~ That Was the Year That Was ~

That was the year that was.
It's over. Let it go.
Oh what a year that was.
Whatever life may bring you.
T'will be over before you know.
So that was the year that was.
It's over. Let it fly.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to ALL my followers, friends and fellow bloggers.
Thank-you for all your support in 2010. What an amazing year.
Please take care and let's get excited about 2011.
New faces, new friends, new beginnings but above all love & laughter.
Simone
xx
photo by Jack Swenningsen

~ Busy Bee Christmas Sewing ~

This Christmas I have decided to make my own tablecloth and napkins for Christmas Day lunch. Whilst I put some finishing touches on my tablecloth, here are the napkins I made from polka dot cotton fabric. I have tied them together with some string and a knitted flower. I am excited about setting up my table this year. I will be sure to share it with you in 2011.

Nest Tables and a Pillow Stack

What a nice way to start my Monday. Here is a picture of my living room corner this morning. A nest of tables painted in mismatched pastel tones and a stack of handmade cushions [vintage fabric of course, thanks Irene]. Unfortunately I cannot keep them here so they will be off to the shop tomorrow for sale. But for now I can sit and stare right?

Project Day - Gum Nut Christmas Cloche

I love Australia, and I love Gum Nuts. They are falling all around my property at the moment. For me they symbolize the Australia bush in all it's beauty. I needed to bring some of this beauty inside today, so I made this little vignette. I used:

• A glass display cloche which I picked up [luckily] for a few dollars at an op shop.
• Some Gum Nuts or similar.
• Doileys, ribbons and glue.

Firstly I cut out a base from an old doiley. There are no rules to this. Just decorate how ever you want to. Then I simply cut some strips of doileys and wrapped them around the branches. Secure with craft glue as you go. Lastly I added some white glitter ribbon to the bottom. Assemble the cloche and that's it! Easy.
Have a great weekend everyone. Talk next week.
Simone xx

~ Like a Bolt ~

I always get excited when a new shipment of fabrics arrive in the store. I have been so busy touching and feeling them I have lost track of where I am at today. My favourite has to be the oilcloth prints in the first photo. Great for making tablecloths, aprons and all kinds of things! I made my first Christmas tablecloth this week. I am so excited that it turned out well.
you can buy a select range of our fabrics online here

~ A Bit of ME for Sale ~

Yes, it's true. I have had a few emails about this so I have decided to tell the world. Our house is on the market. Our little sea change is up for sale. Why why why. That's what everyone has been asking me. Well it's all about my daughter. She starts "big" school next year. The school we have chosen for her is a little too far away from us, so if we sell, we thought about moving closer to the school. We will see what happens. If we don't sell we will stay and I will do the drive.
I would be interested to hear from other mothers out there who do long commutes to and from school every day. How do you cope?
anyone interested in finding out more about our house please contact Ben Cannon from Ray White on 0413 596 496

Project Day: Beach Vintage Wreath

Every year I try to make a Christmas wreath for our front door. Do you remember last years one made from steel scourers? Well this year I wanted something with a little bit of colour and fun! You will need:

• A plain undecorated wreath.
• Red Polka Dot cotton fabric.
• Green polka dot ribbon.
• 2 vintage doileys.

Cut up strips of all fabrics, ribbon and doiley's. Tie them random over the wreath. Some in bows, some not. Some in order. Some not!
Hang on the front door. I used a tiny nail in the door to hold it in place.
Of course if you are too lazy or time poor, you can buy these wreaths in my store at Bulimba or online here.
Hope your weekend is filled with a little bit of Christmas craft!
Simone xx

~ The Ones That Didnt Make It ~

As you are probably all aware Beach Vintage is featured in this months Australian Women's Weekly. But I thought I would share my favourite photo's taken on the day, which were never chosen for the editorial. They never made it. But I love them anyway!
All images taken by the extremely talented Simon Kenny.

~ Last Night and Today ~

Last night I sat down with a drink and lit my little candle [which sits in a fish bowl along with some precious sand I claimed from a beach I visited ]. It has been some time since I have thought to light a candle at home. Unlike me. I am glad I remembered. I love Sunday afternoons!
Welcome Monday! Here are some new cushions I have made, also some napkins, all with the Beach Vintage label. You can find them in my store.
Do you know it's December in a few days? Oh my.

Project Day - Palm Leaf Christmas Tree

After becoming inspired by the current issue of Real Living Magazine, I decided to try something different [again] this year and make an unconventional Christmas tree for our home. This one is made from a dead palm leaf. We always have loads lying around the place!

• Grab yourself a dead palm leaf, or any large dead foliage or even a branch!
• Stand it up in a basket or tin, whatever will hold it upright.
• Adorn it with odds and ends. I used shells, ribbons, white birds and handmade button decorations [ just grab some wooden shapes and stick buttons all over them with craft glue].
• Add your lights!

I really love the simplicity of this tree. My daughter loved creating it with me - " look what we made mummy, the best Christmas tree ever!"
What a great week. Thanks for all your lovely comments. I appreciate them all. Have a great weekend. Simone xx

~ A Huge Moment for Me ~

For as long as I can remember The Australian Women's Weekly has been a part of my life. Ever since I was a little girl I can remember my mother's copy perched on her bedside table. 35 years on, my mother is still a subscriber and devoted fan, as am I. And now my friends, I am a part of this history, literally. Beach Vintage is featured in the 2010 Christmas edition of the Women's Weekly which is on sale tomorrow! I am so completely stunned and in awe. I need to take a breath. So if you would like an insight into "my" little world grab yourself a copy. A big thanks to Catherine Shields. xx

~ Early Mark & Christmas Window ~

Here is our Christmas window all finished. It is so colourful and happy. I love it. I wanted a simple yet striking display. And of course one of my favourite Christmas quotes is written on a blackboard: " I wish we could put Christmas Spirit in jars and open one every month" [Harlan Millar].
The beach is calling my friends. My girlfriend Jody has called me up and told me to pack my bags for a girls weekend at Stradbroke Island. However can I say no? So I am off on an early mark. Have a great weekend and I will be back early next week. I have some extremely exciting news to share!

~Sneaky Peak~

At the shop today we are preparing for our Christmas window. Here are some pictures of some cushions that I made that will be featuring in the window shortly. This year I am going with a themes of yellow, green and blue. Once we have finished it I will show the result.
Winner Of Rosecraft giveaway chosen by random.org is #18 Camille. Congrats.

Flower and Tins and Things

Rearranging my vintage tins. Throwing flowers in jugs and vases, whatever is around. These are a few of my favourite things to do on the weekend.
This morning I feel excited and ready to start a new week.