Home and Family.

Having found a great deal of old family photos after loved ones have passed on,  it is both sad and frustrating that you don't know what the stories behind the photos and the people in them are. So I endeavor to write the story of our photos for the following generations by way of albums and journaling. It might even help me later when even I can't remember!

It usually takes me a few weeks to put together a new album from start to finish, and sometimes the finishing takes a little longer but I always become immersed in the process of designing, measuring, cutting, gluing, and sometimes then discarding and starting again.

Beautiful paper and inspirational verses just catch the eye and make you want to create something that will give pleasure to yourself and others.

I like to make lots of pockets or bands to hold extra cards for photos or journaling.

These days with beautiful collections of corresponding papers and embellishments it's easy to put together a lovely album......it's a lot like patchwork.

I still need to stamp the backs of the tags with an assortment of pretty stamps that tie the theme together, then to start collecting the photos that will go onto the pages and to write the story.

As you can see, this album will be about home and family.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Keep Creating.

Anyone for Coffee?

I recently found a couple of orphan photo frames in my pile of "to do" things and thought it was about time I made another chalk board sign.

I would have liked a more ornate frame, but had to make do with what was in the stash! So after a sand, chalk paint and wax for the frame and a new backing chalk board I have something new!

Don't you just love Pinterest for ideas!

Cooler Days

It seems that cooler days have finally arrived and of course that turns the mind to simple wholesome food cooked long and slow, time in the garden without the burning heat of Summer and playing around with fabric.

 I couldn't go past a slowed cooked oxtail stew with garlic chive mash potato and crusty bread. Comfort food to warm the heart. It's been a favorite of mine for a long time and I always make it the day before so I can take off the fat that solidifies when cold then reheat for the next day. I guess that makes it a little more healthy!

I also made these thingies from the left over mash potato and I love them so much I always eat a couple while cooking!

The grandchildren love these chocolate muffins and it doesn't take much to whip up a bunch! Only waiting for their peanut butter frosting!

I also tried out some Pineapple and Ham muffins as they looked so yummy..........but they were missing flavour and were not as good as they looked. Will have to tweak the recipe as they are light and fluffy.

Home decor got some attention as well with some new cushions for the lounge. I wanted some texture and after a shopping spree in Spotlight I can home with these.

 Lovely to work with but I have to say that blue fabric frayed something bad and left loose bits all over the place. I was picking up bits of thread everywhere. Once sewed though it behaved itself nicely.

Spotlight only had a small amount of the Pom-pom trim so I could only do a couple of cushions, but I do love it!

I love the cooler weather! What have you been up to?

Open Shelves in the Kitchen.

I love checking out Pinterest or Instagram for decorating ideas and trends and I have noticed a lot of open shelves in kitchens, and other places as well. I live in a dusty area and would have to clean and dust quite often to keep everything looking sparkling and clean!

I love the idea of books and utensils within easy reach and the everyday staples like flour and grains sitting there not only looking pretty but ready for use. It would be very easy to check requirements prior to shopping as it's all there to see.

Or someplace for a little farm house decorating.

Again it looks delightful  to see vintage alongside modern and know that you can have what you need within easy reach.........or is it just for decorating and not for use?

This has to be my favorite as it has the blue elements and everyone knows how much I love blue and white.

What do others think of this type of decorating. I am in love with the idea, but it's just not practical where I live in the dry dusty tropics and I'm just a bit lazy with the house work these days.

Note: I found all these wonderful photos on Pinterest.

Some Bunnies were......Killed and Maimed!

Do you ever see something on Pinterest or Instagram and think......I want one? Well I do (all the time) and sometimes there are numerous things preventing you from finding it, and buying it!

I saw this lovely post in Instagram and immediately fell in love with this bunny!

Now I know that I could look around and find something similar but I WANT this one! So I decided the best thing was to make it myself.

Lucky hubby has every conceivable power tool in the shed and I borrowed his jig-saw and sander and some spare timber.

I have to tell the truth.....bunnies were killed and maimed during this process! One lost his head and one lost his back legs, and one had a bite out of his back.......poor bunnies, sad bunnies!

Dead bunny bin! Will have a proper service later.

Anyway these couple survived the jig-saw massacre with some minor non life-threatening injuries. This one has a bite out of his but!

And this one lost his head, but thanks to a tube of liquid nails.....Ta Da! All better.

Hubby just shook his head when I showed him my latest handiwork! Seems I should have used ply and not pine. Apparently that's why some of the bits broke off! Oh well! Live and learn I guess.

Now to decide whether to hang this fine rabbit or to let him run free!

I love my bunnies!

Keep Creating.