Sprout Gallery

Numbered hooks

2012-02-10T13:14:00.001+10:00

I am so over pool towels hanging from the back verandah railings. They just accumulate. So, I looked around for some cute little school like-hooks and found these ones at Bed, Bath and Table Paddington. Unfortunately they didn't have a number four (as there are four of us) so I painted over the spare 3 and painted on the number four.

I know this idea is not new but I had to share it because it looks so much neater.

Cute vintage bathing suit prints

2012-01-31T21:17:00.000+10:00

Digressing slightly to paint some funky vintage bathing suits. I have only the red polka dot ones left to draw and paint. Looking really cute too...

Rendered interior layouts

2012-01-27T13:39:00.000+10:00

I love rendering with pantone markers or whatever they are called now.

Sometimes, it seems like a lost art due to computers which - don't get me wrong - have made designing layouts sooooo much easier. However, it is wonderful to see lovely pantone interior layouts like these from Candice Olsen. I watch her show just to see her drawings.

and another blue and white...

2012-01-24T14:10:00.000+10:00

I finally got my act into gear today when another lovely lady purchased some more of my blue and white ming jar and urn prints.

Right! Start loading all the prints you've had sitting there and finish off those half started watercolour paintings of 'shoes.' I do love painting shoes. I use to sell framed prints of shoes and boots nationally about eleven years ago. Funky ones, platforms, boots, etc. I even tried my hand as a shoe designer for a now defunct well known clothing brand. Won't go there..

Stay tuned for some shoes...

In the meantime, another blue and white limited edition...
You can check more of these prints out at my store
sprout gallery

New prints

2012-01-23T21:40:00.000+10:00

Just a peek at one of the new prints I have been working on.

I have had it/them sitting there waiting for me to photograph etc since late November. I hope to put them into my store later this week.

Wish list

2012-01-19T23:19:00.000+10:00

On my wish list for this year is a lovely blue and white tablecloth (and some cushions) from the brown trading company. I have loved their products for awhile now especially their bungalow range. My only problem is my dining table is small hence I would have to fold the tablecloth in half. Hmmmm...

Signing off for 2011

2011-12-23T13:09:00.002+10:00

Hard to believe another year has flown...

As I was getting ready to write my post I stopped to read quite a few of the Christmas tit bits, decorations and festive interior inspirations fellow bloggers from around the world were sharing.

It's really quite wonderful.

My quick attempt at a festive shot are a few wooden toys we have collected over the last couple of years. Can't beat the old wooden toy.

So, signing off. Sorry this year has been a little slack.

I have grand plans for next year. Maybe grand is too strong a word but we will see...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Christmas Tree - less is more

2011-12-14T22:32:00.000+10:00

link

At present I am loving the minimalist Christmas Tree.

Mine is not minimalist by any means - see a few posts back.

Something about a few choice decorations says so much...

What a lovely lamp

2011-12-07T14:07:00.000+10:00

After 60 years my Nana's old lamp has had a well deserved make-over. It was one of those things on my 'to do list' and I love it.

Apart from painting it my favourite token 'white' I covered a Freedom shade in this groovy fabric from Fabric Traders in Brisbane. The fabric literally arrived two days later. No waiting for overseas post to arrive.

before

Christmas bunting tree

2011-11-23T12:53:00.000+10:00

I love Christmas time so much.

I especially enjoy the blogging world at this time of the year too because everyone comes up with clever, quirky ideas for Christmas decorations and we all get to share with one another craft ideas and interior inspirations.

My attempt this year is Christmas bunting for the tree. We can't use baubles this year because my little fellow takes one look and screams "ball" and then proceeds to throw them around the room. So ribbons and bunting this year for us made from fabric offcuts I had tucked away. O.K and maybe a bauble or two.

Genoa chairs before and after

2011-11-13T20:45:00.000+10:00

We finally got our Genoa arm chairs back from the upholsterer and they look amazing.

They were my mother-in-laws who at 82 years of age says they are the only chairs she remembers as a young girl in her mother's house - so do the calculations on their age...

It's so nice to have something handed down and they are incredibly comfortable.

We went for a really clean classic look.
I so wanted to be brave and choose a print but knew deep down that if I went plain I could pop a punch with a nice cushion or something and not tire of the fabric.

We ended up choosing a lovely neutral colour with a hint of linen in the fabric and a off white piping trim.

For the time being I used the painting I had done previously and added a hint of red into the canvas using elements from the cushions. I think it looks O.K but I do have a very nice painting in mind. I just need to find the time.

AFTER

BEFORE

Wrapping up 40

2011-11-04T20:43:00.000+10:00

Thought I'd share the wrapping I did for my dear friend Michelle over at Paper Tree.
I like to go to the trouble for Miss Michelle because she really does appreciate the little things and she is a pretty darn great friend too. Not sure if she appreciates me announcing to the world that she hit the big 4.0 last month. It's taken me this long to put the photos on my blog.

Basically I cut a really loooooong piece of brown paper and fed it through my printer. I had typed random letters etc. My printer didn't like it very much because it won't let me use the manual feed ever again but the experiment was fun. I grabbed a shop tag I had kept and added the word soooo fragile.

