Love my way

Happy Valentines Day!

I don't know if you buy into it or not but for me on this day of love I come over all gooey, giddy and cheerful.

I don't run out and spend a load of money on pop up heart cards and boxed choccy though for me it is a chance to finally get around to making that something special from the heart for those I love most, my boys - big and small

Here are my valentine offerings to them

A washi sticker succulent message for my man - saying it with succulents this year

For my biggest little man a mini version in the colour of the day

I have also been super keen to make wreaths because I was excited about the idea at Christmas but time got away from me so when I saw these heart rings at a craft supplier the other day I was inspired to take my beautiful berried brush cherry foliage and have a go

It turns out teething babies don't care about valentines day so my ambitious start ended in just the one - wonky but wonderful wreath of love for my loves

I am pleased how it turned out for a first kind of rushed attempt and can't wait to think up an easter wreath idea.

I hope you feel the love today wherever you are and whoever you get to share it with.
Love is all we need, but some pretty plants are good too.

A very belated Merry Cheer

Where did December go I hear you ask? It has 11 months before it to warn me it's coming but somehow December always takes me by surprise. With Christmas, a few birthdays, end of year parties, concerts, cooking, shopping and decorating it seems to whir by me and dump me in January in a daze.

With the arrival of a little one of our own in our house this year Christmas was a little more low key than last years neon Christmas effort but I still thought it was bright and cheerful.

It all started when I found a garland of owls - 4 to be precise - and as we became a family of 4 this year it was perfect; daddy, mummy and 2 little baby owls. What's more it was red, my favourite colour and spots and gingham - it was made for me right?

And here is what they sparked off - I found some red and white spot and red and white star ribbons in my op shop stash, I threw up a crochet tablecover over the bookcase as a bback drop, found more red and white decorations at a bargain store, some spotted paper chain at a party supply store, pulled out my santa cross stitches and old red and green tins and voila xmas was a red and white spot, stripe and gingham affair at ours this year.

 

When all was done we realised the tree was still a little bare and we decided to make some himmel style decorations using paper straws and this tutorial From Nalle's House discovered on pinterest. I need to work on technique a little to be neater and more efficient but it wasn't too hard - I may get more elaborate with them next year?

All that was left to do was wrap the presents

And start the festivities. I am hoping December doesn't catch me out this year, I think maybe I will pretend November is the start of the silly season and maybe it will feel a little less silly come December. I hope you had a colourful, bright and fun filled Christmas with your loved ones.

Appreciate or Emulate - Celebrate

Continuing on from this weeks Finding Everywhere theme, Stripes and Flowers, how to celebrate with this pattern perfect match.

I am in love with the stripes and floral combo for a party - bold and bright and festive.
Add a bit of gold or silver tableware bling and it's a classic soirée setting.

Image Source: hellomay.com.au

Image Source: greenweddingshoes.com

Image Source: Two Delighted

Image Source: Miss Brache Etsy Store

Image Source: southerweddings.com.au

Appreciate or Emulate - Gingham

I am still checking out all things gingham and here are my picks for how you can check in.

Sweet and simple, bold and bright, graphic and minimal - decorate with gingham

 

 

 

It's a wrap, a party, a picnic - celebrate with gingham

Country, cute, creative and classy gingham is a classic

There is no-one more able to get you to join in than Martha - here are two of my favourite 'gingham' DIY'S that I found both from The Crafts Dept via marthastewart.com

Oilcloth lunchbag tutorial

Drawstring bags tutorial

The good news is I found my sewing machine in the garage the other day and we in the midst of creating a bit of space in there for us each to have a 'create' corner - or for me a 'dandy' corner. The bad news is the skills can't be downloaded matrix style - better get my learn on so I can fully check in to the gingham trend as well.

Appreciate or Emulate Part 2

As I mentioned yesterday I would normally post all things relating to this weeks Finding Everywhere theme, and how you can Decorate, Celebrate, Titivate and Participate with it, in one post but this weeks photo print perfections have been too numerous to share in one place so here is part 2

To personalise a gift it is not just about what's inside - the anticipation of what treasure lays within is only made all the more special by thoughtful wrapping - here are some of favourite photographic gift wrap ideas

A wedding is all about particular special people - well any celebration for that matter - and photo displays of the people the event is to honour, and in some cases the guests, personalises the event for everyone

Polaroid guest book

Photo wreath

And these just make me smile as they would your guests

Take your pics, print then party.

Appreciate or Emulate

Here's how you can climb every Mountain at home, in love, out and about and on your very own

This weeks decorate ideas are all, rightly, for little explorers

I think there is nothing more beautiful than a mountain wedding - it lends itself to some beautiful decorations and a 'running away to the hills' atmosphere. I fantasise often about winning the lotto and flying my family and dear friends all to the Spanish Pyrenees where mine and my mans love flourished in our adventures together around small pockets of the world - here we could have a mountain high celebration of our own. In the meantime I will enjoy these pics from some beautiful mountain weddings - hope you do too.

This wedding on Mountain Side Bride, above, in particular takes my breath away - every little detail including that red dress oh my!

It's all in the detail of this Rocky Mountain Wedding via Style Me Pretty. I especially love these vintage postcard feeling favour bags.

Vintage and intimate is the vibe of this couple for their Colorado Mountain Wedding as seen on Ruffled

Lastly this is not so much a wedding as a Love Festival on a hillside in California from Green Wedding Shoes

Everyone is rocking the mountain look

Him - wearing, among other things, a Mountain Print shirt from Nemis

Her - I love this mountain print scarf from Totokaelo

Them - Uber cute leggings for bambino from Salt City Emporium on Etsy and this clever and cute top by Swallow Return

This could be where I tell you to take a hike but as that is neither polite or in some cases practical I thought instead to show you a little experimental DIY I did today.

I was inspired by this

And by a mother that hails from the Blue Mountains and 2 lovely sisters who when together visiting said Mountains as children were snapped by many a foreign tourist standing in front of the 3 Sisters -
to have a go at making my own rubber stamp.

Trust me when I say this was a very quick and rough first attempt but I am reasonably happy with the results - there may not be an eraser left standing in the house by the end of the weekend as I practice and get stamping.

She'll be comin round the mountain again I suspect as I have loved every minute of this one.