~ Sea what I See ~

Tumbled and smoothed by the waves, water and sand, creating smooth, frosted shards of treasure. This is the wonder of sea glass. I find this truly amazing stuff. Glass found on beaches, along oceans bays or rivers.
Even though I live on the water I have never come across it. How strange.
So my lovely friend Alison sent me these beauties which she has collected from her local beach in Victoria. I have decided to display them on my vintage table along with some roses from my garden.
Thank-you Alison.
Winner of last weeks Thea and Sami fabric giveaway chosen by random.org is #6 Felicity from Gifts of Serendipity. Congrats. Please email me with your details.

~ Sweet Stuff ~

Aren't these new colours of bias binding/tape just beautiful? Arrived in store today direct from Europe and only $3.95 per metre. Just think what you could create. I think my favourite is the pale blue polka dots. How about you?

~ What a Wonderful World ~

I am back from my trip to Bangalow. I had the most wonderful time. It was just so lovely. It helps when you stay in a place that "feels like home" as soon as you walk in.
Here are some pictures I took of Shannon Frickes gorgeous guest nook, where we stayed. She rents it out for weekend getaways like mine. She has such wonderful taste and I couldn't help but admire all the "little things" she has added to the cottage. Like beautiful linens and accessories. Just plain in love here peoples!
PS: My 20% off storewide sale ends at midnight tonight! Just enter BVHOME at the checkout.

~ Can you Hear Me ~

Sometimes you visit a place that somehow keeps drawing you back. Unexplained. This is the case with Bangalow, a beautiful little town just inland from the beaches of Byron Bay on the Northern Coastline of N.S.W. So it is there I am headed today my friends. I am so excited as I will be staying at Shannon Frickes wonderful little guest nook which she rents out [pictures above]. Isn't it just lovely. You can email her for details and pricing. I will have more thrift finds and stories when I return on Monday. Take care of you!

~ New Sponsor New Giveaway ~

I love a company that prides itself on creating gorgeous printed fabrics but at the same time considers the environment. This is the case with my newest sponsor Thea and Sami. Thea hand screen-prints organic and natural fabrics using only water based non toxic inks from her studio right here in Brisbane. I am in love with her fabrics and have blogged about them before. Today Thea is giving away 1/4 metre of the new "peacock print" on natural flax linen (you can read the fabrics on her blog). It has been so popular and is worth $25!
To enter just leave a comment on this post. Winner is drawn 30th June 2010. Good Luck.
last weeks winner chosen by random.org is # 50 Pink Flamingo. Congrats Chloe. Please email me with your details.

~ A Pretty Place ~

Does this look like a pretty place to pull up a chair and take a break. I am love with old cane chairs. Especially ones with a hint of colour left on them. I own a couple of them. Even though they are a little wobbly and rough I just love to sit in them and stare at the ocean. I think they are a necessity for that relaxed "coastal/country living" style .
images via content agency

~ My Biggest Love Heart Yet ~

This could possibly be the biggest love heart rock we have found yet! And my little girl carried it all by herself. All the way upstream. She wanted to bring it back for mummy. Sweet darling.
Hope you had a great weekend!

Project Day: Fabric Hoop Frame

I don't have the patience for embroidery and I commend those who do. So when I purchased this embroidery hoop from the local thrift store for $2 I had other plans for it.

• Grab some scrap fabrics from your stash. If you don't have a stash, you need to start working on getting one!
• This ring measures approx 35cm in diameter. I sewed all the pieces of fabric randomly together to create one piece that measures approx 40cm square.
• Take the ring apart and insert the fabric piece.
  
• Put the ring back together and tighten to hold fabric in place.
• Turn it over and cut off any excess fabric.
  
• Using the back rim, hang on the wall, or stand on a table like I did.

So sweet. So darling. BIG hugs to all my customers this week who purchased goods from my new online store. Many thanks!
Have a great weekend lovelies.
Simone xx

Postcards from Home

Here a few pictures from around my home this morning. Fresh flowers from my garden, a new/old seersucker cloth on my kitchen table and soft muted colours all around. The winter sun is such a comforting sun for me. It warms my whole house by mid morning.
After the launch of my new web store on Monday I have been frantically packing orders ever since. The response has been overwhelming. Thanks so much for the support! More items coming in this week.
“My life is like a stroll on the beach...as near to the edge as I can go.” --Thoreau

all pictures taken at my home......by me

~ New Sponsor New Giveaway ~

Oh my, today's giveaway is a BLING giveaway girls! Just take a look at these stunning earrings from my friends at Fletcher and Grace. Another new sponsor of Beach Vintage. I have blogged before about the stunning range of vintage inspired jewels that these guys sell in their online store. Today you can win a pair of gorgeous Antoinette Cushion Cut earrings in a colour of your choice valued at $65! They have also recently set up a Face Book site that lets fans know first when special offers are on and new styles launched. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fletcher-Grace/95291091225. Just leave a comment today for your chance to win. Winner announced 23.06.10. Good luck!
winner of last weeks comp chosen by random.org is #26 - Sharon Schaller. Please contact me. Thanks.

~ Playing with Plates ~

Playing around with my vintage plates this morning. I am trying to get a colour theme going for a little dinner party I am having soon. I love mixing vintage mismatched china with a hint of modern [like this oilcloth used as a tablecloth ].

~ Beach Vintage Shop Launch ~

Hello my lovely's. As you are well aware I have had some exciting things happening here at Beach Vintage over the past few months [a big thanks to Shannon Fricke for the mention in this weeks Woman's Day]. But the most exciting thing of all has been building my own web store. That's right Beach Vintage now has an online store. Also launching is my own range of cupcake baking liners, gifts and homewares. Some are made by me and all are exclusive to Beach Vintage. There is also a range of craft supplies, all carefully hand chosen. And of course my store would not be complete without some genuine vintage items. As an opening special I would like to offer all my readers 20% off store wide. Just enter BVHOME at the checkout for your discount. A big thanks to my followers & readers. All this would not be possible without you guys. Simone xx

discount available for 2 weeks only

Project Day: Vintage Chenille Heart Cushion Cover

I have a small collection of vintage chenille blankets which I use regularly as bedspreads. And because I love chenille so much I decided to think of new ways to use it in my home. Here is what I did:

• I purchased some pre-cut chenille squares on Ebay [I couldn't bear to cut mine!].
• I also purchased some fusible iron on webbing [paper backed] from Lincraft.
• Using your chenille squares cut out the same sized paper webbing [see pic #2].
• Iron the webbing [right side] onto the chenille squares.
• Fold that completed square in quarters.
  
• Using a heart template [no more than 3 inches wide] and using SHARP good quality scissors cut out the heart shape so you have 4 hearts.
• Repeat with different colours until you have 9 hearts.
• I used a recycled cushion cover. I then peeled off the backing sheet of each heart and ironed it onto the cushion cover.
• For the pink cushion cover I used 9 hearts. For the blue cushion I used 12.
  

Here are the results on a few cushions I did. I really like the mix of colours and the fact they have a little vintage mixed in.
This weekend is a long one in Australia. So I will see you all next week. Have a great one. Simone xx

~ Comfort Food ~

Geez it's cold today! I figure the best thing for me to do today is some baking. Can you guess what I am making?