2 packages, 2 shops, 1 announcement

You gotta love it when the mailman rings with two packages in tow.  Especially when those two packages come from two special ladies.

Do you recognize this silver compote?  It was first spotted on Miss Mustard Seed’s blog.  She just opened up a new shop and posted some of her beautiful vignettes.  I wish so badly I could visit in person… maybe one day!  If you click on this link, you’ll see I’m the first comment inquiring about her beautiful bowl.  When there’s a will, there’s a way.  She was so kind to ship it.  I just love it.  I adore everything she does.  So very talented and so very sweet.

And have you heard the news?  Maria, from the exquisite Dreamy Whites blog is opening an online shop this month.  I’m so excited, as it’s going to be filled with all kinds of French goodness.   I can’t tell you how wonderful her package smelled when I opened it!  Lavender pillows, lavender soap, lavender stems and a lavender colored antique bottle to top it all off.   I have little pieces of Maria in every corner of my house now, and it makes me smile.  :) 

On the topic of shops, my own Etsy store is about to close.  I have one more batch of the popular Recipe towels to sell next week, but after that, I’m saying goodbye to all the burlap and linen piles stacked up around here. 

It was a fun summer venture for me, but I find any time left over at the end of the day (or in my case, the middle of the day), I’d prefer to spend it doing what I love most.  Which is… decorating my home and making it a peaceful haven for those who live in and visit it.

I do daydream of having a brick and mortar shop filled with all the things I love.  One day.  But for now, for me, this isn’t the season.   So I live vicariously through my friends, and I don’t mind it, not one little bit! 

Crafting under Big Skies

It has been a busy year and though I've not travelled far I did manage a few days in one of my favourite spots, North Norfolk. This picture just sums up why I love it so much - the beautiful beaches and big skies!

I'm a member of the National Trust and Norfolk is home to quite a few NT properties including Felbrigg. Known as the bountiful estate it was lovely to look around it's walled gardens which provide produce for the NT restaurant. It also provides allotments for local people, which I think is a lovely way of giving something back. Beyond the walled garden there is an orchard, and tucked into a corner are these lovely beehives, though I didn't get too close.

Roaming around the orchard were a group of chickens - this one's for Nic. They were having a lovely time....

Within the walled garden was a pond with these lovely water lilies. So pretty.

A very breezy day on the beach was a sign of things to come.....

I'd come prepared for wet weather having seen the weather forecast before I left! I sneaked in some craft supplies. Hubby did question why I needed to take a rolling pin and a large range of metal pastry cutter shapes with me on holiday. But I had a plan! I couldn't resist the opportunity to try out a new project and here are the results!

It's a very simple process using air hardening clay and I must say I had a lovely time cutting out shapes and using buttons and other embellishments to decorate my tags and Christmas tree decorations. The idea came from a book called The Homemade Home. It has some lovely ideas in it and this one really appealed.

I hope you like them! There are so many uses for these that I am already planning to make some more!

I know it's not Easter but I loved the little bunny shape cutter.

I really enjoyed my time crafting under the big skies of North Norfolk. Perfect inspiration!

Jacquix

A black and gold kitchen

I had torn this kitchen out of Elle Decor a few years back -- it seems to be from September 2008(!) -- because I was going through a "paint the kitchen cabinets black" phase. I like how the cabinets are glossy black, with gold molding. I was surprised at how well mixing the gold and stainless steel worked, too. The pink backsplash (Benjamin Moore Pink Mix) was surprisingly but warms up a room that could otherwise be cold and stark.