MARLEY and LOCKYER

Subway Tiles, Beadboard and Something's Gotta Give...

2012-02-13T21:30:00.000+11:00

Phoebe Howard

isn't it amazing that when you see something again from a different perspective

that you can be totally re-obsessed all over again?

Well, Something's Gotta Give (the movie) has done it again.

my all time favourite movie has reared it's stunning Hampton's style head yet again

and made me look at our Old Lady with new eyes.

I'm thinking subway tiles.....

Hooked On Houses

lots of white with kilim rugs and hints of colour...

Just like the Something's Gotta Give Kitchen

beaded board and moulding like in this Martha's Vineyard house

for added detail against the gorgeous white

House Beautiful

...and lots of linen!

It is like everywhere I am looking at the moment has me seeing

the Something's Gotta Give set!

trying to figure out how to get it worked into our own house, The Old Lady,

without too much hassle

...leave it with me!!

Something's Gotta Give shopping trip...

2012-02-12T17:10:00.002+11:00

pinterest.com

Today was one of those days were you wander about

the home/hardware stores looking for items for your next project

...finishing the bathroom.

It ended up being a 'look for a new kitchen' trip!

Not that we are changing ours anytime soon,

but I did spot the new Belling oven I want ;0)

I wondered how we got to looking at the kitchen products,

then it dawned on me just how many kitchen files I have saved while

I was supposed to be saving

bathroom files!!!

oh well.

houzz.com

I did manage to stumble across this stunning room.

it reminded me of the living room from the

Somethings Gotta Give set.

Which is my all time favourite movie!

It is sublime.

I could totally be seen here, looking for bathroom images! ;0)

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend xx

The King Auction....a tragic story

2012-02-09T23:12:00.000+11:00

For those you you who may be unaware of Lisa Kings plight,

here is a quick run-down...

Last October Lisa and her husband, Aaron lost their Son, Noah.

Noah was disabled and Lisa and Aaron and their 3 little boys had to watch this child they love pass away.

If you have children you would know that this is something you hope to never had to deal with.

In January 2012, the Kings went on their Family Summer holiday, reconnecting with each other and trying to get through a difficult time in their life without Noah

THEN...

after a wonderful day of fishing and swimming at the beach, Lisa's devoted Husband, Aaron

came in out of breath and collapsed to the floor and was unable to be resuscitated.

Aaron had passed away from a massive heart attack.

How could this happen right?

After loosing their much loved child, now Lisa and her three little boys had to now cope with the loss of a soul mate and a Dad as well as their Brother.

The Blogging and Facebook community as well as communities at large have rallied around Lisa and her children by raising money to help pay for basic needs and to help with the cost of two funerals.

Over $30,000+ has been raised to date and now their is

The King Auction

on Facebook, hosted by Seven Cherubs.

If you head their right now, you can see a wonderful range of items donated by businesses,

including Marley & Lockyer

to help Lisa and her Family through what could only be described as a heartbreaking time.

PLEASE STOP BY AND BID ON AN ITEM.

All money raised will go straight to Lisa and her boys.

It's a brilliant cause.

Thank you xx

...a blur of white...

2012-02-08T22:20:00.000+11:00

This past week has been a blur. I haven't been about in blogland as I have been crazy busy.

Still having the Children at home to entertain until next week when they go back to School as well.

On top of that, we have had a photo shoot of our home and Marley & Lockyer

which was amazingly exciting

...I can't reveal yet, but I will as soon as I can!

There is still a lot going on here...

I have been organising cupboards and painting...

Marley & Lockyer

...making copious amounts of clay tags for the upcoming design markets as well as looking for

new 'hot box'...

Tricia Foley

...trying to work out what to do with the studio situation...

Marley & Lockyer

..making more and more bowls and plates with my brand new designs...

Ikea.se

...did I mention the studio issue?...

...as well as getting some bathroom things done...

Yup, it has been busy, is busy

but I am loving every minute of it

...I just apologise for my absence here in blogland =0(

clay...linen...and the event!

2012-02-02T22:14:00.000+11:00

Although this week has been a blur,

getting ready for our huge event here at

"The Old Lady"

on Monday, I have managed to squeeze in some

more new work.

