A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When your fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for you keep
You wait for the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you
Don't let your heart be full of sorrow
For all you know tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

Isn't it just one of the most wonderful feelings to get something, wrapped in brown, in the post, addressed to you. It is one of my greatest pleasures! If you've been with me for a while you know that well! I squeal with delight at the sight of the postman heading to my door! 

Today was one of those lucky days when he rang the bell - that means whatever he has for us won't fit through the letter box! Which means it's a parcel!!!!! 

And it had MY NAME ON IT! AND IT WAS FROM A DEAR & LOVELY FRIEND!!!!

 {remember Kitty from Fritzi Marie?}

This whole blogging thing is pretty darn amazing. I've made some true and wonderful friends through blogging...and just wait til you see how I've been blessed this time!

loving the colors. loving the tag. loving the buttons! 

Kat?! how could you part with vintage buttons?!
she knows me.

gorgeous card! 

 gasp! look at all of those treasures! Did you know purple is my fave color??? check out  those fun socks!

I don't know if you know this Kat, but I can't ever find my name on anything!!!!!
This is so special!

beautiful and inspiring just like Kat.

a frame for a photo of Poppy. 

My day started out pretty rough, but then the parcel full of love and knowingness arrived. It has all changed, even the weather is brighter now! Thank you so, so, so much my Dear friend Kat. 

There aren't words to express how moved I am by your generosity and caring. You are an amazing woman, I am so glad we met because of blogs and a shared love of vintage! 

Much love,

Fabulous Friend Saturday!

Drum Roll Please.....

Introducing....

PAINT, BAKE & CREATE BY HILARY SURRATT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Hello Hilary! Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us about YOU!

Hello readers, I am a newly-wed for a little over a year to the man of my dreams. My husband, Mike, is a middle school youth minister, so my life involves doing a lot of youth ministry which I absolutely love! I grew up in Charleston, SC, and I have never lived anywhere else, which I wouldn’t ever change! I love living near the beach and everything about the summertime, especially slushies on a hot day! (I don’t do well in cold weather) I love to bake things, especially cupcakes. All throughout my school years, my friends would always call me the “Martha Stewart” of the group. I was always coming up with something to create! I started my business last year in September, and I was really surprised how much response I had with it. I’m in the process of opening an Etsy store, but until then you can order any of my creations off of my blog!

2. Do your blog & shop have a special name? Where did that name come from?

The name of my blog & shop is Paint, Bake, & Create! I thought of this name when I was in my design class in college. We had a project to do to create our own logo for a business. My business was Paint & Bake creative studios, and the logo was a cupcake holding a paintbrush. I chose those two things because painting and baking are two of my favorite things to do, and when they are combined, that just makes me extremely happy! When I started making hair bows I just added a hair bow on top of the cupcake and changed the name to Paint, Bake & Create. I fell in love with it, & created my own business!

 

 

 

3. What was the last treasure that arrived in your mail?

The last thing that arrived in my mail that I would consider a treasure is my new Nikon D3000 SLR camera. It was my Christmas/graduation present, and I surely do treasure it! :)

 4. Where in the world would you like to visit? why?

I would like to visit New York City! I know it’s in the United States, but I have never been there, and I have always really wanted to go there! It is just one of those places that seems like it can be so romantic & fun!

5.  What 8 records or books would you would take with you to a desert island (you can tell us why if you want to)?

This one is hard for me because I don’t read that much, and I’m not “set on” certain music, but what I do love and would love to take on a desert island would be movies. Here are my top 8:

            - The Notebook

            - Sweet Home Alabama

            - How to lose a guy in 10 days

            - Titanic

            - Just Married

            - Confessions of a Shopaholic

            - 27 Dresses

            - Bride Wars

Can you tell I love every chick flick possible, & I could watch them over and over again too?!?!

6. If you could go back and live in a past decade or century, when would you choose and why?

I would choose the 80s! I was born in the 80s, so I wasn’t really able to enjoy all of the wacky clothes & big hairstyles like I would want to! Every opportunity there is to dress up 80s style, I totally go all out: poufy sleeves & big teased hair!

