A Brand New Look For My Blog, A Shabby Album, & A New Swap

Hello Dear Friends

(Yes you are at the right blog.... LOL)

Today I can share with you
My Brand New Look!!!
 &
My Very First 

Round Robin Shabby Album is Born...

Well the "Cover" is Born anyway.....

Maria and the Girls at 

The Scrap Artist Within...

Are Doing are a Round Robin 

 Friendship Quotes Album

So I thought I would join in....

I have had this Chatterbox Album and Stand for some time...
But have been saving it... You know for the "Perfect Thing"... LOL!
So I thought A Quote Album would be a lovely thing to display....

And this is the Title Page 

 BF'sF
"Best Friends Forever" 

Other News...

 I enjoyed the last 2 Swaps so much
That I have decide to join another one....

http://aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com

And this time my Lovely Partner is Betty

Betty is new to blogging as well and 

Does gorgeous Silk Painting...

You can see Betty's Blog Here....

I am really looking forward to knowing this lovely lady better!

And...Saving the Best till Last....

 My Blog has had a Complete Makeover
By

The Very Talented Karen Valentine at

www.valentinedesign.blogspot.com

Be Sure to Check out Karen's Site  

And see all the gorgeous new looks she has created..

Oh and did you notice my new Blog Button too...
Designed by Karen...

I really like it and think it's so cute!

Please feel free to use it on your blog
You can find the link on my sidebar....

Hope you like my new look!!

Thanks for Dropping In....

A Gift Box, A Tussie, and Some Swap Gifts

Hello Dear Friends

Today I can finally show you what I made for Sarah
Of
My So Called Junky Life

As her parcel has arrived....

 The Gift Box For Sarah's Aqua Goodies..
I was really happy with how this piece turned out....
Hubby even went as far as to say he thought it was my "best ever".....

The Aqua and White goodies that went in the box....
A mixture of both vintage and new....
(I think the Aqua and White was Sarah's Favorite.... )

An Aqua Tussie Mussie

Because I am into making them atm....

Trying to start the Tussie Craze in Aus.... LOL

And Just Because...

Sarah's other favorite color is Pale Pink...

Some Pink Goodies too...
Including some Shabby Chic Embellishments that I made especially for her...

And I know it's not Christmas in April.....

But I read a post on Sarah's Blog about her special

Shabby Christmas Tree 

All in Pink Aqua and White.....

And these decorations are just something I enjoy making..

So I popped a couple in....

So I guess it's a bit sad that the 

Secret Garden Swap 

Has now come to an end.....

I must say a huge Thank-You to
Lovely Sarah...  

Of
My So Called Junky Life

For hosting this swap...

And my gorgeous gifts!

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed participating!

And I'm looking forward to many more swaps in the future!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog,
Will back again soon
Hugs
Lou xx

Lest We Forget....

Anzac Day

April 25

Let us remember those that were lost on this 

Historic Day in Australian History...

Anzac Day is a day to collectively remember how we think of ourselves 

And of what makes us interdependently 'us'. 

We remember a story that is potentially open
To each gender, and every generation  

The Anzac story is a deep story and a multifaceted source of identity 

That we can share in together.

"The Anzac story is part of that journey, more thoughtfully, 

With less jingoism and flag waving than ever before.

Increasingly, Anzac is a word that more Australians, 

Young as well as Old, can claim. 

It is a story that acknowledges Fear as well as Courage, 

Outrage as well as Obedience, 

Skepticism as well as Idealism, 

Disaster as well as Brilliance, 

Horror as well as great Beauty. 

Anzac is no longer a story told to the beat of drums of war.

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."
( The Bible )
I am sure Dad will be able to tell me the exact reference for this verse...

Lest We Forget......
Lou xx

Shabby Challenge Layout & A Shabbyliscious Swap Gift...

Hello Dear Blogger Friends

Today I have Shabby Challenge Layout to share with you

"The Well Appointed House"

The Challenge...

Can be be found here at

The Scrap Artist Within...

Use these Images as Inspiration.....

