Tag Archives: Decorating

5 Great Finds: Globe & Crossword Wall Art, Free Photography Course, Muffin Doughnuts and Fab Organiser

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GORGEOUS GLOBE

What kid (or adult!!) wouldn’t want this amazing globe in their room. The talented Jennifer from Cup of Coco [via ohdeedoh] created this for a client. It is an interactive globe where the animals and landmarks have velcro on the back so you can put them on or take them off and store them in your cute little suitcase. I just love the adorable plane too!

http://cupofcoco.squarespace.com/blog/2010/3/23/nursery-wall-art-interactive-globe.html

FREE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE (for Wellingtonians)

Why not take advantage of this exciting opportunity to improve your photography skills and attend a FREE photography workshop series which will be led by wedding photographer, Keith McNabb.

Date: Every Thursday from 19 August for 8 weeks

Time: 7pm-9pm

Venue: Newlands Community Centre, 9 Batchelor Street, Newlands, Wellington

The format will be as follows:

1. Session: Getting the most out of the camera 19th Aug;
2. Session: Secrets of the Exposure System 26th Aug;
3. Session: Taking control of the flash 2nd Sep;
4. Session: How to shoot portraits like the pros 9th Sep;
5. Session: Computer time 16th Sep;
6. Session: On assignment Field Trip 25th Sep Field trip;
7. Session: Assignment results assessment 30th Sep; and
8. Session: Publishing 7th October.

If you’re interested in attending this workshop, please register with Donna Wilson, the Newlands Community Centre Coordinator on any of the contact details below.
P  04 477 3724
F  04 477 3725
M 021 227 8092
DDI: 04 803 8092

MOUTH WATERING MUFFIN DOUGHNUTS

Jen from How to: Simplify, is now my best friend for posting up this delicious recipe (and gorgeous photo!) All I can say is…I want these…NOW!

http://www.howto-simplify.com/2010/08/muffin-donuts.html

CROSSWORD/SCRABBLE WALL ART

I would LOVE something like this on my wall! Kellie from 74 Lime Lane featured this awesome Wall Art on her “Inspirational Files” this week. These were being sold at PoshTots for $500US (Post Edit: Unfortunately they no longer sell them on their site. I guess we’re just going to have to get creative and make our own!)

http://74limelane.com.au/2010/08/09/inspiration-files-whats-on-your-wall/

http://style-files.com/2010/08/03/crossword-wall-art/

FANTASTIC ORGANISER

This organiser is the BEST! It is the brainchild of Wendy Davie from “Totally Organised”, who I met at the Women’s Lifestyle Expo on Saturday. Looovely Lady.

The Action Station is a handy pad with 52 sheets to fill out every week of the year. Instead of the normal “To Do Lists”, she has titles like “What have I been avoiding?”, “What can I delegate”, “Stuff that really matters”, “Stuff I put off last week” and my favourite “Inspiration Cloud”!

The great thing about “Totally Organised” is they come to you! You can get a few friends together, get tips and buy some really useful (and pretty) products without leaving the comfort of your own home. (They haven’t paid me to say all this by the way, I just love that Wendy took an idea and turned it into a fantastic business with great products!)

5 Great Finds: Free Prints, Monster Bubbles, Colourful Crocheting, How-to Series, Boxy Pouch

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A GREAT LIST OF FREE PRINTS

Jenn from Delicious Ambiguity has provided a fantastic list of free prints that we can download and print off.

Check out this gorgeous print by Angela Vandenbogaard. This and other prints are available from Feed Your Soul: The Free Art Project.

http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/2010/07/free-art-for-kids-you-can-frame.html

MONSTER BUBBLES!

I can’t wait to try the monster bubbles like Valerie from Frugal Family Fun! My kids would love this! She got the idea from Childhood Magic, where they also have link to a good bubble mixture.

http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2010/07/sunday-snapshot-you-must-try-this.html

COLOURFUL CROCHETING

I’m not sure if is the sun streaming in to the room, the beautiful flowers, the gorgeous colours of the wool, or the pretty crochet patterns…but I am loving the crochet table-cloth that Elizabeth Cat has made [via whipup.net].

http://byelizabethcat.blogspot.com/2010/07/little-table-cloth-with-pattern.html

post edit: elizabeth cat has made her blog private, here is a note from whipup.net:

it seems that the blog and pattern link are no longer working — so sorry about this. For now you are going to have to either contact the designer via her flickr page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elizabethcat/4751901962/in/pool-1252280@N22/
or just enjoy the pretty pictures.

some crochet motif resources include:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/smaller_motifs_squares.php
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/flowers.php

http://www.mypicot.com/beta/crochet_patterns_motifs.html
It’s motif 4020.

