Art in the Kitchen

I have a soft spot in my heart for typography art. Infact I recently bought this Made by Girl print which is now awaiting a frame.

When designing or decorating a kitchen one doesn't usually plan to include artwork. Kitchens are the functional hub of the home but just like every other room of the house, it would be nice to introduce and rotate some artwork. I was particularly drawn to some kitchen-y artwork while browsing etsy this week.   

Etsy Shop Articipe

Etsy Shop Sam Ossie

Embrace the Neon

What do you think of this neon trend? (Didn't we call it 'fluoro' in the 80s? Is there a difference?) Anyway, I am generally a bit slow at getting on board with new trends, especially when it comes to fashion. But I like this injection of colour. As a strict 'darks only' kinda girl, these hot pinks and blues are an on-trend way to brighten up your wardrobe and accessories.

1 BYS Nail Polish Blue Bang $3.95
2 Neon cap shoes $42.50 from ASOS
3 Neon embroidered dress from ASOS
4 Blue Chevron Earrings $22 from Baublebar
5 Neon Bracelet Stack from Ettika

Displaying Children's Artwork

Most weeks Michaela proudly produces a piece of artwork after her day at pre-kindy. I also have a craft box filled with stickers, glue, glitter and alike which I pull out every other day for her to 'create' with. Consequently the collection of paintings and pasta covered pieces of paper is growing. Finding the best way to display her work is tricky, there is only so much space on the fridge!

A recent trip to Typo and a sweet $5 got me this metal heart frame. Michaela can rotate her weekly masterpieces to it easily with a little peg and it's her own little gallery to show off when people visit.

For Young & Old - Mushrooms

The humble mushroom can be spotted (sorry, lame pun!) in many nurseries and children's bedrooms. I particularly like these three rooms- one, two and three.

Mushroom artwork, wall decals, decorations, toys and furniture, there is something a bit whimsical about the spotted red fungus.

Mushroom Stool $59.95 ministyle.com.au
(Also recently seen at Spotlight for the same price)

 And not to be left out, a cute mushroom for mum and her many diamond rings!

Ring dish with mushroom $24 from have you met miss jones



House Hunting

We're not on the lookout for a new home but I must admit that I do spend far too many online hours 'just looking.' Plus, house prices are scary right now especially when I think back to what I spent ten years ago and how much more land this house sits on than the majority of houses on the market. 

Me and my iPad can be found most evenings on the couch browsing through the countless images of houzz. (You can visit the website too.) I have my Ideabook filling up with gorgeous pics and interior inspiration and it's a little bit addictive. 

Via Dalani

Have you subscribed to Dalani yet? This site offers stylish furniture and accessories for your home at a discount. You also receive regualar articles via email with inspiration and DIYs.  I haven't purchased anything (yet!) but there is a lot of wonderful choice!

Norwegian Nursery Design

This time last year I was totally engrossed in nursery blogs in search for inspiration for Miss H's room. My focus was to create a unique room, something fresh and totally new. I immediately fell for this nursery, simplicity of furniture with beautiful details in the wall accessories. I did a post here as soon as I saw it but wasn't sure whether the wall was a painted mural or wall sticker. Turns out it is a wallpaper and the Norwegian designer now ships this wallpaper along with many other nursery-perfect wallpapers and accessories worldwide. Visit Sne Design for some gorgeous nursery inspiration.

Petit Collage Tutorial

While flicking through magazines and checking out my regular baby/ nursery blogs I often spy a Petit Collage decoration. I am especially fond of their bamboo mobiles and growing range of posters. Recently I came across this tutorial from the creator of Petit Collage. You can print the above templates and create your own animal collage.Create your own designs, do a series or vary the colours of the same animal, lots of options to create a unique decoration.  

Autumn Inspired

Goodbye Summer, you were a hot one this year. I'm definitely more of a cold and rain person than a scorching sun and hot breeze one. It's hard to escape the heat when both inside and outside are hot but you can always find a heater and hot chocolate in the cooler months.

With Autumn here, what better way to celebrate than adding a few new clothes and accessories to the wardrobe for the cooler days.

Pop Arc Pendant from my newest favourite accessories shop Bauble Bar

Silver Leaf Earrings from Etsy Shop Mint and Bloom

Boyfriend Blazer from Urban Outfitters

Crochet Scarf from Etsy Shop Ayca

Finished Projects & Plans

Here is my most recently completed softie. A friend is due to give birth next month so hopefully this little guy will provide some cuddles for her son/ daughter. I have tweaked my owl softie pattern (from two years ago) and am pretty happy with this final result.

I now need to get my softie making backside into gear for the Softies for Mirabel which are due by the end of February. Another owl, spaceboy, doll or a new design........decisions!

Also next month I am participating in a small community market. This is my first market in over a year so preparing for something small should be a good way for me to get back into the handmade scene and get some feedback.

Michaela begins pre-Kindy this year which involves a full day of activities at a nearby Recreation Centre each Thursday. This will be her first time away from me (other than with grandparents) for longer than an hour and I think that this will be a bigger adjustment for me than for her! We attended her Open Day on Friday and she was reluctant to leave so that's a good sign.

Our home is sure to be inundated with art work from Michaela upon each return from pre-Kindy so I've been looking around for display ideas. This post provides some good inspiration. It's a fine line between wanting to display your child's work and not have it take over the house and look cluttered. I'm currently looking around the house for possible 'gallery space' and will show you how it works out soon.

