Cushions, cushions, cushions!

Okay, so I think I've mentioned a lot once or twice that I make cushions - and one of the reasons I love cushions is because they're such a simple way to change the look in a room and to make a space look more inviting. So when I saw that Ness at Marley and Lockyer is having a giveaway from her lovely shop, which has the most gorgeous cushions, I just couldn't resist sharing this with you.

Here's what you could win...

{Images from Marley and Lockyer}

Like I said, gorgeous!

If you haven't already, pop by Marley and Lockyer to find out more!

And just in case you don't win, I just had to share some more cushion loveliness from some very talented ladies...

These first ones are from Laura at 'My Summer House'...

{Images from Summerhouse on Etsy}

These are from Kellie at 'Ada and Darcy'...

{Images from Ada and Darcy}

Oh, and if you want to see some cushions I made - take a look over here!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Blog Giveaway Winner

Well, the entry's closed last week, I've checked out everyone's gorgeous handmade posts and I've put all the names in a hat to pick one winner at random.

And the winner is.... Redlilocks from Swoon Worthy!

Congratulations and if you can please email me and let me know your details I'll get your book in the post very soon.

I'd also like to say a very big thank you to everyone who took part in the linky party - it was great to see the different handmade posts that everyone linked to and to find some lovely new blogs as well!

Meanwhile, if you missed out with my giveaway, make sure you pop by and visit Sarah at Modern Country Style for the chance to win some gorgeous Spode dishes (just like this one here!)

Have a lovely week!

A Home Made Vintage Linky Party!

Hello lovely, welcome to my linky party!

Come in and sit down-can I offer you anything...

Tea? Coffee? Cupcakes?

I'm so glad you've joined in and I can't wait to see and hear about what all of you have to 'show and tell' for this handmade and vintage themed day!

So to get the ball rolling, I'd like to show off these lovely drawstring bags that I made. I've been moaning about a lack of storage space lately, so I decided it was really time I did something about it.

I made these three beauties this morning (and yes, I promise to share how I did it very soon!) I love how simple they are and yet they are just so effective for getting all sorts of odds and ends out of the way.

So now it's your turn to show and tell - have you made something new and exciting or found something lovely and vintage - then grab your own linky button from on the right and put it on your side bar, post on your blog and add your link here so that we can all see too!

And as a special treat - one of you lovelies will also get a copy of 'Homemade Vintage' by Christina Strutt (of Cabbages and Roses).

Have a gorgeous day!

Announcing a Linky Party and Giveaway!

Hello lovely people. I'm back in blustery old England and being greeted by lots of rain in my little corner of Cumbria!

Before I left I got my hands on a copy of the book 'Home-Made Vintage' by Christina Strutt from Cabbages and Roses. Now as you may have guessed from my last post, I'm a bit of a fan of Cabbages and Roses and this book has lots of lovely projects for the home - in this case, all styled in the stunning vintage inspired fabrics from C&R (swoon!).

I'd love to give this to one of you lovelies who are good enough to read all my ramblings - and I'd love to see what your favourite handmade and vintage home items are. So I decided to have a linky party and giveaway next weekend - and you're all invited to share the story behind your your most prized home items- whether vintage or handmade.

Yep - it doesn't even have to be made by you! I'm a bit obsessed with things that have a story - so if you made it, found it at a car boot, charity shop or market - then I hope you'll join in the linky party and be in the running to win this lovely book!

Just grab the button from the right here (that's the one - right at the top of the page) - add it to your sidebar and come to the party to show off your handmade prowess or second hand finding skills!

Have a great week!

A Little Bit Country - Home Decor

I was going to post this yesterday, but I was asked by Letitia at The White Shed if I would do a post for her, as she's had a few computer issues stop her from posting. Since I couldn't possibly say no, I did a white theme post which you'll find here.

So today, I'm back to doing my own blog and have inspiration images that reflect the style of decorating I love the most. To me it's a very English style, which blends old and new elements, taking market finds, charity shop bargains and new pieces - and blending them together to create something truly individual. For arguments sake I'll call it modern English country, but I think you'll find variations of this idea in urban homes as much as idyllic country cottages.

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I love Cabbage and Roses, because it very much reflects the style I like (hence so many of their photos included here!). If you'd like to see more about Cabbages and Roses - pop by Modern Country Style and check out the beautiful C&R bag made by Sarah.

Have a lovely day!

Handmade Homewares & Country Style Home Decor

I'd like to start by saying a big hello to all the lovely people who've dropped by to visit from Maureen at Daydream Living. I love discovering new blogs and if I haven't visited you already, I promise I'll be popping by very soon!



This week I've finally started to list some things in the Lulliloo online store. I'm very excited to let you know that I'm going to be stocking these beautiful ruffle cushions that I originally made for The White Shed. If you've visited Letitia's lovely store but you're here in the UK, you'll now be able to get these items from The White Shed locally! The photo above is from the lovely home of Letitia at The White Shed.

