Birds on my wall

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When a creative idea hits you, just go with it. Don't stop to think about it, don't wonder if you can do it, don't think "what if it looks terrible", Just do it.
This is how I am when I create. I can be inspired by a word, a photo, a phrase, a quote, a sound...and an idea will wash over me and in that moment I can already see the final result before it's even created.
And it's these moments that normally bring me the best results.

So when I had an idea this weekend for my blocks...I just went with it. Inspired by birds as always*I love birds* and remembering beautiful spring days that hubby and I shared in March while in Paris...I created these 6 watercolors to go onto the blocks that are on my wall.


(the photos were taken a bit skew, but on the wall they are straight!)












*I had forgotten to mention when I asked for suggestions that the blocks are not removable*

So I cut out 6 of my favorite birds from vintage images supplied by Karen of the Graphics Fairy.
Firstly, I prepared my card, by painting each in a background watercolor and setting them aside to dry. Then pasted on my cut out birds and did the watercolors around them. I wanted something fresh, inspired of nature and spring. I did some stamping too.

I finished them all and hung them up over the blocks and left a slight "border" of the block on each one to make it look like they are framed.

I think me likes...
What thinks you?

*Oh yes, don't forget my little giveaway ends 31st March!!Enter HERE*

The last of the cushions

So I finished up the last of the cushions for my lounge...






And that completes my sewing for the lounge for now!

Next project: Dining Room wall
I have 6 of 25x25cm wooden blocks screaming at me to "embellish" them somehow.


A friend of mine made them for me and I don't want to take them down, I like the idea but after close to 5 years now, I need a change...
The following ideas have popped into my head...


-a scrap page on each
-a photo on each
-cover with pretty contrast fabrics.

Then I go blank...


Can you offer any suggestions?

Scrapbook page:mini crochet bunting

I had this urgent desire to make some crochet mini bunting for a scrap page. So here is the result.
I must admit, I LOVE this...I can see future scrap pages having mini crochet bunting on!! It's so quick and easy to and a lovely homemade embellishment to a page!

I simply sewed on the bunting with my machine (you could do it by hand too) and did a bit of layering under the photo(all sewed by machine first), left the loose ends cos I like it like that!

And then I added some tags into the "pockets" made from the bunting where I didn't sew it down.*Enter my GIVEAWAY here ends 31 May 2011*

Braid Hairstyle

I wanted to share this lovely hairstyle with you. I found the tutorial (and many others) on this blog: Love Megyn.

I tried it and here is what it looked like.
It is a braid that starts at the top and goes diagonally across the back of your head. Really, were it not for this tutorial, I would never have tried this. I have long hair and while I love wearing it down. (especially in winter-keeps me warm!) I often get bored with it and "up" styles are so hard to manage to do on your own. But I really want to experiment more as I have the hair to try many different styles with and I love braids. (not the usual little girl style) but sort of in an up-style. I think it can look so romantic and soft and pretty.
Have a look at Love Megyns blog, her blog is full of such hair tutorials and she makes it really easy to follow. I am sure with a lot more practice, I can do a better job of this one!

Just a quick question: When you comment on someone's blog, does it matter to you if you don't get a personal reply via email or a comment left on your blog or even a reply to your comment on the blog you left it on?

I was just wondering what the general feeling on this is....if you can take a moment to let me know, I would appreciate it!

**Enter my May 5th Blogaversary giveaway HERE ends 31 May 2011*

Who says cooking can't be done in style?

Once I get into the swing of things I normally exhaust myself on the same "subject" before getting bored and moving on...
Take for instance my latest love for sewing...Done the cushions, and have now moved onto some aprons that are going into my ETSY store. (cos I am too lazy to put them in my shop!).

I love making Aprons. You can see some I have made here.

I use a collection of fabrics normally rose-inspired, very feminine, pretty, spring-feel to them.

This one I crocheted a little flower on it. It has a pocket to store your recipes and wooden spoon! (hee hee) and two little birds I hand cut and sewed on.


see, the pocket is deep enough for a A5 little book.


And it has a crocheted edging on it too.
I like my aprons to be unique and won't make two the same.

Then there is this one...Made from a Stuart Graham fabric (love his fabrics!!!) The same fabric behind the dress.
Also a hand cut bird sewn onto a pocket.
Tied with a satin sash.


Again, the pocket is deep enough to hold a recipe book (A4) and a spoon!! (or a whisk, whatever you fancy!) The top has some pretty vintage inspired lace.

The entries for my giveaway are flooding in. You can Enter *HERE*
You can find these Aprons in my ETSY store. (only two!)

Vintage Inspired makes...

Congrats!! You found the code! use VINTAGEKITDEAL1 for a 10% off!


Today is horrible weather. We had such a storm last night, the lashing wind kept making it's way into my dreams-I actually had dreams of trees breaking and falling onto houses! And I kept waking up imagining all kinds of garden things having been blown away! Thankfully all was in tact this morning....but the wind and rain is relentless today.

It's been a busy weekend, cleaned and packed away our big pool.
Planted seeds for Spring and summer.
Worked in the garden clearing away and making room for new growth and pretty flowers to go in soon!

So happy as my sweat peas are coming up all by themselves! Cannot wait for spring, last years show of flowers was amazing!

