Monday Marvellous - Crimbo gift guide...

Hello! Happy Monday  ahem SATURDAY to you Friends!


This is quite a self-indulgent post because although I am calling it a GIFT GUIDE it is really my own wishlist masquerading as a gift guide!!!! Anyway this is a list of fab Etsy finds (apart from the book), for big girls. 
I'm sure you will find at least one thing you like, (or a loved one would) here!!

Nomad by Sibella Court

gorgeous filigree earrings

lovely necklace


Fab rings:

{from here!}

{and here}

Whoooooo can resist this brooch? ask Brainbowshop

pretty vintage tea cup for sipping from!

scrummy bag

What would you like for Christmas?


Love,
Sally x0x

Monday Marvellous - Christmas Wreaths

{wreaths: image}

Well, the festive season is soon to be upon us. I've done most of my gift shopping, I've started to think about preparing the advent calendar, writing the cards and so on, I'm sure it will all snowball from here (pardon the pun!!).
 So let's start to get in the Christmas mood with these fab modern wreaths from Etsy (below)...

Images - From top to bottom:

Eclectic rag wreath

Button wreath

Blue & silver wreath 

Geometric wreath

Cranberry wreath

wreath pdf sewing pattern

I'm thinking of making one myself this year. I never have before, In fact a wreath is not something we usually have in my family, but I'm thinking 'why not?' this year! I'll let you know (if I find the time, and) if I do it!!

Here is my favourite one that I have found (on the internet at Pickles. ) Cute, hey?!

I love this one too!
here's the fabulous tutorial on how to make it
http://www.cornerhouseblog.com/2011/07/awesome-paper-cone-wreath-tutorial.html

Finally, here are some more links to tutorials I found on the web, and some 'round-ups' of wreaths too!

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/11/candy-cane-craft/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u3cpr8WcmM
http://herewegoloopylou.blogspot.com/2010/10/tutorial-yarn-wreath.html
http://incolororder.blogspot.com/2010/11/vintage-sheet-wreath-tutorial.html
http://urbandebris.typepad.com/urban_debris_journal/2009/12/wonderful-wreaths-and-great-garlands-banners-for-the-holidays.html

http://decor8blog.com/2009/03/26/wreath-round-up-your-opinion/
http://whipup.net/2009/12/19/whipup-holiday-guide-30-best-wreaths/
http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2010/12/wreath-tutorial-roundup.html


Feel free to send me photos your wreath if you make one!

Have a great week,
love,
Sally x0x

Monday marvellous - Spotty Dotty....

Hello ~ Happy Monday to you! 

I recently bought some fun items (see above) from a local art and craft fair, which mostly had a common draw card - red and white spots! I love red and white polka dots ~ always have! So this week, I bring you spotty dotty, red and white Etsy finds...

union Jack cushion

wool felted mushrooms

Soviet Era canister

May you have a great week!

Love,
Sally x0x

Monday Marvellous - Poppy Day...

Poppy Mixed media collage by Mimi studio on Etsy

Hello there!
How are you today? 
I am posting this 'Monday Marvellous' post early as November 11th,  was Remembrance Day and I was inspired by that. For the uninitiated, Remembrance Day is a day when people in Commonwealth countries take time to remember and honour those who have made sacrifices in times of war and military conflict, so that we may be free.


Poppies are synonymous with Remembrance, in fact in my homeland of Great Britain we call today - Poppy Day , the Royal British Legion sell paper poppies, and everyone from school kids to politicians are to be seen sporting one proudly. The reason Poppies are associated with this day harks back to the First World War, where the fields of Flanders, Belguim in particular saw some of the bloodiest and most concentrated fighting. Along with the loss of human life, buildings, trees and much flora and fauna perished. Miraculously perhaps one living thing to survive along with the luckier of the fighters was the Poppy. The beautiful fields of Poppies which flowered each year brought hope, colour and reassurance to the many still fighting. You may know the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae from 1915.

{image found here}

Here I have gathered a bouquet of modern poppies for you to enjoy.


love,
Sally xox

links:


Poppy cushion                            

paper Poppies

Recycled felt  'hair tie'

Enamel Poppy earrings


Poppy tile coasters


Vintage Poppy Brooch


Poppy hair clips


paper Poppies


Recycled felt  'hair tie'

Monday Marvellous - Remember Remember...

... the 5th November!

image by LD Photography

In my homeland of England we celebrate Bonfire Night with the historical tradition of throwing a Guy Fawkes effigy (scare-crow-type figure) on the bonfire, eating warming food such as sausages, Chili-Con-Carne and baked potatoes and sipping soup or hot chocolate, whilst "ooo-ing" and "aaah-ing" at fireworks!

I am therefore taking a look at fireworks inspired finds for my Monday Marvellous Etsy picks this week!

vintage beaded belt

fireworks necklace

hand dyed ribbon

vintage granny square throw

vintage music skirt

vintage rainbow studded shoes

flower hair-clip

Givenchy fireworks blouse

vintage bead necklace

vintage painted sandals

fireworks {image} by LD Photography

Have a great week!

    
Love,
Sally x0x

Monday Marvellous - Majestic Moths!

Hello there, 

'Happy Monday' My Lovelies! .... How are you?

I recently discovered something really creative and different on Etsy that I 'earmarked' in my favourites to show you (when time allowed). That 'something' was a soft-sculpture moth ornament, made from vintage fabrics.
I thought today was a good day to 'pull them out of the hat' ~ even though that's usually white rabbits, I shall be pulling pretty moths out of mine!! Hmmm, let's move on.....

images above: Soft sculpture moths by Mr Finch

I love these pretty moths made from lovely old rescued fabrics. I love that they are made by an English guy, who likes to be called Finch, (hence the shop name Mr Finch!), and lives with his wife and three 'crazy cats' ~ he sounds fun! A straight man that sews, how utterly fabulous!!!! lol  [I don't mean to sound sexist, it's just a rare and precious find!! ].

 I decided, I'd have a little look to see what other handmade moth themed items I could find on Etsy. There were some great finds, take a look at my favourites ...

Ephemeral Moth print

Silkscreened Moth cushion

Moth Necklace

handmade moth brooch

Just finally, I have to add the point that I am not a fan of REAL moths!! Bleh! They eat all our t-shirts. Only around the abdomen area of the shirts for some reason?! Does that annoying phenomenon happen to you too?
If so, have you discovered any NATURAL prevention that really works? Alas, we have not and I am allergic to Moth balls and such, they trigger my asthma.


Oh well, these ones are all really lovely anyway, almost as pretty as their cousins the butterflies. We'll leave those for another day...


have a great week,
love,
Sally x0x


postscript: I just discovered that Mr Finch has a great blog - go visit him here!