Schools out for...Winter!

Well didn't these school holidays come around fast? Apparently that was a 10 week term. Feels like it was Easter about 5 minutes ago, but here we are, in the middle of Winter with two weeks to fill - more like 3 x weeks for some of you.

We are planning to embark on a mini room makeover for Harriet these holidays. While madly pinning inspiration I have been sidetracked by some super colourful, DIY craft projects that I think we could also tackle in the break.

Those who know me, understand my reluctance to take on handcrafted projects myself. I am all about discovering and sharing, and not so much about the making. Two left thumbs and zero patience I'm afraid.

That being said, even I could potentially pull off one of these naive but very sweet decorative pieces...

...and the colours are sure to brighten up a gloomy Winter's afternoon.


Instructions for these Cardboard Rainbow Collages are from The Art Bar  :

photo courtesy of The Art Bar Blog

photos courtesy of The Art Bar Blog

Yarn Bombing appears to be very therapeutic. All that wrapping and twisting. The tee-pee image is from Natalie Miller who runs textile workshops.   

Or if you prefer sending the creativity (ie: mess) outside the home, look into a crafting course. We are lucky enough to have Makers Loft near by, where weekly craft lessons, craft parties & holiday workshops take place. 

I was scrolling through their website and noticed a photo from a craft party we hosted a few years back:

I for one, will be trying to introduce some making these holidays that doesn't include "fluffy slime". 

Enjoy.

Sx 

Loot...

Anyone else score big on the handmade front this past gift giving season?

Here's a wrap up of some of my delightful scores:

From my newest "Go To" online store Oliver Bonas, I was gifted a gorgeous Chrissie Tree Decoration crafted with the Scandi sentiment that I love coupled with a second love - fluro!!
On sale now for a little as one pound. Run don't walk!

While on the fluro theme (gee my friends know me well!), a gorgeous hand printed looped scarf / snood with a bright tassel was gifted to me. And for a week there earlier this month, I was actually wearing it! Made in Tasmania by Henley & Co. Also on sale now...from AUD$29.
(photo by funky homes )

This tray below was made upcycling old magazines! Using collected materials from around their village in Sumatra, Naveh Milo recycles them into practical products. I know a couple of children who would love the Mentos Pencil Case. The bangles below are made using old soda cans! You can image the waste that would otherwise end up in landfill (or not, as is the case in many third world countries), so hats off to Naveh's team.

Our pooch didn't miss out this Christmas either! Billie is now sporting a rather fancy collar and has a matching leash. Trish from Woh'n'Wally makes all sorts of fashion accessories for your fur child. Bow-ties, Bandanas, Jackets and even sun-hats (I know!!), and of course leads and collars.

Prices start at AUD$12 for a bandana up to AUD$50 for a pure wool jacket.

Great for the four legged wedding guest:

and let me know if this doesn't bring a smile to your face.....

Did you shop independent this Christmas?

Sx

Popping Up...

If you're in Adelaide and you fancy ticking off some Christmas Shopping before December hits, and you fancy the idea of doing this in a relaxed atmosphere boasting friands and fizz, then diarise a little visit to Kensington Gardens this weekend.

The Adelaide Test Match is an event firmly etched into the psyche of every local whether they are interested in cricket or not.

So while the air is electric with summer and socialising, the time for shopping couldn't be better.

Before heading off to the Pimms tent on the lawns behind the cricket oval, the Brown Button Pop Up Shop will provide you with an opportunity for some bespoke gift buying sure to put a spring in your step and get your Christmas shopping off to a flying start.

The girls at Brown Button have an eye for the delightful.
Home decor, kids gifts, party ware and stationary. Even the coveted Italian toothpaste is part of the BB offerings.

If for some sad reason, you can't get along in person, jump on their website for some online shopping and free delivery for orders over $150.

Here's a little taste of the Brown Button goodies....

As it turns out, the girls at Brown Button have invited find...found...forage to Pop Up with them, so I'm thrilled to be able to showcase my hand made finds and offering them at special Pop Up prices. 