I have a new found re-attachment to clay and after lugging

a hefty 20kg block through the city a few days ago,

I got home and could not let that chunk be

...so I made...

LOTS.

This piece is a custom order for a wonderful, new website about to be launched

and as soon as it is, I will reveal it to you.

The plate is obviously a big Sister to my Vintage Doily Love Tags

I really do 'love' this plate (sorry, couldn't help it).

These will be available at the upcoming

Sydney and Hobart Boutique Markets

that I will be attending in March

...or as a custom order...

just email me

marleyandlockyer@gmail.com

Aside from clay,

I also rediscovered my love for vintage textiles

...well it never really left...

I did however, re organise my 'sweat shop' (workroom)

...again!

and I must say, I think it will stay this way

I do ;0)

Finally, after a million years, I have organised some of my art work on my main wall

in the 'sweat shop', near my table and grouped some of my favourite pieces

on my newly painted hutch.

Other than that, and cleaning, and painting French doors, and re arranging rooms,

and getting ready for

The Event....

(which will be revealed soon)

I hung some of my divine cut work, vintage linen on my 'sweat shop' window

...and now the out look is even more sweet.

I hope you have all been busy.

What have you created lately?

A Giveaway question......

2012-01-31T22:06:00.000+11:00

I have a question for you.....

With the season of love upon us,

I thought a giveaway was in order

BUT,

I would love to know

what would you love in a "Love Giveaway"?

Head over to the Marley & Lockyer Facebook page

HERE

and 'like'

as this is where the giveaway will take place.

Thanks lovelies!

Believe it truly.....I do now

2012-01-25T23:02:00.000+11:00

After a little flick through the vintage copy of Rob Roy I nabbed a few weeks ago, I came across this quote

"Believe it truly"

I thought it was lovely and seeing as though I had the guts to show you all a snippet of my art work, and have finally come to the realisation that I have a God given gift,

I thought this quote was brilliant....

so I put it on a dish!

I made a few actually.

They are firsts...they are not perfect

...but I love them.

the undersides have wonderful, vintage doilies, linens etc to give them texture

and some are simple.

Like the Rob Roy plate with it's little rose.

simple

Some have detailed textures to the stoneware grey.

...and together they work wonderfully

This plate/bowl/dish range is in it's early stages.

I am fiddling about with designs etc at the moment, but rest assured

they will be for sale soon

...but as 'Market Exclusives'

If you happen to be in Sydney on Saturday, March 10th, then you will be first to be able to get some

Marley & Lockyer stoneware bowls at the

Boutique Markets!

I will be doing custom orders from this range also, so if you are interested, then contact me at marleyandlockyer@gmail.com

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Linen Bug....

2012-01-24T21:34:00.000+11:00

Linens have always been a love of mine and I am always working on new ways to put together the vintage linens I find along with my own screen printed and hand blocked pieces.

lately though, I have been utterly consumed with clay.

To the point of actually not even thinking about my fabric pieces

...until today.

I sat this afternoon in the hot Summer Sun and mapped out what to do this year.

There is a plan. I will be working on a few designs and working them with vintage and new materials.

I have been sketching away over the past two or so years and finally feel I am ready to delve into those designs and put them onto new and vintage pieces...and have even started making the foundations for the prints.

Marley & Lockyer

The year ahead is full of Design Markets, some are on the mainland and some here in Tassie.

I'm very excited about where Marley & Lockyer is heading and it is all thanks to you!

for your support, positive comments, helpful feedback and of course, for joining me on this journey.

I thank you all for that from the bottom my heart.

Now, off I go to check on some pieces in 'the hot box' which I will give you a look at soon.

....but for now...

the linen bug has hit!

Forgotten Easter Range - oops!.....

2012-01-23T22:45:00.000+11:00

Last night while uploading some items to my Etsy and Made It stores

(I have re-opened Made It for my Aussie customers, and anyone else for that matter)

I suddenly noticed that I have not put on my new Easter range!!!

So, in a frenzy, I uploaded some before bedtime.

