Purple Rug Quilt

I have a confession to make. It might upset you quilting purists, or even people who like angora rugs. I was given two magnificent rugs for my 21st birthday (now some years ago!). I love them: they are the perfect weight and warmth and for years I've snuggled with them. But I've never been able to cuddle them without being covered in tremendous amounts of fluff. I mean fluff like you've never BELIEVED. If I happened to be wearing black, I looked like a lamington post- cuddle. So I decided to do something rash and quilt one, just to see if it worked. That way, I figured, the blanket would be more useable, and I would still love its weight and warmth without the fear of the fluff.
Here are some in-progress pictures. I used Tula Pink's Hush a Bye range for Moda and the backing is from the same range. I'm really thrilled with how it's turned out, and am really happy it'll be all ready for when winter arrives.
And finally, the finished product, bound and ready to go!
I know the pictures of quilts of this chair must be getting old. But it's hard to take pictures by yourself in good light, and here just seems to work!

La Cuisine

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I have no need to be looking at kitchens - my own is perfectly lovely - but I was taken with these pretty ones.

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Studio Nommo Wallpaper

I do love good wallpaper, and these examples from Studio Nommo are just delicious! Enjoy!

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New Tray: Before and After

I've been looking for a large tray with edges for ages and was really unsuccessful in my search. The other day, I found this tray put out with the garbage near my house. Horrendously decoupaged, I saw some potential behind the ugly turquoise...

I spent a good hour or so stripping back the layers (layers! I tell you!) of lacquer and sealant to reveal a knobbly tray with no paper left on it.I sanded it back, then sprayed some black gloss enamel paint all over.
And, ta da!
I made a place mat with some of my new fabric just to cover up some of the bumpy parts of the top of the tray, but I'm really happy with it. It now makes our ottoman a lot more useful - half ottoman, half coffee table. Hurrah!

Modern Compact House in Tokyo

This house just blows me away. In busy Tokyo but sheltered away with private and spacious insides. Love, love, love.

All images from here via here.

Saturday Morning Brunch

A close friend's farewell was even lovelier with yummy, yummy pastries. So. Good.

1940s London

The lovely Alice pointed me towards these incredible photos of 1940s London in colour. I can't get over how exciting and bustling it looks post-war - I had always imagined it as much less busy and more 'drab'. Thanks Ali!

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New Fabric Splurge!

Well I did it. After falling in love with the Nani Iro fabric, I put an order in with the lovely Matatabi from Japan and went on a little spree! I'm not even sure I can make myself cut up these pretties, but I'll keep you posted on what I make with them. In the meantime, thought you might like a vicarious swoon.

On My Morning Walk III

Playing around with new lenses and effects on my morning walk. Love the pinks and the sun's patterns on the grass.

Tiny House: Buzan, Japan

This tiny house is so perfect in its little pod-like structures. I am all about pods, although I'm not sure how practical it would be to live in. The glass ceilings are so pretty and unusual.

By the way, thank you so much for all your lovely words about my quilt yesterday. It really made my day!

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New Quilt

This is a gift for one of my best friends. She's been unwell for a while and I hoped that this would be a good comfort for her to snuggle with. I made it from Moda Authentic fabric and am really happy with how it turned out. I chose the fabrics for her based on the fact that she loves reading and maths (hence words and numbers) and the environment (hence flowers and the highlight colour of green). Hope she likes it!

Jacaranda Tree

One of the schools where I coach has the most beautiful, old Jacaranda tree. It's incredibly majestic, even when not in flower. I snapped this shot really quickly one evening and was amazed at the deep greens and the contrast of the dark bricks and stony footpath.

Appendage: Emily Hunt

I have written before of how much I love Emily's work, but last week I was lucky enough to visit her first solo exhibition at metalab in Surry Hills. Called 'Appendage', it is full of incredible pieces which look like parts of the body, coral, and at times, tribal necklaces.
This piece (above) was my favourite: it is made from silicon, thread and beads and it took over five weeks to sew the beads and to wrap the thread over the silicon base. Breathtaking in real life: this photo just doesn't do it justice.

Beautiful work, Em - I am speechless!

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Mossy Greens and Whites

Really enjoying this picture. I love the texture of the white porcelain, the moss and the colour combination. And yes, it's from a wedding blog: I've been helping a friend with some ideas for her table decorations and came across these. Pretties!

New Fabric Longing

So I've been obsessed with these new fabrics from Nani Iro, one of my favourite Japanese labels designed by Naomi Ito called 'Antique Label'. I can't work out exactly what I'm going to make with them, but I am excited nonetheless.
I have been neglecting to show you my latest crafty projects, primarily because they're all gifts for people who read this blog! Hopefully I show you some sneak-peeks soon.