Bunting

My sister is having a tea party in a few days and asked me to make her some bunting to dress up the patio.

I used some vintage sheets and this tutorial

The triangles are much smaller than I thought they would be but I think it looks just perfect.

And the hawthorn tree is just the place for it.

I now have requests for gift bags full of goodies like make-up purses and bookmarks.

I also need to make more bunting, cushions and I mustn't forget the red-velvet cake.

I think I am owed big time.

Will be sure to get some photos of all the goodies....



In the Etsy Newsletter



Thanks Jay from Finki for alerting me to the fact that MonetPaisley Swimwear was in the Etsy Newsletter.

If you've popped over from my etsy store, thanks for stopping by.

I have a few materials left but am running out fast.  I plan on ordering some more next week.  I'll let you know what I decide on as soon as I'm sure myself.

We're in holiday mode here as my husband has just knocked of work fo a few days and it's looking like a gorgeous beach day.  I kept the kids home so they can spend some quality time with their Dad, we might even go for a fish.

Photo by Danielle

Cardigan by Little Tree Kids

Headband from Curious bazaar

and of course bikini from MonetPaisley Swimwear

New Stockist

I was approached by the lovely Tessa from 'Down That Little Lane' and offered the opportunity to list my swimwear range on her webstore of the same name.

You can check out my listings here and here.

And you can check out some other fantastic items here, here and here.

I have also changed my 'shop' tab to 'stockists' and listed each one.

Photo from here

The Matching Footstool

I was feeling awfully crafty this morning...

I got the matching footstool to this one, covered.

While I was sewing my little hubba-bubba got up on the table and was smelling the lilies I bought with the shopping last week.

They have just opened up and all those horrible yellow pollen thingys were sitting there ripe for the taking.

When I came into the lounge to see what he was up to... I found him covered in pollen head to toe.

That is why he has only a nappy on in these photos.

That stuff is impossible to get out!

He still has a yellow face and hands.

His t-shirt (a favourite of mine... and his... from yknot) is soaking in nappisan now.

He just loves these footstools, they are quite bouncy and serve as a mini trampoline for this little bubba.

Both my girls love them too and there are often fights.  Hubba-bubba ends up with both of them.

I will have to keep an eye out for more footstools, I think they make a great addition to any room.

What is it that you can't resist buying from the oppy? lamps? fabric? plates?

And then what do you do when you have too many?

Bathers for Bronte and Other Bits and Pieces

I've been a little creative lately, a little more than usual.

Here is a pair of bathers for Bronte.....

All wrapped up and ready to go....

I nabbed a couple of footstools from the local Vinnies.  I have been looking for ages for some that were suitable for slip-covers.  Here is one slip-cover.  I used some squares that I already had cut out for a quilt I am making.  I accidentally cut out too many squares for the quilt, but am quite happy to have a matching slip-cover.

I plan on having a collection of different slip-covers so I can change them as my mood changes (but who knows, I planned on making a Tuesday tea towel last Tuesday too..... Still haven't got around to it. Maybe next Tuesday)

The Slip cover is held on by elastic threaded through a casing at the bottom of the cover. Makes for a snug fit, and can be easily removed for washing.

 This is the beginning of my wall of yellow.  It needs alot more little treasures for full effect but I am happy to get these few things up for now.



 I ended up winning this gorgeous print by Elishia.  Remember this give-away?

For now I have put it in a plain black frame.... until I can get it matted and framed.

 This oil painting was a wedding present almost 11 years ago from my uncle Jimmy.  He painted under the name Grenville Montgomery I am not sure if he still does. I know of a book cover he has painted in watercolours. Other than that Mr Google didn't find much at all.

It is Phillip Island and the Knobbies from Shoreham and is titled 'Colours Sing'

Completed Australia Day 2001, the day before our wedding.

I have been looking for a cheap piano for the girls on and off for the last year without much success.  The local Salvos had $30 on this organ and I thought that was good.  They were really wanting to get it moving so asked if I would take it for $5.  I still hesitated because its quite a job to move one of these.... but then the man informed me that if I didn't take it home with me they were going to pull it apart and get rid of it.  I am a bit of a softie when it comes to destroying perfectly good things.... so now we have an organ....  I worked out how to use it.... finally.

Today I have a house to clean, two more pairs of swimmers to finish, I really need to make another tea towel, and I would like to get another slip cover finished for the other footstool.  Probably will only get as far as cleaning up.

Oh I just remebered the sleeves that need knitting on Paisley's cardigan and Monet's dress. It seems I finish one sleeve and find it hard to finish the other.... a bit like one sock syndrome I suppose.

What have yopu been up to lately and what is planned for your Sunday?

Linen Tea Towels and Brown Paper Packages

I have been admiring the linen tea towels on etsy of late....

This one

These ones

And these amazing vintage ones.

I was trying to decide which ones to buy when I remembered the linen I found at the oppy the other day.

Light bulb moment!!!

I need quite a few tea towels as mine are all stained

 (thank the hubby, he seems to find a millions messy uses for a tea towel)

So I decided to make one for each day of the week (corny I know).

Here is my Monday tea towel.

I had fun making it, now to see if I enjoy using it (hmmmmm....).

I wrapped up these lovely swimmers.

I find it quite tricky to get the eau de vintage to separate itself from the vintage fabrics.

So I made a little sachet with rosemary, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, bay leaves and cinnamon. 

 Any suggestions for dealing with oppy scent would be welcome.

I love looking at this package all ready for it's trip to the post office.

And I love the personalised name tag too...

I really hope to be back again tomorrow with a Tuesday tea towel....

To Do List....

Well things definitely seem a little busier....

There are so many things I want to make...

But here are the things I have to do...

Wrap and send these vintage cotton bikinis to Tigerlily...

Make this into a size 6-8 bandeau bikini for another lovely little girl...

Use the last of this for a 2-4 bandeau bikini...

Design a new swimsuit for a really little bubby girl,

I was thinking this print would be sweet...

What about the things I want to do?

Well, the list is endless...

I found reams and reams of natural linen at the rotary op-shop the other day.

I am thinking shorts, pants, et cetera...

Then some white poplin peasant tops....

I have all these sweet florals that would make great summer shorts too...

Oh, and all the vintage patterns I have been collecting need to see the light of day.

I am keen to make myself a pair of linen pants also...

last night while perusing etsy I found this store,

I bought this pdf pattern and am very excited to see how they turn out.

I'll try to keep you updated....

Right now I had better clear a space so I can cut out....

I like the kitchen bench for cutting out because of the extra height...

Where do you like to cut out?



oh I do like to be beside the seaside....

I am super-dooper happy to tell everybody about an article in Tickle the Imagination magazine that was put together by Myself, Wendy from Little Tree Kids, Danielle from Curiouser photography, Kelly from Polkadot Lane and Adelin from Dinky me.

The rest of the magazine is just delighful. Definitley worth perusing over a cup of tea.