A Plethora of Thanks

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Time for me to brag and show you some of my lucky windfalls of late. Giveaway wins and thoughtful gifts that have come my way from some very special bloggers. Each and everyone deserving of a post in itself.. However, since I think they all look so pretty here together.. and the fact that I like the word 'Plethora', I'll swamp you with my good luck all in one hit!

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Gypsy Brocante

[link here]

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First up is my gorgeous new tote bag which comes to me from the lovely Gypsy Brocante, all handmade by Jill herself. I think I showed you this win a while back but didn't get to show you the beautiful inside fabric, so I think it is worth another outing. Yes the bag is reversible.. and I'm quite partial to the floral print which is a perfect companion for the beautiful spring weather we are having in Sydney. I'm pretty sure these gorgeous colours are starting to influence my decor.

[ps the golden reverse fabric can be seen further down in the heart shot]

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Attached was this lovely fabric blossom..

Extra sweet to me as my mum made similar flowers back when I was a wee thing.

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Thanks Jill

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I love them more and more each day

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Drawn To The Sea

[link here]

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Next we have my very special present I received not long ago from the sweet Julia of Drawn To The Sea blog. Julia is such a sweetheart.. and each and every post reflects her thoughtful nature and eye for beauty in the everyday... Well her timing was perfect.. Right when I needed a little lift, this gorgeous heart turned up to turn my frown around. The heart comes from Cottage In The Sun Etsy shop [here].. and is made from ceiling tin [love it!!!]. If you can't have tin ceilings, then the next best thing is to have something made from it I say!..

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... Thank you dear Julia for thinking of me ...

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La Petite Coterie

[link here]

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Now I'm a little late in showing you this giveaway win. Some time back I won this fabulous king size burlap cushion cover from the talented Michelle from La Petite Coterie .. Beautifully handcrafted from quality burlap, the pillow cover fits a standard bed pillow and is removable which I find quite convenient as I like to change things around a bit. As with all Michelle's cushions, it is trimmed with a silver religious medallion [mine being St Bernadette] giving it that thoughtful extra touch ...

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Michelle hails from the USA, but just last week I was excited to spot one of her cushions displayed in our own aussie publication ... Home Beautiful Magazine.. Congrats Michelle.. and thank you again for sending this beauty my way.. I'm pleased to say it is very happy here in Australia.. and excited to see some of it's relatives migrate here too!!

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Chic Little Shop

[link here]

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OK.. Another cushion cover.. but this time in beautiful belgium style linen. This lovely cushion over comes from sweet Julie at Chic Little Shop blog and Etsy.. If you've been reading my blog lately you would have seen the giveaway Julie sponsored from her new range... Well I was fortunate enough to be able to 'road test' one of Julie's products... and am happy to say it is as well crafted and beautiful as I expected. I'm sure those who missed out on the giveaway are even more jealous now... Don't be jealous!!! just pop over to Julie's shop.

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Thank you so much Julie for your lovely gift

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Angie Muresan

[link here]

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Those of you who know Angie, know that she can weave a tale that will feed both your mind and soul... Her ability to take you on an imaginary journey is one of her lovely gifts... Another is her generosity of spirit. I was lucky enough to win a book over at Angie's blog.. entitled 'French Women Don't Sleep Alone'.. Sadly it's still packed in a moving box so I don't have a photo.. but perhaps I should get to that unpacking and see if these pearls of wisdom can quite possibly shift the 'spinsterish' state of my being!!!

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Thank you dear Angie... your stories and friendship brighten our world

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McCarthy Designs

[link here]

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And most recently.. I won four tickets to the upcoming Better Homes and Gardens expo from lovely Nellie at McCarthy Designs blog. I'm pretty excited about this win as hopefully I am going to meet up with another blogger to attend [more about that later].. So Dear Nellie your generous and thoughtful gift will be spreading even more joy and hopefully I'll get some shots of the day to share with you all.. My tickets arrived with this fabulous card [below] shot by her talented husband Nick .... This card is extra special too as these very same red phone booths play an important role in my teenage memories... long hours in conversation with best buddies and hopeful romances were spent inside these very same red phone booths.. which.. no longer exist in Sydney..

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Thank You So Much Nellie & Nick

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Phew.. Still With Me?

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I've also been the recipient of some lovely awards from generous blogging friends which I'll bring you in another post.. I suspect you may already think me greedy!!!... But... One more gift to show today, Is the lovely pink rose in my front garden. The first for spring and hopefully many more to come. So that's it for now.. Greedy Julie signing off till next post... September's Full Moon... serendipity permitting. Thanks to all the wonderful bloggers who sent me these gifts.. If you get a chance, pop over and visit a few via the links above.

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IMAGE SOURCE:

All text & photography by me - [Being Ruby©]

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Ode To Spring: Come Back We Love You!

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Spring Is On My Doorstep

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Bye Bye Winter

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Hello Spring

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... You are finally here my friend...

