Smelling Lavender

I have been so drawn to the colour lavender lately, it's not normally a colour I would gravitate usually.

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My main reasons for it as it's definitely a soothing & calming colour. Lately I have been having some reiki done as I have been feeling a bit out of whack. That out of whack feeling is a hard one to explain, for me it's a feeling of being a bit blocked, when simple creative tasks or concentration seem to be a touch harder. Reiki is the most beautiful therapy for clearing your chakra & re balancing yourself. It's also a brilliant treatment for me as I can tend to feel a little stressed & anxious, especially when I have too much on my plate, which is always.

At my last treatment I was advised to pop a few drops of lavender oil on a tissue & pop in in my bra. The reason basically as when the body gets a little stressed it heats up which will then activate the lavender. Which in turn I will breath in & give me a calming feeling. I have been doing it for a few days now, & I actually love it more than I thought I would. I was paranoid I would smell like a potpourri bowl, but it's nothing like that at all. It's also been fantastic as it's made me quite aware of when I feel hurried, or a touch anxious as I can smell it. It's making me aware, which has also been great as I can sit back & make a conscious effort of taking 5 & just relax.

I am also actually loving the different shades of lavender, and seeing it was nominated as colour of the year 2014 by pantone, Radiant Orchid, it has to mean something doesn't it?

I hope your Friday is a relaxing one.

Neon Love

Spring has hit here in Australia, some parts being warmer than others obviously, but it still showing the same trends. If you haven't seen slowly the last few months of gorgeous neon brights hitting the stores and streets, you must have had your dark glasses on.

Personally I am just loving it, it must be that late 80's child coming out in me, but I am just loving how something so incredibly bright can still have so much class and style. I have put together a treasury via Etsy, of some of the gorgeous pieces out there on offer to snap up.

So gorgeous

I am completely in love with the gorgeous wooden bowls & spoons. Not to mention the artwork. jewellery and other accessories, actually all of it. You can go here to read more information on any of the above products.

Have a happy & bright day,
Kylie x

New colour palette

It feels like this has been one of the longest weeks of my life. I think I officially have cabin fever. Both kids have been sick, & hubby has man flu eek! I don't feel too bad, I think I could potentially have a cold, but I am so busy I just keep pushing it to the side. I'll be very happy if it keeps playing dormant & doesn't rear that ugly lurgy head.

Today was a productive day work wise for me. Both the kids & hubby were on the couch watching movies most of the day. I encouraged lots of rest, as I don't think I could bear another week home.

While they lay I planned, planned and planned. I love planning!! I find it quite elating, the feeling of getting organised is quite cleansing. Especially for me as my life always feels so turbulent.

At the moment I am planning the design and development for my Quirky and Quaint business. The collection is a combination of Tiges and Weince products, & other amazing brands. 

My next catalogue is due out in September & I have so much to complete by the end of the month. 

This afternoon I focused on my colour palette for the season. This is such a HUGE part of developing a cohesive range. I has taken me a while picking an choosing, as it's vital to keep best selling colours, but even more important to add injections to new season colours.

With summer coming I had to make sure the colours were clean and bright, which is my style and what I love anyway. I love creating palettes it's something I could play around with all day. This is a snap shot from my computer. I know when my colours are what I want as I look with ease and my yes move from one colour to another with stopping.  It just flows....sounds odd but very true!

If you like what you're seeing you can be guaranteed these lovelies will pop up soon in my Tiges shop.

Cushion Love on Friday - 8

I love colour!

I know you know that!

Today I wanted to search for some stunning bright & bold cushion designs.

I am positive the gorgeous cushions I have found would definitely brighten up any dull space you may have at home.

Oh I love this crochet design & could see myself sitting on that outside.

Image source

A fellow madeit store "Henrietta and Morty" cushion....I LOVE how simple this is, I am a fan of stripes so this sings straight to me.

What a great twist on a classic argyle which generally are more monotone or quite subtle.

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So simple & bright.

Image source.

Have a bright and happy Friday everybody xx

Colour palettes - how do you find yours?

When you are about to start your next design, piece of art or craft project, what is the next thing you think of after making the decision of what you're creating? For some this process may even come first.

Everyone finds there own colour palettes somehow, it's either already made up in their head, or kind of know what colours they would like to use......But just not sure how they want to coordinate them, or with what other colours.

