Secrets of a Butterfly

Kindgram - sharing kindness

 

Kindgram is a little project that i share with Lisa of Soul-o-mama

We both care passionately about being kind,

we know personally about the often overlooked power of a truly kind heart.

 We have been helped by kindness, at times when we greatly needed support.

So we want to honour it.

We both like to pass kindness on to others.

As well as treasure the kindness we receive.

x x x

Lisa came up with the idea of tagging photos at Instagram and elsewhere online with the hash tag #kindgram

And so the idea of telling stories of kindness was born

the idea is a simple one and easy to work into your day to day online sharing

 

there are 3 main reasons to tag #kindgram

 

    (1)  If someone in your day is kind to you and you want to show gratitude,

take a photo and share a bit about the story,

remember to add the tag #kindgram

(2)  If you want to extend kind thoughts or words to another in need
again share a photo and tag it #kindgram

 

(3) If you want to ask for kindness, or prayers maybe, if youre having a tough time

and just want to reach out and share what's happening, then also tag it #kindgram

 

Remember to visit the hashtag on instagram to read others stories

of how kindness has touched their hearts.

x x x

 and for more of my writing about what KINDGRAM means, see what we shared on this post

love and kindness

Kathryn and Lisa

Hello again

Hello sweeties,

well, the flu has finally passed, and after 3 weeks in bed, i had my first afternoon up yesterday. Going to take some time to get back to where i was, but it felt good to feel more me again. And i am full of ideas and things to share with you all.

After the spring clean my blog had a few weeks ago, i want to aim for a more cohesive feel once more to my posting, and get one or two fresh regular posts going. I have some in mind, but am always open to hearing your ideas if you have anything you would like to hear, see or read from me, drop me a line or two, or comment here.

I want to say a special thank you to Jules for the postcard in the top pic, and Claire who sent me these beautiful goodies, including some ever so pretty bags to use in my giftwrapping.

Thanks sweetheart they arrived on a day i was so very in need of a boost to my spirits and opening this was just the tonic i needed, it meant so much to me, along with having your friendship in my life. Who would have thought little square world within instagram, could spill out into such rich and heartfelt connections, with you Helen and Jules!

If youre reading this and havent joined iNstagram i really recommend it, and now anyone on android phones (that means you Shanon!) can join in too.

Ok thats me for today, speak soon lovelies, i shall aim not to be such a stranger

Kathryn x

 

True friends

Thank you beautiful Julie, for the lovely white heart, i hope you like the photo (smile)
Your friendship means SO much to me,
hugs kat xoxo

The heart knows no distance

I received this beautiful package from Julie for my birthday, 
I  wanted to say a big Thank you Darling,xxx
A card with a beautiful quote, gorgeous rose quartz butterfly, which i added to my Emma Cassi wish bracelet, and its just perfect for me.

And these pretties too, a zipped pouch with vintage teacup design, cath kidston toiletries and a notebook with a precious pink butterfly in flight.
There was also a card from Julie's little daughter, Ruby, in which she wrote a special message - it shall be treasured!

Also wanted to thank Julie for this post Secrets & Wishes, and the enchanting flower and crystal bowl that she made me.

Also the words she wrote about her day, which took me into her world and allowed me to truly see that when we form friendships through blogs and things, they do radiate out into real life and become as important to us as any we may form in the world nearer around us. I know some people dismiss friends made online as somehow less meaningful, but its something that you only truly appreciate when it happens to you, and when it does its like a magical gift.

 Thank you Julie, for everything, and for being "with me" and for all your heartfelt love & wishes, they sustain me and comfort the deepest part of my soul.

It so helps to feel that we are valued in anothers life and that we can be "with them" even when miles,and oceans seperate us,
the heart has a way of making that distance disappear

As Julie says in her post, " I am reminded of the beautiful things that the universe brings.....

unexpected friendships formed through "web land" & spread across the globe..."

