december 1...advent pockets to fill with love...

<b><br /></b><br /><b>morning lovely bloggy friends...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />we had a mid week teacher's strike here yesterday & therefore a house full of extra's...<br /><br />so not all my boxes were ticked- which i'm needing to do each & every day now that we are<b> *in*</b><br /><br />the month of our huge <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/going-homex.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">{move back}</span></a> to the beautiful beaches of sydney...<br /><br /><br />so...after a morning of balance (you know those mornings- & it wasn't the kids!)...<br /><br />the ever patient, every gorgeous husband took all the kids to school...<br /><br />& i'm sitting here, with a strong cup of tea...thinking bout filling advent pockets...<br /><br /><i>not life altering i realise ;) but about all i can manage this morning...one of <b>those </b>mornings people...!</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH_nUxFbuOAFgeSZMDMEe-KMcPEotfF3Vh6kWOPpzmvTXUZZ_MxGCWGYy0RMjdnBIOeW2AWuyNiuZpkIpMxDft3-UKj8j8A8KSozMjhxnMvJ7bXx-Zw8Oz97pboIEn8GqVJ-tBBnEIZcK/s1600/advent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH_nUxFbuOAFgeSZMDMEe-KMcPEotfF3Vh6kWOPpzmvTXUZZ_MxGCWGYy0RMjdnBIOeW2AWuyNiuZpkIpMxDft3-UKj8j8A8KSozMjhxnMvJ7bXx-Zw8Oz97pboIEn8GqVJ-tBBnEIZcK/s640/advent1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><b>for our three kiddos, age irrelevant, the *advent calendar* is a special lead up to the big day...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />they've all gone off to school this morning anticipating the opening of the first advent goodies<br /><br />this afternoon...<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>some years we've had little fabric squares on string lines across the windows...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />some years we've done the <strike>desperate</strike> easy <i>quick-it's-the-flippin-first-of-december-store-bought </i><br /><br />chocolate calendar boxes, with the flip open windows...<br /><br />you know the ones...awful, loud, disney inspired {!!??}...yet do the job...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwXYH_0kCpjNd-MYB_zuxWoBBmdR3sgf8MEO416LV9QBD2htzhRm_zc002i08nNoiyb0WjWTb3kyzY3khFqUHTymjCqcVcVhgCbQpmBbhPJ-Jc25ikY1THpx_89QGt-zPnPeeytp-8xzK/s1600/advent2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwXYH_0kCpjNd-MYB_zuxWoBBmdR3sgf8MEO416LV9QBD2htzhRm_zc002i08nNoiyb0WjWTb3kyzY3khFqUHTymjCqcVcVhgCbQpmBbhPJ-Jc25ikY1THpx_89QGt-zPnPeeytp-8xzK/s640/advent2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>this year</b> we needed something simple...that could survive a mid-advent flight <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/going-homex.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">{home to Australia}</span></a>,<br /><br />whose daily pockets could be filled with more than chocolate coins...& that was made with love<br /><br />by me, for them, in the house we have loved in the english countryside, for so long...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7d1cac6gx1D_9REGY9phVZC2O6vriu0U-oZcbdPL8ht0eeumBy45DAXDbZaaKeMfeqCKj9TKDVTmd0-NMh-G8iSmkgrCgE73FiPt6tIOwSlDIZ5TYmOB3z66t6Lt6C6Gk-_olSdBHMam/s1600/advent3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7d1cac6gx1D_9REGY9phVZC2O6vriu0U-oZcbdPL8ht0eeumBy45DAXDbZaaKeMfeqCKj9TKDVTmd0-NMh-G8iSmkgrCgE73FiPt6tIOwSlDIZ5TYmOB3z66t6Lt6C6Gk-_olSdBHMam/s640/advent3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>so...the squares were cut...the french numbers stamped...the pieces sewn together...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />& this morning i am going for a quiet, simple wander to fill those pockets...<br /><br />english sweets...some little english souvenirs...little reminders of our time here together...<br /><br />by Christmas day we will be sitting in the sand, drinking smoothies & wondering what the cold<br /><br />felt like...<br /><br />so taking this advent calendar home on December 20 & opening one day in Dubai & the<br /><br />remaining days in the sunshine just makes <b>this year's calendar all the more special</b>...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMMpx8LD80pYzs1qwv9BxnEgDKqbYTuORCwB3RGysrOdFP70VFtyKgxeTKokitxnKsLAAyndJBa0pEMexmjK6gw6P6J-WzBa_1m3Jtda_CP7lh8NB3YMJMazlnIyf5AG8YOOP-kihf07d/s1600/advent6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMMpx8LD80pYzs1qwv9BxnEgDKqbYTuORCwB3RGysrOdFP70VFtyKgxeTKokitxnKsLAAyndJBa0pEMexmjK6gw6P6J-WzBa_1m3Jtda_CP7lh8NB3YMJMazlnIyf5AG8YOOP-kihf07d/s640/advent6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>at this time of year- life can be a tricky balance...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>remember the simple things are often the loveliest </b><b>memories...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZy-tPcRETB5WVVK8wxQolm5AG67KEvmeApJul0JoDZYGG-zVrCIuK3du7zNxH2NAgpPR8hL27QsuiSKZyssRzRDwOvwFWf5ftZa8Eo2oMmcB1lOv_HuJjiFDo-4pTP8HZnwh3bRdyaoT/s1600/advent4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZy-tPcRETB5WVVK8wxQolm5AG67KEvmeApJul0JoDZYGG-zVrCIuK3du7zNxH2NAgpPR8hL27QsuiSKZyssRzRDwOvwFWf5ftZa8Eo2oMmcB1lOv_HuJjiFDo-4pTP8HZnwh3bRdyaoT/s640/advent4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>~~~~~~~</b></div><b><br /></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a shared thought: yesterday an incredibly brave mother from our little school lost her long fight with cancer...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">her two beautiful children were blessed to have had her guide them for as long as she could...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">today please just take a moment to look at your children...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">& to love them that little bit more...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Karen will always be an inspiration in my mind & though there are many tears- her smile is what i will recall each & every time we passed with school bags, scooters & *good morning's*...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">thank you for the small *moment* of time in which i knew you Karen- your children will continue to be loved & watched over at school by their many gentle friends...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">xoxox</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>

