Secrets of a Butterfly

Forget me knot

 

I have just been playing about on Big huge labs and enjoyed making a mosaic from some of the wonderful photographs by other members of flickr. This one in the theme of blues and naturals and i just thought i would share it with you,please click through to my flickr streamhere to get the credits for each image and view other photos by the picture's owner.

 Over the past week or so i have been re arranging the lists and websites i have on the side panels of my blog. I hope the tool tips feature (which is a little note that pops up when you hover over the name of the link) will help you when deciding whether to click through and browse that partciular site or blog.I have added names and often the country the site is based in too. Its as much for me to keep track of 'who's who' and 'what to but where' as it is also to share. I don't know about you... but i find i can sometimes forget to visit certain people's blogs i love,and stumble upon them much later, regretting what i missed!So now i will forget-you-knot!

 I know i often like to look at the links on other blogs, but sometimes youre tempted to want to look at them all,and then the lists can seem too overwhelming so you don't even begin. Maybe the tool tip,and arranging them under unusual or explanitory headers, is a small help towards narrowing down which you'd like to visit! its helping me, happy clicking, luv K xxx

Memories and Special birthday wishes

 

Happy Birthday Mam! i love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  Here are some memories from the album,of when Neill (my brother) and I were little and out at a park.

This is mam pushing me on the swings, near where we lived at the time.

I ordered mam an ornamental cherry blossom tree that only grows to a height of 2 metres so it will fit in the front garden, which is only small. It was from Ornamental trees and is called Snow Showers. I have copied a picture below. I just wanted a change to getting flowers and its something she has wanted for a while now.

Neill and i also chose her a bag from Nica. We really like their bags as they are a good quality imitation leather, which is lighter weight to carry and can easily be looked after-not coming to harm in the rain. The service from the website was good too, with free delivery and the whole range to choose from unlike in the department stores where they only stock one or two styles.

with good wishes Kathryn x

What blogging means to me

 

Hello everyone, i just wanted to chat with you tonight. I have been quiet for a week as there is a vast lot going on for me right now, healing wise. But its too unseen to be able to put into words,so i am occupying myself with thinking of something nice to share with you instead.

Because as you know, i don't always get out and about regularly, i often wonder if i have anything to talk about on here, and can sometimes stumble when it comes to posting about topics that people who perhaps live slightly more actively would find came naturally to them. Trips to interesting places, decorating homes, trade fairs...all are fascinating to me but i cannot reciprocate on their interestingness! so i have to come up with thoughts of my own, and try to see that, they have value to anyone reading. Does anyone else find they puzzle over something thats on their minds and wonder will anyone be bothered about their stream of thinking?and is it worth a post!

But when i put those concerns to one side i do know that i try to place on my posts, things that are unusual or share things i am going through that may resonate with someone else in their own situation.Why do i blog? I think i blog mainly to have someone to talk to and i read blogs so as to be the listener to others, as well as gain in experience through them, or be inspired.

 There is a great quote isnt there, that says...

'what are we here for, if not to make life less difficult for each other'

and i think its a good way of summing up how blogs can really help us when we find those right for us. If we give and recieve friendship through them, sometimes the smallest gesture of support is the one that makes the biggest impact. It can be a few lines from a stranger that uplift you at just the right moment of your day, or it can be wise words from an old friend at the end of a difficult week. Whatever it is i think we'll all agree those moments,those words typed to us and us alone, are priceless.And what a great reward from sharing our lives.So thank you to everyone who's left a comment its much appreciated!

 So getting back to tonight.... i thought about Little Dye House and the top photograph is from their catalog isnt the bunny so cute!  Its a lovely company in England who dye pointelle jersey in beautiful natural pastel shades.Their twin sets are so comfy and you really are spoilt for choice on the website... "Our clothes are all made in ultra soft pointelle jerseys in lots of different compositions and colours with fine contrast trim details. Each piece is light and as comfortable as a second skin."

They also produce a sweet little catalogue with everything they make photographed wonderfully and with real girls(just like you,i or a daughter or friend) wearing them it makes such a refreshing change to the airbrushed images of magazines.Its all very natural as is......LoveLula the other little brochure in the photo here.Its another small uk mail order company this time specialising in organic makeup and body products. They have among other things Weleda's range,which often uses ingredients grown and harvested in balance with the moon's cycles.            

  thanks for listening and have a beautiful weekend wherever you are, Kathryn x

 

Art full of Joy

 

I came across Catalina Estrada's art and illustration today and it is amazing! I love the detail and elements of nature she includes. you can buy the picture above as a greetings card, and more like it from a company called nineteenseventythree

    I like this winged angel above and all the hummingbirds which seem to be a common feature in her pieces. I found out about her through Cygnus having a diary in there latest catalog, with her art work alongside Paulo Coelho's writing.

If you like Mind body spirit books, or anything that speaks to the soul, i recommend Cygnus as they have some beautiful book reviews and their prices cannot be beaten here.

Being a member is free and you can recieve a delightful newsletter which gives detailed reviews of their featured titles. Of course these can also be read online at their site. Being involved with Cygnus and buying from them has given me so much and i would not have discovered such wonderful titles if i had not had their newsletters.

My journey is always vastly enriched by reading and all the books i have had from them over the years are enlightening,uplifting and have become true blessings in my life.

