Back Home & In Love

Hi everyone. I am back.......from possibly the best holiday I have ever had. A big statement I know. But well deserved. Can you imagine your perfect holiday? Maybe you have already had it, maybe it is still coming. It's that holiday when you feel so alive and happy, and that feeling doesn't stop, the entire time.
Here are some pic's to sum it all up for you.
Thanks to my dear friend Jody for guest blogging for me whilst I was away. Thanks for making her feel welcome.
Exciting times ahead.
Hope you are all well. I have lots of things to share with you in the coming weeks.
Hugs. xx
all pictures taken by me...and my family!

Mission Accomplished

What a week! Thank you for all your welcoming comments. I am very happy to say we have settled into our cute little Queenslander and love being back in the big smoke. I have jammed in as many things as possible, all the things I have missed. I rode my bike, caught the ferry to the gym, went to dinner and enjoyed a great new Italian restaurant in Bulimba. The photo is the aftermath of my yummy seafood broth. I sat in the park and had coffee with my gorgeous nephews, bought some lovely food and will have my family for dinner and a few vinos tonight. But most importantly of course the molly dog is settled and happy in her new home but yes I must admit we all miss the beach.....

A little about me. The guest blogger

Hi everyone Simone has appointed me as the mystery guest blogger while she is away. Well I must say I am honoured and a little bit daunted as I have no idea what to say or do however I will post a little about myself & my life as its a little crazy right now [will give you an update in a few days]. My name is Jody Marsden I am featured in the picture with Simone doing flood relief. I am married and have a lovely dog named molly I have a business and a passion for cooking for friends and family. I love nice food, clothes, furniture and wine and most of all, I love the beach. This week I have moved from living at North Straddy back to the city to the suburb of Bulimba, I am currently interviewing for two new staff and also building a beautiful new house in Hawthorne. Life is hectic. I am crossing my fingers by Friday I will have properly moved, met with the builder employed two new people and will be eating nice food and drinking wine here's hoping x

Project Day: Vintage Inspired Hanky Bunting

More and more fabrics are arriving in store at Bulimba. They have been ever so popular. This week I wanted to make a pretty little display bunting to hang in our fabric section. This one I made from vintage inspired hankies and bias tape.

• Decide on the length of your bunting and that's how much bias tape you will need.
• Fold your hanky's in half diagonally and press with iron.
• Open up the bias tape and sew your first hanky in [ leave a little bias at the start and end so you can tie/hang your bunting ].
• Mix and match the other hanky's and sew them in leaving approx 1-2 inches in between each one.
• Hang somewhere for instant pretty!

Madly packing. I am leaving tomorrow for this......bit excited. I have a surprise guest blogger while I am away. Stay tuned!
Take care.
Simone xx

EOFYS - End of Financial Year!

I have having a MASSIVE clean out of end of year stock, discontinued fabrics and more. 35% off everything online, no exceptions. This sale is strictly for 24 hours only. Enter code : EOFYS on checkout.
CLICK HERE

Back Home Thank Goodness!

Well don't be deceived by these photographs. They were the only ones taken before driving rain and extreme bad weather took over. My weekend in Sawtell started off great but Mother Nature took over. We got out in time and I have heard the Pacific Highway is closed today because of flooding so thank goodness we left when we did. Nevertheless, here are some pics I took of my car at the event BEFORE the rain started. Mine is the first one in the line up on the hill. Still had fun though. Lot's of laughs and red wine!

Project Day: Cockatoo Lamps

Here are some lamps I recovered this week for a customer. She wanted black base lamps which are not really my taste but I must admit the result is beautiful and I am very happy with it. Recovering lamp shades is not that difficult as long as the shade is white and the cylindrical type.

• Lay your fabric out and use the shade as a tracing pattern.
• Using a light HB pencil, lightly trace lines both sides of the fabric as you turn the shade around end to end.
• Cut out your piece.
• Using spray adhesive, give both the wrong side of the fabric and the lamp shade a good dose of glue.
• Let the glue sit for a minute.
• Carefully attach the fabric to your shade.
  
• Fold the end over to meet neatly.
• Choose some trim and add with a hot glue gun.

Have a great weekend everyone. It is a LONG weekend here in Australia and I am off to Coffs Harbour for the Holden FB/EK Nationals. Anyone down that way???
See you next week. Simone xx

Ribbony Dee Ribbony Dah

More ribbons arrived today. So pretty. Endless ruffles of gingham. Hope you are having a wonderful day. It's cold and bleak here and I am on my 3rd cup of coffee. Keeps my hands warm!

~ Ellie is Live ~

After months of waiting Ellie has taken her maiden voyage today. She was officially registered at 9:30am this morning and then it was straight off to the shop for a photo shoot for Australian Home Beautiful magazine. Phew. It's all done. I am so glad to finally have her on the road. She drives like a dream and I love her! Wish I could take you all for a spin.

This really is a Happy Monday xxx

Project Day: Studio Stool

Every studio needs a stool or two! I found this white one on ebay for $20 and decided to recover the top with some oilcloth. Oilcloth is so fabulous. Easy to work with, doesn't fray and just wipe it clean.

For this project I used Classic Florals in Pink .

• place your oilcloth on a flat surface face down.
• put your stool on top of the fabric and roughly cut around the edge making a circle from your oilcloth. Make sure you leave about an inch or so all around so you can fold the fabric over.
• fold the fabric under the seat and secure in place with staples.
  
• repeat all around and secure with staples as you go.

This is such a simple makeover and it only took a few minutes.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Simone xx

~ Wednesday Op Shop Finds ~

Loads on today. Busy busy! As if I could squeeze anything more into it....... but, I had to stop at my favourite op shop this morning. Here are a few finds. A gorgeous blue ginger jar $3.50. Some vintage floral fabric $2 and a lovely butter yellow sweater $6. Heaven.