a mothers love

when i was 5 years old, my mother decided to make a quilt for my bed. i watched her spend a good part of the next year sewing these blocks up and then handstitching the entire thing stitch by stitch until it was done. i would hide underneath the fabric as she sewed each night and was thrilled to pieces when it was finally done and spread onto my bed for the first time. i loved it then and i still love it just as much. so all these years later, it seemed a waste for it to sit in a cupboard when madeline is using my old bed... so mum go to work once more and made it hers...

this new piece was added to the quilt a month or so ago, quilted over the top of four calico hearts with the letters of my name... and this week the quilt has one again taken pride of place on my old bed. madeline is thrilled to pieces and couldn't wait to snuggle under it this evening.

"those who sleep under a quilt, sleep under a blanket of love ♥ "

joseph's room

i have been meaning to post joseph's finished room for quite some time, but seem to have failed miserably in doing so.

i had such a good time making this space for our little man and i am so glad i went with bright yellow and green with grey and white... it looks amazing and i am thrilled. i love to be in here with him. ♥ 

so here we are; better late than never...

canvas: officeworks

weathered blocks: chris lentz-reid

yellow frames: thingz home and gifts

mini fale, handheld drum and carved turtle: flea markets samoa

yellow house lantern: kmart

giraffe led night light: target

(drawers from ikea)

cot & change table: has baby

rug & cushion: anna joy french

metal storage baskets: kmart 

nappy stacker: ma & me

grey/yellow dachshund bedding set: target au

teddy bear: funky kids

deer head: the reject shop

mobile: made by my talented mum whilst in samoa

tupac and biggie cushions: passive juice motel

knitted blanket: target

deer cushion: ma & me

patchwork quilt: also made by my mum whilst in samoa, she was on a roll!

green storage cubes: target

monkey over door hangers: kmart

bookshelf: homeart

toy tub: kmart

dream frame: spotlight

vintage train: vinnies stores

elephant: ma & me

madeline's big girl room tour

well, here it is! my little girl has grown up suddenly and has a room for a big girl. with a big bed (that she loves to jump on) and other fun things. niques vacated the room and left for queensland shortly before we left for samoa... and i have finally gotten around to posting some pictures of it on here.

i have done my best with the terrible cheap (now dirty and worn) carpet and awful coloured walls that come with a rental... and despite that, madeline is thrilled with the result. every time someone comes to our house, they are greeted with "do you want to come in my room?" "i love my room" "mummy made it for me" she's clearly easily pleased, but it is a nice place to sit and play.

3d butterfly heart pic a custom piece from ma & me

princess castle available at all department/toy stores or online here

toy basket below from the reject shop

i'm ocd as anything, i had to have matching hangers... and it has made such a difference to how neat her closet looks, no more mish-mashed hanging... get to kmart $3 for 10

solid recycled cardboard cubes $10 each from target

pink laundry tub (mini handbag storage) from bunnings

follow your dreams canvas print from kmart

dolly pram made by my grandfather for my third birthday ♥

antique cast iron bed a gift for my sixth birthday from my grandmother

pale pink quilt set with white fluffy wings detail & matching white fluffy cushion trelise cooper at ezibuy au

babushka cushion toy a gift from my best friend to madeline

pink chevron cushion from flamingo tease

rainbow quilled picture, a custom piece from ma & me

bedside table from kmart

wooden campervan playset from kmart

lamp from keeley's garden

dream canvas from the local opshop for $5 - what a steal!

jewellery stand from diva (now lovisa)

teddybear money box, made by my aunt when i was a child

m from cotton on kids

dreamcatcher canvas from earthly gifts by the sea

love letters from thingz gifts

"heaven" canvas from kmart

birdcage from junk to jazz

eiffel tower bookends from gumtree

classics bookset available here

praying children also from my aunt

mirror from ezibuy au

"wild thing" gold leather crown from hubble + duke

chest of drawers from ikea

mr piggy, a gift from a friend and still madly loved by miss maddie

pink wooden stool handmade by my beautiful grandfather

lightshade from ezibuy au

so there you have it! madeline's room. 

we love it and are glad she does too ♥

felt banner hack

disclaimer to begin - i in no way own this picture, total possession belongs to homely creatures. i simply have a friend who upon seeing this banner featured in a competition on instagram fell in love, but was a bit short on cash, so i decided to make my own version - for her.  i think it's a cute idea and all credit to them for the inspiration, in fact if you want your own, please go and buy one here! they are a very reasonable price for how much work goes into them... but if you too are a little short on cash, feel free to follow my instructions and diy!

you will need - half a metre of felt on the roll, available from all large craft/sewing stores (i went to lincraft) most places will measure slightly larger than the 50cm so that you definitely get the amount you've asked for, so mine wound up being about 30cms wide. i simply folded the piece into 4 and then cut into pieces, then evened up the edges with my scissors also.

grab a piece of chalk and start drawing the outline of your letters onto the felt. they don't look even? not a worry - as you can see from the original, not all letters are the same size and are slightly higgledy piggledy. once you are happy with your outlines, grab your sewing scissors, poke into the felt and cut around each letter, then use a dampened cloth to wipe off any excess.

i've then made a slight hem at the top and pushed through some wire, to make sure the felt doesn't sag and just sewn a straight line across the bottom for the same reason. to hang, add a piece of coloured string (poke a hole and thread through) or use 3m strips if you're renting (thus the lack of string on all the ones pictured!)

i am very much hoping that they are enjoyed by the two little men they are off to... but this is the beauty of the internet. like something you see? make your own version! all it takes is a little inspiration and makeshift materials and you're well on your way to having your own! now off you go and make your own.