What was inside you ask. I have to say the photo doesn't really do it justice but it was a nice jar with these groovy little ceramic balls I bought in the States.

Solitary chair

2011-10-06T20:55:00.000+10:00

link

source unknown

There is just something so lovely about a single rustic chair.

The older the better...

Who has sat on them over the years,

conversations they have listened to,

houses they have lived in.

Of course, I love them all the more if they are painted white with maybe a little chippy paint off here and there.

Sorting boxes

2011-08-29T18:36:00.000+10:00

link

Apologies for the no show!

I have been busy sorting through things, such as old clothes, craft boxes, tidying cupboards and containers still in storage from our move three years ago. I have also been busy going through old, old photos retouching them before putting them into books.

We humans accumulate so much stuff don't we?!

All this is done during nap time (not mine) so there is not much time in the day for a luxurious blog break. Sigh!

Shabby chic by the beach

2011-08-09T14:17:00.001+10:00

I never tire of looking at a beach cottage images. Just oh so lovely.

Star crazy

2011-08-04T20:32:00.001+10:00

vignette design

lexington

mittogmine

I just can't seem to break out of my star fetish or my love for red, white and blue. Maybe once upon a time I was a flag???

Missing the letter A

2011-08-01T22:47:00.002+10:00

small space

verandah house

'I just realised one week later that the letter 'A' was missing from the title of my last post - spelling 'Erthy' instead of 'Earthy.' It's fixed now...

The elusive letter 'A' is becoming a bit of joke now especially for anyone trying to use my computer.

You see, sometime ago I left the lid open to my laptop and my little fellow helped himself to the keyboard. He peeled those buttons off like they were lego and then departed leaving his two minute keyboard massacre littered throughout the house. I took my badly battered laptop to the computer store where the very nice man managed to click most of the buttons successfully back on but alas the letter A was too far gone(yes, I know I could go and buy a portable keyboard).It's now a case of giving the little pinkie an extra work out every time one types. It also makes me realise just how many times the letter A is used.

Anyhow, some nice pink pictures to look at...

Earthy tones and artwork

2011-07-27T21:52:00.001+10:00

faded plains

little brown pen

in my house design

I felt like posting some nice earthy / grey neutral tones and artworks displayed. I especially like the top image.

Simple storage solutions

2011-07-24T20:11:00.001+10:00

Who would have thought the simple plastic tub could look...well...so good!

I had a heap left over from a move several years ago and was shocked to find six that matched.

Some funky cherry red decals and hey presto, large tubs to store kids toys not in use.

In our case, the toy storage tubs were placed up high on the side part of the kitchen. We can identify what's inside when the kid's want them down to play.

Roughing it...

2011-07-19T21:01:00.001+10:00

We were super lucky to have family to stay with during our time in Philadelphia however we did manage to sneak some of our own personal family time at the Four Seasons Hotel. This lovely hotel is smack bang in the middle of Museum Row area right on the Ben Franklin Parkway and a stone’s throw from all the major family attractions like The Franklin Institute, the Museum of Natural Science and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rodin.

They spoilt the kids rotten. Presents on arrival. Cookies and milk for bedtime. A teddy and a pair of slippers. The cot came complete with nappies. baby toiletries, wipes, etc. It was a delight! It was probably the best night's sleep we had during the whole trip. Spacious room and dark curtains. Room service was pretty great too.

All very different to the days of backbacking twenty years ago!

kids meal

Yellow mood

2011-07-14T13:37:00.000+10:00

link

No reason...

Just feeling in a yellow mood today

and a desire to get back into the world of blogging again

Amazing Victorian architecture

2011-07-09T15:20:00.002+10:00

Hello. I've just returned from a trip to the States where I visited family.

It seems whenever I go I am very lucky to have relatives who have holiday homes by the water.

This time we went to Cape May. It didn't disappoint.

Cape May is one of America's oldest seaside resorts and home to the second largest collection of Victorian style homes (in the nation) after San Francisco. The architecture was beautiful and the sweet bayside town of NJ had a lovely artsy feel. Still can't get use to paying for the use of the beach though.

Unfortuntely I didn't take the charger to my camera nor can I find my camera amidst all the unpacking however for now I have managed to find these lovely images.

I am sure you will agree it is indeed gorgeous and fuel for the soul when you have a small child who can't sleep and you are taking them for walks long the street at 5am :)

link

I'll be back

2011-07-03T10:17:00.000+10:00

Sorry for not posting.
I am in the USA and unable to post.
I am doing this from my iPhone.
I will be back next week.

Colour blocking the City of Love...

2011-06-09T20:40:00.003+10:00

Do your self a favour and pop over to this blog

Little Brown Pen.

I discovered it about two months ago and have been selfishly keeping it to myself.

I am a HUGE fan of colour blocking so I love, love, love how Nichole the photographer blocks all her wonderful photos of the City of Love into gorgeous similar colours.

If I had more walls in my house I seriously would have bought some of her prints.

Jars of...

