craftjuice

miss m's new playroom design

2009-09-15T05:30:00+10:00

On the weekend, I rearranged Miss M's playroom and added an Expedit bookshelf and dragged some Lack shelving from the TV room in. I added this playful rug and inspired by this book, really like the result. So does Miss M too! I tried to divide the room into activity areas - a cosy nook for reading and puzzles + a more stimulating activity centre with chair and table. I managed to get all of Miss M's stuff into one room, rather than spread across the house, so I am very happy with that! I've reclaimed the TV room as adult space!

Here's some pics...

Reading and puzzle nook...(maybe will add some nice big pillows!)

And the activity corner - still a little cluttered for my liking, but what do you do with all that random stuff...?

(Any suggestions for improvement most welcome!)

shiny new top

2009-09-14T07:12:02+10:00

Needing a nice new top for work, I made this shiny new top a few weeks ago. I cut a pattern from an existing Esprit shirt I have that I absolutely adore - flowing sleeve, slash neck, fitted at the waist. Perfectly me (although a few more sit-ups are in order me thinks!). I've had this fabric for years sitting around that I rescued from a remnant bin - it's shiny and stretchy and perfect for this pattern. I've worn it a couple of times with a 50's style knee length skirt and wide belt to work with my patent leather heels - love it. I think I might buy some nice jersey and make a few more for Summer - only takes an hour or so to whip up as the back is the same as the front.

Now I just need a good A-line skirt pattern...any suggestions for a good one? (And I know Eileen is going to say, just draft your own, and I know you've shown me how, but I'm too scared!)

what's in my garden

2009-09-13T15:29:00+10:00

My new crops are coming along very nicely indeed.

Beetroot...

Carrots...

Potatoes (experiment 2009-002)...

My much used and abused rocket plants are going to seed...

Late season Strawberries are starting to flower...

Tomatoes coming into fruit...

And my sweet peas are climbing, climbing, up up up!

Ahhh...lovin' the Spring.

status report: sunday 13 september, 5.12am

2009-09-13T05:54:13+10:00

it's too early to be up on a Sunday, even for me.

Finishing: rubbing the sleep out of my eyes

Thinking about: coffeeeee

Just discovered: coffeeeee

Cooking: Miss M's porridge and coffeeeee

Planning: planning? I can't even think yet

Checking out: the moon, still shining in the sky...

Listening to: morning silence...even the birds aren't up yet

I really must: coffeeeee

Watching: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (do you know how that sounds at this hour of the morning? waaay too perky)

Wanting: coffeeeee

Have just finished: finished? haven't even started!

Needing to: coffeeeee

Missing: coffeeeee

Hoping: coffeeeee

Looking forward to: putting together my new Ikea Expedite bookcase today. and coffeeeee.

happy birthday mum!

2009-09-12T14:10:20+10:00

At the risk of my Mum peeping at my blog in the next two hours before I head over to her house, here's two Ikea fabric tablecloths (loving the new range!) I've made Mum for her birthday today.
Mum and Dad have just built a new awesome deck onto the back of their house and so I thought I'd make these to brighten up the outdoor furniture and so mum can 'keep it nice'. I love the big grevillea-like yellow bursts - I thought that would be a good one for a cheery breakfast. And the fruity-leafy one for casual lunching perhaps.
Whilst at the temple-of-Swedish-design, I also picked her up some lovely candle holders and candles to pop all around her new outdoor area as well. I'm pretty sure she's going to love them.
Happy Birthday Mum! I love you!

lustful object of the day: ritchie fahey hand coloured photographs

2009-08-26T21:21:51+10:00

One of my favourite friends in the world Louise has recently purchased this Ritchie Fahey photo for her art collection and I'm in love. I'm in love with this beach bungalow baby in all her tiki pin up girl glory!
Here's another smoldering shot...

And I'm loving these lusty lips (and the plunging satin clad cleavage)...

(Do you think he's interested because of her red flower or how she's placed her bananas up? I never know which is best.)
So pouty!

Find more of Mr Fahey's great stuff here...
His retro style reminds me of another of my very favourite artists, Josh Agle aka Shag.

The Marauder
Mr B recently came back from San Diego bearing Shag merch. He freaks my freak. Makes me want to go all hedonistic and dangerous romantic.

as tall as a tree

2009-08-26T06:26:00+10:00

Check out this great growth chart from Byrdie Graphics! Gorgeous. I love when good design and function meet.
(via Kenzie Poo)

status report: monday 24 august, 7.13am

2009-08-24T07:39:38+10:00

us girls have a secret crush on Ben Tennyson - who doesn't love a man who has an alien bender with a sharp wit and a plan?
Finishing: waking up
Thinking about: that when I'm with you it's always Summer

Just discovered: the golden syrup has a crack in the corner of the bottle and has leaked throughout my pantry. nice.
Cooking: making Miss M's porridge
Planning: how I'm going to fit in everything I want to achieve today
Checking out: the finishing on the new top I made yesterday for myself (yes, I actually made something for myself!)
Listening to: Neil Diamond, Hot August Nights
I really must: vaccum, wash the floors, clean the bathrooms, do the washing...perhaps Prince Charming will come knocking with my glass slipper.
Watching: Ben 10 Alien Force
Wanting: hand holding and hugs
Have just finished: inspecting the vege patch - something has attacked one of my beetroot...hmmm
Needing to: get to Borders for the new Marie Claire Idees...it's in!
Missing: my best friend - why can't we at least be in the same country?
Hoping: to start my adventures in shirring
Looking forward to: Kindermusik (kind o' music?) this morning - I'm going to baa like a sheep, buzz like a bee and snort like a pig. Pity there's no drinking like a fish.

good morning pancakes

2009-08-23T07:38:24+10:00

So good they are almost healthy!

1 cup wholemeal flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

Sugar. Butter. Lemon. Yum.
My friend Mark added 1 tablespoon of cocoa and substituted brown sugar for white sugar and came up with these...

He he - dueling pancakes.

lustful object of the day: aunty cookie fabric panels

2009-08-23T06:19:00+10:00

Eye chart pillow panel

Pie Panel (I so need this. And then I'll need to make a pie.)
Go on, you know you want some...
(BTW this and this are on my list of all time favourite blog entries ever, both from Shannon)