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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Surrounded by inspiration...

After a few hectic weeks it was lovely to spend the day at home today, catching up on blogs, drinking tea and writing the day away. I also had a bit of fun this morning posing in a photo for the local newspaper about the up and coming event Poetic Justice Publishing is holding as part of the Mildura Writers' Festival. More about that a little later...

Today was all about surrounding myself with all my favourite things and just taking a moment to be inspired, watch the world go by, listen the the beautiful sounds of hot tea being poured into china and ink seeping into crisp clean paper. My desk holds all my treasures and today the smell of lavender and dreams of Paris were my inspiration.

With my journal, a pot of tea, fresh lavender from my garden and a beautiful stash of magazines I spend the afternoon, writing and dreaming.

I am currently writing a piece to perform for our Poetic Licence event as a part of the Mildura Writers' Festival. As I weave between memories and dreams, I am writing about the world of Shakespeare and Co. the beautiful little bookstore on the banks of the Siene.

Inspriration - The beautiful Peppermint Magazine and a lovely new notebook I found at GoMA.

Tea and Lavender...

As the sun sets early on this lovely overcast day I'm off to settle in for the evening to begin a few new artworks to display at the Writers' festival and work on an exciting little idea that has been brewing within my journal. Wishing you a delightful Friday!

Much love and inspiration
xxx

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I really really heart Frankie..

Every second month, during the last week on a Wednesday, I rush out of work early so that I can make it to the newsagent to buy my copy of Frankie Magazine. I have every copy in chronological order in my studio and it has been a constant source of inspiration through my creative process, I'm totally smitten. But today, the last Wednesday of the month was even more exciting than usual and I raced very fast in the middle of work down to the newsagent to buy my copy.. because this month my little brooches are in Frankie!

Click image to enlarge

There is my little 'I heart Mr. Darcy' brooch right next to one of my very favourite artists Catherine Campbell.. I'm just so delighted!!

I've also been asked to make some 'I heart Frankie' brooches for the Frankie girls so that everyone can share in the love. Because really... who doesn't just totally heart Frankie!

I'm off back to the sewing machine, so excited and full of ideas. I will be stocking my Etsy shop again in a few days and Georgie Love will be getting a whole new collection of my brooches next week, so keep an eye out. Back tomorrow with a very busy creative space. Happy Wednesday!

Much love
xxx

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Saturday Afternooon...

What I love to do on a Saturday afternoon...

With my favourite illustrated copy of Alice in Wonderland, I found the perfect spot under the Autumn leaves this afternoon, to dream a few hours away in Wonderland..

I wish it was Autumn all year around. It seems we just agree with one another.

Now the sun has gone down, the antique bedroom chair by the fire calls to spend a little time on a few granny squares and lose myself in the beautiful collector's edition of Vogue Living.

Much love and happy reading
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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Friday's new shoes..

It's official, on Fridays I buy new shoes. It appears to be a reoccurring theme throughout my blog and today I have made it new ritual for Fridays. After our usual coffee and walk through the mall, my friend Joelene and I always end up at our favourite shoe shop. Today sitting on the sales table, the last pair, marked down so much I had to check the price three times were these lovelies....

How could I resist! Now my second pair of lovely red shoes these will certainly get a good workout over winter. Perhaps I should start a red shoe collection.

I just love Friday nights and as the rain continues to fall I'm getting ready for a delightful night in. I can't wait to get into my studio and make some new 'I heart' brooches. It feels like such a long time, I have many new things to heart.

I'm also looking forward to snuggling up by the fire with a pot of tea, my new Frankie magazine and my granny squares.

It feels like winter here today for the first time this year so I'm off to find some warm clothes and put the kettle on. Hope you Friday has been delightful, I'll be back in the morning with my Saturday Shopping List and a little shop update.

Much love and hooray for Fridays!
xxx

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On this rosy kind of afternoon..

I'm feeling rather rosy this afternoon, I was even tap dancing around my classroom in my new red shoes, as my students looked on in amusement. You see it is Friday again... and the world slows down just for a brief moment so I can stop and capture its beauty.

I'm also rosy because there was a lovely little parcel in my mail box this afternoon from Readings bookstore! I heart Readings, they are so wonderful, if you live in Australia and need a book, they are your people. After reading Pip from Meet me at Mikes post about the inspiring book 'Bird by Bird' I just had to purchase myself a copy and it arrived, in under three days, all beautiful and new. I just love books to pieces.

Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott

With all this rosy enthusiasm and inspiration I am eager to get out my sewing machine this evening and fill my shop with some new delights. It never seizes to amaze me how inspired I am at the most peculiar of time. Last night at 1am, I was scrabbling for a pen and paper (this is why you need a notebook beside you bed) to scribble down some new phrases and an idea for a new mixed media series. This is what I found beside my bed this morning.

Now to deciphering what it all says and start the creative process!

To celebrate my rosy afternoon I sat back with my beautiful new copy of mix tape, a cup of Lady Grey tea in my favourite cup which belonged to my great grandmother and a beautiful recipe book called Cupcakes by Susanna Tee getting inspired to make some delightful rose petal cupcakes.

