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!

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A Colourful Sunny Wednesday...

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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...

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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

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Guess I better keep on working!

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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.

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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!

floral retro vintage tray

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Have a fabulous and inspiring weekend!

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When I first saw Melbourne based designer Suzie Stanford's work in Vogue Living I fell in love with it immediately. Her bright colourful one off pieces made from discarded items are truly inspiring. For more on this amazing "designer and finder" click here...

All images

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My little Project for today is cute little clay earrings, they are so easy to make.

FIMO coloured clay
Earring stems and studs
Glue gun or super glue

Roll clay into balls or press flat - any shape you like but make sure they fit on your earring stems...bake for approx 30mins or so and then cool

glue your clay shape to your earring stem

and there you have it. All done! Would love to see pictures if you try this. 

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A PINK day for Madz has runaway...

Buy in store click here

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Things I LOVE but can't afford Tuesday!

David Bromley (one of my favourite artists) who is guest blogger at The Design Files collaborated with Capocchi to create the most amazing unique pieces of furniture.

Gorgeous Antique French Bed $18,500

Oil on canvas $27,000

Vintage Theodolite Lamp $3,950

All images are from Capocchi

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Where do I start. Firstly, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine was going great until Sunday night when my little L hit her head on the side of a table (so lucky the edges were rounded) she had a huge bump and we rushed her down to the hospital and they told us to keep an eye on her, that's all we could do. She seems fine but as a mother I can't help being a worry wart.

As for the rest of my weekend - I seemed to get a lot done. I made more earrings out of clay, so easy and simple and they look so cute, will post more about that on Thursday. I did some gardening. I worked on another small painting and have been trying to get some inspiration for a range of prints - I think I finally have it. I was going through one of my old drawings from a whopping 15 years ago (I feel so old when I write that and I'm only 34) anyway back to the drawing, it's given me some great ideas for a series of design prints. Just have to find the time to work at it now.

Our veggie garden - BEFORE

AFTER

IN-BETWEEN

BEFORE

all different things pop up everywhere in my garden, even when I don't plant them. There is a tomato plant growing with my bay tree and if your wondering why the whole veggie garden is enclosed - POSSUMS eat everything, they are so fat around here they can barely move.

AFTER

all our beautiful tomatoes

New - small paintings/illustrations

one of my old drawings

Before I forget a big Thank you to any new visitors stopping by! Have a productive, safe and healthy week!

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"POSH is not about money, class or breeding. To be POSH is to be glamorous on the inside so let the Llewelyn-Bowens lead the way..." from the Bowen's website...

UK Interior designer Laurence Llewyn-Bowen and his equally famous wife Jackie, have an ecclectic, flamboyant style that's not for the faint hearted. I'm a big fan...

All images from LLB

Wishing everyone a great weekend. I'm off to the vege garden for the weekend!

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