Farm Shops

Just a quick little post about farm shops. This is one that I became a bit of a fan of during our stay on my Uncle's farm in Over Stowey in Somerset, England.

It's just simple, how life should be.

They grow it.

We buy it.

Bobs your Uncle. Farm fresh locally produced fruit and vegies. Come on, lets all just buy direct from our local suppliers, find them, use them, it just makes sense. It's just one of those little things we can all do easily to collectively make a difference.

My Creative Space

January is always a time for me to take stock, banish anything that has been awaiting attention for so long that the moment has passed and start on things that are new and fresh.

I decided to make a new 'appointment' board for the kitchen where I can put things that would otherwise be at risk of going behind the fridge to join the tea cosy and lost forever. Like my driving licence renenwal.......woops!

I bought the fabric when we were on our road trip in Bangalow. Such a cute relaxed little town, just inland from Byron. I found the best little retro shop on the way out of town towards Lismore which had a fantastic selection of fabrics and hastily asked the shop keeper if he would be up for doing a deal if I picked out a load, which he did. I have six meters of this one. It's stained in places but worth it nevertheless.

The ric-rac, brass coloured buttons, red braid and doily was all from charity shops and stashed in my cupboard awaiting a project and I'm really happy with the way they work together. Such beautiful bright colours. These boards are so easy to make. You just need a sheet of mdf cut to size (the guys in the hardware shop may be able to do this for you) and a staple gun. Once you've selected your fabric iron it and cut approx. 10cms bigger than the board. Place the fabric wrong side up on a large table and then lay a sheet of batting over the top and cut to size of fabric. Place the board on top of this (you can use spray glue to stick it if you want) and wrap the fabric and wadding around the board. Secure using a staple gun. Then embellish to create the look you want.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to. What about you? Hope you're all having fun in your creative spaces. Have a look at more here.

Caravan Refurb - Part 3

Time to get down and dirty!! This weekend Maggie and I scrubbed the inside of the old girl from top to bottom, the caravan that is. Not very exciting for you guys though so I'll just take this opportnuity to share with you a quick little Good Housekeeping tip which was also highlighted by the lovely Sarah over at Red Gingham who recently wrote a fabulous post about all the wonderful efforts she was making towards a more environmentally friendly existence - well done you! Using Bi-carb and white vinegar for all your cleaning needs is a cheap environmentally friendly alternative to harsh chemical cleaning products. I use it to clean floors, sinks, bathrooms and surfaces, basically anything you'd otherwise grab a commercial 'squirty product' for. I also add a few drops of my favouriote oils to make it smell lovely, lavender and rose are my favourites. But tea tree or eucalyptus is good for germy areas.

Anyway, back to the caravan refurb, once we'd finish the cleaning, I lined all the cupboard shelves with the polka dot vinyl I used before for the drawers. What a difference it makes, and the melamine plates and bowls look so cute in there don't they.

Or should I use this set of Alfred Meakin china?

Which would you use? Once again the old impractical me says use the Alfred Meakin, it'll be so cool to have lovely china when camping, but the new practical me says don't be so silly, it'll break!!. Wotcha think, plastic or china?

Lavender and Tea Tree

Hey peeps, time for a quickie? I was just hanging my latest charity shop fabrics on the line and thought i'd share with you one of my household tips - a true good housekeeping special from the ultimate desperate housewife.

When you're washing your new charity shop purchases, add a capful of water soluble lavender or tea tree oil to the wash once it's in full swing, preferably on the last rinse cycle. You can buy these in Woolies, often in the medical/vitamins aisle.

It leaves your linens smelling fresh and as beautiful as a gorgeous summers day. Especially if they were bought from a particulalry whiffy charity shop!

Have a beautiful day all and please feel free to share your favourite household hints, the ones passed down from Grandma's are the best don't you think?

The Great Apron Swap 2010

Thank you so much Sarah from Red Gingham for organising this fantastic swap. I so enjoyed making an apron for my swap partner Damaris from 'within the corners of my kitchen'. I was chuffed to bits to be given a partner who lives in Santa Cruz, how glamorous and who has surfer husband also!! So here at last, I can reveal the apron made by me for Damaris.

I decided to make a more 'practical' apron than I usually would as Damaris is a foodie and thought she might actually wear it alot. This apron will also improve with age as the frill around the bottom section (which you can't see very well in this picture) will soften and the raw edges around the large pocket and applique will fray. I've also made the ties long enough so that you can wear it tied at the front or at the back.

This applique design was taken from Damaris's blog logo, but I put the half plate up the other way (like a bowl) so that it also created another smaller pocket. I then embroidered her name in what I thought was a very santa cruz surfy looking font......awesome, stoked, it's totally going off.......hehehehe:)

Hmmmm now for my next swap......anyone got any recomendations?