dkshopgirl

cathy michaels design - march feature artist

2012-02-29T17:32:00.003+10:00

Another wonderful Etsy artist I'd like to share with you is the lovely Cathy from Cathy Michael's Design. Cathy is a multi-talented Canadian artist. Her works exudes the enthusiasm she has for life. I'm very proud to be her on-line friend and love her work...

Cathy is a self-taught mixed media artist who dabbles ineverything from painting to journaling to sketching. In addition toworking on her art, Cathy works full time, is a mother to a wonderful 13 yearold son, wife to a wonderful husband and step mom to a beautiful 17 year oldgirl. Because Cathy also works full time, fitting all of this inand leaving time to `create`is a challenge every single day. Neverthelessthere is rarely a day that goes by where there isn`t a sketch, a doodle, or anew journal being started.

Cathy’s shop, aptly named Cathy Michaels Design combiningher name and her son Michaels’s name, makes available many of the itemsshe creates. She loves stocking and re-stocking her shop based on herlatest creative obsessions. Cathy has been published in many of theSomerset Publications including, Artful Blogging, Somerset Life, ArtJournaling and Sew Somerset. She has also been a featured artist onmany blogs including Spoonful and Crescendoh where she writes a heartfelt piece for Jenny’s ArtSaves feature.. You can preview more of Cathy’s work on herblog at http://cathyb.typepad.com. Cathy loves to hear from her readers so let her know what’s on your mind.

Vintage French Book

notecards

collaged tin

text book pages for journalling

Thank you notes

Muslin Bag

Online Workshops

memory lists

paper kit - sold

items available from Cathy Michael's Design

more details:

blog: http://cathyb.typepad.com
shop: http://cathymichaelsdesign.etsy.com
email: cathy.bluteau@videotron.ca

... thank you Cathy for being my feature artist ...

keeping things in perspective

2012-02-28T17:48:00.003+10:00

i'm busy ... you're busy ... we're all busy ...

i don't know about you, but i tend to get very wrapped up in my life, work, looking after the family and sometimes forget to sit down and take a break ...

i saw this and thought it was worth pinning and blogging..

simple messages are usually the most effective ...

~ find something wonderful every day ~

phillipa leith

2012-02-25T22:10:00.001+10:00

i found this artist on Pinterest today and her work literally made my mouth drop open ...

UK artist Phillipa Leith describes herself as a designer - maker. She creates delicate, mixed media pieces with a vintage feel.

truly beautiful work including artist books, bespoke wallpapers and coverings, ceramics, giftware and fashion accessories.

enjoy ~

~ find something beautiful every day ~

french melody - friday find

2012-02-24T23:31:00.000+10:00

tonight i've discovered a fantastic new store on Etsy that i want to share.

Sylvie from French Melody has the most wonderful vintage pieces in her store, for the home ...

... i just want to keep browsing and her fantastic photography makes me feel like i'm right there in her store in France ... sigh ...


... all items currently available in Sylvie's store French Melody

~ find something beautiful every day ~

library and bookstore fetish ...

2012-02-22T20:59:00.000+10:00

i have always had a thing for ... libraries and bookstores ...

me too ...

... yep ... just about sums it up ...

... very easy to lose track of time ...

... just LOVE these old filing systems ...

... and then there are the wonderful ~ books ...

... books ...

... and more books ...

... the king of the Libraries... The Long Room - Trinity College - Dublin ...

... I literally got tingles when I visited The Long Room - it was fabulous ...

... Rizzoli Bookstore in New York, was equally thrilling to be in ...

... hope to visit this bookstore one day ...

... and yes, you guessed it... I considered becoming a Librarian at one stage...


... i love the 'librarian style' ... hmmm ... maybe one day it could be a new career choice?

~ read more books ~

from drawing to toy - a genius idea

2012-02-20T22:49:00.000+10:00

recently stumbled upon a blog called Child's Own Studio ... where a truly amazing Canadian woman - Wendy Tsao is turning children's artworks into soft toys ...

a simple, yet genius idea! ... send one of your children's drawings to Wendy ... and about 2 months later (this time could be delayed now due to her sudden discovery and explosion in popularity) for anywhere between $70 - $120 CAD plus shipping, receive a replica toy!

brilliant! Fantastic! and so darn cute ... congratulations on such an original idea and what a wonderful keepsake for the children (and mums and dads!)

I checked with Wendy before posting, because her workload has literally exploded with her sudden discovery and she wanted me to let all my readers know that on 1st March, she will be launching a list of other talented 'softiemakers', to help deal with the influx of orders! yay!