 7. What is your favorite thing about creating something by hand?

There is just something special about having something personally handmade. I love the detail that goes into handmade things, every single little detail!!!

 8. Please list three of your favorite things. Why are they favorites?

            - Anything that has to do with CUPCAKES because they are so pretty!

            - Sunbathing on the BEACH, (it doesn’t get much better than that!)

            - Good SWEET TEA because it is yummy!

             {Hilary is totally a girl after my own heart!!!}

9. What could you eat/drink every single day and never grow tired of?

This kind of flows from my last answer: Sweet Tea & funfetti cupcakes w/ rainbow-chip icing! Who doesn’t love funfetti cupcakes?!?! And sweet tea, I’m from the south and I LOVE sweet tea!!
{Oh yes! The table wine of the South is my fave drink too!}

 10. What is your favorite place? Will you describe it to us?

The Beach on a warm summer day with a nice breeze. That would be considered paradise for me!

Fabulous Le Cotillon!!!!!!

It's Friday! You know what that means!!!!!!!!!!!! 

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

INTRODUCING..........

1. Hello Daphne! Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us about YOU!

I am a work-from-home mom. I work online listing items on Le Cotillon's website, Etsy site, and Ebay site. I love to create, but I don't have much time to do it. I'm a little sporadic in my creating. I'll go full swing into something do it for a while and then switch to something else. I scrapbook, create jewelry, make tags, create banners for Etsians and I have also created some blog banners. I LOVE to dabble in all sorts of things! I do a lot of the purchasing for Le Cotillon and I'm hoping that new stuff we're bringing in will be popular!

2. Do your blog & shop have a special name? Where did that name come from?

I do have a blog which I use for Le Cotillon and for myself, it's http://craftydaphne.blogspot.com. My blog hasn't been updated at all lately, however I am going to try to work on that this year!

FYI Daphne has a brilliant ETSY shop bursting with gorgeous beads!!! Go Check it out! Le Cotillon on Etsy :)

3. What was the last treasure that arrived in your mail?

My last treasure was this morning and it was a huge parcel with goodies from China. These goodies will be available in our shop! 

4. Where in the world would you like to visit? why?

I would love to go to 2 places. One place would be Disneyworld. I would love to spend an amazing time there with my family. My children would love it and we would have memories that would last a lifetime. Another place I would love to go is to the Czech Republic. Do you know how many bead factories there are there?! Omg, I would be in bead heaven.

5.  What 8 records or books would you would take with you to a desert island (you can tell us why if you want to)?

1. Interview With A Vampire (book)

2. Black-Eyed Peas

3. A Book of poetry... any book of poetry

4. Sarah Mclachlan - Best Of

5. A "How to Survive on a Deserted Island" book

6. The Hobbit

7. A comedy tape of some sort

8. Photo album

6. If you could go back and live in a past decade or century, when would you choose and why?

I would go back to the 50's. Is that when swing was in? Ya ya, swinging and dancing, that would be great. the music was awesome too!

7. What is your favorite thing about creating something by hand?

The sense of accomplishment. It is an absolutely wonderful feeling to create a piece of jewelry that you know you can enjoy, or even better - that someone else is enjoying. I know I certainly love the idea that someone from across the world is wearing something that I made with my hands.

8. Please list three of your favorite things. Why are they favorites?

1. My children and family - Does this count? if not, here's another number 1.

1. Animals - I love all animals. Dogs and cats make me feel happy. I love being around animals. They can be so quirky at times and just make you laugh.

2. Chocolate - I LOVE chocolate. Yum yum yum.

3. Beads - I absolutely love beads. I love shopping for them, selling them. Finding something new brings me absolutely joy. Receiving an order is literally one of the best feelings for me. I am literally thrilled when I get an order!

9. What could you eat/drink every single day and never grow tired of?

I could eat chocolate every single day.

I could drink tea every single day... as well as Bailey's in milk.