2011-06-02T12:48:00.000+10:00

link

Don't these jars of paints and pencils just want to make you get out the paint and brushes and get creative or at least display them in a corner of your art studio - if you actually had one again.

Pink interiors

2011-05-22T19:23:00.000+10:00

small acorns

a creative mint

eco chic

pretty sure this is Anna Spiro's old house

pure baby

Feeling in a slightly pink mood today.

Here are some pictures I had on my computer.

And the winner is...

2011-05-15T13:36:00.001+10:00

The winner

of my blue and white giveaway post is

Down that little lane

Congratulations Down that little lane...

Send me an email and let me know which print you would like along with postal information.

Again, Congratulations

I chose the winner by using the online service random.org

Thank you to all those who entered especially those who advertised my giveaway on their sidebar.

ginger jar

ming vase

Seeing red

2011-05-06T16:25:00.000+10:00

I love red.

Just a few things around my house that are red.

If I don't post again before Sunday

Happy Mothers Day!

Vintage hutch

2011-05-02T19:37:00.002+10:00

One of my favourite pieces of furniture is an old beat up vintage hutch.

I bought it many years ago at the Paddington Antique Centre when I was a student and somehow got it home in my little tiny Honda City Pro T.

Often I have thought about painting it white but a couple of friends (whose opinion I value highly) told me it has character just the way it is.

Here is my hutch which kind of fails in comparison to the others below but you get the idea.

my old girl

atlanta bartlett

raw silk and saffron

When I see all the above painted in white I am tempted...

Blue and white GIVE AWAY

2011-04-28T13:14:00.000+10:00

I've finally put some lovely blue and white prints into my Made It store at the insistence of good friends.

I use to sell a lot of little watercolour blue and white prints - teapots, cup & saucer etc about 12 years ago. I couldn't believe how much I loved picking up a paint brush and painting with water colour again. So different to doing graphics.

To celebrate my somewhat quiet return to painting (sort of) I've decided to hold my first ever GIVE AWAY. It makes sense since I've had this blog for nearly five years.

The winner of the giveaway will receive one of my limited edition blue and white prints above (you choose which one you would like.

The normal rules apply:-

1. Join as a follower, then leave a comment for one entry

2. Blog about my giveaway, let me know, and you receive another entry

3. Pop my giveaway on your sidebar, let me know, and you receive another entry

Simple!!! So what are you waiting for??

Entries are open to everyone, no matter where you live in the world.

Entries close Sunday 15th May

Little circle tree prints

2011-04-21T15:18:00.002+10:00

I have just put these sweet little circle tree framed prints into my Made It store.

Over Easter I will upload them into my Sprout Gallery store.
Pop over and have a look and tell me what you think.

Made with both little girls & big girls in mind these sweet prints are embellished just ever so lightly with pale sequines and framed inside a white shadow box.

A little dotty

2011-04-19T21:42:00.003+10:00

Well after ooming and ahhing and sitting on my card range for almost three years I finally took the plunge and put some into My First Room - actually at the insistence of it's lovely owner, Carey.

They looked so good all grouped together.

They are a fun mix of pregnancy, baby shower, twins and maternity leave etc

I will also be putting some into Sprout Gallery and my Made it store in the coming weeks.

Here are but a few...

this is only 1/3 of the cards

I also have a cute range of prints (sold seperately) and also in frames. Once I have photos I will post some images.

Also, don't forget the fab give a way that

My First Room is having.

Just thought I'd give it an extra plug :)

Beautiful cushion giveaway

2011-04-13T16:03:00.001+10:00

My friend Carey from

My First Room is having a GIVEAWAY.

Check it out, it's a gorgeous

Little Chipipi cushion worth $39.95 and you get to choose whether it's for a girl or boys or neutral room.

If you are not familiar with Carey's store it is situated in a very cute, trendy little corner of Brisbane called Bulimba where I grew up. If you can't get to her store then she has a very user friendly website http://www.myfirstroom.com.au/

Make sure you enter, it's drawn over Easter.

Visit her blog

http://www.myfirstroomboutique.blogspot.com/

Just a little more blue and white

2011-04-04T19:35:00.000+10:00

Just a little more blue and white. Can't help myself...
I just noticed, they all have white with a navy blue stripe feature. Totally unintentional.
Love it!

Gindora Dux Deluxe

small space style

pure style online

Circle in a circle

2011-03-25T17:35:00.005+10:00

sprout gallery

The little collage above was very fun to make.
I have had it awhile and kind of reluctantly put it into my store.

Even though it doesn't look it, it was quite involved to make. It has cut-outs and peep holes and layering etc. It is a mixed medium of old vintage 1920s encylopedia paper, graphics using Illustrator, print and other paper. It's called a 'circle in a circle' and shows clocks etc. It should have been photographed with an old clock but I didn't have one. This artwork is definately a one off original.

Pretty ballerina prints

2011-03-17T14:01:00.004+10:00

sprout gallery

As promised here are some pretty ballerina prints I have been working on.

I think they look lovely grouped together.

I have used designer paper - layer upon layer in the circle cutouts and in a couple of the prints used early 1900s vintage book paper.

