cotton reel "button" stamp

i sell vintage buttons and haberdashery online so i made this "button" stamp to decorate my packages - it's very quick and easy to make - hope you like it - you can find the tutorial on my blog


http://maximumrabbitdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/02/button-cotton-reel-stamp.html

i made several so i could do different sized
and coloured buttons quickly
heres a finished package.

Leah's Halloween Swap Goodies

I thought it was about time I got my act together and blogged about the lovely goodies I received in the Halloween Swap.

The first of my 2 swap packages was from SqueezyCheese, and it was a beautiful necklace.

It's made from greeny/light jade beads that have a crackly pattern to them, interspirced with clear crystal beads.

The clasp is just adorable being a leaf design.

It came all wrapped up in an orange box.

My second package was from my mystery swap partner - and was full of goodies.

I got 2 FQ of fabric, plus 2 squares of felt - all halloween colours - I especially love the pumpkins!

Some spooky sweeties and a little cup with ghosties on - both of which my DD loved!!

And the piece-de-resistance - drum roll please - a pincushion.

The top of which has been cross-stitched with halloween motifs - a pumpkin, a bat, a ghost and my name initial dripping blood!

Thank you both ladies. Everything was lovely xxx

Chachargabor's goodies!

Fudge is absolutely scrummy, smells intoxicating and so moreish. DD in pictures, minimally dressed as usual [hmm] but decent enough, has had a good munch and carries the little bag around everywhere with her. Made up with this craft swap :)

Thell's swap goodies!

I am going to add the pictures you send me with your 'received' post as anything I write won't be as good as the excited first post after it turns up, so without further waffle, here's are Thell's gorgeous gifts!


Received my gifts this morning - thank you SO much!
I received a beautiful scarf and essential oil candle-melt, wrapped in very funky skull wrapping paper, both completely fab!

phantom knitter - you needn't have worried about colours as I love stripes too (I'm wearing a grey and black stripy top and hat today!), but thank you so very much for choosing the wool specially x x x

Lucky, lucky Jack!

My gorgeous swap has been ehre for a few days but DH kept 'needing' to use the camera...

Here they are in all their glory!
DD1 opening parcel
















Very pretty bags that have been put into use as dolly picnic bags
















Lana opens hers and Nessa's parcel


















A Punkin! (You can't see the beading on this, must get a better pic, it's so pretty, and is in Lana's bed as a dolly pillow)




















My gorgeous hand towel, I have tried to persuade DH to do the bathroom so we can put it in there!





















Close up of embroidered cat with beaded eye, so pretty!






















DH's present, some lovely sweets. I did point out that the parcel said for the ENTIRE FAMILY but it was too late, they had all been scoffed and/or hidden
















Lana's scariest face. Just for hahas

More sneaky peeks!

Some more sneaky peeks that I found as I was working out how to use my email

However, these are well worth the wait, how cute is that cat?
And knitting sneaky peeks are mean, and not even a clue for me as to what it is going to be

(It's not for me, but that doesn't mean I don't want to know!

Sneaky peaky peaks...

I know I said sneaky peak, but still!

New Swap!

Hello fellow MNer's.
Jack Bauer here just setting up the blog for our new Hallowe'en 2009 swap.
Important things to remember, send in info for your sender to JackBauerMN at gmail.com or post it on our thread.
Make your hallowe'en themed thing.
If you are feeling sneaky, send me a sneaky teaser pic of your project and I will post it up here to show off.
Other than that, have fun!

Jack
x

Happy Birthdays !

Ah September, the month of Birthdays !
We have had three in our immediate family plus another two if you count a cousin and Uncle. Plus, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW (on the 30th)

It was a very special birthday for my dad, his 70th. Where have all the years gone ? It's scary to think your parents are getting older and although they might drive us bonkers at times, we should be grateful that we still have them.

So, HAPPY 70th Birthday Dad ! You're a star and a poppet !!!!!! x

This little munchkin ? This is Chu-Harlie Farley Pudding and Pie ... Tilly's cousin on his 5th Birthday.
Fantastically, Dad and Charlie are both in Cornwall within 10 minutes of each other so we were able to celebrate both birthdays whilst down there. Charlie enjoyed a soft play party and Boo loved it as I don't often allow her to go as they are stinky, dirty and dangerous places up here in Berkshire. They are a last resort for me ... What a cruel mum eh ?
But the Bude Soft play was lovey and clean, fairly calm and a great layout.


Sammy, Charlie and Boo waiting for their party food, FIRST in the queue ! Samuel likes his food, his day revolves around what he's going to have for breakfast then lunch then dinner. Mind youhe has long legs to fill ...


Auntie Sah-wah cutting the fab Dino cake she made. Not sure about the manic expression on her face though. Charlie is having hysterics, can you see his face ? And look at Boo, chomping at the bit for a bit of cake. She's practically sitting on the table.


Blowing out the candles with Samuel unintentionally doing it too. He! He!


Let me at it, let me at it ... Can I have the choc buttons, ooh and the chocolate finger biscuits too. Ooh, ooh and butter icing too. Yum,yum !


A very happy party indeedy. Happy Birthday Charlie x


Sara made dad a delicious birthday cake that we took to the restuarant. Unfortunately, I am allergic to strawberries so I just sniffed it ...


We bought dad a new computer for his birthday between us all and even with a picture on the box he still had no idea what it was. He loves typing up his Fly Fishing notes but the computer he was using was a tad ancient and in danger of losing all his work.


Realisation ... Bless him, he was speechless.


We all went out in the evening for a meal. All of us, altogether ... it rarely happens, but it was lovely that we could do it.


Dad, Mum and Holly (my niece)


Me and Sara, looking very Turqwahs ... (That's posh speak for Turquoise).


Boo looking well chuffed after kidnapping Holly, her cousin. I think she might still be tied up in the pub ...


And here is Stan, Sara's new Neddy, just coming in from his Bo Bo's.


Isn't he a handsome chap ? He's flippin HUGE too ! I'd get vertigo if I rode him. He's an ex-racehorse who must think he's died and gone to heaven.


Stan having a cuddle with his mum, Sara .... I can but dream eh ?
Still, I have Archie, he keeps me busy enough so don't think I'd have time for any more four legged pals.

But, ssh ... Guess what ? Don't tell anyone but I am riding again on Friday after about 15 years out of the saddle. I'm having a half hour assessment first then hopefully it'll be a weekly occurance followed by coffee and cake afterwards. It's got to be worth it, just for that bit hasn't it ?

I'll let you know how I get on. I'm expecting not to be able to walk for a week afterwards !

testing testing!

just gave another mumsnetter the details for this sorely neglected blog
and wanted to check it all still worked!


well it seems to!

x vInTaGe VioLeT x

Happy Blogiversary To Me

I realised today that yesterday was the anniversary of me starting this blog. Amazing that the year went so quickly! I have really enjoyed blogging during the year and have made some lovely blog friends. During the year I have gone from making cards to cross-stitch and from there on to jewellery making. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster!

So...

...to me!

I really hope to be blogging this time next year.