Today I updated the Tivoli Vintage shop.  I also found some more vintage things and popped them in the wash.  Lots of pretty linen tea towels.  And a crocheted tablecloth (wait til you see it!).  It was nice to have a day to potter and take photos and eat soup for lunch.  I also wanted to tell you that I have been to Daylesford, Vic with Miss KD, who has some photos on her blog over here (she has the best camera).  Kristen was a Designer at the Threadneedle Daylesford Craft Experience and well, I just tagged along and had a blast.  I did so many great things!!  I met Belinda from Moonmum in person at the maker’s market.  She was lovely of course.  I visited the Lark shop, though Allisson was sadly sick.  Paul, Allisson’s husband did a super job serving us all champagne while we shopped and chatted!  I do think Lark IS possibly the sweetest shop in the world.  I was lucky enough to stay at the Peppers Hepburn Springs Resort, enough said, it was amazing.  On the Sunday I joined in the Craft Experience and stitched and talked and ate a delicious lunch.  Yep, that’s where I have been!

I like the cooler months.  More time to get back into things and get cozy.  Seems I have picked up the blogging bug again, and I have also picked up the hoop.  Just in time to join this month’s Creative Collective project.  It is all about embroidery and hoops!  My embroidery is a cross stitched Christmas Shepherdess, a stocking for Miss Viking that I have promised to deliver for a little while now.  Master Viking has a stocking, so now it is time to work down the line.  One day I will post about Master Viking’s stocking, it is very lovely, and did you know once you finish your stitching you can send it up to this fabulous shop and a lovely lady will make it up for you!  Grand.

Hello!  It is Royal Wedding Day!  I am a little excited.  See, I am not really a royalist, despite being married to a Dane, whose royal family is one of the longest running monarchies in the world.  Also, despite the fact that I not too long ago realized I had unwittingly given all 3 of my children middle names after English kings and queens (Richard, Elisabeth and Mary).  I am excited for William and Kate.  Because it is their day.  And we get to have a little look in.

I made a banner to go with the party my neighbour and our kids are having tonight.  There will be a little champagne, maybe some cherry bakewells, a few crisps (that is really what they call chips over there!).  There will be lots of fake British accents thrown around (my kids think this is really funny!).  The banner was completely inspired by Tiff from Dotti Angel’s lovely weathered cotton bunting.  You must go and have a look.  I thought it so pretty.

Anyway, Happy Wedding Day to William and Kate, may your day be lovely and special, just as mine and Mr Viking’s twas.

It has been a full mailbox the last two weeks.  Here are some of the goodies that have surprised (and delighted) me.  The top picture is a lovely mixed media work that I found, by Portland artist Cathy McMurray.   It was a present for Mr Viking for our wedding anniversary on Monday.  It is titled ‘Books’.  He really liked it.  We read a lot in bed and it is for above our bed.  I said it was a double present because he gets to put a hole in the wall to put it up, which is one of his favourite things to do! 

The pretty blue card is from Mr Viking to me – it came with some sweet cotton bed socks, as cotton is for your second wedding anniversary.  Yes, we have been together since 1994, though only married two years ago.  It was time!

Inside Out arrived this week.  I have been a subscriber for many years.  I was a little nervous when Karen McCartney left as I really liked her aesthetic (even after 10 years) though I really liked this issue with Richard Waller the editor doing a great feature on collecting Art. 

Can you see the pretty Bespoke zine in there?  I was a lucky winner of this over at the Brown Paper Bunny blog last week.  I have loved reading it, it is jam packed with crafty articles of all sorts.  Jess from Epheriel Designs puts this together.  You won’t be dissapointed.  Jess, from Brown Paper Bunny, makes really fun cards and things here.

The pretty butterfly envelope and notecards came from Etsy seller Sarah Ogren.  Sarah is a mixed media artist with lovely whimsical work.  The japanese tapes are from Uguisu, my favourite place to buy tape supplies – Hiki’s service is outstanding and fast.

Last but not least, Chantal, whom I met at the ABCD meet-up last week, well we did a little swap - some notebooks for one of her gorgeous Willy Wagtail stamps.  Chantal hand carves these stamps, they are so clever, she also makes lovely Easter cards which you can find here.  It is not normally this exciting a week of post, so definately worth sharing.

I cut these from the front garden just an hour ago.  Just your humble Jasmine and Lavender.  I wish you could smell through the screen.  Yesterday there was not a white flower yet on our Jasmine bush just the pretty pink buds, waiting.  Then today, there they were, a few stray and precious blooms that had decided to burst.  Do you think that they know something?

We are going to be away next week.  Our first trip to the snow with the three little Vikings in tow.  They are so excited.  I am excited for them.  Both the Vintage Shop and Paperklip will still be open while I am away, though things will be first posted out on Monday 13th September.

Happy 100th post!  Thank you for following along with me for this time.  I have really loved this blogging journey so far and I am conscience of keeping it nice and real for you (and a lot pretty).

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was moonlighting on a little project and I am very excited to finally tell you about it.  Even since I took Dotti Angel’s pledge of buying hand-made or second hand for myself and the house a few months ago I have been spending more time at garage sales and op-shops.  My winter wardrobe has survived and I have found a few sweeties for the house.  Someone gifted me a fabulous dresser.  It made me realise that there really is no need to buy new every time, there are many lovely things out there.  More than enough for me. So I thought I could share a few lovely finds in a little Etsy shop of vintage.  I have had to do a lot of sorting,  a little hand-washing, the odd repair.  I am really happy with the things I have to share so far.  Maybe there is something for you (or a friend).

So, the name.  When I lived in Copenhagen I worked as a ride operator in the Tivoli Gardens for 3 years.  What a job.  Outdoors for the entire Danish summer (joy!) in a beautifully landscaped park sending people 57m into the air for fun.  It was a blast.  I even worked a winter season on the lake when it was frozen over for ice skating.  Surrounded by trees hung with fairy lights.  It was cold and amazing.  I have the fondest memories of working in Tivoli, and hence have named the shop Tivoli Vintage after my favourite place in Denmark.  Enjoy.

Little Birds

Hello friends.  Tonight (because it is 10.55pm as I write this)  I will talk about books.  Because I love them.  It might be a paper thing.  Or it could be the possibilities that lie inside one – an escape to an exotic place, a ramble through an old house or a new project to ponder making.  I read before I go to sleep most nights.

When I actually buy a book it is usually the cover that gets me and I would buy this lovely little craft book of birdy sweetness JUST because of the cover.  What great product photography, makes one want to open up and flick through.  This little book is not yet released - but it will be on Thursday!  It is brimming with 26 bird making projects from Etsy and Handmade sellers.  It is exactly what I wish for for my birthday a) because I like birds b) I really need another small, sweet and inspiring craft book to ponder over and possibly make nothing from but still engage hours of enjoyment in the possibility c) my Mum asked me what I wished for my birthday and I think she would like to ponder over this book with me.

What is on your book wishlist at the moment?  I would love to know.