10. What is your favorite place? Will you describe it to us?

My grandmother's house.. which is no longer in the family. When I was younger that is where I spent my entire childhood. My grandmother took care of me. It felt like home to me and I always felt safe. She lived in a little town called Sutton - which is where you will find the Le Cotillon boutique today.

Just a bit more information about us. Le Cotillon is owned by my mom Jocelyne Bonneau. She has so many items for sale in her store that sometimes I just can't keep up. I live 40 minutes away from the store so I spend a lot of my time on the phone with mom sorting stuff out. She has been open for 13 years and doesn't seem ready to retire any time soon!

Wonderful Daphne! Thank you so much for sharing yourself and your shop with us! I hope everyone will stop by and visit Le Cotillon online or in person if they're in the Montreal area! 

MEET OUR NEW FABULOUS FRIEND! BebesDéco!!!!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE......

INTRODUCING........

1. Hello Tatiana! Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us about YOU!

My name is Tatiana Bravo I’m 21 years old born and raised in Miami, FL. Living in Miami can be a bit hectic sometimes, with a full time job full time school, managing a site, trying to do all at once. Seems like the Miami lifestyle but overall I love my sunny city and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Growing up I always knew I wanted to do something big; I was never a follower always a leader. I was never influenced by others, I knew that I was born to do great things and be someone. I joined Etsy about a few days ago and it has been an incredible experience seeing how creative and passionate our fellow Etsians are and reading life changing stories where people quit there day job and turned their hobbies into a business has really inspired me. I work alongside my mom who is the genius behind all our wonderful creations helping in anything she needs as a new year we decided that it is time for us to turn our hobbies into a business and this is where our business venture begins.  I currently attend Miami Dade College majoring in Business Administration hoping to one day open a children’s Boutique and like others here on Etsy turn my hobby into a major success. (:

2. Do your website & shop have a special name? Where did that name come from?

My shop’s name is Bebes Décor; it came about 3 years ago when I decided that I wanted to help my mom’s vision come to life. I did my research and I started off with the simplest task of all… creating a domain and hosting site, it was there where I had to come up with a name for our business. Finally after hours and hours of thinking and testing names I came up with Bebes Décor. I thought it was a perfect fit! I wanted the name to resemble 3 major things, sophistication, chic-ness, and creativeness because we wanted our site and creations to resemble elegance of virtue by being fashionable. 

 3. What was the last treasure that arrived in your mail?

The last treasure I received in the mail has to be my hang tags. I specially designed them myself and had a fellow Etsian make my vision come to life. It just made my vision of having a site become more realistic seeing that I have come a long way from where I was back when I only had a business name, domain, and hosting site. 

4. Where in the world would you like to visit? why?

If I could visit anywhere in the world I would definitely love to go to Italy. I would love to go see the leaning tower of pisa. I would love to visit Rome, eat some gelato!! It’s definitely a big change from the Miami lifestyle. 

 5.  What 8 records or books would you would take with you to a desert island {you can tell us why if you want to}?

 If I could take 8 records or books with me to a deserted island I would take:

       1. Weeping Willow

       2. Tears of a Tiger 

       3. Rich Dad Poor Dad 

       4. The Lovely Bones

       5.  My Sister’s Keeper

       6. He’s just not that into you (I think we all would take this) 

       7. Crash course in Love 

       8. Act like a lady, think like a man 

6. If you could go back and live in a past decade or century, when would you choose and why?

If I could go back and live in a past decade or century I would definitely love to live in the year 1978 back in the days when Grease was a hit. I love their style!!! The old school cars and restaurants with the jukebox. It’s incredible; I always have loved the era. Things where more simple, technology wasn’t so advanced. 

 7. What is your favorite thing about creating something by hand?

My Favorite thing about creating something by hand has to be that I know it will be a reminder of someone’s special moment. Whether it’s a crown for a flower girl for someone’s wedding or party favors I know our creations will be physical evidence of that special day. 

