A Beautiful Life - G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S - Art Journal....

You ladies have to pop over and sign up for Heather, Pretty Petals, art journal tutorial. It is amazing! That journal she is doing is absolutely divine. I know I'm going to do it. I've always wanted to do one of these journals, but never took the time. Perfect timing, don't ya think?

Spread the word....

Blessings,
Kitty

xox

Rich and Rare were the Gems she Wore, And a Bright Gold Ring on her Wand She Bore...

I was looking around the house the other day and began to notice how many jewelry boxes, containers, holders, etc. that I have. Not a "grand collection", by any means, but jewelry containers near and dear to my heart. Velvets are just the "grandest" of all, aren't they? I had my eye on this sweet pink jewelry case in a local antique shop for quite some time. I'm surprised no one snatched it up! So pink with its little pearl adorned feet. The outside is faded a lighter shade than the inside, but that makes it all the more charming.

The blue velvet box is one of my favorites. Can't you imagine getting a strand of pearls in a box like this? This bracelet was a new find. Love the intricate detail.

And, if I am not mistaken, I believe they refer to these as "jewelry caskets". I guess you can see why. The lining reminds me so much of the satin inside a casket. I hope that's not too depressing, but it seems to be what they call them. I love their molded flowers and designs. So very precious. My heart just goes pitter patter every time I see one, but very few have a nice lining. Most are deteriorated. So, i f you see one in good shape, snatch it up!

This little lucite box was one of my first acquisitions. Beloved "Clara", whom Heather and I have posted about many times had this in her little shop. I just loved the faded plastic, just the right shade to make it look "antique'y". Clara is probably in her 80's and recently has had a stroke. We are watching her close to see how she is doing and have hopes she can reopen her little shop. Please keep Clara in your prayers, I know she would love knowing that.

And this sweet tapestry music box was a gift from my Mother. I will always treasure it. It plays a lovely little waltz. This is storage for all those dear little tags from my pets that have passed on through the years. Memories in a box.

And I found this little daring shell box at a recent sale and just couldn't pass it up. Such a glorious shade of pink and cream. It snaps shut. The dearest little shell.

And I've been looking for one of these boxes for quite some time now. I know these were popular in the 70's and 80's. It is rather hard to find them in good shape. Lady luck must have been with me this yard sale day. $3.00 for this sweet box. I can't wait to fill it up.

Hope you all have good luck in your hunt for "jewels" and "treasures" and for treasure boxes to keep them in! Blessings to all,

Kitty

Title quote by Thomas Moore, "Rich and Rare were the Gems She Wore"

"Parcels Between Friends" Swap....

Oh, what a wonderful day it was on Thursday at my house! The bell rang, my heart skipped a beat, and there my dear sweet mailman, Ed, stood with the much awaited box from a friend. Just look at this darling label. This sweet little girl is holding a "dangling" rose heart.

I ran for the scissors, cut open the box, folded out the flap, and there, in all its glory stood this amazing sight! How can you be welcomed any better?

OK now, can you guess who it might be from? Surely I've given you a "HUGE" clue!

My dear friend, Madai, from Wren Cottage and I decided to have a swap way back in May. We have a history of being swap partners due to being paired by Heather, my daughter, from Pretty Petals, "Junque In My Trunk Swap" last year. But, due to this and that, and because we absolutely wanted "NO PRESSURE", we got our boxes shipped off last Tuesday. We took the summer to shop, hunt and select for just the right things.

I gently pulled out these deliciously wrapped parcels - all wrapped in vintage linens! All adorned with sweet ribbons, pins, german glass glitter embellishments.... (sigh..... big sigh.....). So elegant.

Beautiful ephemera. And in the little blue envelope were those precious seeds from Madai's post on striped Four O'clock flowers. She received the first seeds from this flower from another wonderful friend! Passing on the seeds of friendship. Just love it....

And look at all of this. Look how she made a "delicious" little banner for the books, "For Loving A Book". Just seeing how she made this sweet little banner made me want to open each and every one of those sweet books. And isn't that sheep so cute.

And look at this wrapping. Just love it... Inside is a baby picture, atop a baby dress.

She also sent this sweet goblet, the stem has a cherub. So beautiful. Can't wait to drink from it. Or maybe I will use it to store some wonderful little treasures in my crafting area.

More ephemera. This little picture says, "The Fairy Goldfish". Isn't that just too cute! And of course, "The Secret Garden" pages..... I know it is from Madai when I see these..... Madai also sent a CD children's story of "Le Petit Prince" (The Little Prince). I listened to the author's name, but could not spell, so please forgive. I haven't had a chance to sit and relax and sip a cuppa while listening to this CD, but I am relishing the thought. Here it is, below, all wrapped up so sweetly.

Now, here is such an amazing thing. I opened the box and found these wooden hands and just about fainted. They must have come from a doll? These are so very precious. And look at the sweet charm Madai attached. It was laying on top of this sweet butterfly, which is done on the flap of an envelope. How creative, how inspiring. It just made me want to rethink how I package things. How to create differently. Madai is one talented sweetheart!

Madai creates these wonderful banners. This particular one is done in silver german glass glitter, and it will go above or around my nativity set. This picture does it no justice at all since it just shines like a diamond!

And the sweet blue tin you saw in an above picture was wrapped so beautifully inside. Beautiful rhinestone jewelry. I believe this is a sweater guard because it has 3 clips n the back and a pair of beautiful earrings.

The treasures inside.... A sweet pin cushion. This was owned by two unmarried sisters who were born in the 1890's. Isn't it just adorable?

And she did not forget my sweet tooth. A delicious selection of those divine "Two leaves and a bud" teas, lemon curd (just like eating lemon pie!) and these delicious chocolate biscuits covered in powdered sugar, I might add... YUMMMMMM!

And such sweet refinement??? These Noritake soups are just so sweet with their dainty florals and the lovely pin that was on the top of the package. It was all wrapped up in this lovely linen they are sitting on.

In keeping with the sewing theme (which I love sewing paraphanalia), look at the graphics on these wonderful needle cards. Why don't they make stuff like this anymore?

And now for the grand finale! If it weren't for Madai, I would not have such a wonderful selection of children's books. She added to the meager few I had last swap and now all of these lovely books. Look at the graphics on these and feast your eyes.... Just so wonderful....

So, Madai, my dear friend. Thank you so much for all of these beautiful treasures. Our "Parcels Between Friends" swap was more memorable than I could have imagined. I'll be thinking of you, all the while, as I read these sweet books and listen to "Le Petit Prince"......

Blessings,

Kitty

xox