Mood boards for Inspiration

Do mood boards help you get inspired?
They are a great way to get some focus - be it colour or theme or maybe a mood board for your next collection or project?  I love looking at other people's mood boards - I have a board here on pinterest
I was excited to see that Holly of Decor8 has started a Monday 'Mood board' challenge over on Instagram.
What a fun way to get inspired, a little creative and to join in on some fun with others - you can see her post with all the details here 
I'm going to try and join in each week - I need to get some creativity into my life!

*images
Top * 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/

Reflect

It's Monday! 
don't forget to be 
awesome.

(a little boost if the coffee isn't helping....)

Pinspire for colour

I'm getting a little colour inspiration tonight.
Its one of those quiet nights at home (not complaining at all...).  The TV is on but nothing to watch, hubby is reading...the boys are now asleep.
...I've jumped onto Pinterest to see what is inspiring people, what people are pinning and what is standing out for me!

Colour creates a mood within us - we shouldn't neglect the power of colour and what it can do!
here are some of my pins teamed up to create lovely feelings
Top: soft, cozy, quiet, minimal ...gentle  * Middle: bold, punchy, zesty, crisp...fresh
Bottom: unwind, boho, independant...free
* all images via my pinterest

Cook and Craft

The weather has cooled right down -  its been a wet and soggy week and I must say its been so hard to drag myself out of the house and off to work.  I had the day off today and I didn't get much done...it was wonderful to zone out a little...oh I did a back log of laundry so at least that's out of the way until the weekend.
I'm feeling that change in the air.  Slowing down.
We pulled out the blankets already, the nights have been chilly and that extra 5 minutes morning sleep in a warm bed feels so indulgent.
I can definitley predict a lot more 'home time' coming on in the next few weeks!
I love Autumn for that nesting, cozy-up mood.
TV, home cooking, reading, crafting...bring it on I say!  I love those chilly evenings stuck indoors!

A little inspiration today over at
'A Beautiful Mess'
You can always find something fantastic to cook or make or learn.
I sometimes wonder if Elsie and Emma and their lovely team ever run out of ideas?
I've been a reader of their blog for such a long time and they still inspire me!
Every single time!

Cook and Craft - April
Pumpkin pie (in Jars!)
Suede catchall 


* images 
from my Pinterest via 
A Beautiful Mess 

Dream Escape: Portugal

Have you been following Chelsea's adventures?
I've always been a fan of Chelsea's blog 'Frolic!' from way back when I first started blogging myself...
Lately she's been travelling and updating her blog and instagram  @frolicblog  from new destinations.
Chelsea is currently in Portugal, a country I would love to visit one day...I feel like this beautiful country is often neglected with many tourists flocking to Spain, her neighbour, which I have been to and totally loved.

I imagine Portugal to be just as warm and friendly, with amazing food and cakes,  quiet villages and bustling cities with historical buildings and churches showing layers of years and life ...
It sure looks amazing!
Where do you dream to visit one day?

All images via Chelsea's Instagram feed
Chelsea's blog post on  '6months a nomad'  and how she travels on a shoestring budget
and a Creative Girl interview I did with Chelsea a few years ago

a girl called Clair....

I came across Clair’s wonderful food illustrations recently, and they made me feel like I was in the middle of a European Summer! delightful!
Of course I was curious to see more of her work, as I love discovering new illustrators.  Varied in subject matter Clair's illustrations are warm, and earthy and unique in illustrative style.
Clair’s colourful  'City Life'  illustrations of London (my favourite city!!),  for ‘Paper Rose’ Greetings are fun with so much detail!
I’m really happy to feature Clair on the blog today, as part of my Creative Girl series.
Welcome Clair!
Can you tell us what is currently inspiring you? 
I have a few illustrators that are particularly inspiring me at the moment- Nina Cosford, Amy Victoria Marsh and Yasmeen Ismail to name a few.
I went to a workshop recently, run by a lady called Mrs Bertimus. She collects so many beautiful little treasures, and lots of antiques. Just being in a studio surrounded by all those goodies I found really inspiring.
I’m always looking out for new ideas and ways of working, especially in bookshops. Needless to say, I love Pinterest - that’s where you can find a lot of my inspiration!

Name 3 things you couldn’t live without right now? 
Quink ink, Empress Grey tea (which I’ve only recently discovered!) and my little vase of fresh flowers which sits at my desk and keeps me cheerful.

Can you define to us your personal style? 
I think my personal style is happy and quirky. I like creating work that makes people smile and I feel that is the purpose of my work in many ways. As well as illustrations for children, I also do a lot of food illustration. This has a slightly more organic and wholesome feel to it.

