tangled + printed

A few goodies from Redbubble that arrived recently - a couple of spiral notebooks (printed with tangles) & some cards (one new tangle + a few photos)...

...plus a lovely gift from Peppermint Magazine - I was pretty happy to see my photo of the last issue printed in the current issue & the lovely gift they sent me is a nice bonus.

a few good things

1. flowering crepe myrtle in the early light.

2. baking choc chip cupcakes.

3. sweet little ceramic bowls my brother gave me for christmas (plus a family portrait).

4. fresh peaches - one of my favourite things about summer.

5. tea & toast + home-made apricot jam.

6. Mum planted this rose in memory of my grandfather (her Dad).

7. the awesome new name-tags we made ourselves.

a care package...

Recently our Aunt has been going through a bit of a tough time, so we sent her a magical care package. We know she loves Harry Potter (as we do), so went with a Hogwarts theme, putting her in Hufflepuff & including a letter from the 'Hogwarts Department of Student Care '.

The package contained:
~ Copy of Honorary Diploma (not pictured)
~ Lucky Hufflepuff House Badge
~ Instant Page Finder
~ Emergency Medicinal Confectionary
~ Clear Lens Rose-tinted Glasses
~ Minerva the Mighty Grey Owl (pocket sized)
~ Replacement Wand (Oak and Phoenix Feather)
~ Infinitely Refillable Mug
~ Bottomless Bag

Kathryn & Amy came up with most of the ideas & they, along with Mum & I, handmade the contents. Each piece was made or decorated by one or more of us - we had lots of fun creating everything.

We tagged and packaged everything up & posted it off to her. It arrived safe & sound....& she loves it :)

buttoned-up...

This piece was supposed to be a copper button...but instead evolved into a brooch (it's a gift for someone special, but I'm not sure if she reads this blog, so I won't say any more).

I still plan to make some buttons - I think a handmade button would be a wonderful finishing touch to a jacket, vest or bag.

this last shot includes a sort-of-peak at some of the other pieces from this batch of copper. The rest of the pieces were only fired yesterday & are currently getting nice & shiny in the tumbler....pictures to come :)

of frogs & books...

Isn't  my frog bookmark awesome? My youngest brother made him for me late last year. He made a small series of them - my frog, a bear for mum & a cat for each of our younger sisters (you can see Kathryn's here).

& a book I read recently - The Language of Bees - the latest Mary Russell novel by Laurie R. King. I love this series, smart, fun & intriguing. Mary Russell is a modern 1920's woman, who solves mysteries & studies theology. Her partner in crime (or against crime) is none other than Sherlock Holmes....if you enjoy mysteries, I highly recommend these books :)