Friday, August 21, 2015

Introducing my summer surprise --- the "BeachComber" nest

One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach.
           One can only collect a few--
                       and they are more beautiful if they are few.  
Anne Morrow Lindbergh 


beautiful shells,...
memories of your favorite 
 walks along the beach..
treasures found~

a sand dollar,
starfish, whelk shells...


 fragments of glass and bits of shell
preserved forever
in a tiny glass jar...


 the glimmer of sunlight
on shells,
newly kissed by the tides~

introducing
the latest in my 
Designer Nest series..
the
"BeachComber" nest
~~
as with all my Designer nests,
the charitable profits are donated 
to a most worthy cause...
~~
the charitable profits
from the sale of these nests
will be donated to our local chapter of
~
this charitable foundation grants
wishes to children with life-threatening illness.

remembrances...
sunlight, waves, 
the tinkle of shells in the surf...


this beautiful "BeachComber" nest
is designed to preserve your most beloved
beach memories.. 

while each nest is a unique creation,
they are all similar in design...
each nest contains a collection of
beach treasures...
whelk shell, tiny white shells, 
starfish, sand dollar,
and a tiny jar
 filled with glass and shells
~~
a beautiful beaded starfish
adorns
 every nest~

perhaps you have
favorite treasures from your walks
along the beach
that you may wish to add
 to these collections~


  tiny fish nets
embellished with treasures from the sea,
just a hint of glitter
to make it all
 sparkle~


 this beautiful nest
has been in creation since
this past winter--
as with all of the nests 
in my Designer series--
the endeavor is
 HUGE!! 
~~
my friend Mary is my
ever faithful assistant --
I could not do this without her help.
We have both worked long and late
to create this beautiful nest for you...
(plus- she lets me boss her around
and never, ever, complains!)
~~
Your nest will arrive
wrapped in beautiful tissue, 
 tied with a stunning, glittered
bird tag,
all created by my friend Sue.
~
from the minute you 
open the box...
you will be
"wowed"! 

there are 24
of these beautiful nests
listed now in my ETSY shop...
~
~ it was my own walks along the beach,
my collections
of treasures found along the shore...
that stirred my longing
to create this
beautiful nest for you...
xoxo,
Vicki 

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Josephine's Children update --- Party Time!!!

After months of anguished waiting, travels across oceans to the other side of the world, miscommunication, "lost boxes", suspected attempts to "pirate" the last 2 boxes, and even an attempt to possibly hold them for ransom.... the prayers of the children have been answered!  All 3 boxes have safely arrived to the school and the children are inviting all of you to their celebration party...

 Dear Vicki,
Today the 4th of august 2015, our long awaited day has come to pass! The gifts have been given away... the children as you can see in the photos are all very happy and excited.. we have kept a few gifts for those that are in boarding school and all the craft items will be made to use during the holidays.

I can't express my sincere gratitude but I am so thankful for the time you took to help with my project and we will always be grateful for all that  you have done to help us.

Children have told me to pass on their sincere gratitude to you and for making their school time enjoyable. The items that were bought are very essential to them and will lift up their self esteem as many didn't have bags, shoes to walk to school. As the new term begins in September they will be even more happy to share the joy with friends.

Thank you for taking part in this project... I pray for more blessings and opportunities from you.
Josephine



 
 
Dear Vicki,
Indeed its a miracle! I am reading this mail just now and I just cannot stop smiling and thanking God for making this possible! when hope was almost fading. We were so worried and had put all our joy at a stand but we prayed silently but God has answered our prayers. The children are going to be happy again!

I am all ready with two cameras with different persons to take photos, I want every moment to be captured and sent to you and Sue. I can't stop to thank you and Sue and husband for all the effort, time and energy that you have given this project..no words can express that but I and the children have already started to design something for you and Sue to show how we have appreciated.

Thank you for making this possible! you are so dear and near our hearts.
Josephine
 
 
 these boxes have had enough "adventures"
to fill a novel!  
without going into great detail,
let me just say that
truly the power of prayer
has brought this wonderful
celebration 
to the children...
 
these photos were taken
by Josephine 
at the "opening of the boxes"
party for the children. 
 
 
 
 school supplies,
book bags, shoes,
and personal items were distributed
to the children at the
party..
 
Josephine related to me that many
of the children did not have shoes
to wear to the school ---
these boxes arrived
at the most perfect time!
 
 
 
 
 the children all received
a new Teddy Bear..
 
 
look at these happy faces!!






Can you imagine how proud
this beautiful young girl is feeling
right now! 


one of my favorite photos..
such a beautiful young girl..

this little fella
is all decorated with sticker dots
for his celebration!

I can just feel the excitement
of the children
as I look at these photos..


I would give anything
to hug this precious 
little girl...



I love her...



I love the colorful book bags
that Sue selected for these 
children..



so precious..
truly a celebration
and party for these children!
 
 

these children are going 
to be stylin'
when they go back to school!
 
 
 
this photo makes my heart smile--
they didn't even want to take
their back packs off
to eat!



 Dear Vicki,
We haven't done something with the craft supplies yet, we are still sorting and organizing them.
My plan is to start using them during the holidays when everybody is around... they are all very nice items that were donated from the bottom of hearts.  
 
I have to tell you that all of the items are very lovely and when you look at them and some bear notes, that you see the love that people have towards noble causes.
My regards,
Josephine   



Finally, 
this dream has come true
for the children...
~~
My heartfelt thanks to 
all of you who played a part 
in bringing these
wonderful treasures to the children
in this place so very far away...
~~
Your gifts, donations, money,
and most of all your prayers
have made this happen.
~~
My very special thanks to Sue
for all the efforts that she and her husband
made in purchasing the items
and organizing them to be mailed.
~~
I also want to thank my dear friend Mary,
who allowed us to use her business
address for you all to mail the packages.  
Mary carried packages home almost every day
for weeks upon weeks
as your donations begin to come in!
~~
So many people,
so many loving hearts,
have made this dream come true...
xoxoxo
 
 Updates from me...
Where has this summer gone?? Have you been as busy as me? Ive so many projects started -- nearly completed -- frantically trying to finish everything so that I can share it with you!  
 
I've been on some travels... a lovely week at the beach in Florida, a "girltrip" to Michigan,  I've been making jams this summer, knitting like crazy,spending time with grandbabies, and trying to relax a little,...
 
Fall is in the air, I can feel it, even smell it. As much as I do love the change of seasons, I would love for our summer to last a bit longer.  
 
My "journal" giveaway has ended, the winners posted and the journals are on their way to Australia, United Kingdom,... only 1 winner was from the United States!  All the rest went to Europe and down under!!
 
I will be back in a few days with a little summer project that I am so very anxious to share with you -- a little summer surprise for you all...
 
Love,love,
Vicki