2009 - My year in Pictures..

2009 - What a year it has been...

This year I...

Bought my first house
Adopted a new member into our family, the mischievous kitten Olive
Got my first tattoo
Collected ten vintage typewriters
Made hundreds of brooches and watched my little business blossom
Had my work featured on the front page of Etsy
Had my work featured in Frankie, Real Living and Get Creative magazines

This year has been just so amazing for me. I've soared through many wonderful highs and also experienced some sad lows. My blog has always been a place for me to come to, to ponder, reflect, share and explore my world. Thank you so much for a wonderful year, for all your kind words, comments, support and friendship. It means so much to me and I can't wait to continue blogging and sharing in the fun of 2010. Wishing everyone a delightful evening of new year's celebrations. See you tomorrow to begin a brand new year..

Much love and Happy New Year!
xxx

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Ideas and Dressing Tables..

I love these final days of the year, with Christmas behind us, the new year around the corner, the sun high in the sky and the world almost in slow motion, still in holiday mode... and I'm right there with them, deep in the beauty and delight of the holiday season.

My holidays have been filled with ideas, plans, measurements and making friends with the people at the local hardware store. Magazines and clippings fill the dining table whilst my journal brims with beautiful images of homes, paint colours, homewares and my little cottage moment by moment becomes our home..

The current state of my dining table.. full of inspiration.

My moleskine journal has become the ultimate place for all my grand ideas, the biggest of which is a plan for a delightful little conservatory, inspired by Susan Southam's Bramasole, nestled in the backyard under the Maple Tree..

Pages of thoughts and notes, an inspiring bedroom, lovely bedside table and quilt.

I find myself spending the mornings sipping tea and pouring though images, making notes over toast and tea before taking to streets, journal and tape measure in hand, ready to find that perfect colour and piece of furniture.. and yesterday I did just that.

As my hubby and I braved the heat to search the local refuse shop for some old tea chests and crates, I stumbled across this gorgeous little old dressing table. Tomorrow the transformation begins, with a few coats of white paint, I hope to give this lovely dressing table a 'French Provincial' feel.

Wishing you a delightful final day of 2009, a time to reflect and look to the future, to make wonderful plans for the coming year.

Much Love
xxx

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Merry Christmas and a little cottage tour...

Well it has been a very long week of shifting heavy boxes and cleaning windows and we are finally into a lovely little cottage, just in time for Christmas. I'm so delighted to finally have the internet back and I would just love to take you on a wee tour of our sweet nest.

Welcome, come down the garden path, past the rambling roses to our little cottage.

Roses are abundant throughout the garden and are just begging to be placed into delicate Venetian glass to perfume the house.

Of course, one of the first boxes to be unpacked was the books, perched carefully on the bookshelf where Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll and James Joyce enjoy a cup of tea.

I'm so excited about my cute little kitchen, the original fire place still intact, perfect for recipe books and lovely bits and pieces.

Through the back door, tangled amongst the daisies and roses you will find our laundry in a gorgeous little weatherboard nook.

In the lounge room, on the coffee table is the new Real Living magazine, it's one of my very favourites and yesterday I was relaxing in the afternoon with a pot of tea enjoying this fabulous How-To issue, when I noticed something rather exciting...

One of my little brooches on the We're Loving page!

I had no idea that 'I heart Cupcakes' was going to make an appearance and I must say, I bolted outside to find my hubby and ran around giggling like a little girl. A very delightful Christmas present indeed. Thanks so much to the amazing girls at Real Living for putting together such a fabulous magazine, it is always filled with such inspiring design ideas.

More of my little cottage to come as I paint a few walls and get my lovely new studio organised. Thanks so much for joining me on this little tour..

Well it is indeed Christmas Eve and I'm off to make enjoy the festive cheer for a few days before settling in to unpack the rest of my house and begin renovations. Wishing you, your family and friends a delightful Christmas and festive season, full of joy, laughter, love and a glass of bubbly or two.

Much Love and Merry Christmas
xxx

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My Place & Yours..Five Minutes Peace

This week's My Place and Yours theme has been thought up by the fabulous Pilgim and it is just glorious! For how doesn't want 'Just Five Minutes Peace' in their ever exciting and busy lives.

My favourite spot in the world to get five minutes peace, my very own sanctuary, is my lovely little vintage desk and Louis XV style chair. It is in the perfect spot by the front window and when the afternoon sunshine streams in, there is no place I would rather be, curled up with one of my favourite books, a letter or two and my journal.

My little desk and chair.. It is a little bare at the moment because we are moving into our new cottage on Friday but it's one of the last parts of my world I will pack up. I love to fill the little shelves with beautiful books, letters, vintage postcards and ink bottles.

