Ciao for now!

You know that Sir Cliff Richard Song, Summer Holiday?

I like this verse....

We're going where the sun shines brightly.

We're going where the sea is blue.

We've seen it in the movies.

Now let's see if it's true.

I've packed a van load of stuff to work on while I'm away, and I have some ideas for some cool new stuff, I can't wait to show you when it's all done!

Now I better get back to my list....

• beach towels, check.
• bathing suits, check.
• hair straightening iron, check.
• house sitter, check.

Ok I think we are ready to go!

I won't have regular computer access, but I will have some blog posts I've managed to schedule.

Thank you for a wonderful 2008, and I wish 2009 to be a wonderful, healthy and happy one for you all.

Happy New Year!

BYE!

Natasha xo

Reindeer Treats

A friend of mine told me about this idea, to leave out "Reindeer Food" (oats or whatever you have), mixed with glitter shapes like stars.

The glittery shapes are so that when the lights/moon/stars shine over them, the reindeer know where to go to find you. Then when they land, they can fill their bellies!

Today we sprinkled the front yard, pretty much all of it, just in case....

We made sure that the stars could actually sparkle and reflect light. And they do.


Tonight we put out some carrots too, and a bowl of water for those reindeer who are probably getting thirsty after all those oats.... and some chocolate coins and milk for the big guy in red. Leroy even gave up one of his favourite lollies, a pretend mini hot dog, just for Santa.

So then there was a dilemma.... he asked me so sweetly if, while he was asleep, I could keep an eye out for the reindeer to make sure they ate their food, and to try to get a photo. So I rather badly superimposed a photo of the front yard with a picture of a deer that I added a red nose to.... thank goodness he's young enough to think it looks kinda real.

Earlier in this lovely Summer evening, before going out to deliver all those toys, Santa made a quick visit past our friend's home like he does every year, throwing sweets from the back of a ute (pickup truck). Where else but Australia, would you see people in shorts and Santa on a ute on Christmas Eve? Hehehe!

Wishing you a warm, blessed and joyous Christmas, wherever you are in the world. I hope 2009 brings you many wonderful times and much happiness.

Thank you for your friendship, visits, comments, encouragement and humour this year. It has been an awesome year for me, and I will treasure the memories I have of it.

I'll be computer-less for January, and will hopefully get organised and schedule the rest of my trip photos to share with you in that time. So, until next time...

Big hugs and smiles,

Natasha xo

Silver Bella 2008 Slideshow

A Pretty Little Christmas

My lovely friend Heather at Pretty Petals is hosting a Pretty Little Christmas party. Please feel free to join in!

I'll take you on a "tour" of my Christmas decorating around the home. I didn't put as much up this year as last, but there's still lots of pretties to feast your eyes on!

My pink feather tree greets you as you enter, along with the delicious scent of a Cherry Blossom candle...

The candle glows and picks up the sparkle of one of my Silver Bella projects "Christmas Pageant" taught by Teresa McFayden. That photo I used inside is my family way back when Mum was that little girl in the front left!

As you step into the lounge room, check out my little Christmas village, sitting on a bed of tulle snow, bordered with vintage feather trim "snow"

The teeny tiniest vintage house I bought from Pam Garrison

And one I made in Charlotte Lyons' class at Silver Bella.


(little Peace embroidered ornament also made at Silver Bella)

My mantel is covered in vintage feathers that belonged to my grandmother. I love how they look like snow! Beneath them hang my collection of beautiful stockings and stocking ornaments made by my friend Kathy at Shabby Roses Boutique.

These little snowmen above and below were purchases from my recent trip to Vintage General in Savannah. Looooove the little guy's pipe above!

Divine Merry Sign made by super talented Donna of Under the Red Roof.

Ice cream ornament I purchased at Silver Bella, I couldn't resist this! Made by my sweet friend Analise of Sugar*Sugar

My gorgeous friend Andrea of Velvet Strawberries made this beautiful star ornament for me, she knew I love pink and green, it's just perfect!

This stocking takes pride of place ALL year round, made by your Pretty Little Christmas party hostess with the mostest, and my sweet friend, Heather

Gosh all these talented friends who make the most wonderful ornaments! This one is another to add to that amazing group of pretties ~ I got this from beautiful Holly at Silver Bella. Is it not one of the most adorable and unique ornaments you've seen?

Hand painted beauty was one of many eBay purchases a few years back (sorry I can't remember the seller's name!). That gorgeous vintage pink/aqua/white ornament behind it is from the lovely Kitty who spoiled me with gifts when I visited her daughter Heather last month!

Speaking of being spoiled, the glass slice of cake ornament was also a fabulous gift from Heather's hilarious friend Stephenie!

Santa looks so sweet there! Another Savannah purchase, can you believe he didn't get damaged in 8 plane rides?! PHEW!

Ooooh don't you just love vintage glass ornaments? These were a Christmas gift last year from my friend Kathy. I could stare at them forever!

Beautiful repro glass bead candy canes and picks below were items I couldn't resist from Andrea at Silver Bella!



Some cuties on the white tree in our room

Leroy has his own little tree that he decorated himself, and he made the angel topper too!

My favourite is at night time, the tree in our lounge room ~ that I actually kept ONLY white, clear and silver.... yes, that's feather trim all round too!

Hope you enjoyed my pretty Christmas as much as I enjoyed photographing it and sharing it with you!

Have fun checking out all the parties!!

Natasha xo

Holiday Blog Party Gypsy Mermaid Style

Sorry this post will be quick and a bit "disjointed". I've got an unwell boy with a fever, earaches and conjunctivitis, who could get up any minute now, so I have to be quick!! It's midnight and the first chance I've had to get near the computer today!

Sarah at Gypsy Mermaid Life is having a Holiday Blog Party ~ I'm a late arrival!

I'm going to share two things in this post ~ some of my favourite Christmas lights from nearby, and some handmade ornaments that the little guy has made this year.

First off, here's some of the most spectacular lights I've seen. I love this house, and we've been visiting it for many years. Every year it's just as special as the last....

Many nights of the week we drive around as it turns dark, checking out the lights in the area. We love it!

And now for the handmade part. Leroy loved painting this plaster ornament the other day. It came in a kit, five ornaments, paints and brush. Super!

We say it looks like Santa is sitting on top of the world!

He had orientation at his new school early this week, and his older "buddies" they teamed the little ones up with, helped them to make "peace birds".

The proud designer of the village you see beside him. I took the white/pink houses and Leroy took the bright stuff and laid it all out to his liking. Notice the disco ball on the left table? LOL!

We also made some mung bean tree ornaments. Just start with an MDF cutout of whatever shaped ornament, and using white glue just stick down dried beans of your choice. We liked mung beans because they were green. While the glue is wet, sprinkle glitter to fill the gaps! String with organza or ribbon or tulle :)

Lastly we followed Suzy's cute project idea for Peanut Birds in a Nest. It was a HIT! This is so easy and fun, and takes no time at all. I think I am more impatient than Suzy, who says she can't wait for the paint to dry ~ we used felt tipped pens so we didn't wait at all, lol!

Sarah has asked us to name 5 things we love about this time of year...

1. Joy ~ the little guy's face lights up when he hears Christmas carols, makes ornaments, sees decorations, receives a card...

2. Family ~ even though family should be together all year round, it's great that this time of year, everyone makes the effort

3. Christmas lights ~ we're hooked

4. Giving

5. Saying Merry Christmas, remembering what Christmas really is all about, and it's not "Xmas"

See you next time!

Natasha ox