Happy Halloween!!
hope you have a spooky night...
trick or treat?
* images by Nick Scott

Crafting with my little Neo ...
I love kids crafts...Neo always comes home with fun arty, crafty creations that they made at school.  A couple of weeks ago they made some great cards using a simple 'bubble' technique that he told me was SO messy but that everyone enjoyed.
I wanted to give it a go,  so got my little Neo to show me how it was done!

In a bowl add some water, a little food colouring ( or paint)  - I used Rose Pink and Blue, a couple of drops of dish washing detergent and with a straw start bubbling away in your bowl.
Gently put your paper - I used watercolour paper but plain cardboard is fine too - over the bowl and see what bubble patterns you get!
So easy!
So pretty and yep Neo was right! So much fun!
I cut mine into strips and will make into tags.  I think they will also be great to use when making Greeting cards or as gift wrap!

....here's to a great week ahead!

(image via Pinterest)

Two months until Christmas!!
... yes dear friends...its just around the corner.
Are you a planner? do you have your lists ready or are you one of those last minute types who head to the shops which are open at all crazy hours anyway.
It really is the most wonderful time of the year....or is it?

What to buy, what to cook and bake, who will be hosting Christmas lunch, how to decorate the house, untangle the Christmas lights, wrap presents, hide presents, office parties, visiting friends...I always get a little excited,  I like everything to look perfect just as it is in my mind and I'm trying to create my own traditions so my boys have fond memories but by the time its Christmas Eve I'm so over the crowds, the traffic, the hectic days and this is not what its all about is it....
still, here we are again with two months to go and we'll do it all over because yes, it really is the most wonderful time of the year....

* loving this colour scheme for gift wrap.
Red + White + Kraft brown
image via Leslie of 'A Creative Mint'
Bottom image via Pinterest

Loving right now - The Chambray shirt....

(Its been a while since I've illustrated something...)

the Chambray Shirt - I think its  perfect with
* a flowly white skirt
* a denim skirt
* dark denim skinny jeans
* a floral pencil skirt
....the list goes on.... or just check out 
the Chambray shirt Project for more inspiration!

Blogtoberfest - Day 23 
...This goes with that on Pinterest 

Im on the home stretch for Blogtoberfest, its day 23 already.
I did miss a day (...or 2.. okay maybe 3) but life gets super busy, so crazy busy some days that blogging has to take the backseat...

Blogging can take time and thought.   Some days I feel like I have a ton of things to share, other days I feel stuck with no idea what to blog about.
Pinterest on the other hand is a perfect way to spend some free time...
I can get inspired just by scrolling down a little...its always interesting to see what people are pinning, all the visual inspiration and discovering new sites along the way...

*some 'hey!! this goes with that' pins

My island home...
Saturday was a scorcher...so hot! Late in the afternoon we headed to Bondi beach to visit the annual 'Sculptures by the sea'- such a great event that we all enjoy.
We got there just before sunset and the beach was still full of swimmers, sun worshipers and people scattered everywhere!
.... it was lovely walking against the sea breeze, a relief from a sticky day.
 I took many photos of all the sculptures, but the scenery, sea colours and ragged coastline are just as beautiful!
* my boys (two little and one big boy)  against the sun set....

Happy Friday!!
So far today I....
put the bed sheets in the washing machine, had breakfast with my boys, hung out the bed sheets to dry, dropped the boys off at school, had a morning coffee at my sisters house, went grocery shopping, stopped at the deli,
then the butcher...got a phone call from the boys school  - little one forgot his swimming bag at home -  dropped off the groceries at home, got the swimming bag, went to the school, big smiles and relief from my little one, back in the car and straight to my local GP for my weekly allergy shot...


now I'm home and I'm giving the washing machine another workout...never ending busy busy life!

Hope you're having a happy friday too!

I will be making these yummy looking rolls for dinner tonight - 'Sloppy Jose' they look interesting except the recipe says to start a day before as you need to make the jalapenos yourself so I knew I would definetly not be doing that  - I just bought a jar from the deli...easy!! sometimes a girl has to take a short cut!

*image by William Meppem for Gourmet Traveller Australia (Feb/12 issue)

Frankie magazine  - 50th Issue!