The last look you got at this one above, was a little hint of the bottom corner

...so here it is in it's full bunny glory.

I also have hop! cut out

a little egg one...

and some new 'furry' bunnies.

These ones have a really textured appearance from the vintage doily impression that's one them. Each one is different...and so cute!

This picture is of the prototype from the Harlequin Rabbit...

and my little hand moulded bunny brooches have made a re appearance for this Easter too.

The Easter products are already walking out the door and are proving popular already which is such a great thing that you are all embracing Marley & Lockyer goodies.

I love the support I get from you all.

But as always, I am working on the next stage and while I was rolling and draping and creating,

I made these....

cute little 'Birds On A Cup'

The grey ones are stoneware and are still wet here, so they will be much lighter than this when they are done and of course, I have my white earthenware that I love.

The little birds even fit on wine glasses.

Imagine them at a Wedding or a party?

I love them all lined up on this cappuccino cup!

They will be in store soon.

Click HERE for the Etsy store

Click HERE for the Made it! store

Display day....

2012-01-20T21:29:00.000+11:00

pinterest.com

Displays and things to display in have been on my mind lately.

I am always rearranging in our home as I grow tired of the same things in the same places.

I actually have a little board on pinterest which is dedicated to display!

This year I am on a mission.

*to find new/old pieces to make new displays at home

and

*make a totally new display for my market stalls

Let me tell you, I am finding ideas in the strangest of places!

pinterest.com

Images like this and those found in some of my recipe books have got my attention and thoughts racing.

My little sketch pad that I dedicated to this quest, has now turned into a full sized art pad!

Even items in my cupboards, linen press and childrens toy boxes have thoughts going.

donnahay.com

This image in particular has my interest.

I love that sheet music and the ribbon with the paper box

...or maybe it's the cookies and a cup of tea I am thinking of!

blog.craftzine.com

This wall is amazing.

I thought of something totally unrelated for the stalls from this....go figure.

Marley & Lockyer

I do know the stall will look different to how you seen it last year

to go with a lot of new items that have popped up in my store and design books and my new packaging.

Watch this space.....

Have a great weekend, won't you?

Process of lead....

2012-01-19T21:27:00.000+11:00

A drawing of Mic and I from a series

Since I have shown some of my work, I have had quite a few emails from some of you asking to see some more of my art work and explain my process.

Some of you are fellow artists and lead freaks like me it seems.

So, here are a few for you and a little about how.

I can't really give you anything technical, as I have always been able to do this, right from the moment I could hold a pencil I had a knack. I have developed my skills through gut feelings and a love of what I do.

So I will try and explain as best I can.

basically I do love what I do and am so pleased to be able to do it and share it with you.

Aryton Senna from a series of 3

I mainly use Derwent pencils. The top quality ones. I have a drawing box with three drawers full of lead, graphite and water colour pencils all by this brand.

I have tried others, but can never feel comfortable with them like the Derwent brand.

3B, F and 9B grade pencils are my favourite to use and I have gone through SO many 3B pencils I would hate to think how many stubs I have floating in my art box these days!

When ever I draw a face, I ALWAYS start with the eyes.

This seems to make everything else fall into place and I have to make the drawing seem as real to you as a black & white photo (or colour if I am doing that).

I use 3B as the main pencil, F as my soft shader and 9B if I have some dark shadowing etc.

Sometimes I use other grades...but not very often and I loathe sharp pencils. I always rub the tip down a little to make the contact point smooth.

Other than that, away I go!

I have never been one for professional fixatives (this holds the lead in place without smudging)

I am a 'cheap-as-chips' hairspray kind a gal!

The cheap hairspray has never let me down yet.

Wesley Snipes' eye from a series

Oh, this has been such a technical explanation of how I draw (sarcasm here)

but, like I said I have taught myself.

Anyone who has been formally trained is probably shuddering right now...

sorry!

It works for me ;0)

plated....

2012-01-18T14:31:00.000+11:00

Something I have wanted to do for a long, long time was plates, bowls and small sake size cups.

I gave it a whirl, and here is the first, the guinea pig.