8. Please list three of your favorite things. Why are they favorites?

Three favorite things of mine movies!!! I love the movies. I have noticed the older I get the more into movies I have gotten, it’s just so relaxing and calming. Whatever mood I may be if I see a movie it just seems all better it’s like a mini vacation for me. Going into fantasy world. Another thing has to be working on expanding my site, I love this because this is one of my goals I feel this will make me a better person and help me achieve other goals I have.  Last but not least I love music. Music always seems to help my moods, whether I’m sad, mad, angry or just feeling happy music always helps me feel better. There is always a song that you can relate to. 

9. What could you eat/drink every single day and never grow tired of?

One thing I could eat everyday and never get tired of is Pizza!!! I looove pizza!! And coke. I’m addicted to coca cola, it’s so refreshing!! =)

10. What is your favorite place? Will you describe it to us?

My favorite place as cheesy as it may sound is Miami. It has a bit of everything the cold the sunny; it has beautiful beaches an amazing night life. It’s a place where if you can dream you can make it into reality.  

 

 Thanks so much Tatiana! It was lovely getting to know you! 

Please visit Bebes Décor and spend lots of money and get super cute & lovely treasures in return!!!! 

FABULOUS FRIEND FRIDAY IS BACK!!!!!!!

Introducing...

....drum roll please....

Thoris Designs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Hello Dejah :) Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us about YOU!

I’m a crafty pirate extraordinaire. When I’m not painting, sculpting, knitting, sewing or drawing, I’m probably playing video games or figuring out how to make a new kind of scone. I love to cook and make up all kinds of recipes all the time. It’s one of my favorite things. The next best is feeding it to people.

I’ve got two beautiful children that do their best to drive me bananas, but that’s as it should be, I suppose. You can see my daughter modeling a number of items in my shop and I’ll be getting my son to do some soon.

I’m in love with everything frilly and girlie. As soon as I get my sewing machine I’ll be opening another shop to house all the clothes I want to sell, mostly focusing on costume like pieces for kids, but I want to be making ruffled, Victorian inspired clothing with a modern flare also. Expect giant purses and nifty clutches that you don’t actually have to clutch.

 Music is always in my life. I don’t even include it as one my favorite things in most cases because that’s a given. Like I don’t have to tell people I breathe I don’t tell them I love music. I have to have it when I’m working, especially when I’m doing work on the computer. Without it I get completely distracted and can’t focus.

 

2. What are your Etsy shop & Blog called? Where did that name come from?

My Etsy shop is Thoris Designs and is located at http://thorisdesigns.etsy.com. My blog, which features items in my shop, recipes I’ve made up, reviews for others I’ve tried, and anything else I’d like to blog about, is located at http://thorisdesigns.blogspot.com. I should really write for it more, but sometimes my computer access is limited. The name Thoris came from an association with my first name. My mom named me for a princess from a science fiction series called John Carter of Mars written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. He’s also famous for writing Tarzan. Dejah Thoris was a princess of Mars and married John Carter. Thoris Designs was born.

3. What was the last treasure that arrived in your mail?

The last thing I bought was from http://dennisanderson.etsy.com. A bar of Once Upon a Blue Moon Beer Soap for my brother (Blue Moon is his favorite beer) and a luscious Maple Crunch Lip Balm. They sent me a free Coconut balm too! I’ll definitely be buying more bath and body goodies from them in the future.

4. Where in the world would you like to visit? why?

I would love to visit Japan. I’m a huge fan of ancient Japanese culture and find the architecture, artwork, and fashions of the ancient Japanese deeply beautiful and alluring. The history of the samurai and the geisha are especially appealing to me and I love learning about their histories and customs.

I would also love to visit China, for much the same reasons. I would most love seeing the Great Wall of China and the tomb of Emperor Chin, who united the various states of China for the first time. He is most commonly known as the Emperor with the Terra Cotta Army. Fascinating!

5.  What 8 records or books {or combo} would you would take with you to a desert island?

Oh goodness, that’s not nearly enough choices. Okay, it would have to be at least eight of each and I’m going to cheat a little.

