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.

Random Etsy Wednesday

So I have decided (and I am going to do my very best to stick to it) to make Wednesday’s posts – “Random Etsy Wednesday”. The idea is I post about random goodies I have come across on Etsy during the week. To kick us off:

Build Your Own Lego Crayon Set of 50 by GaddyNipperCrayons

“Fun, Custom, Recycled Lego Crayons” available in 12 standard colours + pastel colours. Each crayon measures 1.75” x 75” and is approx 5” thick. Better yet – use them as party favours and GaddyNipperCrayons will kindly package them into sets for you with a customized label!

If lego isn’t your thing – you can get them in cupcakes, hearts, starwars, spiders, elmo – I could go on – but why not just have a look yourself!

Fat and Grumpy F.ck Bunny, Apple Green Fleece by spidercamp

These ones are more for the adults (OK definitely for adults) – but what can I say they caught my eye and most of us have at least one family member or friend who we know would appreciate it!

Spidercamp have some weird and wonderful bunny’s and stickers (!?)

owl love you forever no. 4 - tree bark by seekatesew

Best finish off on a sweet note – these cute as pie owl softies would be a perfect addition to any kids room, couch, shelf…. Wherever really. See Kate Sew also has some super sweet baby girl pinafores.

Ok – that is enough randomness for one Wednesday.

Baby number 2 - beware…..

For those that know me well, I am never without a camera and it is often pointed at friends and family. So when my first son was born some 9 ½ months ago I wanted to come up with something creative to capture his life. So every day I take a photo (usually with my iphone because it is never far away) and I send my close family a “Daily Ollie”. The plan is then to create a book at the end of his first year.

Baby number 2 however (no it is not on the way – give me a break)– I am going to take a leaf out of Adele Enersen’s, otherwise known as Mila’s mum, book / blog. Adele was a copywriter and concept designer in a previous life, but is now loving being a mother and housewife on maternity leave. As her maternity hobby, Adele creates amazing worlds around her sleeping beauty when she is napping, and captures it for the world to see. What started as a way to share photos with family and friends has gone worldwide with over 41,000 facebook followerers. The images are super cute and has me itching to take photos….

Mary Poppins

Space Odysee 2010

Bookwork

Paper doll

Check out Mila’s Daydream Blog and Facebook page. Make sure you look at the photos on facebook where other fans have posted photos of their efforts!

Sweet Prints - 20% off

I have been admiring Janette of “Sweet Prints” work for some months now and with her “20% of blog sale” it is the perfect time for me to blog about her (and finally order something). Her work is pefect for that little person in your life’s room. I particularly love the bedtime bus roll print but I am just waiting until my little one is a little older and well and truly in a routine.

In the meantime I think I am going to order the "Counting in French poster" – but with Portuguese (for those wondering why - my father-in-law is Portuguese!)

Check out Janette’s great work on etsy, made it, or on her website. And of course read about her work and life in her wonderful blog. (sale ends 5pm Monday 4^th October so don’t wait)