Secrets of a Butterfly

Handmade items to give and to treasure

I have revamped my etsy shop, its something i have been wanting to do for ages now, and i'm pleased to say i am well on the way to stocking it with some of the items i've been making. i did this mosaic on big huge labs to showcase my range. Most of the pieces have a french vibe, with eiffel towers and old vintage postcard images featuring. Along with the wording you know i love so much like, 'wish upon a star' or 'believe'.

Do you like my new business card? Mandy of Belle and boo did it for me! i am very honored as the butterfly and meadow feel is just what i wanted. I sent her some star jasmine as she has been such a star to me.There's new things coming from Belle and boo too soon,so watch out for them.here's a sneaky peek at the new website front page!! i love swings in the trees and this was one of my favourite moments on holiday last year.... it would'nt seem much to many people,and may even seem too young a thing to do to others, but to me - the sense of freedom was amazing after many years ill in bed, in one room. To be out in nature surrounded by the birds song and to hear the branches and leaves of the tree and feel the wind against my face was an experience both of freedom and of fun, both of which were almost entirely absent for a long long time. i havent come across another tree swing as yet,but if i do, i hope to go on it.

One thing i have come to appreciate is to be in and to live each moment as much as i can,i did this even before i had much of an' out an about' life to lead,and it still supports me now. Also i must never hold back, worrying what others might think of me. Its my life, and as much as i can, i want to live it in my way. Maybe there will be a swing near Windermere this time,(in a different area of the Lake District) where we are going at the end of June-lets hope so ( ;

love and butterflies kat xxx

A beautiful afternoon

We spent a lovely afternoon in the sunshine today and i soaked up the positive effects of that as much as possible after a spell of not getting out for one reason and another it was a very welcome drive through countryside, open fields, trees and sheep to everyside. After a short walk round Corbridge we went up the hill to the art gallery Fifiefofum. It was the second visit and this time round we stayed for a cuppa and scone,the homemade food was as beautiful as the view(above). The paintings, many of local scenes, beaches and hills were so inspiring,and i spoke to the lady who owns it and who was busy painting in oils herself. They run some really good workshops there so thats something to have a think about. Though it would be hard to choose between jewellery ones, painting or embroidery.

The gallery itself is up a winding road and set next to a few private homes   It is a beautiful spot and with the most amazing view,unbroken by buildings or pilons for miles. Being in nature again reminded me of my holiday in the Lakes and how i came back wishing to paint,or at least have a go. I have acrylics but the more professional results seem to come from oils, but they do have a strong smell and i wouldnt know where to begin as far as which canvases. However i know a good website and they sell sets with a video in to guide you so i think i may give one a try...so thats my thoughts for today,bye for now, kat x  P.s. i still sometimes have to pinch myself when i see myself standing outside like this,tis amazing ( :

blue skies, seagulls and sunshine

This was down at Tynemouth about 2 weeks ago, i just haven't got round to blogging about it till now. I wanted to share it as its such a beautiful place and particularlly nice when there's blue sky all around. It was a touch windy that day but that made the surfing all the better. Not that i was partaking i might add, just nice to watch those that were. Wetsuits still very much needed, as the north sea isnt the most friendly of seas when it comes to its temperature. Though as far as cleanliness goes, its pretty top notch, which i think is what the blue flag is for. To the right of this shot is a structure which when my mam was little used to be a huge outdoor swimming pool that the sea filled but sadly its no longer used. It would be so nice to have it revamped but i expect not only is there a shortage of money for such things but that the cost to cover a lifeguard for the season would also be too high.  I do think though that when people complain abouyt teenagers causing problems they never think that there's just simply nothing for them to do. Somewhere such as this would be a great meeting place especially for the younger teenagers. Anyway if you drive a bit further along you come to the main street which has shops and if you keep going and turn left you can drive down to see where the ships sail into the harbour and also see the Priory standing up on the cliff.

and here is the right and side view...

Perhaps i'll finish with a pic of me and spot the seagull in the sky on this one,i love that! when wildlife make an impromptu appearance on photos..it certainly captured the beauty of the day all the more as you cant have a visit to the sea without the call of seagulls filling your memories of it.It was a gentle trip out and i felt the sea air really did me good. Kat x

Sweet peas,Savannah & an Angel

My favourite flowers (roses excepted) are sweetpeas, their sent and delicate colours are what capture me and i cannot help but wish that they were avaliable all year, but then perhaps their limited time makes them that bit more special. Here are some in the garden i wanted to show you wish i could send you their scent too.... and a close up their are some other colours growing up canes too but these are a different variety to what my dad usually grows and they are in a basket.

