My (not so) creative space

my 9-5 not so creative space - my little man on the wall keeps me company when I am at my desk and he is at little school.

Next week i will work on a photo of my actual creative space.

Head over to Kootoyoo for some other creative spaces

Broomstick Lace – Never heard of it…..

I have dabbled in knitting (scarves and one rather ill-fitting beanie), used a sewing machine for the first time on Tuesday night and never tried my hand at crocheting – but I must admit I am inspired to give Broomstick Lace a try. I came across these images whilst blog surfing.

Image courtesy of Kootoyoo

Images courtesy of twoandsix

(If you have a moment check out Michelle @ twoandsix’s blog – the photographs are amazing – makes me want to knit again)

I think these cuffs are great – I’ll take one in each colour please!

And of course – if you are not inclined to get out your hooks and wool – you can always purchase ready-made broomstick lace goodies like this on etsy:

Neck warmer by Pipi Strelle Crochet

For those who want to give it a try – there are a number of short instruction video’s on you-tube. If you are brave enough - send me some photos!

Random Etsy Wednesday - My little man's birthday inspiration

Today’s Random Etsy Wednesday is not quite so random. My little man’s 1^st birthday is fast approaching so I am starting to consider some decorating and theme ideas. There is so much out there to look at and it is a bit daunting to know where to start. So I thought I would trawl etsy for some inspirations. Some of the ones that got me thinking:

Magical Star Garland by PaperKlip

mini BuNTiNg PARTY FLAGS -- Russian Nesting Dolls and Cupcakes by STUDIOofWHIMSY's (little girly but super cute)

Under the Sea birthday party - Personalized DIY printable CUPCAKE WRAPPER AND TOPPER SET by chickabug

ORIGINAL Cake Bunting KYLIE by KikiLaRu

As this is our first 1^st birthday and never having been to one before I would love any advice on where you go for your party inspiration and what great 1^st birthday parties have you been to and what made them great?

Random photos that never see the light of day

Quick post today as the day has disappeared on me. Some happy snaps from our travel:

Granada Graffeti

Snails in Seville

Wall Decorations - Bit of This, Bit of That

For today’s blog I thought I would share with you my efforts at decorating my son’s bedroom walls. It has probably taken me over a year to fill it all– but I have to say I am very happy with the end result (no prizes for guessing my son’s name!)

The short wall has a green painted jungle sillouette (cost less than $5) which I finished before Ollie was born

The window wall has two aqua bump pics which my very best girlfriends gave to us for our engagement and one of my "peg it up" lines which i rotate pictures on (blatant self promotion - you can buy them here in packs of 7 or 10 pegs!) 

The final (long) wall is the one I have been working on. From left to right:

 

1.      Handmade name sign

2.      My Sweetprint Counting Poster which the lovely Janette kindly changed to Portuguese for me - so now was can count to ten in Portuguese when changing nappes

3.      Handmade Ollie’s first shoes – see my blog post about how to make these here

4.      (top and middle) framed postcards from Inaluxe (purchased in a pack of 8) 

5.   Oliver name – artwork by Paul Thurlby

6.      Prints by Red Letter Studio – these were originally greeting cards, but the very kind Samone re-sized them for me to frame

So that’s it. What do you think? I have to admit it makes me smile whenever I go in (maybe not first thing in the morning at 6.30 though).

What great decorating ideas have you seen for little ones room?

Blog Lovin Friday – “Calico & Co” and “Thoughts, Comments, Questions”

Moving on from Random Etsy Wednesday, I now declare Friday to be “Blog Lovin’ Friday”. For those that have been following my blog from the beginning you will know I am a newby when it comes to blogs. I am not sure how I have missed them before now, and it is a shame as I had 9 months maternity leave when I could have gone blog wild… anyway, I digress.

Blogs are a wonderful, addictive, informative, entertaining, enlightening and inspiring thing. So for “Blog Lovin’ Friday” I am going to spread the blog love about some of the blogs I come across in my websurfing.

First off the list is Calico & Co – the wonderful blog authored by the equally wonderful Amanda Fuller. I can’t even recall how I first came across Amanda’s blog – but once I did I was well and truly hooked. I would even go so far as to say it was Amanda’s blog that gave me the push to set one up for myself. As well as blogging, Amanda also does Graphic Design work and recently launched her own line of Stationery called lemon tree lane (etsy). Amanda’s blogs are full of beautiful homewares, indie, handmade, interior design, pretty things, stationery and generally she shares what I love on a day to day basis. Amanda also facebooks and tweets

So Ms Fuller – thank you for your blog. You make me blog happy.

Second on the list, is Sarah Allen Consulting’s blog, “Thoughts. Questions.. Comments...”. Now I should disclose straight off the bat that I have known Sarah for some 17+ years, I love her to death and our baby boys are BFF’s. But that aside – Sarah is somewhat of a guru (though she won’t call herself that) when it comes to Social Media. So much so she now makes a living running Social Media workshops and training sessions.

For any small or medium business out there (yes that means anyone with an etsy or made it account) – check out her blog (and website coming soon), follow her on facebook, twitter, linked in and audioboo and I promise you - you will learn something!

Ms Allen – you are a guru in my eyes and thank you for your ongoing coaching and support on all things Social Media!

So that is my first Blog Lovin’ Friday. Take some time – check them out and why not leave me a comment letting me know your favourite blog!

Spring has Sprung

A couple of weeks ago I posted this photo on my facebook page:

Winter

Well spring has sprung - so updated photo:

Spring

Stay tuned for summer photo in a month of two.