Just Like Martha

Just added to my ETSY store.....

I have been in craft heaven for the last few days putting the finishing touches to my cake flags and bunting before I added them to my JustLikeMartha store over at Etsy....its no secret I LOVE LOVE vintage doilies so its no surprise that some of them have ended up as cake flags and bunting LOL. There are also some pretty cute washi tape cake flags, oh and check out the tiny pom poms.

These will jazz up any home made creation or store bought cake and can be wiped clean and used again and again. You may have noticed the random doilly bunting in the photo.....I have these decorating my creative space at home, they add a 'touch of whimsy' and also look great draped in a tree, around a mirror, along the fireplace...you get the picture!

Hope you are enjoying the weekend, I'm off to do some more crafting...yippee!

Present ideas......

The end of another busy week...lots of Birthdays in our 'neck of the woods' at the moment so I have had my creative hat on...what do you think of the results???

First up a present for one of Taylor's friends turning "sweet 16"....I put together a fun and yummy collection of treats for an ice cream sundae then bundled it altogether with her very own stamped silver spoon and pretty chevron printed china bowl...it was a hit and I am sure there will be more of these created in months to come!

Whilst still on a roll with my 'stamping' skills I put together this gift for a dear friend who loves her cuppas....some beautiful tea purchased from T2, yummy home made shortbread bicuits, a sweet little Japanese ceramic plate and her own stamped spoon!

Next up "his and hers" wheat bags for my mum and dad...well actually they are "rice bags" the girs have complained that the semall of wheat in the past often overpowers the pretty lavender that I include so rice it was! My parents celebrate their Birthdays just days apart and this year we decided to give them Westfield vouchers so they could head off on a shopping spree, of course I couldn't just hand over a voucher so these made nice inclusions....

Ha, if you know me you'll alreay know its ALL about the wrapping...presentation is everything!

A last minute "hostess gift"...vintage sheet music wrapped around a beautiful soap and finished off with string and a vintage doily!

Another great present idea..this one was presented to us!!! Friends from around the corner whipped up some yummy pesto and presented us with a little jar...made my day AND IT WAS YUMMY!

Happy Friday everyone, have a lovely weekend xx

 

This months Dolly magazine.....

Its finally here....the June issue of Dolly magazine...starring Lilly!

Well not quite starring LOL but she is 'in' the magazine, an entire page. She had such fun modelling and the team at Dolly were amazing, what a great memory she now has to treasure...

Wish I was a few years younger to wear some of the outfits..ha!

Hello....I am still here

I am still around...have been busy with the launch of my Etsy shop and orders for Mothers Day which is fast approaching....promise I will be back to my poor neglected blog very soon!

Introducing "Genevive" and her friends....

Today I would like to introduce you to some of my new creations...introducing "Genevive" a vintage trio side plate, saucer and teacup that has been loving made into a soy candle and is now appearing in my Etsy store for sale...

She has been joined by "Abigail" a cute little petite mismatched teacup and saucer...."Eloise" a very pretty cottage flower bone china matching set, and "Rose" a mismatched limited edition bone china teacup and sacuer.....the vintage china is all originally from England.

I LOVE breathing new life into these wonderful vintage treasures....I like to imagine 'where they come from and their journey to reach me'....I have just listed them along with my other vintage goodies in my Etsy store (or if you live locally please contact me direct to save on postage)...each 'creation' comes beautifully gift boxed and ready to give a s a gift....don't forget Mothers Day is just around the corner!

Anzac Day

Remembering those who fought and those who lost their lives for us along with the loved ones they left behind...LEST WE FORGET!

Made a batch if yummy Anzac cookies today....so thats "whats in the cookie Jar", looking forward to spending the afternoon with friends and enhoying more of this stunning Autumn weather.

A new look.....

Well after a few years and over 480 posts I thought it was time for a new look - what do you think???

Lucky for me my kids are right up there with the technology so what would have taken me hours didn't take them very long at all (okay lets face it if it had been left to me I would still have the same ol' blog I would have given up for sure!)

Some of my latest creations were expertly photographed then made into a blog banner, I also decided it was time for a complete revamp so played around with the design and content a little...hope you like it!