I do believe that Love, friendship, compassionate understanding and feeling of community is one of the most precious gifts in my life. Who would have thought that when i started my blog almost 5 years ago that it would bring me SO much!

Love and wishes

 

Christmas gifts from friends part 2

I love snowglobes,and this it turned out to be the only snow we had this year.It has been much milder and so far only one small flurry of snow a couple of weeks ago. I do think snow is pretty, and has a magic to it, but i do feel the cold, so i think this year at least, i would prefer it not to be as freezing as it has been the last few years.

I have a few further collages today, by way of thanks to my lovely friends for their gifts over christmas.

Keri-Anne sent me some of her beautiful blossom photos, and they are to signify the hope that i too will be blossoming in this new year. And a cd mix of her favourite tracks. When i listened to it on Christmas eve, i loved them all, and it felt almost like she and her little fairies were here visiting with me. thank you treasure, (i hope to do a further post about mix cd's later).

Louise sent me a butterfly box full of little treasures, such as a silver bunny, rose quartz from her crystal collection and a key, there was also a book of quotes and mini calendar. I was so touched by the collected things, all just for me. thank you so much sweetheart.

Paula visits Betty's cafe ( a famous tea/coffee shop in Yorkshire) and i always wish i could accompany her. Maybe one day i shall. But in the meantime she brought me back some goodies from there...a book and chocolate, and the sweetest butterfly pin. thank you my love, your thoughfulness touched me so much.

Last but not least a package from California, and my friend Cheryl who makes the most beautiful fairylike creations, here a little acorn pouch from liberty fabric (which i had given her earlier in the year) and some butterflies made into rings. Her daughter Maddy also is just so creative, and made the sweetest smallest rings into a paper garland. It would decorate a fairy's dwelling perfectly, and also looks so nice hanging upon my wall lights. Thank you treasure.

I hope everyone liked their gifts as much as i liked mine, i know i sent many of you the notecards i made from my photos, i was so pleased to be able to send something handmade. Hopefully i shall be making more things as the year goes on and then i shall be sending more parcels to you no doubt, love and many thanks for everything

love you!

Christmas gifts from friends

I wanted to give my thanks to those that swopped gifts with me this year, it was wonderful to recieve your packages in the mail. And so often they arrived at the time most needed. Christmas was no exception, your kindness kept me going more than you may know.
Above are a few of the wrapped presents that i sent out, i chose cath kidston wrap this year and used little red and white candy canes and east of india ribbon.

Here are some of the lovely things I received ...above is a butterfly cushion from Kate in scotland and a wrapped present from Frida who lives in Sweden, we have been penpals since we were 11 years old and are still in touch. (smile)

Below is the gorgeous stationery Eadaoin chose for me, from Whimsy whimsical and Susannah Tucker on etsy and a cute cute little bunny brooch!!...thank you so much honey, lovely surprises!

Dear Georgianna sent me one of her calenders of Parisian photos, and some pretty pretty stickers, along with a beautiful wintery christmas card and mini eiffel tower...thankyou so so much sweetie!

And Jeska sent these beautiful wrapped treasures to me, including a paper decoration, soap,and a running bunny cookie cutter, (i had sent her a kitten one earlier in the year so it was a lovey thought to get me one in return) thank you my love,

Beth and i have just lately got in touch, i ordered some of her prints, and we also chatted through flickr, she included some as a gift for me and one of her Merry Christmas lights cards, and i just love them all! Thanks sweetie!

It was such fun sending and recieving lots in the mail & sharing love, it makes christmas special to me.

I just want to thank everyone who comments and supports Secrets,as that is a huge gift in itself. I have part 2 of this post to share through the week,
love

Sent with love

Hello lovelies,

i had not intended on taking a break from posting last week, but it turned out that way as i have just been quite "out of sorts" and not feeling myself. I can't put my finger on why, but trouble sleeping is part of it. I just havent had my usual inspiration to share.

