a bead swap:

a matchbox adorned with lace & velvet flowers
inside, a a rhinestone heart, &
from the left ~ a little bling, rosequartz, lampwork, a miracle bead & cut crystal
& a bundle of other sparkly little spheres :)


have a prettily precious day!!!

some fragrant flowers, words, snacks, & beauty to accompany a journal my little sister whipped up one night while we were watching telly...using white paper, fabric, embroidery floss & trinkets she collects

& some links ~
Paper Posy Pomander Balls{i was hoping to do one of these but with so little time i was delighted to find one here for you instead, so many variations are possible!!! i wanted to use silk roses}
A Star
A Beautiful Shoe
An Entire Magazine{Arsty Mama}
"Elementary Notions about Oil Painting"
Beautiful Flowers
A Jar Filled with Butterflies!!!
& A Matchbox

i hope your week is filled with loveliness!!!

~ anatomy of a crown{swap}.

upon embarking on this journey i had no idea i'd make such lovely friends, learn new techniques, & enjoy the thoughtful use of the symbol 'the crown'


i neede to make this crown three times,
once - with wire
once - by rolling strips of watercolour paper around it
& once - with plaster.

then, came sanding {with a nail file}
painting {two coats in rose white}
& decorating





i wish i could have captured it better...



some little goodies,


& because i was sitting at the kitchen table & my sister loves to do it too, she made a crown of her own


with carboard & plaster, which she painted pink & decorated with little buttons, beads & trinkets, such a beautiful job for a little princess!!!


i wish i could capture the delicacy of the tulle


special pearls


& French beaded lace


a bouquet of flowers for this queen rules with the fragrance of kindness


loveliest thoughts for you all today!!! *she waves royaly* :)

~ a petite crown.

you will need:
1. wire
2. beads{make sure the wire fits through them!} & wire cuters
3. material
4. bottle nose pliers


cut a length of wire{enough for the circunference of the bottom of the crown} & with some bottle nose pliers make a loop at one end


begin pleating the fabric through the wire {i used embroidered silk organza}


once you finish adding an adequate amount of material, secure the wire by passing another loop through the first one you created.

then open the fabric at some point & add a length of ire {with a loop}.


begin adding beads until halfway, then make an oval shaped loop & continue beading, shaping as you go

once at the end, secure with a small loop somewhere hidden in the folds of fabric :)


continue this process two more times, interlocking the oval loops in the centre

you can also add different sized beads, & floral material or {French beaded} lace at the base of each of the tiers

add a swarovski crystal droplet in the middle, securing with wire or a bow!


& then you'll have a beautiful sparkling crown of petite magnificence!!!


hope your day is lovely!!!

pocket folder

you will need:
- one sheet of gorgeous paper{or cardboard}
- ribbon/eyelets/scraps of fabric or paper to make flowers/embellishments of your choice


for a smaller folder:
cut an A4 sheet of paper in half{this will make two}
for a larger folder:
follow the same steps but use the entire page


fold the paper in half,
then turn the bottom of the paper upwards about 1/4 of the way.
cut a v-shape in the middle of the fold, allowing the book to close easily
use a little glue on the outer edges between the front page & inside of the pocket part to secure, then you wont need to glue near the v, it should hold very well!!!}


at this stage, make as many as you like :)


to embellish,
i used a square of complimenting paper, & stamped a crown on it in gold.
then i handcut a larger & smaller paper flower to use at the opening.
i folded embroidered silk into leaves.
then i stacked all this & a ribbon into a pile.
i used the scissors to make a hole big enough for the eyelet to sit through.
then i hammered the eyelt into place.
{on the back i just tucked the ribbon through the hole & hammered an eyelet in}


below is an example of a larger one using a full sheet of paper:


i inserted pretty papers in the middle to act as a journal as well.


i used pamphlet stitch to hold the pages in.


& embroidered with layers & layers of ruffles,


{Italian wedding tulle in ice pink!}


Hope your day is beautiful!!!

giveaway etc...

some of the prizes for the runners-up include


diamonte studded heart-shaped buckles,


ruffles of Italian wedding tulle,


organza ribbon wrapped around a mini moleskin journal,


Christina Re damask paper tied with a bow,


sweet serenity...


these precious parcels for the runners up are coming to fruition :)
i hope you love them!!! lots of loveliness