boy belt

the celebrate boy month at madebyrae that i spoke about in my previous post has produced some pretty great boy items.

but this one by elsie marley would have to be at the top of my list as O definitely has a tendency to loose his pants quite often. these belts are so cute and funky. i want one of each (for O of course not me).

images: elsie marley

mustard

it seems that a new favorite color has crept in. i tend to buy everything in bluish grey, plum or olive and now mustard has been included as well. it started with a dress that i saw on some girls wander that i found and on ebay and am waiting to receive in the mail. i believe it would be a dress quite well know in america as even natalie portman has been photographed in the dress but over here in oz it will be nothing most have seen before and i love the color.

now i am spotting the color ever where else including the front page of etsy where i really love the madebyhank purse and crocheted earrings by gracendignity. maybe a few more packages will be on their way as well then.
i can definitely see this color finding its way into my home as well as my wardrobe.

my boy

the wonderful lisa at parallel botany sent me an email to inform me of a fantastic project that two lovely blogs madebyrae and made have put together. and for the whole month of February they will be celebrating the boy and crafting projects related to the little men in our lives since they seem to get lost in the world of crafting for little girls.

i am excited to see what they come up with because as you may have noticed i am always on the search for handmade goodies for o and when i find the time to undergo a few myself.

image: madebyrae

cloth

another new discovery for me via one small room was the australia fabric designer cloth. 

the timing is perfect as i search for some neat new fabric for our dining room chairs. and the gallery images are such wonderful inspiration as we are almost beginning the fun part of decorating our home. 

images: cloth 

teepee

O has always been one to hide behind curtains and spots in the house.

i think he would really enjoy a little space just for himself and this teepee that i found is such a great option.

of course i want to attempt to make one myself and i found a pattern that i plan to work from. mine will be a somewhat simplified version but fun for him just the same.

image: apartment therapy & old entrance teepees

stones

i am really into the idea of felting. i bought some beautiful roving from windrose and have been looking for as many projects to use it up.

i found this felted stone project from made in lowell and i have completed six stones so far. it is surprisingly easy and so much fun to do. i might end up with a ton more at this rate just want to wait and see how these look when they are dry.

image: lil fish studio via flickr

corners

the idea for the felted acorns goes along with the nature table that i want to create in our home for things that we find on little walks and such. the nature table is a waldorf home essential that it typically changed seasonally.

on my search for some inspirational tables i also discovered the blog of soule mama who has her nature table in the front entry of her home. i think it is a wonderful idea to have it right at the entrance to the home so that it can collect wonderful bits of the outside. the blogs keeper is amanda blake soule who had two fabulous books both of which are on my list to get. with some many things to look at online i never get the chance to look further into little things that i find inspire me until it jumps onto my screen as amanda's blog did today. just never enough time to read about what everyone is doing when you have your own life to live but this blog was a welcome break today as i took a little look into her life as an author and mother of four.

image: soulemama

shop {greenware design}

i feel so inspired to have some plant life in our home. i have attempted houseplants in the past with not much luck. i think the solution to that is low maintenance plants to start and along with the moss terrariums i believe succulents would be just as easy to keep alive. greenware designs on etsy do such cute arrangements in sweet little pots.

i dont imagine these could be shipped to australia as they are in the us but i think i might be able to manage giving an arrangement a go myself.

images: greenware design

hello oz

so we arrived a few days ago and are recovering from jetlag. we had a very good trip, O did so well and i couldnt be more pleased by that. M is already back to work today so i am at home for the first day by myself. there is a fairly long to do list so i dont feel too lost but sometimes a little bit of fear about what i need to do to keep me busy creeps in. all in all i am glad to be back here and relieved that the trip portion is over. looking forward to all the fun stuff to come in the next few weeks. so the journey continues.

my first little project that i am excited about is creating a few terrariums. they seem to be all the rage on etsy right now and was so excited to find some moss hanging around here that insisted on being dug up for my little gardens. these are some of the cute terrariums and accessories that i found.

