Secrets of a Butterfly

A touch of the magical.....Anna Inghardt

ooh it is the last post of the year what better time than for something magical to touch our hearts. It is an end and yet also the beginning, of a new series of posts here, and upon New Years eve no less. So what magical-ness do i have to share with you, well it is the gorgeous dreamy photographs of Anna Inghardt who has a blog here and a flickr stream here There's just something about her photos that really captures me, and i adore how faint and pale some of them are. There are stars, kittens, teapots and ribbons...as well as snowfall, trees, diaries and ponytails.

May the new year sprinkle you with its magical touch and bring long held dreams to you. i hope mine are gona come true, i really do, love n wishes tonight Kat xx

a collage i made up of some of my favourites of Anna's


(all images copyright Anna Inghardt,Sweden)

Precious pastels...Emma Cassi

I always find Emma Cassi's lace pieces so inspiring. Her use of vintage trims and sequins and in entirely unique ways, makes visiting her online shop or browsing her blog enteries feel like heaven! There is so much to take in. I think her blog is one of my favourites still after all this time. visit here
All images in this post are from emma's blog,she is french and a stylist,and she makes this exquisite lace jewelry and also paper garlands, and cards. The jewelry shown here is from her new collection for Spring 2010 and some, i imagine will be online in her shop soon. I love her use of lace and now that she is incorporating liberty fabric and pastel colors into her designs, i like it All even more, if that's possible!
So emma is my favourite, whats your favourite place for inspiration or your favourite blog? please do let me know in the comments......

love kat

Christmas gifts

I thought i'd fit in this post about my presents before the end of the year...i was very blessed and recieved some truly lovely things, many were my mam's finds for me and others were sent to me throught the post. The squirrels in the top picture (lovingly handcrafted by Myko) were from Santa.

With my dear friends whom i have been writing to for over 10 years,we all have a tradition of sending little gifts,so as to support one another at this time of year. So its a busy month before christmas preparing and mailing packages, but its fun! I don't know about you, but i find choosing, wrapping and giving gifts is almost as nice as recieving them ;) However with adding in some new blog friends i think maybe i did extend my list a little too long this time!
present from Santa in fairy paper, perfect!

So there was just enough light the other morning to get some piccies of some of my gifts.(theres a few left to write of in some another post) I've seen a few people's collections lately and find it so lovely to see what people have recieved. i enjoyed seeing Jessica's she got a beautifully illustrated Secret Garden book and some other treasures can be seen on her flickr stream too. if you have loaded up any pics please comment and leave a link to them so we can all share.

The mirror(from Laura Ashley) was from my mam and dad xxx

Neill and Deb chose some little pressies for me while away in New Zealand, so the softest little lamb,stone with glazed fern and natural stone with Love written upon it in the NZ language are from them. The jasmine candle and the purse (by simbiosis at etsy) from Mam. xx


these gorgeous glass pendants and magnet with my name are also an etsy purchase, not sure of seller will ask mam and get back to you ;)


flower fairy book of postcards


handmade box from Mary with a rose quartz crystal pendant

butterfly meadow mug from Neill and Deb

blogging and craft books yay!

A few months back i mentioned ordering a necklace i chose from Avasarah and mam and dad gave me it, it has the words Angels light my way,my path is clear/ protection/ and happiness as well as a tiny butterfly, stamped in recycled silver and the beads are citrine. I love it!! I chose this instead of the key necklace as the words meant so much to me on this one.

some Korres goodies, i just lately found their products and love the organic ingredients...i'm really into natural scent and this Jasmine range has now gone to the top of my list!!

And lastly some aromatherapy oils from Baldwins. Whenever i can i like the old fashioned way of writing my thankyou's, so if you don't hear from me by email or tweets/FB don't worry honeys, i'll be sending your thankyou letter in the post.
Love and much gratitude for a quiet christmas touched with love and sprinkled with the blessings of our family and friendships. hope you've enjoyed this post and remember to link to your own presents if you'd like to, we'd love to see them, kathryn xo
p.s. one of the nicest things at Christmas was mam made some biscuits and little iced cakes...yum!!

Christmas wishes

Christmassy wishes to you,thanks for your lovely comments on the giftshop posts.this illustration is by my friend Kayo just wanted to share it with you.I hope everyone is having a nice time and see you back here on new years eve ....luv k x

The secret gift shop part 3

For the final 3 days before Christmas, as i mentioned, i have pre done some posts to come on while i'm taking a break from blogging as i've needed to rest alot more. If i could step into a secret gift shop these are the gifts that would catch my eye and be perfect for blog friends....

For Meliss of the blog Melissa Loves a handcrafted vintage birds wreath also by Holli

For Jasna who likes to sew a stamp set from Karaku

For Verity of The Light Garden a Lavender Lace necklace because i know you like soft pastel colors as i do, its by Wiyomu

For Louise of Louisa Rose and her new babe a print from SarahJaneStudios

For Natasha of the blog She left on a Monday, an enamel bicycle brooch because she's getting a real one soon! by GreenwichLetterpress

For Kayo who loves bunnies too, a handcrafted bunny, there are so many cute ones to choose from (or you can buy a kit or pattern and make one yourself!) from Jennylovesbenny

thats all the secret shop posts.happy gift giving and recieving dear readers,bye for now kat x

The secret gift shop part 2

I have scheduled these posts that i've named "the secret gift shop" for you to pop up in the run up to the 25th. i am taking a break so won't be around to reply for a bit. Have a pleasant happy Christmas if you celebrate it and a peacefilled New year wherever you are visiting from.