To Create a Shabby Layout

My Inspiration was the Formal Lounge Room Setting and the Color Scheme...
Along withe Chandelier from the Nursery Photo!

Then....

You must use:

At Least 4 paper's
I have used Webster's Pages and an Old Book Page

Must have flower's either in the paper or as an embellishment
Flowers are both on the PP and Have used Prima and Mini Roses

Laces, trims, ribbons
Have used 2 Laces, Silk Ribbon and Crepe Paper Trim 

Sprinkling of Buttons
3 Buttons

And a Vintage Inspired Journalling Block that You have Created........

Here is mine - It's a hidden Journalling Block 

" A Woman's Work Is Never Done!!"

The last date to upload is the 31st of April and 

International Bloggers are More than Welcome to Join In....

Just a close up to show the Shabby....
Achieved with Mr Tim Holtz Tattered Rose...
Mmmm One of my all time favorite colors!

So You still have time to enter...
So come and say Hi and check it out!!!

Now For ....
A HUGE Thank you to Sarah....
And a Gorgeous Swap Gift to Share
I feel like the luckiest girl around!!!

My Secret Garden Swap Gift Has Arrived

From Lovely Sarah

Of
My So Called Junky Life 

A Parcel filled to the Brim with 

Gorgeous Shabbyliscious Gifts and Supplies!!!

Full of Sooo Many Lovely Shabby Chic Treasures...
 Including a Gorgeous Cuff made by Sarah (bottom R hand corner)
Oh Sarah I have been eying these off for a while..
They haven't quite made it to Aus yet... so this may be the start!!!

Lovely Lady Charlotte, as I call her... made by Sarah...
A Beautiful Bling Bird.... 2 rolls of delicious vintage wallpaper..

Vintage Millinery like I have never seen before!!!
And lots of my absolute favorite.... Seam Binding!! Gosh I love this stuff!!!

Absolutely "To Die For" Rhinestones and Glass Pearls
A bag of delicious shabby white buttons.... sigh....

And these absolutely stunning vintage crochet squares!
And sooo many other fabulous things....

Thank you Sarah so very much for all of these gorgeous lovelies!
I have thoroughly enjoyed my very first Swap..
And I sooo hope the Postman arrives for you today!!!!

Well Ladies that's all for today...
Hope my post wasn't too long ....
See you again soon,
Hugs,
Lou xxx

Tea Cup Tuesday Is Served With A Dash Of Art Deco

Hello Ladies &

Welcome to Another Edition of 
 Martha and Terri's

Teacup Tuesday

Today I would like to share with you

One of my favorites....

Shelley Orington

This beautiful Art Deco Set was made by Shelley 
Between 1925-1940 in England.

This is the Demitasse Cup Shape

This white Shelley China is whimsically decorated 

With hand painted beautiful Green Raise Enameled Flowers and 

Black Branches. 

 I will admit I love the elegant shape of the Shelley Coffee Pots 

More so than the Teapots....

Just a personal taste thing I am sure....

Besides being a vivid spring green with handpainted enamel foliage
It has pale green trim.



The same design was called 
Orington, Peony, or Chippendale, 
At various times. 

Creamer and Sugar
The Pattern Number on the bottom is 13216.

A perfect match with Shelley Orington would be some 

Gorgeous Art Deco.......

Art Deco has certainly made a resurgence lately...

Including  a Collection by the  
Wonderful and Talented Mr Karl Largerfield

 From
The House of Chanel

So Today I thought I would indulge you with some gorgeous Chanel pieces...
That I wish I could also say were from own wardrobe.....
Sigh...... If only..... lol

Chanel's Fall-Winter Ready-to-Wear Collection
Included several stunning Art Deco accessories.

Like this Classic and Stunning Chanel Belt

True to the classic Art Deco aesthetic,
The pieces were streamlined, geometric and made of
Traditional Deco materials - jade, quartz, enamel and strass.

 From both the Day and Evening Collection....

The bold jade-green and pale-pink quartz necklaces,
Rings and belts were a striking contrast to the
Classic black Chanel suit and white silk/organza blouse.

