They say...

..that change is as good as a holiday.  I've had a play with the look of my blog, and for now, I decided to go with a more simple white background.  That was so that I could create a photo mosaic banner/header.

I like it, for now. Anything with the little man in it makes me smile :-)

Natasha xo

Serendipity...

I had a spare five minutes today to photograph a beautiful little prayer book...

...this prayer book is one that one of my grandmothers gave me.  I'm not sure where she got it from, I think it was gifted to her too...

When she gave it to me, I would have been perhaps 12 years old.  I knew it was special and old, so I kept it in my "special things tin"...

Yesterday I found that tin at my parents' house, in the same place I had left it, while looking for something else....

...and I had forgotten about this beautiful old prayer book.

I knew I wanted to take pictures of it and share its beauty with you...

...and its history... like the little ink inscription above (not sure who it is to... Mary? what do you think?)

And its age... 1927 Feast dates

But how serendipitous that this little prayer book came into my life at a time where some family and friends of mine have had some worrying and stressful problems.  I think that's pretty serendipitous...

Definiton of Serendipity: The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident (source)

Until next time,

Natasha xo

Stitching along...

I've been a bit lost in my blogging lately ~ I haven't really known what to blog about or tell you ~ the shop update was really time consuming, it made eyes too tired to look at the screen any longer!  A little Facebook browsing, then the computer would be turned off.  Blogging has been the sacrifical lamb, so to speak!

So I figure, I should get out of this blogging "rut", and I realised that I do actually have something I can share with you!

While on school holidays over Easter, I decided to start up a "Stitchalong" project.  I knew I was too late to join my friend Amy and all the stitchers, but I figured, I'll start it anyway.

I have started out by stitching things that are in my life, or part of what I do, who I am, what I love, who I love... the centre square will be a "portrait" of the little guy.  And I plan to add a square of the three of us, as stick figures, of course!!

A strawberry because I love them, I make fabric versions, love the smell and adore the colours...

A cute little home, because I am a real homebody, and love the feeling of home, being home, having a warm, loving and happy home...

The older of my boys ~ the furry one who is snoring on the couch beside me right now...

Piano keys ~ did you know I took classical piano lessons for 12 years?

A silk ribbon flower... just because I love flowers, a lot.

A button ~ so many thoughts come to my mind with this button. I think of my Nonna (my Italian grandmother), who gave me her button collection - buttons she had taken off clothes for years that were a bit fancy, or collected, or bought.

This one is going to be a teacup with flowers on it.  It's pale green, my favourite colour.  I love china teacups and have lots of sweet ones, and have portrayed them in lots of paintings too.  I'm a big fan of Earl Grey tea, as well as teas of pretty much any kind.  They taste better in china teacups!

So far, that's all I've done.  I'm going to do 35 squares.  I'll be 35 in September, so the aim is that I finish it before then.  Slowly, like a snail... so that I can enjoy each little square...

Did you join Amy's stitchalong project?  How fun an idea is it!  Don't you just love how Amy has shadowboxed her stitching?  Seriously gorgeous stuff!

Until next time,

Natasha xo

It has taken quite a while....

... but finally, I've almost completed the shop update!  Here's a sampling of what's available now...

Small original paintings

Tons of faux cupcakes, all now available individually and at new reduced 2010 prices!  I've been able to work on these in a huge batch, hence, the reduced prices!

New lavender strawberries made from a gorgeous antique American quilt

Large hanging lavender strawberries - more reduced prices - I found less labour intensive ways to attach the trims, rather than hand sewing them, and again, I'll pass on the savings to you!

Framed prints at lower prices this year too! I made a whole lot at once and bought a whole lot of frames so got a better price to pass on to you!

A whole new large greeting card range plus more that aren't in the mosaic above

New blackboards, lower prices in 2010, again saved on frames so I'll pass that saving on to you!

New canvas bookmarks with lovely tassels

Vintage lace earrings

And one of a kind, handmade, hand sewn cuff bracelets....

Lastly, a sweet vintage glass picture I've turned into a mixed media piece...

You can find them all here in my shop!

Cheers,

Natasha xo

Craft For Health

I'm a guest blogger over at Craft For Health!

It's a great site full of wonderful stories from guest bloggers!

In their words:

"Crafting is the Secret Weapon. . .
. . .in helping people
improve their health, feel better and make something they feel good about."

Stop by and look through their archives and even feel free to submit your story following their link on the left sidebar.

Thank you for including me, Kathy and Barb!

Here's a link to my story. 

Natasha xo

Happy Easter!

Wishing you a wonderful Easter with family and friends!

Natasha xo