Snow Day

To create this card I have used Stamps: Stampendous Snow Swirl.  Magnolia Rowdy Tilda.  Card stock: White hammered, white glittered, teal.  Papers: DP Paper Cellar Traditional Christmas.  Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks Chipped Sapphire, Broken China, Pine Needles.  Memento Tuxedo Black.  Colourings: Copic markers.  Dies: Cuttlebug snowflakes.  Cuttlebug embossing folder Snowflakes.  Punches: Martha Stewart Scallop Dot.  Embellishments: Papermania adhesive stones.  Art Decor Glamour Dust Crystal. 

Hints and Tips

If you don't have the right colour glitter for your project use a piece of card that is the right colour and cover it in the Crystal Glamour Dust the colour of the card will show through. 

This card was entered into the following Challenges:

Sketch Saturday Challenge:  Week #122 A Sketch.

The One Stop Craft Challenge:  Week #99 Snowflakes in September.

Totally Tilda Challenges:  Challenge #6 Glitter & Sparkle.

Crazy 4 Challenges:  Bling!

  The Crafty Pad Challenge:  Christmas Sparkle.

New kid on the blog

Rue magazine has made the rounds among the blogger community and after looking through the first issue I have to say it's going to be there to stay for hopefully a long time. It's stylish, competent, informative and fun to look at.
I found lots of interesting stuff to read and lovely homes and rooms to look at.
Check out my selection of favorites...After coming back this year from Europe I still love all the bright walls, the colorful accents,
the somewhat informal, yet elegant feeling in these rooms below.


In Julia Edelman's (Buckingham Interiors) wonderful home I found many pretty and elegant vistas. Here an oversized hook holds an enormous Spanish influenced chandelier, the room benefits from high ceilings and marries whimsical, modern and traditional furniture.


I love this living room, light filled with great pieces, casual and very nicely selected mid-century furniture, all connected through the unifying color scheme. It belongs to fellow blogger Victoria Smith of sfgirlbybay.

A corner of her bedroom, a simple country room feel, with a modern touch. Love the side table, the bed linens and of course the turquoise accents.


The vignette in this sitting room belongs to one of my favorite designers. Vicente Wolf. A wonderfully informative spread can be found on the pages of the premier issue of RUE magazine.



Hayden-Harnett's Toni Hacker and Ben Harnett's Brooklyn loft! Love it!


Life as art! Mary Douglas Drysdale designed the living quarters for Sam Gilliam, the artist and his wife. I adore the sophisticated artwork and the simplicity of this dining room arrangement. The house is an truly artist's dream. Go, see for yourself!



All pictures via RUE magazine. With thanks to all photographers.

Thursday in Stripes

To create this card I used Stamps: The Greetings Farm Thursday.  Sizzix Happy Halloween.  Card stock: White hammered, green, black, black glittered.  Papers: DP Doodlebug Designs Inc Halloween Assortment.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, London Fog.  Colouring: Copic markers.  Sakura gel pen Stardust.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Deckled Rectangles.  Sizzix Originals Bat, Extended Cuts Grass, Sizzlit Ghost, Bats & Boo.  Punches: Martha Stewart Scallop Dots.  Embellishments: Papermania buttons, adhesive stones.  Black ribbon. 

Hints and Tips

If you don't have buttons to match your project colour them in using a permanent marker.  The buttons on this card were pale yellow.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

A Spoonfull of Sugar:  Challenge 123 Spots and Stripes.

Nutshells Challenge:  Use Fall Colours.

The Big SALE!

In My House, the extended pop-up shop, is sadly coming to the end of its lease in Berry.

The good news is that we have lots of amazing bargains for designers and home decorators. From big decorator statements like this amazing coral mirror, to gorgeous quilts and garden accessories. I have great new season map cushions plus plenty of beachy striped cushions - all at sale prices.

I even have shells and coral as well as french soaps and hand creams - there are lots of gorgeous things.

We can deliver to most parts of Sydney, the Southern Highlands, Illawarra and South Coast. We can also post to other parts of Australia.

There are also some lovely vintage pieces and furniture we have restored. Come and see us in Berry or give us a call or email!

