All Things Lovely

Doormats

Wow, I'm going a bit random here. My home currently doesn't have a front doormat, which makes me a bit sad. I'd like a pretty little one, that's not your run of the mill doormat. I've done a little looking around today, and found three that I like.

The first being the Bambi doormat, from Raw Space. Apologies for the poor photo quality.

The second one is the Pink Peony doormat, also from Raw Space.

And then finally, the Gone Shopping doormat from Peter's of Kensington.

Knitted Lace Scarf

This post is mainly for my friend Brett, who has been complaining there is nothing new on my blog. Anyway, in my searching today, I found this beautiful scarf pattern. I've been wanting to knit a lace scarf, but thought it would be beyond me, and I actually don't think this one will be!

I think it's a beautiful pattern, and it's been knitted in a silken wool, expensive but I think it might be worth it. Check out the pattern over at The Purl Bee if you'd like to make one as well. You can also buy the lambswool and silk in their store.

I'm thinking of making it in this beautiful purple colour wool, and the slightly lighter purple silk.

Beautiful Cupcake Wrappers

Thanks to the wonderful Hostess With The Mostess Blog, look at these gorgeous laser cut cupcake wrappers! Aren't they just the most beautiful little works of art? I can feel the need for a high tea coming on soon. Of course, they don't ship to Australia, but there are always ways.

Future Sewing Projects

Recently the most wonderful book arrived in the post for me, which I've mentioned before on this blog - Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts. I was so excited to receive it, but now I've managed to add to my list of things I want to make about 5 extra things, in the space of about 2 minutes. You know when there is so much you want to do, but so much else in the way? Anyway, I thought I'd share with you some of the beautiful projects in this that I'm hoping to make in the future.

I am in love with this little elephant, I think she will make a perfect present for little Kirrilly.

Then of course, there are the birds from the front cover of the book. I might leave these until later in the year and make some for my Christmas tree. Or, I'll make some earlier!

I also love this pencil holder, I'm wondering if it would be OK for a 3 year old, or maybe a bit too much?

And how cute are these pincushions? The bonus being you can use several fabrics with them.

And last, but not least. These cute and simple bags. I love how they look with the Amy Butler fabric.

Pretty Little Thumb Tacks

So this has to be one of the easiest projects around, fabric thumb tacks. Absolutely perfect for using those scraps of fabric that you can't throw out, simply because they're so lovely. Just cover some buttons, which I found at Spotlight. I used some pliers to cut the little toggle off the back, to give me a flat surface. Then I just used craft glue to stick on a thumbtack. Such a cute little gift, and so very cheap.

Yes, You've Come To The Right Place

I get bored very easily. With work, with decor, with music and with my blog layout. LOL So, I thought I'd brighten it up as we head into the cooler months, with lots of red. What do you think? I love tulips, so I'm excited to use them in my header. That photo was taken one freezing cold day in beautiful Bowral.

Well, now that I've changed the blog around, time to get back to sewing my Frenchy Bag, I've cut it out, now I just have to try and read the pattern and sew it together! Photos will come of course.

Laundry Fabric

I've finally chosen a fabric for the new little curtains in my laundry. I didn't even pick from the choices in this post, but I'm a girl so it's my perogative to change my mind isn't it? I've decided to go for a print from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern range, Fuschia Poppies. So, it's been ordered. Give me a week or two and I might finally have some laundry pictures to show.

Present Wrapping

I adore wrapping presents, I find it so much fun. Yes, I am a bit sad like that! With all the new little bubbas that have arrived to my gorgeous friends, I thought I would wrap their presents a bit differently. I had some gable boxes left over so I thought it would be fun and a little different to use them. I cut out the first initial of their name in paper, stuck it onto some contrasting paper, and then stuck it to the front of the box. I think it looks cute - not that the new little ones will even notice or care!

Welcome to the world Kirrilly Charlotte and Aiden James.

ETA Gave it to Kirrilly's mum last night, who said she was going to use the box to keep all the special things for Kirrilly in. Awww, so special.

Little Bird Blue Wrappings

I've been selling a few cards lately, and trying to come up with a standard wrapping and presentation for orders when they are shipped. What do you think? This will be for anything Little Bird Blue Designs ships.

Happy Mailer!

I belong to a wonderful forum, and as part of it we decided to do a Happy Mailer swap. Basically we each make something for another person, and they in turn make something for us. It could be housewares, or baby/child things etc

I had the pleasure of making something for the lovely Mrs Potter at Pottering About, and she made me some gorgeous things. Go and have a look at her blog to see.

I've made a food carrier, for when you go to potluck dinners and such, to carry your plate, bowl, casserole dish etc in. Yes, it's a little retro, and perhaps bordering on daggy, but that's me!

I made it from gorgeous Amy Butler fabric, because I know Mrs Potter is a massive fan. And clearly so am I!

Uh Oh, I'm In Trouble

I will freely admit I am a bit of a fabric snob. I like the designer fabric that I've recently found, and I often have trouble finding fabric I like in places like Lincraft and Spotlight. Bless Etsy for opening my eyes to some of the beautiful fabric available, especially overseas. I love designers like Heather Bailey and Amy Butler.

But, today I discovered Joel Dewberry! Uh oh. He designed some of the beautiful fabric that I'm trying to choose between in my laundry post, and now I've discovered more fabric that I simply MUST make something from.

I'm now thinking of covering some canvas with his fabric and putting it up as wall art, especially in the lounge. I guess I'll post about it when/if it happens!

Front Garden Pretty Up

After all the attention my backyard has received recently, the front garden was feeling a bit sorry for itself.

I really had no idea what to do with it. The majority of the garden gets very little sun because of where my unit is positioned, so that leaves few options for plants. I don't like many of the shade plants available, mainly because I am a fussy little critter.

I knew I wanted gardenias, their perfume is just so yummy, so I was always planning to plant them around the edge of my garden. It was the plants to go in the middle that had me perplexed. I liked the idea of camellias, but they all seemed to grow too tall, and I wanted to let as much light into the lounge room window.

After wandering the local nurseries for hours, knowing that I hated azaleas... I came home with four gardenias, and four azaleas. Oh well...

So here we go, the transformation. This is kind of the before shot, but I had already ripped a lot out, including a tree.

Then I put in some edging. It's cheap and not overly attractive, but my dream of sandstone edging doesn't quite fit in the budget at the moment.

Then it's time to plant. Although this is the bit that makes it look the best, I hate it! But, I finally got it done, whacked on some sugar cane mulch and I'm in business. One of the little girls who lives opposite me came over to tell me it looked really nice, awww bless.

The dirt at the back of the garden is not a permanent thing, I'm just leaving it until I find some pavers to put there. Some twit put the tap right at the very back of the garden, so I'll put three pavers done to walk on so I can easily get to the tap.