This is a feature on Savannah Miller in Elle magazine talking about her new clothing line with her sister Twenty8twelve isnt she beautiful  and i love the vase of flowers. she has lots of interesting trinkets and clothes in her wardrobe and many passed onto her from her little sis how lucky is that. She lives a very different life to Sienna though as she is married with a little boy.here's a pretty necklace they showed, that sienna gave her on her wedding day.... Lastly i wanted to include a photo i took the other week as we drove passed The Angel of the North a huge steel structure of an angel that is a favourite of the people here,by artist Anthony Gormley.

The Lakes

At the start of July i went to the Lakes which was my first holiday for a long time,around 16years. My health has improved to the point where it was now possible to go and though it began with an understandable amount of apprehension i'm pleased to say that i had a lovely time and so did mam and dad. We stayed near Penrith which is in the North of the Lake district. We then visited Keswick,Penrith town itself, Derwent water and Ullswater. It was beautiful and amazing for me to see such wide open spaces with such a tranquility there. The weather stayed overcast but only rained on us one day. mainly the rain fell at night. The cottage was lovely a modern conversion from a barn and the living room was upstairs with a sky light window. We went to a place called The Alpaca center and i got a lovely cardigan there which i'm wearing in this picture.  It was made in peru from alpaca wool. I've discovered how soft baby alpaca wool is,its just gorgeous. Alpaca's themselves were originally bred from camels and they have a resemblance to them but are much smaller and friendlier in nature. The place kept some in the nearby field and uses the wool. I've more photos to share over the coming days its good to be back blogging again i've missed it. There has been alot to catch up on and emotions to work with from my holiday so i havent had as much time to type till now. The bunnies missed me when i was away. My brother came in and fed them and they've grown alot since i last shared any pics with you...here they are on the garden table, it took awhile but i eventually got them to pause side by side!

Rose,tree and stream

I saw many of these wild roses yesterday and just had to post one to share how beautiful a colour it is i also spent some time near some trees which was a real miss during my illness....and so meant so much to be near them as i know some of you reading this will appreciate there calm peacefulness. I want to say a special hello to zoe and how nice it was to hear of your time spent outside lately. also mary and spending time by the pond. i think of you all when i get to experience nature and i know how much you also love it. We explored to the left of the car park yesterday and dscovered a little stream we hadnt known was there and it sounded so lovely. I might have to have a work out of posting video so you can hear as well as see it in the meantime here is a picture. I havent worked out how to respond to brigit direct about the cards as she left a post asking about the backgrounds. The papers used are from Basic Grey 6x6 pads. hope that helps....

two little wrens

I went to see my Grandparents at their home a couple of days ago. Granda spotted a wren outside on the bush. Wrens are my favourite small bird so it was lovely to catch a glimpse of one. I realised then why i like them as my Granparents had two china ones on a low shelf at the top of their stairs when i was little and i used to play with them. I mentioned this to Grandma and she looked over to her cabinet and there they were on the shelf tucked behind something else! they must be 35 years old and still in one piece, thats quite something. So i took a photo for the memories and to share the tale.

I'm just starting to read novels. I finished The commandant's girl by Pam Jenoff last month and it was so well written it flowed exceptionally well and so was one of those novels that practically read itself if you know what i mean. No trudging through it checking to see how far you'd got left, to find out what happens and have it over with.set in the war in Poland.

I now have The Pursuit of Happiness. It came from Tesco and so far they have had the best selection and best prices,some 2 or 3 pounds less than elsewhere. Mam bought me The Wedding Officer too. It sounds good as is described as across between Chocolat and Captain Corelli's mandolin. Like i say i'm new to novels. I find i'm not drawn to most of the more modern womens stories,nor the older generation's favourites,so i'm in the middle somewhere. i also don't want a horror or war epic. So any left out of that which you can recommend would be a help!

As some of you reading this will know i've been using the Lightning Process or LP as its also known, since last summer. Its has been aiding my return to health after a long term illness called ME or Chronic fatigue. Its a wonderful technique which i highly recommend and have been doing to a few girls lately, who've been in touch with Mam and i to ask about my experience. I also use EFT emotional freedom technique and find the two compliment each other. The latter is particularly good for any fear but works on a whole manner of things either emotional or physical. I will add some links in the next few days, down the side, for anyone who needs them.

I would like to say hi to Annie in The isle of Wight this evening as i know she is in a pretty poorly way and i just want us all to send her love and prayers... i took this blossom picture to show you as i know you share my love of flowers and they looked so pretty lying beneath the tree on the soft grass( as i know you'd wish to do.) In the peace and quiet. . love and thoughts for Emily too also very ill who's birthday it is soon love K