Saturday, August 11, 2012

Christmas In .......August?!




pinterest




This really has been the atmosphere around here for the past few days...thanks to several wonderfully kind and generous friends!

I am overwhelmed and honored by all of the beautiful treasures that have come my way....




I begin with beautiful Dzintra, who has so generously asked me to participate in her monthly "Donna Hay" cook up! 
For those who aren't familiar....

"Donna Hay is Australia's leading food editor and best-selling cookbook author. 
Her food, recipes and styling focuses on basic ingredients, simply prepared and beautifully photographed – hallmarks of her work which have set the benchmark 
for food publishing worldwide 
and inspired a whole new generation of cooks."





You can find more information here.
I have long admired Ms. Hay's stunning magazine at the local book shop, but now I have a terrific reason to actually purchase it. 
Every image is a work of art, and the recipes are delectable!
I hope I can make Dzintra proud with my cook-up, 
for she is a fabulous cook and stylist.
(and you should see her sewing projects!)....
Do visit her wonderful blog and say hello...
Thank you, sweet Dzintra!





My next surprise came a couple of days later.....






This lovely package contains a hand-made pillow 
from marvelous Teresa.
She was so generous to have a give-away, and I am honored to have won her beautiful custom handiwork!






This photo really shows the richness of the fabric...
I love the colors...and Marie Antoinette adds the perfect 
French touch, bien sur!

Teresa lovingly embellished this charming pillow with some precious antique lace and beads....it's so beautiful!
Merci mille fois, dear friend...
You can visit her artful blog here.




When I received yet another package, I really did begin to think that Santa's elves had forgotten this was only August! :)))

Dear Elizabeth  put together a lovely and delicious 
Fall care package...
thank you so much, beautiful friend, 
for your kindness and thoughtfulness!
What a surprise!!!
 




Just the perfect card for a fellow Francophile!

Elizabeth and I are also sisters in chocolate....









Just one of the chocolate goodies she included....
hee...




Nestled among the lovely treats was luscious hot chocolate....


Can't wait to try this!
 


And the pièce de résistance was a stunning book of Fairy Tales!


 
The beloved stories, exquisite illustrations, and fascinating annotations 
will keep me happy for hours!!

MERCI, dear Elizabeth!
Please visit Pine Cones and Acorns to read Elizabeth's 
always fun and fascinating blog...
and to delight in her sumptuous baking creations as well.


And if all of these enchantments were not enough...




Dear Marcia, aka "Queen of Kindness", blessed me with one of her magical (and royal) tags...a party favor from her Snow in July party!
Isn't it gorgeous?
Thank you, my friend!
Her blog, The Shop Around the Corner, is always inspiring and uplifting...an absolute joy.

Speaking of "royalty"..... 
Have you heard of "La Reine de Papier".... the Queen of Paper?
Marcia has "officially" given this name to our beloved Anita!
And this is one of the reasons why.....


Available on Etsy

  Ummm....hello! Is this not magnificent?
Anita has been busy creating some masterpieces of her own...
all from beautiful papers....



Anita's Etsy




I think these make for a perfect royal pair....




 Thank you, dearest Anita, for these magical fairy slippers!

The Christmas spirit is alive and well in August, my friends!



 
INDEED!

Have a beautiful rest of the month!
xoxo
- Irina

13 comments:

  1. Irina, my heart is melting, just like chocolate. :) Isn't it beautiful to see such lovely images and sentiments across the land of blog? I think it would be wonderful to throw one HUGE blog party where every blogger would highlight such treasures as if it were one long Christmas garland draping itself from home to home. If you think about it, that's what most of us bloggers do now. Makes my heart sing.