My moleskine journal, a very special place to catch a moment in time, somewhere I always feel at home.

Lovely letters from my dear girls Courtney and Tara.. I can't wait to finish up work for the year on Wednesday so I can write letters all summer long.

And don't think it's just us hard working humans that enjoy five minutes of peace. My delightful Olive also enjoys her kitten peace and quiet too. Yesterday I was searching the whole house for Olive, when finally my hubby found her, in her new favourite spot... cuddled up on the bed, hiding inside my dressing gown.

Olive's very own sanctuary.. Looks like I'll be finding myself a new dressing gown.

Make sure you pop over to Pip's and check out everyone's lovely little favourite spots for that very important five minutes peace and make sure you join in too!

PS. Just a reminder I will be closing my Etsy shop at midnight tonight and will reopen after Christmas, once I'm all settled in to my new studio.

Much love and happy Monday
xxx

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Saturday Shopping List..

This week's list is inspired by a day of relaxing by the pool yesterday, the perfect way to end up a very full and exciting school year. As the kids played and the teachers sat and watched enjoying a moments peace, I couldn't help but notice the beautiful shades of blue and green and the glorious sunshine that streamed down, breaking through tiny white clouds. Here's to a delightful summer...

1. English Garden Bobby Pin Set by Nomsa
2. a whatnot 'everyday' vintage stool by dottieangel
3. before sunset 5x7 Art Print by alicebgardens
4. Pair of Embroidery End Table Doilies by MarcellasExcess

Check out all the other lovely shopping lists at fancypicnic.

Much love and happy shopping!
xxx

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The festivities begin...

It is so delightful that when the calendar flicks over to December and within moments everyone is in the Christmas spirit. After spending the last two days at the VATE state conference, surrounding by amazing and inspiring people and so many fabulous books, I arrived back at work today and felt like I has stepped into the North Pole. Everywhere I turned there were decorations, silly Santa hats and Kris Kringle gift giving.

As I walked to my office I was surprised and delighted receive a beautiful little gingerbread house from one of my students. I'd just love to live inside this little house, complete with icing sugar snow.

My delightful gingerbread house.. almost too cute to eat!

With all this Christmas spirit about, I'm very excited about getting back into my studio and making some lovely custom brooches just in time for Christmas. The always lovely Linda from Two Pink Possums has order the sweetest little Christmas brooches which I'm just finishing at the moment, such a cute idea.

HoHoHo and Ba Humbug custom Christmas brooches..

And remember my shop will only be open until Monday the 14th so if you would like to purchase a custom brooch for yourself or someone special for Christmas, make sure you get in quick. I'm offering a very special Christmas treat of three 'I heart' brooches for $30, so you can let your imagination run wild.

I hope your Holiday festivities are getting into full swing. For some fabulous eco friendly decorating tips, check out Dottie Angel and her amazing Christmas Tree.

Much Love
xxx

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Sunday Shopping List...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.. especially when there are red and white candy cane stripes about..

1. Plaid. Vintage mug by Kultur
2. Bakers Twine in Peppermint Stick by CaliforniaCraft
3. The Lady in Red Stripes by kirby
4. REGENCY STRIPE Cotton Cushion Cover by bestillshop

Check out all the other lovely shopping lists at fancypicnic.

Much love and candy canes
xxx

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Thank you...

I would just like to thank everyone so much for your amazing support, comments and emails over the last week. I have been overwhelmed by your beautiful messages and each one has truly touched my heart. I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful community.


I am back home now after spending a week in Queensland with my family celebrating the incredible life of my grandfather. This week has really made me appreciate the important things in life, to share and love in each moment with family and friends and to truly live life with passion and joy.

It has been delightful to catch up on everyone's blogs and enjoy all the Christmas festivities and touches of glee. It is all so inspiring and I just can't wait to finish up work for the year, move into my lovely little cottage (which is only two weeks away!) and decorate our little world ready for Christmas.

As I will be packing up my studio in preparation for the move, I will be reopening my Etsy shop up today until the 14th of December for custom orders only. So if you would like a Christmas brooch for yourself or something special as a gift, please send conversation via Etsy or email me asap.

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday, I hope you day is filled with love and family. I'm off to enjoy a little more blog inspiration before I begin an afternoon of organising and packing. The only question is now.. which room to start on first?

Image from weheartit

Much Love
xxx

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Some sad news...

