Project Day: Crayon Cookies

Something a little different today. Sometimes younger kids find it difficult to pick up crayons with their little fingers. And I am always encouraging kids to draw. So I made these for my little nephew. Note: Please do not eat, for drawing only!!!

• Grab some old bits of crayons or buy a new packet like I did.
• Break them up into small pieces and colour code them how you like in a non stick silicone/rubber mini cake tray.
• Heat oven to 150-200 degrees.
• Place tray inside and monitor. You want the crayons to melt but not become too runny or too hot (they will smoke). This usually takes about 5-6 minutes.
• Take out tray and allow your tray to cool completely (watch small kids, if spilt this mixture will burn like hot candle wax on the skin).
  
• Pop out your little crayon cakes and start drawing.

Because these were a gift I wrapped them in some colourful ribbon. What a wonderful and quick idea. I even had a bit of fun drawing with these. I loved the mixtures of colours created.
I wanted to say thanks for all your wonderful comments this week in regards to my little bird. He/she is still going great. Have a love filled weekend with lot's of drawing and creating. Simone xxx

$10 Cane Side Table

pictures by me

Yes, bought this beauty last week for $10 at local op shop. It is painted a soft yellow, scuffed, worn and a little shabby. No wobbly legs though. So I didn't have to do a thing. It's practically perfect in every way!
PS: Bird Update...it's still alive, eating well and growing too!

My Magic Carpet

Remember how I talked about adding a rug to my daughter room? Well here is the end result. It's a blue floral rug from buysterrugs.com.au. That’s right, I didn't even have to leave the house as you can order online (they have over 700 styles of rugs and a kids section too). It’s hard to find kids rugs that are not covered in mermaids and fairies. This one is just right and I am really in love with it. You can check out the rugs they have here. I would love to know what you think of the new look.

Oh Chenille Chenille

image via Country Living

image via flickr kimhascats

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Country Living

I love using vintage chenille blankets on my beds! One of my biggest tips for those thinking of a new bedspread is chenille. I have a small collection. They are so very hard to find. I think they are so wonderful teamed your favourite cushions. And they feel so very lovely to the touch. If you have any hiding in your cupboard get them out today!
PS: Baby bird doing great.

Are you my Mother?

image from Harpers Collins

On the weekend my neighbour cut down some foliage and down fell a tiny nest with 2 baby birds inside. My heart stopped. We put the nest back in the remaining foliage hoping the mother would come back. During my sleepless night I heard a rustle in the bush. I ran outside to find the nest on the ground, 1 bird missing, the other sitting on the concrete stunned. I searched and searched for the second baby in my underwear and torch for an hour. Nothing. A predator for sure. I took the remaining baby inside and kept it warm all night. I have been syringe feeding it every few hours now since Saturday evening. It is still alive. I think its only a week old. It's a dove/crested pigeon. Not many people really like these birds. They are considered pests. But then again, so are some humans as far as I am concerned. I will be looking after it until I can release it, or find it's mother.

For those of you who don't know me, I am an animal lover. I cannot leave an animal in need no matter what. I have saved numerous cats, dogs birds and whatever else comes my way. It brings tears to my eyes to even say that because I am so passionate about it. So this week my posts maybe sparse as I have a little bird looking at me saying "Are you my Mother"? This to me is more important than any other thing in the universe at the moment.

Project Day: Tea Towel Cushions Covers

Remember those tea towels I purchased last month? Well I made something with them yesterday. Some cushion covers. They are so easy. No Zippers. Basic sewing skills only!

• Decide what size you want the cushions (mine were 45cm x 45cm) as the inserts are made to set sizes.
• Lay the tea towel down with right side facing you.
  
• You need a backing piece of fabric, I used some old pillowcase scraps (see photo #3). Place this piece of fabric on top of the tea towel right side down.
• Cut a out your square leaving 3-5cm seam allowance. So my fabric pieces were cut in a 50cm square. Keep scraps for ties later.
  
• Keeping fabrics together as before, sew all around the edges leaving a 15-20cm gap in the middle of one side. This is your opening to insert padding.
• Turn your creation inside out. You should now have something resembling a square cushion cover, fabric right side out now.
• Grab some cutoffs from the tea towel, I used the seam ends, and sew on some ties either side of your gap. This will hold your insert in.
• Insert the cushion and tie your side ends together.

I am by no means an avid sewer. This is only my 2nd project on my new machine "Sandy".

I didn't use pins, tacks, zips nothing except a ruler and some scissors. So please don't tell me you cant do it! Have a great weekend everyone. Talk next week. Regards, Simone xx

Shopping Inspiration

Pictures Taken by Me of Cocos Closet

This is a cute little shop I discovered called Coco's Closet in the sleepy beach town of Forster NSW. It was full of handmade and recycled items. I just loved shopping there. These photo's were taken from outside before it opened. I just loved the window display and the colours. They really inspired me and I thought I would share them with you today.

Notebook Thief

I carry a little notebook everywhere I go. If I see something somewhere that interests me I make sketches and notes. On a recent trip away (at the beach of course) my daughter had taken it out of my bag without me seeing. At first I was mad. Worried that she may destroy my precious notes. Then I saw her drawing in it! I started to panic. But then I noticed she was delicately drawing flowers and people all around my notes being careful not to draw over anything. So instead of stopping her I got my camera out instead.

Fallen Madly Deeply

photo from Yvestown

I came across this beautiful sun room from A Pretty Trip blog this morning. I am in love with this room. Love love love! My favourite things are the crochet blanket and the blue coffee table. So very pretty don't you think?