december 1...advent pockets to fill with love...

morning lovely bloggy friends... we had a mid week teacher's strike here yesterday & therefore a house full of extra's... so not...

Read more »

A Giveaway- Christmas Ribbon & Ikea love...

<b><br /></b><br /><b>morning from ol'Blighty- where it's getting chillier as the days roll on...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i've got my ikea stash all ready to show & tell...<br /><br />Christmas decor inspiration i hope...<br /><br />& also a Christmas *loving-red-&-white* ribbon giveaway...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1QhrAfScASWLTMxo8DXw8PULB1d2L2frVAiV0o6mqpURZ38b1VVdNEu_2rAZnH04Q-lQoEVa6rRols_8IVRec_mlS0UlpHFmUbnA8D_e1GyY2fM7kxrIQOWtIMETcSoozWBy6D-AkU4T/s1600/ikeaxmas10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1QhrAfScASWLTMxo8DXw8PULB1d2L2frVAiV0o6mqpURZ38b1VVdNEu_2rAZnH04Q-lQoEVa6rRols_8IVRec_mlS0UlpHFmUbnA8D_e1GyY2fM7kxrIQOWtIMETcSoozWBy6D-AkU4T/s640/ikeaxmas10.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>when i started <i>raving </i>about the BB & my visit to ikea <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-christmas-planning.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">{here}</span></a> i hadn't actually opened all</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>my ikea bits up & snapped them for you...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />all my pickies of gorgeous ribbon were not from ikea, but a shop in our village...<br /><br />they were the <b>start of my love affair</b> for all things red & white this Christmas...<br /><br /><b>but- since you were all so <i>in lust</i> with the ribbons- i've got a pack to give away this week along</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>with some other <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Sew-So/230143973690957"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">{Miss Sew & So}</span></a> Christmas bits...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><i>{be a blog friend here & on face book <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Sew-So/230143973690957"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">{here}</span></a> </span>& of course let me know what you think of my</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>ribbons...}</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><b>so...here's my swedish Christmas stash....</b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ML5-bQu0BaWbX00dxhdGgijWtzftLXs4frvMq3ZZRIBpWT6JC39KmQUFgz1vRVp9tEaM02W1mdnRaBoFGU3NyIe0QlQ35drB0VGlweWCXAi3ny4WJIbfKn-3zRHENBBOG-panWpi-m2s/s1600/ikeaxmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ML5-bQu0BaWbX00dxhdGgijWtzftLXs4frvMq3ZZRIBpWT6JC39KmQUFgz1vRVp9tEaM02W1mdnRaBoFGU3NyIe0QlQ35drB0VGlweWCXAi3ny4WJIbfKn-3zRHENBBOG-panWpi-m2s/s640/ikeaxmas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>the lead up to Christmas is always full of extra's...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />extra people dropping by...& inevitably extra meals thrown between the standard one's...<br /><br />these napkins are totally Christmas with <b>no</b> effort at all...<br /><b><br /></b><br />white tablecloth...greenery in jars up the middle of the table & these gorgeous paper napkins...<br /><br />& yep the BB & i bought a few...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wc2yDue3bpoSxOBwpIbzgleIkE0C5S6hIBgmLBVzUUPHbwSFA8_MjZwF3r89EFN_l8kPkQm6QaHm_NfFyxS6kUcFb2A48woSi3UuIFI9Hrr4qcluj8c5o5LZsfuyvm1MremojVFmznyn/s1600/ikeaxmas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wc2yDue3bpoSxOBwpIbzgleIkE0C5S6hIBgmLBVzUUPHbwSFA8_MjZwF3r89EFN_l8kPkQm6QaHm_NfFyxS6kUcFb2A48woSi3UuIFI9Hrr4qcluj8c5o5LZsfuyvm1MremojVFmznyn/s640/ikeaxmas2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunoQykcYVJgJh9TJxpW52SOjHfh13ugfcsEp2MjbG13zrxVzbmUNdls7H-0m7IKdQDwFnceYJdBf4kg1UDpQuL1y0Y1suy82zpWbec3oPkeqnmJbOaCeUZLTNtrs_bwuN7WwF1DuPny7N/s1600/ikeaxmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunoQykcYVJgJh9TJxpW52SOjHfh13ugfcsEp2MjbG13zrxVzbmUNdls7H-0m7IKdQDwFnceYJdBf4kg1UDpQuL1y0Y1suy82zpWbec3oPkeqnmJbOaCeUZLTNtrs_bwuN7WwF1DuPny7N/s640/ikeaxmas3.