A Blog Give-Away From Around The World!

I have blogged before about Cathy at ma vie trouvee.  She is a remarkable artist, a frequent contributor to the Stampington magazines and a world traveler who takes me along on her adventures via both her blogs. You can see even more photos from her travels on The X-tra Suitcase.  If you haven't visited her blogs you are missing out on a delightful time and a great blog friend!  I came home tonight to find a surprise package in the mail.  Warning, this is a long post because her generosity is remarkable!

 When we first "met" she was living in Belgium.  She has since moved to Singapore which is not at all the way I would have imagined if not for her.  These are all little bags and not something I would ever find here.  I adore the ones with the flowers!

 She gifted me a huge selection of Asian papers.  I love all the tiny treasures and bling!

 I don't know where it is coming from because there is no incense in the package but the fragrance in my art room in wonderful and I hope it stays forever!

 Click the pictures bigger so you can read her notes.  I should have spread out the papers in the clip because there are many, many sheets in beautiful designs.

 How sweet that she would be reading a magazine and think of me and it is in FRENCH for crying out loud! Beautiful pillows decorated with appliqued doilies.  It smells SO good in here.

 Candies.  I cannot wait to try the ones in the yellow wrappers.  Butter and salt, two of my favorite things!

 Sparkly buttons from Laos and how sweet is that little envelope of lace trims that says "My laces are kept in my favorite case"!  Did you notice the pink sewing measuring tape peeking out in the corner?  The measurements are in both inches and centimeters.  I don't know which is the standard in Singapore but I was surprised to learn from Cathy that their official language is English.

 Oh.My.Gosh.  I remember the blog post about her visit to Myanmar and this vintage glass button will have a very special place in my collection.

 This bracelet is made of paper beads made from magazines.  The proceeds benefit women and children in Cambodia.  More about that box in the upper right later.

 I cannot read the words, of course, so at first I thought this box might contain incense and explain the fragrance.  I opened it up and realized it is an herbal remedy for the "Heaty Tummy" she blogged about here.  When I read the post I commented that I would buy it just to get the little metal vials and here it is!

 The red paper is the most delightful little envelopes and check out that ornament on the right.  Beautiful!

 The butterfly is a souvenir from Cambodia and I love that paper dragonfly.

 The prettiest chopsticks (I have tried and have no talent!) for that!  I am still trying to figure out the little brocade bag.  It was commericaly packaged with the assortment of little trinkets and I'm thinking it might be a kit to make a talisman-type bag??  There is a paper inside the pink packet but I haven't opened it yet.

This is a box of white Geisha face powder.  I was apprehensive about opening it and, sure enough, some of the powder jumped out!  Check out Cathy's post here to read what ELSE this powder is used for.

Here is what the contents look like, just in case I want to get "the look".  All I need is some red lipstick.  Probably not but nice to know I could if I wanted to!  It has a flowery smell so that isn't where this remarkable fragrance is coming from.  Love it!

Cathy, thank you SO much.  Your friendship was plenty and this treat is over the top!