~ happy and inspirational ~

Disneyland Comics

2012-02-19T13:35:00.000+10:00

this post is insipred by another post I read recently ... Danielle Cresp did a fabulous post on a vintage Disneyland puzzle.

it reminded me about my beloved 'Disneyland Comics' i used to read when i was a kid. every week mum would buy me the latest comic and i would pour over the pages looking at all the pictures and activities. mum would usually read me a comic at night and i would read some of it myself during the week as well...

i saved them for YEARS in the top cupboard of my bedroom and wanted to have them forever... years passed and then i left home, moved around and eventually thought i should get all my 'things' together. suddenly, no-one could find the Disneyland Comics !!! noooooo ... disaster... there was almost 300 of them and so had either been dumped, given away or burnt...

ebay to the rescue... i started buying a few at a time and then ... JACKPOT ... a man in the UK was selling 200 odd comics for one pound! the cost of postage getting them here was the big expense, but now that i have the entire set again... it's completely worth it.

do you have any wonderful treasures that hold lovely memories for you???

Peter Pan was my all-time favourite...

... pretty as a picture ...

... I used to dream about having a dress like Cinders...

... and spent a lot of time doing drawings of Donald, Daisy and the cute Huey, Louie and Dewey ...

only about 1/3 of my complete set... impressive hmmm???

~ vintage memories ~

stylish saturday

2012-02-18T15:22:00.002+10:00

... enjoy your saturday ...

~ elegance and comfort = style ~

diy ~ whirley white balls ...

2012-02-16T21:46:00.001+10:00

as you know ... i love getting on pinterest and finding great things to pin, share and post about.

here's something i found tonight ... i definitely will give this one a go...

... click here to take you to the tutorial ...

~ discovering every day ~

aqua

2012-02-15T00:03:00.001+10:00

... just because i felt like aqua tonight ...

... and i just added my new ribbon ... soon to be available in my Etsy store ...

~ find something beautiful every day ~

virtual valentine

2012-02-13T23:18:00.000+10:00

... yes, i know i've already done a valentines day post, but couldn't resist doing another...

hydrangeas are blue
roses are red ...
if you don't get some flowers
just PIN some instead!

... or just grab something from your garden ...

all images (except the last one) from my pinterest boards...

don't take it too seriously ~ happy valentines day

new york fashion week

2012-02-12T13:38:00.001+10:00

so ... i just found out a couple of days ago that my hairdresser is NOT going to be there when we go to Townsville on Friday... eek! what??? where IS he???

'oh, sorry', he's off to New York Fashion Week came the reply...

silence ... oh ... i remember now... he did tell me that he would be away in February...

well, not disastrous ~ someone else can do my hair, but now i'm insanely jealous that he gets to be in New York ... backstage doing hair for the Sass and Bide shows as well as a few other fabulous Australian designers... and he gets to be in New York ...did i mention that already?

i looked around for some images so here's what he might experience ...

... have YOU ever been to New York for Fashion week??? Tell me how fabulous it was! next time, i might see if he needs anyone to wash out the 'hairsprayed' combs or just hold the scissors...

... an action packed week ...

... in new york ...

... models grabing taxis ...

... ms wintour - front row ... of course...

... models just need a little help with their hair and makeup, before showing us the collections ...

collette dinnigan

chanel

marc jacobs

calvin klein

marc jacobs

... something tasty to keep the models going ...

miu miu

... before they get a 'very fast' taxi across town to the next show ...

michael kors

sass and bide

ralph lauren

another brief snack inbetween changes ...

... prada ...

michael kors hair

tommy hilfiger

and mr hilfiger again ...

and when it's all over, the models get to relax ...

... and have some fun in ..

..fabulous New York City ...


	... and enjoy a lovely dinner together ...

~ fun fabulous fashion week in NYC ;-) ~
... noooo... i'm not jealous ...

studio botanica

2012-02-09T21:56:00.000+10:00

have discovered yet another wonderful store on Etsy and wanted to share ...

~ feast your eyes on the elegant creations by Cristy in her store Studio Botanica ~

... so many lovely pieces including jewellery, artwork, moleskine journals, Christmas decorations and sachets ~

enjoy...

~ find something beautiful every day ~

cut flowers

2012-02-09T00:16:00.003+10:00

~ one of my favourite things to do is put cut flowers inside ~

via Pinterest

~ find something beautiful every day ~

valentines day ... big love

2012-02-07T23:06:00.000+10:00

i don't purposely go around making items for 'Valentines Day' in my store, but i do seem to lean towards making things that involve hearts, prettiness and pink...

my husband actually said once ... "I don't need someone telling me there has to be one special day when I should be romantic and nice to my wife" ... awww... (blushing)

we don't live anywhere near shops and in our nearest town (100km away) there is NO florist - actually you have to drive for about 7 hrs East, or 5 hours West before you get to a florist... so every now and then he surprises me with something that's growing 'out in the paddock'... not often enough I say!

anyway, here are a some goodies in my store that could definitely be a lovely 'valentine' if you do like to make the day special ... now if only I could grow me some peonies... or lisianthus... sigh ...

enjoy ~

all items available in dkshopgirl's etsy store

~ love is in the air on valentines day ~

a thing for

2012-02-06T18:33:00.000+10:00

i wanted to share yet another blog that really and truly took my breath away when I found it.

a thing for ... i don't even know what language this is... (Spanish?? Italian??) ... but who cares? ~ when you see the beautiful collages/compositions, words just couldn't describe the beauty anyway ...

i printed out a few of my favourites and have them permanently on my 'mood board' in the studio.

enjoy ~

... so very beautiful...