I am planning on putting this on my Sweat Shop wall,

but there will be some in The Store very soon.

Some will have original drawings on them, which will make them one-of-a-kind pieces.

Do you like it?

books & inspiration....

2012-01-16T20:00:00.000+11:00

While my Parents were here on holiday,

we all went off to my favourite op shop for a look.

I have recently discovered, I am into old books.

I mean, I have always loved them, but didn't think to actually collect them as I had no where to put them.

that hasn't really changed, but I did find some books I couldn't walk past.

This one above got me straight away.

As my family all come from Scotland (I'm the only one born in Australia), the address got my attention.

My Mum comes from a town not far from Edinburgh, so this book was mine!

It has done the rounds - Edinburgh, Cairns.....

The other thing I loved was the N letter pressed into the cover...for Ness!

...and it is "Rob Roy"...a Scottish classic!

...it has even been with The Red Cross.

The actually pages of the book are in great shape still too...all for $1.00!

I picked up a few others as well. this one for the blue cover and the little coat of arms...

..and this one for the name and the soft duck egg blue cover.

I imagine this will be about Dragons or something.

Mainly I bought them for photo shoots and displays of my products.

Their first job was displaying the new "Inspire Series" clay tags

They are whimsical and all hand stamped with inspirational words. There is the feather and wing, each with something inspiring on it.

see, that duck egg blue pops the white tags don't you think?

I really love these new tags and my new thrifty books and if you are quick, I am having over at

The Shop

20% off everything in store!

It is only on for a little while though.

A peep...

2012-01-15T21:58:00.000+11:00

Today in The Sweat Shop was lovely.

The Summer sun was shining and even though it is Sunday, and I try not to work on weekends,

the boys were out happily playing while Mic was tending to the lawn.

So, I thought I would use this time to get some work done.

I thought you might like a peep...

Production is well under way.

My first market is in early March.

I actually have three major design markets that month, so I have had to step up everything.

Loads and loads of tags have already been made, and these ones here are drying out,

waiting for the next stage.

I often get asked about the process I go through to make the tags.

Well, there are about 7-9 processes from start to opening the 'hot box' and some of the stages I have developed myself, so you can imagine this is something I hold tight to my chest.

I can tell you, I am experimenting with new clays all the time and new products will come from this.

I love seeing what happens once you open the door to a load of new designs!

My desk has been busy...very.

in a nice way though.

I have been on the look out for new production pieces as well as making my own range of designs, which will be used on my clay, cushion and jewellery designs.

It is all very exciting really.

Here is one of those new designs I have made from my old rose screen print

pieces that I use on my cushion cover range.

I am using it on this years product cards...and I am really happy with how they turned out.

These will be making their first appearance at the first design market this year.

all images- Ness Lockyer

Finally, here is a peep at the new range of Inspire Luggage tags.

There is a feather and a wing in this range and they are stamped with positive

words like "inspire", "believe", "imagine", "create" and "dream"

I really love these and they have just been listed in My Store.

So, there you have a it. A little 'peep' into my day.

Whimsical love...and drawings....

2012-01-12T22:57:00.000+11:00

Today I am loving these whimsical pieces.

I have been keeping an eye out for something totally different in the lighting department for The Sweat Shop and have found not a lot to inspire me.

These I adore though!

The floaty white, gauzy fabric and a different shape to what is normally seen

...wonder if I could rig something up Ness-style?

ornamelle.com

I have just finished a calligraphy piece for my coming photo wall in a similar style.

My piece is about stars, but I really like this as I am usually creating in socks with a cup hot Chai tea

so, it is true!

greenwellies.tumblr.com

now this, I am smitten by!

Just perfect.

I love the hints of raw edges, that natural raw-ness of the fabrics and the patterns they have chosen.

A long time ago I had plans for a cover similar, made from pieces given to me by my Grandmothers, Mics Grandmother, my Aunts, my Mum and Mics Mum.

Ness Lockyer

First things first...the photo wall!

I was recently digging through my ooooold art files and found some early work of mine that I think should go on this wall as a reminder of that basic love to create.

