Vintage Paper Christmas Wreath

Inspired by these projects on Pinterest I had a go at making my own vintage paper Christmas Wreath.

(Well technically it's a more of a round starburst than a traditional circle with a hole in the middle)

I used pages from a set of old encyclopaedias that I thrifted at the local Vinnies. ($20 for 15 books!)

It's really quite a simple project and there are no rules so you can should let your imagination run wild

I used double sided tape to roll the pages into funnel shaped cylinders

It took me a few tries to get a good shape and the paper was quite aged so I recommend the wider size tape if you can  - for better grip

You then attach the paper rolls to a circular piece of polystyrene or even strong cardboard in a fan shape ... I used tacky craft glue and it worked really well ... 

In the middle of mine I glued a fabric flower and some black feathers from my chicken run

I also used some glitter glue to add a touch of bling

I really do apologise for not taking more photos of the process itself but there are clear instructions on the pinterest link above ... as well as many more great Christmas DIY ideas I might add...

On the back I used ribbon, glue AND thumb tacks to make sure that it wont come crashing to the ground - I fear that would tear or break the aged paper so I urge you to do the same.

... and there you have it... 

An unpcycled, recycled vintage paper wreath

Full of character and completely unique.

I plan on making some bunting (of course) with the same paper and then mixing in some linen, burlap, botanicals and bling... as you do.... for an Aussiefied Christmas

What do you think? 

If you love a homemade Christmas then check out Melissa's blog for her "Get Your Christmas Craft On" posts that ALWAYS inspire me

In the meantime ... only 40 sleeps peeps .... (squeal) 

♥♥♥

Thrifted Loveliness ♥

Well it's been a while since 

my last day of thrifting ...

... but the wait was worth it!

I managed to score some fabulous winter threads.

A linen blend scarf and a hand knitted jumper.

A couple of flower presses...

... and two cotton crocheted doiles...

... a couple of cutie glass holders....

One - a sugar pot (minus lid) ...

... and the other and old glass Steadiflow

babies bottle 

I've filled them both with 

Geraldton Wax about to burst into bloom.

(from my garden too ♥)

It doesn't stop there!

A small retro honey/syrup pot

(I'm not much of a bright orange gal so I was

most pleased to find one of these in a neutral shade)

Hmmm... can anyone tell I'm a neutrals fanatic?

I think the bone colour of these doilies is just about my most 

favourite shade/colour/hue (is it even a colour?)

In the whole wide world.

Colour does make an appearance though....

In these stunning book finds...

... as well as these badges (from the UK! Yay!)

I have an idea to use them on cushions I want to make 

for our caravan. The caravan we don't yet own... 

... but no doubt will... someday.

What do they say in that great film Field of Dreams?

"If you build it they will come"

So that's my stash peoples!

All for a song

All recycled

All monies to charity 

All unique and ...

All MINE 

 (happy crazy silly dance)

Oh hang on... I almost forgot about these.....

Army issue - never been used - leather

Australian made....

Perfect for winter and for hacking about the bush...

... and acceptably "grungy" to wear with jeans.

Not bad eh? 

So have you found any loveliness lately?

Weekend plans going well?

I am home alone due to Hubby scoring tickets

to the YOUI China VS Australia Basketball game.

So far I have done three loads of washing,

Drank two cups of tea 

(I know! Only two? Must put the kettle on)

Ate two bits of ♥ cholokit ♥ - a bit with each cuppa :-)

Crocheted 3 rows of a granny square

(I'm teaching myself!) 

and had ONE really tasty 

Peanut Butter, Mulberry Jam and Pepita filled

sandwich on Burgen bread ♥ 

(the best bread you can buy)

Have a blessed one peoples!

PS - If anyone knows of the best websites/links that

"teach crochet" (to a self confessed wally) then please

do share... thanks! 

♥♥♥♥♥

Jaunting to Melbourne...

Well it's a rather exciting affair when Hubby says:

"Marty (my Dad-in-law and my Boss) is flying us all to 

Melbourne for the Siren Awards"

My response:

"1 shriek, 2 squeals, an uncoordinated happy dance 

and the embarrassing (involuntary) "Nooo Way!?" 

You see ....

... I LOVE Melbourne ever so much.

(not just because it's cold and I get to wear my winter threads)

It's where I first moved to when I left home....

... It's where I met Hubby and fell in love 

(accepting his proposal after only SIX days... not kidding)

It's where I made many a happy memory with dear

friends and family...

It's where I hope to live AGAIN one day

(with any luck in the above building... I mean get out of town!

Me..... LIVING in the "Tea House" .... Pffff!)

It's a city filled to the brim with everything and anything.

We stayed in apartments situated in the heart of town.

The building itself has quite a history.

Built in 1884 and designed by renowned Australian architect William Pitt.

(The above image is taken from inside the inner courtyard)

We only had to step outside the foyer and we were within spitting distance of

trams, restaurants, bars and theatres.

Further down the street is China Town 

A colourful spectacle of clashing cultures and architecture....

.... that has to be seen to be....

... understood?

Hubby and I ventured to favourite haunts where 

we reminisced over the past ....

... as well as planned for the future....

(crazy, dreamy, pie-in-the-sky plans... the best kind)

... you see Melbourne is very grey... very wet and 

ever so ... dare I say it... London...ish.

So for two "wanna be Brits" ...

... you can just imagine the fun we had.

Coincidentally Hubby's birthday was on the Saturday and so,

 in honour of this auspicious occasion, we embarked on a culinary skirmish

 that began with a French Cafe and ended with a Thai feast.

(he was a very merry bear indeed)

With so much to see and do we knew we needed to 

squeeze every second out of every day  -  as a result we've returned feeling

much like one does when one runs a marathon... in heels.

I need to make mention of one particular store....

... by the name of Mark Denver 

Loosely coined as "Vintage Industrial" but I feel 

better described as .... well ....

HEAVEN.

Definootilly my style. I could easily have stayed

in here for another two hours but we had a lunch booking 

and I had to settle for a quick peruse (drool) and a brief chat 

with the friendly Jenny (Mark was out back) - who informed me

that they do ship across Australia .... sigh.

I think the thing I love the most about Melbourne

is the ease with which one can get around and the 

variety of things you can experience. It's what 

a city should be... exciting, unique, cultured and vibrant.

I had the good fortune of 

stumbling upon one of my favourite design houses

Third Drawer Down

(situated off Brunswick street in 

the funky and arty district that is Fitzroy)

To be honest I could ramble about this great town 

for eons. It has an atmosphere that I adore and 

I'm especially proud of how "anything goes"...

... how people here blend in because their colours - no matter how

vivid (or dull) are all just a fitting match to the eclectic backdrop

of a place that oozes "unique"

I know I'll be back again soon....

... but until then...

... Thank you for having us Melbourne.

PS - Congrats to Marty for doing well at the awards! 

(and a MAHOOSIVE thank you for letting us come along to celebrate)