 And No Collection would be complete without a
Sensational Pair of Shoes....

Art Deco Style of Course!!!

I hope you have enjoyed this post featuring Shelley Orington and
These gorgeous Chanel Art Deco Accessories.

Tea Cup Tuesday
Is hosted each week by 

Lovely Terri and Martha.....

So be sure to check out  
Terri's Blog Here
&

Martha's Blog Here

To see more wonderful teacups and inspiration from around the globe....

I Must also take this opportunity to apologize for not sharing in 

Last week's Teacup Tuesday.. 

I was just too tired after a busy night shift and headed straight for bed...

Thanks for visiting today and see you again soon....

Love Lou xx

Lets Get Shabby Challenge Entry - Easter Themed Creation

Hello Again Dear Friends and Welcome to my Blog

Today I can share with you my 

 Lets Get Shabby Challenge Entry 

An Easter Themed Creation

For

Lets Get Shabby

The Challenge set was:

"ITS ALL ABOUT.

A SHABBY EASTER!!!.

We want to see all that Easter Shabby -ness!"

 Another View

My Easter Creation started out as an Easter Gift Box 

But I decided instead to create an OTP instead..

A piece that I can use for my  Easter Vignette next year....

Side View

I have used lots of vintage and shabby material to create this piece 

Including Vintage Wallpaper, Crepe Paper, Seam Binding, Lace,

Vintage German Scrap, Beading and Millinery.....

I totally enjoyed making this Shabby Piece for the Challenge 

And am happy with the result.. :)

This months Wonderful Sponsor for the  

Lets Get Shabby Challenge 
is

Whats Old Is New Kits.... See them Here

I'm definitely looking forward to next months challenge..
You still have until the 20th April to get youe Easter Entry In
So come and play along...


To see all the other fabulous entries just link to the 
Lets Get Shabby Blog Here....

Thanks for visiting and look forward to seeing you again soon..
Hugs
Lou xxx

Sneak Peeks - Secret Garden Swap & A Fabulous New Aussie Store

Hello Again Dear Friends...

Well I haven't had much time for blogging over the last couple of days

As I have been working on my Swaps....

Today I would like to share some peeks of
The Secret Garden Swap
Being hosted by lovely Sarah...
Of
My So Called Junky Life

Here is a Tiny Sneak Peek of The Secret Garden Box

I have made for Sarah.....

And another view....

I cant really show you any more than that or it will give it away....

But I sooo hope she likes it....

A box just by it self wouldn't be much fun.....

So here is a Sneak Peek

 Of some of the Aqua Goodies to go inside the box....

And a Little Box of Pink and White Goodies too....

Sarah's favorite colors are 

Pastels in Pink, Aqua, and White...

So I have included a Little Box of Pink and White Goodies too....

Here's a Peek???

I have also made a couple of little scrappy gifts for Sarah.. 

Here's a peek of just one of them....

As if I give you a peek of the others it will give them away....:)

These Gifts and Swap Goodies are now

 Winging their way to the U.S. of A.

I have also included a  a few little Aussie things for Sarah..

That hopefully haven't made their way to the US yet...

But they are mainly hidden in the pics so so Sarah gets a Surprise!

While I was looking for some Aussie Surprises

I stumbled across this Fabulous New Aussie Shop

Scrap Matrix

If you love Altered Art Supplies you will loooove this shop!!!

So make sure you check it out HERE....

(Rae also does International Postage...)

Scrap Matrix also has a 

Fantastic Offer on for April...

Spend $4o or more in the month of April
& receive a FREE 'Mr Inky (Tim Holtz) surprise!

Including the New Colors in Tim Holtz Distress Inks

I was going to show you some pics here... but it might spoil Sarah's Surprise...

So I'll save them for another day.... :)

Will be back soon to show you some peeks of the Tussie Mussie Swap.

I have also been working on...

Bye for now and 

Thanks for visiting..

Love Lou xxxx

P.S. This is the Very First Swap I have posted so I hope everything is ok...