My Daughters ~ White ~ Birthday Party

all photos and styling by me

Yesterday we celebrated my daughters 4th birthday with a little party at home. I decided to make the theme white. Lanterns from Ebay. White Birds, ribbons and flowers from Factory Direct Craft. Mini glass jars from Ikea. Vintage china plates, tablecloth & shells my own. Here are some photo's before all the kids turned up and turned my "white" party into a chocolate, wet, tomato sauce and spilt soft drink party! What was I thinking?

I Never Post On Sundays....

But I had to tell you all that I am featured on houzz and thought you may like to read the interview. Cheers. Simone

Project Day: Kitchen Skirt

Bins look ugly and I have a recess in my kitchen for them. I had not bothered to do anything to cover them until I saw a post from Anna's ABT blog about kitchen skirts to hide things. So this week I have finally done it, and on the cheap of course!

• I picked up these vintage kitchen cafe curtains from Lifeline for $1.50.
• Measuring the height I required I sewed the 2 together to make 1 piece.
• Attached the curtain with a plastic coated wire & hook ( hardware store).

This is my first sewing project with my new machine "Sandy". Named after a blogging friend suggested it may suit Beach Vintage. Thanks CurlyPops!

This week has gone too fast. Scary really. Have a great weekend and shall talk next week.
Simone xx

Latest Junk Shop Finds

image by me

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I was to busy junking around at my local haunts for treasure. Before I knew it the sun was going down. Along with loads of other things, I found this beautiful Arnotts Biscuit Tin and some jumbo Vintage Rose Coasters. I have no idea what I am going to do with them. I am just a sucker for anything with roses on it.

Don't forget to visit Amanda's Beautiful Blog Swish and Swanky today to see a tour of my daughter's bedroom. Thanks Amanda!

My Wish List for Today

Image from ziakoko

This light shade and all the other bits please.

My New Birthday Present

image via collectionscanada

Guess what I got for my birthday yesterday? A new sewing machine. I have always wanted one. I have limited sewing skills but I am so excited that I have received this little sweetie. My mind is racing on where to start. I must think of a name for her......any suggestions?

winner of the Coastal Living Competition is: #11 Keren from The Cupcake Company. Congrats. Please contact me with your details. Thanks to everyone who entered.

I have named my sewing machine "Sandy" from a suggestion in comments - thanks Curly Pops

Project Day: Vintage Wallpaper Doors

vintage wallpaper swatch sample book

before

after

Remember my post earlier this week? I was inspired to do something with some vintage wallpaper swatches I had. I decided to brighten up my old pantry doors in the kitchen. They looked a little boring and needed the "Beach Vintage Treatment".

• Collect some old wallpaper. Cut offs, samples, whatever you can find. Mine are from an old sample book I purchased on Ebay.
• Cut them up to the sizes you want. I didn't measure a thing as all my pieces were the same dimensions. I just made sure I had straight edges.
  
• Stick them however you want on the surface (I used a clear drying craft glue). I wanted my pieces to be in some kind of straight line or pattern but you can do it however you please. I applied the glue to the outer edges only and made sure the corners of each piece adhered well.
  
• Don't worry about perfection. My pieces overlap here and there are different sized pieces.

This took me about 2 hours from start to finish. It was so much fun and I love the end result. Wallpaper is easy to wipe down too if a mark appears. Well I am off for my birthday weekend to Byron Bay. I can hear the waves calling me now. Must fly. Have a good one. Simone xx

Vintage Button Hair Clips

I love these hair clips from the Charlie Pops website. Handmade using vintage buttons. No two the same. My daughter is going to love these.

Oh Oh I am Inspired

taken from book Flea Market Style

This wall has been decorated using swatches of vintage wallpaper. Some time ago I purchased an old sample wallpaper book (Ebay) from 1971. It has the most beautiful wallpaper swatches inside. So now that I have been inspired - I am going to work this week to transform something in my house. Watch out walls and doors, I am coming to find you!

Fabulous Fish Fabrics

These fabulous fabrics are from Thea and Sami's hand printed organic cotton range. I went to the launch last month and fell in love with these particular designs named "Fraser Island". All these designs are original and are hand printed in Brisbane Australia using non toxic inks. I can visualise them used to reupholster a vintage wing back chair. Which colour do you fancy? You can buy this fabric by the metre here.

Happy Monday & Coastal Living

images via coastal living

Happy Monday everyone. Last week I was contacted by Coastal Living (I adore this publication). Their publicist is a fan of my blog and had some lovely things to say about Beach Vintage. I was so excited and proud at the same time. Anyway, I was asked to become a monthly reviewer for the magazine, which I happily accepted. Each month I will feature my favourite article. Furthermore, if you leave a reply comment on these particular posts I will enter you in a monthly draw for a free copy of the current issue. I will post internationally.

So here is my favourite article from the October issue. It's an Eco friendly beach cottage in Nantucket. EVERY room looks over the ocean & sand. My absolute favourite thing? The green splash back bricks in the kitchen. The decorating is a mix of old with new (I love this approach). The owners didn't want anything too precious around. There are lots of recycled things around including the ceiling which is recycled pine. I just love this house! I hope you enjoyed reading about it too.

Don't forget to leave a comment today to win a copy of the current issue of Coastal Living. I will announce the winner at the end of this week.

And check out Mayas (Completely Coastal) blog this Tuesday. She is also a chosen reviewer for Coastal Living Magazine. As is Lisa from Coastal Nest. & Layla and Kevin from The Lettered Cottage.