But i did want to come on and give a little update,just to let you know i was ok and everything. And also to share this lovely gift that Shanon sent me in the post last week, all the way from Minneapolis! A beautiful shawl...i love the soft cozy flannel fabric that she chose to sew it from. I have it wrapped around my shoulders a lot now, for that extra bit of warmth and comfort. I also use it as a mini blanket.(smile)

Thank you darling, its such a thoughtful gift, it shall always make me think of you and Graham and i shall treasure it,
much love

xoxoxox

A beautiful autumn gift

 

A surprise parcel arrived through the week, from my lovely friend and fellow blogger Jeska, of Lobster and Swan. Upon opening i found this beautiful tissue wrapped gift....and inside were lots of treasures.

I felt so touched that Jeska had gathered these together especially for me. It made my heart smile, and arrived when it did, i felt, to lift my spirits after an intense week at the end of September.

Such a lot of prettiness in one package...vintage lace, a little pink fabric rose, a nina campbell notebook with butterflies on the pages, a card, and a garland of little vintage finds made for me, which i have placed across my mirror, inspired by the way Jeska displays hers.

I recognised the style of photo on this card (below) as being one of Jeska's own. I was delighted that her work has been used by a company in the making of this gorgeous range. It is a stunning card, with golden spirals on the front, a crimped edge, and another photo upon the paper insert. They are made by Paperclip...now i'm wondering if there are more in the series...

Thank you Jeska, for bringing such beauty to me, on a crisp autumn day. I am so glad to have the warmth of your friendship, extending into my life through our blogs.

You can find more of Jeska's pretty packages, garlands, photos, and jewellery at her shop on Etsy...Lobster and Swan, they make the perfect postable presents for christmas

Love and wishes

Handmade and heartfelt parcels

My beautiful friend Julie, in NSW Australia, sent me this care package lately. We like to exchange packages in the mail between England and Australia.
I don't think i ever shared the angel collage i made her in the Spring, so before i show you what was inside my parcel, here are a few photos of my gifts to her and her little daughter Ruby.

The bunny has been named Whispy by Ruby, in honour of my rabbit Whisper (smile)

And this is the collage i mage for Julie, with her initial, a butterfly, and butterfly key, dream wording and i included lots of purple - her favourite colour.

And here is the care parcel that she made me, it was such a heart warming package to open,so very full of love, that i have to say i had a few tears upon looking at it all on my bed and reading her letter to me. As so often with this type of thing, it arrived just at the right time, after a difficult patch, and was a tonic that lifted my spirits. (thank you darling!)

Inside, as you can see, i found lots of little organza bags, filled with bath treats that Julie made herself, adding flowers from her garden and specially chosen aromatherapy oils. Isnt she clever to be able to make these things by hand.

There was also a sachet of bath salts, again made by her sweet hands,so full of care, and a gorgeous rose quartz butterfly bracelet - she knows that is my favourite gemstone. (smile)

And a collection of images from magazines, made into little cards, to uplift and use for visulising.

I waited to do this post as i wanted to take some pictures today of the bath treats out from their organza bags..

These bowls are perfect for bath things, they are from the Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell range, that i mentioned is at House of fraser. They were just £12 for the set of 4. I think they are designed to be measuring cups for baking, but i love them for little trinket dishes. The colours are so me (smile)

I also got a jug from the range which i shall share another post.
Hope you enjoyed seeing my special mail. Do fly by Julie's blog Ruby Blooms, where her love of flowers shines and where she finds the most magical images from tumblr to share with us all,

love and wishes

xxxxxxx

We love trees

(* by anna)

Playing under the trees,
almost as magical as under the stars

certainly just as fun
and you get to hug trees

you can't hug stars
though you can make wishes on them

(* Luigi)

(*)

(* by Bonita)

(*)

maybe you can make wishes on leaves too...

(* amelie)

( this post features my friend Anna's 5 year old Luigi with photos taken in Wales and photos from my friend Bonita of her little girl Amelie taken on the other side of the globe, in New Zealand)

with love