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Cohen and I have a cold and are feeling fairly miserable. I want nothing more than to snuggle beneath the blankets until the worst is over. But exciting things are in the works, so bed rest is sadly not an option today. Will let you in on the secret soon.

In the meantime, here are some things that are cheering me up.

snow pea seedlings flowering

garden companions

cushion swap's received

mismatched cutlery

thrifted abacus, 

What's making you smile today?

Loving...

Bird inspired ceramics...

Bird and Cloud Salt and Pepper Shakers by Daniel Jo

Egg Bird House by J Schatz


Bird Cake Stand by Whitney Smith 


Bird Vase by Pretty Random Objects

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Counting my op-shop blessings with these darling finds.

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More Flea Market Finds here.

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Things that are welcome in cold weather...

peach blossoms amongst barren branches
dappled morning sunlight

comfortable warm clothing

hot showers on cold mornings

a cat on the lap at any time of day

steam rising from a cup of tea

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What are the things that you welcome in cooler months? Leave a comment or link to your post if you feel inclined to share.

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Another step forward on the knitting journey. My first attempt at knitting lace. I couldn't resist the lure of this yarn any longer. So I allowed myself to begin stitching, just a little.

In the eternal struggle to finish one project before embarking on another, I find I am fighting a loosing battle...

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Free Pattern: Classic Lace Baby Throw

Yarn: Bendigo Woolen Mills Luxury 8 ply in Stone

Ravelry.

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New in the shop...

'At Mrs Lippencote's I' Pendant

Imagine wearing this Snowflake Obsidian pendant with a velvet dress, layers of pearls and coiffured hair to a soiree. Or equally, with a round necked sweater, while visiting with friends for a lovely cup of tea. This elegant pendant, with it's tea pot motif, would be a choice addition to any memorable occasion. 

Inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's charming 1945 novel, At Mrs Lippencote's. The novel brings to life the sensitive, witty, unconventional Julia, who is compelled to live among the yellowing photographs of Mrs Lippencote's house. The evocative descriptions of a bygone era, preserved in the everyday items of the household, detail the women's interwoven lives and their compelling characters. While each knock on the door presents the opportunity for a shared cup of tea, which flows like the detailed narrative. 

A one of a kind, handmade piece by Christina Lowry. The 'At Mrs Lippencote's I' pendant features an oval, 30 x 22mm cabochon cut Snowflake Obsidian, set in solid Sterling Silver and stamped 925. The back plate is saw pierced by hand with a teapot silhouette. This piece will be posted with a complimentary silver plated chain, packaged in a drawstring pouch and bubble wrapped for protection.

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Enjoying a little op-shopping, while running errands. White jug, crochet hooks, table cloth. Who could resist?
And a sneak peek of a new piece in the works. The first in a collection that I'm quite excited about.

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I'm also guest posting over here at Flower Press, a tutorial and photographs of my finished brooch for the brooch swap.

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New in the shop...

'A Certain Shade of Green' Brooch

And my old winter coat still 

Hangs by my front door 

Holding all the stories 

I don't remember anymore - "Wintercoat" Paul Kelly. 

As the weather cools and we head further into brooch season, it is a splendid time for handsome coats worn over dresses, or skirts with stockings and boots, finished off with 'A Certain Shade of Green' for a dash of colour.

This unusual Corella Chrysocolla cabochon brooch would be a delightful feature on a wool coat or knit cardigan; perfect to accompany lovers of winter on novel adventures and the making of new stories. 

A one of a kind, handmade piece by Christina Lowry. The 'A Certain Shade of Green' brooch features an oval, 30 x 23mm cabochon cut Corella Chrysocolla from Mt. Isa, Australia, set in solid Sterling Silver and stamped 925. The back plate is saw pierced by hand with floral motifs. The brooch is secured with a strong pin. This piece will be posted packaged in a drawstring pouch and bubble wrap for protection.

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New gemstones for my collection. New works in progress for the shop.

I've been dreaming about jewellery.

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Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

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One less item in the knitting basket, yet again.

I'm quite pleased with the cushion I made for the swap. The many twisting cables. The softly variegated wool. The vintage buttons.

Yes, quite pleased indeed. I only hope my swap partner agrees.

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Ravelry.

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So many busy days of late, blurring one into another. 

Somewhere in there though, Cohen has named his cat softie 'Nana Cat'. 

He also carefully untied all the labelled tags I has just attached to the glass jars in the pantry. He then sat and watched as I retied them all, proudly pronouncing 'Ta-dah!' once I had finished. 