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i'm not a massive tinsel lover...our kiddos are...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i try- but it just doesn't ever <i>do it for me</i>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />too bit-sy...<br /><br />too shiny...<br /><br />too tinsel-ey...<br /><br />then we found this...<br /><br />white...sweet...perfect...<i>my kinda tinsel...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCVreHj5bCHwszXDNb2FH2KmpYiKf9OEx4jvGYBbLSnSdOqjDrWeuxMUq1-sOTpJW551U0DCxZB6mGPyGmd8tgchM6SLuffT9P-j-6iGQqtgzp9dAOPOavQnwTlITvLMNqt5El6AgiXiN/s1600/ikeaxmas4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCVreHj5bCHwszXDNb2FH2KmpYiKf9OEx4jvGYBbLSnSdOqjDrWeuxMUq1-sOTpJW551U0DCxZB6mGPyGmd8tgchM6SLuffT9P-j-6iGQqtgzp9dAOPOavQnwTlITvLMNqt5El6AgiXiN/s640/ikeaxmas4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyxDjpldau1AzeImidEXx9Jhpt_wd7BFLk2Q46dCtlBoVG08v24JfTA3TuvvjwoIVOpFjsrNT-kT4NyPLk7sSmmXaLXWmA5f2Wh1jy3YDhPont-VP_mGGHYMF7TyX8mhSsXGZ3G3ga2_k/s1600/ikeaxmas5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyxDjpldau1AzeImidEXx9Jhpt_wd7BFLk2Q46dCtlBoVG08v24JfTA3TuvvjwoIVOpFjsrNT-kT4NyPLk7sSmmXaLXWmA5f2Wh1jy3YDhPont-VP_mGGHYMF7TyX8mhSsXGZ3G3ga2_k/s640/ikeaxmas5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>the other thing the BB & i wanted was reindeer...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>they are <strike>huge</strike> pretty big in Christmas decor over here...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />since we moved here from Oz, we've seen plently of wild deer & stags in our trips to the Outer<br /><br />Hebrides off Scotland <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/06/island-life.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">{here}</span></a><br /><br />the kids truly fell in love with them in the wild...<br /><br />& i want to take that love home with us to the beaches of australia in all shapes & forms...<br /><br /><b>these are divine... & <i>the paper print is gorgeous</i>...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2VQ2-tKYQKVbJnb0R-tvXoCF4QLsyiVaWamEDv_5XdgJQFsZ-3xAOu5FH7LkzkxqzFVZysMk4HnGWonNBonFA4cPJtojHg2OfFrcWeQFE0d2lek8MzTB_5ATzz-akcBHD0al_J6OhiPs/s1600/ikeaxmas6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2VQ2-tKYQKVbJnb0R-tvXoCF4QLsyiVaWamEDv_5XdgJQFsZ-3xAOu5FH7LkzkxqzFVZysMk4HnGWonNBonFA4cPJtojHg2OfFrcWeQFE0d2lek8MzTB_5ATzz-akcBHD0al_J6OhiPs/s640/ikeaxmas6.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>now...as you know we are packing to head home to Oz after nearly 4 years here in the english </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>countryside...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />this means no more unnecessary purchases- i get that...<br /><br />but these Christmas glasses were soo flippin lovely & so <b><strike>cheap</strike> </b>inexpensive, that i figure we'll just use<br /><br />them to keep the kiddos feeling Christmas-ey here & then add them to the BB's stash later...!<br /><br /><b>the perfect 6-pack ;)</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA_CRC0P5FBMQyZCCmfrCYcVSOwogoWuhSwtlnrNNYLCkigaipSMaYe8PoIFe9ADlTAOkymlmAZR-JuTNHimLvaMcSexL-md8uClRU0uqlqu37cWTIebwMn2CR4BZ1fUR-rJz_zrJ5a1p/s1600/ikeaxmas7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA_CRC0P5FBMQyZCCmfrCYcVSOwogoWuhSwtlnrNNYLCkigaipSMaYe8PoIFe9ADlTAOkymlmAZR-JuTNHimLvaMcSexL-md8uClRU0uqlqu37cWTIebwMn2CR4BZ1fUR-rJz_zrJ5a1p/s640/ikeaxmas7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>&...lastly these little hanging peace doves that i've bought each year we've been here in </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>england...