 


MUST SEE “HOW TO SERIES”

Marta has got a neat series going on called “The How-to Series: Celebrating the stuff we know”. She has a whole bunch of guest posts covering topics such as How to Multi-task to a post about converting an old TV stand into an adorable play kitchen. [Via Giver's Log]

http://www.martawrites.com/search/label/how-to%20series

CUTE BOXY POUCH

Suzanne from A New Creation is documenting all the things she is making. From Crafts to Yummy Recipes. She recently made this box pouch that turned out really well! She got the pattern from Indie House.

http://anewcreationblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-post.html


http://youarewhatyoukeep.blogspot.com/

GRAB A BUTTON IF YOU WERE FEATURED!

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5 Great Finds: Zucchini Spice Cupcake Recipe, Settee Makeover, Braided Headband Tutorial, Musical Mummy Moment, Formal Apology Form

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YUMMY ZUCCHINI SPICE CUPCAKE RECIPE

I can imagine patting myself on the back for eating a “healthy” zucchini cupcake (as I lick all the delicious cream cheese frosting off the top *mmmm*) Thanks Bridget from Bake at 350 for sharing this recipe (and your son who baked it and rated it a 9.5/10!)

http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2010/06/kiddo-in-kitchen-zucchini-spice.html

FANTASTIC SETTEE MAKEOVER

Kate from Centsational Girl shares how she was able to transform her settee from this:

To this, by sewing together a slipcover:

She shows us how she was able to pull it off, even though she doesn’t consider herself an expert sewer (you couldn’t tell!) I’m inspired!

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/06/slipcovered-settee/

CUTE HEADBANDS YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF

Jill has made these great headbands in preparation for her hospital stay once her baby comes. They turned out great! On her blog Homemade by Jill she shares the link to the tutorial for these headbands. Thanks for the link Jill!

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/06/hospital-headbands-aka-how-to-avoid.html

USING MUSIC TO LIFT THE MOOD

I love how Becca from Blue Cricket Design retells a real life mummy moment where she was having a tough day, and how she was able to turn it around because she decided to “DANCE or go INSANE” (I agree with Becca. Turning on the music and dancing with the kids has been a life saver and an instant attitude adjuster – for the kids and their mummy!)

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/06/sunday-flashback-coping.html

FORMAL APOLOGY FORM

Are you having trouble apologising? Or maybe you would like to force receive an apology. Whatever the case, Bureau of Communication has come to the rescue and put together this form which you can fill out online and email to the designated recipient. Fun!

http://www.bureauofcommunication.com/compose/apology

GRAB A BUTTON IF YOU WERE FEATURED!

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5 Great Finds: Barretts, Pillows, Invites, Motherhood, Cards

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Guess what?! I gave “My 5 links for the week” a face lift!!

It is now called “5 Great Finds”, and if you love reading them, you can grab this button for your blog:

5 Great finds button

GORGEOUS BARRETTS YOU CAN MAKE FOR YOUR DAUGHTER.

Molly from The Purl Bee provides a step by step tutorial for making these super cute barretts. (Cheri from I am Momma – Hear my Roar! put me on to these lovely barretts)

http://www.purlbee.com/rose-barrettes/2010/1/23/mollys-sketchbook-rose-barrettes.html

PERSONALISE YOUR PILLOWS

Tiffany from Lemon Tree Creations has used iron-on transfers to create some fabulous pillows for her family. I luv!

http://lemontreecreations.blogspot.com/2010/04/pillow-ideas.html

How about scanning a page from your favourite children’s book?

Or a scanned page from your favourite page in the Bible?

How about your own family pillow? Love it!

The possibilities are endless!

FREE KIDS PARTY INVITATIONS

The talented Simone from Greatfun4kids has set up a separate blog where you can print off some wonderful children’s birthday invitations that she designed for FREE!

http://kidspartyinvites.blogspot.com/

YOU’RE A FABULOUS MOTHER – INSPIRATIONAL POST

Alicia from A Magical Childhood writes a beautiful post about motherhood that is a must read! Here  is an excerpt:

“I keep hearing from mothers this week about how stressed they are and what terrible mothers they think they are.

What?  Oh pah.

I’m  here to tell you to stop it.

You rock.  You’re a fabulous mother”

http://magicalchildhood.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/youre-a-fabulous-mother/

LOLLY FILLED CARD TUTORIAL

Megan from Simple Pleasures is so creative! Check out this neat lolly filled birthday card that she made!


http://domesticblissnz.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-creative-space-lolly-filled-birthday.html

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Discovery Date: Window Shopping at Iko Iko

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Cuba Mall is one of those delicious places in Wellington, where you get such a wide cross section of people and shops!

One of the best things about Cuba Mall is this gem of a shop called Iko Iko. (You can call them or email them about any enquiries…their details are on their website (as well as the address to their Auckland store). They are really friendly and helpful!)

They have such GREAT original stuff, that it was hard not to drool over their selection!