Music:

Tool – every album

Primus – every album

Rush – “Fly by Night”, “2112”, and “Moving Pictures”

Led Zeppelin – every album

Pink Floyd – “The Wall”

Across the Universe Soundtrack

The Smashing Pumpkins – every album up to “Machina”

And a Ben Harper and Jack Johnson mix album

Books: More Cheating

Lord of the Rings Series and The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

Narnia by CS Lewis

Old Kingdom Trilogy by Garth Nix

Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O’Shea

The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan

All Chuck Palahniuk novels

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

The Gentlemen Bastards Series by Scott Lynch

Some of those series aren’t finished yet, so my exile will have to wait.

6. If you could go back and live in a past decade or century, when would you choose and why?

We so romanticize so much of the past. I love that I live in a time where things like electricity, indoor plumbing, hot water, and rapid communication are fairly common. I also like that I experience little prejudice as a woman in today’s society. However, I would love to have been a pirate captain at sea during the Golden Age of Piracy, minus the bad teeth and poor personal hygiene. Being a samurai would have been grand, with all the armor and the swords. I also love the fashions of Victorian times, the 1920’s and the 1940’s. I would, of course, have wanted to have all the freedoms I enjoy now during those times. I wish I could combine elements of all those times and make a world of my own, but alas, I visit them only in books. Except for the pirate thing. I really am a pirate.

7. What is your favorite thing about creating something by hand?

The magic! To take a few materials that are raw and unformed and turn them into something new and beautiful. When I’m knitting at the park or somewhere where my children are playing, I get asked by kids, “What are you doing?” all the time. I always answer, “Magic!”

 My second favorite thing is seeing people wear the stuff I make. Nothing is more flattering than seeing someone wear or use something I’ve made. I just made my friend a scarf that she wears almost every day. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside every time I see her in it.

8. Please list three of your favorite things. Why are they favorites?

I think I can safely exclude my favorite people here. They know who they are.
My three favorite things are:

Books: I learn from all sorts of books all sorts of nifty things and get to visit times, places, and people that might not even exist in our “real” world. I read so much it’s almost a bad habit. “Hello, my name is Dejah, and I’m addicted to reading.”

Tea Time: I have about forty different types of tea in stock at my house at all times. I bake scones from my own recipe and love having afternoon tea. Whenever I see a tea shop I HAVE to go inside. There’s just something wonderful, comforting, and timeless about tea and the wonderful circumstances that brought it to our attention so many centuries ago.

Writing: I love to write. I hope to someday be a published author and contribute my own fantasies to the lovely world of literature. To create a world outside of our own that can bring laughter, tears, and wonder to a reader is an amazing gift and I hope that I can someday give that to other people the way it’s been given to me by so many amazing authors.

9. What could you eat/drink every single day and never grow tired of?

I could eat seafood, blackberry cabernet sorbet, and homemade scones every day. I could drink any kind of black tea (especially chai), Jack Daniels whiskey, and strong coffee with French Vanilla creamer and never get tired of it.

10. What is your favorite place? Will you describe it to us?

My favorite place has more to do with the company than the location. It’s with my children and my friends. As long as I have them with me, everything will be alright.

Thanks so much Dejah! Good times! Make sure you visit Dejah's shop and blog! Give her lots and lots of love!!!! Mrs Woo says so!



P.S.

I'll be seein y'all later! I'm leavin on a jet plane! I'm going home to celebrate my mommy's 60th birthday! I'll be back in about two weeks, just in time for the last few days before CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
If you wanna see where my home is google Charleston, SC....nothin' could be finer....

The FABULOUS VICTORIA! Yaaaaay!

Phew! I finally made it home, my dress isn't finished yet & I'm shattered!

Without further ado:  

I would like to introduce to you ...

The FABULOUS VICTORIA OF ALEXANDRA'S WISHES!!

{Every time I mention someone's name that bit from the Muppet Show where everybody cheers follows in my head}

That has nothing at all to do with Vicky! She is certainly not a Muppet! Vicky is mother to Princess Alexandra, wife to our very own brilliant wedding photographer, and the self proclaimed "craftoholic"  behind Alexandra's Wishes blog and Folksy shop to name but a few!
Vicky is the sweet, sweet friend who made a special pincushion and card to celebrate my visa approval. I think she is just absolutely lovely! I know our mutual friend "potato salad Heather" agrees,  I think you will to!