Little soldier print

2011-03-16T13:15:00.002+10:00

I thought I would just show you the beginnings of what's going into my art store.

I am finally starting to frame bits and pieces that I have been working on over the past year.

This little embellished print of three royal guards sits in an 10 inch x 8 inch shadow box frame.
They have little gold beaded buttons and lovely fluffy black hats.

I hope to upload him to my gallery store tomorrow along with some lovely tactile ballerinas.

sprout gallery

One day...

2011-03-07T12:20:00.000+10:00

design sponge online

Once upon a time I had an art desk with lots of brushes and paint splattered jars (with the occassional splat on the wall).

Now I have a computer on a desk and all my brushes and jars downstairs sitting on a cupboard in a room I don't use.

I like this image above because it makes me think

one day...

Wooden crates

2011-03-01T21:27:00.000+10:00

unknown

houzz

design sponge online

shabby charm

I have these old soft drink crates that I bought from the Box King back in the nineties when we couldn’t afford decent bedside tables.

They have been gathering dust for several years now because I didn’t really know where to put them. Painting them white has entered my mind but on my ‘to do’ list of painting furniture these boxes are at the bottom.

I was thinking of putting them in the bathroom – one crate on top of the other - when I saw this first image. Mine are slightly different but this is definitely worth experimenting with.

Keep you posted.

Painted odd chairs = fun

2011-02-21T15:35:00.001+10:00

Well here are some of my eclectic chairs painted mostly white with one hit of red.

Eventually, I will paint another two which will all sit around an old farm table. The bentwood chair is definately my favourite so I will endeavour to look around for a few more of those.

As you will have noted from my last post, I have more painting to do.

Chair painting frenzy

2011-02-18T19:55:00.002+10:00

sutton grace

absolutely beautiful things

I have been on a bit of a chair painting frenzy of late.

My dear sweet 92 year old neighbour moved out and I inherited three mismatched dining chairs, two verandah chairs plus table, two iron outside chairs plus table and four very french looking iron wrought chairs plus a very unusual brass lamp (heavy) with chandelier thingies dangling from it - all sitting in the garage.

Anyhow, I love, love, love mismatched chairs so I have painted one old original bentwood chair, white, another kind of groovy chair, white and another heavy-ish chair, red. It looks great!

My sister-in-law then kindly dropped another two wooden chairs over to me. I am going to paint one blue and the other chair pink for the kitchen room to sit around a beat up old table. This colourful request was from my daughter.

Valentines window displays

2011-02-14T09:09:00.000+10:00

Having had a background in visual display I am never one to pass up admiring a good window display.

Here a few to celebrate Valentines Day.

Yes, sorry, more red again...

Red and white

2011-02-06T14:47:00.000+10:00

Feeling in a red bloggy mood today.

Make that a 'red and white' bloggy mood.

Nothing like a dash of red to lift the mood of a room :)

Visual journals

2011-02-03T21:15:00.001+10:00

a creative mint

I love visual journals. The more tactile the better.

I have many visual journals.
Some full, some half full of scribbles before starting a new one.

Sometimes I find old scribbles I have jotted down or an idea that I have forgotten.
It gets the juices going again and then life steps in and the journal is put down.

This week I have headed over to a creative mint's blog site and as always...

have gathered inspiration.

Jars of alphabet and numbers

2011-01-29T11:06:00.002+10:00

Here is me with my jar fetish again.

How aesthetically pleasing is an arrangement of jars with everyday objects displayed inside.

Having said that, how wonderful to see unusual objects placed inside jars and bottles.

I've seen everything from dried up soap bits (saved over the years) in long spaghetti jars to precious rolls of artwork.

Today, I celebrate 'the alphabet' and 'numbers' used in and around 'the jar'

My favourite is the top image.

Pom Pom trim

2011-01-22T10:16:00.000+10:00

I'm a bit of a pom pom trim fan.

Not too much. Just enough...

I have it on curtains and cushions at home.

I use to use it big time in my childrens' canvases.

Anyhow, here a few pics from home and online to view.

link

my pom pom curtain

my pom pom cushions

My beige and white looks so bland to the above pics

Oh what a start...

2011-01-17T21:52:00.005+10:00

I am back!!!
What a start to 2011. It truly has been the strangest...

The rain, the rain, oh and the rain...

Where were the swims, the balmy nights, the chirping crickets, the kids' laughter in the pool...

Then the floods. Oh the floods.

I didn't feel like blogging about interior 'wants' and 'bits and bobs' at all when so many have lost so much.

Although I am high and dry, it didn't feel right that five minutes down the road fellow Brisbane-ites were literally going under. Seeing my home town of Brisbane (and Central Qld where I spent several years) disappear under water was gut wrenching.

But the streets are slowly starting to clear due to Brisbane's wonderul mud army volunteers.

Oh what a site. I am so proud...

The city is slowly starting to come to life again.

One flood victim said in regards to his lost possessions

"Don't cry for things that can't cry for us"
I think I would still cry...

Oh, my beloved city

Christmas wraps

2010-12-23T21:09:00.000+10:00

That's it from me for 2010.

