You're a Sweetheart..

As promised, here are my little pastel hearts transformed just in time for Valentine's Day into Sweetheart Brooches.

Inspired by some delightful images of vintage Sweetheart Conversation Candy, I just couldn't resist making some little brooches that are almost sweet enough to eat.

I've made a little limited edition batch of Sweetheart brooches featuring some of the vintage sayings including, Hug Me, Be Mine and Love You and if you have a special someone to buy for this Valentine's Day, I've just listed them in my Etsy shop.

I hope you are having a lovely Tuesday. If you have been over to visit Pip today, you will know all about Looklet. If you are a busy person who like to play dress ups, beware. It is Barbie Dolls for big people, just too much fun! This is how I spent my morning...

PS. I'm very excited, Olive made her pet modeling debut this morning over on the fabulous Desire to Inspire, Monday's Pets on Furniture post. Pop over and check her out posing on my 'Louis' chair.

Much Love
xxx

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Some days are made for crochet..

Yesterday was one of those perfect days. It was blustering and uninviting out, perfect weather for drawing the blinds and enjoying a day inside with a few delightful films, a lovely pot of tea and a crochet project or two. Now that I am once again Grannying Along, I thought it best to dust of all project bags, my favourite wooden hook and get to work.

My colourful giant granny square blanket coming along and it will soon be a gift for a very special person. And my wee granny squares are the beginnings of my cushion I began last week during my afternoon in the sunshine.

I must get back to work on this little creation in time for winter. I know it doesn't look like much now, but I hope sooner rather than later it will become a giant granny square throw for our bed. I was initially doing little squares, but felt I didn't have enough colours, so instead went for one lovely big square.

Unlike my relaxing day yesterday, my Monday has been delightfully busy indeed, with one more week before I have to go back to work, I'm making the most of my time off and creating new stock for Handmade Heaven and Georgie Love. I'm also finding myself in the season of all things Valentine and have been turning some of my little felt circles into hearts.

Pop by tomorrow to see these sweet little delights transformed.

Thank you for your lovely comments and for those already playing along with Flea Market Finds, remember you can post anytime during the week. I've heard Tuesday is the best day for op-shopping so tomorrow might just be your lucky day. If you know anywhere fabulous to find a second hand delight I'd love to know about it.

Well Happy Monday, my granny squares are calling
Much Love
xxx

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B is for Brooches... Shop Update!

I'm so excited to give you a little taste of my shop reopening and new collection of 'I heart' brooches. The A to Z collection a whole alphabet of delights to heart.

With so many things to heart, I thought why not put them together! Craft & Cameras, Daisies & Design, Books & Birds just to name a few. You can find these five in my Etsy shop right now.

Over the next two days I will be stocking my shop with many more 'I heart' brooches, all the way through from A to Z. So far I have nothing for X, so if you have any ideas let me know. And make sure you pop over tomorrow to take part in my wee summer giveaway!

Much Love
xxx

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Crafty Wednesday..

There is plenty of crafty action going on in my studio today.. I've been listing, sorting, cutting and creating the day away.

Many delightfully colourful brooches in the making process...

The glorious (and warm) afternoon sun shines in on my baskets full of fabric. It's all too much fun for my easily excited Olive.

Hope your day has been filled with creativity. Sending lovely summer vibes to those of you feeling the cold of winter at the moment. Say tuned for my shop reopening with some BIG stock updates over the coming days as well as a wee summer giveaway!

Much Love and sunny afternoons
xxx

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Etsy Anniversary Giveaway and Shop Update!

What an amazing year it has been and how time flies when you're having a fabulous time playing with fabric and buttons! I'm so excited to be celebrating my first Etsy Anniversary and to wish my little shop a Happy Birthday I've created a lovely new range of 'I heart' brooches.

The new collection filled with some of my most favourite things including...

Three brooches inspired by the ever beautiful tale of a girl who tumbled down the rabbit hole..

And to thank you all for you amazing support, kindness and friendship, what celebration would be complete without a giveaway!

I have three lovely prizes to giveaway to three delightful people..

The major prize is very special custom design collection of three brooches to celebrate what you love in the world. Created just for you this custom collection is one of a kind, you even get to name it!

Your very own collection...

I've also created two very sweet brooches for this giveaway, made to wear close to your heart.

'My heart belongs to..' brooches are a special part of my new collection, inspired by vintage book plates and days meandering in Paris.

To go into the draw to win one of these sweet little prizes straight from my studio, just leave a comment on this post and tell me where your heart belongs...

