Making it Monday - how-to crochet, make a bag, coasters, tags and how to organise your life.

Here's a little round up of some sweet how-to's that I have found on the interwebs recently.

First up a simple sewing project for all you sewers (and aspiring sewers) out there.
I love this bright fun bag.
I've got some fabric that would be perfect for this!
You can find instructions on Frankie blog.

bucket bag from Frankie Magazine

We have a gazillion photos!
Who doesn't?
Mr planet is always saying that we never look at them!
Well here is a great way to make sure some of your photos are always on display.
They would make fabulous gifts too - it's never too early to start making things for Christmas....then there are birthdays, Mother's Day etc...

photo coasters by Dana Vastano

Crochet is definitely on my to-do list this year.
I've bookmarked this tutorial by Shelley over at spincushions.
I'll let you know how I go!

how to crochet by spin cushions

Sometimes the simple ideas are the best.
The little things you used to do when you were a kid...or do with your kids now.
Make gift tags from magazine photos - easy, right?
But sometimes you forget those easy little projects.
I found this idea on decor8.

gift tags from decor8

Of course a lot of these will be easier still if you are organised.....life, home and supplies.
I've been reading a few posts about life and home organisation in the hope that I will eventually become more organised. I can dream!

If you need some organisation tips give Jenny Shih a go.

Five fabulous Friday finds

Happy New Year!

Starting the first Friday Finds of the year with a sentiment that I'll try and live up to this year.

prints by mateoandtobias

And then following with a few of my favorite things!

Chook! Well actually a rooster.
I have a soft spot for watercolours - love the almost oriental simplicity of this style.

rooster by cat2owl

Oh, yes! and cats!
If you love cats go check out this shop on etsy. It is full of all sorts of cheeky, naughty, whimsical cats.
These chubby little cats sitting on a sofa reading just tickled my fancy!

cat tote by jamieshelman

And I still seem to be obsessed with rings!
How about this trio of aquamarine rings?
Delish!

stacking rings by metalmorphoz

Oh! and blue! How I love this colour.
These hand made suede shoes look sooooo comfy. I'm sure my feet would just melt into them.

ballet flats by elehandmade

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday Wishlist

I have been lusting after these luscious leggings for a while!

What a gorgeous colour!

leggings by kambriel

This sweet locket necklace comes with 5 interchangeable photos - what a great idea!

necklace by jpgphotography

And you know I'm a sucker for handbags!
I just love the bird design and the large woody button feature.

shoulder bag by LBArtworks

Wednesday Wishlist

Hi! how is your week going?
Are you coping with hump day?

Well I hope your week is not too shabby! but I wouldnt mind this shabby chic bag by dkshopgirl

antique inspired bag by dkshopgirl

There's nothing shabby about this lovely little wintery scene by aliette

nuit by aliette

Oh! and this isnt too shabby either!

felt scarf by aureliaLT

Enjoy the rest of the week - remember, it's all downhill the rest of the way!

Wednesday Wishlist

I know I shouldnt but I can't help but wish for these handmade gourmet chocolates by Australian chocolatier Cricklewood Chocolates.

chocolates by CricklewoodChocolate

Dont they look yum!

I'm still searching for the perfect bag.
I must admit I'm a bit in love with this roomy messenger bag by needlevsthread -

messenger bag by needlevsthread

And the unconventional part of me - or maybe the lop-sided part of me - loves this dress -

dress by idea2lifestyle

What are you wishing for this week?

Wednesday Wishlist

I interrupt my blogging about Tasmania for a short ad break!

Well not really an ad but a wish!

It's Mother's Day on sunday here and I always seem to need new slippers when May comes around.

These slippers are almost too delightful to be worn! they need to be framed and hanging on the wall!

handmade leather slippers by karmensega

The weather is changing - as it does at this time of year.
Crisp mornings and cool evenings - perfect time to buy a snuggly, stylish scarf.

button-up scarf by poisonpear

I have been looking for a new bag for ages.
Some are too big, others are too small.
The wrong colour or the wrong style.

This one though is just right!

mini ruche bag by jennyndesign

What is on your wishlist for mother's day?
Breakfast in bed?
A day spent with your mother or your children? Or both?
A day of pampering and not having to do the washing up?

Whatever - I hope all your wishes come true!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wednesday Wishlist

So long since I've posted a Wednesday wishlist, and my wishes are piling up!