This is a hint of a series of drawings of myself and Mic, when we were just dating, inspired by photo booth pictures (you know the little series of instant prints?)

Ness Lockyer

This one was a very quick sketch I done of a Rose from a memory in my head of the detail a rose has.

Turned out ok!

Ness Lockyer

...and even though this was an unfinished piece, I LOVE this.

I have always loved to draw Renaissance images and this is one of Michelangelo's works from the Sistine Chapel if I remember correctly.

....this has inspired to me to make some time to get this done.

Always loved the heavy drapery that he done.

This is proof that nothing I do is the "way"

No, maybe not...but it is "my way"

I hope to get this wall o' mine done this weekend...hope it turns out!

It's Official....

2012-01-10T14:22:00.000+11:00

Very excited!

Today I received my confirmation email saying that Marley & Lockyer will be one of the retailers at

The Boutique/Mathildas Market

in Hobart on Sunday, March 25th.

This has been made even more exciting because the wonderful team the puts these markets together, Australia wide has secured.....

this magnificent venue.

The Old Woolstore. 1 Macquarie Street, Hobart!

Very old, lots of history, right up my alley!!!

I have always had such a lovely time at these markets and Marley & Lockyer always does well there

...and I get to meet lots of fantastic readers and customers too!

eeek!..cant wait..looking up accommodation right now =0)

Check out The Boutique Markets site and blog to see when the next market in your city is on.

The hunt for a studio....

2012-01-09T16:14:00.000+11:00

realcarriagedoors.com

Mic and I have been thinking ahead of what will be of Marley & Lockyer.

One thing is for sure...I need more space!!

Now, I could do the old 'move into a new room of the house, take over it and re invent the old room',

but let's face it...I have done that many times before and it hasn't met the needs of M&L.

SO, we have been looking at a barn of some sort, or a re-invent of an outdoor space we already have.

We are not sure yet and are only in the thinking-outside-of-the-walls mode.

I have looked at bespoke and kit studio spaces, but we need this space to be a multifunctional space, so one the garage-come-studios would be perfect

...BUT, everything here in Australia is not to our liking...and tin or colourbond. Not for us or The Old Lady.

The ones we love are from the U.K as they have that old world aesthetic about them...and are clad in Oak.

Tricia Foley

This one of Tricia Foley's is wonderful. It is like a mini version of our home.

I would love my studio to be all white like this....

www.prettylittlegreenthings.com

and it would have LOADS of storage space for my growing collection of twine.

tumblr.com

This is not someones studio, but it would do nicely...and it is white.

I have a file with images saved of all the plans etc that I love and meet our needs and it may just come down to getting a DIY Australian frame and clad it in Oak to get the U.K versions feel.

courtyarddesigns.co.uk

Here is the one that I really love.

An upstairs level which would be studio/work space and the below level could be part time car storage and product storage and double as a seasonal 'Pop-Up Shop' (which you know I am dying to do).

At present our garage is a unpainted, steel garage with a side attachment which is mainly used as wood storage for the big fire in the kitchen and in Summer as a makeshift entertainment area.

We have spoke of converting this!

I don't really care at the moment what it is, but it has to have space for a big, long bench like this size with shelves along the bottom..but it would be white, not chippy like this.

A slab roller at one end and my sewing machine at the other,

whendecorating.blogspot.com

as well as loads of drawers and, of course, shelves!

But for now....

me-Ness Lockyer

I will plan in my current room "The Sweat Shop" and hope for a lotto win!!

If any of my Australian readers know of such a company (that will ship to Tassie), please let me know.

I would be very grateful =0)

Chalkboard wall, and shelves....

2012-01-04T22:06:00.000+11:00

Over the break I have had a little clean out, re-organise of the workroom we affectionately call

"The Sweat Shop"

Lately, well for a long time, I have been wanting a blackboard wall but didn't know where to put it at the time.

I found just the spot the other day!

Here is the wall before,

and.............

....here it is after.

You will see that I have changed the room around...again!

That is one of the great things about The Sweat Shop,

it is so changeable!

Depending on what I am working on, everything can be moved.