Two bonus entries if you blog or twitter about my little giveaway! (please comment and let me know so I can come visit your blog and say hi.)

Thee bonus entries for each item you purchase from my Etsy shop between now next Saturday the 24th.

The giveaway will be drawn Saturday the 24th of October at midday Australian time and is open to everyone world wide so please join and to celebrate my little shop's first anniversary.

Good luck and wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Much Love
xxx

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Open for Business and a Giveway!

In just a few moments my little Etsy shop will be back open for business and I'm so excited about the new collections I have been busily creating. This first update is only the begin with much more to come over the next month. This Spring, blossoms, beautiful cities and fabulous colours are all dancing together at a delightful high tea party.

High Tea Brooches

Alice - One of my new collection of unique 'Book Blossoms'

Petite Scrap Brooches

The exclusive Thea and Sami - City Collection

To celebrate my re-opening I am having a little GIVEAWAY! I have three brooches to giveaway to three lovely people, one from each of my new collections.

Book Blossom 'Joy', Petite Scrap- Create and from the City collection 'Paris' with exclusive Thea and Sami fabric.

To go into the draw to win one of these lovely brooches straight from my studio, just leave a comment on this post and tell me what is your favourite City in the world and why.

Two bonus entries if you blog or twitter about my little giveaway! (please comment and let me know so I can come visit your blog and say hi.)

Thee bonus entries for each item you purchase from my Etsy shop between now Sunday the 16th.

The giveaway will be drawn Sunday the 16th of August at midday Australian time and is open to everyone world wide so please join and to celebrate my little shop's re-opening.

Good luck and I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday.
Much Love
xxx

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My Creative Space..

After spending a few days with a lovely tidy studio I thought it was time to mess it up again! My creative space this week is all about inspiration and I have spent the last few days bringing together all my ideas for my new shop collections which I'm very excited about. Stacks of magazines, article clippings and swatches of fabric line my desk as I scribble on giant post it notes to get all my ideas out of my head and onto the page.

My creative space - my journals, plenty of lovely magazine clippings to stick in, a little box of ribbon and lace, my very cute tea pot and a new inspiration board filled with images for my new collections.

My 'take everywhere because you never know when inspiration may strike' journal. Check out Keri Smith if you want to be inspired to never again live without a journal.

The Library fairies visited me again this morning with a beautiful bag of ribbon and lace. I just love sorting through all the pieces and dreaming up ways to give them new lives.

I'm also very excited to be an official member of the Udessi family. Kim, the wonderful mind behind Udessi has put together a beautiful online gallery and boutique market stall featuring some incredibly talented artists and I'm so delighted to join the team. Pop over to the Udessi gallery to check out their exclusive collection of Sophie Isobel Designs brooches, including a series one of a kind scrap brooches.

Brooches all packed and ready to be sent to Udessi.

Make sure you head over to the wonderful Kirsty to join in the fun and show of your own creative space.

Hope you have had a love and creative Thursday! I'm off to find a blanket, brew a pot of tea and spend a few hours amongst the pages of my journal on one of Keri Smith's wonderful adventures. Just print off her wonderful list of 100 ideas, if you feel like an adventure too.

Much love and creative Thursdays
xxx

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My Creative Space..

And so it is Thursday again and I'm very happy because tomorrow is the last day of term which can only mean one thing... much needed holidays! So it has been with much joy and a little bounce in every step that I pottered around my creative space this afternoon and tidied up a little so I could take a few snaps.

My little space this week is full of inspiration, correspondence, creations and everything in between.

A little cascade of brooches in the making.. There are little circles of felt and fabric all over the house. I just love sitting with a beautiful stash of fabric and finding wonderful images and patterns to cut out.

A little mixed media piece I've just finished called 'Henry's Tea Party' created using vintage fabric and pages from some beautiful old books.

My mailbox has also been dancing this week with the arrival of the fabulous book 'How to be an Explorer of the World' by the fabulous Keri Smith. Also in the mail this week was this beautiful vintage card from the lovely Sue from my favourite antique shop Rose Harvest.

Make sure you head over to the wonderful Kristy at Kootoyoo to join in the fun and show off your Creative Space.

Again the sun has set before I have finished my post so I'm off to get the fire going and settle in for the evening to sew brooch backs and buttons and finish the very last of my exam marking before work tomorrow. I hope everyone has had a lovely Thursday.

Much love and creative moments.
xxx

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My Creative Space..