I hope to be back in 2011 with some new artwork after having had a good year off.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog throughout this year.

I am leaving you with some favourite images I'd saved in my Flickr file.

Merry Christmas

Christmas wraps

2010-12-23T21:05:00.001+10:00

My first sale!
Originally uploaded by Lockette

Christmas wraps

2010-12-23T21:02:00.005+10:00

Originally uploaded by dailypoetics

Christmas wraps

2010-12-23T21:02:00.003+10:00

oh, hello friend :: packaging
Originally uploaded by ohhellofriend

Christmas wraps

2010-12-23T21:02:00.001+10:00

Craft paper wrapping
Originally uploaded by almostbunnies (trying to catch up)

Christmas wraps

2010-12-23T21:01:00.003+10:00

gifts for friends
Originally uploaded by das_kaninchen

Christmas wraps

2010-12-23T21:01:00.001+10:00

ornament swap '09 / all wrapped up:
Originally uploaded by ohhellofriend

Little soldiers all in a row

2010-12-22T21:36:00.000+10:00

I just love little wooden soldiers and even though they aren't the nutcracker soldier they kind of look festive-ish.

I have wanted six handmade sewn soldiers to put in an old vintage upside down drum for the coffee table but a $25 a pop I thought this a little excessive. However, I found these little wooden guys from ministyle and they are fantastic and so beautifully made. After a few hits from the little red and black wooden balls they will chip and start to look a little worn and wonderful but for now they do look so lovely and shiny.

Miss B & me

2010-12-20T22:14:00.000+10:00

Miss B and I started making our Christmas gifts today for close friends. This is the prototype. We designed the label and used bits n bobs we already had (apart from the jars). I'm afraid I can't take credit for the idea. I borrowed it from Peekaboo Magazine. Instead of giving 'already made cookies' you give all the cookie ingredients layered in a jar. All the recepient has to do is add the egg and butter. I think next time though I will use a different recipe as this one is absolutely ladden with chocolate and sugar.

Getting ready to wrap

2010-12-17T15:29:00.000+10:00

Enjoy your weekend.

I need to start thinking about making a start on wrapping presents and making cookies with Miss B to give as gifts.

My spindly twigs

2010-12-15T10:21:00.001+10:00

daytime

at night under the light
you can see the white

So at the end of the day, I brought up the HUGE spindly bush / twigs I'd be drying all year half spray painted / half not and I kept it nice and simple out on the back deck. It seemed a crime to throw it out. It didn't come up too badly at all.

C is for Christmas

2010-12-10T08:53:00.000+10:00

Is this little arrangement a keeper?

After my sad attempt at trying to spray paint my dried Christmas tree twigs I decided to use these little Freedom white bauble sticks which suspecially look like something I arranged at Easter time.

It hasn't rained for three days so there might be some nice spindly branches somewhere drying in the sun if I feel like attempting this arrangment again.

Seeing polka dots

2010-12-08T14:07:00.001+10:00

My friend Carey from My First Room at Bulimba has a new little car and it's totally adorable. For one thing - you can't miss it. With all those pastel polka dots it's sure to stand out in traffic.

Carey, you need one of the car parked in front of your store!

cocolini

The scent of Jasmine

2010-12-03T21:21:00.000+10:00

Just when I want to moan and groan about not having a decent undercover car spot at home (especially with this rain) I only have to look up our carport pergola and marvel at the beautiful jasmine creeper. The perfume when enlightening from the car is out of this world. I love the way this creeper has a mind of its own - hanging and twining haphazardly over the pergola and palings.

This one isn't jasmine but I thought I'd include it.

Gosh I love spring and summer

A few Christmas twigs...

2010-11-28T20:56:00.001+10:00

link

O.K!!! Sorry for my absence. No excuse - just life!

I thought I would share these lovely Christmas images.

I just love Christmas.

Coming from a design and theming background it's the best time of the year to go totally crazy. Having said that I do enjoy simple, elegant decorations.

For the past 10 months I have had this twiggy-bushy thingy drying upside down under my house in preparation for the festive season but now that it has arrived I realise it really is a HUGE bush and that it really does have an awful lot of branches AND having already tried spraying painting it white (stupdily on a windy day to which the dog ended up more white than the branches and me with a headache) that I've lost the desire to continue and am now thinking perhaps a more simple branch of a few twigs may the best direction to take. This of course will be a difficult find because it has been a terribly wet season. So my lovely twiggy-bushy thingy drying upside down under the house may need a new loving home. Keep you posted...

Before and after

2010-11-07T09:26:00.002+10:00

after

during

before

Please don't get too excited. I just thought I would show you 'before and after' shots of the window seat I fought so hard to get. My husband agrees it has greatly improved the look of the room. We got rid of the horrible (what I call) smokers white paint and had new inbuilts installed. The bay window had nine drawers built into it around the 1980s so we removed the top three to make it a seat. Amazing what a good coat of paint and new drawer handles can do. Still playing around with fabrics and cushions but when I have time I hope to sew a cover with white piping or at least attempt.

