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

Wonder prompt done!

I finally completed my wonder prompt for day 4 of the cabinet of curiosities challenge hosted by myself and Kari.
Here it is. I don't know why I did what I did, I found this picture in a magazine and it struck my fancy, and I have had it for ages, sat down and decided to do something with it, and this is what came from it!
It is stuck onto my wall.
Click on images to view larger.

Day 5

Welcome to prompt 5! The title for today is: Inspiration
It is a fairly straight forward prompt today. We are all inspired by something, someone. You might even have a muse. What inspires you? Look around your home, your studio...what surrounds you? Things that inspire you, things you love I am sure.
Tell us about these things, or people that inspire you.
Is it nature, color. Art, an artist, an author?
Whatever it is, wherever it is, we want to see!
It is not often we get the joy and privilege to take a small peek into someone else's life.
To see life through their eyes, to see what makes them happy, what inspires them to create the Things they create. The wonderful thing about you, is that you are unique. The way you see life is unique, No one else can see life through YOUR eyes. So show us in any way you want to, how YOU see life and what grabs you, that things jump out at you and make you want to grab your pen,Your paint brush, that makes your mind swirl, scream...Show us what inspires.
You can choose to do this in a number of ways, which I will leave up to your unique self.Make a digital page, 12 x 12 scrap page, Art Journal, Collage, A little book like the one I did below which I aptly entitled "Inspirations"
These are the things that inspire me. I am sure I will be adding to this little Project of mine....
As you can see once I started I got carried away...
Enjoy! Remember to place your links HERE through out the week.
Prompt 6 will be held at Kari's blog next Sunday the 11th February.
Thereafter it will run for two more weeks, on a Sunday.
Can't wait to see your creations...or should I say inspirations?!

CLICK ON EACH IMAGE TO VIEW FULL SIZE

Goodie swop anyone?

I don't know about you, but I love to receive mail in the post. Who doesn't like to get a nice package full of goodies? I have been seeing that there are a lot of different goodie swop's going on. I would like to invite you to one.
This is how it works: You sign up, leave your name here if you would like to do one with me, also leave me your email address or email me at bonnieatvestronicdotnet and I will get back to you with more details. I was thinking small packages, nothing heavy or over the top as postage can be expensive (well at least where I live it is!)Things along the lines of:
fancy serviettes, fabric swatches, ribbon, buttons, ATC's, beads, little trinkets, scrap/art journal embellishments such as flowers, tag's, papers, rub-on's, transfers, stickers.

Anyone interested?
We would converse as to individual tastes and preferences, so that we each get something we like. I think it would be fun. I have met so many of you who are arty and fun and I think this is a great idea. I am a horder (only of scrap related items, stationary and pens) Otherwise I do not keep clutter, so I have a ton of stuff already I could part with quite happily!

Would love to hear from you!

If you are doing the curiosity challenge and haven't heard, my prompt is for Sunday, check back here then!

It came!!!!

I got it!! I got my parcel from Kari today!!
It is gorgeous!! (we did a goodies swap for those of you who don't know- she is still patiently waiting for hers-bless!)It's coming, I promise!
Here you go, take a looksie what I got today!!

Above : the glitter letters that spell "love" on a ribbon is what I got from her.






Anthropologie catalog's

Thank you Dear sweet Kari! You made my day!

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities

Hello there! Well I am back, I had a fabulous time at my dear sister (was gone from Friday till Monday afternoon) My DH looked after the kids for me. He did very well! But then again, I never doubted him! It is good to be home again, although I did not miss the housework!
I took some photo's of cute things I saw with my phone, so they aren't that clear.



I got some great gifts. I really like purple and anything beaded. I have a few beaded journals.



Kariand I are changing the cabinet of curiosities challenge to held only every Sunday for the next 4 weeks, instead of twice week. This gives us all a bit of a chance to catch up. So check back HERE this Sunday for prompt #5 which will be hosted by me, and then the following Sunday from Kari's blog. Kari is looking for photo's, see this Post. Maybe you could help her out?
Okay so to end off, remember to come here on Sunday for the prompt and post your links here for prompt #5. Here is a little chair in my daughter's room...