(... if you DO know anything more about this fabulous blog/blogger ~ feel free to comment )

~ find something beautiful every day ~

packaging

2012-02-05T11:05:00.000+10:00

my husband says i'm a sucker for packaging... and ... he's right...

i think the first time i noticed this was on a trip to Los Angeles... (years ago - before children and marriage). i was with my cousin who lived there for many years and she took me to the Beverly Centre? (I think that's what it was called) ... WOW! i remember the stores' items were just so well packaged - they just looked BEAUTIFUL and I had to buy something ... mostly for the packaging!

... and so there started my obsession.

i've also recently discovered this website Oh Hello Friend - DOUBLE WOW... it knocked my socks off ... such adorable ideas and wonderful packaging...

need to get busy...

enjoy ~

so simple ... yet fabulous

pretty fabric... yes i have this!

... gotta love string !


swoon...

... great way to use vintage ephemera and re-use parcels and old sewing patterns!


... and elegant ...

~ packaging maketh the parcel ~

that friday feeling

2012-02-03T17:34:00.000+10:00

i LOVE friday ...
do you ... 'feel' ... friday??? I do.
it has that wonderful 'wind down' feeling about it.

here are some of my latest faves ...

happy friday to you.

* vintage books * poppy print * silver ring *lace tape *vintage typewriter key bracelet
* shawl * pail * vintage stamps

~ find something beautiful every day ~

thursday ... in the garden and the studio.

2012-02-02T23:32:00.000+10:00

... so this is our 'driveway' ...

I did a walk around the garden this afternoon and am always surprised by what grows here ... pictured above - my stunning ginger plant ...

... i think we're in for more rain soon ...

... chillies growing in the vege garden ...

... yes... these are home grown pineapples!!! they take about 2 years to grow, but it's so exciting to watch them ...


... our mock orange tree is in full bloom and smells divine ...

... this is a little paw paw tree that's come up - so exciting ... I LOVE paw paw ...

... pretty creeper on the back fence ...

... pink alamanda near our 'butcher shop' ...

... i think this one is a weed... but I love it! ...

... I've got a succulent ivy growing in my newest favourite pot (Christmas Present) ...

... and after preparing dinner and organizing my homeschooling for tomorrow, I managed to get a few pieces of ribbon stamped!

... sepia French mules ... ooh la la ...

... and tea dyed green apple stamped fabric ... Paris Postmarks ... all in all - a productive day ...

Hope you had a good one...

~ find something beautiful every day ~

peggy guggenheim museum ... venice ...

2012-01-31T22:12:00.002+10:00

This was one of those 'oh no' moments in my life...

We were on our honeymoon in Europe (just doing a few countries) and at the end of our brief soujourn in Venice, I suddenly noticed the entrance to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum ...

Noooooo ... we were completely out of time and running to a schedule, so had to keep going ... I couldn't believe it ... I had been to Venice years earlier (in my crazier, younger days) and hadn't realised then either, that this fabulous Museum was there! Mon dieu! (my minimal French)

Hopefully there will be a next time... but if you HAVE been inside, I would LOVE to know what it's like ... and will be completely jealous...


the entrance we saw ... alas too late ...

... from the canal ...


Ms Peggy Guggenheim ...

~ lose yourself in a fabulous museum ~

thomas crown affair ...

2012-01-30T22:45:00.001+10:00

I never get tired of this movie ...

set in New York
involves Impressionist Art and Museum of Modern Art
millionaire playboy thief
Love Story
Rene Russo - beautiful and smart
Pierce Brosnan .... hmmm
Great Soundtrack ...

what else could you possibly want???

all images via Google

~ classics ~

Spotlight this month ... Sally Anna Scarves

2012-01-29T11:49:00.000+10:00

I've convo'd with so many fabulous people through Etsy, Madeit, Facebook and Twitter, that I decided I'd like to add a feature each month to my blog showcasing all the wonderful talent that's out there. (You'll notice one of her scarves and a link to her store if you scroll down the pictures in the right hand column)

If you haven't already discovered the person I'm featuring, then I've done my job by introducing someone talented to your life...

My first feature is the lovely Anna from ~ Sally Anna Scarves ~ and this is her story ...

I have had a passion for knitting as long as I can remember. I started with finger knitting, progressed to French knitting and then my mother suggested we make a sweater together. I knitted one sleeve and she knitted the rest! It was the beginning of a lasting love affair with textiles and in particular, yarns and I am ever grateful to Mum for teaching me those first basic skills.

