Pencil Love

Back in my university days, when I was studying architecture, I bought a boxed set of coloured pencils. One of the ones with the wooden box and the lift up layer. Sadly I am not much for an illustrator, but every now and then I like to pull the box out of the cupboard, open it up, and just look, touch and smell. OK I know I sound like a complete stationery wierdo - but I am sure there are some of you out there nodding your heads, and thinking- yep i do that too! So when i saw the image below - my heart speed up. How great would this look on your studio wall.

Image source: suicide blonde and pinned by A Little Ink

Alternatively you could purchase one of these great pencil wind chimes by vanessa boer on etsy

Present & Correct - Be still my beating heart

Present & Correct is not for the stationery faint hearted. With a mixure of handmade and vintage, stationery, gifts and decorations, there is something (actually a lot of things) here for everyone. A small (and i really had to limit myself) selection of my favourites below.

P&C can also be found on etsy (small selection of their goods), facebook and twitter

Itching to knit

These beautiful images have me itching to knit in front of a cozy fire.

Bird Mobile How To by Spool Sewing

Like the majority of the blogging world at the moment i am just a little bit addicted to Pinterest (you can follow me or check out what i am pinning here). It is a great way to source ideas and inspirations for blogs and at home craf ideas (if you are into that sort of thing).
One pin I posted today has by far been my most popular - a how to for bird mobile by Spool Sewing.
There is even a flikr group dedicated to these little birdies.

Just thought i would share with those of you who have managed to avoid Pinterest thus far!

Tote Bags That Tick All the Boxes

I love a good tote bag - and these ones fit all my requirements.

Is easy being this green

Downpour

Multi-functional adjustable strap - check.
Sturdy - check.
Small pockets and centre snap - check.
Little bit funky - check.
Good Quality I have not bought totes from threadless before but if their teeshirts are anything to go by - they will be good quality - check.
Not too pricey - $25 - check.

Party Decorations - String Balls

This DIY looks a little messy to make - but the results are pretty impressive.

The how to here from Wednesday custom design

Or if you want a bit more colour - Colourful ones from Juicy Bits

Or for something a little fancier from dos family

Some DIY Goodness - Hanging things

Feeling a little crafty today so thought i would share some DIY goodness that i have found around the blog world. Both of these ideas can be adapted to suit a multiple of situations including babies rooms, kids parties, big kids dinner parties, baby showers....

First up from Project Weddings - a colourful hanging mobile. This would look great with just the slightest breeze in a room to spin them around:

Next up from Sew She Sews a great mobile for over the kids bed.

I have a bit of a home project of my own in mind at the moment - just waiting on some supplies from etsy. All will be revealed soon!

Wordless Wednesday

More over at Faith Hope and a whole lotta Love here

quick three: favourite shoes

So when i did my 3 favourite clothing items last week I should have checked this week's favourites... So in no particular order and excluding my havianas because i had them last week

My ugg boots - comfy enough to wear all day long and sturdy enough for those quick trips to the shops (yes i konw if am a dag!)

My birkenstocks - the perfect summer travelling shoes. I own this style in light blue and kahki green but i have always wanted red ones

My blundstones in light suede- i wear these every day at work with jeans, even in summer, and they are super comfy

Playing along with Kasiabear - you should too (it is scary what we have in common!)

Good Karma

Tickets by afavorite on etsy

I believe in good karma. I believe that if you are nice to people and do good things- in return good things will happen to you. How often do you go somewhere or buy something and think that service was really good, this product is the best – I should write to the management and let them know. But then life gets in the way and you never get round to putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.

So – I am proposing to make every Tuesday a day of thanks on my facebook page. I will be posting about good service I have had during the week, or a product I bought that was great and where possibly adding a link. I would invite you to do the same. Hopefully word may get back to the person responsible, they may get more business, or who knows what may happen the possibilities are endless.

