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Monday 23 February 2015

Frivolous Fripperies


If there is a quote that sums me up, this is it. I wake up every morning with the urge to create 'something'...'anything'...It's like a deep need that cannot ever be met. I make something, I feel satisfied, but after a while a deep hunger sets in for another creative pursuit, and so the cycle continues. And, I do it because it makes me happy. I find solace in the quiet times spent thinking up new fripperies...Sometimes I make something wholly useful, and then other times it is just a little bit of frivolity...making what some may refer to as 'silly decorations', or 'unnecessary objects'.

* frippery: definition 

a tawdry or frivolous thing; 
a silly decoration or unnecessary object


This past week I felt compelled to give in to my creative urges again...I think this time it was brought on by tactical thoughts of procrastination...a need to avoid doing the ironing, a job which I loathe! So, instead of putting on my apron like a good 1950's housewife, and dragging the laundry basket closer, I cranked up Absolute '80's on the old Roberts radio, and made some fripperies to tart up my sewing corner.






































Floral flags of frivolity...




























A few golden touches...
An old box and crown gets the gold treatment...




























Newly printed Polaroids in a frame...




























An afternoon spent doing what makes me happy!





























Are you a frivolous fripperies creator too? I know I'm not the only one! And as we speak, I'm already dreaming up new ideas...bring on the glue, bring on the paint! Let's make something new until we faint! Ahem...perhaps only once I've tackled the ever growing Everest pile of pants!

Blessings



Friday 13 February 2015

Happy Love Day...

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. How will you spend it? Over in our corner of the world, it will kick off with a nice family breakfast. Hubby is working the night shift, so he will come home to fried eggs, and pancakes...the pancakes are more for mummy and the kids...It will be a normal day, just like any other, with a little bit of love shown with small gestures...tiny tokens of 'I love you's'...

♥Handmade with love♥...

Some treat envelopes for the kidlets...Yip, I'm no Monet, but then they don't ask for much! Hopefully my efforts will cheer their day!






































And inside? A few sweet treats...






































The house has also had a little 'love' sprinkled in places...The dresser is dressed in hearts, and the colour of love...red...♥






































To me, nothing says 'I love you' more than a thoughtful bit of 'handmade'...







































So, no grand gestures here...just little celebrations on 'Love Day'...May you know that you are loved too...

Blessings


Thursday 5 February 2015

Styling the Seasons

February...♥

This time of year always seems my most challenging. Christmas and New Year celebrations have faded far into the distance, the days are cold and long, work seems more taxing and life just feels a little 'blah'....That is perhaps why I look forward to the 14th, a day to brighten up a somewhat gloomy month, a reprieve from the dullness of these grey winter skies!

This month's greatest identity can be attributed to Valentine's Day I suppose, a day to indulge in a little romance, and it seems many of us are spreading the love a little further by decorating our homes with a dash of seasonal flair throughout the month. Having decided to join in with the 'Styling the Seasons' feature as inspired by Katy and Charlotte, I have taken inspiration from this celebratory day of love to style this season at home.


The book case....
This pine bookcase from Ikea has sat here for some time...A little unloved...A little dated...Dull and uninspired. What it needed was a new lease of life, perhaps the loving caress of a paint brush? I set to work...


So, re-painted in a lovely soft green by Annie Sloan, it's looking a little happier now, don't you think? Brighter, lighter, loved once again...

What does Valentine's Day mean to you? 

When I was young, it was all about the possibility of a love note from a secret admirer, the discovery of a card mysteriously tucked into my book bag at break time, and the hope that it was from the brown eyed boy who could turn my legs to jelly with a smile! Later, when I finally met 'The One', it was a special day for romance, and it was all hearts, flowers and chocolate! Now, as I'm a bit older, and still with 'The One', plus three more, it's as if it has taken on a whole new meaning. I see it as another opportunity to hug them all a little tighter, to show them that they're loved through small, but thoughtful gestures. The kiddies always get a little love note from me in their packed lunches, as do hubby. Hmmm...the thought of following through with this when the boys are sixteen fills me with all kinds of mischievous thoughts! I can just imagine them pulling out a love note from 'mummy' in the canteen at school! 

Now, I use any excuse and any opportunity to style my home for different seasons, and although the house doesn't turn into Cupid's love den in February, it certainly gets a little face lift in places to remind us of love, and the sentiment that it evokes in us. I am quite a sentimental person, and it translates into most areas of our home. And so, when you look closely at the newly painted bookcase, you'll see a few new touches that reflect this...

'Flourish'...A reminder from January, my word for the year....In all things this year, learn, grow, love and flourish!

Love what you do. Do what you love. I love to sew, and create...


Family. 
First. 
The loves of my life! 
I have had some Instagram snaps printed, and they fit perfectly in a little sewn box from a friend. Ready to be opened up in quiet reflective moments down memory lane...



A reminder of love...that it grows...flourishes...




And a message in a bottle...A declaration of love from the 'Song of Solomon'...


I have so enjoyed 'styling the season' in this corner of our home, and I'm not quite done yet! I would love to hear what Valentine's Day means to you, or if, like some, you have written it off as just another commercial ploy by the shops to empty our purses! For me, it's not about the money (thank you Jesse J!)...it's about caring, loving, sharing, and showing the ones you love that they are loved.

Blessings