I loved the gorgeous prints on the cushions and tea towels…

Such a great selection of unique bags…

Lovely craft books…

Cute notebooks…

A wide selection of children’s goods…

Can you imagine your own favourite fabric in this DIY light shade?

Or perhaps you would like a Pohutukawa print lampshade…

My favourite find for the day were these plastic replica cups of the traditional kiwi milkshakes you get from the diary (corner shop). LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

Afterwards, I headed down to Oriental Parade for a bit of sunshine and a smoothie.

PS This isn’t an advertisement, I just wanted to share all the neat stuff I saw

You may also enjoy:

Discovery Date: Window Shopping at Small Acorn

My 5 links for the week

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Great wall display using ply and coloured paper to brighten up a child’s room. I’m loving this  simple, yet effective art project by Homestyle Magazine.

http://www.homestylemagazine.co.nz/get-creative/childs-play

Friendship Bracelet to make with your kids. Crafty Crow featured scrumdilly-do! and this Fab Friendship bracelet. My daughter and I have had a lot of fun making the other type of friendship bracelets using embroidery thread, so I can’t WAIT to give this a try!!

http://scrumdillydo.blogspot.com/2010/04/knots-and-string-and-friends-and-things.html

May Day Flower Baskets

I have two wonderful versions, which look really simple to pull together.

Crafty Crow featured this Woven Basket by Joel at Made by Joel:

http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/04/may-day-flower-baskets.html

Or you could try this Free Printable May Day Basket by Cindy at Skip to My Lou:

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/04/30/may-day-basket-tutoria/

Revamp your laminate furniture. Kate aka Centsational Girl walks you through how to give your laminate furniture a face lift. I am already imagining my cheaper Stationery Warehouse shelves getting a new look!!

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/04/go-right-ahead-and-paint-that-laminate/

Before:

After:

My best buys this week!

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I love a good bargin. It makes me happy :)

I think the thing I love about it is the fact that the item is affordable enough to take home with me!

Here are some things that I am swooning over this week:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R Covey – I have been on the hunt for this book to read for the Simple Mom’s Book Club. I bought the book from trademe (similar to ebay). The seller was 5 mins drive away from me, so no postage necessary. $10!

Singleton Flower Brooch – This lovely brooch was made by Ms SewFunky. I have been wearing it the last couple of days. Makes me feel very pretty! $10 + $2.50 postage!

Modena Bowls – I spotted these at The Warehouse yesterday, and just loved the colours. They will not be making an appearance in the kitchen, they will be living in the study as part of my home decor. $8!

Yummy yummy fabric - I think I actually “gasped” when I found this in the fabric bin at our local op shop/thrift store. I’m officially in love with it. For one meter….$3!!!!

It was my discovery date today. So I went out to get inspired and find fabrics for some sewing projects. 30%-50% off the discounted price of the sale fabrics at Spotlight Wellington! At Spotlight Porirua they are selling some rolls for $1 a metre! Now I will be surfing the online tutorials to teach myself how to make something out of them! ;)

Getting past my decorator’s block!

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Home decorating is not one of my strengthes.

Although, I have started to get an idea of what I like, pulling it all together is a bit daunting. Consequently, I have focused on being functional rather than fashionable (which sometimes can be a good thing with 4 kids!). Butttt..deep down I would like a home that reflects our lifestyle, interests and personality.

Recently I worked through some of my decorator’s block:

  • I purchased some cushions in my favourite colour. I chose something because it was fashionable, instead of functional….let’s face it people, cushions plus children equals cushions constantly on the floor, rather than on the couch.

  • My hubby and I framed more of my photos. Even thought I wanted to “stall” to think about the “right” photos, or the “right” frame or the “right” place to hang the photos, my hubby helped me push through to the end….encouraging me to just “try it!” I’m so glad we “tried it out” because it looks so much better than before…which was NOTHING!

This is part of our downstairs hallway:

These are some photographs I took at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens last October:

I was inspired by Centsational Girl transforming her photographs of white flowers into black and white prints. She gives really easy instructions, and I just love her end results!

Here are mine:

Below are some of my before and after shots (I would love to get large square frames like CG too!):

These were some wild flowers growing on the side of the road to Arthurs Pass. In Picasa I boosted the saturation, cropped it and made it black and white.

Before:

After:

I took this photo when I was walking around Christchurch last Oct 09.

Before:

After:

For the tulip photographs, I cropped two of the photos, to make them less busy. I also wanted them in portrait style, rather than landscape.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

I love these photos, but I can’t take any credit for them…it just happened to be drizzling when I took the photos…and look at the colour of those tulips! They are beautiful!!

Now I get to stare at them every day! I’m glad I got past my decorator’s block!

Reality Check: Now I just need to get rid of the mess and clutter that seems to accumulate around the hallway so it doesn’t distract from the photos! hahaha