garlands galore

I especially love the repurposing of simple items to create a beautiful new object. Here are some inspirations that embrace this idea for you to try, if you're feeling crafty...and have more time than I.

1. baubles and balls 2. photos 3. wood scraps 4. glass baubles
5. novel paper 6. felt 7. recycled book 8. doily

revamped garland

Well I had great plans this year, for a new christmas garland to adorn the front door. I tell you, I have just clear run out of time. So last night I resentfully pulled out our old garland, we have been using for so many years now...sigh... She 's looking tired don't you think. Long gone are the dried flowers, many more pinecones and the sweetest little red robin who perched amongst these branches...hmmm.

Searching through my crafty stash...hmmm...I know! Snow white pom poms, reminiscent of snowballs...so simple!  A little yarn, a length of florist wire, a string of battery operated mini lights...wah lah.

What do you think!?!

no before...just the after..the kids room

The "joy" of undertaking a major home renovation/rebuild, is the finishing touches, the simple things like drywall, paint and decor, wait and wait and waaaaait to be done. By the time you get to that point, you're done! So it is no surprise E and T have lived in their raw bedroom for two years, awaiting the "finishing touches". I forgot to document the true "before", but you can imagine... 

Step 1: paint walls, a lovely, soft, grey blue...hmmmm...

Wow! It is amazing what a little paint and trim can do! Here is the room...done...finally!!! Next decorate!!!

I had a real challenge with this room, as it is shared by my daughter and son. Not only were they very specific about colours, none of which were complementary, but style too: very gender stereotypical. How to make a room gender neutral? How to ensure it's not too young, my daughter is 7 going on 17 (not quite, thank goodness) How to make a room that is still FUN!?! Oh, and did I mention I live in a small mountain town with a very small selection of fabric choice. 

I lucked out when I found this great Michael Milller fabric featuring assorted animals in a camping setting...adorable! Fun, huh?! The room just jumped off from here.

I decided to create a little private space in our window seat for the kids, by simply hanging the curtains I made, in front of the window seat, instead of traditionally against the window. E loves to curl up here with her umpteen cushions and read her favourite book. Girl after my own heart! T, however, loves to use the space as a fort...watch out! 

BTW the cushions are all thrifted and given new life with new covers. Did you note the pillow cover made of a pair of E's old jeans...tutorial opportunity? hmm...

(I apologise for the quality of these pics...the light is not that great on a wintery day like today!)

I also had the inspiration to provide a place for the kids to have their books and precious things beside their beds without introducing shelves on which to hit their heads. I mounted to the wall above their heads, a pair of double curtain rod holders, you know, the kind for accommodating two layers: drapes and sheers. I cut each leg from an old pair of jeans in my stash, cut down the inseam and simply added pockets in the back along the length of the inseam, for a length of dowel to travel through. Hung up on the curtain rod holders (is there a technical name for those?) the jeans leg creates a perfect pocket for books and such. Simple!

...and done! 

Well almost...

 I have an idea to create pop art canvases from photos of the kids, to add a little more zest and personality to the room. 

Tutorial to follow soon.

before and after... the master

I finally have a bedroom I'm not ashamed of. 
I no longer feel the urge to race and close the door when 
company arrives, to avoid their retinas being burned permanently 
by the horridly vivid green and yellow combination we 
previously suffered. For ten long years we suffered...not any more!!!

New dyrwall, a lovely shade of warm grey ( I had to educate Mr.S that indeed there is such a thing as a warm v's cold grey...you knew that didn't you;) and a little trim...

changed the vibe in here...totally!

Add new super soft bedding, grown up lamps I have fallen in love with, faux  sheepskin...and of course a co-ordinating bed for tira-two-ears at the foot of our bed where she loves to curl up.

When looking to accessorise, in my opinion, thrifting will always provide you with decor both unique and affordable. I thrifted these frames and mirrors forever ago...I knew they would work somewhere...someday..and they do...don't you think?!

 A quick coat of high gloss white paint to unify them and ...wahlah!

Wondering what that is I am using for my necklaces? It's nothing but a teaspoon holder...you know, for collectors. The earring display is merely an unused photo frame with the photo replaced by a little wallpaper and fly screen...So simple!

Oh, I almost forgot to show you. I thrifted this beautiful vintage wallpaper, an age ago and amazingly it works with the colour scheme we have chosen so perfectly! It has a wonderful muted roses print topped by a warm golden sheen finish. I am seriously contemplating putting it up on the one wall behind the bed where the bedhead, we don't have, should be. I think it will not only complement what we have so far but also add a little depth, dimension and unexpected interest. 

What do you think?

Good As Gold Gala Part 3

Gooooood times Ladies!!

As Good as Gold!!!

Good as Gold Gal Part 2 : Friday Finds

Accessories ladies...we all know it's ALL about accessories.

Here is a little bling-bling that would be totally awesome with that L.B.D you're planning on wearing tomorrow night.

p.s. got a ticket...see you there!!...hmmmmm... now what to wear???????

p.p.s. Don't know why this didn't post in time...better now than never?

Good as Gold Gala : Friday Finds

 Living in a small mountain town doesn't provide many opportunities to get all gussied up and paaaartee. However, thanks to Freyja and the Fernie Clubhouse,  not only do we  deprived mountain folk get to dress to the nines, dabble in a little gambling, boogie to some wicked tunes,and generally drink and be merry,  but also help to raise much needed funds for the Salvation Army Family Services.

Left it to the last moment to buy a ticket...they are all sold out!! Good for the Sally-Ann, bad thing for me...boo. Don't worry I'm on the hunt...wish me luck!

 I feel like Charlie Bucket...

I have however, been enjoying browsing around for gold looks suitable for this big event...here is what I found...maybe a little inspiration to you too, whether you be drawn to a more edgy look, or more romantic.

