Photo Booth Props

Back in early June I organized my youngest brother's 18th birthday party (he was a lovely surprise baby)! I made these EASY peasy speech bubbles out of cardboard and chalkboard paint! I am sure there is a template out there in blog land but easy enough to draw yourself! Two coats was all they needed.



Also some Moustaches :-) I used the templates from Oh Happy Day and I noticed Jordan has done a second set. I hot glued my moustaches to skewers .



With my dear 'little' brother, Daniel!



Anya having a play around before the big kids arrived! Speaking of brothers and birthdays... Happy Birthday to my lovely brother Matt today! Have a great day bro x Enjoy your weekend!

Children's fashion - Polka

Jo and Marika from Polka describe themselves as Danish wannabe's who love Tokyo & Scandinavian street fashion. Well I think these kids at heart are the best advocates for making cool clothing for little people.





Loving the photos - kudos to the talented photographer who captured them. Oh and I would love that gold beret for myself :-) They make boys clothes too.

Jeweller / Sculptor - Nic Bladen

Phalaenopsis wristpiece

Nic Bladen has transformed one of my all time favourite orchids (above) into this amazing piece of art. Nic has a background in Dental technology (which is my father's original trade) and has merged his knowledge and skills from DT with bronze casting to create this amazing jewellery. The technique is known as lost wax casting, learn more about it and Nic's work here.



Twig ring



Rhus crenata charm bracelet. All photos courtesy of Nic Bladen.

Aren't they beautiful, original pieces - I really love botanical jewellery.

Brisbane Photographer - You Can't Be Serious

You can't be serious is the talent behind these photos I found last week - I laughed so much at the bear photos, they made my day (it was a particularly challenging one)! This couple make really cute bears!



Hailey and her husband Andrew communicate a story through their photos and really capture the essence of the event. They shoot weddings, special occasions, bands, family portraits etc. I LOVE this Christmas card... some tips on how to make these huge heads in this post.



The talent doesn't stop there... Hailey is making a cool documentary with her Mother, Toni Powell called the 365grateful - A documentary about the extraordinary power of gratitude. Based on a photography project Hailey completed in 2008. I truly applaud the idea.



I would like to start a grateful journal at home, maybe one we can draw/write/photograph things we are grateful for! What a wonderful trait to seed in your children. Even though we give thanks at night for things we are grateful for with Anya & Josiah - I believe intentional activities, (like keeping a journal) cement the process. I took the 'no complaining ' pact with Jo a while back for a week and it was wonderful... now to couple both these ideas and make them a daily part of our life...

All photos used with permission courtesy of You Can't Be Serious

Vintage Love - Tea Cup and Saucer

"Bone China - England... $10...." that was all I needed to see in order to snap up this sweet tea cup, saucer and plate to enjoy my daily ritual of French Earl Grey tea....



The cup and plate match but the saucer does not and I love it that way. Hannah the thrifting queen will be proud of me. I'm on the look out for some saucers for another fun little project.... Do you enjoy thrifting?

Engagement Fun

The lovely Laura and I worked together briefly in Brisvegas a few years back and she recently got engaged to her prince - William! They celebrated their happy occasion with a fun afternoon in the park.



Their photo garland made a great backdrop for photos, particularly of the wedding party.





Guests left their thumbprints on a cool keepsake



Best engagement cake ever - a surprise from the thoughtful groom to be :-)



A game of Badminton to warm guests up or simply, grab a rug.



Congratulations Will and Laura! I'm looking forward to seeing your wedding photos already! I know Laura is going to make a stunning bride. For more pics and a glance of George Clooney...... yes, really.

Photo credits: Roshni Vastrad and William Swanson

Something for the wall

A nice fresh idea - I prefer this full-sized letter over a whole word! via ohdeedoh.

Exquisite Photos - KT Merry

I found KT Merry's website a few days ago and have been addicted ever since... I can't stop looking at her photos! This styled shoot makes me delirious....so very beautiful. You may have a hard time believing that I am not overtly 'girly' myself but I just luuuurve looking at pretty things.





The simplicity of this bouquet and shot is....perfection!



Make sure you check out KT's own wedding photos on her blog - AMAAAZING. Ok enough gushing...

Couture Events - Strawberry and Lemonade Wedding

Sarah Layne Photography

I loved these vintage suitcases and side table used as props for a Strawberry and Lemonade themed wedding by Couture Events.



This birch 'arch' complete with chandelier, used as a focal point for the bride and groom to be married under was as amazing as the view don't you think?



Some really sweet theming ideas that can be carried through to any event!

Sewing for Home - My First Lap Quilt

Ink & Spindle - Allsorts Quilt Kit

One of my goals over the weekend was to get some personal sewing done! I am loving sewing for home at the moment and am about to start my first lap quilt.



From Little Things

Inspired by these lovely patterns pictured and the idea to free-style it.... I have started cutting and sewing my Amy Butler - Soul Blossoms fat quarter pack, into a lap quilt. I choose the passion palette and it is BRIGHT!! In hindsight the Bliss would have been more up my alley but I wanted something a little different and out of my comfort zone.



A Little Red Ribbon

There is a fabulous tutorial on the 'non-pattern' by The Silly BooDilly that Gret followed (above) and so did Mel, From Little Things.. I love her colour and fabric choices don't you! I also love Auntie Cookies cross quilt below.



Ed's note: My mistake, Gret didn't use the 'non-pattern', pattern but made up her own pattern she did however use the organic line tutorial for the quilting part.

Weekend wishing

Photo credit Stacy Brandford via Poppytalk

Some more re-purposed pallet love! I would be ready to sit here and unwind in a heartbeat!



via tiny white daisies on tumblr

or here... I hope you have a relaxing weekend! I have been doing lots of personal sewing and loving it - hoping to start my lap quilt this weekend! woohoo

Ink and Spindle - Organic Jersey Fabric

A gorgeous new range for kids courtesy of Ink & Spindle's fab new stretch knit fabric and children's label Twiglet (also Melbourne). Nice to see something cool around for BOYS.



Photographs Rebekah Lyn Photography





Some more organic jersey that is a little more on the girly side. Good news is you can buy the jersey in all patterns and sew your own! I am still eyeing off the Allsorts quilt kit... LOVE it.

Caring for and Styling Fresh Flowers

Hydrangea

Did you know Design Sponge have a series on A-Z flowers? Some great tips on flower care and styling.

Photograph Karen Wise Courtesy of Design Sponge



Peony

I learnt some new tricks, especially with the Peony. I must admit I feel quite 'out of the game' in regards to my floristry days so I am off to trawl through their archives and brush up on some knowledge. Enjoy the beautiful images!



Gloriosa Lily

All images courtesy of Design Sponge.

Free Tutorial - Children's dress up costumes

You may have seen this photo on Pinterest already? A seriously cute idea and a magnificent way to use up scraps you can't bear to throw away. You can find the tutorial here and more of the creator's work on her blog Llevo el invierno.

David Stark Amazing Paper Decor Installation

I am in awe of David Stark and his team's imagination to pull such fabulous ideas together to make an incredible install, as this one pictured. Do you remember this pop up shop?







What an incredible start to a birthday party for the lucky recipient! I feel very INSPIRED!