I have always designed, made and sold items even whilst travelling the world and living out of a backpack for over 10 years. These items include scarves, sweaters, shawls, bags, hats, gloves and cheesecakes! I was also a self taught milliner for 10 years selling to department stores and hatters in Perth.

I knit constantly, all year round using a wide variety of quality yarns. The yarns are always the inspiration for the design of the accessory and all are original and unique. I particularly like the versatility of scarves and shawls and the touch of colour and style they add to an outfit.

You can find Sally Anna's wonderful designs and creations here : Sally Anna Scarves

~ and connect with her on facebook - Sally Anna Scarves

All images shown are available in Sally Anna's online Etsy store, EXCEPT for the first image - this adorable creation is sold, but I just HAD to include it...

~ find someone talented every day ~

pouring rain

2012-01-27T22:14:00.000+10:00

fabulous rain we're getting...

via Pinterest

~ happy friday ~

my 'wet' australia day ...

2012-01-26T15:40:00.000+10:00


today ... we were supposed to go away for a quick 2 day business trip (whole family) ... but ..

... it rained ...


... a lot ...

... so after homeschooling this morning and now office work this afternoon...

I plan to have a nice coffee ...


... read some more of my latest novel ...

... cook and enjoy dinner with the family ...


... make something creative in my studio...

... have a tub ...


... and hit the hay ...

all images except 'french market bag are from Pinterest.

~ find something beautiful every day ~

paint card inspiration

2012-01-23T17:57:00.000+10:00

One day on our recent trip away, my husband had to buy some supplies at the local hardware store, so we all went along for a look. (shops are a rarity where we live)

Now keeping 4 small children amused in a store like that can be tricky when it takes them approximately 2 minutes and 28.6 seconds to make a full scan of the store and then report back ... "this is boring mum" ... Uh Oh...

Suddenly, I spotted my saviour! The unassuming paint card stand kept us all amused as I asked what all our favourite colours were. As a result, I've ended up with quite a selection of gorgeous, hideous and eye bulging colours.

After I put some of the best ones together, I thought a clever idea might be to make a collage/drawing using all the colours like I see sometimes on Pinterest (see below)...

Isn't it great how a boring trip to the hardware store can bring artistic inspiration??? who would have thought...


all images via Pinterest

~ inspiration comes from everywhere ~

creative sunday with wild weather

2012-01-22T23:40:00.001+10:00

Wow - as I type, it is absolutely 'lashing down' outside and blowing a gayle! It's been sooo hot all day and we had a storm last night too, so looks like our wet season has finally arrived...

That's good news for us graziers (beef cattle producers)... rain = green grass = well fed cattle = a somewhat less stressful time for the season.

So, that's probably enough about the weather for you ... Have a look at what I made today ~ I fell in love with this Michael Miller Fabric and have called my new clutch - Helene... (love to give them French names)

you like???

click here to see more pics in my Etsy store

i know this looks like Paris, but it's raining as heavy as this right here at Bow Park!

~ a change in the weather is a good thing ~

limited edition

2012-01-21T18:03:00.000+10:00

i have some of this fabric left and have decided to tear it up ~ tea dye some of it ~ and stamp it ...

have listed some in my etsy store and will be listing more...

any enquires, just convo me!

~ vintage to new ~

it's not summer without ...

2012-01-20T22:11:00.001+10:00

hanging out at the beach


my fabulous state of Queensland

frangipanis


favourite music

big hats


watermelon

swimming pools


cold drinks

.. and lazy days ...

~ enjoy the summer ~

flowers and books

2012-01-19T23:21:00.003+10:00

~ find something beautiful every day ~

desperately seeking susan

2012-01-18T21:22:00.000+10:00

For the first time in a LONG time, I got to watch a movie (the whole way through) when we were away. - WOW! (anyone with children will be nodding now)

I discovered an old Movie Channel and one of my all-time favouties was on ... Desperately Seeking Susan...

I think it was Madonna's first film and I think probably her best. I love the way she dresses in the film and her whole 'all over the place' lifestyle ... When I saw the movie I think I was about 19 and secretly wanted my life to be as great as hers - moving from place to place, no responsibilities and hooking up with her man through the personals... how cool...

Anyway, here are some stills from the movie for you to reminisce over ~ I think it will be considered a cult classic in years to come (if not already).

~ gotta love the classics ~

home sweet home ...

2012-01-17T22:31:00.000+10:00

yes... it WAS the Atherton Tablelands ~ an area that has long been a favourite destination of ours.

It's a beautiful area in North Queensland, rains a lot ~ (which we actually don't mind) ~ has a nice slow pace ~ and loads of tourist attractions that are perfect for families.

So nice to be home though ... Just wanted to share a few of my favourite snaps.

our room with a view ...

little town of Tolga ...

vintage phone display at Peeramon Hotel - love it!

exquisite orchids growing in the street! in Yungaburra ... so unfair!

the name says it all ...

Herberton Historic Village

Our boys fooling around at Malanda - the home of north Queensland milk!

gorgeous succulents growing here...

... and again ...