Welcome to day 3!

WOW, your creations so far have been simply beautiful! So full of of inspiration and wonder. Great Work! I hope you enjoy the rest of the challenges Kari and I have set out for you.
Today we are going to concentrate on the word DREAM.

Definition of Dream:
To fancy, hope, imagine
To indulge in reverie
A train of thoughts or images passing through the mind in sleep.

We all know that when one thinks of the word Dream, you think of sleep and the images
that come to mind while sleeping.
Today, I want to talk about another kind of dream we all have.
Remember when you were a child and a grown up or teacher asked you: "So what do you want to become when you are big?" and you frowned hard, squished up your nose and said, "A Pop star!" or "A ballet dancer!" or whatever it was...
As we grow older those dreams either change, or get pushed to the back of our minds. They get locked away in a little drawer, marked "unachievable" or "impossible".
The key gets thrown away and we carry on our lives.

Isn't this sad that we can do this to ourselves? Don't you deserve to live your dream? What is your dream? Being a parent, I have many wishes for my children. I would do anything to help them realize their dreams, to encourage them to reach out for them. Why should we not do the same for ourselves?

A few years ago when entering my late 20's (yes I am only 28!)
I grew tired of always wishing..of hoping, of thinking, "one day".
I started to put my dreams into action.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
I have always wanted to do two things:
1) learn how to dance
2) write and be published
While I am still in the process of both of these, I can confidently say that at least I am well on my way to achieving these dreams!

Dreams are about allowing yourself the chance to grow, to live, to experience, to let go, to believe.
A dream not lived remains a goal
Start small, take baby steps.
YOU CAN DO IT!
Whatever your dream is NEVER GIVE UP!

That brings us to today's challenge:
Today is a VISUAL exercise. This is what I want you to do:

Close your eyes...
Breathe...Feel your lungs expanding, breathe in until you can't possibly take in any more air.
Let it out...
Do this a few times, but please don't pass out!

Keep your eyes closed.
Think of your dreams, let the images come to you, maybe you've let them Disappear, wake them up! Write them down as they come to you.

Now, I want you to start off on your page in whatever medium you are using, Even Digital scrappers can do this. Pick A main word from the list you wrote down. Go and look for a picture or photo that describes your DREAM.

Next start adding to this main image you have stuck down on your page. Use other images, paper, paint, chalk, whatever you wish.
If you are doing this digitally, substitute the messy stuff for digital papers, elements, digital paint strokes, textures etc.
Build around your main image.

I went with my dream of dancing...

They say that putting your dreams down on paper is the first step to achieving them. Whatever you do and however you do this exercise, concentrate on your dream.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

Enjoy! Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Remember to post your links HERE.
Day 4 will be hosted by Kari
On Sunday. I am away visiting my sister whom I haven't seen in a year tomorrow until Monday afternoon. Mu DH is looking after the children for me and I am flying up on my own. Looking forward to my break! So you'll know why you won't hear from me until then!

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities day Two.

(Click on image to view larger)
Karihosted day two of our Joint Cabinet Of Curiosities challenge. You can read about Day two on her blog.
I did the whole choose some words thing and I got such a odd order of doing the words which were (in order that I did them): text; paper; chalk; photo; 3D; paint.
I must say I am not AT ALL happy with the final outcome. I don't know, something just isn't right! Any suggestions? Maybe it is lacking more embellishments? Or maybe it is the type of brush work I did. I can't figure it out! Anyway..I tried!! I think I will give this particular challenge a go another time just to see how it works out next time!
I have been doing some ATC's. I put a few in frames to give as gifts. I am enjoying this so much. It is still a learning curve for me!

