All Things Lovely

Etsy Shopping Spree

OK, so I've gone a little crazy on Etsy. Oops. I should be buying Christmas presents for other people, instead I've been spoiling myself! It's rare that I do, so I'm enjoying it. I thought I'd share some little things I've bought.

A new desk calendar for 2009, I love the colours in this one! You've probably seen it on my blog before, I've finally bought it! From Etsy seller Cecily Ink.

Then I needed some pretty earrings to go with a top I bought, I loved these and she's a fabulous Aussie seller, I just had to support Aussie Made! From Bubbles Jewelry Design.

I saw this poster somewhere recently and just loved it. It's totally perfect for my studio, from Beth Howard Studio.

And last but certainly not least, this gorgeous papier mache bird from Middleberg. How utterly gorgeous is it?

OK, it's now time to step away from Etsy, and stop spending everything I earn! Some days I think I could single handedly solve the economic crisis with the amount of money I pump into it. So, what have you been buying on Etsy? Links would be awesome.

The Wedding Invitations

So, I thought I'd show you what has seemed to consume my life for the past few weeks. My lovely client is currently living in Japan, but getting married in Australia so everything has been done via email. She wanted to feature some of the exquisite Japanese paper that is so readily available to her. When I received it, to be honest I was a bit apprehensive about cutting it all up!

It's been such a fun project to work on together, I'm so happy with how they've turned out, I hope she is as well.

The invitation is made up of a pocket, with 3 inserts inside it. I won't show you those because of personal information, but there is the invitation, and RSVP card, and a map/registry card.

Can I Bribe You With Milk And Cookies?

I need to apologise. I've seriously neglected my blog, I'm sorry. I started a new job, and have been snowed under with wedding invitations and sewing! To be honest, I've felt like I'm heading for a breakdown.

So, can I bribe you with milk and cookies? How lovely does this photo look? I love it. Pink and YUM!

 

Photo by Flickr member Kiwi Gal

My Cottons Have A Home

How cute is this? I needed something to store all my reels of cotton on, and I found a wonderful seller on eBay who makes cotton reel holders! I bought mine unvarnished, and painted it with some leftover wall paint samples I had. It's perfect, and so handy!

I've Been Tagged!

The lovely Simone from Life As A Goff has tagged me (along with some other people, but I'm so sorry, time has restricted me from doing them.) Anyway, I'll give it a crack now.

1. I am incredibly pedantic about how toilet paper should sit on the roll. The paper must come over the roll, not from underneath. I even change it in people's homes.... it's a sickness.

2. I love my dog more than anything. I wish he could live with me, but he loves my Dad more than anything so it would break both their hearts to move him to my house!

3. Embarrassing, but true. I LOVED the band Hanson when I was younger. What's even worse is that I actually wasn't that young. And what tops it all off is that a couple of their songs are on my iPod. Oh the shame!

4. I've seen every episode of Will & Grace at least 6 times. I can quote most lines. It is my absolute favourite show, and every time I watch it, my favourite character changes. At the moment, it's Karen Walker. "I can tell by your inflection that you think what you’re saying is funny, but…no."

5. I am a terrible gardener, so it's shocking me that the plants in my garden are not only still alive, but actually flowering.

6. I would do anything for my family. They are the most incredible people I know, who would do anything for anyone. I'd be lost without them, and they have stood by me so much, especially the past two years, which have been some of the worst of my life.

7. Reptiles scare the crap out of me. Even those little tiny garden lizards. I am terrified of them! I think that if I am ever blessed with children, God will make sure I have a little boy that comes up to me with a lizard in his hand, and sticks it in my face and goes 'Look Mum!' Then he will see my fear and it will never end!

OK, so now onto tagging.

Mrs Potter at Pottering About

Emma from At Play

Chelsea from Paper*Cakes - I am so envious of Chelsea, she lives on Prince Edward Island!

Julie at Julie's Jewels

Kathryn at Tikiboo

Amanda from Swish and Swanky

Wynona from Ivy Designs

Happy Weekend, And Some Eye Candy

I thought I would just showcase some of the most gorgeous cupcakes I've seen. Kylie Lambert from Le Cupcake must be the undisputed queen of Sydney cupcakes. I so want an excuse to order some from her!

All photos from Le Cupcake on Flickr

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tempted...

I was thinking of possibly getting some kind of armchair for my studio. When I'm doing lots of sewing I like to sit in a comfy chair to pin stuff together and do all the fiddly things. I don't particularly want to spend much, so I was thinking perhaps this would be perfect, the Lillberg chair from Ikea. Can anyone tell me if they're comfy at all?

