Thursday, September 30, 2010

FREE POSTAGE on New Cushion Collection

I have just sent our my monthly newsletter, nothing like scraping it in the last day of the month.
You will notice if you joined this month I am offering FREE POSTAGE on my cushions until 18th October.
You can join via my blog, the right hand side, or ask me about it, & I am happy to pass on the same deal.

I have been receiving some great feedback on the cushions which is just great.
Also I have just added 2 personalised designs, one for the boys, and one for the girls.


Stay tuned for more to come.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

My Love For Tiffany

I have an obsession....Her name is Tiffany. There is something about her classy, aqua blue personality that makes me smile. I have been a fan for sometime now, and nearly fell over when I came across this lovely little book in which I am currently reading.

"Summer at Tiffany" by Marjorie Hart.

This is a true story about two college debs from Iowa, that travel to New York City to find a summer job. They land a job of a life time, at Tiffany's, a dream job for any girl in the 1940's.
I am just loving it, reading a story of diary entries from Marjorie Hart herself, reliving the summer of her dreams. It was a time when ladies were ladies, when they wore gloves, hats, stockings, and full summer dresses. Men were charming, you were asked to dances, and courting made you blush. Her experiences at Tiffany are adorable, especially when there is a little visit from the amazing "Judy Garland". It's a great, easy read that allows my mind to wonder what life would have been like then. A movie based on it would be the icing on the cake for me!


I must admit....Although I just adore handmade goods, I love my indulgences too.
I own two Tiffany pieces which I just adore. My necklace and my bracelet, which I wear everyday without fail. There is something about Tiffany that makes me smile, I think it's the simplicity of their designs, and as already mentioned, the beautiful aqua that makes my heart sing. The big question for me is what will be Charlotte's first piece?
I've admitted to one of my indulgences, what do love to to indulge in?

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Dog and his bone

I love dogs, I think they really have a positive impact on people's lives.
When it's said man's or woman's best friend, it is so true.
I have a dog, he is a boxer and his name is Jasper. Before I had my kids he was my kid, my fur child, my world. We walked together every day, I accept he isn't very good on a lead, or with other dogs, a bit rowdy, and sometimes quite silly. He is at the older end of his life now, and unfortunately I don't get to spend as much one on one time with him anymore.
Daily I feel guilty about it, his big sad eyes look at me.

What I am getting at, he still follows me, sits beside me, hovers around me at meal time, and accepts that he isn't number one anymore, but is faithful and will always be there.
He is still my best friend no matter what.

My newest design is not of a boxer, not even Jasper, but is inspired by his playful and silly nature. Simple pleasures of a dog and his bone.


Saturday, September 25, 2010

Tomorrow's Market

Tomorrow I will be exhibiting at the news children's market, Monkey Market.
I will have some new cushions not yet listed on show, also some brand spanking new bookmarks.
It's a launch market, so if you feel like some retail therapy come down and check it out.
Also a great time to start thinking about.......CHRISTMAS....presents!!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Have a great weekend xx

Do you like my photo? I took that today, it's quite pretty I thought for a WEED!!
Who would have known? After some amazing tips I have learnt from the Decor8 blogging your way course, I am looking at things so differently behind the lens. So much so, the product in my store front has been a little neglected this week.

So what's up for the weekend?

I will be home tomorrow catching up on some mundane, yet extremely overdue chores.
I hate housework, and don't EVER get obsessive over it. I just can't keep the dreamy picture perfect home anymore. Especially with 2 kids, it's all about keeping the crumbs, spilt drinks, sticky finger prints and toys under control, as it's absolutely impossible to stop.
On Saturday the AFL football grand final is on also, so I'll have that on in the background to listen to. While hubby watches I will take advantage of some peace and quiet to work, I am behind on my Tiges and Weince newsletter, I have no idea what stock I have, and I also need to build some stock up.

On Sunday I will be attending a new market, Monkey Market, specialising in just baby and children's product. You can click here for details.

