Busy, Busy, Busy...

As I have my own creative space now, I can pull out the sewing machine and it stays there. None of this having to pack it up as it is on the dining table and dinner is ready! I must say I have truly missed sewing and I have been making up for lost time. I managed to get these few cushions done the last week.

I have always made things ever since I can remember - I feel it's time for me to get back to the grass roots of it all.

I would have liked to have shot these photos on the day bed on the back deck but it is only half painted and of course another story!

I have also been making literally hundreds of bars of soap for an amazing wholesale order.

In line with my 'keep it simple' tag I have designed simple eco-friendly packaging for my soap which incorporates the 70's vintage heart-shaped ceramic tile, that I showed you in this post . Honestly, what a challenge to design something so simple.

Spring is definitely in the air in Brisbane!

Taking a break!

Just taking a small break from blogging for a few days. Catch up with you all next week.

Beach Vintage

I popped into Simone's newly opened shop at Bulimba today. It is called 'Just Plain Gorgeous' and it is just that...Just Plain Gorgeous. You just have to have a peek at this new store and check out all of the fabulous goodies.

Of course I bought something! A beautiful rosey coin purse and a lovely little notebook. Just happened to be wishing this morning that I had these exact items I purchased, when I was wondering where I was going to put all of my accumulated change. Then I wanted to write an address and phone number to take out with me, in the end I had to resort to a piece of photocopy paper! It's been one of those days...

Simone's inspirational blog at Beach Vintage  is jam packed with easy peasy tutorials and about using vintage items in the home! Something I love.

All the best with new challenges and opportunities Simone!

1950's Wrought Iron

With 52 acres (21 hectares) of retail space, Anthony Horderns was once the largest department store in the world. If you want to find out more you can here

Flicking through a 1950 edition (March/April) of the Australian House and Garden, I noticed these advertisements for wrought iron furniture. The beauty of these ads to me is that they remind me that you can still buy these highly sought after pieces. They are getting really hard to find in good condition but they appear to be still around.

My fascination and subsequent 'acquiring' of the 1950's typical scrolly enigma probably began with a small bakelite heart mum gave to me years ago. It is one of those treasures that has always been tucked away in a safe place wherever I have lived. Dad gave Mum her engagement ring in this heart in the late 1950's. There is the sentimental attachment of course, but I have never seen another like it either. Perhaps, now I associate the notion of 'romance' with the scrolly iron heartwork...who knows!

(The hinge on the heart has always been a normal household pin).

so the scrolly thing is happening around our home...

and in the garden...

What or who have your collections inspired by?

Driveway and Pathways

After a load of this ...

and hiring one of these... we have re-gravelled the pathways and cleaned the driveway cement in the front yard.

The driveway looks really light and clean now, but at the same time cleaning it has shown up cracks and some pitting. It is the original cement, so it must be about 30 years old and probably time to get something done about it. Stencilling or stamping our driveway wouldn't suit our 70's brick home.

We asked the council to take out a tree on the nature strip as the roots were pushing up the cement at the bottom of the driveway. They were more than happy to oblige, but now the cement is beginning to crumble in between the cracks. EEEEK!

It's that 139 principle happening all over again! I learnt this from an old and very wise builder years ago. Changing one item usually means changing another three items to suit, after you have changed those three, another nine items to change just seem to appear.

Can you relate to this?

Always good to have a cuppa and re-visit the 139 principle!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Everybody loves a heart...

 My beautiful 10 year old niece from New Zealand sent me this gorgeous china mosaic heart. I can see that she has made it especially for me as she knows of my love of English China and of course my addiction to roses!!

Thanks Lara xx

White Magic Makeover

Remember my post  showing my small dining area? Well things have changed and it's all white!..no pun intended...not really!

When I bought this dining table about 6 months ago at our local 'Everyday Living' store, I did mention to the sales woman that I probably would paint it as I could not find exactly what I wanted. The look she gave me indicated that she thought I was mad.

 All the comments from my blogging friends inspired me to change this setting into something I would be happy to look at everyday. So thank you!

Anyway, this orphan table was drastically reduced in their closing down sale...even better. The chairs are not part of their 'Hamilton' range as is the table, they were actually from a local secondhand shop. Brilliant condition strong and sturdy - just right for men in the family... you know what I mean.

I could not bear to paint the top of the table as it is a really rich recycled pine with knots, and gnarly things. So I left it as it is.

I lightly sanded the table and the chairs, painted three coats of 'Ibis White" Bristol paint. Just have to do a bit of tweaking around the tile detail on the leg posts and then a coat of satin varnish to protect it and all done.

I am really pleased with how this turned out. I love it!

The Winner is...

CONGRATULATIONS to

Anna, from Cornflake

who has won my giveaway of my natural handmade soap.

Anna has a delightful and inspirational blog about achieving style in your home without breaking the bank. Please pop over for a visit if you haven't already.

Congrats Anna, please contact me with your details.

Thanks to all of my blogging friends that entered the draw for this giveaway, I am sure there will be more.

It seems to me...

... that anything goes grows in my garden at the moment. I must admit, I am having loads of fun with this new camera. The neighbours must think I am odd snapping away from all angles in the front garden most mornings...

...delicate budding roses...

...threw some seeds in the garden a few weeks ago for the cottage garden experience, and look what is coming up. I haven't a clue what it is but it's gorgeous!

...another rosebud...

...poppies are constantly mesmerising me as I follow their magic as they emerge from their hairy pods...

...and they wear their beret for a while as they burst through in their amazing colour...

...even the rosey deadheads in the garden are delightful ...

... and basking in the sun in the back of the yard was a blue tongue lizard. They say these lizards don't mind being picked up, but I was happy just to take his photo as he lazed around sunning himself.

Gorgeous Turquoise Find

Sharing my latest find from the the local thrift shop. It is an amazing colour and I was smitten immediately. Not my usual type of purchase, but it is in perfect condition with only a little crazing.

 It is Japanese and that's about all I know about it.

Wondering if you know anything about this type of ceramic?

Don't forget about my giveaway which will be drawn on Friday morning at 8am. Your chance to win some of my gorgeous handmade soaps!

Perfect Poppies

The poppies in my garden are enjoying this very warm weather that we are experiencing...and it is supposed to be winter!!

 Unlike Europe, where poppies grow wild on the roadsides and in the fields, we have to plant them here in Brisbane. Needless to say, that I am enjoying them in my garden and this is the first time I have planted them.

The jonquils have multiplied this year and they fill the garden with their gorgeous scent. I feel so lucky.