WEDDING ICE CREAM BAR :: DAVID & ASHER

In January this year, one of my sisters, Asher, got married. It was summer, it was boutique and casual and I loved the vibe the whole wedding had. So family & intimate. I designed the invite and other paper goods to match her vintage floral theme, and she also asked me to put together an ice cream bar for the guests as dessert.

Their wedding was meant to be featured in the next edition of Wedding Style Guide, but since they are no longer publishing their magazine, (*sniff!*) I am free to share all these gorgeous piccies of the sundae bar with you!

A lot of the toppings were displayed in floral bowls from a dinner set that Asher already had. It was so pretty and didn't really need a lot of prettying up.
I used some co-ordinating framed instructions for the bar and added some buffet labels with strips of fabric around other glass jars and jugs. The fabric strips were left over from the wall-hanging hoops and bunting Asher made, which really helped tie in this area with the other food and drink areas at the house.
After everyone was full with ice cream and toppings it was time for a refreshing dip in the pool...who does that a wedding? Love it!

There are so many other lovely photos from this day, I might have to do a part II to show you all! Are you up for it?

{This was the first time I met Maddie from Etta Photography who took all these lovely photos! Love how she makes everything look so....well, lovely!}

TWINE WINNER

I've been tempted to pipe up and comment on some of your fabulous ideas on how to use the twine balls, but I didn't want to upset the random draw! Lots of you suggested using them for Christmas, so I look forward to seeing what you make!
Thank you so much for all your kind comments, it truly made my weekend and now I feel like a crafting genius! :)

Without further ado...a drum roll for the sampler pack... 

Jamie, your twine pack will be on it's way from The Twinery soon. And keep your eyes peeled over at The Twinery blog for the winner of the grand prize!

Thanks again friends! 

TWINE BALLS :: TWINERY BLOG HOP + GIVEAWAY

Hello and welcome if you came here from Katrina and are stopping by on Day three of The Twinery "blog hop"!

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I have had an idea in my head for a while with this gorgeous twine, and that is to create those starched string balls you probably made in primary school. Remember doing that with wool and a big balloon? I'm sure teachers loved cleaning up after that art class!

I wanted to do miniature versions so I used water balloons to get a small round shape. I wrapped each with twine that had been dipped in PVA glue and then hung to dry. Once dry and the balloon was popped, you have these firm little twine balls. Cute and mini right?

I thought they would make great present toppers for a gift box. Think of the colour combos you could do for a themed party...or Christmas garland, or birthdays!
I don't know about you, but those lovely twine colours just say "Party" to me!

Your next stop on the hop is Jessica...thanks for stopping by and hope to you see you around again soon!

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TWINE GIVEAWAY
**NOW CLOSED **

You can make your own twine balls, or other crafty goodness, with a sampler pack of The Twinery's twine - FREE to one of my lucky readers!

To be in the running to win the sampler pack, and be a part of the BIG prize, the complete spool pack (details for entry here), please leave a comment below with your favourite twine colour, by Sunday 25th Sept. CLOSED
A winner will be drawn by random. Open to international readers! (yay!) All the best! 

TISSUE PAPER CONFETTI

I made confetti for a project I'm working on for tomorrow. Not rocket science by any stretch of the imaination, just tissue paper and a 1" punch, but it just looks so pretty and feels so soft and float-y. I love it (except when sprinkled all over the carpet on the floor in a nameless childs' bedroom!).

I can see more tissue paper confetti in my near future. Think one or two colours to match a party...in the mail...on the dinner table...ooo I love it!

BABUSHKA BABES

Okay, I think I've saved the best till last of these new collections. Actually not my best, but Linda's best. Linda from Bubble & Sweet (who coincindently lives down the road from me...who knew!), made all the cookies & macarons I used in the Cherry Love, Cocktails at Tiffany's & this Babushka shoot.

She is seriously one clever cookie herself. When Linda dropped these goodies off I would like pop the lid and show them off to anyone and everyone who dropped by! (I had one friend whip out her phone and started snapping away saying how her teenage daughters would just love them...).

They are amazing don't you think? She put so much detail into them. And those square ones...ahhh gorgeous!

And check out this awesome idea she did for her daughters vintage paper doll party recently - I love an original creative idea...genius!

I want to give a huge thanks to Linda for her creativity she put into these for me and really made my products shine. Please head over to Linda's blog and make sure you follow. She graciously shares all her recipes and baking know-how. Also she has a new book coming out you might want to pre-order for you and the kids - fun!

This Babushka design is available in my store.

{Images are by the very talented Naomi from Naomi V Photography...I will share a full post about her sometime soon too!}

DOWN ON THE FARM

Happy Monday everyone! It's time to head down to the farm as I share my last new design with you.
This is an older invitation that I re-designed with new colours (originally orange, brown & green) and had the lovely Naomi take much better photos than my original version!


