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Friday 27 April 2012

Friday Fairy Tales

When I was a little girl, we lived in a tiny town in South Africa, called Zeerust. Back then life was simple. We used to walk to school barefoot, fish for tadpoles in the river, and explore the graveyard whilst making up ghost stories to terrify each other! As it was such a small town, the local library was a stone's throw away from our house. I'll never forget my first trip to the library. It smelled of glue and paper, was serene and quiet, but the best discovery was through it's back windows. Whilst choosing my books, I spotted a crystal clear, blue swimming pool. As it turned out, it was the public pool, and was free to use for all the residents. You can imagine my delight! Every afternoon from then on, was spent either in the pool, or next to it with a good book. This is when I fell in love with Ladybird books. I would read the same fairytales over and over again, and one of my favourites by far was 'The Princess and the Pea'.


I used to love the idea of sleeping on so many mattresses. And I didn't like peas then! The idea of squashing one under all those layers appealed to me in a big way!


I've been wanting to make an applique collage of this quirky tale for some time now, and last night I stayed up until 3:15am doing just that!





Do you have a favourite fairytale that has had a special little nook in your heart since childhood. Do tell us about it! Childhood is so precious. I would love to hear a little about your fond memories!

Happy Friday!

          Tania ♥

14 comments:

  1. Hello, so nice to meet you through Google+. You should definitely link your blog up to your G+ profile. I had to go through your Twitter profile to get here.

    I am so glad I did! What a creative person you are.

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    1. Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your lovely comments! I'm new to G+, so learning the ropes...slowly:) Look forward to chatting a bit more! Have a super weekend! Tania ♥

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  2. Hello my gorgeous Tania! What a delightful post, as always! I enjoy reading your lovely words too! You have such a beautiful way of expressing yourself! You have such a sweet spirit that comes through in all you do! What wonderful and happy childhood memories you have! It all sounds so beautiful! I love your vintage book and I must read that story! Oh! I LOVE the collage you made darling girl! It is gorgeous!!! I love the pretty fabrics and cheerful colors! The princess is so cute! Just look at her crown! I love the quilt, her hair and the little kitty. You did not leave out one detail! I love the bunting too! Such sweetness my friend! I can see why you stayed up so late. I could not have put something like this down either! You are so creative and talented dearest! Sadly, I don't have any fond childhood memories, but I have wonderful memories with my own son. I loved to read Beatrix Potter stories to him and he adored them. We loved her stories and illustrations and spent many hours reading them and so many other books too. Childhood is indeed, very precious, and I was certain to make sure my son would have good memories of his! Thank the Lord! I hope you have a happy Friday and weekend too dear heart! I can't wait to see what you make next! I love how you framed this too! What a treasure you have created! I know you will enjoy it and I am sure your little sweet girl loves this too! Much love to you! xoxo~Paula

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  3. Oops! I meant to say little mouse, not kitty! Love that pea sticking out! :) xo

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    1. Hello sweet friend! I'm so glad you enjoyed this post. It's always very encouraging to read kind words in a reply! I felt saddened when I read that you had no fond memories of your childhood. But, it is a wonderful thing that you are such a good momma to your son, in making sure to create a happy childhood for him. God is good, and it's only through His grace that we can see beyond the hurt and heartache that life sometimes dishes out to us. I'm so encouraged by your faith, and the goodness that flows from your heart! Have a precious, blessed weekend! Much love ♥

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    2. Hello to you darling friend! I enjoyed it very much! Thank you so much sweetie! Your kind words mean a lot to me and touched my heart! Yes, God is so very good and you are right, "it is only through His grace that we see beyond the hurt and heartache!" He has helped me to forgive and has filled my heart with His love and all I want to do is share it with others! I know what it feels like to be unloved and I never want others to feel that way. It just breaks my heart! You are so precious and I thank you for being so loving to me and for your sweet words! I am encouraged by your faith and the goodness that flows from your beautiful heart! I am so thankful the Lord brought you into my life! Though we are far across the pond, we are close at heart! Much love to you! xo~Paula

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  4. Just precious Tania! One of my very favorite stories as a child~!! Thanks for the reminder! ♥♥♥

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    1. Hi Cathy! Thanks for stopping by! Hope your weekend is a good one! Tania ♥

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  5. Hello,
    I found your blog through FaFF at "Sew Many Ways". You have made a lovely collage.
    I grew up out in the country in the middle of Norway. The only library we had in our area was a cupboard in one of the classrooms at our little school. Fairytales were popular, but I think I read most of the books there :-). I also borrowed books from friends. I still remember my first book "Gulltopp ....." I got as a present. It was great!
    My children - especially the girls - have the same interest too. When they were young, I used to read a lot for them.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Hello! Thank you so much for staying a while and leaving such wonderful comments. Of all the places on earth, my biggest desire to visit is Norway. I think it is such a beautiful, charming place. I fell in love with sewing thanks to Norwegian born and bred Tone Finnanger. I love all her books and designs, and when I discovered her, I started more creative sewing. You are blessed! I hope you have a fabulous weekend too! Tania ♥

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  6. Hi Tania, you are such an inspiration to me. I look forward to seeing what you are doing when you post. I love this one of the Princess and the pea. I loved all fairy tales growing up. The thing that amazed me the most is even though we grew up in total opposite parts of the world you and I were doing the same kinds of things as children. My favorite place to read was in the back of my dads van. This was back in the late 70's early 80's. We lived in the mountains at Lake Tahoe and the weather was always cool. I would snuggle up on the bed in the van, open all the windows and read all day. It felt like my own private fort. Thank you for the memories and as always lovely work.

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    1. Hi Tiffany! Lovely to hear from you on here, and thank you for sharing your lovely memories! I think we must have grown up in a very special era, where children explored and played, and were creative in their play! I do try to instill this in my children, but it feels like I'm going against the grain sometimes! I would love to come and visit your part of the world some day! Happy weekend! Tania ♥

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  7. I so adored this story as well! I just think this is the cutest idea! It just looks great!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  8. Hi Susie! Thanks for stopping by, and for leaving a lovely comment. Ooh, I must say, your peach cobbler looks yummo! Blessings, Tania ♥

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