My office table is against the wall at the moment and I am thinking that this is where it will stay

(don't quote me on that though)

While I was busy doing all of this, I was also building DIY shelving units to house the masses

of clay tags waiting to be cured.

you know the ones you get at the Hardware store?

Yep, those. They are brilliant.

There are tonnes of tags on the shelves now...piles and piles.

I love looking at them all stacked high in their respective piles, all sorted into shapes, collections etc.

It is satisfying.

My Dad made some fabric shelves for me too, so now I have all of my linens in colour blocks, fabric types, vintage groups etc...I love to be organised.

I can honestly say now that I have NO idea how I functioned without these new shelves.

I think I need some more!

Do you have loads of storage?

Glazing...and perfect imperfection...

2012-01-03T23:05:00.000+11:00

Welcoming in the New Year should have been something I done with slow, restful calm

...you know me, I couldn't stay away from the clay and linen and went into a little frenzy.

The results are these new glazed clay tags!

These little glazed Hummingbirds are new for 2012 and they are so sweet.

I also made other glazed tags, like this large one with bird friends.

the backs of the tags are not glazed, so you can still pen your message on it.

Not only did I glaze the day away (sorry, had to), but I did make some cute new brooches to add to the range which will be revealed very, very soon.

In between all of this making, I spent lots of time in my old rocker on the front porch, whiling away the day, coffee in hand and noticed this freak of nature on my very, very old rose 'tree'.

A pure white rose on a hot pink rose tree!

It may be a freak of nature, but I think it is

a perfect imperfection

...and you know I like that!

PS- The Store will re-open this Friday, 6th January...if I can wait that long!

Shelves and impressions....

2011-12-29T21:44:00.000+11:00

Today, I paid a little visit to 'The Sweat Shop'

I really am missing working in there. Playing with the chalky white clay is like meditation to me.

The Sweat Shop is getting a little re-vamp in the morning.

A few things are on the list

*more shelves

*and a chalkboard

One of my new storage units for the clay tags is up and I started stacking mounds of clay tags onto it.

They look so lovely against the black.

There are so many more piles and piles of tags to put on the shelves, but I just wanted to see how they would fit...and to take a snap!

This would be my favourite part of the making process.

Taking the clay from the drying board to reveal a little hint about what they were

...little wet pieces of earthenware that lay to dry before being cured and finished.

Each batch makes a different impression on the boards, and I like that.

The tags that made this mark were hundreds of 'love you' tags.

Some are shop orders for Valentines Day, and others are to fill the Shop when it re opens soon

....as well as some new ones too!

But for now, I am still on 'holidays' =0)

Missing the clay...

2011-12-28T23:10:00.000+11:00

Christmas has come and gone, and for me this year it feels like I have been in Christmas

mode for ages. I started planning mid year and production started many, many months ago.

Believe it or not, I have started thinking about 2012's Christmas already.

This will seem crazy, but this is what you must do to get your goodies out there and be prepared when you are a one person show.

I looked back through some of my old images and found this clay 'tile'

I made a long time ago. It is now sold, but I always loved how this one turned out.

I have some more that I intend on putting on the 'Sweat Shop' (studio) walls,

mainly to remind me of that creative side I have always had and that it is always there

...to keep me on track.

My little dolls house has been a glow today, as I went 'back to work'.

Not that I can call it that.

I love what I am doing with Marley & Lockyer

and it never seems like work,

meeting so many lovely people day to day.

I have actually missed the clay and the fairy lights that I work by,

the quiet lull of crooners in the back ground.

I am ready for 2012.

I hope you are too.

Christmas decorating at The Old Lady....

2011-12-20T22:22:00.000+11:00

Welcome to The Old Lady!

Even though Christmas for me starts in June/July with production for The Store, every year it seems to still sneak up on me. I just get so busy that it becomes near impossible to get our own decorating sorted.

This year was a little different however, as Mic has been quite the Christmas Elf and helping a lot, which I have been so appreciative of.

Any way, on to the decorating!!

This stunning, new, HUGE wreath is brand new, like yesterday brand new.

