Eat Drink Chic

I am excitedly developing maybe 3 or 4 party-related projects for this blog concurrently. If my head was to explode (from sheer creative overload), there would be a glorious mountain of confetti, glitter and noisemakers in the middle of our home. Hmmm.. that actually sounds like fun.

Meanwhile, the anticipation of Christmas, and all the dazzling creative possibilities that it carries, slowly insinuates itself into my overly-wired mind, leaving an even greater trail of confusion and anxiety in its wake. 

Every so often, this happens. (Um... once a month). My impatience to see all my ideas come into fruition immediately, leaves me overwhelmed and, subsequently, paralysed.

I am then reminded- take things one step at a time. As much as you would love to rush headlong into every project and have everything done and dusted in one fell swoop, this is simply not possible. Take a break from looking at the big picture. Focus solely on the task at hand. It may be just a tiny, simple detail but it's a crucial one and it needs to be completed before you can move onto the next.

Sound advice. Wish I didn't keep forgetting it.

Much like the multitude of projects currently making noise in my head, I have recently been amassing a vast collection of props and craft materials. Currently homeless, they create one giant, albeit colourful, mess across my work/dining tabletop. I did, however, have the bright idea of storing my sequin collection in Happy Lab test tubes. Well, that's something at least. One step at a time...

Have a happy weekend folks! :)

Get your craft on and have a happy weekend everybody! :)

Thought I'd start the day on a cheery note with an explosion of colourful crafty bits.

Recent acquisitions: Polyhedra Rubber Stamps from Present and Correct. Color Pop Diary by Standard Number picked up locally from Lulu.

Happy Tuesday!

Hope you're all having a lovely day :)

Just felt like showing off my fabulous hand-carving efforts with this heart-shaped stamp I made recently... Took a few attempts to get it right but I got there eventually!

Also, in light of Valentine's day, I thought I'd share with you what I'm loving at the moment:

• First and foremost- my beautiful family :)
• Super-cute Japanese stationery. Can't get enough of it.
• Audrey Jeanne- so talented!
• Pink. The colour, not the recording artist.
• My new iPad! (a birthday pressie from hubby)
• iPhone/iPad wallpaper from here and here.
• Yellow.
• Pretty + colourful tech accessories- got a real thing for them at the moment.
• This cute-as-pie craft book from Hello Sandwich!
• Children's toys, books and clothes. Basically, I'm a big kid.
• My workspace and all my creative and colourful clutter- it's amazing how an inspiring environment can boost your creativity!
• This gorgeous summer weather...

If you're anything like me, you've left all your holiday gifts and projects to the very last minute so for those in the same boat, here's a last minute freebie for you! 

A set of mini patterned bonbons in pretty colours which can be filled with candy and used as small holiday gifts or as festive table-setting favours. You may even choose to simply use them as decorations.

Read on to download your freebies and for instructions on how to construct your bonbons!

So I promised you another 'Bon Appetit' cutlery tag freebie. However, I'm still awaiting those props I ordered. {Sigh}. Crossing my fingers and toes in the hope that they'll arrive next week. 

In the meantime, I thought I'd play around with watercolour paints...

These are just a bit of fun and super-easy to do. Using thick watercolour paper (not exceeding 280gsm) I've cut out tag shapes with a craft punch then basically just messed around to see what kinds of pretty and striking colour effects I can make with watercolour paints, (e.g, gradients, colour-blocking, etc.)  Nothing fancy, just keeping it simple. I've then used some mini alphabet stamps and coloured inks, to print some messages on them. Voila. Easy as pie.

You can use them to decorate gifts or to add a splash of colour to a table-setting!

Happy Friday! xo

{ images by Amy Moss } 

Take a look at this nifty DIY craft project by Whitney from eat sleep cuddle. Beautiful.

{ via sugar and cloth. photos from eat sleep cuddle }

Cloud cushion from Yume Store

The super easy baby blanket kit from Purl Soho

Photograph by Matt Wisniewski

Glitter cupcake flags from Luna and Chloe

A Thing of Beauty Cushion from Svenskt Tenn

Cast a Spell on Me bow clip from Alannah Hill

Pasco vintage poster by Donald Brun from Galerie Montmartre

It occurs to me that someone, somewhere must have made this pun before, right? I mean, how could they not have?

ONE: Chestnut Paper Origami Lamp Shade from Nellianna

TWO: Origami Cosmetic Case from Forever New

THREE:  Flying Geese fabric by Sara Lee Parker

Dress from Anthropologie

"Don't Forget to be Awesome" art print from Super Swoon

Chair from Serena and Lily

Flower Tote from Mar Y Sol

DIY Twig Lamp by Better Homes & Gardens

Hummingbird Cupcake recipe by Annie's Eats

'Tartine Bread' Book by Chad Robertson from Amazon

Mug from Mr Kitly

Handfolded Bow gift toppers by Avie Designs

The Secret Garden embroidered book design by Jillian Tamaki  { via Camille Styles }

Dress from ModCloth

Lamp from Hermon & Hermon

Vase from Anthropologie

Handbag from Fossil

Chesterfield Couch from Anthropologie

With a strong focus on eco-friendly practice and design, Apples and Jam in South Melbourne looks like a wonderful new space that hosts fun, crafty and creative parties for kids. They also provide children's classes and playgroups.

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Love the stylish, 'outdoor picnic' inspired space! Makes me wish I was a kid again...

Illustrator and advertising student Annika Bäckström was sweet enough to share with me this cute and imaginative stop-motion movie she created with fellow classmates Oscar Söderberg and Michael Sipos.

Annika says, "We wanted to show how we come up with ideas, and how we can make the world a bit more colorful with these ideas. Our goal is to be able to make advertising that comes from the heart, just so we can make people a bit more happy." 

Go take a look!

Some crafty bits that are inspiring me at the moment:

Top: During my lunch breaks, recently, I've been re-watching old episodes of Friends and have noticed a cute granny square pillow in Monica's apartment. Inspired, I went searching for something similar on the net and found this pic of a handmade pillow by Tracey Jeffrey. Cute!

Bottom: Steffani K of Sew with Sass was rummaging through her mother's fabric stash and happened across a box of authentic vintage Liberty of London fabrics! What a beautiful array of colours and patterns.