I had a couple of hours to myself this afternoon so bought myself a coffee, a custard bun from 'Bread Top' (weird fluffy dough?! is it even real??) and the latest Frankie magazine,

its 50th issue!  Hoorah Frankie!

The cover stood out against the rows of glossy magazines...its just so lovely with a embossed texture depicting delicate embroidered bits and pieces ...so whimsy, creative, a little nostalgic and nanna-ish in a delightful and cozy way...everything Frankie is!

There's a great cake recipe section (shall I put the kettle on luv?)

and I adored the feature asking 5 illustrators to draw their creative desk...love it!!!

Congrats to Frankie on its 50th issue, keep sharing the art/craft/home/life love - here's to 50 more!!

* to see pics from Frankie's 50th issue bash click here*

'The most wasted of all days is those in which 

we have not laughed...'

image of a very young Catherine Deneuve via Pinterest 

Blogtoberfest - Day 16
Decor inspiration: Fresh Greens at Home

Almost half way into Blogtoberfest...its actually going fast and there's inspiration everywhere right? so Im not feeling stagnant yet -  ha!

Tonight I wanted to share some beautiful interiors that feature fresh green plants - I love having fresh flowers in the home and currently its been orchids from my garden - so exotic and very beautiful!! ... when it comes to green plants I have a few in my kitchen in teeny tiny pots and another small one in the family room.  They love the sun and light that comes in through the windows and so far so good - I haven't killed any!   
I also love that they are quite low maintenance so no talking, singing or praising needed...(or is that for growing vegetables??)

What are you favorite indoor plants?  Id love to know..... 

*Delicate plant and lace curtains decorate a window sill - image via Caro Chase
*Shelves of plants teamed with  odds & ends image via
LoveCreativeBlog//Amanda
*a large bulb vase with some spectacular tropical green stems - stricking!  image via
Joe Schmelzer 

Embellish Color Trends Challenge
I adore Tina's blog, Travelingmama - not only does Tina share wonderful snippets of her family life and travels, she creates beautiful cards and journal layouts too!
I love her style!
I wanted to take part in the 'Embellish challenge' that Tina hosts on her blog.

Here are the colours for the challenge  - Green, Gray, Brown and Black.

and here is the card I created using this as inspiration  - the 'Paint' I used was a few splatters of brown (made with strong espresso coffee...)
I wanted it simple and not too fussy and I wanted to showcase the 'found' photo of the lovebirds....
You can see the close up of the photo below.

How do you feel about found  photos? Do you like to buy (or as I say, rescue....) them at flea markets...
Do you get sad that families have had their beloved photos abandoned?

Looking at this photo I wonder if its her father, brother or lover?? its very hard to tell....there's even another girl in the background? a love triangle perhaps?
who knows?

Easy Rum (...or Whiskey) Balls
I made some rum balls a couple of weeks ago to take along to a family dinner at my parents house.
I love how easy these are to make and they don't take long at all.  They also don't take long to finish off...they are so yum!


125g dates (pitts removed)
175g pound or madiera cake
1/3 cup toasted hazelnuts or almonds
3 Tablespoon Rum or Whiskey
200g chocolate

Put the dates, cake, nuts and Rum/Whiskey in a food processor until smooth.  Chill mixture
Melt chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
Roll out your balls and I dip half the ball into the melted chocolate.  Leave on baking paper to cool.  Using the leftover chocolate, I use a fork to splatter chocolate all over the balls.

Oh, yes indeed!!!

*image via Carolyn Rubenstein blog

Inspiration Now!...off the wall

how cute are these fun and bright work spaces!? Who said you need a large space to create, write and proudly call your own.

All you need is a spare wall and off you go...  

I actually still need to share my new work space - I'm still waiting for my hubby to put up some art work in our new family room so I can take some photos.

I'm quite hopeless with measurements, hammers and nails.

I had to downsize my crafty area but not only did I get a small section in our new 'hangout' family room, I got a whole wall!  ...two walls actually as one is full of my beloved books!!

Im a happy girl!

* images Top:  image by Tia Borgsmidt - Bottom: via Bourbondaisy Tumblr

Colour Inspiration:
Gray +  Coral + (cool) Beige 
I love getting colour inspiration from beautiful vintage images and using them to bring colours together in my greeting cards.