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Not just a favourite season.. but also a frame of mind..The flowers know it is spring....everywhere I look spring is blossoming out all over... and with that comes the feeling of excitement and renewal ... new growth... new adventures... new hope... ... a clean slate!!! and the world coming alive with colour!! ... Even the weather has changed on cue!! Longer days & warm breezes heralding springtime....I've gone to sleep in winter.. and woken with the spring!!!

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Time to spread my wings and dream a little dream. To make like a butterfly and flit from flower to flower... to swim in the salty goodness of the sea and cleanse my body and spirit... to be a wild thing.... and run bare footed in the fields... To dream a little dream.....

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... Thank you spring.. You have come back into my life ...

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To all my readers in these great southern lands

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Happy Spring!

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[photography & artwork by me - beingRuby©]

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Spring Has Stage Fright

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THE DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES: It seems spring its a little shy... September 1 she burst onto the stage, adorned with blossoms and sunshine.. Her opening number of warm breezes and bird song was a huge success... The crowds cheered and adored her with a standing ovation, thrilled to witness this long awaited spectacle.. And then.... as the sun set on the first performance, she hid under the protective cloak of mother winter... Seems stage fright had set in.. The bright spotlight sun had dazzled and confused her.. Spring is missing and hasn't returned for her second act.. I'm sure she'll be back... Sure it was just first day jitters... So my post today is for you dear Spring.. Sweet child of the seasons... Don't be afraid.. we loved you from our first sighting and know you will be a tremendous success.... Come back little spring.. your faithful bird friends and loving audience await you!!!

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Thank You Fabulous Readers and Followers

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Thanks to everyone for your continued support ... and hi out there to new followers!!!!

The 'Julies' thank you all for your fabulous response to the giveaway and wish you all good luck with the draw.. and if you haven't had a chance to enter yet ...Just click on the button below

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entry is open till midnight Friday 10th September [sydney time]

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IMAGE SOURCE:

All Text, Photography & Artwork by me - [Being Ruby©]

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THIS HAS BEEN ANOTHER RUBY TIME PRODUCTION:

Produced in association with: 'Spring', The Colour 'Pink' and 'MAC in the box'

'Spring Blossoms' prefer to stay at Ritz Carlton during production shoots

[Ruby would prefer to stay at the Ritz Carlton too!]

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'Spring Blossoms' and are;

Dressed by: Nature

Footwear by: Mother Earth

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SPRING Giveaway: Chic Little Shop

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Spring Is Here

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Happy Spring Everyone in the southern hemisphere!!! With spring comes new beginnings.. and spring blossoms everywhere... I'm very excited about the arrival of spring here in Australia.. So excited I have put together some spring blossoms for you.. but have decided to postpone it for a bit! ......No not Spring itself [I'm not that good!!] ...... Just my Spring Blossoms post... It will be coming up soon [my 200th post!] ... but right now I'm more excited about sharing some other new beginning with you... a new Etsy shop and a spring giveaway.

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.... Introducing ....

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Chic Little Shop Etsy

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My dear friend Julie of 'Chic Little Shop' blogspot has just opened her New Esty Shop. To celebrate the opening, and the arrival of spring, she has kindly offered THREE of her French Inspired Linen Cushion Covers to one of my readers ... Yes... All three to one winner...

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The talented and generous Julie is another Aussie blogger .. and was one of my first followers.. Last year you may have seen me post the wonderful tote bag Julie created for me. Actually 'tote' bag is a poor description for the exceptional quality of workmanship that went into Julie's creation. So if my lovingly created bag is anything to go by... I expect her cushion covers will be of the same high standard.

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Here is a sample to tempt your taste buds

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French Inspiration

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How about New York?

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Some Aussie Flavour?

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Or Good Old Fashioned Love!

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Style Notes

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All Julie's designs are printed on quality Belgium Style linen in a natural oatmeal colour. A hidden zipper ensures a professional finish and allows easy removal for cleaning.. There are currently 9 designs available.. all in a square 42cm x 42cm size which is a perfect fit with a standard 45cm x 45cm insert.

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How to Be In It To Win It

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As you all know I like the number THREE so there are three chances to win;

And Entry is Open to Any Reader Anywhere In The World

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1: Just leave a comment mentioning which of Julie's Cushion Covers you would like to win ... [to see all NINE of her fabulous range pop over to her Etsy via this link here ... [Chic Little Shop Etsy]

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2: If you are a new or existing follower of either mine or Julie's blogs.. Leave a separate comment for a second chance

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3: For a third chance.. post or display the giveaway button on your blog.. and leave a separate comment letting us know that too!

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!! Don't forget to leave separate comments for extra chances!!

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The giveaway will remain open until midnight Friday 10th September [sydney time]

... and the winner announced shortly after...

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Good Luck Everyone - Have A Great Week

... and ...

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Project Genesis

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Pop over to my friend Suzan at Old Grey Mare blogspot for this month's Project Genesis

For ideas to save our planet

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GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED - THANKS FOR ALL YOUR LOVELY ENTRIES

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IMAGE SOURCE:

Spring Flower Images: Photography & Artwork by me - [Being Ruby©]

Cushion Cover Images: Chic Little Shop

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