Of course I love the look bottom right, from Adam at Netporter...a mere $1895! 

Sooooo beautiful!!!

Tune in this afternoon for my take on accessories....

chocolate gobbler cobbler

Soooo...I got the dreaded call last week..."our school is having a bake sale. Can you...". At this time of year I really dread this call. Is that bad? I'm not complaining...I swear...it's just another thing to add to the plate. Sigh...


Embracing this "challenge" I began browsing around on the web for ideas for the upcoming school bake sale, and I came across Lollychops and her intriguing sounding dessert: Chocolate Gobbler Cobbler. I was specifcally looking for something that sounded irresistibly delicious and was also simple to make. I really lucked out with this one...it's a WINNER in my books!

I figure if you're buying at a bake sale, you may not bake so much yourself, so to be able to "chef up" something delicious, on demand, simply, sounded good. This recipe scored on both fronts. I followed Lolly's instructions and created these three part recipe packs, all wrapped up in the beautiful provided-printable-packaging and...voila!

Did you snaffoo one of these at the bake sale? 

What deliciousness did you make?

PS: for those who didn't and are curious here is the full recipie. 

I warn you, the instructions are weird...but very specific...

DO NOT STIR

Trust me it works...OMG it really works...soooo good!!!!!!

Chocolate Gobbler Cobbler

source

6 Tbl butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 Tbl baking cocoa
1/2 cup of milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup of baking cocoa
1 1/2 cups of boiling water 

1. Melt butter in 13x9 baking pan in a 350 oven.
2. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, 3/4 cup of sugar, pecans, 2 Tbl baking cocoa, milk and vanilla in a small bowl; spoon this mixture over the melted butter. DO NOT STIR TO MIX!
3. Mix remaining sugars and 1/4 cup of cocoa together and sprinkle this over batter.. DO NOT STIR TO MIX!
4. Next, pour the boiling water over the top. DO NOT STIR!
5. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. 

Cool and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 
(I grated a little orange rind in my whipped cream...heavenly!)


Thank you Lollychops!

calling all those with a big heart...

Cancer...the BIG C...not many of us have "escaped" being touched by this one in one way or another.

I got inspiring an email this week from Naomi at Heaven and Stitch Design, calling all those who sew, knit, crochet to join her in making caps for chemotherapy patients at the Tom Baker cancer centre in Calgary. 

I am inspired. How about you?

Join me this Friday morning, 9:30am+ for coffee and cake...and lets create. Children are welcome...I know it's a no-school-friday. Bring your machine, your needles, your hooks, your helping hands, your caring hearts. If you don't consider yourself a crafty person, have no fear, come anyway, we can use your hands...come learn a thing or two...just come.

Leave a comment below if you plan on coming by.

Jacqxxoo

ps: donations of fabric and/or yarn would be nice too...;)

have you met the Neilsons?

Adorable family!! Adorable film/photoshoot idea!!
Check out Stephanie's blog.

Inspiring woman.

best weekend ever!

No real post toady because of a weekend of this...

simply...

life is good!

So Simple

What did you make for dinner today? 

I tell you this snowy weather makes me hungry! 

On a cold winter's eve there is nothing better than a roast.

Today, satisfying my Australian roots, I picked up a beautiful butterflied lamb leg
at the grocery store...I knew just what to do.

Follow me...it's soooo simple.

First collect your herbs and spices. Whatever flavours are speaking to you will be perfect. And no, lamb doesn't have to be paired with mint!
For me today it was what I had on hand: 

• red onion, sliced wafer thin
• garlic, crushed, but of course!
• fresh basil, rolled between my palms to release its goodness
• freshly cracked peppercorns

Lay that wee butterflied lambikin leg out and layer your herbs and spices on top. Roll her up and tie around with your trusty kitchen twine.

Don't forget to sear your lamb roll in a super hot pan to seal in the juices.

Pop it now in the oven with your favourite vegetables for roasting and away we go.

Voila! Done. 

A simply appetizing winter's evening feast. 

Enjoy.

etsy find friday

Every Friday will be Friday Finds Day. 

Stop by each week and check out my latest Friday Finds.

With snow on the brain (yes, it's still snowing outside!!!) this week I browsed "snow" on one of my favourite shopping sites : etsy.com. 

1. taviasanza  2.pipodoll  3.morticiasnow  4. bessetteart
5. simpleshapes  6. kimberite  7. charoneldesigns  8. retroanimals

Beautiful vintage sequinned snowflake hat, prints to make you smile, stunning necklace made from vintage beads and brooches (sigh!!), necessary warm cowl, wall decals to get you in the mood, ooo oooo this dress ( I need!) gift tags, even the dogs can feeling the snowy winter vibe. What's your fav?

If you don't know about Etsy...get into the twenty first century people! You MUST check it out. It is a global community website connecting sellers and buys of handmade and vintage goods...sounds like heaven to me!!! What can be better than buying from the creator, the artist themselves?!

Snow....

Big day!! Today we picked up our ski passes in readiness for the long-awaited-ski-hill-opening this weekend...one week early!!! 
Can you hear my inner squeals of delight?!!! 
Despite my broken shoulder (boo!) I'll be out there cruising with the kids. 
Hope to see you local-yokels there!

source

How much do I love this little man

Well, I'm still trying to pull IT together today to post...

stay tuned more coming this afternoon...

whilst we wait "tune in" over here

My sister Amber and her friend Bec have opened a e-store servicing the southern hemisphere with handmade goodies. Check out some of their creations...adorable.

this one is so Mark! I don't know why...seriously!!!

Hello!

Welcome to my new blog!

I am so excited...despite my apprehension...

You can find some of the old me and 

lots of my super awesome sister..who is very creative... here!

Thanks for stopping by!!!