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />they are beautifully simple...<b>light to take home</b>...& one little miss.6 loves making their wings for<br /><br />me...<br /><br />i don't really need any other reason to throw these in my hand luggage back to sydney...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXcsbO0Lhrpl2Equ6OiNAuYuD59hwL1BHCR0cBuZkc1m-UnIM1Pt-9ZIEwArI5MTg5zG4HdUiObmnJ01ZDo-mCN748BjoFMtXJKzeqJkx3eRaL-vxq7kcRSlovyg1MF1P0mpizgFkMb3n/s1600/ikeaxmas9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXcsbO0Lhrpl2Equ6OiNAuYuD59hwL1BHCR0cBuZkc1m-UnIM1Pt-9ZIEwArI5MTg5zG4HdUiObmnJ01ZDo-mCN748BjoFMtXJKzeqJkx3eRaL-vxq7kcRSlovyg1MF1P0mpizgFkMb3n/s640/ikeaxmas9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>so...i'm hoping...thinking...that there may be some <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">ikea-love</span> from some of you here...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i'm gonna send out the ribbons below just to get you started...<br /><br />leave a comment...be a FB friend...& i'll draw the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas Ribbon Giveaway </span>at the end of the<br /><br />week...<br /><br />leave a comment each day for extra entries...every day counts...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2hMw_moVHosg_5dush19bV_HL7np-Kyzkb_R8p62N8KgRoT2MHmEvqW7VUoTa1ZABvEjQ09ilOpVpY0glbZs_d8HBmqu9MGo68WkFmJuXmM-PemL0WLXGUTJuuJkbc4y7KI2uMZ03dYr/s1600/ikeaxmas8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2hMw_moVHosg_5dush19bV_HL7np-Kyzkb_R8p62N8KgRoT2MHmEvqW7VUoTa1ZABvEjQ09ilOpVpY0glbZs_d8HBmqu9MGo68WkFmJuXmM-PemL0WLXGUTJuuJkbc4y7KI2uMZ03dYr/s640/ikeaxmas8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>little miss.6 & i spent an hour in front of the fire on sunday afternoon hanging & tying </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>& talking </b><b>Christmas as only kids can...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i felt inspired- bless her...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtewpZVjFpCJoaeQG1Xn5QPakM7s1wzAo45uA_N2INA2743SZNUUel5JjptxSP1iylELmQnD14RFtQOSVmiVKJxmxJsGJQZ_NBreRr8uDKU2O8eoKjtgyqFOkeiHdv87IRtzq65TraXLQv/s1600/ikeaA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtewpZVjFpCJoaeQG1Xn5QPakM7s1wzAo45uA_N2INA2743SZNUUel5JjptxSP1iylELmQnD14RFtQOSVmiVKJxmxJsGJQZ_NBreRr8uDKU2O8eoKjtgyqFOkeiHdv87IRtzq65TraXLQv/s640/ikeaA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>go get yourself to ikea if you can</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>&</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>if not...get into this giveaway to start your inspiration for christmas</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>...ikea is my *favourite & best* at Christmas...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>xox</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQrA2jFER5u4l-cbR_3lWOBfrQ1FzSA8PzoJIbkgIZ0zHqkZRjNB9GJ603chIVLZivTemEzMidKkXyf2I-4nxqbspnzm-ItOfSAe3UkXy93dAzsrDS0DuwDh5c-VcPqZtqBAvZFtl8C6Z/s1600/ikeaxmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQrA2jFER5u4l-cbR_3lWOBfrQ1FzSA8PzoJIbkgIZ0zHqkZRjNB9GJ603chIVLZivTemEzMidKkXyf2I-4nxqbspnzm-ItOfSAe3UkXy93dAzsrDS0DuwDh5c-VcPqZtqBAvZFtl8C6Z/s320/ikeaxmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>pop over to my gorgeous friend Maureen's <a href="http://daydreamliving.blogspot.com/2011/11/favourite-and-best-find-linky-party.html">{here}</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">she's got some more fave & best goodies she's sharing...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b>

