It's Arrived!!

Thankyou so much to Sandy for sending this out so quickly. Especially as she is right in the middle of moving house. Here is the lamp shade I won from Sandy at the Shabby Cottage, it is just gorgeous and arrived about 30 minutes ago!!! The lamp base was mine as a little girl and used to sit on my dresser at about the same age as my daughter is now. It looks very cute on her bedside table and fits in perfectly. Thanks again Sandy.

Fabulous Friday Fabrics!

I love Oilily fabric, don't you just love this fabric... Well you would want to at $60 for a half metre. You get what you pay for I guess, and I do love european fabric. Have a fabulous weekend!

Winners are Grinners!!

I am very excited this morning to learn I was the winner of this gorgeous lamp shade made by Sandy at the Shabby Cottage. It is going to look just beautiful in my daughter room, and perfect as it is her favourite colour, PINK! Isn't the world of blogland great!! I have met through my blog, only a few people here in the world of blog, but am so pleased to have done so. They are all such interesting, creative, talented and lovely people. Will take a picture for you to see when it is in her room. Thanks again Sandy, you made my day!

A Bit of Bling!!!

Need some Bling in your wardrobe????? Who could go past these gorgeous beaded coat hangers! Perfect for hanging that special dress!! Large $14 and meduim size $11. Perfect for the person who has eveything!! I gave a couple of these as presents at a 4 year old birthday party we went to the other day and she loved them, so did her mum!!

It's the last week of school, so getting all the teacher's presents wrapped up. This year they are getting heart keyrings.......who doesn't need a bit of bling!!

Bathroom

Started buying a few bits and pieces for the bathroom. Bought these jars with silver lids for $3 each and have filled them with cotton wool, soap and bath crystals. Also got this candle chandelier. Just need to get it hung above the bath. Now all I need is to get some prints for above the bath and an old ladder painted white for hanging towels and maybe a few magazines. It's not a new bathroom by any stretch of the imagination but it is an improvement from how it started!!

Kitchens

These days I prefer a much more traditional kitchen. Loving the french provincial style. One day when we get a new kitchen in this house hoping it will have a similar look to the kitchens above. Very pleased I did not jump in and put a new kitchen in here, as now we have been here just on 12 months, I think I would like to turn the kitchen into the fourth bedroom and put the kitchen where the court yard is. Think I need a draftsman to come and look at what we could do.

This picture above is one side of our kitchen in our investment property. While I still think it looks good 7 years on, my tastes have totally changed. I much prefer the traditional look of the first two pictures. The Caesar stone bench top I put in this kitchen has mirror flecks in it so when the lights on the bench top are on it sparkles. The other side of the kitchen houses a space for a microwave and a huge pull out pantry, making good use of the space we had to work with, and more floor to ceiling cupboards. Then the back door which leads down to the common garden area.

Lounge Room

Cushions for the lounge room.

Here is my collection of old mirrors. The lounge room is slowly getting there.
On the weekend I finally got around to making some cushions for the lounge room. Used black beige and cream check fabric. I have also made some tie backs for the curtains with the same fabric.

Fabulous Friday Fabrics!

Denim is the fabric for today. I covered my son's pin board yesterday. Went and got an old pair of jeans from the salvo's store for $4.00. Cut them up into blocks and sewed them together into a piece big enough to cover the pin board. Stapled it on and he now has a new pin board that ties in with the denim doona covers on the beds. Will hang it over my son's desk. This area is nearly finished so stayed tuned for the complete picture! Have a fabulous weekend!!

My Daughter's 5th Birthday Party!!

Paper doily bunting

Cookie crayon packs with note book

Treasure Hunt bags with intial

Lolly bags

Treasure Hunt bags Other Side

Treasure Hunt

Fairy Cake

Desert Table

My daughter with her cake

I have not been on my blog for over a week now. Have been VERY busy with all the preparations for my daughter's party. It was yesterday, and as the back yard is still in need of a lot of attention, we had it at a local hall. It was again a hot day as well as windy with a dust storm!

Made the treasure bags big enough so they can be used as library bags when they all go off to school next year. Packaged up the crayon cookies with a note pad in a small bag and these were the musical statue prizes. The children had fun playing all the party games. Did not have time to wrap up a pass the parcel so decided late last night to get one of my daughter's princess dolls and they could play pass the princess, it was much easier.

So after a late night preparing and an early morning from 6 am to get it all together. I think it all went well. The main thing is that all the children had fun!!!

Fabulous Friday Fabrics!

I just love designer Heather Bailey. Her designs are so fresh and modern.
Another hot day is on the cards. Went to Spotlight last night to get the fabric for the treasure hunt bags. Got several shades of pink and I was thinking of sewing on some pretty ribbon bows on the bags and maybe some hearts and butterflies. Better get busy!!

Think Pink!!