I've been trying to find the right way to word this little post and everything I seem to write just doesn't make the words any easier to say. Sadly my grandfather passed away yesterday after a long battle with Parkison's Disease. I will be taking a little time away from my blog and Etsy shop for myself and to spend time with my family in Queensland. Thank you so much to all my readers so your support and comments over this amazing year. It makes my day to read your inspiring words and be a part of this wonderful community. I look forward to returning before Christmas to share in the beautiful festive delights with all of you.

Much Love
xxx

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My Place & Yours.. My Collection

What a fabulous theme this week for My Place and Yours... Collections! Just so delightful, thank you Kate! I am indeed a bowerbird by nature and my collections often adorn my blog pages. I'm constantly searching for fascinating items to collect and often spend my weekends meandering through, antique and second hand shops when I have a 'feeling' there might be delights about.

My largest collection in many senses is of course my typewriters. It all started years ago when I bought a cheap 1970's portable from a garage sale. The next thing I knew I was using this little old typewriter so much I ran it out of ink, so I began to search for another. It was a delightful Saturday morning at my favourite antique shop that I spotted the most beautiful typewriter I had ever seen. At that moment I knew I just had to begin a collection.

My five oldest typewriters, including my very favourite Remington circa 1908. I can't wait to move into our lovely new cottage, my hubby has promised to build a cabinet to fit my collection in.

Whilst on the look out for typewriters, I'm also in search of teacups and ink bottles, two of my favourite 'little things' to collect.

Some of my teacups, the rest are scattered around the house holding buttons, earrings, flowers and of course tea!

I've been given most of my current tea cup collection from my grandmother's pieces. I love finding cups that are just a little bit quirky and stand out from the crowd. I always love a teacup with a fascinating handle. When I have a little more space, teapots are my next on my list.

My ink bottle stash began with my love for old quills and daydreams of sitting at a little desk in the attic and writing a manuscript just like Jo March from Little Women. I'm drawn to bottles that have a tale to tell with unusual shapes, text and lids.

As Sibella Court says, 'I call myself a keeper of collections'. I find pieces of yesteryear and bring them back together, telling tall tales and love stories along the way.

Pop over to Pip at Meet me at Mikes to enjoy all the other beautiful collections and inspire the bowerbird within you.

Much love and happy collecting
xxx

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A granny chic Christmas..

Inspired by the ever delightful Emma Lamb and The Royal Sisters, I spent a glorious rainy Saturday creating my very own granny chic Christmas tree. As we will be moving into our lovely new house in less than a month, just in time for Christmas, I didn't want to set up our normal tree just to have to pull it down again, so this is my little festive alternative.

I bought the sweet tree from Rose Harvest last weekend and adorned it with some little Christmas granny circles and gorgeous candy stripped ribbon from Spotlight.

I love traditional red and white for Christmas and used a little cream contrast add a golden touch. I've still got a few more to make to fill the back of the tree and I'm so pleased with the say its turned out.

Next on my crochet list is a garland to match my little tree and I can't wait to try out The Royal Sisters lovely twinkle star pattern to match my wee Christmas circles.

Wishing you a wonderful relaxing Sunday. I'll be back tomorrow with this week's My Place and Yours, what a fabulous theme this week collections! I have so many collections I'm not even sure where to start. Trying to fit all my typewriters into one photograph will be very interesting indeed.

Much love and festive thoughts
xxx

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Saturday Shopping List..

It is lovely to have a little free time up my sleeve to once again rejoice in a meander through the delightful world of Etsy, to bring to you a wee shopping list each Saturday. I do miss creating these lists so much and I'm looking forward to finding some wonderful new creations and sellers.

Today it rained... for the first time in months and after the heatwave of the last few weeks I could not be happier. It was as if the rain drops were tiny rainbows of colour.

1. Raindrops - 5 x 5 art print by crimsonpeachyart

2. Miniature Raindrop (Orange Pattern) by ashleyg
3. The rain cloud - Print by tinewiggens
4. Mobile Rain of colors.... by leptitpapillon

Check out all the other lovely shopping lists at fancypicnic.

Happy Saturday! I'm off to dance in the rain and then perhaps curl up with a cup of tea and some crochet.

Much Love
xxx

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My Creative Space..

A little Christmas cheer has come skipping through my creative space this week. Cherry red and snow flake white, dance amongst books and typewriters as I dream of a distant white Christmas whilst finding my reality in the middle of a heatwave...

My creative space, getting ready for Christmas... with inspiration from the beautiful new Inside Out Christmas Edition, vintage books, feathers and fabric.

I was so delighted yesterday to find in my mailbox... a fabulous sparkling copy Keri Smith's new book This is not a Book. Oh it is just so much fun!