A Giveaway- Christmas Ribbon & Ikea love...

morning from ol'Blighty- where it's getting chillier as the days roll on... i've got my ikea stash all ready to show & tell....

Read more »

french stencilling...a great fix...

<b><br /></b><br /><b>welcome to a regular sight in our *hallway-of-ongoing-projects*...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>coastal farmhouse inspiration people...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />fresh...white...simple...french inspired...with a little industrial hit...<br /><br /><br />i've gathered many treasured old *chippy-picked-up-in-french-brocnate-on-holidays-zinc*<br /><br />buckets, since moving abroad from Oz...<br /><br /><br />they are all gathered, potted with herbs &  flowers at our front door...<br /><br /><br />these are a little take on them- but clean & new & great for the kitchen...& cheap!<br /><br /><br />£1 each at an english supermarket -<b>in the seasonal isle</b>- i love that - an isle that changes with the<br /><br />seasons...i guess these were autumnal ??<br /><br /> i've no idea but at a pound a pop i grabbed the lot....<br /><br /><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b> </b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx2lJt0sWWqJgmXTneYwmTuNool43suMMuAZ86CYAaPl-91r0F8uAzwFrF6LZ3h1MpwT7xM499pVLcc5iSq_7LVglF-Q-WhgS-sszQ-6MZg3JV4yJv2sKkcAzUslLWb1vFFeW8gNFxb1y/s1600/buckets1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx2lJt0sWWqJgmXTneYwmTuNool43suMMuAZ86CYAaPl-91r0F8uAzwFrF6LZ3h1MpwT7xM499pVLcc5iSq_7LVglF-Q-WhgS-sszQ-6MZg3JV4yJv2sKkcAzUslLWb1vFFeW8gNFxb1y/s640/buckets1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>i smiled throwing these in my trolley- there's only so many buckets a girl can justify you know... :)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but i had halloween in mind...i had my french humber stencils in mind...& i knew i could <b>hide</b> the pile</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">inside one another- should anyone want to discuss my problem with <strike>buying endless things we don't</strike></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strike><br /></strike></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strike> need</strike> buying essential tins in the supermarket & forgetting someone's fave cereal....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b> </b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1PmsvroQ4yxK4L0F84JJXkyTK3O8QxO2-RoiQqngh7DQLRDJAqp9MJe8xG7dqxEqHoBpgn5ilZRooBlMp2-I9nLTkocb2BbjtYX7AMKUgGozV70axm_Md36iEVifo1x2YA9IVtj-sSur/s1600/buckets2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1PmsvroQ4yxK4L0F84JJXkyTK3O8QxO2-RoiQqngh7DQLRDJAqp9MJe8xG7dqxEqHoBpgn5ilZRooBlMp2-I9nLTkocb2BbjtYX7AMKUgGozV70axm_Md36iEVifo1x2YA9IVtj-sSur/s640/buckets2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>i seriously don't know why i even try to pretend - as this is what everyone came </b><b>home to...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">some <strike>more</strike> very cool looking buckets - french inspired with a good dash of industrial...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>"so ....really just buckets with a melissa-ism title" grinned the hubster...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">& your problem with that is??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">you see- the radiator there works well with my kinda crafting...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it works quite simply like this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">grab bucket</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">stick on stencil whilst shaking the c*** outa the spray on paint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">spray bucket & stick in front of radiator</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">spray anything else that needs doing at same time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">line everything up in front of radiator alongside *almost dry cool looking buckets*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">peg up stencils</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">vow to put it all away bf school pick-up</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">get doing other stuff</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">forget</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">walk in on organised creative chaos....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sounding familiar???