Just Like Martha

Back in a little while....

Well there are "no more sleeps to go" we are off....today...yippee!

Looking forward to our family holiday...and this...

and this..

 and this...

Ooooohhhh did I mention I was excited....

A few Christmas decorations....

Even though we won't be enjoying Christmas at home this year I had to have just a few  decorations to make our home look festive (we actually have some dear friends coming to stay whilst we are away and I am sure they will appreciate them!!)

Amazing what a few cheap baubles and some organza ribbon does to transform the dining room chandelier...

Okay there you have it a little Christmas cheer to brighten your day....x

Travel Journal inspiration.....

I wanted to take a travel journal with me on this trip, something to write in every day and a place to paste museum tickets, airline boarding passes, drink coasters and all the goodies I collect along the way...memories. The girls have each been given an early Christmas present of  lovely journal each, perfect but I was looking for something special and didn't like the commercially produced ones I came across in the shops (surprise, surprise).

So a 'google searching I went' and along the way discovered lots of inspiration...these were amongst my favourites.

Source: www.sandekrieger.typepad.com

Source: via Pinterest

Source: via Pinterest

Source: via Pinterest

So inspired by the creations I discovered along the way I set off to create my own, off to Big W and a stationary supply place for a few supples (I find Big W which is quite local has quite a good selection of resonably priced scrapbooking supplies PLUS its open early so I can be in an out before the shops become busy)...

Then I set to work starting with the front cover then a few pages dedicated to our first stop Paris. The idea is that along the way if I have time I can doodle and journal to my hearts content OR simply gather everything and jot down notes on scraps of paper to create later...I have created a mini 'kit' to take along which neatly fits in a large pencil case (including the journal) I can take it on the plane with me (I just have to remember to keep the small scissors in my check in baggage to save any embarassment!)

What do you think?

 

Christmas Wrapping inspiration...

Sorry think I may have promised to post about this a few days ago...how time flies...

Any one that knows me well, will know that I am pretty keen on having ALL our presents wrapped and matching under our tree (okay so some might say I am almost obsessed by it, LOL) I like to 'theme' the present wrapping and try to vary it from year to year.

2010

 Fast forward to this year and with a holiday looming and Christmas away there is no need to put up our beautiful Christmas tree and adorn it with matching presents. So, I have taken the opportunity to use up all the odds of collected wrappings and 'end of rolls' in the hope that next year I can start fresh and once again my wrappings will be themed (ahhh happy days)

This year I am content with...

And this...

It hasn't stopped me drooling at possibilities, and lots of clever ideas, check these out...

Images: www.marthastewart.com (where else?)

Images: via Pinterest

Funny there seems to be a common theme amongst my favourites, what do you think?

How do you wrap your presents?

 

Op Shop Finds

Playing along this week with Sophie and Apron Thrift Girl with my op shop finds for this week. I have been scouring the shops hoping to find some more vintage sheeting, I am taking part in the vintage quilt square swap, its my first ever 'sewing' orientated swap and I am relying on help big time (Mardi has arranged for a tutorial from the wonderful Janelle and I can't wait to get involved).....anyway sadly I only found one to add to me very tiny collection, ahh a girl has gotta start somewhere right!

Also happy to pick up some more vintage sheet music (have lots of ideas swimming around to use that) and a beautiful cup and saucer to add to my collection of china that I make into candles.

On another visit I managed to grab these bargains for $1 each....

The decorations quickly made it on to a 'starry friends' Christmas present and the wire tree has been transformed (inspired by Kim Archer's latest edition of Etzcetera) into this...

And the present....

Shadow Shot Sunday

YAY! Finally playing along again with Tracy and the shadow shooters from all over the world. Yesterday we were having a cuppa in our backyard and this Kookaburra decided to join us.

Hope your Sunday is a happy one, thanks for visiting xxx

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well at our house anyway!

We are well on the way to finish our Christmas preparations before we head off on holidays (not too many sleeps to go its sooo exciting!). I feel like this year I have even beaten the mad retail infiltration (or is it that Halloween is now such a big thing that the shops WAIT until after October 31 to put up their Christmas displays???)

Last school holidays Lilly and I had a production line making our Christmas cards...

They are now ready to post complete with 'annual newsy update' and 'cute Chrsitmas pic' !

The girls have organised their presents for their friends, this year we opted for simple lolly bags, I found these great slim cello bags on ebay and had some fun....

Red and green M&M's for some.....and

Red Jaffa's for the others...pretty cool huh!

These cute little Snowman chocolates from Aldi also look great presented in a little organza bag....

So there you have it, it IS starting to look a lot like Christmas and to make it feel even more like the start of the 'silly season' tonight we attended our first Christmas carol singing evening at the school!!!!

Now amongst close friends I am known as "Martha" so craftiness and organisation go hand in hand BUT for those of you reading who are a little scared or repulsed by the mere thought of having your Christmas cards written and ready to send in mid November enjoy this next picture.....

Yes chaos reigns....I know our dining table is under there somewhere!

Back tomorrow with more 'pretty pics' and some great gift wrapping ideas!

Byefor now x

Cards, cards and more cards....

I am so excited my first BIG order of cards is ready to post! I was asked to make a variety of cards (over 100 in total) so for the past few weeks whenever I had a spare moment I was in creating mode...now not sure about you but its often easy to loose your mojo when you are under the pump...I often find I am more creative at night when everyone else is asleep LOL!

The order was for Christmas cards, Adult Birthday cards, Kids Birthday cards, New Baby and some Thankyous (love that people still send a personalised thankyou card - makes me smile)..here are a few of my favourites...

Hope my 'client' enjoys the cards as much as I enjoyed 'creating' them xxx