Wednesday 10 August 2011

Giveaway winner and odds and ends

Many, many  thanks for all the lovely messages you left me on my 1st Bloggerversary. I have had so much fun this year and I look forward to many years to come. I wonder how old the very oldest blogs are.....I know some of my blogging friends have reached their 3rd bloggerversaries?

13 lovely ladies put their name into the hat to win my alabaster earrings.







I used my trustie sun hat, aka Jane's manual random number selector ;0)

And with the assistance of my son's hand out came.....









Hey yes Shirley....it's you :0)
Congratulations!
I shall be in contact with you to arrange sending them off to the USA. I hope you love wearing them.
Thank you everyone for entering. I always find these giveaways such fun.

In this post I also wanted to share with you my latest holiday charms. Whilst we were in Paris I bought 2 more.



These little charms are from Notre Dame on the left and from Sacre Coeur on the right.














I added them onto my holiday charm bracelet...it's filling up nicely now although as I said to my Hb there is plenty of room for some more...?!!







Another little bit of news is that I have a very exciting visit planned with my Mum and my aunt next Thursday..................




                                *********Squeal***************** yes I am going to see

                                                                    THE DRESS

It is on show at Buckingham Palace during it's Summer opening. I will be taking my trusty camera with me so that I can share my day with you. There is also a special exhibition of  Faberge Eggs which promises to be stunning. I can't wait!

I have also been buying some rather scrummy new beads to start to play with some designs for THE wedding of 2012, aka my darling daughter's. I am making jewellery for her, her bridesmaids and myself.

I found some wonderful rich creamy head drilled freshwater pearls and some gorgeous rice pearls. Recently my daughter and I went to a world famous oyster bar to eat, not to look at pearls, but I was fascinated to see where pearls come from. More from that visit another time.
I also bought 2 types of citrine, a yummy gemstone which goes really well with ivory/creams etc.






Here are the citrine in close up,I bought some  lovely faceted pear briolettes and some faceted nuggets.The colour is very pure and there are very few inclusions in the beads...yes that also means more expensive to buy ;0) Even if I do not eventually use any of these they are gorgeous new beads to add to my stash. Is it just me or do you feel you could eat yummy beads....they are like sweeties in my eyes...or is that just a jeweller's brain working?


And last but not least of my "odds and ends" I  also have another day tomorrow visiting  Red House, William Morris' house, which inspired the Arts and Crafts movement. Another place for my trusty camera again I think. It's turning out to be a most enjoyable summer, it's such a shame I have to go to work in between times!

Also just to say hi, and to say  that he is still enjoying the summer, I thought I would close with a photo of Billy (who has recently made friends with a very shy cat who appeared in the garden a few months back. We have called him/her Blackie, there is a clue there what colour he is; they are very funny together).

Thanks again for dropping in and for leaving your comments, I really do love to read them.
Bye for now,

Jane x

16 comments:

  1. Hip Hip HOOORAY!! I'm doing a dance over here Jane! Many thanks for the opportunity to win your lovely earrings. (I am thrilled!)
    Oh, your trip to see the dress will be amazing I'm sure and I hope we get to peek at a few pics when you return. And, my goodness, I'm in love with the citrine beads and your gems from Paris. Thank you again Jane for your generosity and here's to many more years of blogging to you!

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  2. Ahhhh Shirley, I am SO pleased you are so pleased! They will be on their way to you over the pond asap!
    Enjoy wearing them and thanks for being such a great blog friend.
    Here's to blogging ;0)
    Jane x

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  3. Congrats to the very lucky Shirley!
    Oh you're going to see 'the dress', I would so love to. Trust us to visit the palace the year before!!
    Those citrine beads are gorgeous, looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
    Your two new charms are lovely too and a great reminder of Paris. :)
    Say hi to Billy for me and enjoy the rest of the week,
    Vivienne x

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  4. I can't wait Vivienne, I loved watching the whole Royal Wedding day on TV but it will be superb to actually see it in "the flesh".
    Billy sends a big purr to you and all your cat friends in the garden ;0)
    Jane x

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  5. Congratulations to Shirley! She's going to love those earrings!
    And what a beautiful color combination the pearls and citrine make in this photo - so satiny and sparkly all at once!
    It's been so much fun following you from one place to another this summer- I'd be curious to see "The Dress," but the Wm. Morris house would probably be most intriguing.
    Before you take off again, please give Billy a pat from me- He looks so relaxed stretched out on a summer day! :o)

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  6. I'm so happy you enjoy my jaunts Michele, sharing them makes me take so much more notice of things too! It's Red House tomorrow....watch this space ;0)
    Our Billy is a very happy summery boy at the moment, he is a real fair weather cat, the first rain and he's back indoors!
    Jane x

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  7. Hi Jane, Congratulations to Shirley, one lucky lady! Love your post and the beautiful pearls and citrine. It is such an exquisite combination. You all will look gorgeous!
    You really have had quite a wonderful summer and now tickets to go see the Dress, OH MY! Take lots of pictures.
    Your charm bracelet is growing so nicely. Always room for more and you can also always have two!!!!!
    Have lots of fun with your family. Take care, xoRobin❤

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  8. Hi Robin,Thanks, I have been enjoying a great summer, that's why I have had no time to get much jewellery made...but there will be plenty of not so sunny day ahead when I can do that. I am off to Red House today...that should be very interesting.
    Jane x

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  9. Oh drat. Shirley is a lucky girl! And you're lucky too, as I just went through your Eiffel Tower photos. Wow. Here's wishing you 30 more years of happy marriage! The pearls and citrines look beautiful. I'll look forward to seeing what you make of them.

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  10. Hi Linda, if I can get in another 30 years of marriage I will be one very happy bunny....only downside is that I'd be 80 years old then....gulp! Glad you enjoyed my Paris posts, it's one very cool city.
    Jane x

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  11. Congratulations Shirley, you'll love your new jewelry!!

    And would I love to see THE dress too, Jane, I really would, so if possible, I would appreciate A LARGE report of EVERYTHING, thank you :)

    And the wedding-jewelry is beautiful! I can't wait to see them in action in... threehundred and some days ;) both bride AND mum will be stunning!

    Have a wonderful and sunny weekend, dear, and a big big kiss to that sweet boy again!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  12. There will be a BIG post from THE dress next week Mia ;0) and the days to THE wedding next year are counting down fast.
    It's nearly the weekend again-how quickly the weeks seem to fly by. Have a great weekend my dear,
    Jane x

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  13. I am a lucky lady..thanks again, Jane! I can't wait to receive your beautiful earrings and to know that you made them is just the icing on top of the cake! Thanks everyone for the congrats, too!

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  14. You are so welcome Shirley. They are flying over the pond as we speak, I got them in the post on Friday. I hope they arrive really soon.
    Jane x

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  15. Congrats lucky Shirley.Thank you Jane for hosting the giveaway.

    I'm eager to see Kate's dress and Red House. What a lucky daughter you have---the pearls and citrine gems are stunning.
    Thank you for sharing your holiday pics in Tuscany and Paris!!

    best,
    Anne
    PlumCreek22

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  16. Hi Anne, thanks for your good wishes and Shirley seems to be so pleased she won!
    Have a good week, nearly time to see THE DRESS!
    Jane x

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