i think this is just the type of gardening that i should start with as well because they only need to be watered every few weeks.

images: made by mavis, the oak leaves, weeds and wild things, mudpuppy

busy bee

so much to do and so little time. i have exactly two weeks left before i am to move out of my little house.  i feel like there a million things on my list but slowly i am getting there. purging has been the most difficult thing for me and i occasionally stumble wishing i could take it all with me but it is liberating when that feeling passes. 

i just wanted to share one of my favorite projects with you from the purl bee, for me the best source of craft inspiration. 

i adore these sampler pillow cases. and as always the step by step instructions with photographs included would make these a breeze to make. these are on my (fun) list of things to do when i get to Oz that is. back to packing and purging for me.

images: the purl bee

shop {madeleine sargent}

in my quest to find pretty bunting flag i stumped upon some other sweet items in this lovely shop. 


not only do they carry wonderful mobiles but these little quilts called hankey blankeys. this is a wonderful one for boys. 

images: madeleine sargent

shop {inky pots}

these beautiful hand formed pieces of clay are made by inkypots and they are so stunning.

there is a great balance between rustic and cute. who doesnt need mushroom growing out of their pot or a hedgehog to live on the kitchen window sill.

images: inkpots

original source: bloesem

shop {neiko designs)

accessories are always the finishing touch to an outfit. something as simple as a tee and jeans can look like so much more with the addition of a great bag. these by neiko designs are lovely. 

and the styling in the photographs just tops it off for me. 

images: neiko designs

so sew

i have had a sewing machine for many years and i am limited to making things in square or rectangles. i would really like to branch out into other shapes as well but have yet to find the patience to start a more complicated item such as clothing. 

there are so many japanese pattern books for childrens clothes that look simple but who knows. this is definitely on my (long) list of things to do.

images: pomodour craft cafe

shop {artmind}

thes little art feelings are part of a series of 99 by art mind. they are so cute. lisa at the red thread had posted about a few that she purchased for her home.

this last little guy would fit right in at our house. so cute!

images: artmind

shop {knittles)

and the local shopping continues but this time right in Calgary at knittles etsy shop. althought we are heading into spring the weather is still a bit chilly so thes cute accessories are still useful and when heading back to Oz it will be what they call winter so they are sure to be of use. i can always find a reason to shop.

i love knitted goods!

images: knittles

shop {kate szabone}

i am a huge supporter of shopping local and i have found some amazing canadian artists on etsy. kate szabone with her self titled store is one that i visit often just to awe at the pieces she has created. 

her jewellery is the essence of simple organic elegance. kate has recently started using 100% recycled gold in some of here pieces and all the stones are conflict free. if it was up to me and not my pocket book i would have one of everything from her store. 

i will do a follow up when the custom one of a kind ring that i just purchased is ready and on my finger. and of course there is meaning behind the ring for me that i will share then as well. stay tuned. 

images: kate szabone

the work room

i borrowed some great craft magazine photographs from the work rooms flickr page but then as always when i look a little closer i found something even better. the work room is a toronto craft space for sewing. basically you pay by the hour to use their equipment.

but it doesnt stop there they also offer classes with so much variety.

i wish i had a place to go so i was inspired to sew. they also blog here. 

image: the work roon

shop {jacksprat}

when O was born i was always a little disappointed with the lack of stylish clothing for boys. there are endless cute dresses and bloomers for little girls but shopping for my little guy wasnt so easy. but i have found some of the sweetest outfits at this little etsy shop jack sprat. the name its self is cute a button but wait until you see her creations. 

O has two pairs of pants from the shop and they are so well made and created so your child really does get alot of wear out of them. She adds extra length to the legs so they can be cuffed at first and rolled down later on.

shop owner Carie Arseneau just had her second child (a little girl) so she is slowly adding things as she makes them because of her new schedule. i would suggest joining her mail list (as i did) for updates on her new items.

she also blogs here.