I kind of like the farmyard theme because it's not gender specific.  The invitation even comes with your choice of boy or girl farmer depending on the guest of honour. They're cuties!

I have had a few requests for this theme since it has been out of my store, but you can now find the whole collection here :: Invitation | Buffet Label | Party Dots | Thank you Tag | Straw/Party Tabs | Treat Box | Drink Bottle Label | Carton Label.

Happy farmyard party planning!

{Images:: Naomi V Photography}

COCKTAILS AT TIFFANY'S

I had a wonderful time away on the beach with my family in the sun. Great memories and fun times. I loved having some time out and getting some space from the daily onslaught of technology, blog and online shop, to actually step back and re-asses, but more on my musings about that next week...

Today it's time to launch "Cocktails at Tiffany's" This is the third of my new designs I am (slowly) introducing you to. (You can see the first ones here - Cherry Love & Safari Park.)

This was a custom invite design I did for a friend's 30th earlier this year, but I loved it so much I thought it would be a great addition to my range as a complete collection. Something for us women-folk! With personalised text, it would be a perfect theme-setter for a bridal shower, 25th, 30th or 40th birthday. Or even an anniversary or engagement party. So pretty and chic! Cocktails anyone?

So pretty right? I can't wait to see what you create with these printables. It's becoming a new favourite!
Tiffany Collection available in my store here.

{Images by Naomi V Photography, Cookies & Macarons by Bubble & Sweet, Cheesecakes by me!}

SPONTANEOUS LIVING

I'm feeling a little young and spontaneous today as we've decided to make the most of a break between Dave's work contracts, and take a little mini holiday! Woohoo! We're off to the beach for a couple of nights...mid-week. Did you get that? Not even the weekend! We never do this kind of thing, so I'm really looking forward to a little breather before we head into the last few months of the year. Just what the doctor ordered I think. See you on the other side!

{Any shop Orders made in the next two days will be sent on Friday 16th Sept - thanks friends!}

Image The Fullness of Joy via Pinterest

Note:: This was the alternate picture depicting summer - funny right? Funnier still because that round green belly is probably what I will be looking like in my maternity bathers! Now that will be a sight!

CHOC MOUSSE SHOTS :: WEEKEND WHIPAROUND

You probably know by now that the recipes I share here are by no means MasterChef standard. They are simple but always delicious - solid, reliable, yummy. You can always jazz something up in a cute jar, with some ribbon or paper goods. At least that's the way I roll!

This little chocolate mousse number is from my sister and I used for the Cherry Love & Safari Park shoots. And, I've actually got some in the fridge right now as part of a choc-berry parfait I'm preparing for friends coming to dinner tonight. It's a super easy recipe...

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

600ml Thickened Cream
250g Chocolate, melted
600ml Chocolate custard (I use Pauls Double Thick)
Whip cream. Gradually whip in, chocolate custard & melted chocolate till completely mixed through. Put into dish or individual ramekins. Chill till set.

Enjoy!

Here are a few things around the web I came across this week.

Glass bottle + washi tape = cool vase.
Don't throw out your egg cartons
This is how to blow the stationery budget
Old School movies
So many great ideas in the latest edition

Do you follow my Pinterest? Come on over and share in all the fun and games, and have a great weekend!

{Images: Naomi V Photography}

OFF ON SAFARI

Next up in my new design release is this Safari Park collection. I have had the invitation & baby shower invite designed for a while, but have recently had a few requests for more co-ordinating pieces to have now expanded this range.
It is a personal favourite design of mine which I used it for Levi's first birthday (we found out we were pregnant with him while living in Africa, hence the soft spot!). I really like how it turned out and makes me want to host his first birthday all over again!

Images top to bottom: Take Home bag with thank you tag | Square Invitation | Chocolate Mousse | Teaspoons & Buffet Label | Birthday Banner | Meatballs on a skewer | Chocolate Mousse cups | Placecard favour box.

Thanks again to Naomi V Photography for the awesome images. Other thanks for this shoot go to Sweet Style for the 'Enjoy' stamp | Bamboo cups from The Party Studio | & Wooden teaspoons by me!

All Safari Park printables can be purchased in my store. Stay tuned for a few more designs coming in the next week!

WEEKENDING :: HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Here's a little something Levi and I put together for Dave for Fathers day. I found lots of his fave Canadian treats at Candy Time (for exhorbitant imported prices of course!). We packaged them up in this little crate and tied with a ribbon and a cute hand made note. It was a winner!

We spent the day just chilling, went to the foreshore for lunch then dinner with some friends.

What a dad, and what a perfect relaxing day after a big week!