Today, after the usual Monday cleaning, I got some craft things done...
First up was to re-decorate my dining room dresser. It had become a bit messy, so I spruced it up a bit!


I made this patchwork cushion yesterday, complete with blanket stitch and a crochet edge, it closes with some buttons.


It is for my lounge. I then decided I liked it so much, I would do a few more for the lounge. Just for a change! So I did this one with the word "Home" . I am still going to do another one with the word "love" and one more...not sure yet what the 4th one will be.

This is the back of the above cushion. I did a blanket stitch with crochet wool and then a crochet edge.



Don't forget to enter my giveaway!!

Please share with me....

I am looking for warm, winter recipes!
If you have a tried and tested recipe you love, please share with me!

I love casseroles, soups, stews, pies, one-pot meals, roasts.

you can email me (email in my sidebar).

I have a slow cooker, so any recipes for that are also welcomed!

Thanks so much!


*Enter my May 5th Blogaversary giveaway HERE ends 31 May 2011*

My first Crocheted cushion !

Hello lovely ones!
~ I hope you are feeling just as happy as I am that it's Friday!~

*Remember to enter the giveway/s in the post below this one, there is still 12 days to do so!!*

I wanted to share my first crochet cushion cover with you. I couldn't believe how quick and easy this was, I literally finished it in the space of a weekend. I sat two nights whilst watching TV to make this. So it must of taken in total about 4 hours to make.



I simply used 4 granny squares left over from a previous project and then crocheted those together and then did a border of single crochet around all 4 squares. I then simply did a row of double crochet until I got to the desired measurement.

The back is simply one large granny square using double crochet (3 at a time into each space followed by one single crochet).

Then I joined the front and back together using afghan stitch and then finished off with a little edge which is ch3, 2 dch all into small hole, then next st a single ch and then next st ch3 followed by 2 dch and so on and so on all the way around.

Completed with 6 little buttons I hand sewed on.
A final touch was adding 4 little flowers to the center of each granny square and then sew a little button onto each flower center.

And this one is in my daughter's room as the colors match so nicely with her room deco!

Anyway I am glad it's weekend, cos, firstly I need SLEEP! *can never get enough when every morning I wake up at 6 and it is pitch dark until 7:30!!*

-To do something constructive and crafty (as always :)
-To spend time with the little ones
-get some gardening done! *got seeds to plant*!

What about you...any plans??

5th Blogaversary GIVEAWAY!!! *enter here*

Hello!!!
Finally...I have a few minutes in between waiting for the rice to cook to post about my 5th blogaversary giveaway!!
I am so excited about this. I always get a little thrill when I think of how far this blog has come and the changes it has gone through!
Through it all, I have met some great people, been introduced to some lovely ladies who inspire me on so many levels.
I have had constant readers who delight me with their comments and for this I am the most grateful. Anyone can blog, but it's the feedback at the end of the day that makes it seem more worthwhile! YOU know who you are... thank you!
I also love the fact that it's a bit of my life recorded with photos, and all the things I love all in one place! Like a 5 year long diary!!

There are a TWO giveaways, so make sure you enter the one/s you want to and please read the rules carefully...

GIVEAWAY ONE

I am giving away a whole stash of stuff to ONE happy person.
{everything is handmade by me:
-mini bunting
-Paris tags
-Gift tags
-embellishments including felt birds, foam butterflies, ribbon, fabric and felt flowers, paper flowers with buttons sewn in the middle, ticket stubs, crocheted flowers, altered flowers.
Here is one of the gifts...a crocheted flower sewn onto lace and tulle complete with guinea fowl feathers. This I made to be a brooch or to be made into a hair accessory, although you will need to add the safety pin or hair band to it.
A close up of some of the goodies.

GIVEAWAY TWO
Again this is will go to one happy person.

A scrap booking embellishment set such as you see in the photo below.
The set contains two crocheted flowers with vintage style button detail, fabric roses with tulle, ribbon and feather detail, (can be used as a brooch too), a pack of 6 paper flowers with buttons and butterflies sewn on, a pack of 3 assorted trim and assorted tags/tickets.

The prize may differ from the photo below, depending on what I have in stock.

SPECIAL FREE ENTRY for:
If you are a follower of my blog and/or a newsletter subscriber, you automatically are given a FREE entry. So say you are a follower AND A newsletter subscriber, you get TWO free entries automatically without having to do anything!! {just to say thanks!}


All you have to do to ENTER these giveaways is the following:

1) Just leave a comment in THIS post to enter.
State which giveaway you are entering eg "giveaway 1".
You can enter for both in one comment, but then please say "giveaway 1 and 2".
-only comments in THIS post will be accepted as an entry for the giveaway

2) You MUST leave me some way to contact you....
* an blog address
* an email address
-no contact details, no entry

3) To enter, you MUST answer this simple question: (just a random comment like "pick me! pick me!!" or "thanks for the chance" won't qualify.)
Question: What do you enjoy most about this blog that keeps you returning?


4) Giveaway closes the 31 May 2011 and the prize will be randomly drawn on that day.
The prize will be shipped by registered air mail at the beginning of June.

5) Don't forget, subscribers to my newsletter and followers each get a free entry!

YAY!!!! And thank YOU for sharing this journey with me!