{MW} Hello Vicky :) Why don't you introduce yourself and tell us about YOU!

{AW}Hi! Nice to "meet" you all! First of all I should say I have many incarnations of myself. Wife, Mother, Daughter, granddaughter, crafter, post woman, toddler group leader, host, organiser.....The list does go on.
I am married to a lovely man that I call Mr Bogert. We've been together for 10 years this November (eek!) since I was 17. We have one daughter together called Alexandra Billie (named after Mr Bogert's dad, Bill, who passed away the winter before she was born) who is just coming up to her 4th birthday. My husband and my daughter are my entire life. They are what I work for and what make me the happiest. Family is very important and my Grandparents and Mum live in the same street as us, my Dad, Brother and Sister live up the road only 2 minutes walk away, and my mother in law and sister in law live only 5 minutes drive away.

I work part time for the post office as a delivery worker, but have been indoors for over 2 years because of an injury. I also run our village toddler group and make sure the kids there have plenty of crafty things to make and do. Both Mr Bogert and myself volunteer on our daughter's nursery committee too, so we usually have various things to help with for them. I have always made things. I can't remember a time where I wasn't sticking, papier mache-ing, sewing, drawing etc. My Nan and grandad's back room used to get destroyed every weekend I stayed by piles of fabric, empty containers, felt tip pens and all sorts. Now my crafting mostly revolves around my daughter. Over the last year, I've made lots of fancy dress costumes, hair things, bags etc. I sew, I make cards and scrapbook, I crochet and I knit. I sometimes model make or paint too, but I'm drawn more to textiles. I'm also a list maker. I have lists everywhere. Shoppng lists, things I'd like lists, things I need to do lists, things I'd like to do lists. I never finish a list either, I just add to it ;) My blog is all about the things I make, the places I've been, the things we as a family get up to, and the things we plan for the future.

{MW} Your Blog and folksy shop have such a special name don't they? Where did that name come from?

{AW}Alexandra is my daughter's name and much of my crafting revolves around her and things I would like to make for her or thing's she asked me to make and do, so I call them her wishes. She's such a little cutey that I just figured that anything she would wish or dream of would be lovely and innocent and cute. I hope that the things I create are all of these. I like the idea that I can at least make some wishes reality.

What was the last treasure that arrived in your mail?

An envelope stuffed full of fabric swatches with an accompanying note asking me to choose which I'd like, from a very lovely and generous friend. She shall forever be known as "potato salad Heather" on my blog :) She's since brought the fabrics round in person and I desperately want to start crafting with them, but I'm making myself be good and catch up on all the unfinished things floating around the house.

Where in the world would you like to visit? why?  

So many places! Me and Mr Bogert have a wish list. Some of those places have a time deadline. We think our next big visit will be Lapland. We love Christmas and we really want to take Alexandra to meet father Christmas, play in the snow and drink large quantities of hot chocolate. Then there are other places on the list for the future like China and Tanzania (safari! Yay!). We love to go and see and explore. That's probably why our list is so long. We are not the lie around on the beach type of people. We want to experience places and history and cultures. It's more interesting. It does mean we always feel like we need a holiday when we return though :)

What 8 records or books would you would take with you to a desert island?

When I read this, I thought this is really difficult. I don't tend to re read books because I remember the stories too well, so once read, it holds no surprises for me anymore. There is however one book I could think of as a wracked my brain that is immune to this. That book is "The Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I remember I was bought it for Christmas one year when I was younger, and would sit up with a torch reading it on my top bunk bed in the dark. I would pretend I was Sara living in the cold attic! I could read that book again and again. Other than that I would have to find me another 7 "new" books I'd never read. Probably the latest James Patterson (he's my favourite author), a couple of good old fashioned murder mysteries (I do love my Agatha Christie) and autobiography about a favourite actor/actress (maybe River Phoenix), and a dessert island survival handbook. Music, I would take my own compilation which would have a bit of David Bowie, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Queen, Bryan Adams, some 60's tunes (think Heartbeat), maybe a few disney tracks like hawaiin rollercoaster from Lilo and Stitch and Let's go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins, and some favourite love movie theme songs.