Never enough hours

2010-11-01T13:43:00.003+10:00

I was thinking of changing my blog name to 'never enough hours.' Why didn't somebody tell me how much a second bundle of joy could turn your world around :) I love this little person but boy oh boy there is not much time for anything else. I take my hat off to all the mums out there who have managed to run a business part-time or full-time as well as dedicate themselves to their precious little ones. With that, I am leaving you some images of one of my favourite bloggers even though I can't understand anything she says :)

Sarah's house

2010-10-26T13:35:00.001+10:00

I have stumbled upon a new 'How to' show that I quite enjoy.

It's called Sarah's House and Sarah's Summerhouse. I'm not into all her tastes but I certainly do approve of her blue and white theme in the living room and a couple of the bedrooms. I like her clever mix of fabrics and textiles. Not keen on the exposed timber ceiling but like that she has painted or whitewashed the walls.

Her holiday home is on this tiny little island only accessible by boat. Imagine...

check it out

Sea shells in jars

2010-10-11T09:47:00.005+10:00

unknown source

link

my collection

(looks smaller than what it actually is)

link

(I know these aren't in jars but I love them all the same)

I just adore seashells in jars. The more the better. I have really only started my collection in the last year or so. Crazy when you think I lived by the beach for three years and had many an opportunity to start back then. For my birthday recently I was given some really lovely shells. My first round jar is full so I will be starting another one shorty.

Mood boards to get you in the mood

2010-10-07T20:59:00.001+10:00

Whenever I need a bit of an inspiration boost I pop on over to a creative mint. I love her mood boards for so many reasons. I have scoured the internet but I haven't found any that match her wonderful talent for placing colour and objects in such a creative way.

Some time back I did my first post on creative mint's mood boards. If you want to view more click here otherwise just go to her website.

Lost files

2010-10-04T19:21:00.002+10:00

Sorry I haven't been around for a while. I have a series of terrific excuses.

School holidays was one excuse but the major excuse was NO computer over the last three weeks. I have had the IT technicians out three times. The last time they removed my hard drive altogether and didn't tell me till after they did it. I then (not knowing computers terribly well) put a caddy USB thingy to transfer my old hard drive into my external back up system and ended up reformatting my hard drive and losing everything. Graphic jobs, family photos family videos EVERYTHING!!! Yes, I do have an external back up drive but that too ended up being faulty and hadn't been backing up properly since 2008. Tomorrow I will know if the computer doctors will be able to perform an operation to get everything back. There is something to be said for the old fashion way of filing.
Stay tuned. I am still around...

Golly gosh so darn cute

2010-09-17T14:04:00.004+10:00

Here I am pondering what to blog about when I was given these images for an ad I am doing for Carey at My First Room They are by the company Golly Gosh

Being a bit of a white girl who loves chippy painted furniture I just loved these shots for oh-so many reasons.

Flower power

2010-09-10T12:52:00.002+10:00

Here is my solution to the annoying Australian fly?

Back in the old days I remember my Grandmother having a coloured one made of plastic. It did the trick. Not a fly made it past her doorway. This cute little flower one is not so practical (I keep getting caught on it) and will probably end up hanging in my daughter's window. We can't put a screen door here because of the door swing so I am on the lookout for all fly solutions. Looks cute, does the trick regarding flys but it catches clothing as well as deterring insects. Lucky this little side verandah only gets used for BBQs. Do excuse the webber!

Colourful work spaces

2010-08-26T11:25:00.001+10:00

link

unkown

Haven't been blogging for awhile I must apologise - sick children.

Can't wait for Spring. Hoping the warmer weather will also peak my creative juices which have been waning somewhat. I haven't felt very bloggey lately. Absolutely dying to start making some new things but the room downstairs that I want to use as my new work area needs so much sorting out that I lose any interest - too much moving of furniture and sorting out boxes and boxes of craft items I no longer use. Bear with me for I hope to open a 'Made it' store within the next six months and maybe (just maybe) a little collaboration with PTD

Eclectic dining

2010-08-13T14:30:00.003+10:00

the happy home blog

wicker and stitch

pale and interesting

unknown

My favourite dining look has to be white table and white chairs or just white chairs and beat up table or beat up old white chairs and new table - get the idea. I like dining chairs that don't match the table and I do like a table that's been beat and used - almost like the table has been privy to so many dinner conversations and family settings that it has a story all of its own.

When we get our act together we hope to bring over my mum's old farm kitchen table from when she was a girl. I have in mind some nice white replica eames chairs just like the top image.

Work spaces

2010-08-05T21:24:00.002+10:00

unknown

lockette

unknown

martha stewart

What is it with me and work spaces at the moment. I love looking at both work / creative places and computer nooks given I use both. I have heaps more in my folder so I am afraid these won't be the last.

White on white

2010-08-02T21:15:00.001+10:00

link

So many things I love about these two images...

The white on white on white on white

The minimalism

The simplicity

The alphabet cushions

The VJs and the floorboards

There's a mouse in the house

2010-07-26T19:53:00.003+10:00

lockette

How much fun are these mouse decals? I love them.
Very cute and very clever.
I couldn't resist blogging this picture.

