Beautiful Box's

I went and got these stunning box's today.
This one is huge and is so beautiful with all these birds on. Inside is a tray for goodies.
I don't think i will ever part with this box!
The other one is also very pretty tied with ribbon and a flower.


above:lid

above: inside box, a tray that lifts up


I also got this beautiful herb holder at a shop yesterday and picked some lavender from my garden to put in. It hangs in my kitchen.

By the way have any of you ever tried lavender shortbread?? Oh my word, it is so yummy . I made some a few years back and haven't since but I want to make some more this week. I will post the recipe then when I do and pic's of it.

Tag it/ ATC's and cards for trade

First off, I was tagged by Natasha Burns
for the thinking blogger award-yay! Thanks:)
So in turn i have to tag 5 blogs that I love-which is hard-have you seen my sidebar list! LOL!
So I am going to pick the blogs that MOST inspire me, that I visit daily and that I just love, it is always hard doing this and you don't want to offend someone by leaving them out!! Trust me, this is always hard..
Okay in no apparent order:

1) Secrets of a Butterfly
Or Kathryn as she is known as is amazing. I have had the priveledge of getting to know her and do some art trading with her. She has an amazing story behind her life which is not mine to share, but she inspires me and she is so sweet.

2) Vintage Home (Clare) I just love her beautiful pictures and pretty blog.

3) My sister
because she is my sister and I love her and I think her digital lay out's are beautiful as well as the freebies she makes.

4) Doris Caslte
because I love her work and I think her kits are just so beautiful. I have bought a few and they are really awesome to work with.

5) Monica Andrade
she has some amazing talent and I recently was privileged to do a goodie swap with her.

CORRECTION: the origin of this comes from The thinking blog,
If you want to check it out. The rules are:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).




I have uploaded some new ATC's and cards for trade on my flickr account.
Here are some :
If you would like to trade me I will accept a card, a ATC or any other art piece that you have made yourself for whatever you choose.






lot's more-just go to my flicr home page-link in the sidebar.The long pink box.

I won something!

Well all the winners from all over blog land for the One World One heart have been announced-lots of excitement going around i think!
I did win something from Carrie

It is so adorable!
Thank you Carrie!

One World, One Heart WINNERS!!!

If you entered the One World One Heart giveaway here on my blog, then you might want to check if your name is here.
I typed out all the entrants names and their blog address/or email address.
Then I cut them all out, folded them, put them in a container and got my daughter to shuffle and pick out three. So I had nothing to do with the choosing!! LOL!.

Look on the photo's for your name. (click to view larger if you can't see).





Congrat's to you three! I will be posting them off after the 25th March.
Thanks for playing along, I had over 60 entrants.
Be sure to join next time I have a giveaway which should be in the near future...

Be sure to check out the tea party below.Kari is our hostess today!!
Have fun!

swop parcel came today!! (picture heavy post)

Today I received my parcel fromGypsy Purple. Thank you Chamara, I love everything about it!! It was such a well suited swop as we have very similar tastes. Here is what she gave to me:
CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW LARGER.





I went to a little antique shop today and found the most beautiful porcelain dolls all very good prices, small ones around R29 ( $3.90) medium ones like the one I got for R39 ($5.20) and large for R48 ($6.40).I will definitely be going back again.
I got this beautiful fairy one for my DD. Isn't she gorgeous??



And finally my catologue I ordered online from Gundruns Joden came yesterday. Actually I got 7 in the post! LOL! I think I clicked the refresh or the submit button on the order catologue box once a bit too many times!Never mind, it is FREE and filled with lovely things to cut up for my collage pages!
Take a look:




kari has a tea invite on her blog, go check it out! She is awesome, always up to something, I gleam so much inspiration from her!

One World, one Heart ...sign up!

I saw that there this is this worldwide giveaway amongst creative bloggers happening on the 21 March. It is called One World, one heart..to read more go here.

If you scroll down you will see that I have a little bag giveaway, well I have changed the date to also be on the 21st MARCH announce the winner. There are loads of fantastic giveaways to enter, I must of entered over 20 this morning! All taking place on the 21st March. Go to the above link to see all the participants and to check out their blogs and enter some great giveaways!!
Those of you already entered in this one, I will still be including your names, so you don't have to enter again. All you have to do if you would like to be included in this give away, is leave me a comment-but please state you want to be included int the draw! (anywhere on my blog,makes no difference)But please remember if you posting as anonymous I can't contact you, make sure you leave me a blog address or email address so I can get hold of you or I can't include you in the draw.

Drawing: 21 March 2007.

Decoupage and lay outs

I love it when I can just get stuck into things and get them done and look back and think, "Wow, did I do all of that in just two days??" . It makes you feel so satisfied and content and um...erm...a bit proud that you achieved so much!!
This weekend I got a lot done.

Last week I went and did some craft shopping. I got a huge stack of decoupage serviettes, some frames, a peg rail, a plain green wreath and some blank coasters.
I used the original stuff I made (which turned into my Heart and Soul digital kit)to do this frame pieced for my bedroom. (it says "True love can only be found when nothing is looked for in return")

Then I had these two blank frames which I just did two little cherubs on

They are for my study, sort of fascinated with the whole cherub thing at the moment!
As you can see by this huge poster above my table!

I bought this peg rail from a craft shop, whipped on some paint and did some decoupage on that too. It's for my study too.

Then I made this wreath, bought the plain wreath and added flowers and birds. But I am going to get more flowers I just ran out. It has none on the back! Lol. When I have the peg rail up it will hang on that, for now it is suspended from my light!
And lastly this cupboard...I've had it for about 8 or 9 years now and have always loved it, but it looked a bit boring.So I thought I would be brave, painted it and did some decoupage on it with Cath Kidson serviettes. I must say I LOVE the result, it looks so cute!!

