Looking back

I took these pictures early this morning, they're what I am seeing sitting on my lounge looking back to my rear fence. Everything is in bloom, the air is crisp and I can feel Autumn on it's way.

A lot has happened when I look back on the week that has just been.  I think it will be one we won't forget.

Ellie turned 18 months, seems more grown up than ever and we love her to bits.  Additionally, on Thursday night we had a big scare.  She decided to taste test a small bean from the tree you see in the far left background here - it's seeds are poisonous, especially to young children.  When I tried to instruct her not to eat any more, she defiantly picked up another, chewed it and swallowed it before I could stop her.

A day later, calls to the poisons information centre and a few gastro symtoms on her behalf, she is fine.  But it was an anxious evening, I can tell you.

And yesterday morning, we received word that Shayne's dear Grandmother passed away.  She was a lovely, generous and hospitable lady who's passing was quite unexpected, and she will be missed by all of us.  We were blessed to be able to see her shortly last weekend, but none of us were aware it would be the last time.

So a few milestones, and big events and lessons learned this week.  But now to look forward - Today I'm off to my very first full day of crafting with crafty buddies!  I can't wait.  See you soon! 

My creative space.

This week my creative space has been all about soft wool flannel, chocolate felt, pins, thread, and a sweet little pair of legs (some of you may recognise these feet).  

Can't show too much more, but I promise to reveal when I can!

As always, there are many more creative spaces over at Kootoyoo.  Head on over and take a peek! 

Good one.

I'm just starting out on the child-art path, but this is such a great idea posted over at Design*Sponge, I just had to send you over there for a read.  Very cool idea.

[images by Kate Headley via design*sponge]

Good one Design*Sponge!

Love this vintage...

Set of Victorian gothic keys from here.

Seriously, I would buy these if I lived in the right place.

Petits Details

Have you visited the Petits Details blog?  If not, and you are into French, linen, vintage, and embroidery, then this is a blog for you.

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I've been following Petits Details for a while now, and really love it - I find it such an inspiring place to visit.  So fresh and simple.

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Love this vintage...

Wooden pull-along xylophone player from here.  So cute.  

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I know a certain little person who would ADORE this.

My creative space.

Not so much crafting going on this week in my creative space. A little but not a lot.

Here's a little of the creativity I've been up to....

Baking dark chocolate cupcakes with yummy dark chocolate icing.

Finding new and interesting ways of creating meals that please her Majesty and yet still provide a healthy alternative (psst... this Women's Weekly book is great.)

Finding new and interesting ways to entertain Her Majesty (here we have moved kiddie couch to the doorway to enjoy an enormous storm).

And squeezing in about a half hour all week to try and start on a little baby gift for a friend.  'Forcing in' is perhaps a better choice of words.

If you want to see more creativity, visit here.

Free stuff I love: Valentines (or anytimes)

In principle, my husband and I aren't really Valentines Day people.  I guess we just think that we don't need a special day to tell us that we should look after each other.    Personally  however, I think some parts of it are kind of nice.  Not that we should all celebrate the day together in an over the top 'I never buy you flowers, but today I will because I have to' kind of way, but it's nice when you can give or make something for anyone in your life who needs and likes to know you love them.

Now I still prefer a non-Valentines Day 'I love you', but here are my five favourite free things to make that I've seen around the web.  Maybe you might like to give them a try.  Just don't forget to use them anytime,  not just next weekend!!!


1.  Simple Heart Sachet's at Crafty Pod

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2.  Embroidery Heart pin at Maggie Makes

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3. Recycled Heart Garland by Oh So Crafty

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4.  Eye Pillow (and it's not a pink heart!!) from Chubby Hobby

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5.  Crocheted Hearts Drawstring bag at Between the Lines

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There you have it!  Enjoy Wednesday!

ps.  I've decided that Free Stuff will appear a little less frequently than it did last year, but keep a look out on Wednesdays for it.  It's just a lot of work and time to prepare the post and I seem to be running very short of that lately!

Thanks!  xo

Love this vintage...

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1950's ivory dress from Timeless Vixen Vintage.  Beautiful, would be great as a wedding dress.

And a gorgeous back too.  Oh, and I love the lace as well.  

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Sigh.

OK.  So I've just seen this over at Poppytalk.

And now I must have it.

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Goosebumps everytime I read or watch this scene.  I know, hopeless romantic I am.

My creative Space...

My creative space needed a little New Years organisation.  One of my main sewing / creative space problems is that I store stuff in the spare room and bring it out to sew in the dining room, and end up with threads all over the table and the floor, so this is my attempt at having some sort of gathering basket for the loose ends and trimmings.  So far it seems to be working OK.

I made my fabric bucket using this lovely tutorial.  Great instructions and very easy, but the basket turned out so much smaller than I had anticipated.  It is literally half the size I had expected (it's 9cm x 11cm at the base).  I originally thought I would next time double it's size, but I have to say that this tiny little fellow is growing on me.  Quite cute in size small I say.

Fabrics here are vintage cotton curtains (exterior top), IKEA blue heavyweight cotton (exterior base) and Japanese lightweight cotton lining.

 

I'm very happy creative spaces are back, and sad I missed the first one last week!  If you'd like to pop over, you can see many more over at Kirsty's.

Free Stuff I love: Donna Hay

Most of us here in Australia with any sort of interest in cooking and baking have a Donna Hay book on the shelf .    But I'm not sure everyone would have you been to her website.  Have you?

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If not, then click here.  I highly recommend it if you're wondering what to have for dinner.  I made chilli chicken cashew noodles the other evening and it was YUM!!

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Good one.

This looks so easy peasy.  I think maybe I need to do it today.

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Good one Bakerella.

Love this vintage…

Hi everyone!  As you can see, I’m continuing this year with vintage lovelies on a Monday. Do you like this segment?  I hope so.  Do you hate it?  I hope not, and I’d love to hear what you think either way, so please do let me know in your comments.

How was your weekend?  Great I hope!  Mine was mega busy as a result of an accidental double-booking requiring me to be in 2 places at once that were 2 hours apart.  It really pays to use your diary properly at my house.  Ah, well.  Lets just say we did a lot of driving around yesterday, and lesson learned.  I had a good day anyway.

So for the first time in 2010, I’d like to tell you that I love this vintage teacup from here.  It’s sweet, and I think perhaps I’m going to keep a lookout at op shops and vintage markets for some nice ones like this from now on.

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Have a lovely week!  xo