Embroidery

Another little crafty project I did for Anika's nursery was to do this embroidery. Originally I found the two pictures in embroidery hoops at Typo for $15.00 each and I figured I should add some more hoops with them to fill more space on the wall. The reds and pink in them were just perfect for my colour scheme. Plus the hot air balloon was particularly special as that was how Dr Zap very romantically proposed to me!

I had also bought the gorgeous 'It's My Forest' clock by Decoylab from Etsy for ~$76.00 (+p&h) and figured all the round things would look good together. I used red tapestry cotton on white felt. The words 'grace' and 'hope' are what the name Anika means and I decided to use the word 'dream' instead of 'aspiration' which is another definition of her name. As for the word 'love', well that was used for obvious reasons. :)

I used a cross-stitch in block letters for the words 'love' and 'hope' and put them in a small hoop each. For the word 'grace' I used a running stitch in a curly font and for 'dream' I again used a running stitch but in a cursive handwriting font, both in medium frames. Now they are mounted on the wall, the little bit of red is highlighted by the other red accessories around them.

I think they have come up a treat! What do you recon?

Bunting

Ok, so I was waiting until Anika was born to post anything on the projects I did for her nursery as I didn't want to reveal her gender-to-be. Now you know, I can show you! The first project is the bunting. The colour scheme of Anika's room is baby blue and fire engine red with a little bit of pink. I went shopping at my favourite quilting fabric shop and fell in love with the Kaffe Fassett range. The colours are so vibrant and the patterns just delicious! I can't stand the bland pastels that are so often found in nurseries! I bought fat quarters of 14 different conmplementing fabrics, made a template for the bunting and started cutting and sewing. It took only 2 days (one to make the flags and another to sew them together onto the bias binding. It was so easy! What do you think?

I have the bunting hanging across the window as there are no drapes. It adds interest to an otherwise very dull wall.

Later I will show more pictures of other projects I did for her nursery: embroidery, painting and fabric birds.

Happiness indeed...

I am loving this band at the moment. Such wistful melancholy.

Our beautiful Anika

On May 7th, Anika was born and we have never been happier!

Autumn Joy

I LOVE Autumn! It is the most beautiful time of year! I love the cool, crisp, fresh air under a perfect blue sky and full sun... I love the yellow, orange and red leaves on the trees... and I love the way life feels like it is slowing down just a little as we ready ourselves to nest and hibernate in our toasty homes for the winter.

This song, in fact the whole album ('The Eraser' - Thom Yorke), is the perfect soundtrack to my autumn weekends. I love to play this album in the car as I drive out to a nice cafe for a lazy breakfast with my love. One cafe I love to go to, but unfortunately haven't been to for a while, is Kanteen in South Yarra. Situated along the Yarra River and busy Yarra Trail it is a delicious little treat to have.

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Beautiful Sculptures by Anna-Wili Highfield

Anna-Wili Highfield - Major Mitchell Cockatoo

I have been finding lots of amazingly talented artists lately through different blogs and such, and one I have really, really been so amazed by is Anna-Wili Highfield. She is based in Sydney and has created these beautiful animal sculptures by sewing together pieces of cotton paper over bent copper piping. One of her greatest commercial projects was to create pegasus sculptures for the Hermès store windows in Brisbane. I have also seen some of her work featured in the homes of some other very artistic Australians. So simply gorgeous!

Anna-Wili Highfield - Brumby on a Block

Anna-Wili Highfield - Australian Magpie

Anna-Wili Highfield - Owl Descending

I would just love, love, love to have one of these sculptures grace my lounge room someday... I'll just keep on dreaming!

Pretty Girl Nursery Ideas

I quite enjoyed putting together the last lot of ideas for a modern boy's nursery, so this time I've decided to do an ideas board for a bohemian girl's nursery. Hope you enjoy.

Porter's Paints - Jamboree

Earth Tribe - Yellow Spring Baby Quilt

Oeuf - Sparrow Cot White



Ikea - Poang Rocking Chair Lockarp White



Armadillo & Co - Marigold Rug



Table Tonic - Moroccan Leather Pouffe Dark Turquoise



Decoylab - Kirie 02 Clock (via Etsy)



Grace and Light - You are Loved Cross Stitch (via Etsy)



Tord Boontje - Garland Light



Great Dane - Hans Wegner Oak Chest



Have You Met Miss Jones - Standing Rabbit Lamp Base



Simply Nesting - Girly Girl Pretty Pom Pom Set (via Etsy)



Decalfarm - Paisley Elephant Wall Vinyl (via Etsy) - in 'gentian blue'



Bold and Noble - Love Screenprint Candy Pink (via Etsy)

Modern boy nursery decor ideas

So, I have already set up the nursery for our little Cuddles, but as the gender remains a somewhat closely guarded secret (at least by myself - we won't mention my husband's ability to guard secrets!), I cannot reveal the final outcome. Until I can, I thought I might put together a few ideas I have for a modern boy nursery. Here it is:

Bauwerk paint 20/20



Bauwerk paint 46/95



Bauwerk paint 98/28

 

Bold and Noble - 'Alphabot' print (from Etsy)

 

Eames Rocker



Jean-Louis Domecq Loft Floor Lamp



Ikea 'brasa' pendant light





Leander Cot Bed



Rosenberg - Iso Grey Cot Set



Oeuf Sparrow - 3 drawer dresser and change table

 

Madeline Weinrib Atelier - Zig Zag Bue & White



Giant Abacus





Modern Elephant Clock - Decoylab (from Etsy)



Flatout Bear - Koala Grey








Maiike Toy





Supernova mobile - The wonderland Studio (from Etsy)



Donna Wilson cushion - Fox Black/Grey

 

Morning moods

I love this song by James Blake ('Limit to your love' - Mokhov Soulful Dubstep remix). So cruisy and laid-back. I liked the original version by Feist first but I think this guy does it justice.

Baked beauty

Oooh I want to bake this one day!

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That looks like the best birthday cake EVER! I bet it tastes like it too!

Favourite Interiors Destinations in Melbourne

Melbourne has so many beautiful interiors shops it can take forever to look around, but there are a few that I frequent often just because I love them, not because I can afford to buy anything. Here they are:

Fenton & Fenton

471 High Street, Prahran 3181 & 377 Malvern Road, South Yarra 3141




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Loom Rugs

575-577 High Street, Prahran East 3181



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Tarlo & Graham

60 Chapel Street, Windsor 3181

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Pomegranate

251A Coventry Street, South Melbourne 3205

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Safari Living

579 High Street, Prahran East 3181








Hermon & Hermon

566 Swan Street, Richmond 3141




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Dinosaur Designs

562 Chapel Street, South Yarra 3141

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