Feelings of Gratitude

Firstly I would like to heartfully thank all of

you wonderful bloggers who have left such supportive

and loving comments and sent emails

 as you stay with me on my journey with Andrea.
As I haven't been able to visit you all personally
I am using this post as a means of expressing my fullest appreciation!
Just "thank you so very very much"!

♥♥♥♥♥

It is times like these that all I have to do is look around my studio

 and see just a few of the very beautiful creative gifts

given to me over the last couple of years

 both by dear blogging friends

as well as other wonderful friends from around the world

to remind me just how fortunate I am

and continue to be for having friends like yourselves

and also for the fact that I am gifted with this wonderful life
of creativity and a studio
where I can express my heart's desire!

These are a few embellished boxes

in which I store some goodies with which

to create different works such as these hearts

as well as framed collages

from particular images that I find so appealing. I feel so blessed!

I'm learning how to really appreciate

what the squeeze of a hand, a tiny  

gentle smile or even a change in breathing

with unspoken words really and truly mean!

How to be able to go for a short walk and collect

a few simple seed pods, a feather, a bird's nest, some stones and shells

and favorite bits of wood can bring simple joys -

the joys that mean more than words can express

as I continue to compile and create in my

 Friendship Collage Lace Book

and

to show you just how thoughtful friends can be I

received these most beautiful parcel of doilies this week

from a most generous Australian blogging friend, Judy

who thought I just may like to incorporate them.

Thank you "heaps" Judy - you are just so wonderful!

Some were stitched onto pretty papers

Oh these beautiful blue wrens too!

and so beautifully hand painted.  How gorgeous are these

Superb Blue Wrens

and these dear little Scrub Wrens!

This last piece is another collage I am creating

in the hope of bringing some new inspiration

and positive moments of relief

in lifting our spirits high

as onward we 

travel!

Thank you dear friends for just being there!
It means so much to me!

Much love and hugs,
Suzy ♥ 

New Found Treasures, New Journal Evolving and Winter Garden

On a very recent trip up the coast from our home

I came across some beautiful little finds:

This is a compilation of the Cassell's Magazine containing

the episodes of Hester Morley's Promise which was printed in 1873.

It really is quite tattered but not torn (thank goodness)

and it contains some incredible prints such as:

and

and

They really are quite incredible and, from my point

of view, would make beautiful additions

to any altered journal.

Now this very beautiful silver spoon with an incredible

etched three roofed cottage I think may be more

of a bon bon scoop (or something of the like) possibly

 made in Holland I guess

judging from the windmill -

not sure of it's date but it so very unique.

Any one out there may have more information on this???!!!

Now it is very hard to go past precious lace or doilies

for me and I had to include these pieces

in my travels also.

I think the edging of this doily is knitted from the

finest and softest cotton with a linen centre - a most rare

find around here.

Another beautiful piece also hand knitted is this

It is just so delicate.

On my work table at present is another journal coming

slowly together with a garden theme.

Another commission.

Lots of frothy lace and soft fabrics being

gathered up and sewn

with a nearby stash of mop buttons

ready to be added.

♥♥♥

In the southern hemisphere Autumn is now coming

to a close

and the winter leaves are falling thick and fast

but this season brings with it such magestic colours

everywhere you turn

like the deep shades of the pinks of the hydrangeas

so much colour everywhere!

the dying leaves of the once green bountiful

wisteria in readiness to

retire into the bareness of Winter

but it is all so gorgeous

everywhere you look!

Wishing all mothers out there in blogland and way beyond -

a Most Happy Mother's Day

to you!

Sending love to you all including all of my

new recent followers -

and a much appreciated "thank you"

for visiting.

xxx Suzy