Having fun with Pinterest

im still enjoying Pinterest - so many great images to save, so many inspirations, creative rainy day projects, baking and making ideas, home decor dreams...

here are some 'hey this goes with that' moments I had whilst pinning!

*all images via my pinterest page

Guest Blogging over at Jess' lovely blog today.

Vintage Botanical Prints

come on

by to have a look!

Botanical Book plate via ShavingKitSupplies

Cereal bars

sweet, sticky and drizzled with dark chocolate - whats not to love about these yummy cereal bar?

...so when your kids turn up their nose at the cereal box in the pantry add some ingredients and turn it into the perfect treat.

In a large bowl

3 cups cereal (i used Cheerios) and add

1/4 cup sunflower seeds - mix

Melt 2 cups marshmallows with

2 Tablespoons butter

in the microwave (

i did 30 seconds on high and then another 30 seconds on high)

Pour over cereal and nuts.

Mix well

- spread on a lined baking tray and leave too cool.

Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips and drizzle over cereal - cut into squares, wrap in waxed paper and pop into their lunchbox.

Etsy picks of the week

today Im guest blogging over at Sally's lovely blog - come on by to see my Etsy picks of the week!!

Top image by Nicole Bentley
for Australian Vogue

A Girl called... Charlie

I'm delighted to introduce another creative girl so lets head over to England to meet Charlie!

Charlie specialises in creating stunning

hand-crafted bridal hair accessories for her label 'House of Istria'.

Welcome Charlie!

Can you tell us what us currently Inspiring you?

I have so much that inspires me every single day. Playing with my fabrics and laces and ribbons.

Changing seasons.

Cities- memories of Paris, Tokyo, New York.

Sketchbooks. Coffee. My family. Quotes. Light. Cameras. Long walks along a cold seafront. Dreams of the day and of the night. Notebooks. Horses. Car boot sales. Decaying houses. The Bible. Intelligence. Forests. Overheard conversations. Cafes. Bookshops. Love.

What three things couldn't you live without right now?

God, my husband, books

.... although they aren't 'things' so I'll add a camera, a notebook and coffee.

Can you describe your personal style?

Im a typical Libran so it changes often from one to another.

Generally, anything a little eclectic, dreamy, whimsical- and then a big dose of something or other to add glamour or a bit of toughness or surprise.

If I wasn't nine months pregnant I'd quite happily live in floaty vintage dresses; currently, you're more likely to find me in my dressing gown.

Do you have a Favourite Colour or Colour Combinations? I love White. As for colour combinations,

Metallic gold, bright pink, black and white stripes.

Eggshell blue, bright white.

Black and white

Turquoise and gold.

What is your Favourite Smell?

My favourite scent is Chanel No5. My Nan bought me my first bottle; I always return to it.

I also like very masculine scents, woody, spicy. I have Matthew Williamson candles at home; they're amazing.

What do you love about your City/Town?

I live in Cheltenham, a pretty regency town in England. I love the history of it; the stunning period architecture, the ornamental parks, and they way we are surrounded by beautiful Cotswold countryside. I love looking at the decorative Juliet balconies, and sweeping entrances to all of the grand old houses.

Do you have a Favourite Quote you'd like to share with us?

I have so many....
'Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage' - Anaïs Nin

'Wheresoever you may go, go with all your heart' - Confucius
'Anyone who lives within their means suffers a lack of imagination' Oscar Wilde

thanks SO much Charlie!!

To see more of Charlie's beautiful pieces head on over to

House Of Istria , Blog,

House of Istria Etsy Shop

Twitter and House Of Istria Facebook page

Emerson and Ryan's House

A while back I posted about Emerson, the girl behind the label 'Emerson Fry'
love the clothes,
love the clutches and fabric flowers,
love Pedro,
their cute little pup,
Emerson's styling and Ryan's playful photo direction

and now a peek into Emerson & Ryan's gorgeous home!
what can I say....
sigh ...just stunning!!

images found on (The Nest)

Colour Combination: Purple & white

Do you like Japanese Washi tape?

I bought some when we were in Hong Kong recently

.... pretty shades of Purple (love my purples) with a teeny tiny white flower print - sweet!

inspired by this lovely lady, I ended up making some tags.

Cute!!

I like they way they turned out!

next up - cup cake toppers and note cards...im on a roll ( washi tape roll)

Top image - Tia Borgsmidt,

Craft images by Me

Gift Tags available in my shop

Vintage Beauty - Nena Von Schlebrugge

(also known as Uma Thurman's Mother...)

long limbs, feline eyes...sultry face.

(all images via google image search )

making me smile today....



Actually, its been making me smile all week!