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhKv9CJTJ6I9lSU1NHFSjo6T_E5PL5HjXU0xLLRcoZiGL-_VvjxteaT8xxfxbqhFJ8jiTaZ7lPichAmPHNr2MER2UvzPO7xxROxF6vwGZW9qh6gLuVe9vhlO5zIzbbQDTip0mi-1P6Naa/s1600/buckets3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhKv9CJTJ6I9lSU1NHFSjo6T_E5PL5HjXU0xLLRcoZiGL-_VvjxteaT8xxfxbqhFJ8jiTaZ7lPichAmPHNr2MER2UvzPO7xxROxF6vwGZW9qh6gLuVe9vhlO5zIzbbQDTip0mi-1P6Naa/s640/buckets3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>and....they came in black... chalkboard black....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">& i do love me some chalkboard...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">& they were only a pound a pop...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">toooo cool!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b> </b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPrm1xTkpWmwkQV5qxdn9YqSs3_pO6iY1hFpLbuOQB9Pg_zy0R2elpK5cEHd9KelfXTGEpZrMd7ew2HjHyxudzeAMMNbrv56UF3uz7bV69S73b6yDWBywlc8R1nhZqZJgOdeMQdwOx6jP/s1600/bucket1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPrm1xTkpWmwkQV5qxdn9YqSs3_pO6iY1hFpLbuOQB9Pg_zy0R2elpK5cEHd9KelfXTGEpZrMd7ew2HjHyxudzeAMMNbrv56UF3uz7bV69S73b6yDWBywlc8R1nhZqZJgOdeMQdwOx6jP/s640/bucket1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>obviously...we needed somewhere for our chalk....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>love love love</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OHWQFs7rcsT71HZKRezybguyrCeCcIjJ1bFAji17JhQqBW0SuWYHP2a45n3epIvBKGtqBn2YUYms9ZfuihGa5o4Z5jxTIzP-8B5S0UKljeZ06TWAVlvZo8-oRY7Ry9PSqBvGgx-6UJQ4/s1600/bucket3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OHWQFs7rcsT71HZKRezybguyrCeCcIjJ1bFAji17JhQqBW0SuWYHP2a45n3epIvBKGtqBn2YUYms9ZfuihGa5o4Z5jxTIzP-8B5S0UKljeZ06TWAVlvZo8-oRY7Ry9PSqBvGgx-6UJQ4/s640/bucket3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>i have <strike>raved endlessly</strike> showed you these french stencils before...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/08/chippy-old-boxes-plimsolls.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{here}</span></a> </span>& <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/06/virtual-coffee-atop-chippy-vintage.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{here}</span></a>...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the <b>creative fix</b> is<b> </b>instant & sooo good- i can't recommend them enough...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">gorgeous for holding drinks in the garden in the summer...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">perfect for gathering in the winter as i did <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/10/country-love.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{here}</span></a> with little miss.a...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">great for sitting round the kitchen making you feel like a creative diva...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">something has to be said for embracing both the authentic, memory laden collecting of wonderful old </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">treasures...& the making of new, with a similar twist...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i don't care how the kids enjoy these...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">halloween sweet buckets...in the garden collecting dirt...down the road <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/11/husband-camera-boy-fresh-seafood.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{cockle collecting}</span></a>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>all i know is i loooove them...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b> </b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffrD0bFiXs_tN4EXlcg5SINVBAsDbxpWqh3RAzop2iwj2UKTm6R2-iUY912LTgv0oG3R1kJzkWd86gvp32U1pK92xCraBhtbq7aFTo-xvI1wwY6a7PnIsjttARfQVlUvl42is4hEYXNBq/s1600/buckets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffrD0bFiXs_tN4EXlcg5SINVBAsDbxpWqh3RAzop2iwj2UKTm6R2-iUY912LTgv0oG3R1kJzkWd86gvp32U1pK92xCraBhtbq7aFTo-xvI1wwY6a7PnIsjttARfQVlUvl42is4hEYXNBq/s640/buckets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b> </b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">french number stencils from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84041681/stencil-french-script-5-inch-numbers">{here}</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ-ekThR-yV3jaDLxC4LaMRAFY0v6PkuKVrBsD7nRca7CZ3PG9znGTrVgG20y-oinNPxMW-6rs3c4cW5hqXCqbHiBdEGwzS0Xx_3YshJ65xfmbQwzMj44JVRZIZgasoBNMoEquVH4M8cO/s1600/buckets+and+numbers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ-ekThR-yV3jaDLxC4LaMRAFY0v6PkuKVrBsD7nRca7CZ3PG9znGTrVgG20y-oinNPxMW-6rs3c4cW5hqXCqbHiBdEGwzS0Xx_3YshJ65xfmbQwzMj44JVRZIZgasoBNMoEquVH4M8cO/s640/buckets+and+numbers1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>happy thursday gals</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>xxx</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b> </b>