I had a crazy busy morning and I was bummed to get a parking fine outside the post office...ughh, it was my own fault I guess, but still...it turned out to be an expensive day!

Anyway, after a hectic day, it was nice to sit and craft a little this afternoon ...hope you like the 'Beach Girl' card I made ...

*Top image -  Vogue 1954 via Pinterest
Middle - gathering craft papers and Bottom - Beach Girl Greeting card in my shop now

Roost Tribe
Ive been a huge fan of Bonnie's blog 'Going Home to Roost'  for a while now,  so when Bonnie announced and launched 'Roost Tribe'   
a monthly membership with exclusive downloads, premium content, prints and loads more creative fun -  I knew it was going to be great so I signed up straight away!

For the reasonable price of $5 a month, I look forward to the weekly emails and each week I can't wait to see what Bonnie has in store for us!

Here is a list of what you can expect each month from being a member of the
'Roost Tribe' and below is a sneak peek of what we got in September....

For all the details and FAQs or to subscribe check it out
here!

Easy Like a Sunday....

Come Sunday night I wish I had slowed down a little more over the weekend especially with the thought of the work week starting all over again...
Is Sunday your 'slow day'? or is it just another normal day for you? do you have pack as much as you can into your weekend?  

Sunday morning always starts slow for us, we even manage a sleep-in, if you call 7.30am
a sleep in, we read the Sunday papers, lounge around....I might do a load of washing but if the weather is great, we're out that door!...then come Sunday night Im wishing I had relaxed just a little more....

* top image by Anna Rustuccia
Middle image via SheWhoEats 
Bottom via Erin Beckman

Just a minute in October

Reading... I took the boys to our local library last week so Ive borrowed  a few biographies - 'Dreams from my Father' by Barak Obama and 'Roots of Style' by
Isabel Toledo.
Im also still reading 'On Rue Tatin: Living and cooking in a French Town' - its a great read so far!
I also have a fresh batch of  magazines that are keeping me happy too! 

Listening...driving around in my car,  Ive been listening to 'Smooth FM 95.3 ' a good mix of 70s, 80s & 90s - Love.

Watching...I recently watched 'Moonrise Kingdom' and totally loved everything about it!!  I also watched TV series 'Puberty Blues' and it was great to watch some good TV, I'm actually sad its over now...

Buying... I bought a new skirt in a perky bright blue!  and I've been eyeing these summer sandals  

Loving... The feeling after my workout - I need to force myself to excercise but once my half an hour is done, Im one happy gal!! a great feeling!
Also loving this site 'An afternoon with...' some great creative New Yorkers...
and Instagram - im new to instagram follow me here @percivalroad


Wanting...  Food blogger 'What Katie Ate' has released her new cookbook - want want....its on my wish list! 

Images by me 
top - chilling out with my mags and a notebook to take notes!
Bottom - a little bit of Me! on instagram

Quinoa & Chia Whole Wheat Rolls
...baking bread. Its not something I do often but when I do its so satisfying.

Why bother you ask?
..hey I agree!  there is some good bread to be bought and loads of great artisan bakers out there
but if you have the time
and the patience,  I recommend you give these bread rolls a go.
They turned out perfect, so perfect that we ate them in one go!!
Straight out of the hot oven with lots of butter!  

Quinoa & Chia rolls - recipe from Home Beautiful magazine (August 2012)

1 cup water
1/2 cup quinoa
Cook quinoa in water for 10-15mins. Set aside.

600g Wholemeal flour
1 sachet dry yeast
1 Tablespoon chia seeds
1/4 cup pepitas
In large bowl add flour and yeast.  Reserve 1/4 cup quinoa for later and add the rest into the flour/yeast mixture.  Add chia seeds.  Stir to combine.
Add 400ml warm water to form a soft dough.  Knead on floured surface until smooth.
Put dough in oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and then some tea towels and rest in warm place for 45mins until doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 200 deg.celsius.  Punch down your dough and knead for a few more minutes.  Cut dough into 8 pieces and roll into balls.
Leave to rest for another 20mins.  Sprinkle rolls with pepitas and quinoa seeds.  Bake for 30mins until golden brown.