Things I've Been Making

I can't believe how fast December is speeding past! I've more or less got everything organised ready to prepare a full Christmas turkey meal (my first attempt at turkey!) and I've got Christmas decorations up around the house getting in the festive sprit.

One of the gifts I made this year was this cute Christmas stocking for my 3 year old niece in Australia.



In between work and preparing for Christmas, I managed to find time to make these two linen cushions for my mum.



These are roughly 18 by 12 inches, with 3 small tucks toward one end. These will go alongside some of my linen ruffle cushions which were made with the same fabric.



One of the things I've been planning to make for a while is this Monotone Union Jack cushion for my Etsy shop. The cushion has grey 100% linen on the front and back, with different size grosgrain ribbons stitched on to make the union jack shape.



And lastly, I managed to get some more of this gorgeous vintage style linen and I've relisted these Vintage Style Union Jack cushions on Etsy.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Linen Smocking - My Latest Linen Obsession

Now, I think that my linen obsession is nothing new, but I've added smocked linen to that obsession. I'd love to know how to do smocking, but unfortunately I have more than enough on my plate for the time being!

Since I don't have the time to learn this skill, I'm going to have to be satisfied with some vintage smocked linens I bought on eBay and these gorgeous images of crisp white linen!

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I hope you're having a great week!

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!

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!

Hello Yellow - Home Decor & Fashion

Hello lovely bloggy people. :) I've just returned from a week in London, which was a lovely, much needed break and I'm now packing ready to head to Australia to visit my family next week.

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I feel like I haven't been blogging very regularly laterly and I thought I'd just let you know that I haven't forgotten about blogging - but it seems like the last few weeks and probably the last few months, I'm just so pressed for time. Unfortunately, that is not likely to change over the next little while, but I will keep trying to post as often as I can and I will have a special giveaway coming up as well.

In the meantime, with spring well and truly in the air here in the UK and with daffodils out everywhere - I thought I'd do a daffodil yellow inspired post today.

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Have a great weekend xx

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.

It's a Blogover!

I can't believe that I haven't posted in so long - because it feels like I have been working on my blog in every spare second I've had this week - and doesn't it look fresh after it's Blogover!

Image via 4Homes

I have to give a big thankyou to the good people who let me use their photos for my new header (L-R), Pilar Castro, Mabley Handler Interiors and Yozo Crafts.

I love the term Blogover - because it feels like I really have given my blog a complete makeover. I did all the work on this myself, preparing the new background, designing the new header, creating new pages and setting the blog up on it's very own domain. (Oh, and there's a button on the side if you want to grab one!) So now I simply must tell you what it is all about!

At the beginning of January I mentioned that I had some new projects coming up and most of them centre around why I've given the blog a facelift. If you've already had a nosy around you've probably picked up on the fact that I'm opening an online store.

However, that's not all that I'm doing. I'm very shortly going to be doing something I've wanted to do for ages - and that's sell clothes that I will be designing - in that store.

I know I've set myself a mammoth task doing this - so I'm also going to include accessories, handmade items and homewares from other people to complement what I'm going to do. I'm looking for things that are unique, vintage inspired and have a bit of modern country style - all the things that I love and a style that I know many of my bloggy friends share my enthusiasm for.

I'm really excited about this and I will be uploading things to the online store over the coming days and weeks - and of course I will let you know what's happening as things evolve and progress!

I hope you're having a great start to the week! xx

Moody Blues - Fashion Trends & Home Decor Ideas

I probably couldn't ever commit to choosing just one colour as a favourite, but I guess blue always sits in my top 3 - it is such a versatile colour, blue could be anything from turquoise to navy to sapphire.

One of my favourites is a shade of blue is a mid-blue with a touch of grey. I have seen so many beautiful home decor ideas and fashion trends incorporating these shades lately - I decided to share some of my favourites here today.

via carmenweddings.co.uk

Country style home decor in classic blue and white

Lanvin dress via PierceMattie Public Relations

via Mabley Handler Interiors

via Visualizeus.com

via Jolt Footwear Australia

via Harpers Bazaar

via Curbly.com

Have a lovely weekend! xx