These 100% Irish Linen cushion covers are available in white, black and natural.



I'll have more items coming very soon and I'll be doing a giveaway to all my followers next week as I get a few more things online. I was planning to do a giveaway once I reached 100 followers and since I have done that this week (yay!) - it seems like perfect timing!

Have a wonderful week x

A Blog With Substance Awards

I was really thrilled to receive this 'Blog with Substance' award earlier this week from Redlilocks at Swoon Worthy - if you haven't visited this blog - then you don't want to miss out!
This is a blog about a home renovation in progress and you'll find loads of yummy home decor ideas!



After getting this, it made me reflect on what defines a blog with substance to me. For me it is a blog that combines personal insight, great images, creativity and a healthy dose of personality!

I have chosen the following blogs because I think these have all those things - I've been reading these blogs since I started blogging and each of these is right up the top of the list for blogs that I still read over and over again...

So without further ado - I would like to give the 'Blog with Substance' award to the following lovely ladies

Emma from Emma Burgess
Laura from My summerhouse
Laura from Happy Home Maker UK
Laura from A Place For Tea
Signe from Signe Pling
Maureen from Day Dream Living

I hope you'll enjoy each of these blogs and I'm sure you'll find loads of inspriration from the country style home decor, to fashion, lovely photos and beautiful home decor ideas that feature prominently - plus a healthy dose of the writer's personality at each of these blogs.

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend! xx

An English Garden Party

Today I'm linking up for 'An English Garden Party' with Sarah at Modern Country Style and I've put together my list of the must have ingredients for the perfect garden party.

The perfect garden party requires vintage style floral dresses...

Via Suite 101

Via The Natural Wedding Company

These latest Spring fashion trends are perfect for making a floral fashion statement...

Dolce & Gabbana

Noa Noa

You need a lovely place to sit and enjoy the tea with all your delightful friends...

Via Les Tuileries

This country style home decor is perfect for sunny afternoons - and also ideal in case of an English rain shower.

Via Lisa Dawn Wedding Photography

The party simply wouldn't be complete without lovely cakes and nibblies (all presented beautifully of course!)

Image from Claudia's Cupcakes via http://www.archantsuffolk.net/weddings/2010/06/claudias-cupcakes/

Via Teacups and Roses

And finally, in true English fashion, you must have tea!

These beautiful home decor ideas are from The Afternoon Tea Table

I hope you're having a lovely time at the garden party - don't forget to visit Sarah and join in the party over there! xx

PS ~ If you'd like to you can see my garden here.

A Little Christmas Cheer

Christmas is fast approaching and I tend to fall on the 'running around like I'm on a sugar high' end of the scale when it comes to the festive season. I love lots of sparkly, shiny things around the place. When my sister Letitia (from The White Shed) and I were growing up, we used to drive my mum nuts with the fake snow - but we did also make a lot of decorations that my mum still displays with pride. Go to our folks house and the wreaths on the door are ones that my sister and I made.




This week, I've started making some Christmas decorations for my house here in England, because unfortunately I'm not going to be heading home as I hoped. I'm a huge Kirstie Alsop fan and as such, I'm determined to do a 'Homemade Christmas'. For any Aussie readers who don't know who she is, one of Kirstie's TV shows is about home decorating, restoring furniture and lots of lovley handmade goodness. As you can imagine, I just adore this show. This week the Christmas specials of her show have been on so I'm trying to find time to make as many of my own things as possible. It's still a work in progress and my decorations aren't quite ready to be revealed to the world yet (read - I haven't got around to taking photos of them) but I thought I'd share some of the photos that have inspired me along the way.




















Are you are ready weeks in advance or do you tend to throw a few decorations up at the last moment?

Hope you're having a wonderful week xx

Fleurs and Flowers

I absolutely adore the look of a beautiful old jug filled with fresh flowers! I chose these images, because to me, these capture one of my favourite looks - country style home decorating.

Have a wonderful week! xx

Autumn Decorating

I've finally arrived home and it is nice to be back! I did hope to blog while I was away, but no such luck. However, a few weeks away gave me some much needed rest and I've come back itching to get started on some new projects (watch this space!)

I love being back in England for autumn. While there are always hints of autumn colours in Australia, it takes on a different meaning when you are surrounded by the vibrant and rich colours here in England and Europe. I love the changing seaons and I am fickle, because I always feel like whatever is new is my favourite in that moment.

I particularly love Autumn, because the colours are among my favourites - and I love the idea of bringing a bit of the outdoors into the home - whether it is a freshly picked bowl of apples, a branch laden with berries, chestnuts, pumpkins or any of the other beautiful autumn 'riches' that are 'ripe for the picking'.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend xx

Pumpkin image - Good Housekeeping, Chestnuts - Gourmet.com, other images click photo for sources