Even though I draw constantly, it doesn't mean I don't get stuck for colours. I generally tend to gravitate to certain palettes, but I too get bored & need other options and inspiration. After flicking around online & in mags, I then go to my faithful companion, which also a companion to many others.

Colour Lovers

For me this is a dictionary, even a bible of colour & print inspiration. I use it mainly for colour, & not much else. There are a tonne of other things on there you can use, but I only want to share my solution for colour palettes.

When you arrive there & you have had a look around, head over to the SEARCH tab & a drop box will appear. Click on palettes.

This is where my fun begins.

Where is says Keyword this is where you type in the colours you would like to search. Just because I can't help myself I typed in my 2 favourite colours I love coordinating together.

Turquoise & Raspberry (don't need to put in the &), hit search palettes.

A whole collection of colour palettes will appear with the 2 main colours you have searched for. Some will be tonal, others will be so unexpected & even coordinated with colours you never dreamed of teaming together. Ooohhh I just love that!!

These are palettes that others within the Colour Lovers community (which you can join), have created themselves and offer to share with everyone.

After doing my search, this is the palette that made my heart sing the most. If you click on your selected colour palette, a new window will show you who created it, & a break down of the palette itself. It's so lovely.

I did exactly the same thing with these colours. With boys in mind I searched navy taupe olive, and this is the palette that stood out for me.

Lastly to give you a bigger example I typed the key word rainbow, & look at what came up. I absolutely love all of the different interpretations others have when creating what they think are rainbows of colour. Just beautiful!

I could spend hours on here, & will admit I have, just playing around. I have had to limit my time & go in there when I am stuck & use it for my own purpose. When I am stuck & need a boost of inspirational colour. I hope it helps you when you're in a colour block situation.

Enjoy xx

Charlotte's Party

If you didn't know it was Charlotte's 1st birthday on Saturday. An event I went all out on, creating a lady bird theme. If weren't aware you can read more here and here.

I just wanted to post a couple of photo's to show you all the end result.

Little Miss Charlotte, in her red tutu, something I had been saving for here to wear for ages. Unfortunately she wasn't in the mood for photo's at this point.

I am in love with this cake, it was better than I ever expected. I baked the rich chocolate delight, in dome pyrex glass bowls and cut off the top so it would sit flat. I mixed the butter icing but that was it. My lovely friend decorated the cake for me, hence it looking so damn good. Thanks Mardi xx

The table before the party goers arrived.

Not the greatest family photo, but the best of the bunch unfortunately. Charlotte was over it & Hudson decided to throw a whammy. KIDS!!!!

One thing I have learnt with kids parties, the kids don't run to your 'intended' schedule. They all didn't sit at the table as I assumed they would. They all didn't want to play pass the parcel, they were just too happy playing, the sun was out and my swing set and trampoline in the back yard was far more exciting. I have a bit more practise to go before I get the hang of these parties, I had some help however the whole time which was awesome.

No more parties to plane for another year.

A Ladybird 1st Birthday Party - Part 1

Charlotte turns 1 on Saturday, I can't believe it, so I thought I would throw her a little party.

I have decided to create a Ladybird theme, I have always loved these little insects. They are so cute, pretty, and have such a friendly persona about them. It also gives me opportunity to use lots of red and pink together, and get my creative cap on.

Birthday parties are so full on now, the themes, the candy buffet's, I felt extremely overwhelmed, until the lovely Amy fromGiggleberry Creations steered me in the right direction of party supplies, and a load of ideas to help my theme come to life. She is a party planning enthusiast. Thanks Amy xx

I have lots to share about what I am doing, but it's all to much for one blog post, so I thought I share the first stages with you. Another reason is, I am a bit 'last minute Lucy', and still have quite a bit to do.

First...The invite, I created that myself, that was the easy part.

The party decor, from Complete Party Boxes. Lots of red and pink in spots and stripes.

Pink spotted lanterns, to be hung over the party table.

Plates, serviettes and cups, all coordinating perfectly.

Cupcake cases, I won't necessarily be putting cupcakes in those. Still yet to be decided.

A party bag for the special guests to take home.

Loving these little party straws (from Spotlight), they don't match my lady bird, I can live with that. They were too cute to not include.

Gorgeous little toad stools which will be used for the cake. I am making the cake, a lady bird of course, and a friend is helping me decorate it as she is pretty damn good at that stuff. So I am thinking the toad stools with have to be on the grass around the cake?? Still to be decided.