The latest *Bespoke* Zine - Issue 4
with my illustration on the Cover!!

*Bespoke* is a quaterly Craft zine
edited by Jess and
made by the handmade community, for the handmade community chock full of crafty goodness!

to buy a copy visit here

*image via Rachel of LovelyClusters

Etsy picks of the week: delicately hued...

top image (photographer unknown) via Russhnoise

* screen printed Organic cotton herbs Produce bags by OhLittleRabbit

* Mod Party Dress by FactoryHandbook *

Vintage Flower Plate by ShavingKitSupplies

Inspiration Now - Kitchen prints
Aren't these kitchen prints amazing? i love them!

Designed by Ana, a graphic designer and illustrator sells these and other great prints in her Etsy shop Anek ..now dont forget to have your 2 fruits and 5 vegies each and everyday!!




Some fun things happening...

* Newspaper Taxi is hosting 'We love SnailMail' competition'

* Issue 4 of *Bespoke* zine is now out and with my illustration on the cover!

* 52 weeks of Mail project bought to you by the EtsyGreeting Team - join in on this great event!

* Sydney bloggers - the next ABCD Meetup is tommorow night in Rozelle..info here. I wont be able to make it this time around but have fun!!

Creative Inspiration

i love getting inspired by beautiful images - when I saw the facade colours of this adorable flower shop, I knew I wanted to create a card in similar shades....

I didn't manage to capture the brightness and my card is far from folksy but I still like how it turned out...oh and i love her white gloves - when did we stop wearing gloves anyways...

Top image

by Marcel Van Driel

and Greeting card made by me - in my shop now...

Iconography: Dreaming of a bygone Era

Have you seen the beautiful images of Kate Winslet channelling Elizabeth Taylor ...an A-list movie star playing dress up to look like another famous Star! photographed by Mario Testino (genius!!) and styled by Carine Roitfeld ( so Chic!), the 'V Magazine' photos look amazing! You can see them here.

Its been done so many times before but it never feels tired... Iconic looks and styles refreshed into current times.

I've always loved this shot of Isabella Rossellini portraying flirty Sophia Loren, photographed by Steven Meisel in the early 90's

Va va Va Voom!

Shades of a new season....

I'm embracing the changes but sadly not the hay fever....

I'm suffering so badly but I'm

stocked up on my antihistamine tablets so that'll get me through the next few weeks.

I spotted this wonderful green growth

in-between our garden pavers the other day

....a quick reminder that when it comes to Man vs Nature,

...Nature always wins!

i love how they have forced their prettiness through the heavy concrete slabs....

and to finish off this Happy Tuesday post, some new 'SPRING in your step' items added to my shop!!

a lucky winner

Look what I won!

I was pleasantly suprised to find out I won Stella's 'name this print' competition over at her blog,

Crimson Circle Studios'

My prize was to choose not one, but two prints from her Etsy shop.

Stella even sent me one of her dreamy Artist Trading Cards (ATC) as well - lucky me!!

thanks so much Stella, everything is beautiful!

you can see Stella's

shop here

Etsy picks of the Week - Star Bright

i always kiss my boys goodnight and whisper ....'i love you all the way to the moon and stars'....they are the bright stars in my life!

Star light
Star Bright
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

Top image via Marissa Mayer via Pinterest * Vintage Comic paper folded stars by ShePinTea
Stargazing photo print by KittyRogers * Star Print Coin Purse by MilkandHoneyHandbags *

Busy

When I'm at work I day dream and long to be home playing with my crafty stuff but it seems once I do get the chance to work on all those creative ideas swirling in my brain -
I find something else to do.
Yes, I'm a procrastinator - big time! but its not all bad....

I've been busy in the kitchen going through my cookbooks, getting inspired with ingredients.
I made jambalaya for the first time last week - so easy, so tasty!
I made some very bland biscuits using quinoa, seeds and nuts. That Martha...I guess she doesn't always get it right!
I've been tending to two sick little boys who have runny noses and scary chest coughs,
ive been trying to declutter the spare room - my crafty mess, as we're planning some changes in our house. A revamp of our formal living room, a room neglected and unused
to what I envision to be a great workspace/casual hang out room - exciting!!

So I haven't been lazing around doing nothing....ive been a busy girl!

I've also been watching many documentaries' on 9/11, I cant believe its been 10 years...it seems like yesterday when we watched the shocking scenes on TV in disbelief, scared at what would happen next?!
Ive been thinking sadly of those who lost their lives on that tragic day
and for all the innocent people and committed soldiers who continue to lose their lives during this 'War on Terror' - when will it ever end?

*images - my crafty work in progress pile