But alas my revamp did not stop there... I have taken a huge leap and re-started my Etsy account with lots of my beautiful candles in time for Mothers Day...a few cards there too...you can fine me here or click on the link at the side to be taken straight to my shop.

But wait...there's more.....time to join Facebook too, check it out, please "Like Me" if you are on Facebook so at least I "think I have friends" LOL x

And finally on a roll, Lilly convinced me that it was about time I joined the ranks of Instagram so hey...why not! I must admit time is sometimes lacking in my world and the "instant gratification" is a wonderful way of keeping track of the day to day stuff, I am hooked!

Let me know what you think of all the changes xxx

How to make a herb garden.....

Lilly has been wanting to repurpose a crate for ages...she gets excited when she sees crates at the side of the road....finally one day I stopped!

Step one - do some research - lots of inspiring ideas on Pinterest.

Step two - figure out how to out the sandpaper on to the sander that dad gives you!

Step three - sand off the rough edges ('geek' glasses make you look like you know what you are doing!!! LOL)

Step four - get your dad and sister to help you attach the crate to the fence so that you can fill the sections with dirt and lots of wonderful herbs...

Step five - stand back and admire - good job Lilly!

It won't take long for the herbs to grow and hopefully topple over the crate, its been so nice to step outside the back door and snip herbs...only problem is Lilly is now on the look out for another crate....LOL think we have 'created a crate monster'!

Friday Catch up

It's been a short week this week after a relaxing Easter break but somehow it feels like a loooonng week, looking forward to a glass of vino and a night in front of the tele tonight!

Not much to report here this week, the girls are busy finalising assessments and tasks before their holidays at the end of next week, they are both tired and looking forward to a break from routine. I have been busy working, seem to be 'chasing my tail' this week, I had quite a few cards to whip up this week (thank goodness for a crafty space that I can close the door on...I seem to have managed to make quite a mess...)

Here are a few of my creations this week:

Dear hubby needed a few cards for collegues at work, a Farewell card and a Birthday card using the just one piece of cardstock - quick and easy leaving me time to whip up the cake....!

Ran into a local store in Fairlight called Watermelon Home to find a present for someone I work with, the wonderful lady giftwrapped my purchase...hmmm...anyone that knows me well would know that I just had to "add" to the wrapping when I got hom LOL and whipped up this cute 'paintchip' gift tag.

Finally I have been adding slowly to my collection of vintage teacup candles and during a breal in the rainy weather earlier in the week managed to snap a few photographs, I am planning on selling some of them for Mothers Day...maybe even looking at Etsy or Made It???? Hmmm thinking thinking...

Check out the cake stand...I made it all by myself...not bad for a first attempt huh...my father in law was staying for the weekend and I have to see he was mighty impressed!!!

Happy Friday one and all, hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Easter (is just around the corner...)

Yes, the hot cross buns have been in the shops for a while now...its true...Easter is just around the corner! We are looking forward to a few days relaxing at home, the girls have a lot of assignments and schoolwork to complete and we hope to catch up woth a few friends...bring it on I say!

Found an old wreath and gathered a few Easter supplies from the $2 shop, makes a bright and cheery welcome on our front door.

And my ol' Easter favourites have come out of hiding perched on the table in our entrance way...

There is lots of wonderful Easter inspiration out there, had a quick peek, these are some of my favourites, what do you think????

Source: Pinterest

How adorable are these and sooo easy to make....these might just have to make an appearance at some stage over the Easer break...

Source: Zina Wright

What a great hostess gift this would make, and makes a nice change from chocolate. Zina is so clever..will definitely keep this one in mind...

Source: Martha Stewart

How pretty is this centerpiece, all you need is a couple of plate stands, some egg cups and a collection of flowers..easy peasy and very effective.

Source: Pinterest

Love, love this...might be a great idea for the girls, maybe a little gift rather than heaps of chocolate..oooh how adorable is that little nest...

Source: Martha Stewart

Yep Martha you have done it again, a simple but effective table setting...maybe for an afternoon tea get together???

Hope you enjoyed my Easter inspiration xxx