Handmade Flower Hair Accessories

It is fun to make something different - I thought this looked like a little summer garden.  These headbands went off to a friend to say thank you.  My new little spool is from ebay. 

Hard to see the detail on this one - it looks cool worn across the front of the head like an 'Indian princess'.

The smallest of headbands to fit a wee little one.  I don't usually use feathers and bling for babies, this was a bit of fun for a creative mama's new arrival.

Shop Handmade Favourites

I dropped off my first box of stock to Shop Handmade for the year and took some product shots for the Facebook page.  Isn't this the cutest cranky owl you have ever seen?  Brenda from Red Stitch Designs has done it again.  So unique and beautifully made... The same clever lady who made Anya's bird.

Prim and Pretty have so many gorgeous pendants available at Shop Handmade.  Another talented lady with lovely ideas and well-made products.

What an imagination Claire has... packaged up in a wonderful colouring in book!  We LOVE Schmooks in our house, available on Etsy too.

I am not sure of the designer of this red leather satchel but I know it is handmade in Australia and available at Shop Handmade - woo hoo.  I had an awesome birthday brunch on the weekend with some girlfriends - it was delectable and lovely to be in the company of wonderful friends!  I hope your weekend was sublime. 

Woven Label Supplier

In my humble opinion, branding is always worthwhile when it comes to selling your goods.  So, on that conviction I finally had some woven tags made for my hair accessories.  I used World Wide Label on Etsy and found them great to deal with, they were very diligent in making sure I was happy with my colours.  I didn't consult the pantone chart to get an exact match to my business cards but I was happy with the colour.

A smaller size wouldn't go astray for my smaller pieces but these are great for now.  Grace Designs production has slowed down a little to balance life out, so they should last even longer... or until I have a brand-overhaul :-)

Australia Day Celebrations

Australian Flag

Happy Australia Day! It just happens to be my birthday too :-)  Canberra was kind enough to put on a show for me... ok it may have been everyone but we were glad to be there and enjoy it.

I got a glimpse of the Governor General inspecting the troops. The Prime Minister, Julia G was there too but I didn't see her nor did she invite us to morning tea. 

The FA18 Hornets did a very noisy fly over followed by six canons firing.  Finally Anya doesn't scream the place down like she used to, Josiah thought it was great!

If only photos had audio....trying to get a family photo was fun - we made do with this one.  My very exciting birthday present was a flash for my Nikon!!!!  finally.... so thrilled.  Hope my Aussie readers enjoy the public holiday. 

Quilt Inspiration: Grey, White, Yellow Triangles

Crafty Blossom

Do you think if I wished hard enough this divine quilt would materialise on my bed??!!  The colours are awesome and I love the way it is quilted.  

The Good Report

This is the confetti quilt by Leslie, from The Good Report, some inspirational modern quilts on this blog.

Carson Too on Etsy

Really enjoying these colours at the moment, so happy with a dash of serious to even the playing field.... Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law, we are off to do something special this morning.  Our birthdays are a day apart :-)

Upcycled Vintage Painting to Chalkboard

The day after posting Amy's quote on my blog I found this vintage frame at a local reuse facility.  I have been looking for one for ages, even if the idea has been flogged to death!!  The frame had to be just the right size, not overly ornate and made of wood. 

Our youngest artist

I made my chalkboard the lazy way, I just painted over the original painting.  It is getting harder to dust off though, so I will probably replace the canvas with a smooth piece of board instead.  

Gordon

Perhaps it will be our 365 Grateful project!!  We are all enjoying taking turns to be the artist for the day.  Today's board says, "Welcome Nana" - my mother in law is arriving tonight for a visit.  Hoorah for Grandmothers and a second set of hands.

Mine

Too Many Projects, Not Enough Time?

La Farme via Style Cookie

Hubby forwarded me this post by Frugalbabe.  They were familiar thoughts.  I have been pondering over a few of her points lately myself.  I laughed out loud when I saw this cool print...  I have definitely had times where I want to get my creative on, then spent all my time looking at what I could be making instead of getting to it!  I can be very easily distracted.  I came away from reading that post on Frugal babe with a  timely reminder for the start of another year to be practical, choose projects with intention, make it useful.... and ENJOY - that's all - the end. 

Go Anywhere Bag by Noodlehead #2

Go Anywhere Bag- Front

Back

I made this for my sister, Jenn for Christmas.  This time I used the magnetic closures like I should have in my bag.  They were easy to put in, look so much nicer and I know she isn't getting scratched like me - don't use velcro!  I added an extra pocket inside.  I love the fabric, haven't a clue who it is by?  From my local fabric store and it wasn't cheap!!  But hopefully will be robust - it's a home deco weight.  Happy weekend to you.

Decorate Book Review

Decorate by Holly Becker & Joanna Copestick

My favourite Christmas present!  I have really enjoyed thumbing through this book.  One thousand professional ideas and five hundred gorgeous images, there is alot to love. 

This Amy Butler quote was just for me!  Decorate is filled with great quotes!  The book is broken into four sections; Space Matters, Setting your Style, Room by Room and Attention to Detail.

There are lots of thoughtful layouts and suggestions for all areas of your home.  I think the book covers a broad range of styles too.  Personally, I would love to see more ideas for small spaces.... in the next book!  I do tend to think that not many of these beautiful homes photographed have children living in them!!!!  I love so many of the ideas and layouts but know they are not practical for small children.  In saying that - it is still a book worth buying and gleaning ideas from.

