Emi-Al

Too busy with life to post.....

2010-11-28T13:54:00.000-08:00

Oh how life is keeping me so very busy these days. Good busy though. Little girl's birthday parties, little boys growing up fast and starting school. Lots of travelling (inlcuding lovely Bruges above) and time with friends. Planning to see family and looking forward to the festive season.

I've even booked myself some creative time...just for me... check it out at Ooh La Lapin and the Kings Theatre Portsmouth.

Antique French Mother of Pearl Sewing Set

2010-08-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

Oh my, what more can I say......check it out here.

Pinecones

2010-07-02T05:48:00.000-07:00

Pinecones have taken over our home. They are collected on our walks and are appearing everywhere. In the pram, in my handbag, in pockets, in shoes, on the door mat, probably under the sofa....all over the place! Big, medium and small. Some spikey. Some painted and some with glitter. They are destined to become Christmas decorations but until then will continue to grow in numbers and take over our home.

my creative space

2010-07-01T02:48:00.001-07:00

More stitching. Just a little one this time. The last few I've done have taken a while so it was nice to whip up a quick cutie. I'm thinking of incorporating this into a quilt or cushion for the dolls cradle.

Car boot sale finds

2010-06-29T05:27:00.000-07:00

The local summer car boot sale has become my favourite way to spend a Sunday morning. I love that I can wander down there with a pocket full of change and come back with all sorts of treasures. These are just a few.

The timber abacus is so well made it will last forever...not like most of today's toys! Not sure what to do with the vintage tea towel but it wont be touching any dishes. I plan to clean up and repaint the timber dolls cradle and then make some bedding for it as my little girl is just starting to enjoy playing dolls. The embroidered hankies may turn into pincushions like these. And the tins?...well, they're already filling with stamps torn from the mail.

More from Made In France

2010-06-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

Felt Cookies for Triplets

2010-06-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

I ordered these from Daisy Daydreams for my cousin who has recently had triplets..... yes triplets! These felt cookies are really cute, very well made and arrived quickly. It's the first time I've ever ordered from Etsy and I'm happy to say I'm impressed.

I'm also impressed with my cousin... 3 babies...at once....

Basket Starfish

2010-06-29T04:42:00.000-07:00

Loving these Basket Starfish products from the London Natural History Museum Shop.

Sweet Little Turtle - Ooh La Lapin

2010-06-29T03:11:00.000-07:00

This sweet little turtle arrived at our home on Saturday morning, hand delivered by the lovely Lou of Ooh La Lapin. She is bringing smiles to people all around Southsea with her cute softies which she leaves in all sorts of places for people to find, adopt and then send her pics of them out and about. I think it is a wonderful idea and I'd love to see the looks on peoples faces when they read the little note she leaves with them. I'm looking forward to seeing what the squid gets up to.

We have named our turtle Frenchy because, although you can't see it in the photo, he has an Eiffel Tower on his butt. We may even manage a photo of him at the tower before too long... we hope to visit Paris in the not too distant future.

my creative space...

2010-06-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I have finally pulled my finger out and found...no made... some time to get creative. I've taken over the dining table and have made some little bean bags for the kids to enjoy...inspired by Crow Rooster Crow via Sweet Sweet Life.

More creative spaces at Kootoyoo.

Natural History Dodo Teatowel

2010-06-23T12:13:00.001-07:00

Too nice to dry dishes with so I stuck it up behind the door to our kitchen. Hides the broom and mop behind it too! I picked this quirky teatowel up from the shop at the Oxford University Natural History Museum. It's a great museum for the kids, not too big and they can touch everything and a great place to get some creative inspiration from nature.

Pea & Roasted Garlic Soup....Yum Yum & Wedgewood

2010-05-27T04:35:00.000-07:00

Delicious!
From GoodToKnow Recipes magazine Feb 2010. Here.

Do you like the bowl? It's Wedgewood Pennine Oven to Table. I thrifted 5 of them and a dinner plate for a couple of pounds. My mother in law has the dinner set so I buy them whenever I see them. I'm making good use of them until I see her next! Love the way the green looks against the brown.

Printers Tray

2010-05-27T02:39:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted one of these antique printer's trays and now that my son has started collecting all sorts of fossils, rocks, pine cones, etc during our travels, I have the perfect excuse! It arrived early this morning from The Old Printing Shop of London and I'm thrilled to bits. The Big Ben stamp is from there too.

