Happy New Year

From Raspberry*Roses

Happy New Year everyone. The last part of 2007 passed with not too much drama...did I say that?!? My husband Don had his heart operation and is doing well. Its a slow process but he is getting there. And I have changed my job. Hopefully it will be less stressful....well I can only hope :)
Late in 2007 I took part in Joyce's Secret Santa Swap. I had to send my gift to Jullie and you can see what I sent her on her blog. I received my santa gift from the delightful Shirley. Heres what she sent me. Aren't they just gorgeous. I don;t know how she knew that I just love photo frames and this white one will look great in my bedroom. The second part of the gift was the prettiest toilet bag complete with sparkly zip pull. Thanks so much Shirley which girl isn't made about shoes and handbags..... I am going to get alot of use out of these darling gifts. Sorry for taking so long to get these photos to my blog but my camera died a couple of months ago and I had to wait until Christmas to get my new PINK Camera. Woohoo....

Didn't I tell you they are gorgeous!

I have had the past week off... Yay and have been doing a little creating. I have seen some gorgeous examples of altered art when reading your blogs so I have tried it this week. Take a peek.....can you tell I love pastel pinks and green???

I found these tiny frames at a market, there were five originally bit the frames are so delicate that I broke two straight away. I prettied them up with some white paint and framed some gorgeous pink roses fabric. I just love them and they cost a couple of dollars....how sweet is that..I can see them being included in a future swap.....

These last two are something I saw on another blog and borrowed the idea. They would look gorgeous on a white feather tree....and so easy....

And lastly I wanted to share a few op shop finds. I have been drooling over photos of other thrifty purchases and I couldn't believe my eyes when I came across this lot of vintage ribbon, ric rac and buttons recently. And the whole lot cost me $8.50. Included is a whole roll of cream ribbon decorated with florals and scrolls, its swiss and cost the most at a whole dollar. Everything else cost just a few cents each. Needless to say I bought everything they had.....

I hope to put them all to good use ......

Oh and by the way I will be starting up on Ebay again in the next week or so. I have been accumulating so many treasures over the past few months that my Ebay cupboard is positively groaning under its weight. So come and visit I trade as Raspberry*Roses.

And I have just signed up for a Valentines Swap. Visit Dolly from http://frommycherryheart.blogspot.com before January 9 to join.......

I would like to thank the gorgeous gals from the Pretty Chic Group for their support and kindness since I joined the group. I have never met so many lovely people who are genuine and so damn NICE......I have laughed and cried with you all and my inbox has never been so full....I am looking forward to many many more conversations and I promise to participate more this year ..........huggs to you all :))))))

Heart Surgery

Three posts in one day.....but I just couldn't add this to the others as it is so important and may change my life forever.....my darling husband was told on Thursday that he needed open heart surgery to fix an ascending aortic aneurysm...we knew about it 6 months ago but it was only spoken about as an enlargement....but in the past 6 months it has grown so much so that something has to be done...and NOW!
So we were sent home for the weekend as Hospitals are FULL OF GERMS! We go back down tomorrow (Monday) to see the surgeon and I guess have surgery as soon as they can arrange it.....I can't believe that the person I love most in the world may not be around after next week.....we have been together for 30 years...we know what the other is thinking about, finish each others sentences..


I hope and pray that our guardian angel is looking after him and sends him back to me after the operation............

Tussie Mussie Swap

I recently took part in Jullies Tussie Mussie Swap. Well it arrived on Monday which was a day filled with good and bad things. Good things first, bad things later........... And her parcel just made my day. She is just the Sweetest Angel and she packed my gorgeous tussie with so many beautiful things. It made me feel truly special to think that she had put so much thought, care and love into making me the bestest tussie ever. Jullie, I thank you so much. I have not known you for long but I feel like I've known you forever. YOU are one very SPECIAL lady. I have taken photos to show just how gorgeous my tussie is and the special things that she filled it with..........

This is the gorgeous box my beautiful tussie arrived in. Complete with pretty blue ribbon....

This is what it looked like as I opened it........filled with treasure...

My beautiful tussie.....isn't it just the best thing?.......I just looooove it so much. Jullie also made the sweetest tag to go with it.........


This is what filled my tussie....it just smells so nice...it had a strong roses and victorian theme....all the things I absolutely love...sweet smelling rose petals, victorian tags, stickers earrings, the nicest hand towel (how did she know I collected them?), a tiny lipstick, pink chocolate coins, tiny eggs and even a gorgeous tea bag and tiny sugar cube....I am saving for that special time....Wow I am just gobsmacked at Jullies generosity...I am so lucky.....


Close up of some of my pretties.......I took a photo of the rest but it was just too blurry.......


