It's been a GOOD day!

My darling Kenner Blythe, Cleo, has been visiting the divine Snuffy for some spa treatments this week.

It's lovely to see her bloom - while I've adored her I haven't had the confidence to work on her myself, Snuffy has cleaned her, treated her hair, and fixed her blush.

Result? Heaven on a Stick!

This photo on Snuffy's Flickr page greeted me this evening and made me all wobbly with happiness. 

And LOOK! Below! Another win! My superstar earrings have done it again, with another Etsy front page! They had their fifteen minutes of fame and I had around 1350 views and over 250 favourites (store and item) while it was up .. woot! 

Colour Blast

I just love that Spring is here and I'm quickly shedding my winter wardrobe of black black and oh .. light black ;) and out come the colours again.

I've made up some new necklaces - well, chokers really! and added them to my Etsy store. These look so gorgeous with a simple summer frock .. or for those who dare and do it well (I don't!) clash patterns and colours for an amazing look.

I loooooove these fabrics, particularly top left .. I only have one of these and I'm thinking of keeping it for myself :)

For a little extra colour *POP* on this weird windy hot day check out Kimbra, she's cute quirky and just gorgeous. I love the Kiwis as you all know!

Kimbra - Cameo Lover (Official Music Video) from Kimbra on Vimeo.

These things, I love.

You know, it's tough times. People are not spending a lot of money. I've noticed in my Etsy, things have slowed down, and that's okay.  I'm not spending a lot of money lately either, I haven't really analysed why - is it the season, my mood, our financial commitments, other priorities?  I guess it's a number of things. I don't feel pressured by the banks, or the government to buy! spend! shop! 'for the good of the economy' but I do feel the need to support my friends, those who are doing small home based business like I am, who make pretty things, on a small scale, where you can add some beauty and creativity to your life and spread some happiness in the world for a few dollars. I like that.

I'd like to share with you some loveliness that some clever people I know are making. These are things you can buy for a few bucks, which you can display in your home or pass on as a gift, to add some beauty. You may not be saving the world economy, but you will be supporting a home business and treating yourself (or a friend or loved one) to something special. I'd also love to see your ideas on low cost ways to give you and your friends a boost.

Visit Kinderland, Sophia's lovely new Etsy store selling gorgeously printed photographs of her beautiful Blythe collection. She sure knows how to dress, style, photograph and collect the most gorgeous Blythe dolls. And her prices are amazing. This is my favourite, I bought a large print of this which I'm going to frame for Asha for her 9th birthday (shhhhhhh!).

And then there is Fourteen Times. Catherine is a friend from my daughter's school. She makes amazing origami stars from the most beautiful papers. I have bought one as a special gift for a friend but I'm not saying which one until after I've given it to her. Until then I will share this photo of another which I love (and may purchase in the future!) made from quality paper featuring New York, somewhere I am dying to visit.

Lastly but not leastly is PaperSky Photography. Jo (great name!) has honed her photography skills over the years and is now challenging herself in new and fabulous ways. Her Blythe photographs are something to behold, and I love how she views the small things in life through her lens and makes them interesting and quirky. I'm yet to decide which photograph will be my first purchase, most likely this one but I don't want to inundate you with Blythe photographs, so in this instance I'll share another favourite.

Thanks if you made it this far through this post and please share your low cost gorgeous finds (under $20?). I'm not one for reckless spending, but I am one for finding the pretty things in life, and passing on ideas to others, and I hope that you are too! XX

Florence and the Peacock

I had made a few little special market sets to sell at my first market this Friday afternoon, but since I had such a positive response from the friends who saw them (and quickly bought them!) I thought I'd make a few pieces for my Etsy store from this gorgeous new fabric.

Quoting from the Liberty of London website,

Critically acclaimed singer Florence Welch of 'Florence and the Machine' visited the Liberty archives to select two of her favorite designs for this season's collection. Dancing Ladies Liberty Print was one such design,a wonderful traditional Liberty floral containing 'Dancing Ladies' reminiscent of Indian miniatures. It has been a very popular style withing the past Liberty collections, especially in the 1920s and 30s. 

Though to me and my horridly inaccurate historical knowledge, it reminds me of this beautiful painting by Botticelli:

Anyhoo! Here are the hair ties I've made thus far, unfortunately the ladies are too large to incorporate into a hair tie although I have a couple of new ideas which may take shape during the second half of the year so you may see them yet in the Dusty Plum store!

What a beautiful choice by Florence, and who doesn't love Florence? With her almighty voice, amazing stage presence and stunning milk-skinned 'Botticellian' beauty!

and last but not least a song. Because I always like you to have something to listen to while you read your blogs. XXX 

Florence and the Machine "DOG DAYS ARE OVER" Music Video from LEGS MEDIA on Vimeo.