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Monday 21 September 2015

Pumpkin patching!

Autumn is slowly painting a canvas of red, yellow, rust, purple and gold...Oh, I do love this time of year! As always I am thinking of ways to re-dress areas in our home to reflect the changing season, but truth be told, I just haven't got the energy or desire to go all out this year! Usually the mantel in the living room is completely re-dressed, as is the dresser, but this year I have decided that 'less is more'. Just a few subtle touches will have to suffice!

I have seen the most gorgeous fabric pumpkins gracing the pages of Pinterest, and this year I have finally managed to make some. My only regret...that I hadn't done it sooner! They are super easy to craft, even if you claim you can't sew. You don't even need a sewing machine, although having one makes it a little quicker and easier. As long as you can sew a basic straight line, and a running stitch, you are good to go! I am not going to bore you with the finer 'how to's', as Pinterest is already brimming with handy tutorials. Just type in 'fabric pumpkin' in the search box, and you will be spoilt for choice. All I will say is that I wanted my pumpkins in two co-ordinating fabrics, so I had to do a little more cutting and joining of panels, but you can opt for one fabric only which will be easier.














































































I hot glued some twigs and felt leaves to the top, and some curled copper wire for a quirky finish. Tah-dah! Let me know if you have a go at pumpkin sewing. Would love to see yours!

Blessings


Monday 14 September 2015

Monday's Musings...

Hello lovelies! I feel so overwhelmed and grateful for all the kind words of encouragement following my last post. Sometimes it's just nice to get a warm, virtual hug when feeling a little down in the dumps! You are all very much appreciated, and I feel very touched that you took the time to write. I have picked myself up, and dusted off yesterday's disappointments. Today is feeling a lot brighter!

If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I recently redecorated the master bedroom. I thought that it was done and dusted, but as I'm getting used to it I realise that it is not quite finished. It is still evolving! I really want it to feel more sumptuous and layered, and it seems that the white wall just isn't cutting the mustard. I have been toying with the idea to wallpaper the white wall against the deep, dark teal of the other existing wall, and I think I've finally found a wallpaper I love. Made by Pip Studio, it is not the cheapest, but then one can see why! I received four samples in the post, in four different colourways, and the difficult part is choosing one....They are absolutely yummy!






































My initial preference was for the green background, which I still love, but the light blue seems to sit very comfortably next to the teal wall. Then again, I don't want the comfortable option, I want a bit of drama, and the dark blue would add just that, as the it makes the bright colours pop. Oh dear....This is going to take a while me thinks! In the meantime, I have framed these beauties to sit nicely up on a shelf whilst I make up my mind! (And to give me time to save a few pennies!)






































I have at last found a home for my beautiful lead glass clock though. It was a gift from hubby thirteen years ago when I gave birth to our daughter. For the last few years it has been stored away, as I was never able to find just the right spot for it. At last it now happily resides next to my bed! The deep colours seemed to have come to life up against that dark wall.






































If you can lend me any words of wisdom with regards to a choice of wallpaper, please do!  I hope your Monday is full of cheer. Onwards and upwards!

Blessings


Friday 11 September 2015

No words...

Today...Just some pictures, not too many words. If I try to write, I'll gush and it will be senseless words of self-pity, and who wants to listen to that? Sometimes life just stinks. And so do people. So, I shall reach for the Febreze, and post a few pretty pictures instead...

Roses...Because life will come up roses again...If not today, maybe tomorrow...


























Some recycled frames with new sentiments for the bedroom wall...because love conquers all...and regardless of bad days, those who are my dearest are my sunshine when skies are grey! Little reminders...





























A little bit of pretty...My home is my haven...my safe place...



















































Blessings




Monday 7 September 2015

And so the seasons change...

Right...Who did it? Who flicked the 'summer off' switch? It really seems this way, with temperatures feeling decidedly chilly these passed few days! I am not sure that I am quite ready for woolly socks and cardi's just yet, but needs must. One thing is for sure though...With autumn knocking, it's a wonderful excuse to re-decorate the dresser again!

Cheery blooms, ginger beer and toffee apple cider...







































Fruits of the season...








































A hand sewn leafy garland...












































































Soon there will be pumpkins too! I am excited about autumn picnics, hot chocolate and marshmallows by a toasty fire, and hearty soup! Hmmm....The change in season doesn't seem so bad after all?

Blessings



Tuesday 1 September 2015

A happy place to be...

September is here, and we are all trying really hard to hang on to the hem of summer's skirt! But, as the kids are going back to school this week, I know it won't be long before the nights draw in and autumn descends on us in waves of yellow, rust, orange, red and gold. It is a good thing that I am rather fond of the chillier weather, as I know it lasts for an awfully long time in the Northern hemisphere! Normally I'd like to think that I am quite organised, and usually at the dawn of September I have managed the pre-winter clear out of cupboards. Preparations are usually under way to get everything ship-shape before school starts, in real squirrel fashion thinking of the busy months ahead. But alas...this year I am well and truly dragging my feet! However, I have made a little effort this weekend to kick start things!

I was given a writing bureau some years back, and it is definitely one of my favourite pieces of furniture. There is something very 'Jane Austen'-like about owning a bureau. Sometimes I imagine myself sitting there on a crisp morning, winter rays pouring through the window, cup of tea steaming away on the foldout leaf, and pen in hand jotting down all my deepest thoughts. Or, equally, in my imagination it comes to life by candlelight, as I pull out my diary at the desk, and put the world to rights on paper with my best calligraphy pen. Ha! Reality is a very different story though! No such romantic past times has it yet encountered! I did give it a fresh lick of paint a few years back, but since then it has lived a rather non-descript life, and has been the dumping ground for discarded mail, and all manner of  'I'll-sort-that-later' junk.

I think the reason why I haven't used it as intended, is because it felt a little dated, even though it had been given a lick of paint.




I had only painted the outside before, so this weekend I decided to tackle it on the inside too! I painted it a fresh green, with a top coat of glitter glaze. It is utterly yummy! At night time it twinkles and sparkles! If think that if I can manage to keep it tidy, I can leave the foldout desk down and this way I will use it more often. A few new flourishes later, mixed in with some retro touches, I find it a happier place to be!






































I used my favourite weapon to brighten things up too, a can of gold spray paint! I had a dull elephant sellotape dispenser which I'd picked up from Tiger stores, a standard black stapler,a black pencil holder and an old vintage jelly mold that I thought I could use as accessories on my desk. I tackled these with the paint, and voila! A little co-ordinated girly glamour!











































































Some quirky pencils and stationary add a bit of fun, and I am looking forward to spending more time here getting organised. Who knows...I might even write that book I keep talking about!











































































So, although the rest of my abode is still off colour, at least this one little corner is as it should be! Here's to some more squirrel tinkering getting ready for the long, cold season ahead!

Blessings