Illustration by Emma Leonard

Some garland making for the festive season..

I found a lovely home for it on some driftwood precariously perched over the picture rails...

Probably not the safest idea!

i love you a whole o'clock

Zeee cutest snail mail to ever grace my letter box!

A little shout out to my crafty friend Han. She sets up shop at vintage craft markets to sell her wares, so if you're in the London do check it out her blog for stall updates.

We befriend some odd 6 years ago when she and her equally awesome boyfriend back packed around Oz. JD and I were lucky enough to catch up with them during our trip to NYC last year. Thank you lovely lady - Miss you! Love to you and JB! xx

the weekend

via one fine day

via nestled in

On the weekend I completed my very own black bunting cushion. And oh yeah mastered zips! Previously I did the pillowcase fold. Feeling rather proud of myself I may make a couple more. Alas JD will argue that we do not need any more cushions!

I kept to my frugalness and stayed in with a friend on Saturday night. We made pad thai and watched a teeny popper reality tv box set dvd which I think has turned my brain to mush.

Today I went to Spotlight, I came across the Martha Stewart craft range. Craft heaven. "Walk away, just walk away" I coached myself. Luckily, I left with only a couple of zips other bits which didn't brake the bank, a few things to keep me preoccupied for my self imposed weekend house arrest.

and so the wrapping begins

A significant corner of our spare room houses rolls and bags of ribbons, twine, grosgrains I have accumulated over the years. This year I promised I would not add to it, but just use what's there. I pulled out the plastic table runner I bought from Dimmeys and cut it up into strips to spruce up some of the brown craft parcels...

It never occurred to me to over up our offensive heater until I saw the this lovely mantle over at Dottie Angel a few months ago. So now whilst one of our walls remains bare, our mantle is a little prettier this Christmas..

beginning to look alot like christmas..

Abit disorganize this year, normally I would have worked out my wrapping paper colours and made my cards by now. This year I've opted not to put up a tree and will stack the pressies around the tree stump I found from the road side.

I pulled out the left over Amy Butler craft paper from the engagement party and made some paper chains to hang randomly around the windows and disguise our ugly mantle. I think the last time I made paper chains I was about 5 yrs old... I might end up looking childish and naff. Meh, so what! 'Tis the silly season after all!

oh christmas tree

I dragged this in off the side of the road on the weekend.

I have visions of how this can turn out brilliantly or.... hmmm, we'll see!

the weekend

doiley cuteness via mossy bones

Saturday more flat stuff done..

Painted over the grey feature wall in the living room back to crisp fresh white. In an ideal world I would love to wall paper it but I'm way too indecisive..

I did a spot of op shopping; found a retro stripey dress and cute cross stitch table cloth. I was on a mission to find some more oil paintings or some thing to hang on my freshly painted walls. No such luck.

Today we went to a friends place for bbq, basked in the warm afternoon sun, and started mapping out festivities for the summer.

morning cup of jo

image via Esty

For JD's birthday I got him a espresso coffee machine. It works like a dream and makes a great cup. Every morning JD makes me a take away for my drive to work. Abit of a cheeky birthday gift, much like when he gave me a plasma tv for christmas a few years ago :)

I love these adorable cable knit coffee snugs by Way Side Voilet on Etsy.

recycled paper bunting card

How awesome is this bunting flag card made by Kristina at Lovely Morning? Hand made with love from envelopes - too cute!

Hmm, now just gotta wait for those bills to come in... Ha! Who would have thought?!

Pallet day beds

via Sandbox Studio

via Design Sponge

The last is Ashley Campbell's - Inspired by Pia Jane Bijkerks Parisian bedroom featured on Apartment Therapy, Ashley made a pallet day bed for her baby girl's nursery.

Isn't it lovely? Oh, where to begin... I love the family portraits in vintage frames, the confectionary colored paper lanterns & tissue pom poms, the patterned cushions, patchwork quilt, wall art and the other talented and seriously cute handmade gifts from family members. Have a look at the rest of the room here on her blog, it is absolutely gorgeous!

Louise Cuckow

As mentioned here's the quirky and sweet home of Louise Cuckow of Sweet Pea

Click images for larger view

Images via Russh Magazine

I especially like how Louise has made use of the white drafting drawer as a bench seat. I love them. JD & I have always wanted one but have never been able to justify the space for one.

polaroids & pegs...

Vignette of vases & collectables on the table at the entrance

How cute are these chairs? They belonged to the bowls club

The polaroids & fabric booth was a hit!

Sanderson "Merrick Park" fabric used for our photo booth

To the left of the cool retro chairs was our fabric photobooth suspended from the ceiling. JD's dad is an upholsterer & gave us a roll of this cute Sanderson hydrangea fabric.

I was quite surprised that everyone embraced the fabric photobooth. I expected some guests to look at it and think "what on earth is this for?" and was prepared that some just wouldn't "get it" but most voluntarily jumped in front of it and snapped away..

I used the same fabric to make cushions for the benches inside. They really helped in making the place look cosy.

My ceramic owl, (a previous op-shop buy) held the pegs used to hang our polaroid photos onto the ribbon pinned to the board.

Weeks leading up to the party we kept our eyes peeled for vintage ceramic vases, jars, tea light holders and vintage plates for church candles, which were scattered around on the tables.

I bought a variety of white, green foliage & flowers from a wholesaler who sells to the public, and they were conveniently located nearby the venue. I bought 14 bunches for $130 in the morning of the party, an bargain!!! They were arranged very casually, it looked absolutely perfect!!

More photos to come....

cutest photobooth ever!!

Initially, I wanted to hire one of the black & white old school photobooths for our engagement but after a couple of calls we just couldn't justify spending $1800 on it.

After some wedding blog researching, I quickly fell in love with the idea of a makeshift fabric photo booth back drop, and i must say these happy snaps from Lena Corwin's wedding are the sweetest I've ever seen!!

invitation bundles

Here's how we posted the invites out..

I searched all over to find thick stock kraft envelopes - ebay saves the day again!

on a tissue mission!

So here begins the trails and tribulations of the decorations i have in mind.. I've decided to deck the venue out in Martha's Pom Poms in a bid to detract from the daggy photos, banner, plaques (& photo of the Queen) !

So here's my colour scheme of pom poms, it took forever to find the right shades of green & blue!! Yay for Ebay! I spent less on 3 colour shades in comparison to what would have cost me $40 for one ream of just 1 shade.. Arhh simple pleasures for a crazed pedantic virgo!

Geeze, this only validates why i so need this blog - fam, friends & JD would not understand why i fret over such frivolous things like finding the right colour shades of tissue paper!! Embarassing to admit..