the dream in progress...

So what's been happening lately?

Besides growing my bub (due in 2 days!!) have been slowly building some ideas and stock to take on selling some crafts either at local markets, online or at a new local craft/artist co-op store that is getting up and running (very exciting!!). 

The plan is to use my collection of vintage fabrics and op shopped crafty finds to create individual homewares made from completely recycled materials - bunting, cushions, quilts/rugs.... oh its so exciting!

Here's some of my bunting I made for pre-baby celebrations... and as practice before making some to sell...

 

 Welcome to the start of my 'Naisy Days' range...

No definite plans for where my wares will appear yet, but will get past the first months of motherhood and then hopefully find what will work for me.

Have some cushion ideas I'll share with you later this week! Oh the joy of sewing and creating. Nothing like it. :)

nesting

Our first bub is on its way!

My first trimester was hideous with  nausea and fatigue so I'm in action mode during my second trimester to be set for the worst when third trimester starts in a few weeks time!

I've had such fun delving into my op shop stashes getting creative and making our bub's room a place I'd love to hang out in at any time of the day!  Finished off a few things today and wanted to share it with you all...

Op-shopped embroidery frames and vintage sheet fabrics:

Op-shopped wooden photo frames; a cute pic from an old Frankie mag and a 'Father's love letter' from God to a child:

Op-shopped alphabet blocks, wooden pins and golden books. Love this old crate I got from my mum:

Op-shopped brown cut-out detailed cushion - it needed some love and care to be sew down again but for 50c I love the texture and interest it gives to the room; old cushion which I'd got bored of, but the blue back face of it is perfect for this room. And a rolled cane chair I've had for about 9yrs and my husband wanted to get rid of but I knew it would have a perfect spot one day.  Can sit here and stare out the window at the trees and weather rolling in. A lovely cosy corner.

Some of my favourite little creatures I've found at op-shops.  There is just so much more interest and warmth in oldstyle toys I reckon.

And the cot quilt/play mat in progress! Gender is unknown so I'm sticking to blues and greens mostly. Loving creating my own patterns for different projects and being inspired by the materials I have on hand.

Can't wait to introduce our little bundle me new favourite room in the house!

best buys

have come to the realisation i should perhaps share with you only my favourite bargin buys so as to not overload blog inboxes...

so here's this weeks best buys...

wooden pin toys - the lot $2 at local wellspring op shop
plans for these to line a shelf somewhere in my future bub's room.
we're talking years away... don't get excited just yet!



wallpaper sourced by my wonderful mum at her regular op shops
 in toowoomba. she's fabulous.
she knows how much i love green-ness. 
and my lack of luck in sourcing wallpaper for crafting.



$5 set of wooden kitchen canisters -
from yesterdays brisbane suitcase rumamge
i plan to use them for storage on top of my fridge.
got to be effective with storage in a small kitchen.
i like the use of wooden items to warmify and calm the use of colour
in my kitchen/dining room.

$3 indian decorative bowl from local wellspring op shop.
bit different to my latest 70s johnson of australia plate collection
added to my kitchen but i think it helps to be the decorative step
between my wooden pieces and colourful bowls etc.

and there is my spending ration done for the week! oh dear. :)

free living challenge - day 39

goal... to abstain from spending hobbies - to focus on finding daily joy in no cost living.

today's joy...

cleaning chores were the order of the day.  our kids got their bowl cleaned too... as far as i could tell blossom and shark are happy with my efforts.

continued working in the stationary theme for this week.  made some cards out of some cardboard boxes we had lying around with fun pictures from old calenders and magazines.

and made some postcards - some with space to put in a black and white picture of home. 
for the lined area sourced some unused pages from last years diary.  my husband keeps everything and eventually i find a use for it. we're a good team. :)



a satisfying day all round today. i've discovered i don't find cleaning gives me a rewarding feeling but knowing it does for my husband makes it all worth while.  after making the cards i went searching round the house for gifts i can send to friends and family to brighten up their days. created a fun afternoon!

happy hump day all... its downhill to the weekend from here!

free living challenge - day 40

goal... to abstain from spending hobbies - to focus on finding daily joy in no cost living.

today's joy...

finished off my envelopes

started to make a handy dandy for my mum... i'll need to grab some of her lavender to include in the wheat pack...

  

my ride today took me along the river through the national park... had it all to myself today.  and who said a cruiser isn't an off road bike?!

  

 

and was able to snap pics of these little guys... they appear on mass at low tide at the river... its so fun to chase them as you can out-run them unlike other ones you see at the beach.

a quiet day today but a little brigther than yesterday. didn't miss shopping at all today. and found some online sewing courses I can do in coming months. excitement plus!

free living challenge - day 43

have renamed my lent challenge - 'free living' as this is what my focus is for the next 43 days.

goal... to abstain from spending hobbies - to focus on finding daily joy in no cost living.

today's joy...

a sun-shower morning at the beach. two of my favourite things - dark, domineering clouds and white fluffy clouds appearing in the sky at one time... lovely
see my 'weekend joy' post for more pics.... such great atmosphere there this morning. the photos don't do it justice.

reading and relaxing round home... amazing how much you can sleep when you let you body stop and rest...

recieved a lovely 'just coz' gift pack a few weeks ago from a great friend of mine. followed her inspiration and started making fun envelopes from old magazines... definately fits my resourceful streak...

and our favourite local fish & chip store celebrated its 40th birthday today... i resisted the take out and uncessary spending temptation and had toasted sandwhiches at home instead... made with our own home grown, juicy, tasty tomato.

great feeling of accomplishment today. 42days to go. :)