I have been busy getting my daughter's party invites out. Now looking at the calender and just realising how much time I do NOT have in getting everything ready in time. Better get busy making the bags for the treasure hunt. Not sure I am going to make the skirts now. Will have to see how much time I have. Been cutting the paper doilies in half for the bunting at the party and I think it will look quite good. Going to have a desert table at the party and the theme for this is PINK - her favourite colour!! In fact most things at the party are going to be pink.

Going to Sydney today to pick my Mum up from hospital and bring her back to the Toronto Private hospital to the rehab here. Her recovery has not been perfect. She needed to have a blood transfusion after the operation and she has been feeling quite sick. It will be much better when she is closer so I can go visit.

Have not even started my Christmas shopping!! That will have to wait until after the party at the end of this month!!

An Award For You And Me

There are 7 Kreativ Blogger Award Rules to follow;

1) Thank the person who has given the award.

2) Copy the logo and display it on my blog.

3) Link to the person who has nominated me for the award.

4) Name 7 things about myself that people might find interesting.

5) Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6) Post links to the 7 blogs I've nominated.

7) Leave a comment on each of the blogs to let them know they've been nominated.

Thanks Sandy from http://pinkshabby.blogspot.com/ a real thrill to be nominated.

Seven things that you may not know about me.

1) I have been married for 10 years and have 3 beautiful children.

2) I have a Bachelor of Business Degree, majoring in Marketing and a joint study in Psychology.

3) Before going away on holidays I have to thoroughly clean the house, as I cannot stand coming home to mess.

4) I would love to start a website selling children's clothing and wooden toys.

5) At present I am a cricket widow, my husband plays cricket weekends and is playing again today. We lived in the UK at Ormskirk for a cricket season with my husband playing cricket.

6) After I finished Uni, I worked night shift as a process worker at Edgell's Factory during the corn season, then moved to Sydney.

7) I used to be a professional gift wrapper at David Jones Elizabeth Street Store in Sydney.

I would now like to nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers:

http://stellaandpearl.blogspot.com/

http://thecupcakecompany.blogspot.com/

http://ijustlovethatfabric.blogspot.com/

http://swishandswanky.blogspot.com/

http://lisasphotoheaven.blogspot.com/

http://houseanddoll.blogspot.com/

http://mylife-myloves.blogspot.com/

Paper Doll Invitations

Here is a work in progress. Started with some white cardboard and cut out the paper dolls. Cutting fabric for the dresses and some felt for the hair. Drawing on the faces but I think I need a little practice on the facial expressions. Might use a bit of lipstick for the cheeks and lips to brighten them up a bit. Writing the details of the party on the back. I bit of fun and my daughter loves them so it's worth the effort. Enjoy the rest of your day!!

Fabulous Friday Fabrics!

I got back last night from Sydney. Mum's operation went well. She had her hip replacement operation on Wednesday morning and Thursday morning they had her up and walking down the hallway. I must say she was very tired afterwards. Amazing how fast they get you back up and into it.

I have my daughter's kindergarten orientation today. She is very excited!! How fast the last five years have gone.

Got to finish her party invitations over the weekend and get them out next week. Will show you when they are all done.

Love this fabric. This is by Jennifer Paganelli - I posted her fabric last week but just love all the colours.

Crayons

Silicon moulds and crayons.

Break up the crayons and pop into the moulds and bake until melted.

Cooled and ready - Multi coloured heart shaped cookie crayons for drawing NOT eating

I was reading a beach vintage blog the other week when Simone posted on the crayon cookies. Have often looked at them on etsy. So her post inspired me to make some for my daughter's birthday party.

Thought some heart and star shaped crayons would be a nice idea for some prizes or in the party bags. Made some up last night and I am really happy with the result. They are really easy and quick to make. Great way to use up old crayons.

Fabulous Friday Fabrics!

Not sure where the weeks go these days. I was busy organising the shopping night at the pre school, which went really well. Now getting ready for the Coal Point Fete tomorrow. Just hope the weather holds out and it doesn't pour with rain. The wooden toys I had went really well so have been busy re-ordering during the week. I also had some beaded coat hangers which where very pretty and a bit different. I had sold all the pink coat hangers at the shopping night so had re-ordered them as well. The fairy dress-ups have arrived just in time. The stall is going to be jam packed with lots of different things.

Next week I am taking my Mum to Sydney for a hip replacement operation which she has been putting off for ages. Hope it all goes well.

Then at the end of the month I am having my daughter's 5th birthday party, starting on the invitations which are going to be paperdolls with fabric dresses.......stay tuned for some photos. I might be buying some paper dollies to use as bunting, will have to experiment a bit with that to see if it will look OK. Thinking about making some tulle skirts for all her guests but my husband thinks I have gone mad!!!May have to tone it down a bit.

I love this collection of fabrics by Jennifer Paganelli.....so pretty!!

