Queensland floods

Well for Queenslanders last week was a little crazy, with more than 75% of us affected by floods. We were very lucky and weren't inundated like some people, but we are thinking of those who are going to have to rebuild their lives with everything swept away or covered in stinking mud.

It's been so wonderful to see how people are pitching in to help, whether it's donating money, volounteering time to help clean up, or running appeals to raise funds (like the BrisStyle handmade ark appeal, the Wild Things of Noosa hand made auction and the Australian Disaster Relief Shop on Etsy).

Our thoughts are with you Queensland on this long road to recovery.

 

Cute Old World gift tags from AusDisasterRelief

Love the style of this shoulder sling bag from acreaturestrange
(part of the BrisStyle Handmade Ark Appeal)

A red bird at Christmas

When I first moved to America, I remember going for a walk just after Christmas time, and saw this fiery red flash of colour fly by me on the dreary grey day.  I actually managed to get a few pictures, but nothing close up so I could see what type of bird this was.  I hadn't really thought about that day until now, when I was searching for my book-club's book for December to download on my kindle.  There on the front cover was the red bird - a Cardinal!

As I was searching through Etsy for some gift ideas just now, I came across this beautiful painitng by lauracarter.  It looks just like I remember that day, the red berries, and this beautiful red bird!!

Etsy and Olive Oil...

A few weeks ago, I was out shopping with a friend and we discovered this store called Oil and Vinegar.  The week after, my husband and I went to check it out together to sample and choose some dips and oils.  We both love the simplicity of dipping fresh bread into some tasty olive oil, with or without additions like dukka.  We tried quite a variety of flavours, and purchased some rosemary cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, and it has been absolutely delicious with some crusty sour dough bread!

I love this hand painted oil bottle by Yevgenia on Etsy with the pretty red cyclamen.  I like this as a different way to use the olive oil!

Another lovely item from Yevgenia is this ceramic tea or coffee cup which is a great ecofriendly way to have your morning cuppa!

Anyway, I hope you are all having a great day!  I have the afternoon off from work, so I'm off to enjoy a cuppa tea outside in this beautiful crisp weather, cook a vegetarian curry for tea, and snack on fresh bread and my rosemary olive oil!  Mmmm! :)

Let's go ride a bike!

 
Inspired by this photograph, taken by Narinuk (one of my favourite photographers from flickr), I have been on a bike obsession for the last few months!  My husband and I bought some bikes a little while ago, and have been loving exploring the city in which we live by bike!  There is nothing like feeling the wind in your face as your soar down (and sometimes struggle up) hills, hearing the birdies chirp and spending quality time with each other outdoors!

I particularly like this 8 x 10 print "Lets go ride bikes" by 1canoe2 on Etsy!  An irresistible print to inspire us!

P.S. You can check out more photos here by narinuk!

(Top image used with permission via narinuk, bottom image from 1canoe2)

It's {most definitely} a dutch thing...

Funny, growing up, I use to think everyone had a birthday calendar in a part of their house, until one day my husband asked if it was "just a dutch thing" - and after discussions with my Mutti, Omey and a few friends, I realised it most definitely was!  I think it's a lovely idea having a calendar to remember everyone's birthdays, one that you can use year after year.  It is always so lovely sending and receiving birthday cards, isn't it?

So, through a twitter post, I discovered thebeautifulproject's Etsy store and just happened to find this awesome 'Dutch Themed' Birthday Calendar.  You can check out more photos on her flickr site, where she explains how she came across the calendar tradition!

So, tell me, is it just a Dutch thing?

(Pictures via thebeautifulproject on Etsy)

Teenie-Tiny Terrarium is Wonderland in a Bottle

Growing up, I remember one of my brothers had a small bottle like this with the coloured sands of Fraser Island.  I'd like to think that little bottle had a grain of sand for every smile, adventure and starry night we spent there as a family each year.  Certainly those are magical thoughts, much like the magical landscape that this snippet of life was taken from. 

Captivating work by WoodlandBelle, which draws you into some far off Wonderland...

It's Tape-tastic!

You know, I never would have thought all these pretty tape rolls from Wonderland Room would have so VERY many uses!  Check out her Etsy shop to see all the lovely ideas she has to use this tape for!  And with SO many to choose from, I think it's going to be hard to pick just one....

Which one is your favourite?

(Via 10prettythings featured on imagreedygirl)

Helping Amy with her Tea

Dear Amy,

As your dear friend, and co-blogger, I felt your pain today when you tweeted this:

"Made myself a cup of tea, put it on my desk and completely forgot about it. Cold tea is not so good."

Now as a fellow tea drinker, I cannot bear to see you miss out on a wonderful cup of tea, so I thought this might be helpful for you:

A Tea cup cozy on Etsy!  Isn't that a cute idea?  Expect a little parcel coming your way!

Sincerely,

Jessie *winks*

An iPad case made of Amy Butler material? Yes please!

Am loving this iPad case. Found it in my hunt on Etsy yesterday in ElizabethDavidDesign's shop. So pretty!

Dream Mixer

I have searched high!  I have searched low!  I have searched here, there and everywhere, but alas, could never find the kitchen mixer of my dreams.... Until now!

Drum-roll please *drum roll*

Meet the award-winning Anna Raff - Anna - you have done it again!!  You have devised the "right attachment" for my old kitchen mixer.  Your magnificent imagination, creativity and ingenious artistic skills are a fresh, new inspiration! 

I was thrilled to find out that I could buy my very own digital print of this beauty at her Etsy shop here!  I bought my copy today, which I will frame and put up in my kitchen!

(Via Ornithoblogical)

I *heart* Holland

My mother was born in Holland and moved to Australia with her family in the late 1950's, so I have grown up with a very strong Dutch influence in my life.  When I saw these gorgeous folklore and fun plates from Ninainvorm when I was browing on Etsy, I got so excited!  They remind me of my childhood, visiting my Oma's house, and eating soft boiled eggs out of little egg cups with soldiers!  These would be the perfect little breakfast plates don't you think?  Quite Gezellig!

Life's a hoot...

...with this Owl Baby Mobile with Tree from Esty seller PinkPerch.  She is one of my favourite sellers on Etsy - so creative!

I also love...

...the Pink and Green Leaf Mobile PinkPerch made!  Irresistible!

Felt Fever for iPad

Don't you think this felt iPad padded cover from DashingEtc on Etsy is a cute and creative way to keep your iPad safe at home and out n about?

Anna Raff's Ornithoblogical: day 156: pod

Loving this blog by Anna Raff - especially today's post - Ornithoblogical: day 156: pod

She is also on Etsy here.

Love Birds Cake Topper

How cute are these two little love birds made by RedLightStudio from Etsy for a wedding cake topper?

I *heart* Amigurumi Miss Turtle

One of my favourite crafty creators is Pepika, who creates "dolls and animals for those who never grow up".  I think she is really creative and talented, and I bought a few patterns of her cute little creations to make as presents!  I just got an email today from Pepika who shared her latest creation - Amigurumi Miss Turtle!  Irresistible!

The perfect hair accessory

Recently I found the hair dresser of my dreams!  She did the simplest thing with my hair - changed the way it parted and voila!  Was such a lovely change!  Since then, I have been looking for some irresistible little hair pins and discovered this mini bobby pin on Etsy by Babetteworld.  She makes lovely little pieces, don't you think?

Cute little birdy

I am loving everything cute and birdy at the moment!  How cute is this little birdy necklace from FreshlyFig from Etsy?