A pretty pink afternoon...

So many reasons to be rosy! I'm so excited and owe a big thank you to the beautiful Emma Lamb for this lovely award... to read all about it check out Emma's fabulous blog...

I just adore the amazing all the people I have met through blogging and I think this award is a beautiful way to celebrate the wonderful friendships and bonds formed through these wonderful communities. I would like to give this award to some very special people for their amazing support and kindness...

Cam of CurlyPops, Cathy of TinnieGirl, Kristy of Kootoyoo, Megan of This Byron Life and Linda of two pink possums....

Well I'm off to refill my tea cup, pull out my scissors and start creating. Pop into my little shop later this evening and tomorrow for a new collection of brooches and artwork. I'll be back in the morning with my Saturday Shopping List, inspired this week, by the art of correspondence.

Much love and rosy hugs!
xxx

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So much to tell you...

I feel like it was just yesterday that I was sitting here telling you about my weekend, how time just disappears. I've decided this week just how precious time is and this weekend I have made the most of every minute. I've been very busy marking English essays, finalising our grant application for Poetic Justice, getting ready to film an entry for Tropfest and even making a few bits and pieces. Oh and how could I forget getting into the Christmas spirit. I know it's early but there is something about glitter and carols that gets me very excited.

My first little adventure in my studio was one of imagination and childlike exploration. My dearest bestie Courtney and I were talking about making softies (lovely children's toys for big people too) earlier in the week and I decided to create my very own cottage. Inspired by At Whim I went about creating my perfect little cottage, number 16 with mushrooms out the front and a lovely oak tree I could see from the bedroom window. After making one I think I'm addicted, perhaps I will end up with a whole village.

'16 Apple Way' softie

My little oak tree and butterfly

With all this fun, I couldn't stop there. After my success making my experimental top the other day I thought I would make another and made a mad dash to Spotlight for some fabric I'd been wanting to make...

'I heart leaves' singlet

There are so many things I am loving this week I just have to share them with you:

Real Living - Christmas edition

One of my favourite magazine, Real Living never fails to inspire and make me jump around totally excited about making beautiful things. Some of the best bits, their Christmas pressie ideas and gorgeous handmade wrapping and cards.

Christmas Decorations

After reading Real Living I just had to get into the Christmas spirit, that and the next few weekends I am so busy yesterday was the only time I would go hunting for decorations. After much searching I ended up at Target and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with their decorations. I have decided to go with really simple silver and white this year and just love these really cute words joy and hope. Can't wait to put the tree up next weekend.

Anthropologie- Glee Collection

If you havn't already you must check out the latest offerings at Anthropologie. Their Glee Collection just made me smile, the photoshoot is just gorgeous and check out that dress! Delightful!

An organised fabric collection

After all this creation my fabric collection was all over the place so I spent some time this morning pottering around my studio locating all the bits of fabric from all over the floor! Just had to take a photo of it looking all pretty before the next adventure...

The Oscar Wilde Collection

I'm so excited about teaching year 12 literature next year, especially because the first text is Lady Windermere's Fan by the ever amazing Oscar Wilde. I'm so excited to read his mesmorising prose. There is something very special about old Oscar.

Studio Inspiration

Inspired by the beautiful worlds of The Black Apple and A Fanciful Twist I have been busy collecting ideas of lovely things to add to my studio. I'm in desperate need of a desk and some more storage space and can't wait for my darling husband to help me make a thread holder and a lovely place to store all my bits and pieces.

Well that's all from me for tonight, I'm off to make salad for dinner and watch the Australian Idol finale.

Much love, have a fabulous week!

xxx

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A new dawn and a new dress!

I have finally lifted my head out of the world of Twilight in time to see a week fly by! Breaking Dawn the fourth book in the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyers was everything I expected and everything I had imagined would never happen! Although I think I was a little shocked when it all ended after letting it sink in for a few days and rereading some of my favourite bits from the series I am totally loving it! Now we start the wait for Midnight Sun...

Speaking of all things Twilight my very cute tote bag from Cafepress arrived and I just love it!

It's just so true!

So besides reading and marking essays i had a chance last night to start a crocheted cotton scarf, I'm really liking the colours as they seem to work much better for this than for a beret. And with spring on the way (soon I hope) I think some sweet little scarves will be fab!


I've also finally got around to adding some cute vintage buttons to the mustard beanie I made so it will be going up on Etsy in the next few days as well as the the secret garden beret from last post.

Mustard beanie with vintage buttons..

So this week I'm loving..

My new Louche dress that I've bought especially for my fab friend Tara's wedding in September. It's made from a beautiful jersey fabric and it just feels so lovely on. Now I can't wait to find some lovely colourful shoes and hit the dance floor!


I'm also loving the new Real Living magazine..

How hot are the roses!

And the beautiful and haunting artwork of Kareena Zerefos...

Another few big weeks ahead! I'm off to Melbourne on the 18th for a professional development seminar and then on the 23rd I'm taking my Tournament of the Minds team to Bendigo. I'm also really excited about being a judge at Tournament of Minds, will be a really amazing experience. Look out for cute hats in our shop this week!

Much love xxx

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