I love these party bags and didn't want to fold them shut after they have been filled. So I used the lady bird on my invite and created a circle design and added it to a wooden peg.

It's very exciting, and I need to write a list today of things to compete & mark them off. Some of those include;

Lady bird party bunting

table cloth

gifts for party games

helium balloons

food of course - shopping list - choc crackles for sure mmm my favourite

A little something for each of the take home party bags

I will admit this is a tad exciting, so stay tuned for more.

Colour Combo - Pink & Chartruese

I know we are heading into Winter (apparently), in Australia, but it doesn't mean dark dreary colours for me. No way...you know I am a colour obsessed.

These two colours I absolutely adore together.

While looking around on Etsy today, instead of working teehee, I found a couple of items that were so bright and happy I wanted to share them with you. After finding those, I intentionally went looking for more, and found some other great finds.

They are a such great, yet not always an obvious colour combination for some. When put against a white back drop, they just pop and scream happy, happy, happy. Also beautiful not just as small accessory items, try using them in your home. Splash the colour about in different shades, it doesn't have to be as rich as the shades I have shown you, tone it down.

A little bit of bright can make a statement, how about using the two colours as cushion covers on a dark lounge, there are heaps of prints around in these shades to make your own. Even paint a few boring frames around the house and sit them together with some fab prints. Paints some old vases, or buy some artwork predominantly featuring the two colours. It's just endless. I found this room featuring both colours and it works beautifully. Not so bright it would make it hard to live in, actually quite soft and soothing,

image by ohmigoshblog

If around the house makes you freak, take a look at some of the lovely jewellery pieces I found.

1.PartyPoms 2.TheSilverDog 3.gadgetarmor

4.crafteratlarge 5.fabrickjunkie1640 6.punkynmunky

7.minusOne 8.theotherjeanie 9.BlueVelvetHeart

I hope your're making something colourful today.

Monday's Buy - Moonlight and Whimsy

As I am busily trying to get orders posted before Easter, and also because I am heading away for a few days, I don't have anything "NEW" this week to show you.

Instead I thought I would brag about a few purchases I made online today.

Charlotte is turning 1 soon & I know I want the colours pink & red, with lots of polka dots and lady bugs in the theme. I started with a couple of purchases today from Moonlight and Whimsy. A brand new store I didn't know about, & what a wonderful experience. I loved everything in there it was hard narrowing down what I wanted.

First Buy - The pink polka dot lanterns. They will be great to adorn the birthday party space, and later will look equally impressive in her bedroom.

Second Buy - These gorgeous feather butterflies, I bought the red colour, a pack of 5 of be precise. I will confess they aren't for Charlotte's birthday party but for me. I have a couple of ideas as what I want to do with them, so I will keep you posted. But don't they look great on the cake?

Third Buy - Mushroom Sprays which can be used for any type of decorative whether it be for food or the house. They have wire stems at their base. I am not sure how I will use them, but I am sure I will work it out once I get them, I think they are adorable.

I can' wait for them all to arrive.

New Blog Love

I don't know about you but I can get very excited about a new blog find.

For the life of me I can't remember how I came about it, & it was only this morning. My heart started pumping with excitement when I started reading this blog and discover what it was all about.

Erin is the author of this blog and is obsessed by the colour turquoise, I call it aqua, but it's still the same?? I have this colour right through my house, as a feature wall but in a darker tone, on my walls in that is the palest of shades it's almost white, in my clothes, jewellery, not to mention things that I buy for the kids.

I couldn't believe it when I found it, truly I was singing on the inside. I am still in the middle of decorating my house, so to see the inspiration of how to combine different colours & styling is priceless. As you all know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE colour, so I wanted to share the amazing photo's that I found.

You can read Emma's blog here.

By the way....If turquoise isn't you thing, she has passion for other colour as well and has a web page called "decor by colour", a dedication for so many other colours.

Visit this page to see what I mean.

Colour Me Raspberry

Today I wanted to show my favourite colour, it's what I call,

Raspberry

I am a huge fan of the colours pink and red, and I feel that raspberry sits somewhere in between.

Not really red, not really pink.

It's a rich, strong and vibrant colour that can make you feel warm and cosy. At the other end of the spectrum, I think it's such a fresh and clean colour in the summer months, especially when teamed with white or aqua.