What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on some travel themed artwork which is something quite new for me. I’m enjoying the challenge of making something completely different, and I hope that I will continue to be pushed in new directions as I move forward.



Do you have a favourite colour or colour combinations?
I love autumn colour combinations, and at the moment I have a bit of a thing for dark turquoise. It’s just lovely!
What about a favourite Smell or Fragrance? 
My mum’s freshly baked Victoria sponge cake!

What do you love about your City/Town?
I love the fact that I’m not too far away from London, which is full of inspiration and could be explored endlessly. I only graduated in 2014 so have spent the last three years in Falmouth, Cornwall. I have a special place in my heart for that town! It has a beautiful harbour, lots of beaches and countryside and so many lovely friends live there.

Do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share with us?
I have too many to choose from! This is one that I especially love, Proverbs 31:25, ‘She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.’

thanks so much Clair, its been great to learn more about you - to connect with Clair,  head on over to her Website
Etsy Shop * Facebook
Tumblr  * Pinterest and of course
Instagram 

#7Vignettes - February15

Ive joined in on 'The Interiorsaddict', #7Vignettes styling challenge again.
Head on over to Instagram to take a look!
its been a bit of a 'post and run' attempt for me though as I've been SO busy lately!
Tommorow's word is 'Fabric' and I have no idea what to share...I'll come up with something! ....

Im so excited to hear about this today - 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is one of my favourite books ever!  I loved George RR Martin's Twitter response to the news...

Im currently obsessed with Mexican food!  cant get enough - did you know Black beans are super high in fibre?!  this Huevos Rancheros breakfast recipe looks delish!

These Tbar heels look like fun! ...so does this 'Deco Dot' midi skirt...

Some good advice from Alisa - Jump start a creative career and wise words from Pip about social online interaction.

See you soon!

Summer Trend: Watermelons

Tutti Fruitti!
With the recent trend in Palms and Pineapples and all things Tropical, we're now moving onto Watermelons...love it!

Its perfect for Summer, and not only does it taste delicious (...a slice of chilled Watermelon, how yum is that?) its fresh and light hearted in design too.
*
I always wonder how trends come about, once the trendy item is everywhere, the trend setters have probably moved on to the next thing already...I don't always follow trends but its lovely to see a new take on things...it always surprises me with delight...so many clever people out there!

Images
Summer printable Invites by Coco & Mingo
( cocorrina) * Watermelon printable ice-cream cones * DIY Watermelon Pinata  by OhHappyDay blog (her Watermelon favors are FAB too) *
Baba Shopper by Babasouk * Watermelon watercolour by BillandScarlett

via

Style it Up! DIY projects

Are you feeling like a bit of DIY this weekend?
...making something by hand for yourself or for a gift (less than a month until Christmas ...eeek!) is always a satisfying way to spend time.
These stylish projects I have bookmarked on my 'Creative Life'  Pinterest board - they look easy enough to give a go...

* DIY neck candy by The Lovely Drawer *  Upcycled Pullover by Kreativbuehne *
Braided Cuff by Craft Tutsplus * French pouf Flower by LoveMaegan

Happy Wednesday!

Happy hump day everyone!
I've had a few days away from the blog - chilling and relaxing after a crafty frenzy lead up to the Etsy Market stall last week...it was fun, I should try and do more Markets in future!
I do need to work on my networking skills though especially the perfect 'pitch'
 ha!...Im a true introvert so always find it tricky to talk to strangers or about myself...

I made quite a lot of stock which was great as my Crafty Life has been a little quiet this year so new things in my Etsy shop soon!!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

* image via 'Design Love Fest'

Polka Dots + Chambray Blue

a little 'Fashion to Paper' crafty challenge...

I found this image on Pinterest the other day -  I do love the chambray denim teamed with the polka-dot printed skirt.  Its a dramatic skirt isnt it? ... funny enough the skirt is by Shabby Apple which is an American site that I've seen featured on so many blogs over the years - they've called the skirt 'Waltzing Matilda' ball skirt.
Maybe it reminds them of the outback and our own taste of country life?...

here is my Greeting card...Im actually in the middle of a paper mess right now - I have crafty stacks all over my house!
Im preparing for a market stall...more of that to come!

 

a charmed life...

I'm so glad its Wednesday...mid-week, I'm feeling a little tired already and longing for Friday, my day off.
I have a sick boy at home and so thankful my mum took care of him today because work is full on right now.
Both boys are now asleep, they wanted to check out the lunar eclipse tonight but there's too many clouds in the way.  Its a shame as I was keen to see it too...
They need rest...and this girl needs a cup of tea, cheesy TV and Pinterest (multi-tasking)!