The little doll

 

This picture(isnt it the sweetest!)brought back a lovely childhood memory to me when i saw it....it reminded me of my all time favourite story as a little girl. Maybe you know of it too..it was in a book called 'Stories for 5 year olds' and was about a little girl discovering a tiny doll in a freezer in a supermarket where it had been discarded.

She went back and each day it was still there and of course it moved and talked - this being a story for a 5 year old. And the little girl took hand made clothes to the doll every time she went with her mum,because she was very concerned about the little doll getting cold. She took her a match box for a bed too i think. Eventually she decided, as no one had reclaimed her, that she would take her home and give her a warmer place to live.She loved that little doll and i loved the story so much. In later years there was a program on BBC1 that was called Tottie and it was also about a little doll,this time living in a doll's house.

The picture is from the book below Childhood treasures by Caroline Zoob which i know many of you will have as its been so popular. I'd looked through it many times but just not spotted the picture of the little doll. there is alot to take in within the pages. Some beautiful projects and details.

I will post up a few more photos of the pages on my flickr stream-as i always like to see inside a book in this way -it gives you so much more of an idea about whether to buy or not. interestingly i just visited posy's site and she has posted about another similar childhood book 'Childrens rooms' by Andrea Maflin which is styled similar.  kat x

Love is beautiful - a mandala

I made this mixed media mandala a few weeks ago. As you can see its called Love is beautiful. Its something i have wanted to experiment with making since seeing some similar ones on Flickr. I didnt have a compass so just estimated the distances and drew the circles with a piece of string tied to a pencil! but i think the mistakes add to the charm of it for me. Reminding me of the Beauty that is to be found in life no matter the imperfections.

 The vintage wallpapers i combined with an old music sheet of the song 'Home sweet home'. It felt right to let those words stand out and not cover them with paint. I also added a piece of music sheet that was left over which had the word SONG on it, as i needed something for the centre that wouldnt cover the yellow roses and it seemed appropriate. A mandala is traditionally a representation of the Circle of life, or the Oneness of the Universe (uni=One and song=verse)

these are some of the photos that were taken in Anahata's workshop in the States and which inspired me to make my own.. 

And this is where i have put the canvas on the wall in the little craft room for now 

i like the way the gold metallic paint is catching the light here. I can't show the rest of the room as its in the process of being sorted out and boxes are on the floor...everywhere! i am replacing the desk with a chest of drawers. As i decided i needed better accessible storage space and rarely used the desk. i tend to sit on the sofa when i make anything or to watch tv in there.and its too small an area for when i come to use the sewing machine,for that i would use the table downstairs i think.

So thats all my news for today,the chest arrives tomorrow but its flat pack so i will have to ask 'someone' nicely if they can put it together for me, not being able to do it myself.I have more strength than i used to but not that much! with butterfly wishes Kat x

Cards and caring thoughts

 

I made some new christmas cards last week using trees which i got from an etsy seller shabbycottagestudio and mounting them upon Anna Griffin papers from QVC. I trimmed them with gems or pearls and some german metallic foil along the base. I gave them to kate for the shop, but as they took quite a while per card to make then they are just a limited edition.Though I may do some further ones for Etsy as my shop is empty at present.

  Speaking of hand made cards i want to thank Brigitta for the lovely blue butterfly card she sent me. Her blog is Memory Box and she's been sharing some of her very pretty scrapbook layouts lately.

As i type i am listening to 'I love you' sung by Sarah Mclachlan from your playlist Brigitta and hearing the words 'In the Arms of the angels...'from that song which is such a soothing track. My thoughts turn towards my friend Toria (on left below with Suzanne)

Toria's beloved Mum Ann,passed away through the week, and i just wanted to pay tribute to what a beautiful Spirit she is,so very kind hearted and one of life's rare diamonds. she will be so very sadly missed by many. She had been in ill health for a long time, but always bravely continued to make the most of life and she and Toria were very close. Her last days were spent at Primrose Hospice and her family shared some special moments with her.

here is a picture of Ann with her son in law Steven. She and Toria look very alike and share the same faith and strength of heart. I have no doubt too that Toria's kindness and thoughtfulness is also inherited from her mum. I am thinking of you T and sending my love.

Kat xox

Whistles

 

I havent been blogging for a while,so i wanted to just do a little post today and let you all know i am still around! i have been going through various things, which i may at some point be typing about here,but in the meantime i'm sharing about Whistles and how the new collection is hitting such a good vibe.Jane Sheperdson has certainly worked her unique form of magic on the A/W 08 collection. These are my favs from the lookbook.The second dress is like a painting and the colours are beautiful together...if i had the occasion to wear it to, i'd buy it. The online store sell the brands Michael Stars,Paige denim and even some Alex Monroe jewellery.For more of the lookbook and inspiration for outfits their website is worth a browse.

I love the cashmere cardigan and vintage style silk dresses,especially combined here with black tights.

I got these shoes from Topshop recently, i was pleased to have found them as they arent too high(i can't yet cope with 3inch heels!)I find Topshop are one of the few places that do mid heel shoes of around 2 inches.

I hope to wear them with a dress and tights myself, similar to the looks above,or with skinny jeans.Though generally i find that most of the winter i need my Uggs as i find its so cold!

I have pulled out my winter cardis and jumpers,a few were past their best but others are fine and have proved really cosy over the past week.rather like the company of an old friend.hope you are all keeping warm and well,hope to be back again soon,love K x