It's a favourite fruit, so useful all year round, fresh is best, but so handy for cooking when frozen.

What shade of raspberry do you love most? I have determined three different types.

A more pink version, a red version, or berry version?

To me they are all delicious.

Some gorgeous raspberry inspired finds on Esty.

1. linkeldesigns

2. cherrycreek

3. GabrielleKai

4. TheWhistlingCowgirl

5. heartsandbows494

Colour Me Green

Green, generally considered the earth colour, the colour we think of when wanting to get back to nature. Green trees, green grass, being green. It's also one of the secondary colours on the colour wheel, made from blue and yellow.

I love green also for a few quirky little saying...It's not easy being green.

Also....Blue & green should never be seen unless there is something in between. What a load of rubbish, but it still makes me giggle.

My favourite shade of green are definitely apple green & lime green, they both in my eyes are bright and cheerful.

With different shades of green available, I have created my "Colour Me Green" colour chart, of my interpretations of the green wheel.

Here are some gorgeous green décor pieces to brighten your happy place!!

1 Hooo loves you baby

2 Organizer Basket

3 Pom Love

4 Freshline

5 Dinosaur bank

Colour Me Yellow

Yellow is one of the happiest colours around.

It oozes summer and spring, happiness and smiley faces.

It's also one of the 3 very important primary colours.

I wanted to highlight it today as I think it's a colour we don't see enough of, mainly I believe is because it's particularly bright. It's definitely a colour of accent, a little bit goes a long way, you know a great highlight piece. It's very unlikely you would see somebody dressed head to toe in yellow, or even a whole room painted in it. I am certainly not saying that is absolute, but generally speaking.

Did you know there are different shades of yellow?

I have done this, as unless you are very accustomed to colour, it's sometimes not obvious to see other base colours coming through. Have you ever heard someone say, gee that yellow looks green? Well that is because the shade has a green base.

I have given a few samples of different shades of yellow.

Below are some fabulous yellow highlight pieces found on etsy that I am positive will brighten your happy place.

1. amye123

2. Mid Western Treasures

3. Creative Butterfly xoxo

4. Critters Jitters

5. Bugs Loft

What are your opinions on the colour yellow?

Lovely Lavender

Lavender a soft and relaxing colour, there isn't anything fiery or bright about it, it's quite soothing actually.

It is a pale tint of violet and resembles the colour of the same plant lavender.

It's a great colour for a girls bedroom, whether you team it together in different shades like I have shown below, or add big burst of colour like hot pink or lime.

1. Pantone Mug with Lavender colour chip

2. Lavender bedroom, a great use of colour by Home Decor Arcade

3. Plush by 5 oragne potatoes

4. Fine art butterfly by Cloud Nine Creative

5. Lavender chair by kidcraft

6. Door knobs by Leilas Loft

7. Purple bottly by Indigo

Colour palettes, what captures your eye?

One of my biggest passions is colour.

It's everywhere, it's what makes the world a beautiful place. It's also something that I always have in mind when I design. Don't get me wrong, I love classic black and white, but it's just comes alive when a dash of raspberry red or aqua blue, even pistachio green. Creating a colour palette is one of my biggest passions. I find nothing more soothing than playing around with my Pantone fan, experimenting with colour, seeing what colours look great together, and also discovering what's not so great. For those who may be unaware of Pantone, is a HUGE colour directory for everything, from fabric, to interiors, to paper.

A lot of people say to me, "But your so good with colour". I actually tend to disagree to a degree, yes I have had a lot of experience with colour, but what I love is not always eye capturing for someone else.

I wanted to show you all my favourite colours, as I said MY FAVOURITE colours. Some of you may look and say, no not for me, others may like my taste. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like bright, airy, and fresh colours that don't feel suffocating.

The deep sea blue is a big colour in my house, a large feature wall in my living room. The nude represents the light timber furniture and vinyl wrap in the kitchen. The other colours are my highlights, colours I tend to gravitate to when decorating. Mind you my house is so far from being decorated to how I want it, it's like everyone's home a work in progress.

I am concentrating this year a lot on colour, and I would love to know what your colour passions are.

Aqua & Red Love Treasury

My red & aqua squirrel iron on transfer was amongst some other gorgeous finds today curated by Little Vintage Cottage. Thank you Tania it is a gorgeous collection.

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

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