Nocturnal nesting...

What does a person do when insomnia strikes? A bit of shelf restyling of course! I just couldn't drift off to the land of nod last night! My thoughts just kept running around in circles like a dog chasing it's own tail. So, I figured I may as well tackle the built in kitchen dresser, or hutch as my American friends like to call it. It's been suffering a bit of an identity crisis since we returned from our trip to South Africa. All the wide open space we got used to made me shift gear, from full speed ahead into 'hoarders haven', to 'de-cluttering mode'. I emptied the hutch, and filled it with all the Cream Ware I own, for a cleaner, more grown-up look. However, my colour thirsty eyes soon became bored with it, lovely as it was, and so last night I decided that it was time to re-dress it with all the rainbow lovelies that I possess. So, here are a few pictures of the newly styled dresser...

A touch of florals...

I hot-glued some floral ribbon to the already lace-trimmed shelves...

A few favourite things...

Tins...Pyrex...Flowers...

Enamel plates, and a heart garland...

Some twinkly lights...red, for a warm, fun glow...

Sweet treats...

More tins, with a retro flavour...

So, what does a person do when insomnia strikes again? One writes a blog post of ones first nights sleepless adventures! And now, I shall tip toe off to bed once more, in search of the next train to the elusive Land of Nod...

Night-night!
Tania ♥

Bowl-ed over!

Hello m'darlings! Today's post is the second in my 'Pinterest...tried and tested' series. In all honesty, it's actually something I tried a few years ago, and when I spotted it on Pinterest again, I thought I'd have another go. With my spiffy new record player sitting happily in the living room, I thought I'd attempt a little shelf re-styling. And, part of that process was making bowls from old vinyl records. I'm sure you've all seen these before. If you've never tried it, have a jab at it! It is a quick, easy way of creating a conversation piece! These bowls are very handy for dry foods such as popcorn, crisps and other snacks. They would look great at any retro themed party. And, it's cheap! All it will cost you is the price of the records, which you can pick up from thrift stores and car boot sales for pennies! A word of warning before you start: Make sure to check it's not a valuable record, before you start melting it in the oven!

Now, this is how you do it, for those of you who don't know. Pre-heat your oven to no more than 100 degrees Celsius (200F). I have had the oven warmer than this before, and you can melt your record...yip...gooey, melty mess! Especially if you're working with small records like I did, take care. Also, you don't want to start releasing smelly fumes! You might want to crack open a window! Once you've warmed the oven, place your record on top of an oven proof bowl, and stick it in for about 8-10 minutes. Watch it slowly relax and droop over the bowl. Once this happens, quickly, and carefully remove it from the oven, wearing oven gloves. Now place the record inside a bowl of your choice to manipulate it while it's soft and pliable. Shape it, speedily, before it hardens, into the shape you like. If you're not happy with the results, just pop it back into the oven to soften, and try again. In minutes you'll have a quirky bowl to grace the sideboard! (You can find the original pin at Pinterest)

I made a large bowl, as well as a little mint dish.

Shelf re-styled...

Now I sit in my cosy chair, and listen to the sounds of Glen Miller whilst having a tipple from my cocktail cart...yip, very rock and roll I am!

All whilst admiring my lovely blooms...free ones from the meadows...and twinkling candle light, which looks enchanting in a favourite Pyrex jug...

And it doesn't really matter how and where, but everything looks better draped with fairy lights...

So, another Pinterest success, and I'm bowl-ed over by how easy it was!

Blessings,
Tania ♥

Let the music play!

Wowzer...Where has that last week gone?  It's just whizzed by in a hurry! I had eager intentions of keeping up a regular schedule here in Blog Land, but have just not managed it! But, it's been a wonderful week full of blessings! We were very fortunate to have the Watoto Children's Choir visiting from Uganda, and had the privilege of having a few of the children stay with us in our home. It's wasn't a first for us, and we were giddy with excitement at the prospect of having these young ambassadors staying with us. The children are all rescued orphans who have seen and experienced more heartache in their young lives than any person should ever have to endure. But, thanks to the ministry of Watoto, they have all been given hope and a future. You should hear them sing! They travel all over the world, so if they're ever in your neck of the woods, don't pass up the opportunity to go and see them. It will change your life!