A little creative space is never complete without some clutter and this week my space has plenty of that! The week has just flown by again and I'm trying to make the most of every minute in the day so my creative space is serving many purposes at the moment. Sewing, writing, cutting, gluing, scribbling, drawing, marking, reading and just making a mess!

My desk - vintage telephone, interior design journal, my 'wreck this journal', new Country Style magazine and letter writing supplies.

This is my ever evolving favourite page of my journal. I now have students and colleagues bringing their fruit stickers to me at lunch. Will be full in no time!

New little 'teabag' brooch idea I've been working on.. for all the mad tea lovers in the world.

Thank you to all the lovely people that replied to my postcard poetry. I'm so delighted to get so many responses. You will find a postcard in your mailbox very soon. Also you may find a little comment on your blog asking for your details so the your postcard can find you.

I'm off tomorrow afternoon for to Tasmania again for the long weekend. I feel like I'm never at home anymore! This time to catch up with the other side of my family, many of whom I have never met and celebrate the 90th birthday of my lovely Aunty Linny. It's so amazing and inspiring to be able to attend two 90th birthdays in one year. I'm packing tonight so any advice on what to take would be lovely. It's cold here in Mildura so I can only imagine what it will be like in Ulverstone! Can't wait to visit some lovely little antiques shop and go exploring.

Make sure you head over to the wonderful Kristy at Kootoyoo to join in the fun and show off your Creative Space. I'm playing along in the great heart hunt too! Can you spot the hearts?

Much love and hearts!
xxx

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Shop Update - The Owl Collection..

Sunday is a day for adventures, for tea parties and for owls.

'The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat..'

There is something very special these wise old birds and I'm delighted share my new little 'Owl Collection'. Each little brooch is unique with its own charming owl from Alexander Henry's beautiful fabric. Do you heart pirate owls, tea cup owls or magic owls? Pop into my Etsy shop now to find the perfect owl for you....

Much love and Owls
xxx

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When Autumn and Spring Collide..

As Autumn and Spring collide around the world I feel myself drawn to to wear beautiful warm brown tones and at the same time I am creating brooches in the prettiest of Spring pinks and greens. Oh how I love global inspiration! My weekend to bought moments of Autumn and Spring as I stocked up on some winter essentials, spent some much need down time on my granny squares, played with some beautiful Thea and Sami fabric and created a little collection of brooches inspired by tea sets and flowing Spring dresses.

Shades of Autumn- Getting ready for winter, new boots, scarves and vintage gloves

My little grannies are slowly growing in numbers...

My beautiful Thea and Sami fabric arrived in the mail.. The delightful Thea and I are joining forces and I'm so excited to create a collection of brooches using her amazing fabrics.

Inspired by English Muse's beautiful roses and delights of flowing dresses and the amazing work of Susan Southam, I couldn't help but celebrate mother's day with a little collection of girly petite brooches which are available in my Etsy shop now.

I loved the delightful blossoming Spring feeling so much I just had to continue it into the brooches for my Mother's Day giveaway.

To enter check out my giveaway post and leave me a message telling me a little something about a wonderful mother you know. The giveaway will be drawn on Friday the 15th at 8am.

My weekend was made complete when Dujour Magazine released their stunning Vintage Issue which I am so delighted to be featured in.

The whole magazine is full of stunning designers, artists and photographers, beautiful photo shoots and all round gorgeous vintage moments, I really am in some amazing company. It is a must to check out! To buy your own copy or subscribe to the environmentally friendly online version check them out at Dujour Magazine.

I hope you have enjoyed a lovely start to the week, I'm about to locate my scissors and curl up by the fire to cut fabric circles and flick through the latest Country Style magazine.

Much love, Autumn leaves and Spring Blooms
xxx

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Sunday Shop Update!

With a new pair of scissors and many pots of tea, I spent a delightful Saturday making a new collection of brooches titled 'Pieces of Nostalgia'.

This series of twelve brooches was created from childhood memories, visiting the museum on weekends, reading books about fairies, collecting stickers and playing board games. Each little brooch is hand made with love and full of delightful stories and memories.

A few of my favourites, I heart garage sales and I heart scrabble.

Available in my little Etsy Shop now.

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday, I'm delighting in the Autumn sunshine and am about to go back to my studio to make a few more little pieces. I also feel an giveaway coming on, so stay tuned.

I will be back later with my weekend adventures including my fabulous finds from my outing to Rose Harvest yesterday afternoon.

Much love and memories
xxx

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Autumn is for tea and granny squares...

