I have a new addiction . . .

its called 'Swaps'!!! I enjoyed Natasha's matchbox swap so much that I found another one to participate in . . . Shabby in the City's http://www.shabbyinthecity.blogspot.com/ Patriotic Bookmark swap! When I read that bloggers from other countries could participate I thought "thats me, I'm in". Phyllis even managed to find me another NZ swapping partner, Amy at http://petticoatlane.wordpress.com/ and I are going to swap 'Kiwiana' book marks which for me will be challenging because my own form of patriotism does not include 'Kiwana' and Amy is a retro gal and I am a shabby girl!! I think a little trip to one of my fave craft outlets might be in order!!! And really I don't need much of an excuse to visit a craft outlet!!!

I can't wait for Karen in Canada to get my matchbox or for me to recieve hers for that matter! I confess I have had a little peek on Natasha's flicker but Karen cleverly posted a photo that gave nothing away! Its like being a child again and waiting for your birthday or Christmas!

If anyone is interested here is the Wikipedia link to the definition of Kiwiana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwiana . The wooden Buzzy Bee is a perfect example of Kiwiana which has just given me an idea . . . watch this space . . .

Gifts, Matchbox Swap and Thrifting

I had such a terrible week last week starting with a burst water pipe under the kitchen sink that flooded the dining room carpet and resulted in $1000 of damage to carpet etc. The week got worse on a daily basis until I collapsed with exhaustion and stress on Friday.

But I did have one big bright note and that was the matchbox swap! I fluffed and fiddled and cut and glued and arranged and re-arranged until I was satisfied. So much fun!!!

Karen from Canada, please do not peek as I am going to put up a photo of your matchbox and goodies on this post.

Also managed to get my Mum's birthday parcel off to her. I can't wait to hear her reaction as everything is so deliciously pretty and pink inside her parcels.

I have also done quite a bit of thrifting as a consolation prize for having such a bad week!

The shop is very quiet at the moment because it is winter in NZ and quite cold and wet most days. It gives me a chance to create, I am so inspired at the moment from the hours I have spent looking at other lovely bloggers creations.

I have baby shoes, a lampshade and cards on the go at the moment, nothing finished though!

Also using this quiet time to sell on our version of Ebay which is called Trade Me. If anyone is interested in having a peek here is my link http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=1933607

And now some piccys . . .

First my Mums wrapped gifts, inside is a Victorian white replica nightgown, long ruffled sleeves, pin tucks and lots of frills, lavender linen water, a pink tassle, little love heart chocolates, rose scented soap in a shabby chic fabric bag and the velvet rose which I have attached to the outside of the parcel.

And now Karen from Canada NO PEEKING!

Here is her matchbox, from her blog I established she is quite a crafty gal who has started collecting birds and loves pink.

I covered the outside of the matchbox with a piece of my favourite Robin Pandolph quilters fabric and then cut and attached a cross stitch of a quilt and edged it with pink beaded ribbon.

Inside she has three cigarette cards of roses, vintage baby buttons, pink pearl beaded lace tied with a sparkly jewel, vintage crochet lace tied a silk ribbon, three pink crocheted flowers, one floppy pink millinary flower and a silver glittery craft bird,

I also made Mum and Karen flower fairy cards represented their initials. You can't tell from the photo but there are silver glittery highlights on the cards!

And finally my soul soothing treasure hunting, just a few goodies I got . . .

Vintage Suitcase I am going to paint . . . pink! Loads of hand embroidered vintage linen including sets of napkins and big table cloths, vintage childrens book to do something with, wrought iron boudoir stool (wrought iron is big in NZ) and the most divine vintage baby shoes. . .

My soul is soothed!!!

Inspirational Woman

I have had the most amazing woman in my shop today. She first came in back in November when the shop opened and would periodically come in after that. I guessed she was having treatment for cancer as she was always wearing a headscarf or a hat.

I havn't seen her for a while but today she came in with the most fabulous very short cropped hair. I told her how great her hair looked and she told me it wasn't a deliberate style it had grown back once she finished treatment. I asked her if she was well and she said yes, I told her that I thought she looked very well especially compared to when I first saw her.

To cut a long story short after standing in the shop talking for 1/2 hour I invited her out back for a coffee and offered her a job working with me! Sonja is one of the most positive people I have come across, in 8 years she has beaten cancer 3 times and has the most beautiful positive outlook on people and life. And the spooky thing is my very best friend is called Sonja and she called from Australia while I was talking to my new second best friend Sonja! Sonja I already love you and really hope you come to play, I mean work in my shop!

Shabby Chic Matchbox Swap

I am so excited, actually I am a very excitable person, I get that from my Mum! Anyway, I am so excited because I have asked if I can take part in my very first SWAP!!!!!! The Shabby Chic Matchbox Swap hosted by clever Natasha at http://natashaburns.blogspot.com/ I can't wait!!! My head is swirling with ideas to decorate my matchbox and then fill it with some tiny shabby treasures! Yes!!! Thank you Natasha

Thank You Lovely Ladies!

Thanks to the lovely ladies who left 'comments' on my 'perfume post' to welcome me to the wonderful world of blogging. It confirms the friendliness I could sense by reading other peoples pages.

I thought I would tell you the wee story about my header. It is actually a framed print I have and some years ago when I was in a bad place in my life I walked into a thrift store in Melbourne Australia and there she was, waiting for me! She was $35 Aussie dollars which I could not afford at the time but I just had to have her. She has special significance in my life and is one of the few possessions I will never part with. So thats her story.!!!

Perfume Bottle

And here is a photo of one of the gorgeous pefume bottles I am selling. One of the thrift stores I visit now 'save' treasures for me. I got 6 of these so I was one happy girl!x

So Excited . . .

I am so excited to be doing this, for weeks after stumbling across blogging while doing a search on Cath Kidston I have been avidly reading and scanning the beautiful photos of the many pages I have found. So now I have the blog bug and here I am . . .

However, my first posting is going to have to be short and sweet as I have some gorgeous perfume bottles to photograph and load onto our New Zealand auction site Trade Me.

And before I close the shop today I have to tidy up some shop accounts, ugh!

Then two days off to spend with my gorgeous Princess, hubby being away for work.

Farewell until next time fellow bloggers and new friendsx