Cohen has also taken it upon himself to be responsible for feeding the cat, which means that several times a day the cats bowl is filled to the brim with biscuits. Our grumpy feline has found that the toddler may be useful to him after all.

Each morning Dave rises very early for work, while I stay warm beneath the blankets until Cohen wakes. The other morning though, I was tempted out into the crisp, dark morning to catch a glimpse of four planets, brightly peering out above the neighbours roof line.

So many little moments to put somewhere for safe keeping, to be rediscovered in the future.

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Ribbon flower tutorial...

My sister, Fiona, is not only a fabulous bibliophile with an assembly of university degrees, she is also in possession of numerous artistic and crafty talents. She has been crafting these simple and sweet vintage inspired ribbon flowers as part of her wedding decorations. Like anything, there are probably many different ways to make these flowers, but I was fascinated watching her make these today and wanted to share them with you.

You need only rummage through the kitchen draws and dash to the local craft shop, then settle yourself in front of a film or fire place and you are all set. Fiona has used 50cm lengths of ribbon, whose raw edges she carefully singed with a lighter, florists wire snipped in half and adorned with faux pearls (though buttons would work just as well) and a running stitch (either by hand or with a sewing machine) along the edge of the ribbon, which you pull tight to create the gatherings. She then twists the flower into shape and secures it with a few simple hand stitches underneath, before sliding the florist wire and pearl though the center and adding a drop of glue at the base of the pearl at the last moment. Thus creating sweet ribbon flowers that could be used as decorations, brooches or hair clips.

The wedding is not until September, but I promise to share photos from the big day. There will be many crafty and vintage delights to behold.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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I was welcomed home by these delights in the mail. A pleasing distraction from the awaiting chores and laundry... 

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Yesterday I was walking through Noosa Woods, along the beach and from shop to shop on Hastings Street. Last night we dined out and slept in five star comfort. Today we took Cohen to Underwater World, though it's fair to say I was even more excited than he was. Cohen left with a snow globe souvenir, just as I did as a child. 

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Brooch inspiration...

Image credits L-R:

Zoe Duthie, freeforged, Thea Clark,

MetalRiot, Syrinxia, Silver-Zaria,

Sarah Hood, 208209, Green Hill Center.

I personally love brooches and have a growing collection of them. To me, brooches add a mark of individuality to any outfit. They have the ability to communicate a personal and unique statement about the wearer with an immediacy that other forms of jewellery do not posses. They can communicate our passions and personalities. They can be casual or glamorous, dainty or ostentatious, serious or humorous, simple or complicated. They represent limitless possibilities and are anything but old fashioned.

I've been so excited about Susie's brooch swap. I've started work on a sterling silver and mixed media piece for my swap partner, as well as new brooches for the shop, which I will share with you soon.

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Welcome too, to those visiting from the lovely 'frankie magazine' blog post about my blog and shop.

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New in the shop...

'The Pomegranate' Ring

'The Pomegranate' ring is inspired by Greek mythology; a subtle ode to the beautiful Persephone abducted by Hades to the underworld. This origin myth is tied to the creation of the seasons, with Persephone compelled to stay for part of the year in the underworld for eating several pomegranate seeds. Spring returns each year upon her release.

This ring would be a beautiful accompaniment for any season; elegant and unique, the pastel hues are soft and romantic, and the novel secret saw pierced image of the pomegranate adds to the overall charm of this particular handmade piece.


SOLD

My Creative Space

'I love deadlines. I love the wooshing sound they make as they fly by'. - Douglas Adams

After completing my first cabled cushion I immediately and enthusiastically cast on an even larger cabled cushion. For a swap no less. (I love that the tones in the wool tie in with the colours of my latest gem set piece.)

I've been reminded several times since casting on that I do not yet posses the necessary knitting skill to cable without ample concentration. And I have a two year old. Thus I have been flipping between Cohen-awake-knitting (a simple garter stitch cardigan requiring less concentration) and Cohen-asleep-knitting (the cabled cushion).

Stitch by stitch, progress is being made on both projects. I'm determined to have my cushion finished on time. Though I have a back up cushion planned to prevent any possible wooshing sound...

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More creative spaces here.

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Sneak peek...

I find that when contemplating the creation of a new piece, the stones themselves are often the catalysts for the designs. With this banded agate, the tones and lines reminded me of pomegranate seeds, resulting in the discrete pomegranate saw piercing beneath the setting.

The completed piece will be in the shop before the weekend.