Whatever your plans are for the weekend, I hope it's a fabulous one.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Recipe - choc avocado dessert

I am not normally one to post a lot of recipe's, but when I find something easy & delicious I have to let the world know about it. I received the other day my free
'Coles Baby & Toddler Magazine Spring 2010' addition.
It's quite a good read, if you haven't subscribed I would. As I was flicking my draw dropped
CHOC AVOCADO DESSERT
Yummy..... How could I resist not giving this a try.
It took me exactly the 10 minutes it advised, I only did half the quantity just in case it was foul, and I popped it in the fridge while we ate dinner.
Can I tell you what a decadent treat, trust me you have to give it a go.
My version is in the little red container photographed, and I have to shamefully admit Hudson didn't get to try 1 of them because I ate them.
Yes I am a terrible mother.


The details......
2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup maple syrup
2tbsp coconut shredded
1/2 cup drinking chocolate

PLACE all ingredients in a blender & blend until smooth. If the mixture needs sweetening add a little more maple syrup. (I found it to have a dark chocolate taste)

POUR into serving dishes & refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Perfect for toddlers to dip fruit cubes in the mixture.

Let me know what you thought if you make it.

Finding Inspiration

It's a wonderful thing inspiration, and I am a big believe that it finds you when you least expect it. Last week while flicking through my 'Better Homes and Garden' BAM, this image caught my eye. It was fresh, subtle, and had such a vintage yet shabby appeal.
The thought of hanging in my home made my heart sing. I thought it was so beautiful, so I knew I had to use this inspiration somehow, in my on way.

So I created a new cushion, added some more colour, made sure it was pretty, it had to be really girly, and I used some words that make me happy.
When has inspiration found you? How does it usually find you?
What beautiful things have you done with it?

Monday, September 20, 2010

A green meadow in my yard

When you first look at this photo, you may think it was a nice spring photo of my son, at the park, looking from behind some lovely yellow flowers budding away.
It's not....
With all of the continuous rain the last couple of months, combined with a busy weekends, it's actually the poor old state of my back yard. It's never been a 'designer' back yard space, as much as I would dream of one, but it was a clean and clear area suitable for a 2 year old, to run and play on his outdoor equipment.
Although the rain is slowly easing off, my poor old husband can't even get out there to clear it.
Everything is so damp, too damp to mow, and too damp for a whipper snipper.
Poor old Hudson is itching to get out there after being cooped up for so long, but when the grass is up to his shoulders, it's a little hard.

There is one positive....
That's after I have cleared the whole space, which is going to be a hell of a lot of work, it's going to be a great opportunity to freshen it up. Treat it like a blank canvas.
I consider myself a fairly creative person, but when it comes to gardening, I have nothing, nada, zero, zilch idea as what to do.
I have watched all the gardening shows, but I just don't have those budgets.
My sister inlaw bought me a Better Homes and Gardens subscription for my birthday so I have been collecting ideas from there. I am not a green thumb either, I would rather be drawing on my computer, or sewing.
I would love it if anyone can suggest any inspirational and cost effective visual materials
for me to look at, and get inspired over?
I will keep you posted on the developments.
Yikes!!



Saturday, September 18, 2010

A night out with Mary

Hubby and I are off to night to see "Mary Poppins".
These tickets were given to me for Christmas last year, and it feels like it's been the longest wait.
I love musicals, my love for them probably started when I was old enough to buy my own tickets. I love the whole experience of seeing a theatre show, my mind relaxes, I never stop smiling and I just indulge myself entirely. The story, the music, colour, and my favourite part the costumes captivate me. I feel like a kid in a candy store, my eyes dart from left to right, and up and down. I guess you could say my peripheral vision is on high alert trying to see everything that is happening on the stage. I will let you know on Monday what I thought.
Has anybody else seen it? What did you think?


Friday, September 17, 2010

madeit find - sunhats

At the moment the weather in Melbourne is a tease.
One minute the sun is out, strong and bright.
Next minute it's shy and hides behind the clouds.
When it does decided to show it's warm rays, my little baby doll (Charlotte), is squinting uncontrollably. Time to start deciding what sunhat is best for her.
The selection below from madeit designers is making it hard for me to choose.


Thursday, September 16, 2010

Pink Treasury

To follow on from my pink post yesterday, my pink French Poodle & Eiffel Tower iron on transfers were chosen along side these other fabulous items.
The treasury was curated by planetalissa

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I love pink

I love pink always have.
I tried to fight it when I was growing up, especially in my early teenage years.
It was too pretty to be cool back then, we were discovering black, black and more black.

I still love pink, it makes my heart sing.
As I got older I learnt to appreciate how feminine it is, how it made me feel, and that things always look prettier in pink.