I love that all these beautiful little items for display come straight from nature...the best designer of all. I'm tempted to fill it up with all my bits and bobs but I've refrained as I'd like the kids to be part of the process so that when they look at it they see all the places they've been and the fun times we've had.

Pitty the photo is so dark but the weather here is grey and wet...can't complain though as it's been so lovely for the past couple of weeks.

Made in France

2010-05-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't win anything but I'm still a winner because during my hours of browsing I discovered this book - Made in France - cross stitch and embroidery in red, white and blue. I don't remember the blog I saw it on...sorry...but thankyou! It arrived yesterday and I love it! Only problem is deciding what to do first. I made a start on this lovely cross stitch peacock feather last night and I'm on the hunt for some more linen so I can keep stitching.

BTW, I buy my books through the Book Depository - they seem to be cheaper than elsewhere and they have free delivery. They include these great bookmarks designed by customers...I've got quite a little collection going.

So Many Giveaways!!!

2010-05-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm addicted. I can't help myself. I've spent the last few days exploring blogs from all over the world via the Sew Mama Sew giveaways. I've entered so many that my hands are sore from typing but I've loved losing myself in all these wonderful blogs. My reader is really huge now! I hope I am lucky enough to win somthing but I've enjoyed the ride so much that it doesn't matter if I don't. It's given me the motivation I need to make the time to get creating again.

Not hiding...travelling.

2010-05-17T05:31:00.001-07:00

Oh it's been too long! I'm not hiding from blogging. Just not getting around to it. I spend so much time in my reader...which is now somewhat overloaded, that I never get to writing any posts myself. I must be honest and say I do enjoy browsing much more than typing....

Anyway, creativity has been somewhat lacking in my life but it's been replaced with lots of travelling so I'm feeling full of inspiration and ideas but just have to make the time to put it all to good use.

Travelling...where, well France, Italy and Germany....with our 18mth old girl and 4 yr old boy! Challenging...yes, but so much fun too.

My best tip for travelling with young kids....plan, plan plan....and take food everywhere you go!

Rainbow Sunshine Tutorial and sad story

2010-02-12T06:29:00.000-08:00

I love this tutorial on Chez Beeper Bebe for a Rainbow Sunshine plushy and the sad story about patents makes me all the more determined to find the time to make one.

It's been a long time!

2010-02-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

Well, my life has changed somewhat in the last couple of months. We are now living in chilly Portsmouth, England rather than toasty Perth Australia. My creative side has had to rest on the shelf while I sort out family life in a new country. I will get some time back...soon I hope and I will get creative again...soon too I hope.

Only 28 Days to Christmas!!!

2009-11-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

Here is a cute christmas countdown button from *The Graphics Fairy*: Free Christmas Count Down Button. See my sidebar.

My Tinnie Arrived!!!!

2009-11-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

This week I received my Tinnie from Cathy at Tinniegirl. I was the very lucky winner of one of her blogtoberfest giveaways!!!

I absolutely love it! Especially this oh so cute fabric with the lovely little children fishing and playing. I'm thinking it would look great stretched on a canvas in my little girls room. The other fabric....well we are moving from Perth Australia to the UK in two weeks and you can never have too many zippered pouches or little bags....just have to find the time to make them. She also included lots of little trimmings and buttons which have got my creative mind working overtime.
Thanks again Tinniegirl...your collection of goodies has inspired me!!

Great Pencil Case Tutorial

2009-11-13T04:24:00.000-08:00

Very cool pencil case tutorial at Sublime Stitching via harrysdesk

Cute Free Art Downloads

2009-11-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

Here is just one of the cute free downloads I stumbled across today at Feed Your Soul via 74 Lime Lane.

Great Graphics

2009-10-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered The Graphics Fairy and love all the great free images and craft ideas. Here are my two favourites from recently. Beautiful butterflies and great Antique London Maps.

Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe: It's a Happy Halloween Giveaway!

2009-10-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, check out this giveaway....Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe: It's a Happy Halloween Giveaway!. I've only managed one quilt so far but this prize has me dreaming up my next. Entries close Midnight Oct 31st EST (US). Thankyou to It's the things that make you go mmmm for putting me onto this.

Crochet Flower Market Find

2009-10-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

I picked this up at the local Rotary Club Sunday Mart for $2! There was a whole bunch in all different colours. I'm kicking myself for not buying the bunch...for around $10, why didn't I?? Is this crochet?? I've never seen anything like it.

Blogtoberfest Day 22 - Fading away

2009-10-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

Well, my plans to blog everyday of October are fading away.....where do the minutes in my day go.