Even though we have now entered autumn I still covet everything in this shop -

ruffled flowers tshirt by nikacollection

I'm seriously on the lookout for a new handbag.
This one is on my short list.
I love the fabric so much and last weekend I saw a lady with a skirt made from this fabric. It was great!

bird cage bag by theseawithin

This artwork speaks to me.
I dont know if it's my fondness for antique maps, or the balloon, or the bird?
It's the combination of these elements that make the whole.

Life's Journey by CrimsonCircleStudios

What are you wishing for this week?

Remember to leave a comment to go into the draw to win the earrings I'm giving away this week!
thanks

Wednesday wishlist

Lots of anniversaries today!

My 26th wedding anniversary.
The 10th anniversary of the Sydney Olympic games.

It is the International day of democracy.

Independence day of Guatemala (a Patriotic Day), El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica became independant from Spain in 1821.

The birthday of Prince Harry of Wales, Oliver Stone, Tommy Lee Jones, Fred Nile and Marco Polo amongst others.

The Mayflower departed from Plymouth England in 1620 with 102 pilgrims.

The first non-aristocratic, free public school in Europe opened in Frascati, Italy in 1616

I'll leave you with some picks from my favorites -

black voile dress by 13threads

messenger bag by kuketa

dandy beasts by lenastudio

Do you have any special annniversaries today?

Remember to leave a comment - goodies coming tomorrow!

15th September information from wikipedia and historyorb.

monday's treasuries

Five lovely treasuries this week!

How lucky am I?

and there seems to be a bit of a theme going!

Vickie of Jewelflyt wants to be beside the sea!
thanks Vickie for including my aqua ocean necklace in your wishes.



Jewelflyt is a very talented jeweller.
Just take a look at the beautiful simplicity of this necklace.
You could wear it every day!

ember - fine silver pendant by jewelflyt

Another Vicki created this vibrant treasury.
Vicki from redeemdesigns.


It make Vicki happy and it certainly made me happy when I saw my sherbert fizz pendant there.
Redeemdesigns has an amazing variety of creations - bags, cards, journals, brooches and cute little pouches like this one.
I could find a million uses for it!

buttons pencil case by redeemdesigns

trinitydj's thoughts turned to gardens last week.
Look at the beautiful colours!

Speaking of beautiful colours, trinitydj creates gorgeous clay pendants.
There are so many beautiful ones it was hard to chose.
Dont take my word for it - go and have a look.

polymer clay pendant by trinitydj

Bri of petaliferous went along with the theme as well!
With this lovely selection from Australian sellers.
Bri is on materinty leave at the moment.
Best wishes and good luck, Bri!

And then there is another contribution from trinitydj.


which is really great because I can show you that she has another string to her bow!

She does amazing beadwork -

dancing flamingos by trinitydj

thanks to trinitydj, jewelflyt, petalifeous and redeemdesigns!

Wednesday wishlist

What is it with me and bright colours at the moment?

Is it beacuse it has been raining for 2 weeks?
Or does my mood need uplifting?
Am I trying to relive a past life?

Who knows!

Anyway I just fell in love with this vibrant cushion.
It has gorgeous Indian fabric and hopefully I'm heading to India this year, so maybe this is a taste of thing to come?


I was looking for something completely different - isnt that always the way? - when I found this stunning orange bag by tippythai.

There are so many lovely styles of bags in tippythais shop - I'd like one in every design and every colour.

But this one is the perfect summer colour and weight.


OK - something elso orange?

Well this is probabyl on the red side of orange - but how delightful is this brooch?
There are lots of really cute things in this shop and it has the best name - "inmybackyard"!



I'm so happy with my wishlist this week!
See it has lifted my spirits already - think I'll go for a skip. tralala!

Wishlist Wednesday - 22

My daughter would tell you that I dont need another bag!

But needs and wants are different - right?

pink saddle bag by RoseAnne Russell

How about a touch of whimsy?

we all fly together by creativethursday

Or something beautiful to adorn your wrist -

tropical rainbow cuff by barefootweaver

Wishlist Wednesday - 19

This week I wish for a stunning coat -

cool pool aqua and blue sweater-coat by devilmademedoit

a stunning bag to go with it -

shoreline at midnight bag by PennyFarrow

and of course some arm warmers!

tubeway armies by gayeabandon

Even though it's spring!
Well some days and evenings are cool.

Wishlist Wednesday

- even though it's Thursday!

I have an obsession with bags at the moment
and it's hard to go past these three beauties by Australian sellers on etsy -

birds nest purse by tabidesigns

clutch with vintage japanese komono silk by berlinksi

Licorice allsorts clutch bag by TheTwistedWillow

Thanks to Carley of vanillapixie for the great idea of wishlist Wednesday.

see you next week!