Secrets of a Butterfly

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

 

Ipad prettiness

My new ipad cover arrived from the lovely etsy seller Simbiosis. (butterfly not included ;) that is on the cushion behind)

I have been looking for the right one since i got it last year and somehow nothing was quite right till now.
I like Julia's zipped pouches and have given them as gifts quite often. So i was pleased to spot this ipad cover in her shop last month.
Its so well made, and padded, that it gives the right protection to my treasured ipad-ey.
And it also looks mightly pretty too, always a bonus, especially as what i was using before was just black.
It has a velcro fastening, and is super easy to take in and out, something which happens oooh a hundred times or more a day! kidding ;)

I recommend Julia's shop Simbiosis, she has a regularly changing array of stock, kindle covers, zipped pouches and various designs for the ipad

love Kathryn xx

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

A lovely little unicorn

A little while ago I was lucky enough to win a giveaway at Sweet days with Elle and Mia and I chose a unicorn necklace made my Space pearls a magical little Etsy shop. Here it is,all the way from Texas, and it's so beautiful.
As well as Secret Garden inspired pieces, if you like Harry Potter or have someone in the family who does, then there are some unique potion bottle necklaces, just perfect as little gifts.

Thank you Keri-Anne and Kayla-Marie for my lovely little unicorn.

The sweetest of days

Keri-Anne (gingerlillytea) has a new blog which she is keeping for her two little fairy girls Elle (seen below) and new baby Mia.
Her most recent post was to show us the photo shoot she did for some friends clothing and accessory ranges. It involved a picnic, bubbles, and hideaway tent amongst other things, and the resulting photos are simply magical, i think you'll agree.

Elle, Hollie and Alexie are so beautifully modelling the following lines...
Dresses by Hollie in bloom, Hair accessories by Wee Tootie, and jewellery by Lottie's Lockets.
All lovingly handmade for your little ones and avaliable through the facebook links given above.

You can see more of Keri-Anne's shoot at her blog Sweet days with Elle and Mia
love

Chasing the moon

Hello lovelies, how are you?
It seems a while since i wrote you, i'm so glad that you have enjoyed my latest jewellery posts. Look in the comments for an offer from Kerri on her ten things range. I am really wanting an angel wing necklace since finding the photo i shared with you!

I have just finished this magical novel, another by Sarah Addison Allen.(i blogged about The sugar queen earlier in the year) Her way with words just speaks to my heart and i love the way she weaves syncronicity, meaning and a touch of spirit into her characters circumstances. They navigate their way through some ups and downs, but always with a sense that there is a purpose to the route they are taking, and one which eventually leads to a deeper happiness.

Helen so kindly sends me on her Frankie copies, and she also gave me this beautifully scented Lily candle recently (thank you darling). Would you like to see it lit? I hope to share some photos of it burning, on my personal altar space soon.

I am a little worn out this week, the ebb and flow of my energy levels can be quite varied and this week's healing task has been one of rest rest and more rest. Sometimes this can bring up questions and frustrations. But i know after all these years its best to go with what my body is calling for when its like this, and just be with the moment. Often there are deeper healing things occuring than we can on the surface realise.

My mam who has been in great pain walking, is thanking those of you who have sent love and well wishes her way. Things are still hard, she returns for more test on her thigh muscles next week. It would be a weight off our minds to know more of what is causing her to be unable to take any weight on her leg.

I have so much i would wish to share with you once i am able... some roses photos as they are blooming in the garden, all about my new phone addiction - Instagram, and soon another giveaway...this time a book.. but for now just this little general update post, to keep in touch.
till next time my dear readers,
love and healing vibes

Giveaway winners!

Time to announce my anniversary giveaway winners....
Set 1 belle & boo badges - Mirsini's creations
Set 2 belle & boo badges - Keri Anne at Sweet days with Elle and Mia
Set 3 belle & boo badges - Anna at Evie George
Set 4 Light garden goodies - Iris at Irideeen
set 5 Whimsy whimsical goodies - Naomi

Congratulations and I shall be in touch for your address details. Big thanks to everyone who entered and left a comment with well wishes for Secrets turning 4, i really appreciate your support. I have plans for another giveaway in the near future too,
Love

Selina Lake Living

As regular visitors to Secrets will know, i love the styling of Selina Lake. So i was delighted to discover she has just opened her own etsy shop Selina Lake Living.

There are some unique treats in the shop... cupcake toppers, a number of beautiful card packs, and vintage fabric covered hangers & pillowcases sewn by Selina herself. With recent new additions of pink bow gift tags and tea-towels. All the type of things we have come to expect in the styling shoots that Selina does for magazines.

I recently purchased these floral notecards. They are styled by Selina with photography by Sussie Bell. I had seen the images at Selina's flickr, so it was lovely to be able to get them in the form of cards. I have to say they are extremely good quality and i'm considering framing my favourite which is the image at the top of the post.

Selina has a giveaway on at her blog just now, till the 22nd, there is a choice of things to win from her shop, including royal wedding cards and cake toppers.

My cards came to me in pretty stripey packaging too :)

Speaking of giveaways, there's a bit a delay on my own. Hopefully i shall host that soon. Till next time, love n wishes

Christmas gifts & mail

Hi my lovelies, just dropping in to share some of my photos from around our home this Christmas Eve. I have recieved some beautiful packages and cards. I feel so blessed and am saving my gifts to open on the 25th as is the tradition here in England.

The card above on our mantel piece, is very special as my Mam made it for me. It is the first time she has made a card and its so very beautiful.

( some pretty packages in the post from
Eadaoin, Louise,
Paula, Anna and Nat. thank you! xxx )

I wanted to let you know my blogging plans for the next week...

From the 27th to 30th December, i have scheduled some special posts to come on that i have been working on for a while now.

They are a look back over the year at some of my favourite blogs and posts that i have loved, with all the links and some gorgeous pictures and quotes.

Drop by when you have a spare moment, or want some time out to just chill, and we can share the BEST blog posts i read in 2010.

Meantime have a lovely day tomorrow.. i am excited to open my gifts!

love and wishes this Christmas eve,