Please take the time to give thanks.

quick three: favourite clothing

I am joining in a new linky game this friday - quick three hosted by the lovely kasiabear

1. My black skinny havaianas - with timber floors in my house - these thongs are permanently on my feet
2. my navy lounge pants / pj's. I love these so much i went and bought a second pair so that i am never without them
3. two soft teeshirts i bought in a super large size when i was pregnant. They have a big owl on one side and are so soft and comfy - and better yet - they only cost $8 each! Bargain!

What are your three favourite items of clothing? Check out some more over at kasiabear

Custom Magnetic Paper Dolls

I dare say this is another instance of me living under a rock until now. I have just discovered Claudine Hellmuth. Claudine is a collage artist, author and illustrator and among many other beautiful products she produces these great custom magnetic paper dolls. Each doll comes with your custom face and a set of outfits, all packaged together in a reusable gift tin. You can even have additional custom elements created such as a wedding dress.

Find out more about Claudine Hellmuth and her beautiful work here

Crayon Sculptures - why? why not!

Impressive work by Diem Chau, an artist, doll collector, tinkerer from Seattle. At $500 / pair these are not one to leave in reaching height of littlies.

You can find more of Diem Chau's work and her blog, "The Pleasure of Tiny Things" here

Vintage Toys

Since becoming a mum I have become a bit nostalgic for the toys of yester-year. Even for toys that are way before my time. Whilst today’s toys are bright, noisy and entertaining– the toys of 20, 30, 40 years ago seem that little bit…. je ne sais qua

Here are some favourites on etsy (yes – in case you didn’t know – etsy sell vintage as well as handmade!)

1.      Fisher Price 1972 Happy Apple toy

2.      Fisher Price 1971 Record Player with 4 records

3.      Vintage Fisher Price Cash Register

4.      Fisher Price School desk

My Creative Space

My son's breakfast?? - ok so my creative space this week is actually painting the dining room - but my photos of that weren't so crash hot and this apple slice caught my eye this morning.

Check out some more creative spaces here

Some Great Wedding Ideas

Ok – so I am married, a lot of my friends are married, I have very few weddings coming up in the near future – but I do love them. I love looking at pictures of them, talking about them, dreaming about them. I really should be a wedding coordinator in my next life.

Anyway – some here are some great images / ideas I have come across recently from a ranch wedding in Santa Monica Mountains, LA:

CD wedding favours for the guests – the envelopes are stiched kraft paper with graphics on the front

Run Sheet for guests so they know what is coming

One of the best guest book idea I have ever seen

For more details and photos – check out the full post by “green wedding shoes” here

Wordless Wednesday

More wordless wednesday's here

Home Renovations have commenced

I am finally starting work on our dining room renovation to convert it from a room where I use the dining room table to do craft and walk through to get to the study to a dining room / play room / room we actually want to spend time in.

I have a gyprocker coming Monday to give me a quote to fill in the old door and window and I sanded the cupboards last night so I can put the primer on tonight. So things are finally getting under way.

I am in a bit of a quandary with how to decorate / arrange the room. Things I want in the room are:

1.      Wing chair for reading

2.      Small side table and lamp

3.      Table and chairs for my son

4.      Small dining room table and 4 chairs

5.      Bookshelf for all our books (we have quite a few)

6.      Storage for toys and children’s books

Sounds like a lot doesn’t it. Not quite sure how it can or will work. Anyway I am off to Ikea on Saturday to check out some tables, chairs and bookshelves. In the meantime I have been surfing the net for some inspiration. Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Image 1

Image 2 

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

Animal Prints by Lee Walsh

These prints are so sweet. Created by Lee Walsh, they are available on a new website called Some Prints, which is a showcase for independent artists and designers in the UK. Only UK25 each for an A4 print High quality Giclee print. More designs in store.

Wordless Wednesday

More here

Stamping - the homestyle way

Some home stamping ideas that you can make from things around the home. Click on the links for the how to’s:

Apple Print Totes by Craft Stylish

Homemade Citrus Paper by Secret Agent Josephine 

Vege Stamped Cards By Martha Stewart

Wordless Wednesday - Digging to China

more here