Then Charlotte came into my world, and my love affair was revived.
Pink, pink and more pink.
Is there any other colour for my baby doll?
I can't help it, she wears pink in all shades, from soft pink, to lolly pink, to fuchsia pink, to raspberry pink.

Here are all of my favourite pink items.

Polka dot paper - Hot pink scissors - Fuchsia pink pain - The Passionate Shopper, a favourite book of mine - A pink flower hair clip, always for special occasions - I love pink gingham - Raspberry pink paint swatch card - Charlotte's pink Dunlop Volley sneakers - Pink spotty ribbon - My beloved pantone fan - My itty bitty owl - Charlotte's stripey pink cloth rattle

Monday, September 13, 2010

This caught my eye today

How adorable is this?
A babushka wheat heat pack.

MMM when it's quiet

Much to my delight Hudson has taken to drawing with crayons.
I have been waiting to watch him draw his scribbles of colour for some time, but until now he doesn't seem to have been very interested. Lately he has been scrawling over his giant size jumbo sketch pad, drawing on old nappy boxes, and has even found enjoyment drawing on peoples faces in the newspaper.

Yesterday again, a request, 'crayons please mummy', so out they came with a brand spanking new piece of paper. Silly me thought he would be fine while I did a couple of mundane chores. I peeped around the corner once or twice, and he hadn't moved from his spot so I carried on. Not more than five minutes later he came to me looking as proud as punch asking "mummy see' with his chubby little hand out to lead me to see his master work.
Instead I was treated to his little plasma screen, all coloured in with a lovely black waxy crayon.

Thrilled? Not.... Again another lesson learnt, never trust quiet with a 2yr old.



Sunday, September 12, 2010

Busy, Busy Sunday

How was your Sunday?
Mine was busy Sunday.
A trip to Baby Bunting,
stopped by Good Guys & bought a new juicer,
then off to get fruit & veg, stopped by Lincraft,
stocked up at chemist warehouse,
then home for a major clean up.
Phew.......
Instead of that I wish I had slept in,
saw a movie,
grabbed a quiet coffee,
some retail therapy,
then finish it with a Swedish massage.

Now that would be a Sunday to remember.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Things that caught my eye

In celebration of my new found inspiration for photography, I just had to post this print today.

Leslie from the amazing A Creative Mint blog, has been giving some wonderful tips on how to photograph your product. She is a fellow teacher on the wonderful "Blogging Your Way' course I am currently undertaking, courtesy of Decor8. Lets hope all that I am learning pays off?
I will let those that read my blog be the judge of that!!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

New 8x8 Cushions

I am still exploring different ways to use my artwork.
So many ideas but restricted resources at this stage, and more than anything restricted time.

I have added a new cushion size 8x8 inch.
Its a perfect little size to add a unique an original cushion to your bed, couch or favourite chair.
Here is my first design.

This caught my eye today

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

This caught my eye today


Rain, rain and more rain

No sure if you know, but in Victoria it's been pouring rain.

We have been in drought so long, water restrictions have mad life with a green lush garden almost impossible. I honestly can't remember so much rain. I live in the north of Melbourne and the down pour has been pretty horrific some days here, but nothing in comparison to what some have been dealing with in rural Victoria..
Our dams are on the rise which is wonderful. But now there is horrendous flooding in the state, to the point families are having to leave their homes. I couldn't imagine how heart wrenching this may bee, or even scary. Mother nature can somewhat be very cruel.


Thursday, September 2, 2010

Latest Bird Iron On Transfers

You may recognise these birds?
You may not?
These are my birds that I use a lot in my drawings, you will find on bookmarks and prints.
They have always been a favourite of mine and popular with customers, so I thought it was time to turn them into an iron on transfer.
Available in my madeit store and etsy.


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

When inspiration found me

While flicking through a magazine today I was really inspired by this photo.
It's funny how inspiration finds you, at the most random times.
I just love how the mail is bundled, even though it's only half a photo.


So I sat down with my sketch pad, pencils and eraser and just drew.
Below is my interpretation. I am wanting something fresh and clean colour wise, maybe lots of strawberry pink and apple greens? Spring is here and I love using colour. I think I might use my ink pens and some watercolour, some fabric on there could be good to, MMMMM I am not sure. Decisions...Decisions...Stay tuned.