So these are some gifts i found in the vast global market that is Etsy.com. If i went into a magical gift shop these are the things that would catch my eye to choose for some of my fellow bloggers.

For Georgianna of the blog GeorgiannaLane, a Midnight clear wreath, i liked the name and the little silvery bird, by KnockKnocking

For Paula of the blog Pink Bow a print named "always dressed like a Queen" because P loves her fashion and always dresses well,from Little Misso

For ShanaRae of FloraBella photography textures, a banner from AlicesLookingGlass

For Ez of the blog Creature Comforts a delicate print from kittens and crumpets

For Josephine of the blog Tale Peddler a wreath for her hair for a special occasion at Gardensofwhimsy

For Eadaoin of the blog City of blacbirds an embroidered robin,because i seem to remember you love them almost as much as blackbirds,and its by SeaPinks


part 3 coming up tomorrow christmas eve! i wanted to place the links for your blogs,but got too tired i know you'll understand,kat x

The secret gift shop part 1

Hello Everyone, things have been a little rocky of late with my energy reserves,(had to spend a greater amount of days in bed, which can sound quite cosy when theres snow on the ground but believe me does get frustrating!) so needless to say Christmas will be a quiet one here at home with close family.With thoughts upon our grandparents who passed almost a year ago,as this will be our first christmas without them with us in person.

I think i will sign off in advance of Christmas day and leave you with some posts scheduled to pop up by themselves in the run up to the 25th.

i've named them "the secret gift shop" posts for you to browse the links to if you fancy. In the meantime have a pleasant happy Christmas and a peacefilled New year wherever you are visiting from in this world of ours.

So these are some gifts i found in the vast global market that is Etsy.com. If i went into a magical gift shop these are the things that would catch my eye to choose for some of my fellow bloggers.
Part 1 (of 3)

For Shelbi of the blog Keeper of the Chocolates a photograph from SqueakyPeach

For Jeska of Lobster and swan blog, a deer pouch by Dores

For Heather of the blog Prescription of Hope a mouse from MykoBocek Studios

For Sherry of the blog Everyday Possibilities Embroidered skaters from Follow the White Bunny

For Shanon of the blog MyfineGarden, a forest green cowl by ThehouseofHemp

For Holly of the blog Decor8, a print from Holli/ Paolo Zakimi

For Suze of the blog Dailysuze Lantana blossom necklace by TeresaBoland

part 2 will follow on the 23rd....

Winter Solstice

To mark this special winter solstice, a collage of nature's beautiful wintery decoration.
here are the links to the images on flickr
1. Ice blue, 2. Drops on a straw, 3. Créme, 4. Untitled, 5. sweet slumber, 6. silver sliver in sunshine, 7. Untitled, 8. frosty bokeh!, 9. Untitled, 10. frail~
Light, hope, freedom and gentle peacefulness today and onward. kat xx

Hansel and Gretel

With the help of inspiration from Flickr photos,this is the newest fairytale post, they are finding their way out of the woods, together - Hansel and Gretel........kat xx

 1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. Gargantua Bay, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, 4. Untitled, 5. muzi quawson, 6. boreal forest glow

To my Butterfly girls

Just had to share with you some of my favourite posts recently this one has to be an all time favourite! at SfgirlbyBay an interview with Rachel Ashwell and some gorgeous photos around her home here

And to my Butterfly girls....
A post here, i read just today, by Sherry over at her always inspiring blog Everyday Possibilities. Its about a book called The Wishing Year (rather nicely reminds me of the Enid Blyton book The Wishing Chair,a childhood favourite!)and about our own wishes and putting requests out there to the Universe.

The there's Verity who ever so nicely did a post about me and my Wishes of Peace book today here as did Heather a few days ago at her beautiful blog here....THANKyou girls xxx please visit their blogs i know you'll like them.

 and Suze for the chat we've had about Satya jewellery its been so good to share it with you i hope you make it to Covent Garden. And big thankyou Kayo my "little sis" in japan for the adorable package i LOVE the gifts.(see below)Kayo has drawn the picture and made the fabric token for me for luck! its beautiful with a butterfly on,see it in the bottom right corner of the 2nd photo (she knows me!)

I also heard from some old friends in the mail lately Tanya and her beautiful boy who's growing up so fast! Camille and her sweet little Santa's helper, and Sandie a friend in York who has such a tough year(hugs) I'm thinking of you all.... Michelle in Brisbane if you read this can you email me, i havent anyway to contact you. (this picture below and the top one are inside my copy of Rachel's newest Shabby Chic book)
Thankyou all for your mail and these wonderful mentions in blogland too they are the perfect christmas presents, you keep my spirits up everyone, and friendships both old and new are so treasured to me. Bless you and your homes this season. Speak again soon, Kxox