I would probably paint it white, not sure if I would redo the covers or not, but I do know that I want this cushion to go on it! I am seriously so in love with it! And lucky for me, and you Decor8 has a discount code for it! YAY! I'm thinking it will be my present to myself, since I finish up at my job today.

Ikea Bargain Of The Day

I had a half disappointing / half excellent trip to Ikea over the weekend. I went there to try and get some frames for lots of new artwork I've bought, and there was NOTHING. So annoying since the closest Ikea is 30 minutes from me, we only have one in Sydney.

In my disappointment, I decided I couldn't leave with only one or two little things, so I went and looked at the 'As Is' section as I always do. I found this fabulous shelf thing, for half price. Only $35, excellent.

It was exactly what I didn't know I needed, I can fill it with all my packaging and shipping things, as well as all those little bits and pieces I need when sewing.

Since it was an As Is item, there are a few scuff marks, so I decided to cover the top with some flocked paper I bought from the most amazing stationery shop in Leura, which is in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Australia. Of course, I can't remember the name, but if you're up there go and find it, it's on the main street.

And We Have A Winner

Well, first thankyou to all the lovely people who entered my giveaway! Was so nice to get so many entries and lovely comments.

So, without further ado, I give you the winner of the Sweet Dreams Baby Book from Spunky Sprout.

*Drum roll*

Pat - who loved the Easy Walker SKY Stroller.

I used the fabulous random number generator and came up with comment number 55.

Congratulations Pat.

Thanks again to Spunky Sprout for their generosity.

New Amy Butler Dinnerware

Did you know Amy Butler has a range of dinnerware? I had no idea until I was looking around her site for fabric.

 

It's made by Mikasa so I'm hoping they will release it in Australia, as to ship it from the US would cost a fortune.

 

I think it's just lovely, might have to go on the wishlist for a little while though.

If you haven't entered yet, my giveaway closes midnight Sunday. Get your entry in now!

Cute Covered Magnets

I'm sure you've seen these around but I decided to have a play at making my own magnets to go in the new studio. If you want to play along at home, I thought I'd do a little tutorial.

First up, gather your materials. I've used self covering buttons, some 15mm magnets, you'll need some pliers, really good glue and fabric scraps. I'm using scraps from the chair I covered and pillow I made so that it all matches.

Unless you can get buttons with a flat back to them, you will need to grab your pliers and cut off the little bit on the back.

Once they're all done, it's time to start covering your buttons. Line up your fabric if you're fussy about what you want centred on the button, and then push the button cover and fabric into the special little doovalacky that they give you. Trim all your fabric down so that the back of the button will fit in well.

Press the button back in and make sure you push firmly so that the button back is secure. Then dab some glue onto your buttons and magnets. Don't make the same mistake I did and glue the wrong side of the magnet. Who knew that magnets are only magnetised on one side sometimes? Not me! My glue says to let it sit for about a minute until it's a bit tacky, and then press together.

Then press your magnets and buttons together and voila! Cute little magnets.

I put them on my new whiteboard in my studio. Oh, the calendar is from Etsy seller Ola Design. I bought it last year, and I've framed some of the gorgeous pictures.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway as well! It ends this Sunday night.

My First Giveaway!!

This giveaway is now closed.

Wow, my first giveaway! I'm very excited.

The lovely and generous people at Spunky Sprout have been kind enough to give me this gorgeous Sweet Dreams Baby Book to give to one lucky reader. Graced with vintage children's book illustrations and inspiring quotes throughout, this baby book is a lovely way to chronicle treasured milestones during baby's first year. Plus, they are also offering 10% off all purchases over $50! Wow! Just enter the code Littlebirdblue10 in when you checkout. It's valid right up until 24 December 2008!

Spunky Sprout offers one-stop shopping for modern, unique and colourful products for kids with fabulous style - and their parents! For babies and children from birth to six years old, there are plenty of treats for Mum and Dad too. Spunkysprout.com is also the best place on earth to find exceptional, must-have lifestyle gifts from America and Europe for the sophisticated family!

So, how do you win? Well, go and have a peek over at Spunky Sprout then come and leave me a comment on what your favourite item is. Entries close midnight Sunday 9 November AEST. I will draw a winner next Monday and contact you. Please make sure you leave a valid email address so I can find you.

Good luck!