Don't you just love it.......it is so special.........the next photos are of the tussie I made for my partner Wanda.....so Wanda please don't look any further or you will spoil your surprise....I had so much fun making it and thinking of things to put in her tussie...I hope she likes it...I added an Aussie twist with some Aussie stickers and a parrot doilie set......



Wanda wanted a Halloween theme so I hope that I have lived up to her expectation ..................



Here's the close up..................
Wanda if you have had a look its on its way to you tomorrow.......

Tribute To Mum and Don

My beautiful Mother passed away on the 10th September two weeks short of her 82nd birthday. She had suffered from Alzheimers for many years prior and had been in a nursing home for the past 12 months. I was with her when she passed and feel priveleged and honoured to send her on her final journey. She was the strongest woman I know and has passed her quiet strength to both her daughters and also to her grandaughters. All I know is that when I left home and had a family of my own, she was always happy to see me and always sad to see me go. I always knew I was loved through my life and for that I have to thank her. Regardless of what hardships she was going through and there were plenty of those in her life, she always thought of her children first. I also want ot pay tribute to my stepfather, Don who took on someone who had been so badly hurt by my father and made the last 25 years of her life so much better. No mistaking ,they also had their ups and downs but his quiet stability was so good for her. During the last years especially he was absolutely devoted and as time passed did everything for her. Don, you are a wonderful man and you can count on me to make sure your wished are carried out.
So to celebrate her life I would like to share a few photos. Safe journey, Mum, God Speed until we meet again...........I hope that you have found your memories...............Linda

My Princesses

Two weeks ago, I spent the afternoon with some of my favourite little people. My three grandaughters came to visit and as usual we ended up in the garden which is somewhat overgrown at the moment. After a week of rain it has gone berserk. As it was so nice I took some photos.

My precious Kate aka Kate Princess Ballerina Mermaid, who is nearly 6 and growing up so quickly. She loooves pink, Brabie, Bratz and would love a kitten for her birthday.

My sweet Milly (aka Emily) who is 2 and a half and such a chatterbox. Shortly after this photo she splashed about in my birdbath and needed a change of clothing. She had a ball. Couldn't take photos as I had used them by then.

Amy, the baby aka the terrorist who has the sweetest smile. She is so quiet but gets into everything. She is 16 months old and just a bundle of energy.
I just love, love, love them and have such a great time when they come to visit.

I'm Baaaack

Life has been just an absolute whirl. Work, work, work and not much else. I go on holiday in a weeks time Yay! for 2 weeks so I am really looking forward to some 'ME' time. You know sleeping in and pottering around in my jammies until whenever.
Firstly I would like to send a HUUUGE Thank You to Jullie for the Gorgeous Banner she made me. She is such an Angel and even managed to include the image of the Victorian lady I love so much. She didn't know at the time but I collect Vintage Cameos and put my lady in one. What a Gem!

So Julles heres a Basket Full of Raspberry Roses for you.

Next I took part in Shannons Cotton N Candy swap recently. My swap partner was the lovely Beth who is just so sweet. I'm a first time swapper and I just had a ball putting Beths swap together. The Postman brought hers yesterday and I am thrilled with what she made me. Have a look.......

I had to restrain myself from trying all that sweet candy long enough to take photos. They're gone now!! Very Nice they were too. Beth made me some of her special pin cushions. They are just tiny works of art. She has added the prettiest vintage buttons and embellishments and they just smell divine.....She placed them on a nest of pastel shredded paper just like a little nest and tied the whole thing with a yellow tulle and ribbon bow and some pink vintage roses. And the gorgeous plate...roses....she knew I love roses.
Beth, I plan to display these beauties just as you sent them, in my bedroom. The box she sent them in was wrapped in pretty pink wrapping paper and it was just like receiving a gift. I had such a great time unwrapping...my husband wondered what all the ooohing and aaahing was all about.

Here is the gorgeous roses plate, don't you love it............

Don't you just love these tiny pin cushions. They are just mini works of art.....and did I mention they smell gorgeous. Beth , you are one talented lady.............Thanks SO Much for making my first swap a BLAST.......It was so much fun I have joined Jullie's Tussie-Mussie swap. I have made a practice one today............Will post photos when I am done. Night Night........

MY FIRST POST!!

Well I've done it. After playing around with my blog page and the html thingy I have got it to show the title picture and background that I want. Boy was that a brain teaser or what I think I'll have to go to bed for the rest of the day!! Anyways Near enough is good enough for today. The background is really piiinnkk will just have to soften it up a bit! Just wanted to try to post a couple of piccies so here goes......................

First is my favourite Christmas Angel...........













Second is a bunch of roses to the members of "Pretty Chic" who sent good wishes and (((hugs))) to me over the weekend for my mum. Thanks, you are just the nicest people!!

And lastly to Nicole your CD is on its way to you. Enjoy!!!!!