french stencilling...a great fix...

welcome to a regular sight in our *hallway-of-ongoing-projects*... coastal farmhouse inspiration people... fresh...white...simple...french i...

Read more »

cool crafting for sweet rock chicks...

<b>ok..so i never thought i'd say *get your tie-dye on*...!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />seriously gals- for me...*tie-dyed* is the kinda hippie i <i>never</i> channelled...<br /><br />sure i hoped for a little hippie-cool- you know sandals & beads- when i was travelling round<br /><br />thailand...<br /><br />i hoped for a little surf-hippie-cool when i rode my long board in my teen bikini...<br /><br /><i>but i never went tie-dye hippie!</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAghf-tfmzoS4sKd9Ab_Ae99i4JyT6D_SE4XGKTLphTKLZgS3BjDkgnmTA-u3TRUHwcGRft-6bVJaYNzBXz4gwfie2yDE_0EhyGiVSTlKlbJOX_8eWMS8TpR_DkUMJtJYrdb-JMjiQD-lk/s1600/tiedye2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAghf-tfmzoS4sKd9Ab_Ae99i4JyT6D_SE4XGKTLphTKLZgS3BjDkgnmTA-u3TRUHwcGRft-6bVJaYNzBXz4gwfie2yDE_0EhyGiVSTlKlbJOX_8eWMS8TpR_DkUMJtJYrdb-JMjiQD-lk/s640/tiedye2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><b>suffice to say the hippie tie-dyed tees of the 70's were best avoided...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i thank my mama for never putting me in anything remotely swirley & fluro...& well tie-dyed...<br /><br />in my case- the hippie in my parents living on the <i>then remote <a href="http://www.manlyaustralia.com.au/information/about_area/northBeaches.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{northern beaches of sydney}</span></a></i>- saw me<br /><br />skipping 'round in crochet bikini bottoms & eating home-made muesli...with bare feet...<br /><br />never a tie-dyed skirt or singlet top in sight..<br /><br />so i now find myself , some years later ;) standing righteously in my skinnies & ballet flats telling<br /><br />you all to *get your tie-dye on*!<br /><br />i blame it on my gorgeous friend <a href="http://thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{simone}</span></a> - yep the simone of all things lovely & stylish from<br /><br /><a href="http://thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">{the bottom of the ironing basket}</span></a> ...<br /><br />she had a stash of dye- given to her- so popped a few in a box & sent them to my kiddos to play<br /><br />with over the half term hols...<br /><br />my kids of course didn't see <i>tie-dyed-mung-bean-eating-hippie- from-the-70's that i saw</i>...<br /><br />they saw rock star...<br /><br />what we achieved was what i would call <b>*pretty-grunge*</b>...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuwLtna0CatXp6LL49lP6Lz9hnqKYMl6oDFh2PnoJGiU_01XQHiVCGpnFvvDVR09gMuF0tjtogTNOIlEfEIfE7fQSEL2XASuVAlny73I4LHP00ldljAhoU34aq2RV8ciLbMGsHB4VjxkD/s1600/tiedye1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuwLtna0CatXp6LL49lP6Lz9hnqKYMl6oDFh2PnoJGiU_01XQHiVCGpnFvvDVR09gMuF0tjtogTNOIlEfEIfE7fQSEL2XASuVAlny73I4LHP00ldljAhoU34aq2RV8ciLbMGsHB4VjxkD/s640/tiedye1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />they googled tie-dying...ooohed & aaaahed at the simple one-coloured options...<br /><br />they didn't grab old greying singlets to colour...<br /><br />they went on the hunt for clean, white, cooler looking tees to <i>*design* upon...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>that's what they said- *hey let's all design some t-shirts*...i LOVE that...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhgTyDoql0o2KNJXylE71PwX3AXRReTaOg6h8EdZPjhzNvFM2cZtP11fYYU8lvOocFdXfLM1iUWgDSeXAElUh8EWe0HVjT3FiuH9Ry9qZOdMuC4a5zBGmJeCBaJ1nGHa9IJa4BjHCa9Cb/s1600/tiedye3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhgTyDoql0o2KNJXylE71PwX3AXRReTaOg6h8EdZPjhzNvFM2cZtP11fYYU8lvOocFdXfLM1iUWgDSeXAElUh8EWe0HVjT3FiuH9Ry9qZOdMuC4a5zBGmJeCBaJ1nGHa9IJa4BjHCa9Cb/s640/tiedye3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><br /></i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><b>so...my-rock-star-grunge-pretty-gypsy-travelling kids made me love a little tie-dying...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />only in support of true design, self expression & a love of fashion of course... ;)<br /><br />when the kids want a little crafting over their holidays...grab a bucket, a bag of elastic bands & a couple<br /><br />of fresh white tees...<br /><br />get them out doors creating rock tees for christmas...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVGAxrhAaoph7iedEjDE-sEyBdl8o_KaihRO7X1bszgh5Mk0q4fvhsIQlrcIOnLydsMzjQ9k0Z7WCh65Q0BACrv7gW_HM8DXdTcyyWMXsnfNJNDzsgbYaUKQwfcgvCFXfWQ1q8pd35Cv9/s1600/tiedye4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVGAxrhAaoph7iedEjDE-sEyBdl8o_KaihRO7X1bszgh5Mk0q4fvhsIQlrcIOnLydsMzjQ9k0Z7WCh65Q0BACrv7gW_HM8DXdTcyyWMXsnfNJNDzsgbYaUKQwfcgvCFXfWQ1q8pd35Cv9/s640/tiedye4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">get your tie-dye on baby 'cause</span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"it's all in the way you wear it"</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">happy hippy thursday</span></i></b><br /><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">melissa </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">xxx</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">PS- don't forget my *mollie makes* giveaway <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/10/giveaway-rocking-some-creative.html">{here}</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i'll get those little rock stars to pull a name outa their guitar case over the weekend!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">~~~</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAghf-tfmzoS4sKd9Ab_Ae99i4JyT6D_SE4XGKTLphTKLZgS3BjDkgnmTA-u3TRUHwcGRft-6bVJaYNzBXz4gwfie2yDE_0EhyGiVSTlKlbJOX_8eWMS8TpR_DkUMJtJYrdb-JMjiQD-lk/s1600/tiedye2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAghf-tfmzoS4sKd9Ab_Ae99i4JyT6D_SE4XGKTLphTKLZgS3BjDkgnmTA-u3TRUHwcGRft-6bVJaYNzBXz4gwfie2yDE_0EhyGiVSTlKlbJOX_8eWMS8TpR_DkUMJtJYrdb-JMjiQD-lk/s640/tiedye2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>

cool crafting for sweet rock chicks...

ok..so i never thought i'd say *get your tie-dye on*...! seriously gals- for me...*tie-dyed* is the kinda hippie i never  channelled... ...

Read more »