Before children I considered myself the Queen of Organisation. I love lists, ticking items off and feeling like I was on top of my life. I still love making lists and I can multi task with the best of them- as I type this I'm also feeding Harper her breakfast, making a list of things to pack for the girls for when I go to work tomorrow and reading Little Miss Wise to Michaela (she's on a Mr Men/ Little Miss bender at the moment...) but with two children, I seldom feel on top of things in my life. This article is a good starting point in helping me feel more in control (and less forgetful!)

This penguin softie is sweet.

What a fun skirt to make and wear.

I have never come across Shrinky Dink before but I like this jewellery idea.

There is a plethora of laser cut jewellery out there but I'm definitely not sick of it, these brooches are adorable.

Who doesn't love bubble wrap? With this, you can pop all year long!

Have a wonderful weekend! x

Felt Creations

Have you seen the felt craft book Felties- How to Make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends from Felt ? I picked it up at the local library the other day and managed to make this babushka brooch in one evening. I think I'm a slow hand stitcher because it took a little over two hours to finish it but as you can see, it's totally cute.

What's In A Name?

Why 'Little Cloud Factory'?

After much deliberation the name for my little handmade business was pieced together, much like a jigsaw. I enjoy making things for 'little' people, softies, various decoration accesories (wall art, name plaques, mobiles), etc. Each and every handmade item is unique, as is a 'cloud'. And I like to consider my workspace as the 'factory' where all the creating and making takes place.

Shortly after I settled on Little Cloud Factory almost two years ago, I saw this gorgeous, white ceramic ornament from Pearson Maron. So as fate would have it (and a 25% off nudge!) this beauty is on it's way to me- yay!

Spirographs

via

When I was a child I loved playing with a spirograph set. It was fun to see what patterns would be created and how many colours I could incorporate. Now it's fun again to enjoy spirographs on mediums other than paper.

Karlsson Clock $119

Brooch Trincar Uvas $15

Clipboard Box 64 Studios $10

Ceramic plate Ninainvorm $50 

Bamboo Spiral Drawing Set Rocking Frog $29

Calendars for Twenty Twelve

I've got a little empty wall in my kitchen just begging for some decoration so I'm on the hunt for the perfect 2012 calendar. These have caught my etsy eye.

bookhou at home $20.00

Deka Animals $35



Merri Makers $10

Little Pretty Studio $17.50

Deka Animals $35

Yumalum $32 

Fave Finds

A bit of this, a bit of that....a few things that have caught my eye recently.

Portmans Beaded Panel Print Maxi

Charlie Brown Scented Candles- available at Myer

Lovestamp Custom Made Pendant

Feather Crush

I am crushing on feather clothing and accessories at the moment. I realise that I may be the only one with a fascination for plumes but these are just gorgeous.

ASOS



ASOS - Out of stock :(



River Island Bangles- who now ship to Australia!!



Where to stash Santa's loot

Conversation around the house is starting to focus more and more on Santa. "What's Santa doing now, Mummy?" "Can we write to Santa today?" "Can we leave a hot chocolate for Santa when he comes?" The questions are full of excitement and I can't wait to see Michaela's face on Christmas morning after Santa makes his midnight visit.
And so all these questions have me thinking about not only gift giving but Chrissy projects to do in the lead up to the big day. One of the easiest sewing projects is a Santa sack. Forget the last minute wrapping on Christmas Eve, Santa sacks are eco-friendly and can be used every Christmas for years to come. They can be as simple or as detailed as you like too.
I plan to make two for the girls (there are loads of tutorials- this one from Spotlight, or this one is quite detailed.)
However, if you're a bit time poor, as many of us are at this time of year, here are my festive favourites.

Screen printed alphabet Santa sack

Screen printed linen sack

Christmas Owl

Birdie Sack


There are also some lovely vintage Santa Sacks available at the recently launched Down That Little Lane- lots of gorgeous goodies to browse here too!

Cross Stitch is Cool

I enjoy the hand stitching I do on softies and other crafty projects, french knots, blanket stitch, chain stitch, whatever stitch it is, I find it relaxing. Little faces come to life and decorative details take on  new dimension.
Cross stitching is one of the many crafty things I've tried my hand at over the years. I did a few when I was in my late teens and although they were never framed or hung (and I have no idea where they are now) I loved seeing them finished.
Now you can wear your cross stitch work. Perth based Osmosis Design offer these bamboo canvases to create your own pendant/brooch. (Also available in acrylic)

Also, Delilah Devine have a kit with everything you need to make a necklace- bamboo canvas, needle, threads, silver chain and pattern. These make gorgeous and unique Christmas gifts.

Fave Finds- Jewellery Trees

Polli

Future Shelter

Top 3 by design

Bird of Play

Chibi Run

Stationery, wrapping paper and stamps, just a few of my favourite things. Germaine from Chibi Run has the loveliest collection of these things on her online shop. I recently bought some leg warmers for the girls and now have my eye on a few more goodies.

Lace Memo Notes

Set of 14 postcards

Fave Finds

Jane Hall (most recently from Neighbours fame) has created and released a range of bedlinen and cushions. The heart pillow is cute and teamed with the vintage yellow bedhead and pink componibili...gorgeous photo!

Salvation Jane

Cushion Temple

Ikat Wallpaper

I must have this quilt- it's so happy!