'Show & Tell' and a Swap.

The 'Show & Tell' topic for today, organised by Cerri, is 'Jewels', to include our vintage costume jewelery collections and where they are stored.

I have some necklaces displayed around the neck of my antique French bust.

Teeny brooches are pinned to a miniature Stockman mannequin.....

....and larger pieces are displayed on my full sized one!

A French fabric covered box holds some more brooches and buckles waiting to be added to my hand made bags.

This very old glass box with ribbon trimmed edges keeps these brooches on my dressing table.

My favourite collection is the Czechoslovakian and Austrian brooches, which I store to overflowing in this small glass casket, lined in satin.

I love the colours and assorted designs and look for these wherever I go.

And this is my most favourite mirror, created by a friend using broken jewellery, beads and sea shells.

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I got up early this morning to visit a local car boot sale. It was such a dismal foggy day that very few traders had turned up, so unfortunately I came away empty handed.

Luckily, I had something to look forward to when I came home. I had saved a parcel that had arrived for me yesterday, so made a hot cup of tea and settled down to open my surprise.

The beautifully wrapped wooden sewing machine drawer had been sent to me by the VERY generous Heather of Pretty Petals, as my gift for the 'Junque in my Trunk' swap. BIG thank you Heather for putting together such a truly wonderful collection of pretties. I love EVERYTHING and feel so blessed to have had you as my partner.

The drawer was wrapped in pretty vintage handkerchiefs - so inspired - and held in place with ribbons and a rose. Inside, the trunk was tightly packed with aqua (my favourite colour!), purple and peachy pink treasures.

Rolls of stunning wallpapers, ledger pages and papers dated 1872. The adorable powder box was filled with lace and diamante jewels.

LOVE the roses and the matchbox. Matching silken thread, buttons and Victorian scraps.

A panel of 50's Barkcloth lined the base.

Ribbons, lace and millinery buds all beautifully tied with flair.

And still more discoveries....a bottle filled with vintage pink glitter, packets of bias tape and sweet flowers.

Wrapped inside a square of fabric was this tiny half doll - I've always wanted one!

This was the first big swap that I have participated in and I am SO glad that I did!

Thank you again Heather, for not only organising the swap, but for my wonderful treasure box of delights. I can't wait to have a play with all the delicious items.

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Finally, sometimes real life has to get in the way of Blogging! Lol.

The builders have finished working on our basement, so I now have lots of decorating to do and then the moving in of my furniture and supplies into my new workspace. I will then need to get my business back on track, as well as deal with other commitments that I have going on just now.

Please forgive me if I am not around for a while, but I need to get down to these important tasks.

Be back soon, (the roses are for you!)

Niki x