The Butterfly Collector

Sunday Night Studio!

So its very Late Sunday night. We've had a wonderful weekend which included a mixed up agenda including a homemade italian dinner, hotdogs, building a swing set, painting, gardening and a picnic under our beautiful Jacaranda tree in the backyard. A full weekend and a big week to come too. I just wanted to share some studio photos with you before bed. I love spending time in here and I have made it into a space I feel truly at home in, a space that I try to keep clean, but sometimes its happliy messy ...its filled with sun, music, colour, drawings from my boys, sketchbook inspirations, a magnolia tree blooming out the windows and of course paint and brushes! A beautiful atmosphere to create in! Until the Morrow .... Goodnight and Sweet Dreams......

Gypsy Heart!

It feels good to have a giant clean out and let go of things sometimes!!! My new fresh and clean Art / Thinking / Guest room is bright and happy again!!! Its full of art supplies and works in progress, fabulous papers and a gypsy and folk colours and its inspiring me to start something new!

Spring Cleaning!

An unintentional break from blogging in the last few weeks!!! Its been busy, busy, busy though and we've all been sick! I'm planning a Pirate Party for Drew's birthday and the weather has been great on the weekends so we have been heading down the road for lots of play time at the beach! We've also been working on ZENning our house to make it free of clutter and stuff we just don't need, which has been a very free-ing experience! Plus we've been working on our little courtyard and vegie patch too! I've finished my life coaching and career course which was amazing, so I feel like I've cleaned out my MIND too and have a clear direction to head in now! This time off has also made me think about my blog and what direction it should be heading in, there might be some surprising changes here too soon!
Image from Domino Magazine!

A Singing Heart!

These rooms make my heart sing! They were all found here at PIP's. Here you will find the most gorgeous bright and pretty homewares, bags and stationary!
I think some more decorating might be in order around here to brighten up the place a little! Lets throw a little colour around!!!

And today I found this wonderful quote from artist Sabrina Ward Harrison...
"Make what you most need to find" - Sabrina Ward Harrison . I  will be thinking about this for the day! What do you most need to find?

Red, Pink and Dotty!!!

I just had to show off this gorgeous nursery today! Created by my Sister Dana for her two little ones! This is my niece's side of the room red, pink and dotty! Complete with prints from the black apple and a few presents from me too ( those suitcases and Russian stacking dolls were irresistible and besides I need to by little girly things for someone!). She also made my little Eden a star in her Etsy shop ... he did his first modelling shoot in this season's winter hats from her TWIGLET Handmade Children's Wear Range! They are so cute and keep little ears very warm too!

Her new  TWIGLET website is up and running too ( gorgeous pics below!, I just love those little resort pants!),  visit her blog to check it out and  give her some  feedback for a chance to win some beautiful baby clothes! Also congratulations to my Sister and her partner Pete, they are recently engaged ... click over here to see the ring too! 

Art Collection

Our New  House is slowly taking shape and slowly growing in personality! We are about to place all our paintings, prints and photos and objects de' art on the walls and I have been collecting inspiration pictures ready for the event! Its been looking very bare around here and I can't stand it anymore! Here's a couple of favorites from the latest Inside Out!

I am dying to get my hands on this book which I keep coming across on other people's blogs! It must be mine, my mail box is waiting in anticipation!!!

Dollhouse

I've been doing a little research on the net this weekend after one of my girlfriends asked me to paint a Dollhouse she has bought secondhand for her two daughters! I got very excited about this as my sister and I had a huge one on stilts and castor's that we could walk right around when we were little... ( my Grandpa actually made it for my Mum, it isn't with us any more unfortunately!). Now I just need to find the time to make this happen and starting to wonder how I can acquire one that isn't two girly for my boys? ( maybe I just want it for myself!!!)  So I went a wandering through blogs, flickr etc ... and I just had to share all this  miniature goodness !!!

Linda Gavin's gorgeous dollhouse from flickr had me oooohhhing and ahhhhing!

This cute cottage above caught my eye too!
And my absolute favorite would have to be Vanessa's Dollhouse over at A Fanciful Twist complete with bunting and miniature cakes!!!
And then there is the colour house...

and for the minimilist child?... the villa sibi complete with pool house ...

Oh and this flickr set from House of Duke is a must see.... Did you know life in minature could be so retro, so funky, so modern ( there is a laptop computer in there too!)
And I know we are nowhere near Christmas, but it's so festive at this little house too!
Plus if you really must indulge there is a Flickr group dedicated to Dollhouses too! I hope you revert back to a happy childhood memory just like I did!!!

My New Beach House!

Welcome to my new home! We have been here for three weeks and so far are enjoying the town, the beach and meeting the locals too! We've been to the festival and the easter fair and in the middle of it all my beautiful new nephew arrived! We are really celebrating being here, the dream of moving to the seaside has come true for our family! We are still unpacking but I thought I could show you around a little ... a little chest of drawers I just finished painting,  my bookshelf  and my brand new gorgeous teapot and cups... join me for afternoon tea?!

Beach House!

A mini break from blog land during the next week! Our big move to our new beach house is about to happen and I must be off to pack those last little things! Will hopefully be back at the end of next week and I can show you around our new town and lucky me I have a new home to decorate, wish me luck!

Day bed Picture from home beautiful and the gorgeous one above via decor8 ( i just love that painting!)

P.S. Madame Butterfly will also be on holiday's for a week too!!!

Summer Sanctuary

Summer is nearly over, only a few days to go! So I thought I would share a few colourful summery images from some favorite magazines ( home beautiful and vogue living) .

I've been searching for some great ideas for my new house near the sea and I can't wait to decorate!!!!
Also Erin from Design for Mankind's new Inspiration E Zine is ready to download from her blog ... lots of beautiful mood boards again and fantastic artists too!!!