Friday, April 29, 2011

Happy Weekend

I'm not really a Royal fan but it's a little exciting watching all the hype going into Will and Kate's wedding. It got me thinking of all the quirky fashion and music that comes out of the UK. Most famous band of all is of course the Beatles. Hope you enjoy these great colourful pics from the Sgt Peppers album...


Have a great weekend!

x

Thursday, April 28, 2011

DIY day!

The next couple of images are more Art than DIY but  re-purposing and re-cycling really inspire me to think differently about everyday objects.

Natalie Sampson is a Design student in the UK. I saw her amazing work on the recyclart website and was hooked, she turns everyday objects into amazing pieces of Art.

Below is a light made from 300 whisks...




A bowl made from walnut wooden curtain rings...

and a necklace made from sewing machine bobbins...


So check Natalie's blog out and have a great day!

x


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wednesday's COLOUR!


In Bloom...



Image scanned by me from Inside Out Magazine Jan/Feb 11 photo by Craig Wall

Have a wonderful Wednesday, so glad it's a short week!

x

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter break and spent lots of time with family and friends!...we tried a few crafty activities and went for a picnic by the lake, had great fun and a relaxing weekend - post photo's later.

Usually Tuesday is 'things I LOVE but can't afford day' - today the items I'm lusting after are up there in style but a lot lower in price! 


Black lacquered reupholstered bench from the 1940's - $1800 click here
Italian Brass sconces $2400  click here
Purple rubber vase - only $59.95 from here 


x

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Happy Easter!

Ok. I can't believe how fast the year is flying by. It's already Easter and if you, like me have little ones at home, here are some crafty activities to occupy them during the holiday. All these great ideas come from the queen of craft, Martha Stewart.


First up - painted sneakers, click here for the how to...so easy and thrifty

Bread clay beads - white bread, glue and a few drops of lemon juice - click here 
Brooch made with crepe paper, feathers, ribbon and whatever else you can think of...click here 

For a few more DIY projects  - check out these sites:

A beautiful mess - Fashion, handmade and Pretty things

How About Orange - DIY tutorials on everything from glass etching and decoupage to magnets

Hammer & Thread - Owl stuffies

the journals of giddy giddy - shop giddygiddy.com 

Well that should keep everyone busy for the weekend! The girls and I will definitely be trying a couple of these crafts out.

It's good Friday tomorrow and I won't be blogging again until Tuesday so I hope everyone has a great break relaxing with family and friends enjoying and remembering the meaning of Easter!






Don't forget we have 10% off Italian tableware from Danish company RICE until the 30th April!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Colour of the day!

GREEN for my tomatoes - the tastiest heirloom tomatoes around!


x

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Things I LOVE but can't afford Tuesday!



There is such simplicity and elegance to Danish design and I absolutely love it. Finn Juhl designed the NV45 chair in 1945...you can buy it here for a cool $11,000.00

Model 500 coffee table by Finn Juhl $3500...you can buy it here
Scirocco Chair by Arne Norrell $3250...buy here

So there you go - three things for Tuesday (aside from my children) that inspire me to continue working!


Something I can afford, but shouldn't buy - is this gold ram head ring from Tony Burch for $125

or the geo ring for $125

Enjoy your Day...

x

Monday, April 18, 2011

I'm sure everyone had a great weekend and even if you didn't here is a lovely thought to brighten up your day...

Every cloud has a silver lining by Maricor Maricar


This week is going to be all about the shop, my shop, a little shop. We have got free shipping on all domestic orders over $100 up until the end of April. So if you want to get in quick for Mothers Day, come and have a browse. There is also 10% off all italian tableware rice products so you definitely get an extra bonus there. The Italian tableware from Rice is just stunning. The pieces are so thoughtfully made with care, signed & dated by the maker - really special pieces of work.


and if your after original artwork
and we can't forget Melbourne designer Madz has runaway necklaces...

ALSO today is the last day to get your cards for Easter...buy here



Have a great day!

P.S how do you like my new banner - I was pretty chuffed with myself, I'm only just learning to use photoshop...

x

Friday, April 15, 2011

"Fashion says me too and style says only me" Lynn Dell's philosophy on fashion...

I saw this clip on the advanced style blog by Ari Seth Cohen and just had to share it. So inspiring!



Have a great weekend! 

x

Thursday, April 14, 2011

I'm posting a little late today. I have had one busy morning!

I am just loving recycling and upcycling at the moment, you have your own special unique things and it's great for the environment. Here are a couple of DIY's just for you...


I came across this great DIY organiser made from tin cans, there are so many possibilities. You could paint and arrange them any way you like.

Such a great idea!


Recycling an old 80's dress...

I love that you don't have to be a good sewer when it comes to upcycling clothes - all you need to know is the basics.

Start with a very ugly 80's dress
with great bold good quality fabric
Prepare to cut - start with taking the inner dress out. If there isn't one, cut the hem length you would like - please ignore my styling, those scissors look a little dangerous.
cut the neckline...and remove any horrible shoulder pads - I personally really don't need those.
measure bias binding around the neckline and don't forget to add an extra 1cm at the end. Sew bias binding ends together and pin right sides of fabric and binding together...
then sew
you should have this
press
and topstitch...you should do the same with a hem - my dress came in two pieces, I always look for the easy way out.
Add a belt and your done!

x

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

It's 'Things I can't afford but Love' day again!

Today's goodie is the Oly San Francisco 'Dakota Sofa' from Coco Republic. This gorgeous piece of work will set you back around $11, 755 AUS...


while I was doing a bit of web surfing, I came across this site. It sells the most gorgeous Japanese antiques for very reasonable prices.

this silk obi from the 1920's $390

antique chest from the 1890's $1430


Guess I better keep on working!

x


Monday, April 11, 2011


If you are interested in studying colour and design ISCD has courses in most areas of design. On Saturday the 16th of this month iscd has an open day for any up and coming colourist, stylist or designer - so if you live in Sydney and have a flair for design book now for an info session.


Suzanne Gorman - one of iscd students has been chosen out of 500 entries from 200 students as one of four finalists in the annual designer rug competition held in conjunction with Designer Rugs.



Stay tuned for the Art on the Floor finalists and the winning design on display at the iscd gallery from 14 May - 24 June 2011, 10am - 4pm Monday to Saturday in Sydney.

x
Hi there! I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend and you are all ready for a New week...

I had a really productive and busy weekend doing all sorts of things - we had a special visitor (my cousin) who happens to be a very lovely singer come and stay a couple of nights. It was so relaxing hanging out with her. Then HH took the girls for a bit and I got to catch up on a some work. I'm reasonably happy with the outcome. I'm experimenting with light and shade - got a few more ideas now for a new series of paintings...

chalk and oil pastel on paper
chalk and oil pastel on paper
chalk and oil pastel on paper

Also changed a few things with the shop, made the layout less confusing and we have some great new stock in store so stop by and say hello!


x