeous. I've been wearing it at every opportunity this weekend, and so far I've discovered it goes just as well with a plain black bonds t-shirt, as it does with a crisp white blouse. Thank-you so much Net - it is such a lovely and thoughtful gift and I really do adore it :)


In other bloggy gratefulness news, I have been very lucky to be honored with the Love Your Blog award from Ingrid of LottieLuLu, and also from Beccasaurus. The idea of passing the award on is kind of stressing me out though, as I have over (ok, well over) 100 blogs in my bloglines, and I really do love reading them all. I also know that many blogs I read have already received this award, and I'm worried about doubling up.....I know. Neurotic. I'm making steps though. I now accept my neuroticness (is that a word!!!) and I'm no longer neurotic about being neurotic :P So let me just say that if I have commented on your blog, then I can guarantee that I love it.

But I will leave you with some cool linky links, as there are some very sweet things going on in Blogland at the moment, and it would be simply remiss of me not to mention them:

• Amanda of Twinkle Star Art is doing another giveaway for one of her gorgeous children's prints. If you have a little boy, or know of one, who is into automobiles, then get ye to Amanda's blog asap. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I have seen her prints in person and the quality of them is just superb!
  
  

• If you've been reading the Betty Ninja blog over the past 12 months, you will probably, like me, have been in awe of some of her beautiful viewfinder photographs. Not content to be an awesome quilter, sewer, thrifter, crafter and adventure girl, she also takes amazing photos. And she has finally set up an Etsy shop (lost in the woods - isn't that a lovely name!) selling prints of her work. To celebrate, she is currently hosting a giveaway, where you can win not one but three of her gorgeous prints. I think if I don't win I might have to just buy one of her beautifully etherial photos for myself.
  
  
  
• If you'd like to join in a festival of blogging in October, then you may want to consider participating in Blogtoberfest, hosted by Big Cat's Emporium, which involved a post a day for the month of October. Unfortunately I think I am just a little too sporadic in my postings to commit to something so ambitious, but it sure sounds like a lot of fun. The lovely Flossy-P has even produced a little button for it - how cool is that!

Now I'm truly sorry folks. I know I promised short punchy posts....and I tried...I really did....trust me, this could have been heaps heaps longer :P

The generosity of bloggers

Sometimes the generosity of bloggers astounds me. This week I received the most wonderful parcel in the mail from Jess (from Button Beauty), filled with goodies. Not just any old goodies either - but thoughtful, considered gifts, that were just so perfect. And all because the winner of Jess' giveaway had found her via my blog. How is that for generous!!! And as an example of her thoughtfulness, Jess had remembered from a previous post of mine that I loved nasturtiums, especially the way water beads on their leaves, so she included some nasturtium seeds!!! She also gave me three gorgeous pieces of fabric, the most beautifully soft and well made cotton bamboo face washer (it really has to be touched to understand just how soft it is), some lovely fabric covered buttons, and the best vintage sewing book ever. In fact, I spent quite some time showing my husband some of the classic pictures in this, and reading out various parts to him (such as 'I had no idea there were so many types of sleeves, or that there is a sleeve design called 'the leg of mutton'...he he he...).

In fact, the book is such a cracker, that I just have to share some of it here. For example, how cool is this little sewing corner. The holders on the wall are actually straw hats!!!!


My husband says he would be quite happy for me to whip up this cheerleader outfit for myself...ahem...don't think so!!!


Although he wasn't so enthusiastic about me kitting myself out in this nightie :P



There are just so many great pics in this sewing book, and so much great fashion. I LOVE the shirt on the girl on the left, and how cool is her hat!


And lastly, as this IS a sewing book for 'teens', of course it includes the obligatory 'checklist' so you can work out exactly where your wardrobe is lacking, and what items you need to sew for yourself (click on the image for a closer look at what your wardrobe might be missing). Hmmmmm, looks like I need to start sewing myself some 'pants and jeans, from knock-about casual to party-timers....' Guess I'd better get cracking!!!


Thanks again Jess, it really was such a lovely package to receive :)
Cheers, Bec X

Oh, and as an edit to this, I almost forgot to add, that while I was having my bloggy break, I also received a Brilliante Weblog Award from Jess, which I somehow completely missed (which really goes to prove my unworthiness I guess). But can I also say once again Thank-you Jess!!!! And I am hereby passing this award onto anyone who suffers from 'Blogging Guilt' over tags or awards that they have received that they either accidently missed, or haven't gotten around to posting about yet.....please say I'm not the only one????

A parcel full of smiles :)

Yesterday I received a package in the mail. Due to being out all day, and everything being very hectic, I didn't open it until very late. I was tired, I had lost my voice (yes, another lovely cold) and was feeling very blah at the end of they day.

And then I opened the parcel. (This is where I should have a photo off some beautiful packaging, but I was so excited to see it I ripped in without even thinking about my camera, so shut your eyes and picture this instead - two parcels, with tissue paper wrapping, all tied up with gorgeous yarn and held together by a big funky black button!!!).


The goodies above are what was contained inside. It was my swap present from Sherrin (aka Starashan). I can't remember the last time I had this much fun opening a present. I thought I was getting a few handmade bangles - and to be honest I would have been absolutely stocked with those alone! And by the way, they are absolutely gorgeous, and they fit perfectly!


But no, that was not all by a long shot!


In each of these three beautiful handmade envelopes (made from 1950s cookbooks - complete with great food photography and recipes for cooking sole!) was a collection of bangles made from vintage knitting needles (see above), two gorgeous big brooches pinned onto handmade cards (I already have the brooches attached to two of my favourite tops - and they look great!)



And in the third envelope was the most beautiful green vintage buttons sewn onto another handmade card.


This photo doesn't do these buttons justice. They really are spectacular!

And that's not all, Sherrin also gave me some stunning vintage fabrics. This yellow one makes my heart soar every time I look at it!


And lastly, she also made a beautiful handmade card with a lovely message that put a huge smile on my face.



Thank-you so much Sherrin!!!!! I really am so overcome by your generosity, and the time you put into these beautiful handmade goodies. To everyone else - if you haven't checked out Sherrin's handmade goods then I strongly suggest you check out her shops at Etsy and Ozebaby. The quality of her handmade goods, and the detail and care that goes into her packaging, is really something else. I can personally guarantee it will be impossible to open up her packages without a big smile on your face.

So yeah - I still have a very husky voice today, and now Matt is coming down with the cold too (which is bound to be 'man flu' right?).....

.....but I'm smiling :)

XXX