It has been a delightful weekend here in my little cottage, the fire is on, it has been raining for two days and I have spent the weekend merrily playing in my studio, watching films, sipping tea and crocheting granny squares.

I'm very happy fill my shop with some new 'I heart' brooches, I have lists full of lovely new things to heart so there will be many more to come. This little collection of eight was inspired by my love for rainy days, beautiful gardens and the cinema. I was very excited to use some of my beautiful fabrics from Tinniegirl and twopinkpossums in this little bunch.

They are available in my Etsy shop now and get in quick as a few have already skipped out the door.

As the cooler weather sets in I can't help but pick up my crochet hook and dream up beautiful blankets for my bed and throws for my couch. It's a shame I never quite realise just how long it will take but I'm a dreamer so I don't mind. At the moment I'm working my way though my friend's white baby blanket and warming a little more to the classic colour as my pile of square continues to go.

Yesterday's little stash of lovely white squares.

This morning however I woke up with a plan, I decided I would multitask and back two blankets at the same time. I have never crocheted a large bed size blanket before but I'm coming up to my one year crocheting anniversary so I thought I would take the plunge. So I took a trip to Lincraft with my fingers crossed to find some lovely soft, well priced, beautifully coloured acrylic yarn. After wandering the isles it was my hubby who finally found what I had been searching for...

I ended up with Panda magnum soft 8ply in brown, cream, eggplant and teal. As soon as I got home I set my new hook to work, I'm delighted with the colours together and am now totally obsessed with my new project.

The first square of many... stay tuned.

Well I'm off to finish some preparation for work tomorrow and hopefully get in a few more squares whilst watching the finale of 'So you think you can dance' tonight. But before I go I must share with you a little photo I captured with morning.

We often see these beautiful little green birds around the backyard but they are usually to fast to catch on camera. This morning I got very lucky when I managed to capture one enjoying my lavender.

Much love and happy Sunday!
xxx

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My Creative Space..

What a very bright and colourful mix bag today! It seems my whole house is one big creative space at the moment! In every corner I'm working on something or have inspiration scattered.

I've just finished few new little petite brooches which can be found in my Etsy shop now...

In my mailbox this morning was a gorgeous package from lovely Linda of two pink possums which included an amazing stash of fabric and scraps! I can't wait to have a good look through everything, I can see some new scrap brooches being created very soon. Thank you so much Linda!

I am always collecting pictures for my inspiration and moleskine journals.. Have had a delightful time this morning going through my new magazines in search of lovely and inspiring images..

In the land of crochet, I've finally finished this giant granny square baby blanket for my friend Moana's little boy Bailey.

As soon as I finished one baby blanket I have begun work on the next, a very classic all white granny square blanket for my friend Joelene. So I too have jumped upon the granny square train. If you heart granny squares to make sure you check out A Granny a Day.

I'm off on a little adventure to Devonport, Tasmania tomorrow for my great Aunt's 90th birthday. I'm so excited about going to Tassie, haven't been in ten years, will be lovely to celebrate and see family. So I've got my little mushroom project pouch all ready to take with me to granny square throughout my trip. I will be back Monday night with photos and hopefully some cute bits and pieces from my travels. My Etsy shop will be open and all orders will be posted on Wednesday the 22nd. Some lovely new scrap and 'I heart' brooches to come very soon as well as a few new suprises.

Head over to Kristy at Kootoyoo to join in the fun and show off your Creative Space.

I feel like I've only been back in blog land a few days and I'm off again on another little adventure. I can't wait to rug up with hats and scarves, visit lovely antique shops and take plenty of photos.

Until Tuesday
Much love and granny squares!
xxx

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Dust Jackets and Autumn Leaves - New Works

Whilst meandering through my little town in search of treasures and delightful adventures I was inspired by the beautiful tones of Autumn, deep brown, chocolate, sepia, mustard and cream. As I gathered fabric and ephemera in these shades, three pieces emerged with undertones of beauty, magic, dance and hidden forests. These are the first pieces in a continuing collection, 'Dust Jackets and Autumn Leaves'.

'Nor Even Words' - Tiny Mixed Media Original Artwork

The Autumn Garden Mixed Media Brooch

Mixed Media brooch can be worn or display as an artwork

'In Forests Old' - Original Mixed Media Collage

Each of these pieces is now available in my little Esty shop. I will also be updating my shop later today with a small new collection of petite brooches so be sure to stop by.

I'm off to drink tea, sew buttons and read the afternoon away...
Much love
xxx

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