bake expectations ...

 ... i'm a self-confessed Pinterest freak.   Anyone who 'pins' will know how addictive it can be - so many gorgeous pictures - it's very hard to stop once you've started ...

when i see images like this i really start to think i should try harder at baking and domestic 'kitchen stuff' in general...

blueberry something ... and love the 'dead skull?' antlers for decoration... seriously ...

... possibly a chiramasu ??? dusted with cinnamon ... yummmm

... mouth watering cream puffs

... oh so cute, raspberries in gorgeous paper cups and twine ...

...more raspberry and looks like custard "too perfect to eat" slice?  ...

... heavenly teacake with icing drizzled ... of course the gingham background helps create the country look too...

... and a sublime strawberry tart...

 ... then reality kicks in and i must admit to myself that art, not cooking is my next true love {after my hubby and kids of course} so i decide to get really creative and still manage to maintain my love of French Cooking to create my own masterpiece in the kitchen ...

                                                                       ... et voila!

... well, i AM always a little short on time, so I think this is a good compromise ;-) ... don't you agree???

... ah, what the hell, those other cakes and tarts look great, but i think secretly i'm pinning them to keep as artistic inspiration for my next drawing - not to add to my repetoire in the kitchen ...

~ happy cooking and pinning x  ~


... ps. all images via my Pinterst board

** 1000 Likers on Facebook Giveaway **

... as a HUGE thank you to all my lovely likers on facebook   I'd really like to do a giveaway :-)

All you have to do is 'like' the post on my facebook page for the giveaway and also join my blog here ... easy!

I'll be drawing the lucky winner on Friday August 17th and below is your prize ... my newest item which will also be instore soon ... glasses pouch/case xx

International entries welcome!!!

~  good luck to all ~

... i'm back!  it's August 17th and the winner tonight was ... Sally Anna!  from Sally Anna Boutique on Etsy!  Congratulations Sally Anna ... please contact me with your address :-)
thanks to everyone who entered.  i am truly in awe of my lovely likers x

DIY - French Table

... wow - look at this table.. you want it???  well, you can have it ... with a little hard work ...
I recently discovered it on Pinterest and traced back to a very talented lady called Deanna.  Her blog called "It's Just Me"   is where you will find this and many other fabulous projects to try ... enjoy!! 

click here for the tutorial

~  French Provincial ~

Sunday achievements ...

... a few bits and pieces i've been working on  ... and finishing ...

my new eco friendly envelopes - available on Etsy

my new notecards ... my very own vintage Twinings Tea Tin and flowers x

Fabric Embellishments

 

... new watercolour in progress for mother dearest x

~ so great to be creating again ~

Jennifer Collier - paper artist

I am a paper goods freak ... if i see a stationery catalogue i get excited... sad hmmm?

Last night I had a mouth dropping moment, when I discovered Jennifer Collier's work via Pinterest...

I won't rave on too much - her amazingly fabulous work speaks for itself - i LOVE it!  Here's a quote from her website...

"My practice focuses on creating work from paper; by bonding, waxing, trapping and stitching I produce unusual paper ‘fabrics’, which are used to explore the ‘remaking’ of household objects. The papers are treated as if cloth, with the main technique employed being stitch; a contemporary twist on traditional textiles. The papers themselves serve as both the inspiration and the media for my work, with the narrative of the books and papers suggesting the forms. I tend to find items then investigate a way in which they can be reused and transformed; giving new life to things that would otherwise go unloved or be thrown away."

how wonderful ...

  

~ paper love ~

clutch finds ...

the good thing about facebook is that you discover lovely things from new people!

~  adorable clutches  ~

simply vintage lovely

simply vintage lovely

Sara Hanna Originals

Sara Hanna Originals

Sara Hanna Originals

simply click on the names under the pics to access these lovlies!


~ shopping online - i'm a big fan ~

McKinlay Mosaic Day

Recently I spent a day down at the Crafty Old School House at McKinlay.  Small on population, but big on culture, McKinlay has a group of ladies who are continually pushing their artistic boundaries and had been keen to do mosaics for a while.  I had the honour of being their tutor for the day. 

... and here's where the action took place - so quaint -

 and it really IS an old schoolhouse - see the blackboard behind me ...

Everyone had their own projects and were off to a great start ...

... lots of creativity and individual ideas - we just won't mention the anguish cutting tiles can cause when you're learning ...

the schoolhouse was a hive of activity ... tennis was going on next door for the kids ... the ladies were working on everything from pots, photo frames, door stops, pavers and moonstones.  Look at that pumpkin!  One of the ladies brought it in to share with anyone who wanted to take some home ...  what is IN the soil down here... ?

... the exciting part for me is always the grouting - look at how fabulous everyone's pieces turned out!  Well done girls x  Would love to see more pictures when you have time... Email them to me and I can add them to this post :-)

Caroline's picture frame ... ready to grout!

et voila!

Jo's pot - gorgeous ...

Fiona's Trivet ... great colours !

Lilly and Eliza's finished miniatures all planted out with lentils!

Wendy's hat rack ♥

... never one to miss a 'shabby chic' photo moment ... i couldn't resist snapping Nevenka's amazingly beautiful roses at the pub later that day/night...

... aah, the McKinlay pub - forever famous as the pub in the Crocodile Dundee movie!  A must see for your next trip to McKinlay ...

It was a great day - thank you to all who came.  So glad you enjoyed it and hope you do lots more now you have cutting and grouting techniques sorted!


~ bloom where you are planted ~