The Golden Adventures of... uber talented gals...

(Postcards, notepaper, envelopes and magnet via Rosa-May @ Frank & Dean)

I was very, very lucky to win an amazing pack of Frank & Dean goodies at the end of last year from Stella and Rosa May (thanks Eleanor for picking me xx) The giveaway included all the things in the picture as well as this fabby list that I keep beside me at my computer desk for keeping track of my life, and a customized portrait by Rosa-May! To say I was excited is an understatement. I squealed - loudly! :)

 These talented ladies have quite different styles that together create the nostalgia and magic that is Frank & Dean. I already have their Birthday Calendar, which I love so much I find it hard to mess up with my dodgy handwriting, and have been happily using some of the envelopes for a while too. I like the fact that I can customise to my hearts content or leave "nude" (he he) and that with some of the envelopes and the list I can print my own copies from the pdf as needed.

 I love the sense of being taken on a journey into the lives of Stella and Rosa-May, and I find the story that is woven through their illustrations intriguing. Here's hoping they will write and illustrate a book one day! 

(hint-hint)

They also sent some of this cool Christmas bunting which we had lots of fun colouring in, and the packaging was cute too. On sale now for only $4, go and get some to add to pressies for next Christmas! 

I sent a few pics through to Rosa of The Munchkin for her portrait and was so delighted when this came back to us! I can't wait to get it framed and hang it in our new home one day soon. I really feel she captured her so well and how very special to have something drawn just for us! 

Thanks again Stella and Rosa-May, you both deserve huge hugs and I'm so glad to have bumped into you in blog land xx

Till next time, xxx

looking at vintage sheets a new way...

Last year I made up a few packs of vintage tape for including with my little Craft It Round parcels. I used the last few packs as extra items in these journals I created for the Bazaar so thought it was time to make up some more from my gorgeous vintage sheet stash, whilst watching Punky Brewster episodes and snippets on Youtube - fun! 

I was surprised how often I used it to be honest. I have added it to letters, postcards, parcels and fairy houses to name a few things. Would be super cute in scrapbooking too I think.

Mr HMH being the lovely handy fellow that he is, followed my instructions to the letter and cut and sanded some left over ply from our reno to make a little stand for me...

... plus a bit of vintage wallpaper (that feels just like barkcloth) and a sign still to add to the top section, I have a cute, functional and very budget display - yay! 

...

We are also busily planning the requested pirates and sailors 4th birthday party. There is often so much wastage from parties and I was not keen on buying anything that we would rarely use again or would be thrown out. Because of this I have set us the task of using vintage/oppie/second hand treasures and handmade items, which is proving to be lots of fun. It takes a bit of hunting to get through all the "nasty" grown up pirate themed things and to also source girls that aren't to buxom and wench-like ha ha.

 A search on etsy for "Vintage Pirates" brought up over 2500 items. The 1960's disneyland swords were from this seller and sailor girls dress from here. I found the swap cards to make invites on ebay and a few second hand lego pirate pieces for the cake also. The cake will be made by my awesome friend Annette who is our official masterpiece creator. I can't wait to see what she does with my ideas this year! :)

Tomorrow I want to talk to you about the uber talented Stella, Rosa-May and Frank & Dean...

Till then, xxx

We have also been...

Taking time out as a family at the beach...

...to find treasure...

...and to look for crabs. Then rushing back to the car to enjoy the comfort of a steaming hot drink to warm up again.

Receiving an unexpected and treasured handmade gift which brought tears to our eyes and warmth to our hearts.

Finding unusual creatures taking shelter from the torrential rains (and somehow taking the best photo I have ever taken, of a BUG, humph!) 

Getting lucky (again) at the local Oppies with this original Singer sewing box  ($5) with legs happily tucked inside...

...and this slightly beaten up and incredibly filthy large vintage canister for $2 that, now cleaned will be helping to keep my crafty supplies under control in our new house eventually.

via Baby boudoir

 ...and lastly creating new products for the Made With Love Bazaars this year (the next one is on Sat 12th February and has a RED theme - oh la la!) ...

...with some much loved favourites along for the ride as well...

...and not forgetting some PJ pants from vintage 80's sheets for a friend's son which caused a minor revolution when he wanted to wear them endlessly and they needed to be washed to be put back on! Luckily I have found a some other acceptable fabrics to make a few more pairs to save his poor mother's sanity! Sorry Mrs W! 

Till next time, xxx

cute, cute, cute...

Anne Cresci via

Oh My!! I just spotted the cutest French colouring pages via Tamar @ Tarisota here! I can't wait to print them all out for The Munchkin and I to colour; double sided on recycled paper of course!  :)

This one is illustrated by Anne Cresci who has the gorgeous Matilou etsy shop, and who's work I love! 

 There are heaps of other amazing illustrators to choose from and in different categories like "The Market", and "At Home". Check out e-coloriage immediately!

Till next time, xxx

music I'm loving...

Via

The Honey Trees... 

 Becky and Jacob are an Indie band from Sacramento, California and they are just gorgeous. I particularly like their Edelweiss cover (am I showing my flute playing/school concert band history here!) but all their songs are a pure honey salve to my soul...

...check them out if you are not already in love!

Till next time, xxx

the stories time tells...

and the countdown is on...

Finally after 2 1/2 years the house is only a few weeks off being finished!! We had no idea it would stretch out for so long but what with the GBFC and Mr HMH having to go to Darwin to work for 5 months, and a mid reno loss of momentum it seemed to stretch on endlessly.

If you have been stopping by for a while (thankyou!) you may have seen this, this or this and would know a little about how much work we had to do to convert this dive into a saleable family home. 

In no particular order we have:

Replaced carpets throughout

Replaced window coverings throughout

Removed a wall

Covered an internal doorway

Added a cafe style/trifold window in the kitchen to replace existing regular ill-fitting one

Fitted a new kitchen

Scraped layers of vinyl off kitchen, bathroom and toilet floors (augh!)

Replaced hot water cylinder (not by choice!!)

Upgraded wiring and mains power board

Changed glass in front door from random textured ones to clear

Replaced window with french doors into back yard

Added new garden beds to replace bare earth, dog ravaged backyard

Removed ugly/badly placed fireplace 

Gutted and installed new bathroom (almost!)

Painted exterior (almost!)

Hung gorgeous Laura Ashley wallpaper in hallway as a feature...

The main thing we have left after finishing existing jobs is to finish painting the floorboards, then installing carpet in the lounge room. The boards were originally going to be Black Japan but after accessing the cost and application factors we boldly chose to use black paving paint and so far it looks fabulous! Although our existing boards were ok, the toxicity of sealing them with varnish was not an option having lived through that a few times before. We also liked the idea of a dramatic contrast between the Antique White walls and dark floors and I have designed the bathroom to tie in with this too.

I will post our final before and after pics as soon as we hang the new street number on the front of the house! That will be our final task and then we can finally relax - phew! (well that is until we recover enough to tackle the shed conversion we are planning!)

Till next time, xxx