Friday, May 27, 2011

I've often been told...

 
 
 

that I spend too much time living in "La La Land". But when you can shop for beautiful art -




"Tilly" by Art and Ghosts





























"Ruby" by Art and Ghosts






























"Little Fox Boy" by Kareena Zerefos







 gorgeous frames -



"King" Frame by Juan Carlos Comacho






























"Princess" Frame by Juan Carlos Camacho
































and colouring books -




"Lucy" by Nathaniel Eckstrom






























as well as lots of other lovely treats -




"You Are Wonderful" Tea by Nathaniel Eckstrom




I really don't think it's such a bad place to be!


Such beautiful products. Here are some frames and prints that I have just used in a bedroom makeover -



















































I just love how they look when grouped together! So...

maybe you'd like to spend a little time checking out what's on offer in La La Land yourself!


Hope your weekend is "La La" lovely,
Stephie x

Monday, May 23, 2011

I've got...

 
 
 
"MeasureMe" Sticks by Yanko Design





























your measure!



I love old rulers -





















Top row: Vintage "Pin It" skirt marker and folding stick rule

Bottom row: Vintage 1970s folding ruler, Vintage School House folding ruler and vintage collapsable ruler



and vintage tape measures -





















Clockwise from the top left: Collection of vintage tape measures, Wasco black 50' measuring tape, 1 2 3 Schoolhouse vintage black and white trim,vintage "Lady's Man" yellow plastic 1920s tape measure, red vintage leather tape measure and Lufkin white ruler ribbon measuring tape




and I love that they can teach us a little history too -





















To the left: Vintage Tupperware folding yardstick ruler and "Find it in The Yellow Pages" vintage ruler

And on the right: retro 1950s John Deere wooden advertising ruler, nifty vintage 1980 shoppers slide rule and vintage ruler advertising Sunbeam bread



They can make some interesting pieces when repurposed -




















On the left: Repurposed vintage wood ruler easel, Pin Action Ruler Brooch and vintage Stanley Ruler bangle

In the centre: "Charity" hanging doll and vintage yardstick coat rack

On the right: Vintage mini wood box and repurposed Bakelite business card holder


and when used in home decorating and embellishing everyday objects -





















Clockwise from the top left: "Nerd Journal", Set of four ACEO Tape Measure Collages by whitneysart, "Balloons Rule" vintage ruler height charts, "Tape Measure" digital print by AlixPassage, "Rulers" single switch plate by sarahbelle42, "Things That Are Long" letterpress print available from 1canoe2 and ruler notebooks by baileydoesntbark.



So there you have it, a little "Made to Measure" fun for you on a Monday! I think I feel a new vintage collection coming on! I might start with  this piece -








 a vintage 1938 "Tattle Tape" for women. You can read about it here!

Stephie x

Friday, May 20, 2011

Don't run...

 
 
 




"Scissors" postcard print by Lorelei Design




















with scissors!

They may be a rather humble, utilitarian item that most of us take for granted but scissors really can be objects of beauty when more closely inspected!


They can be rustic -


Extra large old metal industrial snips, small, medium and large antique scissors, antique button hole scissors and vintage Japanese Ikebana shears


























or vintage -



Vintage scissors, Set of four Victorian style embroidery scissors, "Knit and Sew", vintage Art Deco square handled forged steel scissors and antique Art Deco sterling silver scissors - can you tell that I am rather fond of things Art Deco?!



























or used to create beautiful pieces of art -



On the left: "Life is Good" papercut Giclee print from Vegaslammy and "Waiting for the Phone to Ring"  papercut by Tina Tarnoff, In the centre: "Goodbye" print from a papercut by Elsita and On the right: "Marie Antoinette" papercut by Tina Tarnoff and "Close Your Eyes, Don't Cry" papercut print by monpetitfantome



























Scissors can also be the subject of "art" themselves -



"The Swarm" mixed media collage by Oiseaux Noir, "The Scissors" linocut by mishevam, "A Game with Scissors" by arabbitgirl, "Vintage Scissor Friends" mixed media piece by Diana Evans, "Following Your Heart" print by Elsita and "Les Ciseaux" print by Eva Juliet






or look spectacular - if not a little daunting - when displayed en masse -



Image via: Eye Snacks





















Scissors can even be entertaining. Care for a game of -
























         Rock



















         Paper



















       Scissors!



Prints available from Jo Bozarth Illustration - I love these!


Happy weekend,
Stephie x

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wonder...

 
 
 
walls!

"Spring Laurel"





the ever so talented Shanna Murray has just updated her shop with new decals. No need for words, I will let the pictures do all the talking -



"Seed Garland"























"Darcy" Mirror Kit





















"Woodland Garland"























"Mayapple Garland"





















Make sure you stop by to have a look, I am sure that you will be more than -























Truly gorgeous - don't you think?!