I bought it from Spotlight as they had 50% off all Christmas

...it cost $4.50! a little bit of white ribbon with French script, and away we go.

see, it just fills up the door so much better than the old one

(which is now on the back door)

Here is Mic's contribution to The Old Lady's party frock

...the lights!

I usually hang lights from the front guttering, but Clarke Griswold has taken over my normally, not-so-into-the-season Husband and turned him into this light festooning Man

...which I am loving. He has been coming home most days with new lights.

We even have them in trees in the backyard!

another shot of that new wreath because I love it so.

It was a really hot day here today. The kind where you clean house in your swimmers (yes, I did!)

So, it was very hard to get the 'mood' right for the next photos.

You will notice that I haven't hung stockings yet.

Well, I am making more....well I'm trying to get to that anyway.

If I see some I may buy them, but it is just not the same.

The little JOY letters I am loving this year and I plan to paint them after the Holiday season so I can use them randomly, year round.

The little red Reindeer I bought from Cocoon in Launceston last year.

and those are some of my new, Clay Tea lights I am working on

....more on that later....

The lights look lovely at night, so soft, illuminating 'old Bertha' our Kitchen fire.

Here is our tree.

Nothing to O.T.T, but good enough for us.

I try and keep it simple each year and this year it is my White Clay Tags, some of the kid's ornaments they have made at school, special pieces, Tina's Crocheted stars (which I ADORE) and some silver and gold baubles along with gold bead rope and white lights.

I didn't go crazy with the lights this year.

Here is a day shot of it.

I had to pull over the curtains a bit, as the sun was blinding!

It looks much softer than this shot.

I have started wrapping some of the presents, but the Children's presents don't come out until Santa comes down 'Old Bertha's' chimney!!

The wrapping is simple this year too. I kept the palette from the tree and added doilies and my clay tags as the gift tags.

The decorations have worked really well this year and those crochet stars!!

Some of my clay Snowflakes had some silver shimmer rubbed onto them (Mic's idea) and they look great.

I did sell some of these types of snowflakes at some of the Design Markets and they always sold out!

I made some clay tree tags for the boy's to mark this year

and we always have some of their art work hanging in the tree as well.

Some clay snowflakes, which were exclusive to the Design Markets look great there too.

As for other decorations, I have kept it simple too.

You know I love to stick green branches in vases!

I have a few bunches of different greenery from the garden about, like these Camellia branches, along side a simple Willow wreath.

Here is another bunch of an unidentified bush from our back yard.

The leaves are lovely, and they get little white flowers on them and black berries...too cute!

My little snowflake garland on the mirror was $1 from the junk shop and the little Angels make an appearance each year in various spots about the house.

It all looks lovely at night.

So, there you have a little look through our 'Old Lady', dressed in here Holiday fines ;0)

Fairly simple, cheap, effective and great for time poor people

...like me!

Hope you enjoyed the tour =0)

Mercury Glass Give away....

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Do you see this stunning Mercury Glass bottle?

(of course you do...been a long day!)

WELL,

I will let Isa explain. Here is what she wrote on her blog/fb pages....

Happy Holidays from Greyfreth & Isabeau Grey!

I would like us to put this bottle under your tree ...as a gift...from me.

Greyfreth has teamed up with Karen Albert of Art by Karena (artbyKarena.blogspot.com), who is hosting an incredible 12 days of Christmas Giveaway event.

I am going to be remaking one of my earlier pieces - this stunning cross bottle of antique crystal and mercury glass (shown in the attached photos) for the one lucky person who wins the giveaway, which starts this Thursday, December 15.

Make sure to go over to Karen Albert's blog to get in on all the holiday cheer and enter this, and all the giveaways!

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

So, there you have it. A wonderful give away for you to enter and make sure you have a look through both of these beautiful blogs while you are there =0)

Good luck!

The 'Old Lady' in bloom...

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all images- Ness

For those of you that have followed for some time, would know that I affectionately call our home

'The Old Lady'

I mean that with pure love. She was made in 1883 (which is where the 'old' part come in) and is the most beautiful, comfortable and wonderful place to be.

When we moved in, however, this was not the case

...crumbling, leaky roof, horrid layers of carpet and such and walls and a colour scheme that was unbearable, as well as a garden that had no though.