The super soft Ballet Flats will be $75 a pair, while Christmas decorations, candles, key rings, jewellery, baskets and more start from as low as $5.

Kris Kringle? 

Stocking Filler?

Pressie to self?

Pop Up = One Stop Shop.

Sx 

All the fun of the fair...

Sunday saw find...found...forage sitting front and centre at the Kincoppal Spring Fair. And what a fair it was! Held once every four years, it is a community event eagerly anticipated by both the Eastern Suburbs locals and the school girls, and it attracts over 5 000 people.

The weather was kind and the patrons were out in force. When you have an interior decorator of the calibre of Leanne Smeallie on the organising committee, the fair was always going to be a stylish affair.

I'll showcase some of my fellow market stall holders in my next blog post, but for now here are some snaps from the day.

How good do the bunting, hay bales and picket fences look?
And you couldn't possibly have Devonshire tea without chandeliers, roses and proper English china tea cups, could you?

The market stalls from external exhibitors (like me!) were set up indoors.....

Thanks to the Kincoppal community for an atmospheric & supportive Spring Fair.

Spring has sprung.
Sx

Purchasing Power...

There have been a whole load of handmade treats to tempt me while styling the updated pad.

Some I've succumbed to, and others are still firmly on my wish list.

Here's a few that have made the cut:

This print by Oh Eight Oh Nine is providing some luxe in the laundry. A3 size is AUS $20.

This lovely marble look handmade cotton pouch by Behr & Co spectacularly sets off greenery of any sort. From AUS$13.95

This sweet little handpainted wooden feather garland combines my two loves: glitter and fluro! By The Great Lakes Goods. Their motto is "handmade goods with good vibes" - that's a mission statement easy to adhere to!! US$18

 


The kid's playroom has a pinkish theme going on, so one of my find...found...forage macrame hangers is doing it's thing in there. AUD$$45:

And in DIY news, I took some humble HB Lead Pencils (it's amazing how many of these I found lying around the house!) and covered them with some Japanese Paper to improve their look and use as party bag fillers.  Click here for a tutorial to do something similar yourselves.

Support the independents and embrace the charm.
Sx

New Stock in the find...found...forage online shop!

The fast pace in which Christmas approaches each year always seems to catch me out. Despite all good intentions of having the pressie list nailed by October and the gifts shopped for by end November, there is always one or two people still to buy for when the shops are their busiest and energy levels are lowest.

Why is it that I tend to overlook presents for the teacher / coach / neighbour year after year??

Well not this year.

Enter the find...found...forage offerings.

Unique and economical. Hand-made (surely after all these years this goes without saying?!), and complimentary postage Australia Wide. **

I've got new stock and some old favourites. Here's a little peak, but do pop over to the shop to see more....

Newly arrived; beaded tassel charm bracelets. Adjustable. AUD$20ea.

Sara Dolls - AUD$10ea. Supporting Street Kids of Bali:

Delicate & glamorous beaded necklaces in coral, fluro pink and grey. AUD$15ea

 More sizes arriving next week of the perennial favourites, my all leather Ballet Flats - 

11 colours to choose from.  AUD$80ea

New colours of these versatile baskets just arrived. AUD$25ea.

Stocks have been replenished of these three Sophisticated Sparkles. AUD$15ea

Which little kidlet wouldn't love their very own Personalised Christmas Stocking?

 Order now for Xmas. AUD$65ea.

A personal favourite, this beeswax candle looks so much like the real thing. And it smells divine. Banana Leaf Candle - AUD$35.

Key Ring - fluro tassels. I'm in heaven! AUD$15ea

Double Strand, pastel hued, tassel necklace. Ceramic pink beads. Chic & Classy. 

Head will turn. AUD$30ea

Stock is limited, so while they will sell out quickly, you're also guaranteed to be giving a unique gift this Christmas.

Skates on Peeps!

Sx

 ** there are a couple of items in the shop where I can't offer complimentary postage because of their size **