Here are my pages for Explore

Well I am done with my page...which turned into two pages. I really enjoyed this.
I did it in my art journal and it is sort of a collage with journaling in between.
I used some paint too. Click on each image to view larger if you wish.



I looked for words from magazines that explained the word explore: embark, find, curiosity, imagine, dream, conquer.
Each little image is stuck in for a reason, they all mean something to ME.
The bird and feather signifies exploring nature. The frame with the photo I took of cherry blossoms also captures the joy I experience when I am able to explore nature and capture it on film.
The bird cage means: letting yourself free, coming out of your cage, exploring.
The art picture signifies how I want to explore art-all forms of it.
The suitcases -I want to travel, even if to the nearest town!



I love nature and always enjoy exploring it. I love to follow little hidden paths and see where they lead whilst walking in a forest. I love the color green. I could imagine sitting on that pretty chair, with my feet in that water just enjoying the natural beauty around me.
Pull out tag called SIT reads: Sit in nature, watch sunsets, breathe clean air, feel the grass under your feet.
The other one reads "Summer in the garden".

Those of you who have done your pages already-FANTASTIC! Well done! I have so enjoyed checking them out. I look forward to seeing the rest of yours. You have two days left so don't stress. Enjoy the process!!

Toni if you read this your link would not work, and there was no follow up link to click on your blogger profile, please leave me a comment here with a link so we can check it out! thanks!

I did a little Exploring today...

Picture of Stellenbosch-taken from Here

So based on what The first prompt for the challenge is: Explore, I thought I would share a little something with you all. (by the way you are all very quiet! I will take that as a good thing and hope it is because you are all off madly creating - paint flying everywhere, glue on the end of your nose-the works!)

I mentioned in a previous post that for me, one of my words for 2007
is the word "EXPLORE". It sum's up a vast array of thing's for me.

With that word I literally mean to explore the world around me. I want to learn new thing's, read more books, go to different places, explore my own beautiful town and surroundings. I promised myself that the first day the children started school again this year I would do that. I stuck to my own promise. Today, after dropping them off at school, I set out for the nearby town of Stellenbosch. I adore this town.

Nestled in the valley at the foot of a mountain range, surrounded by rolling hills and wine farms, this is not only a beautiful town, but one filled with fascination and character. It is the second oldest town in South Africa founded in 1679. For a brief background on the history visit this site.


(My own photo)

The university of Stellenbosch is a very large and popular one, so the town has come to be known as a "student town". It has a busy night life, friends meeting for drinks or to listen to a local jazz band. Most of the students work in the town to support themselves when not studying, so a lot of them waiter. The town is packed with coffee shops, restaurants, little ric-rac shops, vintage shops, bohemian shops, bookshops, second hand shops. Just about anything quaint, old, hippie, modern, charming. You will find it all there.

The pavements are cobbled or paved. Oak trees line the streets protectively. Tables scatter the pavements and are laid with brightly colored hand painted table cloths, polka dotted or prettily laid with finely rose-littered vintage-styled cloths.

Paintings, rustic looking frames, bags, beaded jewelry, and all other kinds of fascinating goodies spill out from the shops onto the pavements, seducing your eyes and causing you to wander in to these little delightful little nooks and crannies, over flowing with "eye candy".

Some of the MANY photos I took today! To see more go to my Flickr pageand click on the set that says "home and cards"-go see what I explored today!



This is a place to feed your soul. I parked and walked the streets, taking photo's, visiting the shop's, buying goodies here and there. On my own, enjoying the sunshine through slanting through the oak trees, hearing the gentle rush of water through the channels at the side of the streets.

I was exploring, discovering, finding.

I picked up some goodies for Karitoday too, as we are doing a
"goodie swap". I hope she likes them!


Kari-there is more in it, but I couldn't fit it in all in the photo, so took some stuff out! Lot's of vintage ribbons and lace in a packet hidden there too, and a little silk sachet filled with all sorts of buttons etc for your journals.

I hope you are enjoying whatever Exploring you are doing! Can't wait to see your pages!