One Fabulous Cook Book

(Super cute cover art from Loobylu)

Ok, so I think you should all rush over here and buy this cook book. It has been put together by a group of wonderful people who joined forces to make a difference after the terrible bushfires which ravaged Victoria earlier this year. The book has been made with so much love and has taken many many hours of dedicated volunteer work to get up and running. You should get yourself one. I am.

The Golden Age

Look what I received in the post this week! I am so excited. Its been a bit of a long wait after a little kerfuffle with credit card details etc. but finally I have it. I love this era of fashion, it's so refined and so feminine. The 'Golden Age of Couture' is released by V&A Publishing. I bought my copy here.

The Matchbox Project

I came across this today... It's very cute. Note to self: keep eyes peeled for seemingly oddly located matchboxes, said find may prove fruitful.

Hello!

Hi there! It's been a while, hasn't it?
That's because I have been on holiday. 3 weeks in beautiful Italy! It was fantastic. I want to go back already. I loved the food, I loved the wine, I loved the sights, I loved the laid back attitude, I loved the sun... I could go on and on.
Here are a fews pics of the trip. I will post more soon. Enjoy.

Simply stunning

The jewellery and artwork of Abigail A. Percy are simply stunning. I first came across her work at a market in London and just the other day I stumbled across her blog and online store. Her work, inspired by nature, is feminine and fluid, yet the finishes applied to her jewellery give it a slight industrial edge. I am going to save some pennies and buy a piece of her work one day soon.

New stuff

Hello! This is what I have been working on lately. I have been in a bit of a frenzy trying to get a bunch of work done before hubby and I head off on a lovely holiday (I will tell you all about that when we return!). Sorry about the dark photo, I need to get a better camera.

The plan is that all this stuff will to end up here, so stay tuned.

One for the romantics

I recently finished reading this book. It was beautiful! Simply put it is a love story. Yet there is so much more to this book... Henry is a time traveller. There is an eight year age difference between he and his wife Clare. Henry met Clare when he was 28 years old. Clare met Henry when she was 6 years old. The concept is surreal but the love story is so authentic in all its passion, tenderness and emotion. I was so touched by this book, my eyes are welling up now describing it to you. 'The Time Travelers Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger is definately a worthy read.

Flobib

I think you should have a looksee at these cute bibs... They are funky and fun - something a little bit different for stylish bubs. Click on the photo for more.

Adventures in blog land

I was reading Meet Me at Mike's this morning, and for the first time I noticed a button at the top of the blogger page which reads 'next blog'. I clicked this button and realised that it takes you on a random blogosphere tour. I came across this...

Pretty!

I think I may partake in more blog adventures in the future.

My own space

I am sure I have mentioned quite a few times previously that my work space is an absolute mess. Currently I spread myself out between the study and the dining room, which means that our house looks like a tip when I am in 'creative' mode. Ideally I would like to set up our study so that I can do all my work in there and contain the mess to some extent. I want my creative space to be organised and inspiring in itself so I feel motivated when in there.
So the plan is that when I get a spare few days I am going to start by painting the study white, so it becomes a blank canvas. Then I want to get some shelving to house all my fabrics so they are up off the floor (at the moment all my fabrics are in cardboard boxes on one corner of the room!) and in a covered space to avoid the accumulation of dust that is currently engulfing everything. I want to get a filing cabinet for paperwork and bills so they are organised and out of sight. Then I will have two desks, one for the computer / printer and one for the sewing machine and cutting mat. I hope that having a space dedicated to my sewing machine will mean that I am more productive. Having to set up and pack up the machine each time I start a new project is laborious and time consuming.
So, there you have it! I have a plan... now I just need to stick to it.

I am too embarrased to show you my hideous space in all it's glory, so here are some pics of other peoples (click on the image to link back to the original source)...

You can admire more creative spaces here and here. Enjoy!

Etsy Bloggers April Featured Seller

Well, even though I am taking a little break from Etsy at the moment, I am still a member of the Etsy Bloggers team. So, here is the featured seller for April...

Two Zany Zebras features a bunch of cute monster / alien themed products for kids. They have tees, onsies, toys, blankets etc. Here are a couple of cute examples.

Check our their blog here.

Motivation

I think you should go here and have a look at this persons amazingly organised and pretty creative space. If only my own creative space was so inspired and inspiring. At the moment my craft room / study is a diabolical mess. Note to self... must get organised.

And while you are checking out the fab-ness that is Allsorts you should have a go at the Virtual Softie. Cute, cute and cute!

On another note, hubby and I went to see Dylan Moran's stand up comedy show at Hamer Hall last night. Funny funny stuff. We laughed and laughed.

Ohh the insanity

Do you ever feel like you are constantly chasing your own tail?! If you were Flossy the Schnauzer pup, chasing ones tail could be considered socially acceptable, but as a full grow human it is extremely infuriating. Too much to do, too little time... I am about to self combust.

It isn't easy being green

8.30pm last night, Saturday March 28th 2009 was Earth Hour. What did you do? Hubby and I played Uno by candle light for the hour. It was kinda fun, a bit difficult trying to distinguish between blue and green cards in semi light, but fun all the same.
The theme of Etsy Bloggers blog carnival for this fortnight is Green... and funnily enough the small amount of stock I have in my Etsy store at the moment is green! Green in colour, unfortunately not really green in the ethical environmental sense. You can check out my 'green' stock here.

Sensory overload!

I went here today. I am now suffering extreme sensory overload. You should have a look at this, this, this & that. Now I must go & sit quietly with a nice cup of tea to calm my nerves...

Etsy Bloggers March Featured Seller

Hello, it's that time again... Etsy Bloggers March Featured Seller is 'Designs by Nora'. They stock a range of cute little stud earrings as well as a selection of handcrafted bags & accessories. And you can find their blog here.

One scary chick

I made this little monster last night. She is security... for the car, for the home, for the office. Wherever you need protection, she will be there. This little fluffy monster may look innocent enough, but let me assure you she is one scary chick!

Little bits of happiness

My lovely friend Nadia gave me this cute little owlie bag dangler yesterday. I love it. It was made by 'This Little Piggy' a Melbourne based designer.

And here are a couple of little girls which I made recently.

Pretty and functional - wish I had thought of that!

Check out the Fleur playmat and pillow by Onegirl, a fellow Melbourne Etsy seller. It is so pretty and useful, plus you can buy the pattern and make your own. What a fab idea! I might have to find me a small child, so I have an excuse to make one.

The Toy Society Valentine's Drop

I made my first Toy Society drop today. It's nerve wracking stuff! Being covert is not exactly my forte. But it is special to think that Flo might put a smile on someone's face today. I hope she makes her way to a nice home.