Amy Butler Doll's Quilt

It's been a bit like show and tell around here lately :-) You can tell I have been spending way more time on personal projects than business.  I did however drop my sewing machine off to be serviced, *sniff* and a week feels way to long to be apart - ha ha.  Back show and tell - I made my first doll's quilt for Anya for Christmas!  It was on the long list of things to make but the only thing that got finished on time. 

A love note to my best girl, her favourite part.  The quilt has been well loved and used already.

The quilt is made with all my left over Amy Butler quilt fabric except the spots.  It was a quick project with not much planning but a lot of fun to put together... and addictive.... did I mention addictive?!  I have been on the look out for a small second hand wooden dolls cradle for a while!  As of yesterday we now have one on loan from my lovely friend Christine and it came all the way from Germany, cool!

Don't forget Amanda's special offer on the light actions finishes today.

Free Cloud Fabric Decal or Cushion Pattern

These fabric wall decals were made early last year after seeing the Thompson Family: home tour. A paste made of cornflour and water holds these babies on the wall (tutorial on How About Orange).  Easy peasy to put on and my hubby drew these lovely clouds for me as mine were not as pretty!  I have shown these before but have taken some better photos since then and now have the cloud 'pattern' to share with you.

Cloud two and Cloud one.  Cloud two takes four sheets of A4 and cloud one takes three.  I think they are a great size for a cushion too, so I'll add that to the 'things to sew' list!  Happy Creating!

Don't forget Amanda's special offer on the light actions finishes tomorrow.

Up-cycled Lampshade to Decorative Children's Mobile

I finished another little project in Anya's room which was her mobile re-model!  We thrifted a lampshade from Tiny's shed (if you are local and haven't been it has the best stuff)!  This is the before shot below. 
 

This is a nice simple project, just strip off the existing lampshade cover, then I washed the wire base and when it was dry I cut thin strips of fabric and wrapped them around the wire.  It helps to have some double sided tape to hold the start and finish of the fabric.  I need to tie some cotton to a few loose pieces.

Doesn't the shade have a lovely shape?  It was also a great place for the sweetest little bird in Canberra....

The butterflies on the wall are fabric decals I made myself, like my clouds a while back.  I am un-decided if I will hang anything from the lampshade - it is supposed to be a mobile after all but for now, I like it how it is.  I hope you had a lovely weekend!

Giant Paper Flower

I realised I hadn't ever shared this photo on my blog!  The photo was taken by Maddie from Etta Photography from a styled shoot she did last year.  I think the flower now resides in her daughters bedroom and was the flower mentioned in the princess party earlier this week.

Oliver and S Bear Carrier: Pattern Review

The bear carrier was the first project I made from the Oliver and S book I purchased last year.  It ended up being a belated Christmas present for Anya.  Isn't her dress gorgeous thanks to one of her lovely uncles!  Anya picked it herself,  I was pleasantly surprised and welcomed the change from PINK!!! 

Ok, down to the pattern.  Overall I was happy with this pattern but if I was to make it again I would make some changes.  I would make the four curved points at the front of the carrier square, not round.  Sewing so many curves in a small area felt a bit unneccessary, I think a beginner sewer would struggle.  I cut the straps off to where the buttons are but now wished I had of kept some length for flexibility, although this is probably the biggest teddy Anya would carry!  I did find it hard to angle the straps nicely (coming out from the bottom of the carrier piece) as the pattern suggested.  There isn't a lot of room and they really need to criss-cross to sit nicely when you cross the straps at the back.  That would probably be too bulky to sew through though.  I am being pretty picky but they are my thoughts on the pattern.  It is very cute and I used Amy Butler home deco weight fabric.      

Happy 9th Anniversary GG

Happy Anniversary babe!  You have exactly one year left to finish our wedding album :-) 

Tastefull Princess Party Inspiration

Maddie from Etta Photography not only takes stunning images but she has themed her daughters birthday party beautifully.  Maddie integrated her own love of 'brown paper packages tied up with string' with her daughters pink princess obsession and it turned out perfectly!  I would even call the colour combo/theme calming.... not a word that usually goes with pink princesses.  I tell you, just take OUT the 'Disney' branding and you are set. 

You might recognise my big paper flower top left - a prop I made for Maddie from this shoot. 

All photos courtesy of Etta Photography.  Make sure you check out the rest of her photos and read about the details of the party, very sweet.

Discount Light Room and Photoshop Actions

'Pretty Basic' Action Set

Happy New Year lovely people.  I hope you have had a delightful Christmas break, ours was bittersweet as you may have read but with lots of lovely family time and the joy of Christmas.

Thanks to the generosity of Amanda Keeys Photography.... I am starting the new year with a special offer for all my readers...  Did you know that you can buy Light Room and Photoshop actions for processing your photos to make them look amaaazing?

Creamy B&W from the Essential Black and White Set

This black and white action gives the photo a completely different look and the creamy black and white makes it look like Sepia!

Bliss Action from the Journey Set

Love this one, so soft yet cheery - OK I love them all.  You do need to have Adobe Photoshop or Light Room to use these.  Check out Amanda's FAQ's.

SOOC - Straight Out Of Camera

This was my original photo before cropping and processing.  Which do you prefer?

Amanda is offering you a 25% discount on any action purchase until the 18th January 2012.  Just use the code GRACE25 when you check out.  Thank you Amanda!