.. our little Disco, enjoying the view from the rented Troup Carrier ...


... last but not least ... the divine Gallo Chocolate Factory ... yummm....

~ make every day count ~

mystery location

2012-01-11T18:11:00.000+10:00

We're off for a few days ... but where to??? clues below ...

I'll publish any comments when we return (or while i'm away if I can get to a computer!)

Lord Howe Island ???

Disneyland - Los Angeles ???

Honululu - Hawaii ???

London ???

MovieWorld on the Gold Coast ???

New York ???

Tuscany ???

Atherton Tablelands ???

Norfolk Island ???

Paris ???

... i wonder ?

nb: my Etsy store will still be open and next shipping date will be 20 January

~ thanks for visiting ~

dreams on tuesday ...

2012-01-11T00:02:00.000+10:00

via Pinterest

~ the honest trust ~

Marc Chagall

2012-01-09T22:17:00.000+10:00

... more inspiration from the wonderful Marc Chagall...

Marc Chagall (1887 – 1985) embraced the philosophy that love colored his paintings. Focusing extensively on his childhood, his happy, optimistic paintings defy the poverty of his upbringing in a Russian Shtetl. After a brief time in Paris, Chagall escaped to the US during World War II where his career reached new heights including a rare exhibit during his lifetime at the Louvre.

Lovers with bouquet

La Mariee

Paris l'Opera

Flowers over Paris

Le Bouquet Ardent

Birthday

Blue Violinist

All images and information courteousy of the All Posters Website.

~ wonderful imagery to inspire ~

sunday night pics

2012-01-08T22:36:00.000+10:00

... just wanted to share more of my favourites on this super Sunday night... and show you what i managed to finish today ...

mini artwork in brass locket - kharaledonne

Violet Rose - Vintage fat quarter - rope

Mosaic Oriental Tea Pot China Flower Vase - PalsCreations

Laura Ashley Cushion Covers - BumbleBeeCottageshop

Antique French Milk Jug with flowers - Pascale

Trinity Gold Embossed Heart Earrings - BelaDeSignsJewelry

Mention my blog and Bernadette will give you 15% off items in her store as well as these gorgeous earrings!

Mixed Silver Plate Cutlery - housewarming101

.. and now my day's work ... new clutch


~ french market scrabble bag ~

front ...

and back ...

~ find something beautiful every day ~

Ken Done - artistic influence

2012-01-07T23:43:00.000+10:00

Ken Done - fabulous, wonderful, bright, happy - a major influence on me for over 20 years ...

His work always makes me feel great. I have so many things around the house that have his art on them - swimwear, prints, scarves a biscuit tin - to name a few... oops... almost forgot - my STUDIO curtains!

Enjoy ...

Sea Gardens


Turquoise Reef - proud to say I have a signed print of this one ...


Barrier Reef Garden

Postcard from the Cabin

Frangipani


Postcard from Sydney

~ be inspired ~

good advice from dr. seuss

2012-01-06T15:15:00.001+10:00

~ live your own life ~

quiet night ...

2012-01-05T22:21:00.000+10:00

so nice to be having a quiet night ...

~ silence is golden ~

The Green Flash

2012-01-04T21:17:00.001+10:00

So - the first time I EVER heard about 'The Green Flash' was when I was visiting my cousin in San Diego - many moons ago... (I used to stop off with her for a few wild days before starting my real holiday elsewhere in the States).

Anyway, she used to take me to fabulous places - one of them was a little cafe on the beach called ... 'The Green Flash'. The explanation is quite technical, but really interesting - I love the way these phenomenona occur in nature.

Apparently the best place to see a green flash on the horizon (over water) so chances of me seeing one here at home is minimal...

... proof that I did in fact visit ... my matches collection in the kitchen ...

Here's the tecnhical explanation from the website of the cafe that I visited:

The "Green Flash" is a rarely-viewed optical phenomenon which occurs at sunset at the instant that the upper rim of the sun is in coincidence with the horizon. The "Green Flash" is caused by a combination of optical effects called light scattering and light dispersion.

Sunlight is composed of all the colors of the visible spectrum. Blue light is the component part of the visible spectrum that is strongly scattered by the earth's atmosphere at sunset, therefore sunlight tends to lack blue when the sun is near the horizon. Dispersion is the splitting of whitelight into its component parts. The red end of the visible spectrum shows the least amount of dispersion since it is refracted the least.

At sunset, most of the orange and yellow light is absorbed by the earth's atmosphere, while the blue and violet light is scattered. Once the red light portion of the spectrum has already set below the horizon, all that is left is the green, which is occasionally seen as a short intense flash. Under ideal conditions, one may perceive a brilliant green flash at the moment of sunset.

Fabulous isn't it???

So next time someone mentions 'The Green Flash' you'll know it's something REAL and they're not just being rude ;-)

Photograph courteousy of Don

~ the world is a wonderful place ~

coin purse tutorial

2012-01-03T23:25:00.000+10:00


... just in case you're all dressed up ...


