For tired eyes...

My overseas trip is on the horizon and the inventory of necessities is being created. I don't know about you, but I can't sleep on a plane or in a hotel room unless it is really dark. Not always possible...so today I made my own eye masks to help solve a potential problem.

I chose some pretty fabric of course and I had some satin quilting leftover from another project. I freehanded my own pattern and cut out the pieces needed.

I also added some lace for a bit of trimming.

Everything was then secured - right sides together - and the lace needed to be tucked inwards. The elastic to go around the head is also tucked in there somewhere and pinned to each side.

Once sewn and turned inside out, I finished off the mask with some zigzag stitch.

I made two - one for me and one for the gal pal I will be galavanting with. I allowed the lace on mine to be more exposed and frillier and hers a little less so. A lover of all things girly, my friend is perhaps a little more streamlined and sophisticated, so I tucked the lace in a little further. I also chose the swallows for my friend as she is a flight attendant and flutters around the globe constantly...what a life!

And when we return from our trip, the eyes masks are pretty enough to keep on a bedside...

...or bedpost.

It is late, so I am off to rest my tired eyes now. Sweet dreams.

xx

Shabby schoolyard style

I have noticed around the town, people carrying their laptops in fabric bags - all types of bags! Pyjama bags, shoe bags, recycled shopping bags, etc, etc. It seems that the padded satchel just isn't always that appropriate...or stylish. It got me thinking that there could be a market for a prettier version of these...

I stitched one together for my workmate and fellow blogger Mrs Tiff - of Mrs Tiff Living Creatively fame. I really wanted to give her something that would show how much I have appreciate her support and encouragment. She was the one who introduced me to blogger after all...and she landed the job of being my report proofreading buddy (poor Tiff!).

I know that Mrs Tiff loves fabric yo-yos, so I just had to embellish it with a few. I matched the yo-yo fabric with a ruffled bag that I knew she had made for herself. The checkered fabric is vintage and I picked the apricot roses up from a fabulous shop of treasures - Retallack's Creative Sewing in Port Macquarie.

If your laptop did need to be packed away for safe keeping in its proper satchel...the sack could always be used to house important documents and letters.

The same week that I gifted the laptop sack to Mrs Tiff, she handed my reports back to me in a plastic sleeve. It wasn't until I got home to make the ammendments, that I found she had inserted a gorgeous and mysterious little parcel inside...almost too pretty to open!

However, when I did, what a heavenly surprise! A lanyard to hold my classroom keys and whistle. I just love, love, love it and feel so special every time I put it on and waltz out into the playground.

I love placing it on my desk when I'm not using it, somewhere in clear view, as it puts a smile on my face. Takes me briefly to another place of whimsy, birdcages, cotton tape, amazing blogs and creativity! Thank you so much Tiff.

xx

Sundays at Bumbles and Suga Suga

For many years, a Sunday institution for myself and Mum, has been a visit to Bumbles cafe on River Drive, Budds Beach.

Mum and I have been treating ourselves to their heavenly delights since it was a teeny tiny hole in the wall twelve years ago. Now extremely popular and having to expand their premises, it has still retained all of its charm and appeal.

Image found here

Not only do they serve the best coffee on the coast, it provides loads of interior inspiration...with its photo wallpaper and lace paper chandeliers...

Image found here

...a perfect private room for you and the girls! Did I mention that it is always stocked to the brim with fresh flowers..?

It gets better...a sweets display to tempt you...if the cakes haven't already.



Image found here

My gorgeous Mum sitting amongst floating crysanthemum blooms and tealights.

From inside you can take in its magical location. You would never believe you are footsteps away from the bustling glitter strip.

Mum and I tucked in a cosy corner...notice the antique birdcages hanging from the eaves outside...I told you it was charming.

And when you think you can't girly it up anymore...you can drag yourself and your smiling belly into Suga Suga - a to die for gift and interiors emporium. 

The girls in here are always there to greet you with a warm smile and a chat.

Yes, right up our alley...white, white and more white!

 Aaah, I can't wait until next Sunday already.

P.S. Apologies of you think I have been absent, but I (along with many others from what I have been reading) cannot comment on anyone's blog!!! Very frustrating as I love telling you all how much I enjoy reading your posts. I will keep on trying...

xx

Grandma's teacups and Grandfather's clock

No matter what I do, it's something I can't help. It's in my blood - an undying love of fine china and tableware. My dear Grandma was a manager for Royal Doulton for decades and my gorgeous Mum is still a manager for Waterford Wedgwood after many, many years in the business. So a love for this stuff has been passed down through the generations and we can't get enough!

I fondly remember days at Grandma's house when she would pull out her cups and saucers and we would play tea parties. And I always remember looking in amazement at her collection of 'crazy' sets laid out on an antique butler's trolley. I was so lucky so inherit a few of these and I knew you would all love their beauty as much as I do...

This pattern, 'Dainty Blue' by Royal Albert has always been my favourite since I was a little girl. Grandma gave me her entire tea set for my twenty-first birthday. The ivy and the daisies are so delicate and 'dainty'.

I always wanted my bedroom to look like this...

The tea cup to this set sadly broke, but I still love admiring the stunning pattern on the plates.

Part of a tea set, 'Posy' by Royal Crown Derby. To me, the pink rose painted on this is perfection!

I have also been lucky enough to inherit this Grandfather clock. A piece like no other I have seen before. It is one of the more imposing pieces of furniture that we have, yet it is by far the most charming.

You see, on the hour it does't just chime...it plays sweet melodies through a music box behind the clock face.

There are enough records to suit every mood...

I hope this post has inspired you to admire a treasure that you may have from someone passed and evoke feelings of nostalgia and fond memories.

xx

Powder Blue Tealights

As it's the accent colour in our living room, I am alway on the lookout for bits and pieces that are that 'just right' powdery blue. I couldn't believe my luck when I waltzed into a clearance shop on a whim yesterday and found these little beauties.

Did I mention they were under $5 a piece?

The perfect backdrop for writing school reports and sipping a cosmopolitan on the lounge.

xx

Creative wrapping

The other day whilst wrapping a gift, I thought I might take a leaf out of Miss Sew & So's book and bring a little doilie into my life! I had some silver doilies lying around for just such a thing and put them to good use.

Some other doilie treasures...

http://www.mondocherry.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/

http://www.songbirdisnesting.com/

http://www.giverslog.com/

http://www.mondocherry.blogspot.com/

Bring a little doilie into your life!

xx