Sewing again!! Aprons...

I am so happy to be sewing again. I love it! Always have, always will. I hadn't in about two years, so the other day I hauled it out, wiped off the dust and made the little bag's you see in the previous post. (There is a give-way for one by the way,see the post)Then I had so much fabric left over-which is from Biggie Best here in South Africa by the way, a few asked. And a few pieces I picked up at a vintage shop.
So I made myself and a best friend each a vintage-style apron. Mine is a bit more playful than hers. I am thinking of making some more...but what would I do with them???
Would love to do a vintage-apron swop maybe.
I love roses and lace and pockets on apron's and I would need to see a photo of it first, so if you are interested leave me a comment here or send me an email at: bonnie@vestronic.net with a photo of the apron you want to swop. The one I will swop will look similar to these.

Then I had a bit of time before fetching the kids from school,and I had a thought about the last cabinet of curiosites challenge that Kari hosted "Destination and reflection" to which she said and I quote: "So for this week, think about some things that are unfinished in your life. Is there something that you could complete that would give you a burst of energy to start that project that you've been thinking about?" so I got hold of a framed mirror I have had for ages but it has always irritated me as it is so boring and did a bit of decoupage on it with some serviettes that Kari sent me.
I rather like the outcome!




With that it did give me a new burst of energy so much so I went running off to the craft shop this morning and got some coasters to decoupage!

And lastly just a page I did in my art journal...

Sweet little bag give away!

Woo-hoo! My sweet little moo cards came today! How exciting!

We went for a hike at our nature reserve this weekend, I love going there, it is my favorite place.



I also took a photo of my beautiful red Australian pepper tree I have growing in my garden. It's kernels have the most divine taste.

Digital news: I have had to resign from the Rakscraps newsletter. I just have a bit much on my plate at the moment. So now I am only on Amy Cheeseman's CT and of course I am managing my own.
I am also going to be hosting a monthly Quote challenge from the first of March at snap and scrap, so that should be fun. Snap and scrap is where I am selling my designs and the shop opens in a few days.

Psstt....free sampler kit coming soon....

This month I am doing a goodie swop with 3 people. So that should be fun getting packages in the post!
On the weekend I made these little bag's.



I made 11 in total. I made one for my daughter originally and she loved it. Then I thought I would make one for each of the little girl's of my closest friends and also my two smallest niece's.

If you would like to win one of these little bag's for you or for your daughter, niece, grand-daughter-(doesn't matter where you live), post a comment here,STATING YOU WANT TO GO INTO THE DRAW, NOT JUST THAT YOU LIKE IT, OR I WON'T KNOW. leave me your name, contact details like a blog or email address and I will put your names into the draw. Remember if you post as anonymous and leave no name or email address I can't put your name into the draw, so make sure you leave it for me. I will be doing the draw on the 21st March to coincide with the ONE HEART, ONE WORLD giveaway which you can learn more about here

Welcome to Challenge 7!

Hello and Welcome to Challenge 7...the second last one!

Today's Theme is :Happiness

I personally believe that everybody has their own recipe for happiness.
I also believe that all are unique and what makes one happy, might
Not make another just as happy. I also believe that our personal
Happiness lies within ourselves. Sure, circumstances, problems
And happenings in one's life can make one depressed and unhappy,
But at the end of the day, your outlook on life and attitude will
Determine your degree of happiness.

For me, I can find happiness in the smallest details: The feel of little
Arms going around my neck, the soft breath of a whisper "Mommy
I love you". The sweet fragrance of roses, of grass freshly mowed,
Wet tar after a rain on a hot day, my favorite song as I switch on the radio,
Familiar handwriting on a letter in the post, an email from a best friend,
Climbing into bed and snuggling down to sleep, hugs and smiles from
My loved ones, creating... I could go on and on.
How you choose to do this again, is up to you.
I did a double art journal page and not everything that makes me happy
Is listed on them obviously! There is just too much that does!
I can't wait to see your creations!!
Remember to post your links here.
Since this is my last host for this challenge, I wanted to thank all
Who participated, it has been wonderful seeing all your beautiful creative
Work. You have inspired me and other's and I am sure, like myself, have
Surprised and pleased yourself. Maybe you tried some new technique?
Maybe you just dug a bit deeper and maybe you just took some time
To do this little thing for yourself. Whatever you gained from it, I hope
It was good and I hope that you will join me or Kari (or both of us if we
Co-host again) for another challenge in the future.
I would be interested to hear if you would like to do another one and if you
Have any suggestions.
Please let me know here on my blog or email me at: bonnie@vestronic.net.

Thank you also to Kari for co-hosting this with me, it was a lot of fun!

And thanks again! See you HERE all week and then please
Join Kari for the last challenge on Sunday the 25th February.

Lot's of little things rolled into one!

The last few days have been very busy with party's, a wedding, CT stuff, and organizing to sell my kits.
First of all I ordred my first set of moo cards! I cannot wait to see what they look like!
I also ordered Sally Jean's-Pretty little thing's book. Cannot wait for that!

I also finalized the goodie swop. So that is closed now. Each person has their partners and email's have been sent out. Please don't be offended if you were left out,I had to cut down the numbers and there was an odd number too.

Kari has got the next prompt up for Cabinet of Curiosities challenge for Today until next Sunday. Please post your links on her blog. And join me HERE next Sunday for the second last one.

Also My sister -Jen, has started her first Blog and is doing the challenge with us, please head on over to her blog to show some interest, I only put the link in to her blog today in the challenge participants in my sidebar.

I went to a friend's wedding yesterday and would love to show you how beautiful she looked, but I don't think she would want her photo on the internet, so will show you the area of the wedding and some snippets.

Where the wedding was, isn't it beautiful??

The cake


My hubby and I