Russian Dolls

Here are the Russian Dolls I am selling at the pre-school shopping night. They are all hand painted and made in Russia. They will sell for $25. Each one is a set of 5 cute little dolls. Aren't they just adorable!!

Fabulous Friday Fabrics!

I am in love with this Russian doll oilcloth fabric!!! How gorgeous!! The Navy and white stars oilcloth will be great for the boys. I am ordering these two oilcloth prints to make up some aprons for boys and girls. Not sure I will have it in time for Carey Bay Pre-school shopping night though if not there is always the school fete the next week. The pre-school shopping night should be a great night. Was speaking to the lady who is organising it and she has 23 stall holders booked.

Coffee

I have spent the morning catching up with a friend and drinking coffee. I had a great morning and it was good to relax and chat!!

After coffee... I did the groceries, went to bunnings and got a few things to start on the garden out the back in the courtyard, bought a pinboard for above my son's desk (just have to cover it) and it is now nearly time to go pick up my three children from pre-school and school. This is the one day of the week where all three are at school, but honestly.......there are just not enough hours in the day!!

Around Some of Mum's House

I know this is usually my Fabulous Friday Fabrics day but I am still at Mum's so thought I would show you around a bit of the inside of her house.
Growing up I used to hate my Mum's taste in interior design, but funny how the older you get, how much your tastes change. I used to love everything very modern, I have now done a complete turn around and love vintage mixed with a touch of new.
The photo above is just a few jugs in my Mum's jug collection she has in and around her kitchen. All of them are so different. Again take no notice of the date on the photos. It is mum's camera and the date and time must not be set correctly. Must try and do that for her before we leave to go home. How fast has this week gone!!! School next week!

My old bedroom, which my daughter now calls her room when we come back to visit Nana. I love the french inspired furniture mum has in here, especially the old french style cupboard. I could not get a good enough photo of it, as it is in the corner of the room and the angle of it made it difficult for me to take a good photo. But trust me.....it is gorgeous!!

In Mum's back room. Off this room is the back porch and also another door out to the pool and outdoor dining area. The other side of this room she has two leather couches and and the TV/Stereo etc..... This is the room the kids use when we come back home. At least you can wipe up any spills off the floor. This was room was done in the 1980's when black and white was very "in". I think Mum has done a fantastic job of bring it into the year 2000, adding in the touches of yellow.

This is Mum's lounge room and dining area. The dining room photo is a bit dark, well very dark....I am definitely not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination!!

I love the Parker dining suite especially the buffet (not that you can really see it in this photo). An interior decorator once said to Mum she should have it painted cream. She went against that advice and got it re-polished. Even though I am a big fan of painting furniture. In this particular case, I am so please she didn't get it painted. You see these Parker buffet's in all the magazines lately, just classic Parker furniture!! Her curtain are all cream silk, as is the curtain pelmets. Behind the wing back chair my mum has a lamp. The photo does not show how beautiful is actually is......it has crystals hanging down all around it A bit too fussy for my decore but it is so "MUM".

It has been great visiting Mum and I hope you like the brief tour. As my best friend suggested, Mum may have to start her own blog!!!

Have a great weekend!

Around Mum's Garden

Staying at Mum's so thought I would take a few photos around her garden.....A sunny spot to sit and relax and have a cup of tea. In fact this is a great spot to sit and watch the kids run around on the grass in the back yard. I love the outdoor clock above the two seat setting.(take no notice of the date on the photos..must have had the camera set on the wrong date.)

The back porch - framed pots on the wall. I love these, they look so rustic.

The back porch again from a different view. I just love the antique bird cage mum has hanging out here, as well as the black and crystal candle chandelier......have told her she had better check my bags on the way out as they could accidentally find themselves in my bags.....only kidding mum, but they are lovely!

The rose garden looks great when all the white roses are in full bloom. Probably should have moved the hose though. Wished my gardens at home looked even half as good as this. We have not got to the outside gardens. Inspiring me to get very busy when I get home!!

The tree in the corner of the backyard is my favourite tree ever. The kids just love climbing it as well. There are a couple of baby trees at the bottom of the tree so am going to take a couple and grow one of my own. Mum thinks it will only take about 25 years or so to get to the size of her tree......the way the years go these days, I'll have my very own before you know it!!

The pool is empty at present and needs to be re-painted.

It has been cold and wet most of the week, but it has been good to come home and catch up with family and friends. The kids just love coming to Bathurst.

Bathurst Bound

It's the second week of school holidays and a spur of the moment decision to head to Bathurst to visit my Mum and family. Have not been home in a while so will be nice to get away with the kids. It's a long drive with three children but they are so excited, so hopefully it go fast and not too many stops along the way!!

Fabulous Friday Fabrics!

These bold and impressive script, number and newspaper print fabrics by Sweetwater for Moda would suit any unique craft, sewing or home decor project.Black, tan and green prints with a clean fresh look! So many unique fabrics out there......the possibilities are endless!