Luckily, I could see through that!

Over the 9 years, she has become a gorgeous Old Lady that we can't imagine leaving now.

She has 'bloomed' this Summer and I have enjoyed every moment of it and thought you might like to see.

As you can see above, my white Hydrangeas (my favourite flower) are in full show.

If you look to the window, you will see the 'sweat shop' window wreath =0)

The very, very, very old standard rose has a full blanket of these stunning roses on them.

It is almost buckling under the weight!

After Mic had finished mowing the lawns, we sat here on our old rockers and had a coffee together and watched the boys on the slip 'n slide.

This tree (which is supposed to be a hedge!) is glorious and houses a few families of Parrots.

My little Olive tree is finally getting taller and my newly planted Jasmine will eventually climb the pole and along the veranda roof =0)

We had a very productive day on Sunday, even Tess got a bath!

I did go and scout a possible venue for our Christmas dinner.

This old Sycamore, which we adore is looking like the preferred host, although the weatherman seems to think we are in for wild weather on Christmas day...great!

The out look is lovely and will shade us all from the harsh Tassie sun...if there is any!

Yes, that is my white sheets on the line drying in the sunshine

..you know I like the 'keep it real' shots!

Hope you enjoyed our Sunday as much as I did.

Easy Willow Wreath Tutorial....

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Hey there!

Still, I am yet to upload my Christmas decorating for you. I will soon.

It has been very, very busy here and as I have been rolling clay pretty much all day, everyday, I have been doing it with Bing Crosby crooning away in the background.

-It makes for a very jolly workspace let me just say.

Nothing says Christmas like Bing!

Finally, I found a spare hour to whip together some Twisted Willow wreaths for our windows and French doors. I have been wanting to do this since the end of November, but never seemed to find the time.

My Mum and I went outside on Saturday to check out the willow tree and thought "Why not?"

So, out came the supplies to make Twisted Willow wreaths.

*galvanised wire- not too thin and not too thick that you can't bend it.

*pliers or wire cutters

*Willow, or some other vine-type plant you can wind around the wire.

*Ribbon to finish it off

I made the first wreath frame as a guide for the others. just guestimated the right size, cut the wire and twisted the ends together. Then, I cut the other pieces of wire to match and done the same.

Trust me- it doesn't have to be tied professionally, no one will see those bits!

I held the bare wire loops against the kitchen window to give me a guide on how big it should be.

Here are the finished ones on the window

-gloomy day, wasn't it?

Here is our majestic Twisted Willow tree.

It is over 30 feet tall and I have used SO much Willow off this it is not funny.

Even my Mum and Sisters have had their fair share from it.

It is gorgeous.

Now, all I done was started to cut long lengths from the tree that weren't too dry, or thin.

Starting at the twisted wire end of the hoop, carefully wrapped the Willow around and around. Once you run out of that one, start about 2 inches back and weave the next piece in the last piece and keep weaving it around (you have to make sure you keep it fairly snug).

If you don't have Willow, you could use Jasmine, Leura....anything which has long, thin, straight pieces.

see?

Here is my Mum making up a wreath. Mum has some Arthritis in her hands and she was able to do it OK.

I think she really enjoyed it actually...it is very soothing.

Here are the first 4 we made to go on the French doors.

Not too bad I might say for a spur-of-the-moment craft.

Here is one of them hanging in our room on the French doors.

I used a thick, wired ribbon which is white with a silver scroll pattern through it.

Once it was hung I bent the edged of the ribbon over and pressed it down to make little loops so you can't see the thumb tack.

These two, which are in our other living room were moved to the lower part of the window.

I didn't like them so high once we looked at them from outside.

My 'Sweat Shop' aka the office/workroom got one too, actually all the windows have one now.

The one here and in the opposite window are much bigger as these windows are very large.

I also wrapped tiny, white bud lights around these to light at night.

It is a fairly easy craft to do and I am glad now I got it done. As the leave dry, I will wrap some more Willow around that wont have any leaves, which will make the wreaths a little fuller.

I hope you liked my easy wreath tute!