... and have somewhere special to go ...


you'll need a little something to carry ... click here for the tutorial!

~ find something beautiful every day ~

vintage tea tin

2012-01-02T22:21:00.000+10:00

i'm pretty excited ... i've just found a Twinings Tea Tin the other day ... vintage of course ...

it's my newest favourite vase...

isn't it just darling????

i'm feeling a bit like i'd like to collect some more... dangerous...

c'est magnifique ...

... these are the ones from Pinterest

~ fall in love with vintage ~

new faves ...

2012-01-01T22:43:00.000+10:00

... just a few things I've been checking out lately ...


So gorgeous ... Doc Marten Boots ... print of Giverny - France ... fancy Pantina Heart Charm ... extra large drum Lampshade ... antique Love Letters ... 5 Gold stacking rings ... antique Bon Bon Tin ... Chunky beaded watch ...

~ find something beautiful every day ~

happy new year

2011-12-31T19:49:00.000+10:00

I've never really come up with a 'clever' new years resolution to date. Some people seem to have something fabulous worked out and i'm suspiscious they've been thinking about it for ages, just saving it up for the big day!

When i was younger, the age old 'lose weight' resolution was always at the top of the list, but like most 'diets' it NEVER worked. I would usually give in to hunger pangs about 2 days later and forget the resolution soon thereafter...

If I had to pick one for this year, then it's got to be ... STOP BITING MY NAILS ...I'm just so bad at that.

Seriously though, i think if you want something to change, it doesn't matter what day you choose, but it's got to be a life decision. Good luck with your resolutions and on that note ....

HAPPY NEW YEAR and all the best for a healthy, happy, fun 2012. ciao x


... the aim...


... the dream ...

... or just take the easy way out for everything! ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR ... here comes 2012 ...

~ happy new year ~

child free days

2011-12-30T13:29:00.000+10:00

so... I've been INCREDIBLY lucky this week ... my brother and sister-in-law have begged? us to have the kids for a sleepover...

pinch me... i'm dreaming... I've been away from the kids about 1 night in 10 years - so it's been weird, but I'm enjoying the peace and quiet.

they'll be back tomorrow, so i've been busy in my studio and down at the sewing table ... wahoo!!!

this is where the action takes place ... my favourite 2nd hand elna sewing machine - just like my mums (so i know how to use it)

my selection of new iphone pouches ... soon to be listed on Etsy


and these little darlings are canvas tiles ... people use them to make jewellery (necklaces), add to journals, include in artwork, just let your imagination go... also to be listed soon on Etsy...

~ make hay while the sun shines ~

inspiration ...

2011-12-28T22:40:00.000+10:00

I've been a bit slack in the 'creative' department lately. Since the mayhem of Christmas, I've been making the most of being able to chill out at home and take things at a slower pace.

Today, I found these beautifully, delicate artworks on Pinterest, and have traced them back to a very talented artist ~ LilyMoon on Etsy. Just have to share with you.

I'm inspired! Back to the studio tomorrow...

all images available through the online Etsy store - LilyMoon

~ lovely inspiration ~

my 'dear photograph'

2011-12-27T23:15:00.000+10:00

A while ago I did a blog post about the website, Dear Photograph and decided I'd love to give it a go with some of our family photographs.

Over Christmas, I managed to get these photos back at our old family home (and thank you to Luke, the current occupant for indulging me). I'm so glad I did - a lovely nostalgic trip, bringing back plenty of happy memories.


Dear Photograph ... we didn't have much room in our back yard, but still managed to have lots of fun regardless...

Dear Photograph ... wherever we were going, it was always together ...

Dear Photograph ... I remember feeling like the most beautiful Japanese girl in town ...

Dear Photograph ... I don't remember this one, but realise wanting to be a fairy is still at the top of every little girls dream ...


Dear Photograph ... there she is... my big sister and still my best friend ...

Dear Photograph ... It's like mum has just stepped outside onto our front patio with my big brother and I want it to last forever ...


... and for something completely different ... still related to my trip away at Christmas ... my first pomegranate ... a bit tricky to eat, but what I did try was very tasty ...

~ it's never too late to try something new ~

clean up time

2011-12-26T22:58:00.000+10:00

... somehow in a matter of days, our house went from super neat to resembling something hit by a bomb - and we weren't even HOME For Christmas!

I am sort of unpacked, but feel like it's going to be a few days before the place is back to normal, so if I'm a bit slow at my 'social networking' it's because I'm still doing the household chores ...

from ho ho ho to ho hum... O_O

images via Pinterest - clutter

~ too tired to bother ... starting tomorrow ~

... almost there ...

2011-12-23T07:40:00.000+10:00

finally got my paperwork (real work) done and had a chance to create 2 new French Market Bags yesterday! wahoo...

... as well as find more lovely Christmas images on Pinterest ...

~ 2 more sleeps ... ~

food for thought ...