Loose couch covers

2010-07-23T13:50:00.009+10:00

Ho hum. I am having a few couch dilemmas at the moment. I need two new ones but not sure what to do. We have a naughty cat who is scratching the daylights out of one that was recovered a few years back and the other isn't bad - I just hate the print so I have covered it with a off white canvas couch cover. Also with little vegemite fingers, do we take the plunge or wait a few years? Everyone says go leather but I am afraid I am a bit of a fabric girl. Anyhow, here a few nice photos of very loose covers (almost throws) on couches. Mine is the one at the bottom.

source unknown

pale and interesting

atlanta bartlett

our lounge

and the naughty culprit!!!

French lattice doors

2010-07-20T21:34:00.005+10:00

Many, many years ago I did a minor in printmaking at art college. With a graphics and illustration background behind me I somehow took to it like a fish out of water.

I long for those days where I have access to a printmaking studio, zinc etching plates, bees wax and tar, sticky ink and of course the time to sit there and meticulously etch into the plate. One of the first etchings I ever did was of this old lattice door. Don't look too closely or you'll see all the perspective and grading mistakes etc. Funny to think fifteen years later I'd actually own a house with these very doors...almost.

More creative spaces

2010-07-13T14:15:00.001+10:00

michael partineo

Sigh, more creative spaces urging me to get up and do something soon. I bought a new visual diary so at least I am jotting down some new ideas...

Thank you

2010-07-13T14:07:00.003+10:00

Thank you to Laura at my summerhouse for passing the Sunshine award batton on to Sprout Gallery.

I only sat down and had a really good read through Laura's blog the other day so I feel rather touched that she picked me for her new seven blogsites :)

To begin I find it really difficult writing about myself and was almost going to cheat and just use the last seven things from another award. But I won't. So here goes...

1. My favourite colours are navy blue, red and white

2. Even though I am proudly Australian I love the aesthetics of the American flag and Union Jack.

3. I have very wonderful kids and a supportive scrummy hubby.

4. I love white furniture and loose couch covers.

5. It's the little things in life...

6. I like to beaver around the house, moving furniture, making things...

7. I get a kick out of helping friends start their business even if it's just kick starting them with a new logo, business card, blog etc

Blogs that inspire me (and I won't use the same seven as before) are:

Not in any order

rosebud and bluebells

Craft space

2010-07-09T14:47:00.003+10:00

chez larrson

If some of you have been following my blog for awhile you will know that I use to do a lot of kid's artwork for my online shop as well as retail stores. Apart from the fact I am having a bit of a break due to a new addition to the family I am also using this time to reassess which direction I want to take my art towards. It is also coupled with the fact that I lost my office / work space to make way for the nursery, making it even more of
an excuse not to do anything.

Anyhow, I saw this compact little workspace andd it kind of got my creative juices flowing somewhat. These creative instincts were also fuelled by my clever friend over at Paper Tree Design having the best little workroom set up - making some awesome stuff.

Window seats

2010-07-06T09:25:00.004+10:00

Oh how I love window seats (bay windows).

Next week we have a very nice man coming to look at overhauling our inbuilts and repainting our master bedroom. I am hoping to persuade my husband to revamp the bay window. Presently it houses nine drawers which I hate. I would like it to go back to its former glory as a window seat. I know my husband is being practical wanting the nine drawers but I really feel aesthetics over rides practicality even if we are somewhat

short of storage space :)

I put together these little pictures (to show him) to help my case. If anyone has any other links or sites where there are good window / bay seats please let me know.

The &&&&&&

2010-07-02T20:03:00.003+10:00

Today I thought I would post about a little symbol that has always intrigued me - mainly because there are so many wonderful variations.
The Ampersand &&&&&

design eye q

glimpse of style

etsy

the painted hive

Long before computers made our lives easier in the graphic art department we use to spend hours specifying type. We'd painstakingly measure our type (in ems) before sending it off to a typesettter. A change to artwork really was a major thing. The art studio where I worked as a little junior got word (excuse the pun) that I could type (rather quickly in those days) and set about buying a rather expensive typesetting machine. Hence I became the art studio's adopted typesetter. Ugh! Thank goodness computers arrived a year later (1990). Anyhow, I love ampersands (&) and my favourite font is Century Gothic.

Chalkboards in the home

2010-06-26T20:01:00.001+10:00

cox and cox

country living

gessato

I just love chalkboards in the home. I use two on my pantry for shopping lists - I grew up watching my mum do the same. I am about to embark on making two to cover a danger spot in the kitchen windows which is low to the ground. One will be a chalkboard, the other will be a magnetic board. Keep you posted.

Umbrellas

2010-06-22T14:16:00.001+10:00

Oh my... I saw this awesome image on the Pottery Barn website. I just loved it so much. I have always loved drawing umbrellas, polka dots, stripes etc but the red, white and blue colours really pop out. There is something old world about this picture. I'm almost thinking PollyAnna (think Haley Mills)... I can almost envisage old fashion bathers etc. I love it.

