Our Friendship Spans the Oceans....

My heart skipped beats recently....
when I arrived home from work  to find a parcel 
waiting for me by the front door!
Not just any parcel I might add
but one that had crossed oceans to get here.

I was elated when I read the sender's name...
my dear friend
Mary
of
A Breath of Fresh Air

My heart was 'all a flutter'
as I knew I was in for a treat!
I posted about Mary's previous parcel here

When I found Mary's blog a few years ago
I knew I had found a soul mate
who enjoyed many of the same things as I do.

We both share a love of France and all things french
we also both have family living there.

Mary has a love of life which the French call

Joie de Vivre

She is an inveterate traveller and enthrals us all
with her amazing photography and interesting narrative
of  her overseas trips with her husband Bob and friends.

One thing is certain
Mary and Bob will never be short of conversation
when sitting in their rocking chairs on the verandah!

I think I can hear a little voice in my ear...

....what's that? me in a rocking chair.... NEVER!
ha ha!!!!!

Mary dear
you know just what I love...

Vintage Notions

the exquisite vintage buttons and spools of cotton,
ribbons and hand made tatted lace
 vintage cards including the one above
 and lovely old postcards.
I love everything.

Merci,

Never let it be said that distance is a barrier to friendship.

I'm joining
Judith for Mosaic Monday
Wen for Simply Neutrals Tuesday
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration

Thank you ladies for hosting!


Be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt


Shane

A Day in Paris.....

Paris

Avenue des Champs Elysees

and a

Bride and groom

all part of

a day in

Paris

the city of love!

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

French Wedding Card

Some time ago I made this card

to say thank you

to a sweet bloggy friend of mine

Rhonda

I bought the card from La Cigale

....and beautiful as it was

being me, I had to embellish it, just a little!

I'm joining the following parties
Wen for

Simply Neutrals Tuesday

Stephanie for

Roses of Inspiration

and

Mimi for
Five Star Frugal

Thank you ladies for hosting!

Take care and 

be kind to one another!

Merci à bientôt

Shane

Provins Île-de-France

Provins, is a fortified medieval village 

in the Île-de-France region.

We visited on a beautiful summer's day

and there was much to enjoy. 

Charming old wooden and stone buildings,

an authentic creperie,

as well as an ice cream shop

we can't ask for more than that!

I love these old wooden and stone houses

still standing after five or six hundred years.

This beautiful 1929 stone plaque

commemorating the 500 year anniversary

since the visit of 

Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc)

to Provins in 1429.

I'm joining 

Judith for Mosaic Monday

Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration and

Wen for Simply Neutrals Tuesday.

Thank you ladies for hosting!

Take care and 

be kind to one another!

à bientôt

Shane

Laces in Whites and Creams - Simply Neutrals #2

I'm immersed in frothy whites

as I've been going through my little collection

of laces, chiffons and other fabrics of interest

to use in the book I'm creating

via Suzy's class at Creative Workshops.

If you've always wanted to make a fabric and lace book

this is the class for you!

Thank you sweet Wendy for hosting your party
Simply Neutrals

I'm linking to
Wendy for Simply Neutrals Tuesday
Judith for Mosaic Monday
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration.


Take care and
be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt


Shane

French Vintage Finds & Fabric Dyeing

Isn't this the sweetest baby's top

it is all hand made with exquisite hand made lace

and tiny pin tucking.

I found it at a Brocante in my daughter's village.

The back is just as beautiful

the fabric is the finest lawn or voile

with tiny mother-of-pearl buttons

I was delighted to also find this vintage broderie anglaise

I only have 2 metres

so I'm saving it for a very special fabric book.

I apologise for the darkness of the photos - it has been another

dark, wet and miserable Spring day!

I always look for old books and postcards

and I was happy with my finds

this one was over 100 years old!

I would love to buy more but there is limited

room in my suitcase!

After reading Suzy's post on dyeing fabrics and lace

with the juice from her home grown loganberries,

I delved into my freezer and found a packet of mixed berries.

I boiled ¾ of a cup for a few minutes, sieved them

and added the juice to ¾ of a cup of water

and boiled for 30 minutes.

These pieces will all be used in my new book!

I'm linking to

Judith for Mosaic Monday

Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration

and

Wens new party - Simply Neutrals Tuesday

Take care and

be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt

Shane