I found this beautiful stack of goodies at Rose Harvest last weekend and I just couldn't resist. It reminds me of a lovely collection of vintage school books.

A little stash of fabric ready to be transformed into decorations and other Christmas delights.
Join the creative space fun with the Queen of creativity Kirsty!

I hope those of you in my part of the world are finding a way to keep cool and those of you enjoy the beginnings of a white Christmas, oh how I would love to join you. Wishing you all a lovely and creative Thursday.

Much Love
xxx

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Wonderful Wednesday Inspiration...

Now I have a lovely little home ready to be filled with delightful things, I feel like I've got a blank canvas just waiting for some paint and love. Pouring through magazines and blogs last night I was just overwhelmed with delightful possibilities and thought I would share with you some lovely and inspiring rooms. I love looking at all my favourite images in one place, I begin to take note of all the subtle similarities and quirky things I just adore.

Bedrooms

Bathrooms



Nooks



Gardens

Just beautiful! All images from weheartit, decor8 and designsponge. Check out these great sites for absolutely beautiful and inspiring decorating ideas.

Happy Wednesday!
Much Love
xxx

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Our lovely new cottage...

I'm so excited to be able to share some fabulous news that I have been keeping secret for a few weeks now... my hubby and I have finally bought our very first house!

Our new home...

After falling in love with the pictures of this gorgeous little cottage we just had to go and have a peek at it.. and after seeing the stunning Murray pine floor boards, Wunderlich ceilings and amazing Maple tree out the back we just couldn't resist. We move in on the 18th of December, so now the joys of packing begin.. I just can't wait to start painting, gardening and making the little cottage all our own.

I'm off to have a wee glass of champagne to celebrate and spend a few lovely hours searching for decorating inspiration through some fabulous new magazines before the madness begins.

Any packing advice much appreciated
Much love and happy days!
xxx

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What have you been making?

After reading Pip's lovely what have you been making post, I was inspired share to share what I have been creating over the past week. Although still in the midst of chaos at my day job (as you can see from my sad lack of posting over the last few weeks) I have been trying to spend a little time for myself making lovely things.

Some exciting crochet projects I'm working on... One is a secret, the other is the beginnings of a lovely giant granny square blanket for my bed.

And a wonderful chocolate cake recipe I found in Susan Southam's beautiful book Velvet Pears, with yummy ganache icing from Nigella's delightful How to be a Domestic Goddess.

Today I'm off to cut some fabric for my Christmas stock I am busily working on and I'm also looking forward to a spot of letter writing later this evening. What have you been making?

Much love
xxx

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My Creative Space..

This week my creative space is more a whole stack of ideas in my mind rather than a chaotic desk. With only one more day until the weekend and I can't wait for some free time to mess up my studio and create some lovely Christmas decorations and work on my softie for Mirabel. But whilst I wait for a Saturday to arrive, I'm finding a few moments in my day to enjoy the lovely things in life, including a spot of crochet. As my ideas are yet to hit the page, my creative space this week contains my two new favourite things..

My favourite fabric, a recent purchase from Funky Fabrix and perhaps the most delightful and kooky shoes I own, my fabulous new pair of Tony Bianco ballet flats.

Join the creative space fun with the Queen of creativity Kirsty!

I hope your Thursday has been full of creativity and delightful moments. My thought for the day... take note of the little things.

Much Love
xxx

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Lovely Things List...

It has indeed been a very busy week in my little nook... with my students completing exams, essays to mark, reports to write, brooches to make and having just made quick trip over the weekend to Brisbane to visit my beautiful family and spend some very precious time with my grandparents, this last seven days have been quite a whirl wind. Now I'm back and barely unpacked and I'm already searching for extra hours in the day for the little things. This afternoon on my walk home from work in 41 degree heat, I began to think about ways I could catch an extra moment in the day, to do something special just for me.. So I made a little list of lovely things to do and I've made a wee promise to myself to spend half and hour doing one of these activities each day..

Lovely Things List

Read a beautiful book..

Bake something yummy!

Crochet a granny square..

Make the perfect cup of tea..

Take an afternoon walk..

Enjoy a spot of retail therapy.. (especially if it is the at the amazing Anthropologie store in London)

Watch a film.. (Amelie always makes me smile)

Fill a page with beautiful words..

And if all that seems to difficult...
Enjoy an afternoon nap!

All images found on weheartit

Right now it's a tough choice between reading a book and taking a little nap before cooking dinner. I'm thinking if I begin reading and then fall asleep, I've enjoyed two lovely things in one day.. Perfect! Wishing you a lovely Wednesday full of lovely things!

Much Love
xxx

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