I found these images on Pinterest - pretty florals, hedges and lawns...dreamy...they take me to another place, (Pinterest does that a lot ...)

Bobby Pin Pretty...

Hello Pinterest for a little inspiration tonight...

how pretty is this!?
and simple too
The good old fashioned bobby pin in metallic gold (or silver) to decorate your casual updo...
I like it!

Did you know most peeps, me included, use the bobby pin the wrong way?  the longer end should be on top - the shorter end with the grip on the bottom...

more bobby pin tricks
here

* image via Pinterest via Allure.com 

Illustrated: Charlotte Hardy

I'm loving these wonderful 'shop front' paintings by British Artist and illustrator Charlotte Hardy
In a world of large retailers and brand-new shiny Shopping Malls, I think we can all appreciate a high street full of delightful shops...each one side by side ...part of a community...
offering something special,
in its own special way...
To see more of Charlotte's beautiful work, check out her online Gallery 

Tropical dreams with Chairish

When the people at Chairish contacted me to create a mood board around one of their cool collection of Accent Chairs, I jumped at the challenge.
Chairish is the perfect online market place to buy and sell one-of-a-kind vintage and preloved furniture - so many unique pieces in all types of styles! Furniture fix anyone?
I went a little Troppo with my choice ...
I decided on the 'Palm Frond print Vintage Barrel Chair' - What a gorgeous chair!
I'm loving the Tropical trend that seems to be everywhere at the moment, its so perfect for warmer days ahead and has a throwback to the groovy 70s...This is what I teamed up!
White,
Lilac
and pale Mint - all teamed with the vivid lush Green, it works!
 I can just imagine this in a light filled room....the glowing Sunset....Cocktails at 7?

* Asos Dress * Tropical Watercolour art by Fybur * Solid Brass Spark Light via Chairish * Hexagon Coffee Table via Chairish * Glazed Planter by Barruntando *

*this is not a sponsored post and all ideas are my own*

my Etsy picks of the Week

Happy Friday!
I'm home today.  There is no place I'd rather be, the sun is shining outside, I have all the windows open and the cool breeze is just wonderful.  Lots of laundry has been done, and I'm planning to bake a cake real soon...its one of those days where I can potter about and not feel rushed.
Here are my Etsy picks of the week - Stellar beauty...star quality...
I'm really loving these beautiful intense, vivid blue finds...
Grouped together, blue has a deep mystical feel...Celestial wonder...

Top image
Nicole Bentley for
Marie Claire Australia
* Blue Agate Coasters by VagabondQueen *
Aqua Aura quartz Crystals by iLoveLotus  * Save the date double sided Card by HooplaLove * Golden Blue paper bowl  by Djaliforyou *
Goldstone sterling silver ring by noblegnome *
Planet necklace by
BeautySpot

its so Pinteresting...

Todays post is so 'Pinteresting'...okay, that's not a real word but 'Pinterest' is my go-to place where I can get lost in visual beauty and not have to deal with anything else.
I needed to surround myself with goodness today, I had a coffee and lovely (comforting) chat with my sister this morning, I even bought myself some fresh flowers during my brief trip to the shops - an instant pick me up, plus they make my house cheerful too.
..I had a difficult meeting with my boss yesterday afternoon that left my soul a little bruised and whilst I not going to wallow in misery about it, (my rebellious streak says 'gahhh screw it!!') instead I did some reflecting - about whats important to me and not just whats expected of me...
le sigh..breath out...tomorrow is another day

What's caught my eye on Pinterest lately...
1 * 2 * 3 * 4 * 5 * 6 

Shibori techniques on paper....

Shibori is a Japanese dyeing technique using binding, pleating, folding as well as rubber bands, clamps, wood and rocks (?) to create beautiful patterns.
It seems to be everywhere lately ... a follow up from the recent trend, Ikat, maybe?
its been used on home-wares, bed linen, clothes, tote bags...I love it in a beautiful intense indigo blue, its a little more refined than the drippy 70s tie-dye technique but just as cool!
I thought the DIY instructions looked easy enough but decided to give it a go on paper (as you do?..) I had some cotton paper at home and I also tried it on canvas paper and traditional water colour paper.

...paper is not cloth and I tried hard to get some crisp folds. My paper was quite thick and the elastic bands hard to keep on ( I used the boys loom bands haha...not strong enough) it was all for fun anyway, a bit of experimenting on a quiet afternoon so nothing serious and I managed to get some interesting patterns that I've added to my inspiration journal...

I noticed there's a Saturday Shibori workshop near by - think I might join in?