MY FABULOUS BOX OF GOODIES

I am `The Worst Blogger' in the world!

Just so very busy, but I simply had to post.

Look what I received from the so very talented Michelle at Fairy* Dust *Dreams in California.

I have been house minding at Rachael's as THEY (the family) were in Fiji sunning and relaxing, One morning when I dashed home to feed my cats -this box on my doorstep!!

Oh my goodness, the box of goodies for our Mermaid and Seaside swap -this is too exciting !
This special hand written card with a special message
Where do I start? there are so many packages, all wrapped in tissue paper and tied with pretty wools.This is incredible, and so very different - the Northern Hemisphere girls are amazing.
I was so lucky to have been matched to Michelle - come with me and look at the contents of this....
A book/box filled with wondrous goodies, just look at the mermaid comb, the dear little shells, gorgeous fine glitter, a bracelet, and a jar of buttons and beads.


A fantastic altered journal with a very sultry mermaid and the pen is covered in beads .

NOW!!! yes my very own ` crown,' and Michelle asked me to photograph myself, as believe it or not, there is a battery behind which FLASHES --oh this is too much !!!

It is hard to catch the flashing crown, but trust me, it does. This has been embellished with shells and JEWELS!
This is the ingenious comb - a kitchen fork , heavily embellished. and just the thing for any self -respecting mermaid
And pretty, pretty beaded CORAL, and just look at my new BLING,
This wire basket was filled to the brim with fabrics, threads, ribbons etc, a treasure trove of delights.I seemed to have missed a few other bits, a gorgeous jar with a T light, lovely seaside photos on cards.Did you spot the dear wee mermaid dolly, and the cup cake pics? Dear, dear Michelle, thank you, thank you, this has been such fun, and I feel so incredibly lucky to have been your partner, I am sure this very generous box of treasures is a true reflection of your talents and work.

NOT TWO BUT THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How spoilt am I?

Yesterday was so, so special, as all sorts of lovely things happened.

Thursday was my last day in Christchurch with my very, very best friend.

I was so, so busy on her computer at lunchtime, and still in my nightie and dressing gown (naughty)

Lin summoned me to the lunch that she prepared......................

Look at this!!

Fresh oysters, Fresh mussells, Japanese seaweed salad, all this with a loaf of crusty bread and a bottle of Chardonnay, yum, yum

I flew back to Auckland later that evening, and when I got home, awaiting me was this parcel from `Dear Shannan' at PaintMine Pink........... soooooooooooo exciting.

Rachael instructed Babes to carry my suitcase upstairs, so I could unpack my camera!!

As I unwrapped the parcel, lots and lots of sparkly `love hearts emerged!! what fun.Yeeh, look at this, gorgeous pink ribbon and tissue, can you see the beautiful `tag' that Shannan made??

To reveal, not two, but three amazing dresses.
Number 1 is the Autumn Dress - edged with pearls -isn't it just fantastic?
Number 2 is a Halloween Ballgown- just look at the stunning detail!!!!!!!!!!
Number 3 is Pretty In Pink - so Shannan , beautiful rose and pink theme*
I just love them all.
Thank you dear Shannan from Australia
This was so terribly exciting as it was my first SWAP!
It is now back to reality, I have my Xmas swap all ready to post.
I came home with all sorts of `crafty ideas' watch this space!

Paper swaps

SWAPS - I am so proud of these, especially as this is my first SWAP ever and to give a sneak preview of what I sent to Shannon - I do hope she likes them. I was sorry when I had finished them as I wanted to do more:):)

It is a wet afternoon, hence me playing on my Blog, I should be ironing or making a pie for dinner, or changing out of my ghastly painting clothes.
I am covered in paint, as one of my Retirement projects was to `jazz' up the many pieces of old wrought iron that Rachael has, she makes me nervous as I like to sand and undercoat first, but she is more relaxed about preparation than me ( I am of the OLD SCHOOL) and I sense her disapproval as I am sure the projects would be long finished, but..............................! to quote my mother and Rachael's Granny, `if a job is worth doing, then it is worth doing well', so I go with that.
The Land Agent phoned me this morning, yes..............the Apartment is mine on the 2nd November -yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!