2011-12-22T00:46:00.000+10:00

he's right you know ...

~ find the courage to change your life ~

bush christmas

2011-12-19T21:41:00.000+10:00

... i'm getting there and our house is starting to look more like Christmas is coming ...

my tea towel (dish towel)

our kids are definitely into it...

cute shabby tin sign i bought a few years ago...

... and closer

decorations on the verandah ...

our very own tree ...

santa in front of the grapevine...

close up sparkly decorations ...

and again ...

supercute snowglobe on the reading/coffee table ...

my attempt at 'lighting' up ...

'artistic' shot of the lights ...


kids eagerly decorated our tree ... there's a funny story behind the Xmas star on top of the tree... it was given to one of the kids about 4 years ago and it's broken, so I have turfed it out several times and the kids keep bringing it back from the dump, (on our property) so it has now earned it's place on the tree ... after a trip through the dishwasher...

some sort of weed in the garden, but close enough to holly for me...

close up ...


... last but not least, something to 'cork' the wine ...

this has been fun! have you all been doing something creative at your place???

~ loving the spirit of Christmas ~

Shabby Chic Cottage

2011-12-18T16:06:00.000+10:00

I just adore this cottage and admire the woman who created it on her own.

Story courtesy of New York Times - Home and Garden

Sandra Foster turned a Catskills hunting cabin into the romantic Victorian cottage she had always wanted, using vintage columns, flooring and wavy glass windows, and doing the carpentry herself.

The cottage fulfills a dream for Ms. Foster, whose middle-class family lost their home when she was a teenager on Long Island.

The shabby-chic retreat doesn't have a bathroom or a kitchen, but it is a dream of Victoriana: stacks of Limoges china with tiny rosebud patterns; chandeliers dripping crystal; billows of tissue-paper garlands. Many of the furnishings, like the $15 chandelier hanging over the sitting area, were flea market finds.

The china closet is a study of woodworking improvisation: Ms. Foster built the shelves, then added arched French doors that she found at a yard sale for $15 each. She has been collecting Limoges china for years.

The mirror was "a strange Band-Aid color — sort of pinky orange," Ms. Foster said, when she found it at a yard sale. She bought it for $22 and painted it with Ralph Lauren's Cove Point in flat white, the same color she used on the cottage walls. For the floors, she used Benjamin Moore's China White paint.

The pantry door, hung with a sachet made by a local artist, is from the garage of Ms. Foster's previous home.

A stream runs between Ms. Foster's cottage and the trailer that she and her husband, Todd, live in. Furnishings must be lightweight enough to carry across.

Mr. Foster calls their 1971 trailer "the Groove Tube," because of its gold and avocado-green décor.

The Fosters at the trailer they share. Mr. Foster also has a retreat on the 14-acre property: a truck-size shed covered by an enormous tarp, furnished with a big-screen TV, videotapes and cooking equipment.

The sleeping loft is accessible only by ladder — which has kept Ms. Foster's husband, Todd, who has back troubles, from joining her there.

The chandelier over the bed is from Target, as is the Simply Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell bedding.

Ms. Foster makes flowerlike paper garlands for the cottage out of tissue paper.

Before the renovation, the cabin was originally a 9-by-10-foot box, with a porch roof supported by white willow tree trunks.

Ms. Foster extended the porch, replaced the tree trunks with vintage columns (which cost $60 each) and painted the house green and white.

The porch: a triumph of salvage. The vintage door has its original paint, plus gingerbread trim. Ms. Foster made the window box from salvaged wood, then glued on garlands from doityourselfchic.com. The step (also a tool drawer) is topped with wood from a bench pulled from the creek. Flooring was salvaged from partly rotting boards in a previous house. The chair: $5 at a flea market.

Related Story - Comfort in a Gingerbread House

~ find something beautiful every day ~

vintage aqua

2011-12-17T22:49:00.000+10:00

~ find something beautiful every day ~

inspiration

2011-12-17T12:14:00.000+10:00

via Pinterest and originally from here

~ be inspired every day ~

couture ~ cou·ture (k-tr, -tür)

2011-12-15T23:05:00.000+10:00

1. The business of designing, making, and selling highly fashionable, usually custom-made clothing for women.

2. Dressmakers and fashion designers considered as a group.

3. The high-fashion clothing created by designers.

... anyway - i'm fascinated by couture clothing... (all images via pinterest)

~ find something beautiful every day ~

bedtime

2011-12-14T22:50:00.002+10:00

'night all...

via Pinterest

Danish Bed - furniturebyPete

Mood rocking bed - shineinternational

Painted aqua chic bed - paintedcottages


Sunflower child's bed - danmcardle

~ find something beautiful every day ~

home

2011-12-14T00:15:00.000+10:00

~ wherever your home is ... there will be your heart also ... ~

finds ...

2011-12-07T21:34:00.000+10:00

here are a few gorgeous things i found this week on Etsy ...