    Every single detail is gorgeous here, my friend. I'll take one of each, especially the chocolate. ;) By the way, I LOVE how you paired Anita's slippers with my crown tag...uh'm, I mean, La Reine de Papier. What a pair indeed. :)

    Just got back from the art supply store with some goodies, more inspired than ever after seeing this.
    XOXO's,
    Marcia

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  2. Wow! You were so blessed this month, Irina!
    And yes, I would love for you to email me the two photos of the French pillow. It was again, my wonderful pleasure to present you with the pillow, my friend!
    Such grandeur of talents among our sweet friends!
    Have a blest rest of the weekend~
    hugs,
    Teresa

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  3. Hi Irina -
    Christmas in August for you, indeed! Congrats on all your treasures. I am a loyal reader of Pine Cones and Acorns......Elizabeth is fabulous. She is very generous and thoughtful. I always enjoy her Silent Sunday posts.
    Hope you are having a great weekend.
    L

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  4. Hello Irina:
    Gosh, what a wealth of treasures have found their way to you. No wonder you are thinking that Christmas has arrived early this year.And, what is so very touching is that all the gifts have been so obviously chosen with great care and thoughtfulness. This is the mark of people who really do know one well and want to make one happy. Lucky you!

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  5. Hello Irina, There is a lot to see in this post, I especially like the verse about chocolate understanding, LOL. I may just have to repeat that a few times. It was so nice to get a visit from you and I am delighted that you like my new bedroom re-do. Have a wonderful day, Connie :)

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  6. Irina,you have been having a wonderful week. The Marie Antoinette pillow is beautiful.......and the fairy slippers........magical!

    Wishing you another happy week,
    Ruby

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  7. Oh dearest Irina...what a most delightful post so full of beauty! It truly is Christmas in August for you...Oh your description of doing our cook ups really touched me...we are going to have such fun. And what a beautiful introduction...I feel so very honoured! Bring it on dear sweet friend...Much Love, Dzintra xo

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  8. I AM FINALLY HERE! I am so happy to be back in this creative blogland of dear FRIENDS! Oh how I adore each and every one of these women. Dzintra has been a blogging friend since I started blogging over 4 years ago! What can I say about Elizabeth, our generous sister in CHOCOLATE! I have been blessed recently a well by her with a PERFECT sketch book of 18th century women's clothing!! AND THEN THERE IS MARCIA.....an angel and a true friend....this is a beautiful post my dear and YES, HER TAG GOES SO WONDERFULLY WITH THE SLIPPERS!

    Let's have some fun here.....oh dear, I have an idea I need to throw out to you...but in person...back later! THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL POST!!!!!!! Anita

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank so much for popping in and visiting. I'm looking very forward to becoming great blogging sisters. Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Irina,
    This post is so FULL of magic. A gathering of such talented artists. Yes, this is truly just like Christmas!
    I love every one of them.. I too, have been blessed with a beautiful pair of dear Anita's slippers. I will treasure them always.

    Thank you so much for your visit and leaving such kind words about my little birdies.
    Love and blessings,
    Penny

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  11. HI IRINA!!!
    OH you are a WONDERFUL friend...and I know this because of the loved showed to you....a true friend knows how to give love and receive love.Your gifts are all amazing.I have go to POP in at ETSY to see Anita's magical and Beautiful paper products.....they are calling my name!!!She has talent beyond words. I will be excited to see and hear abo7ut your recipe you enter in the magazine...please let us know!!!I bet it will be fabulous!!!!
    Have a Great weekend
    and hugs 2 u my sweet friend,
    jamie--mimi

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  12. Sweet Irina, it is no surprise that you are the recipient of these lovely gifts from talented women. Your generous spirit and loving concern for all is well-known.

    The treasures each speak of the creativity of the artist.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  13. Dear Irina,

    Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I accidentally deleted it and wanted to let you know. Would love another if you have time. My hubby won an IPad at a raffle and it has taken some getting used to. I am constantly hitting wrong buttons. That chocolate sign floored me. I giggled my head off. Wonderful to see Anita's work here. Wishing you a beautiful rest of your summer.

    xoxo,
    Nancy

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