If you could go back and live in a past decade or century, when would you choose and why?

I truly believe I should not have been born in the 80's. Since I was about 12 I've gone through various fazes of wishing I'd lived in times gone by, from Medieval, Victorian to the 60's. I also think this is where my love for Costumes originated (did you know my intended career plan was to be a costume designer? I even worked in a costume shop for 2 years. Learn something new every day) but now for at least the past 4 years, I wish that I could have lived in the period from the 30's through to the 50's. I love the clothes (it's always about the clothes) I love the movies, I love the old movie star glamour and I really wish that some of that neighbourly feeling that was around then had lasted through to present day. It's sad that the idea of community is dwindling and people would rather keep themselves to themselves. That's also why we love living in a village where we still have some neighbourly feeling left. I also wish we still made more of an effort when we went out. Back then you wouldn't think of leaving the house without your hair and make up done, a hat on your head and gloves on. I'd go around dressed like that all time, but I think I would get funny looks, not least from Mr Bogert.

What is your favorite thing about creating something by hand?

It's like therapy! Having a bad day? Go make something. Bored? Go make something. I can't go a day without some sort of craft "fix". I start to get stroppy and grumbly. Ask Mr Bogert, he'll back me up on that one. Then the pleasure in seeing the finished creation and being able to say "I did that. All by myself." Achievement. No better feeling.

 

Please list three of your favorite things. Why are they favorites?

My sewing machine. It was my nan's but I used it frequently, then one year for my birthday, she gave it to me. It's my first machine that's all mine, and it's familiar and I love it. It's also well used!

My family. There maybe many things about my life that I would change, but with my family at the centre of my life being one thing I'm completely happy about, nothing else is that bad. That old saying about money not being able to buy happiness makes me smile, because I always say "I'm already happy, so now I'd just like more money so I can enjoy it!".

My third thing would have to be my camera. Well, it's mine and Mr Bogert's camera (and he knows how to use it more than me!). I think memories are very important, and I always worry I will forget things as I get older, so capturing those moments with the camera make me happy. They don't make my computer very happy though as I have thousands (not an exageration) of pictures saved on there! I'm also enjoying learning more about the camera with Mr Bogert at his photography club. It's great seeing the finished results! (a bit like crafting)

What could you eat/drink every single day and never grow tired of?

I'm generally a savoury girl and I love cheese in any form, so I think I could definitely manage to eat cheese potato pie every day. (I very nearly did eat it every day whilst I was pregnant. I had constant cravings for cheese and coca cola). I do have another sweeter love though which I think I could also manage, and that is cheesecake (any flavour) or key lime pie. Oooo! So yummy!

What is your favorite place? Will you describe it to us?

I wish I could say my craft room, but alas, I don't have one :( If I did, I'm sure that would be my favourite place, but as I don't, I would have to say the Lake District. Specifically Bowness-on-Windermere or Ambleside. So incredibly beautiful and peaceful. I love going on walks there, I love finding little gift shops with nice little nik naks in, I love sitting by a log fire when it's cold outside. The Lake District holds many memories for me, and not one of them is bad. We used to visit there camping when I was a kid, now we take Alexandra (and our friends) to the very same camp site. We rented lovely stone walled cottages for family holidays which I plan to do again with my family, and now every year we stay at the same hotel in Bowness for New Year celebrations with my mother in law and sister in law. It's a lovely way to welcome the new year. As soon as we get off the motorway and into the lakes, I feel like I'm home.

Thank you so much Vicky for giving us the chance to get to know you better! 

Be sure to stock up on Victoria's Christmas time goodies! If you notice on Alexandra's Wishes, she's going to have some SUPER CUTE gift tags listed for Christmas! Oh My! 

I can tell you first hand that Vicky's work is excellent and beautiful, she's very talented! 

Visit Vicky often! 

❣