Tuesday 17 June 2008

Gifts, goodies, give-aways

My sister G gave me a belated birthday present last week - this gorgeous little knitted purse with polka dot ribbon trim, and a little ceramic button


and these fabulous lead crystal drops which she got from a chandelier shop in Farnham - Ginny might know it. They were hard to photograph to do them any justice, so I tried them strung up in the doorway, against a clear blue sky...


...and on a damask cloth, catching the sun's rays. I expect I'll dot them around the house - anywhere they'll catch sunlight and flash rainbow patterns up the walls, or perhaps reflecting the warm glow of candlelight.


I also added to my trimmimgs collection (while on the way to Hastings!) with these lovely striped woven ribbons, and the pale blue velvet. These days it is rare for me to buy anything finished, if you know what I mean. I love looking, I love being inspired, and I do buy the ingredients where necessary - wool, needles, fabric, card, book binding supplies etc but I want to try the making and creating myself, and work on my own ideas. And in truth, I just don't need anymore 'stuff'. Although I do have a weakness for books...but that's another story. Anyway, back to ribbons...Tracy sells these ribbons, and a bigger selection in other colours in her Etsy shop, so go and take a peek!


And so to a give-away.... last week Jane at Snapdragon's Garden was giving away one of her embroidered sketchbooks, and I was the very lucky winner! So far Jane has been making them in A5 landscape, and they're selling really well. She wondered what other sizes would be popular and what we would all use them for. I requested a square book - I love the proportions of the square format, and would use it as an 'inspiration' book.

And here it is - it came beautifully wrapped in pink tissue paper, and has a daisy embroidered on the front.


The sketchbook is really good quality with lovely thick pages, and the cover is removable so you can easily slip in a refill.


You can see Jane's other designs here, and while you're there, do look at all the other goodies she makes and sells, including the flowers she grows in her cutting garden. Jane - thanks so much, I love it!

And thinking ahead a little...I have twenty four more posts to go before I reach one hundred, so I'm thinking I'll have my own little give-away to celebrate. Plenty of time to think about it...and if I can't get my act together, well, I'll just post a little less frequently to buy some time! So what should I give away?

And Caireen, Cheri and Nicole - I haven't forgotten Pay it Forward, I admit I'm being slow, it's work-in-progress. Soon.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
kristina said...

I love the lead crystal chandelier drops. When I was growing up we had a large faceted glass panel in our front door that created rainbows all up and down the hall and stairs. I used to love to sit on the stairs in the rainbows--it seemed so magical. K x

Pipany said...

Hey, I wondered if it was you who had won Jane's giveaway, you lucky thing! I am so full of envy as Jane's work is so gorgeous. Like the idea of your giveaway too (says I who has never yet managed to get one together).
Love the ribbons too. Tracy has such great things in her etsy shop doesn't she? Great blog Diana xx

PS -- sun gone for a hol of its own here - boo hoo x

Pipany said...

Diana, me again - just wanted to say that the 1st comment looks a bit like one of theose ones that do things to your computer if opened; just thought I had better mention it and sorry if Chaney is a real blogger x

walter and me said...

Thanks, Pipany, I've deleted it to be on the safe side. Apologies to Chaney if that's a mistake! Diana x

Tracy x said...

thank you for the link x
your goodies are lovely - cannot wait to see what you create.
lucky, lucky you winning the notebook - truly lovely work from the talented Jane.
t x

Niki said...

I've finished the book. Last evening in fact. I thought it was quite alarming, and it certainly made me think. I will hold the pass it along giveaway when I return from vacation.

I love the photos in this post,just beautiful.
blessings,
Niki

dragonfly said...

The crystal drops look wonderful against the blue sky. I spotted that you had won that lovely notebook too! Lucky you!

Exmoorjane said...

I have a pile of similar chandelier drops on my kitchen table to be cleaned before we put up the chandelier in our new breakfast room (only been down for ten years!)....
That book is just gorgeous - I love square shapes for books too. Shall have to go and see her work.
jxx

ginny said...

Hi Diana,
hope your trip was good... if you are ever up this way again please let me know... i do know the chandelier shop but have never been in... i bet they look gorgeous in the sunlight.
Lucky you winning Jane's givaway.. now that book is perfect for inspirations.
happy thursday
ginny x

Anonymous said...

no problem! look 4wd to it as a surprise!! Love the chandelier drops too - there was a fleamarket in Barcelona where they sold these and I still think of them often and the potential to make things with them!... nice in the garden too? Collecting supplies is good - you always have more food in the store cupboards and recipe books before you do the recipe, so why not in the craft room!! have a great weekend, Cx

alice c said...

hmmm...struggling with the jealousy thing...love that notebook...

this is my patch said...

What a gorgeous purse, that colour, hearts and polka dots are three of my most favourite things. x