Cushion Love!

Are you a cushion person?
You either love them or hate them. The problem in our house hold is Mr DP hates them and I love them. Well not an intense love like I must be completely surrounded and engulfed by them. Just a "I think they make the place look pretty" type of way. And in a practical sense my back aches without one... really.... it's true I NEED cushions. Any way whether you love or hate them they do make a change in the appearance of a room.

Great Interior design

For example the gorgeous window seat in the back there wouldn't be so inviting without the cushions. Right?

Sew in Love

 They can introduce colour to a neutral room.

Sew in Love

They can be so adorable you just have to have it for the kids room!

Bridal Wave

Or they can send a message. Can you tell I'm pleading my case here?

And this one is my latest addition.

I do love to feel like I'm floating on a cloud when I'm in bed, which explains the 6 pillows and 1 cushion. And yes most of them end up on the floor through the night but it's totally worth it. If you'd like to make this cushion stay tuned, I'm working on a tutorial for you! I should have it up in the next couple of days.

Summer Fruits.

So this one is new for me. I've never posted a recipe before but I've noticed a lot of crafty blogs do. I guess they seem to go hand in hand. Everything that we love about making our own clothes, quilts or scrapbook pages is also in cooking and baking. The warmth and homeyness of it. (I don't think that's a word but you know what I mean) And I really love to unleash my inner food stylist every now and then. So I thought I'd join in on the fun.  Oh and just a quick note, when I made this I didn't really measure anything so my measurements are just an estimate. Feel free to add or take out anything you want.

I know the recipe is very vague but I made it up as I went and from memory this is what I did. And the quantity makes one jar worth so it's made to eat asap. The reason I tried it is because I hate throwing out fruit and peaches seem to get over ripe fast in our household. This was the solution. Now we can still enjoy it a little longer. :)

 Just a few extra things. I made my chunks big and later mashed half with a potato masher only because I love chunky jam. I also added a little water to make it more...gooey then jelly. (Did that even make sense?) 

And then the last thing is some cream and scones... or pancakes as we did on Saturday morning.

Yummmmy! (If I do say so myself...Hehehe)

Next up for me is plums! :)

Bargain hunter.

I've been eyeing out a white wrought iron bed in the window at Bed Bath and Table for ... well since they opened about 4 years ago. A few months ago I had the confidence to go in and ask how much it was. Are you ready... $1400. Yikes! I was thinking it was around $300-500. My first reaction was "why so much?" "It's Australian and hand made with real wrought iron." I was told. Yeah alright I guess that explains it. I told the lady I'd take my chances with Ebay. A few months later I won this beauty...

Cost me a whole ...$61. If you could see the grin on my face as I'm writing that number. (It's a big one) The gentleman told me it cost him almost a grand when he bought it and as I was putting it together I found in hand writing "40 winks" written on it. I'm really happy with it. :)
Now I haven't shared with you the most amazing part. In December I bought a brass bed for $5.50. (The lady was very unhappy about that) One of those more traditional ones. After setting it up I really didn't like it. My mum loved it, she said it reminded her of one her Aunty had... need I say more. I sold that bed for $60. Then used that for the white one I now love. So all up I'm only out of pocket $6.50. How awesome did that turn out. I'm tempted to keep going and see what I can end up with.

So here are a few of my secrets for selling on Ebay.

~Firstly (and the most important) is photos. Always try and take the best photo you can! Never put up blurry ones. If people can't see it properly the are less like to bid. If it's furniture your selling, set it up. Make the bed, set the table or arrange cushions on the couch. Help people imagine themselves using it.
~Secondly is timing. Try and post items at a time people will be home. Not as many people are going to be near their computer at 8am on a Tuesday morning compared to say 7pm on a Monday night or 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. This can make a huge difference.
~And thirdly be reasonable. One of my pet hates is finding people trying to sell a couch they bought 20 years ago for the price they paid then. Think of how much you would pay and start there. Keep in mind it may have been worth a certain amount when you bought it but it's second hand now and you'd be lucky to get over half the amount.

I'm just sharing with you my experience with buying and selling on Ebay. These tips are in no way a binding contract or anything like that. And in saying all these things, you may have a totally different experience. Every product is different and the want or need for it will be too.

Would love to hear your experiences or tips. What was your latest bargain?

The Conclusion...

Do you remember the little teaser I left you with a while back? I promised I wouldn't show it to you till the gift was unwrapped by the mother-to-be but I've been busting to show you. The deadline was January and it is so time for the reveal...

 

 

IT"S A GIRL... PLAY MAT!!!

So here was the design brief... A Dream Patch quilt turned play mat. Something not too pink and slightly different to a standard patch work quilt. So here is the finished product. Patch work play mat! Made with all cotton fabric and batting as always. Every petal individually cut and quilted in 7 contrasting fabrics. Oh and aren't they so yummy!! I'm a little jealous I don't have one! It is very exciting to know that a precious little girl will be learning to sit, or roll or even crawl on this play mat. Ahhh the life of a play mat... hehehe

I will be selling one of these exact ones in late January so if you would like one keep an eye out on my Facebook store. Love to hear what you think, and also do you have any suggestions for a boys one?? (obviously not a flower)

Enjoy your day! :)

Another January!

I can't believe another year has gone again! A friend of mine said that the years seem to go faster with kids and I have to agree. Little miss is 2 soon and I just don't know where the time went! Also this time last year we were eagerly waiting 3 more additions to our extended family and now this year they will be turning one.
It's kinda funny how much you anticipate something and before you know it, it's been and gone. The memories always bring a smile to my face though.

Last year I learnt a lot of new things. The biggest one is blogging. I used to read in magazines about women who run online stores and who write blogs and I was blown away by their talent and independence! I NEVER thought I could do what they do, especially because of my lack of computer knowledge. I have to admit I still am not sure if I can. Each post comes to me minutes before I write it. (including this one) But in review of the year I have really enjoyed what I have done and all the new things I've learnt. And my biggest project of the year was creating Dream Patch!

I had a late start last year but this year I've got a full one so I hope I will be able to create more things for you to enjoy, write more posts for you to read and spend more time enjoying it! So here is a little sneak peak I have of what's coming up.

I did say little! The first 2 you will be able to purchase and the last 2 are projects of mine I thought I'd share..

I'd also like to thank you. Thank you for reading my little blog. I sometimes think I'm talking to my self until I get a comment. It really does make my day. Thanks to my family & close friends who follow me and comment and purchase my quilts. You have been my main support over the year! Yes you know who you are. I've realised how amazing my hubby is in his pateints for teaching me how to run DP. He is my editor, reading all my blog posts and helping me rephrase things, and also liking all my FB posts. Thank you!!!!
I hope you stick with me this year. I've just found my feet. (It's taken me a little while but I'm getting there) And this year will be bigger and better!