1. hand stamped ribbon - fleamarketfloozie 2.handmade purse - hensteeth 3. 60's mod mini dress - tomorrowisforever 4. When Alice came to tea - 5 x 7 photograph - Kristybee 5. myott and staffordshire breakfast bowls - curateandlove 6. Calligraphy address stamp - LauraLavendarArt

~ find something beautiful every day ~

sunday sunday

2011-12-04T11:47:00.000+10:00

Hope you're all having a wonderful Sunday ~ wherever you are.

I've included some pictures from my Pinterest Boards for your inspiration... (all original sources can be found there!)

~ find something beautiful every day ~

introducing ... lesley sico photography

2011-12-03T16:11:00.000+10:00

i found Lesley Sico on Etsy a while ago and wanted to have her work on my blog... I think her photography is lovely.

All these images are available online in Lesley's Etsy store. (I have purposely enlarged all the images hence losing some of the resolution, but you will see the difference when you visit her store)

... and click here for Lesley's blog.

It would appear Lesley is also a self confessed Francophile ... (lover of all things French) ... so little wonder I was drawn to her gorgeous images.

Her photography has also been featured on:

design*sponge:
mint design blog
greedy girl:

~ find something beautiful every day ~

notecard sale

2011-12-02T22:42:00.000+10:00

Hi all! My Etsy store is now open again and my 50% off all notecards SALE is still on for 2 weeks! Ends 16th December - (in Australia) You just have to type in CARDSALE50 in the coupon area of checkout to get the discount. easy...

Shown below are just some of the sets in my Etsy store, but feel free to pop over and browse. They're all under the tab - 'paper goods'. None of my notecards come with envelopes and are printed on either white cardstock or a vintage style parchment card.

For all orders outside Australia, please allow up to 14 working days for delivery. It's usually 10 days, but due to the crazy Christmas rush, I believe there could be delays.

Happy Friday!

~ find something beautiful every day ~

The quick trip ...

2011-11-28T20:39:00.000+10:00

Here we are in Sunny Townsville. A fast and furious few days filled with appointments, Christmas shopping and swimming lessons for the kids. Last but not least ... a fabulous new cut and colour to get me through the silly season ... wahoo!

just around the corner!

the view from our place ...

kids will get some mileage out of the water park ...

...hopefully enjoy a latte with my sister too :-)

~ live life every day ~

a 'real life' friday story ...

2011-11-25T16:53:00.000+10:00

this is how my Friday started ...

wake up 6.15am...hmmm power is off... husband is away until tomorrow night ... walk down to engine room and turn on generator... good ... can do treadmill workout now...

get kids up for breakfast 7am ... objections all around, but I persist ... phone rings ... someone asking about installing digital tv ... What's that ??? someone's calling for me?? ... 'Won't be a minute ... I'm on the phone!'.

Oh dear! ... Our coldroom has 'iced up' and all our cold goods and hanging beast is in danger of being ruined ... WAIT! ... grab the hairdryer ... show the hired help how we 'melt the ice' and get the coldroom working again ...

ok... good ... can I have my breakfast??? no... kids need to brush teeth and get ready for school... ok... done ...

wait "MUM!! " poddy calves are in the garden! "what???" oh no... 4 of our poddy calves have jumped the fence, are eating rotting mangoes (which they love) and won't get out of my garden!

you are KIDDING ME! ok... finally get the kids to help me muster them out of the yards and lure with some mangoes ... yes, Ben, Bambi, Andy and Daisy - OUTSIDE the fence please off my violets, lillies and gerbras!"

now... I just have to feed Andy (youngest poddy calf) 2 litres out of a bottle ... and ... done.

Finally! Breakfast, a shower and just in time to run over and listen to the kid's on air Christmas concert... and it's only 8.30am...

this is why they say ...

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY !!!

... looking forward to...

all images via pinterest

~ how's your Friday? ~

classic delft

2011-11-23T22:55:00.000+10:00

Delft ... I'm not sure why but I've always loved it. To me, it's like wearing blue jeans and a t shirt - you really can't go wrong - it's classic... end of story.

Don't get me wrong... I love colour - all sorts of colour, but if there's 2 jugs in the room and one is blue and white, there's a good chance that's the one I'll be taking home.

Look at all these gorgeous pieces I found tonight ... Vintage Delft ...


4.

1. French Country Vintage Pot 2. Vintage Blue Delft Style Pin Brooch    3. Vintage blue flower pot
4. Delft Blue Pitcher     5. Vintage Delft Tray - didn't know Delft could be green!
6. Vintage copper kettle with delft handle    7. Vintage Delft Salt Box     8. Antique delft tile

The photos below are of the first ever (a bit shonky) mosaic pot I did.

I was dying to use my 'Canal Houses' tile purchased in Amsterdam years ago! I made the pot with 3 sides of tulips and the front featuring the Canal Houses ... sits pride of place outside out kitchen window so I can see it every day. Love it.

~ find something beautiful every day ~