Faces Everywhere

2009-10-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

Faces in places - so silly but can't help smiling at this.

Blogtoberfest Day 18: Icons

2009-10-18T05:02:00.000-07:00

Some Aussie icons. Went to the local zoo today and met some very friendly, lazy native animals and our garden is now in bloom so hopefully see some birdy visitors soon.

Inkjet Images to Wood

2009-10-17T04:12:00.001-07:00

Here is a very cool idea....how to transfer inkjet images to wood...via Bloesem Kids. So many possibilities!

Blogtoberfest Day 17: My first quilt

2009-10-17T03:57:00.001-07:00

Well, I missed a couple of days of blogtoberfest but between teething and head colds it wasn't high on the priority list. Nevermind..

Here is the first quilt I made. Real one anyway, I did make one when I was a kid out of old jumpers but it was never really finished. I completed this a couple of months ago and I obviously opted for the PINK look for my baby girl.

Blogtoberfest Day 14: Boxy Pouch

2009-10-14T04:48:00.001-07:00

Here's a great little Boxy Pouch Tutorial. They are quick, easy and super handy. I like the way the zippers come out so neat and tidy without any effort at all. I'll add handle to then next one.

Oh, and check out TinnieGirl's great post - creativity is good for the soul.

Blogtoberfest Day 13: Nature's treasure

2009-10-13T05:07:00.000-07:00

Sea shells would have to be one of my favourite things ever. They are like little treasures. I have fond memories of collecting them as a child and to this day can't help but walk the beach with by head down and pockets full. My family never went to sandy beaches to swim and laze about. We went to windswept, rugged shores with rockpools and cliffs and came home with lots of treasure. I bought this little shell case in the Phillipines (I think) many years ago and it is now filled with the tiniest little shells I've picked up over time. Just a small part of my collection.

Blogtoberfest Day 12: Lots of little crosses

2009-10-12T06:04:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning out my craft tubs today and came across a pile of stitching I did years ago. These are the nicer ones. What to do with them? I'm thinking cushions...little scented drawer pillows....maybe framing the seahorse for my daughter's room.

The Graphics Fairy: Free Printable - Vintage Bookplates

2009-10-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

Loving these bookplates!

The Graphics Fairy: Free Printable - Vintage Bookplates

Blogtoberfest Day 11: Fly birdies fly...

2009-10-11T05:54:00.000-07:00

I love to fold these little paper cranes, string them up with some beads and ta da cute mobile and great gift.

Blogtoberfest Day 10: Inspired by Petchy

2009-10-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

I'm going to dedicate this post to Petchy who has inspired me to both create and to blog. Here is the ipod nano pouch I made from her tutorial and a little baby tunic from her pattern.

Thankyou Petchy!

Blogtoberfest Day 9: Picking and Painting

2009-10-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

I'm going to play along with Blogtoberfest. I'm a little late to start but better late than never! Check it out here.

Lovely day here today. Took the kids walking and picked fluffy grass then spent the arvo painting and generally making a big mess. We chopped the paintings into A4 size pieces, folded the lot in half, punched some holes and tied with ribbon to make a book for my son to draw in and stick pictures. It's a great way to keep the mess of kids artwork under control and create something nice.

Here is the result + one happy kid.

my creative space...

2009-10-08T05:31:00.001-07:00

I've been working on a cross stitch for Xmas. I bought 2 of these donkeys ago, one for each kid, and planned to have them done before December comes this year, but it's going to be a push. I seem to only grab a few minutes here and there so it's a slow process. When finished it will have transformed into a cute advent calendar on a calico bag with little pockets on the front for a candy cane each day... not sure what's going to go in the bag yet.

This is my first 'my creative space' but I've been loving Kootoyoo for months and just have to be part of it. See some amazing creative spaces here.

Note to self...must learn to take good photos.

Here goes....

2009-10-08T04:54:00.000-07:00

Well, here goes.... my first blog post. I guess I really just want to give myself some direction as to what this is all about. I want this to be positive. Somewhere to celebrate the nice little things in life and to work as motivation toward noticing those nice things in the first place, encouragement to take a moment to enjoy them. Somewhere to keep myself and maybe even others inspired to create. Whether it's simply something beautifully designed, lovingly created or full of sentiment. I've been enjoying so many great blogs out there generously posted by some very talented and inspirational women and am now craving my own little spot. So here it is.

The pic...? Well, spring is here and the sun is shining. A good start!

My new blog

2009-09-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Well, here is my new blog. My creative space.