a giveaway - *rocking some creative inspiration*

<b><br /></b><br /><b>have you gals fallen in <i>creative lust</i> with the<i> *Mollie Makes*</i> mags?</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />i am in hook...line & craft sinker...<br /><b><br /></b><br />the <b>Autumn edition </b>is just endless inspiration, page after gorgeous page...<br /><br />it's not just the projects...the <b>layout</b> of the magazine is right up my alley...it makes me want to create...<br /><br />a totally healthy <b>drug of choice</b>...<br /><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlf13cJrUGRHyFaqjk8uMQpQMM-d2cXmYOc3nBINSDj4HY9_JCbVWEl1LPQBY5tZpGGZ9f0AiZMwlgKPKNiBjCs4Y3bv-cFZ0R8UdAAvCa5iDp2b1OVIgWPL-KUmsRdpZX3KSOVj8uPzV/s1600/molliemakes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlf13cJrUGRHyFaqjk8uMQpQMM-d2cXmYOc3nBINSDj4HY9_JCbVWEl1LPQBY5tZpGGZ9f0AiZMwlgKPKNiBjCs4Y3bv-cFZ0R8UdAAvCa5iDp2b1OVIgWPL-KUmsRdpZX3KSOVj8uPzV/s640/molliemakes1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>i had a moment to day to just have a quick *squizz*...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />& inevitably this leads to a flurry of lists...<br /><br />things to make...things that inspire...<br /><br />just so much to want to do...instantly!<br /><br />if you like to have <b>a million creative pursuits</b> on the go at once...then get your hands on a copy!<br /><br />and this months edition indulges in two of my <b>fave </b><i><b>style crushes</b>...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i><a href="http://thecraftyminx.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">{kelly doust- author of *The Crafty Minx*}</span></a>...who i could imagine being great friends with in the real </i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>world...</i><br /><i><br /></i><br />{her daughter's name is Olive<i> & i love that name- </i>we're a perfect match!}<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimqCMwVoQ7aA0rydjNq6Ul2YLeJFo9vam40Pqi82fbwhIdTt6j6nQVkAIe8UGF_XFl6YDFoFL0K6qwE0AfSy0IpvR0jSuAdjymNX5VgtEV-NVwNQw-LBzDKpQPpURCR3ePhTsPtWrr5y5/s1600/molliemakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimqCMwVoQ7aA0rydjNq6Ul2YLeJFo9vam40Pqi82fbwhIdTt6j6nQVkAIe8UGF_XFl6YDFoFL0K6qwE0AfSy0IpvR0jSuAdjymNX5VgtEV-NVwNQw-LBzDKpQPpURCR3ePhTsPtWrr5y5/s640/molliemakes2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>& ...the gorgeously stylish blogger <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://frydogdesign.blogspot.com/">{jeanette lunde}</a></span></b><br /><b><br /></b><br />she is just so feminine, simply lovely, joyful & inspiring...<br /><br />i would be very happy to sit at her table drinking endless tea & <strike>staring at her lovely life</strike> taking in a<br /><br />moment of her day...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HaMWFzBDY3flObynTyhbYIm70uHAKOLbGAxprxvY6ceZf2TzNDoVY8HDAI1UVRUFbjORXeeCyVrPAtZb3mrI2o-CYCkMWusHeDegY05W-1KuXdr3oYfdXq0D7Bjkk-JGLy1O6BV-vHcv/s1600/molliemakes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HaMWFzBDY3flObynTyhbYIm70uHAKOLbGAxprxvY6ceZf2TzNDoVY8HDAI1UVRUFbjORXeeCyVrPAtZb3mrI2o-CYCkMWusHeDegY05W-1KuXdr3oYfdXq0D7Bjkk-JGLy1O6BV-vHcv/s640/molliemakes3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b>since falling in love with the world of blogging i'm rarely *rocked* by a creative mag in the flesh...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>there are just so many wonderful bloggers out there, that there's no need to keep an eye out for </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>new mags </b><b>to </b><b>inspire...</b><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b><br /><a href="http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">{mollie makes}</span></a> is <i>soo</i> the exception to this rule...<br /><br />get your hands on a copy- a cup of tea & take a moment for yourself...<br /><br />be inspired...<br /><br />i love this autumn edition so much- that i'm picking up another copy <b>for one of you...</b><br /><br />just leave a comment on <b>*what rocks your craft boat*</b>...<br /><br />blogs? mags? books?<br /><br />be a <b>Miss Sew & So </b>follower & share your inspiration- simple...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2KqRu45x55jWj6yCEskWgJJExO4JrsnavF8psiiuHvdq288xEhlWHuslaNPxeMI5SRYBrkMcnzFU6D4Gdx3XO4wODD5M2aWcR9B7123SrqjW6oY2T7-wqdYO4onZuaUt6W99xndYyhCp/s1600/molliemakes5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2KqRu45x55jWj6yCEskWgJJExO4JrsnavF8psiiuHvdq288xEhlWHuslaNPxeMI5SRYBrkMcnzFU6D4Gdx3XO4wODD5M2aWcR9B7123SrqjW6oY2T7-wqdYO4onZuaUt6W99xndYyhCp/s640/molliemakes5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">on another autumn note</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">we had our very first open fire last night</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">gotta love that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuOuNXG7aVxYGwEJxI8bELHvHdUh7kAe62hOPao_yObFzSJ6DZKEQavWgM9EdjxHs1iKhfIo2qx0JHlkVZUTwP4tJh8lokcRequPXNUp1BI9oAK7M2lg13PgWfEqIKGgPrHEw-9L4PZed/s1600/molliemakesfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuOuNXG7aVxYGwEJxI8bELHvHdUh7kAe62hOPao_yObFzSJ6DZKEQavWgM9EdjxHs1iKhfIo2qx0JHlkVZUTwP4tJh8lokcRequPXNUp1BI9oAK7M2lg13PgWfEqIKGgPrHEw-9L4PZed/s640/molliemakesfire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">i'll get the kiddos to pluck a name at random </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">happy tuesday</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">melissa</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">xox</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>

a giveaway - *rocking some creative inspiration*

have you gals fallen in creative lust with the *Mollie Makes* mags? i am in hook...line & craft sinker... the Autumn edition  is just...

Read more »