Pom pom cushions and curtain

2010-06-17T13:06:00.004+10:00

A little while back I bought these cute little pom pom cushions from Baba & La in Paddington. They have the best cushions for the a very reasonable price. A month or so later I decided to finally make some curtains for the French doors that swing out from our lounge onto the front verandah. I've never known what to do with these doors as they have a security grill and screen on them which (although necessary) takes away from their charm. Enter the pom pom cushions...

I took the colour palette to the Brisbane Fabric Market and purchased some great striped fabric which was an exact match to the cushions. I topped it off with a strand of pom poms and an extra cushion in the curtain fabric. It looks really cute...

The little bunny softie was made by Carolyne.

Paper tags

2010-06-11T12:28:00.002+10:00

cox and cox

red felt flowers

my wedding party - the beginning

paper tree design

GaGa4Gift tags

I have always loved old paper luggage tags. Maybe it's because my Nana always had them on things and as a kid I'd pound out my own on my Dad's old typewriter making sure to soak them in tea first to give them that extra specially 'old' look.

Perhaps it was a sign that I would end up loving the packaging side of graphic design. Whatever the reason I love their comeback and the amazing things people are doing with them. Here are a few that have taken my fancy online...

Bottles and jars

2010-06-09T11:14:00.001+10:00

pale and interesting

cox and cox

We love bottles and jars at home filled with weeds that look like flowers.

I love seeing Miss B proudly come up the stairs with a handful of what she see's as 'real treasures.' There is something sweet and rustic about jars and bottles blocked together with flowers from your garden.

eat drink chic

edyta szyszlo

Miss b & Me

More butterflies...

2010-06-01T11:57:00.000+10:00

sarah kaye

Can't get enough of butterflies...

Such a beautiful image.

Another dash of red

2010-05-27T13:04:00.001+10:00

image unknown

I love red. Especially red furnishings. I also love polka dots (and stripes). I seriously love this red polka dot blind. It packs a punch against the white walls and bed.

Bunting

2010-05-19T14:23:00.000+10:00

house to home

unknown

I love the whole bunting craze that has been going on for a few years now. I have it in my kid's rooms wrapped around their mosquito nets. I love the paper ones, material ones, whatever.

Vintage bunting

2010-05-19T14:18:00.002+10:00

...garland: "Die kleine Hexe"...
Originally uploaded by ivy style33

More of the bunting look in vintage wallpaper

and more bunting 'look'

2010-05-19T14:16:00.002+10:00

fly to my sky
Originally uploaded by place light - flying not physically

More bunting but this time on artwork. How effective!

Feeling a little girlie

2010-05-17T14:08:00.003+10:00

inspiring interiors

6th street design

I am feeling a little girlie today.

Not tooooo fussy, not to cluttered and still inviting for our little girls.

Thank you Amanda

2010-05-15T20:40:00.001+10:00

Thank you to Amanda from Homely One for the sweet little coffee table book ' 'Recipe for a happy life' that I received in the post this week. I like winning things!

Here is a quote from the book that I've always liked

A friend is a gift

you give yourself

Robert Louis Stevenson

Move over white

2010-05-12T22:44:00.000+10:00

I do love white furniture but sometimes I wish I could take the plunge and be a bit more bold with my colour. If it doesn't suit I can always take out the old paint can and start all over again with white.

I love the mauva display cabinet.

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-08T19:30:00.002+10:00

I've always loved this photo. Had it for ages.

Have a lovely weekend and a relaxing Mothers Day to all the blogging mums out there!

Stepping outside...

2010-05-03T12:47:00.002+10:00

Some nice pictures of front porches / verandahs. Enjoy!

My favourite is the above one. Our front verhandah is very similar to this one with the french doors leading out. I like the idea of the white side table with knick knacks and the rattan stools perched underneath. I can't remember where I got this image from.

coastal living

rustic rooster interiors

our back verandah

Feeling beachie...

2010-04-30T16:42:00.001+10:00

a beach cottage

Feeling a tad bit beachie this afternoon.

For autumn so far we've had amazing days of 27 degrees c.

Have a nice weekend (long weekend for us here - Labour Day).

coastal living

can't remember

Ralph Lauren

Fabulous mood boards

2010-04-26T12:43:00.007+10:00

My favourite thing about studying interior decorating (put on hold at present) is putting together a mood board. My background is in graphic design, presentation, packaging and visual display etc so putting a mood board together for me is the ultimate idea of creative fun.
Stumbling into a creative mint was a total treat for me. I love the way her mood boards aren't just limited to 'interiors' and...I have always been a fan of colour blocked items too.
On top of all that, her images are beautifully photographed and she has a superb flickr account as well.

Graceville home

2010-04-22T13:40:00.003+10:00

Kitchen and entertaining

Covered in verandah with lounge and dining area

Furniture piece in semi formal room

Formal lounge

I thought I would share some of my friend Sue's stunning home at Graceville, Brisbane. These photos do not do the rooms any justice. I had other photos of her formal dining, media room, guest room etc but I didn't feel they were good enough to use. Anyhow, it's a beautiful old 1800s / 1900s 'something' renovated bungalow. Wish I had taken a photo of the front.