So, at the end of such a wonderful, busy week, we have spent the weekend relaxing at home. Summer is finally winking at us with the promise of warmer, happier days, so it was only fitting to squeeze in the first proper visit to the boot sales! And I didn't come away disappointed! In fact, I hopped, skipped and jumped excitedly towards my car with my loot which to me felt like Christmas morning! I have been keeping my eyes peeled for a long time for a lovely record player, as I already own a few vinyl lovelies that were just chomping at the bit to belt out a tune. Well, today was my day...Just look what came home with me!

Now, for all you vintage purists out there...no, this is not a vintage piece. But, it is tippety-toppety marvelous!  It plays CD's, tapes (hmmm...yip, now THAT is retro!), radio and of course vinyl records! It does everything that I could possibly ask it to do, and more! So, the kids and I have spent the afternoon listening to 'The Sound of Music', and a record from 1967...'Jungle Book'...and of course a little bit of Doris Day!

Apart from striking gold with my newly acquired musical friend, this girl's wardrobe is singing hallelujahs too! Not one, but two tickety-boo pairs...Brand spanking new, and only a few bob!

As well as this Twiggy number...

And for my crafty soul...lovely Cath fabric and ribbon...just a few pennies later! Sigh...

What a super thrifty day! The best part of it all...this thrifty soul is singing out loud! I managed to sell off an old chair that we all just kept tripping over...lovely as it was it had to go! So, my new found bargains were funded by the chair! Happy days!

Hope your weekend has been restful, joyful, and full of blessings too!

Tania ♥

Now, for all you vintage purists out there,

Peachy Pots of Pinterest Perfection!

Hello my lovelies! I'm feeling very chirpy today, thanks to appearance of sunshine! Phew! Soooooo tired of wearing my raincoat! Well, feeling a little more industrious, I thought I'd tackle a venture I've been meaning to for a while. As you may have guessed by now if you're a follower of this blog, I am a Pinterest-a-holic. My fingers pin faster than grade A typing student! But, I do ponder some times whether the loveliness and wonderful ideas will ever be embraced, tried or tested. So, I intend to do just that! I am going to pick a few of my favourite bucket list pins, put them to the test, and share the results with you as, and when I do so. 

Today's attempt was Matryoshka Salt and Pepper pots. Ever thought of turning these lovely ladies into something useful for the dinner table? Well, thanks to Country Living who gave us the idea, I have set to work...

You'll need...

♥ Matryoshka (Russian) Dolls

♥ Drawing pin (Sharp!)

♥ Drill with very small drill bit, about 1/16      

  inch.

First, make little pilot holes by pushing the drawing pin through the top of your dolly...easy does it. Take care not to crack the paintwork! I did 5 hole for the salt pot, and four for the pepper...

Drill at the ready...

I was a little apprehensive...didn't want to inflict too much damage to my little beauties!

Be brave, and drill away!

Fill with salt, pepper, and you're done! Peachy perfect pots of perfection! Pinterest comes up trumps!

Happy Friday!

Blessings

Tania ♥

Jade meets Pink

Where does one go for a little creative inspiration? Don't all shout Pinterest at once!  This week my mood is taking me to one of my favourite colour combinations...Jade and pink...

It all started with a little swan...A thrifty find...

It has taken me on a little journey of discovering...favourite places...

Wardrobe graces...on my wish list of course!

Quirky party ideas...

Feminine touches...

And tea cups...and flowers...of course...

I'm not entirely sure where this colour palette will take me next. I have a feeling it might involve a paint brush and a very large tin of  Annie Sloan's Florence paint! What has inspired you lately? For a little more jade and pink loveliness, and links to all the above, just pop over to my Pinterest board!

Blessings

Tania ♥

Sew En-Deering!

You have to forgive me for the title of this blog post! I just couldn't help myself! You see, I have this obsession...with deer...Needless to say, my little collection is growing. I think my love for these endearing creatures started with the story of Bambi...I still remember crying my very first 'movie tears' as I watched the story unfold. And I dare say, I don't think I'm the only one.

I have been itching to sew a deer from one of Tone Finnanger's books, one I was given by a dear friend for my birthday. The minute I turned the page, and I knew it would be the first project I'd attempt.

And so, my little collection of deer is growing, and another family member richer!

I now face this dilemma...Where do I put her? Oh deer!

Do you also share a love of deer? Or obsessions of a different kind? Are you a collector? I'd love to hear from you!

Blessings

Tania ♥