Spoiled Rotten.......



 ....that`s me! I recently took part in the Thrifty Swap organised by my good friend, the very artistic Betty over at http://mrsyappydog.blogspot.com/... and I was partnered with Debs from http://fondantkiss.blogspot.com/... who just happened to have organised the second swap I ever joined up for in Blogland - that was over a year ago (yikes, where did it go??!!) and back then I was partnered with Shaz from http://theshabbychicbohemian.blogspot.com/. Now, all of these ladies, and in fact, everyone else who I have had the great pleasure of swapping with throughout the year, are all very talented in their own right and my latest acquisitions from Debs certainly reinforced that opinion with the arrival of her package to me.....

....all wrapped up in the prettiest pink butterfly paper and look what was inside.....

...more pretty pink parcels and there resting on top....

...can you read the label? No? Then I`ll tell you what it says......`100% SHETLAND HAND DYED AND SPUN`!!!!!......YIKES! Up until now, I`ve been using acrylic or cotton yarn for crocheting or knitting, with maybe a mixture of wool/acrylic if I`m lucky but I`ve NEVER had anything like this yarn to work with...in fact I`m so in awe of it, it`s sitting in the middle of my coffee table just so I can stare at it in wonderment! I will use it eventually but for now it`s just so delicious to look at....and it`s all mine!!!....want a close-up??!!

....and as if that wasn`t enough spoiling....

....more little parcels...

....my very own HAND DYED RIBBON....which is great for wrapping around pigtails....

...if one could keep one`s head still long enough to take the pic!!!...

....and just look at these very pretty earrings which Debs also makes (the little pearl on the end actually hangs straight but I was resting the card at a tilt to take the pic)......I just love the colours and I`ve already been wearing them this week with flattering comments to match!....

...and as if that wasn`t enough....

...have a gander at this lot!!!...

....want a close-up? Fandabbydosy...some fun yarn to have fun with!!!.....A N D.....

....what, in my opinion, was the piece-de-resistance....

.....The `Eva` Shawl (corsage compliments of Lemonade Kitty and goes perfectly, don`t you think?)....I attempted to make this for myself during the winter but got as far as the second row and then promptly gave up, never thinking I would one day be the proud owner of my very own!.....

.......have you spotted the beadwork yet??.....want a close-up?...no, really, you NEED a close-up!!.....

....Debs strung the beads on to the yarn and then hooked the last three rows with them accordingly.....an amazing result..don`t you think?.....

.....so all in all, I would say that yet again I have been thoroughly spoiled by a very talented lady. If you would like to see more of Debs` work pop along to her shop  at http://www.etsy.com/shop/fondantfibre where you`ll find a wonderful array of hand-dyed fibre and some really pretty stitch markers (I`ve got my eye on the cutest butterflies!). Well done Debs...you really made my week! ....and also well done to Betty for organising the whole thing...A trillion thanks to both of you. xxx

Hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for tuning in - I really appreciate you all stopping by....more than you`ll know!!

Mwaahhhxxxxxxxxx

The Universe Decrees....

..that Wednesdays are Buttercup and Daisy picking days!

xxxx

Apologies.....

.......to anyone who so kindly left me a comment from yesterday onwards.....apparently, Mr. Blogger has 'lost' them in the process of crashing and burning!Hopefully, they'll turn up again and fortunately, I did manage to read them before they were whisked away from under my nose!Thanks, Bloggy-Buds.
Have a Great Weekend Everyone.xxx

pic attributed to RosePetalsFromHeaven

Drooling!......

.......over the FABULOUS new magazine.....

....which you can get on special offer at £5 for the first three months then 25% off after that.....to subscribe for the 3 issues,call this number -  0844 848 2852 quoting code MMSE12...overseas subscribers can get 40% off too - by calling +44 1604 251 045 and quoting code MMSE15....I think you can by the mag off the shelf from tomorrow (Thursday)..

.....some jewels include a FANTASTIC article on....

.....who some of you may know from her inspirational blog....

.....and there are loads and loads of other great articles and things to do from some other amazing contributors such as...

....check out their blogs, they`re also highly inspirational...

.....and after I`d stopped dribbling over that, even more drooling went on with the arrival of.....

....some lovely purchases from Kandipandi`s Folksy Shop....

...Lemon Meringue Pie Wax Melts...aren`t they cute and they smell so citrusy and fresh....check out Kandi`s Shop here for some more tempting treats http://www.folksy.com/users/Kandipandi

you`ll be there for ages, drooling, and you definitely won`t be disappointed....

.....and some drooling from a couple of weeks ago when the Lovely LaaLaa sent me these....

....the most perfect little birdcage buttons for which I have the perfect project to attach them to ....Thank You, LaaLaa for being so kind and generous.

That`s enough drooling for now.....have a Good Wednesday Everyone, I`m off to wipe my chin!

xxxxxxxxxx

The Absolute Beginner`s Guide to Crochet......Tulip Fever....and A Tattooed Gardener

First things first.....

....find and choose a yarn in your favourite colour...

....then mix it up into a nice tangly mess........then working as fast as you can.....

......with a really big fat crochet hook (all under Nana`s watchful beady eye of course!).....

.....you can whip up something really lovely in no time at all, jus`like that!.....and then wander off and find something more interesting to do, leaving Nana to untangle a rather messy work basket!

**Part Two**

One of my favourite books is - 

  because it`s set in Amsterdam which I`ve visited twice and loved and it`s about Tulips.....who doesn`t love tulips?? Here are some more -

......and when you`ve had enough of Tulips, here`s one of the arms that planted the bulbs!....

....not mine, of course, I haven`t eaten THAT much chocolate....yet!

Enjoy x