Brands on sale include:

Ruby Star

Cath Kidston

Meizai

Savon de Marseilles

Styletto French stationery

Un Esprit En Plus

Pip Duck gumboots (50% off!)

In My House

Email: inmyhouse@bigpond.com

ph: 02 4464 1855

open 10am -4.30pm (every day except Tuesday)

The Colours of Autumn

Firstly I'd like to say I had a brilliant weekend I went to Crafty's in Liverpool to watch the fabulous Lindsay Mason demonstrating.  Thanks to her I have now spent a fortune on Tim Holtz Distress Inks and I have dyed fingers.

Here are two of the backgrounds I have made with the distressing inks.  I also entered the raffle while I was in Crafty's and I won a Rotatrim with all the accessories worth £79.99.  I was very pleased to have won this because I had just wrecked my current trimmer trying to cut paper while it had wet glue on it that's what I get for being impatient.

To create this card I have used Stamps: Habico Autumn Leaves.  Kars Ollyfant Autumn.  Card stock: White hammered, green.  Papers: Cream mullberry.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Cottage Ivy.  Tim Holtz Distress Ink Spiced Marmalade, Brushed Corduroy, Forest Moss.  Colourings: Copic markers.  Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils.  Sakura gel pen glaze.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Large.  Cuttlebug embossing folder Forest Branches.  Sizzix Sizzlits Leaves #2, #4. 

Hints and Tips

When using Distress Inks wear gloves to protect your hands from the ink. 

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Stamp Something Challenge:  Something with fall colours.

Cute Card Thursday:  Challenge 131 A Sketch by Leann.

Craftalicious Challenge:  Challenge #9 Harvest Festival/Autumn

The Screened Porch

I had never heard of screened porches until saw Grace Coddington's in a magazine many years ago. I have wanted one ever since. A friend of mine who lives in a mozzie-prone area near the beach has one and she lives out there most of the year.

We are planning such a porch at the end of our school house which will look out across the fields to the mountains. Here are some inspiring examples I thought I'd share.

Today I love

Vintage inspired pieces!












All found here.


Vintage postcard bedding from here.





Pictures via TracyPorter and Anthropologie.

Before and After

This is a great contrast between before and after in a renovation in upstate New York (from Country Living). The magazines don't seem to show the before shots much anymore, probably because they look so unattractive!

Anyway, I do love a before shot. I can relate...

Falling Leaves

To create this card I used Stamps: Sugar Nellie Autumn Kit 2009.  Card stock: White hammered, brown.  Papers: DP De ja Views By C-Thru.  Mulberry papers.  Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Desert Sand, Potters Clay.  Colouring: Copic markers Skin E000/E00/E11/R20.  Hair E35/E37.  Clothing YR14/YR12/E34/E35/YG63/YG67.  Broom E25/E53/E29.  Hedgehog C00/C1/C3.  Leaves YG63/YG67/E35/E37/E31/E33.  Sakura gel pen Glaze 817.  Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Large, Small Deckled Rectangles.  Cuttlebug embossing folder Autumn Type.  Sizzix Sizzlits Leaves #4. 

Hints and Tips

Cut the leaves out of mulberry paper you can crumple it up and make them look like real leaves.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Moving Along With the Times: Challenge 65 'To Do' List.

1. Two different patterned papers.

6. Some leaves.

8. Dry embossing.

Crafty Creations Challenges: Challenge #86 Falling Leaves.

Colors of fall

I love the colors of fall: the yellows, oranges, burned umbra's and browns. As it gets cooler outside we enjoy the warming trends inside. Especially white interiors can benefit from warm colors.











I can see the carpet on a white floor, the warm brown of the chest of drawers next to the table lamp. The kelim covered chair is a favorite of mine. The sofa is a stunner and needs some cozy pillows (1 & 2) like those above. A lovely scented candle adds to a enveloping atmosphere. And don't you love a little pouf around for extra seating or your feet up?
For additional style wrap yourself in Tory Burch's beautiful shawl...




Enjoy a lovely weekend!



Picture source as indicated and top image Tory Burch's website!