Happy Wednesday,
Stephie x

Monday, May 16, 2011

Babushka, babushka...

 
 
 
We all know how they look traditionally but I think it's true to say that babushkas can look equally as lovely when translated into other mediums.


They make beautiful dolls-


Gorgeous matyroshka dolls by Red StitcH, Frute Juce ,Liz Tuff, Handmade With Joy and Lilmisspolkadot


























and wearables -



Babushka: messenger bag, pendant, brooch, skirt, hair pins and dress

























and look great when used to decorate a space -




Wall stickers by LoveMae, cute pillows by sugarandfig and prints by Munieca - either side of this gorgeous ottoman


























Babushkas are rather cool when made into things that are graphic and quirky -




"Zombie 3", part of a very cool "babushka" series by Artmind , "Matryoshka Family" wall stickers, Custom Family Portrait Matryoshka by Luvin Every Minute, "The Family Vampyre" Babushka dolls by bobobabushka, "My Little Bird" Babushka pincushion by twocrowsart and Nautical Russiann Dolls pillowcases by wengergirl




























and they can embrace multiculturalism -


Matryoshka magnets































and even represent the seasons -


Prints by Amy Perrotti


























buy my favourite babushkas are these measuring cups -


Image via: Lauren in Laurence


























aren't they just too cute?!


Image via: salihan





















And, yes, I have a set! You can see them "in action" at ChezB here!


So there you have it, lots of Matryoshkas of the non traditional variety for you on a Monday!


See you soon,
Stephie x

Saturday, May 14, 2011

It really must have been....

 
 
 



Friday the thirteenth yesterday as Blogger decided to shut down for a day! Not only was posting not possible but the comments from my previous post have disappeared out into the wild blue yonder as well! So thanks to those of you who did leave me a comment - I just didn't get to read them or to see who you were.

OK so now I'll stopping complaining, afterall, it could have been worse and get to Friday's post. After taking a look at doors, I thought it might be fun to see how they could be "aDOORned". Terrible pun I know but I couldn't resist!


You can use some stylish numbers -                                                       


 Four, One thousand and eighty-seven, Four hundred and fifty-three, Sixteen, Five hundred and eighteen and Thirty-nine

























or some cotemporary


Images via: Spec - Net, Remodelista, Oxford Double Glazing, Nextag, Gainsborough Hardware and Flickr

























or more traditional fittings -   

 

Vintage door knobs, art deco doorbell, a lovely way to receive your letters, antique door knocker, antique doorbell and "Use the Hand" - a bit creepy!


























Of course you'll need a front doormat -



Doormats via: Ikea, Karen's Rope Work, TV Recappers Anonymous, Chiasso, Damn Good Doormats and Live laugh Love

























 or maybe you could use your entrance area to show off your sense of humor -


"Finish Line" mat , "Shut the Front Door" sign, "Hi, I'm Mat" - I should get this for my son's room!, a happy entrance, lying dog doormat, "beware of the dog" and  super cute "Flowery Grass" mat


























I just love the idea of a sunny yellow door with a little field if daisies as a mat - gorgeous!


 May your weekend be full of open doors and all the possibilities that lie behind them,
Stephie x

                            

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Knock, knock...

 
 
 

Since we all have one and they are the first thing that a person sees when they visit your home, today it's all about making an entrance!


Front doors can be large and architectural -






















On the left:   pivot door from Portella Iron Doors and entry door from Keratuer

In the centre: "Modern Front Door" from Modern Furniture

On the right:  beautiful timber and glass entry door from Noosa Door Centre, modern entry door by Keratuer and"Lumina" entrance door from Corinthian Doors


or more traditional in style -






















Clockwise from the top left: "Ealy House" front door,  historic Seaport home entrance, fresh in white - door via tiennie knits, a lovely Heritage Door, a beautiful door via This Old House and farmhouse front door via Nibs Blog


They can be made of glass -





















Images: a beautiful entrance at this Westlake home, gorgeous yellow door from Sarah's Party Perfect, a pair of beachy white doors at Hale Laka, contemporary glass door from Kuhl Doors and a dramatic entrance in charcoal from Daily Home Renovation Tips


Look beautiful in natural timber -




















Left: "Logie" Highland Cottage

Centre: Christy's Thrifty Decorating

To the right: 1920's oak front door and 19th Century pine front door both from UK Architectural Heritage


or equally as lovely when painted -





















All the colours of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet!



So, if you haven't already, what are you waiting for? Time to make a statement with your  front door! I think I might be taking to mine with a paint brush in the not too distant future.


And don't forget -

                    
“When one door closes, another one opens"           
                Helen Keller



Image via OsloBlossoms





















So there you have it - home improvement suggestions and some words of wisdom for you on a Wednesday!

Stephie x