Do you like Chandelier's?

This Chandelier was from the Birmingham Council building in the UK, on the main staircase of the building.    Its not as grand as most but I do like it!  So I got thinking about Chandelier's, they are so stylish & can make such a statement in the right room. 

The first chandelier appeared in the 14th century, with designs made of wood & candle fittings, but the wax ruined the wood so it was changed for metal.

I found these two which are my favourites from Royalty Lighting.

The first picture would be nice for a porch entrance, the second one I would love to have that in the main entrance to my new house, I think I could get away with it!! My husband might be having words about that though:) as he isn't a Chandelier guy!   Maybe I could sneak it in to my bathroom instead, hung over an old fashion bath!   Mmmm how decadent; I can dream!!!

These two pictures are the Chandeliers at the Casino in Monte Carlo, which weigh over 140kilos each.    Did you know Chandelle means Candle in French?

At the turn of the 17th Century their popularity grew & were found in homes all over northern Europe, and by the 19th century they were obviously  becoming more elaborate & extravagant.

Now this grand Chandelier is from Konopiste castle in Prague, it was made by Josef Palme who received a royal permission to build a workshop in Prachen.   These quickly became  known as Bohemia Chandeliers.

All information found from Abby chandeliers the Monte Carlo images forgot where I found them so please let me know if they are yours & I will remove or credit you.

Thinking

Mmmmm, my head is spinning with ideas of what to put on my blog this week, as I had an extremely busy time preparing for a local weekend market.

I thought this picture was appropriate for my mood.   I love the hat too.    It is from Plumo, a web site in the UK. 

Building Project

With much thought I have decided to share my building experience with you. My husband & I have brought half an acre near the coast in central Queensland.

This shot is from the back of the block looking south.

View from front of block. The road is a dead end, so we will have no through traffic and no houses straight in front of us, I am so excited!

Looking towards the rear of the block. The land behind has a preservation order on it so all the trees have to stay; it's going to be so private.I just have to decide on the plan's now, I keep changing my mind as there are so many gorgeous design's I love. I think I have chosen the right one now, so I'm of to see an architect friend tomorrow with all my ideas, for some advice.

Living in Tropical Queensland, there are so many considerations with the build due to the weather. The house needs to be built around those elements, such as heat, humidity, a strong constant wind during the summer and, of course, the odd cyclone!  

Finch Hatton Gorge

This weekend has been good fun.   I have had family staying, so its made me stop & go out on some road trips near to where I live; thought you might like to see.

This little Kookaburra was a cheeky fella.   We stopped for a picnic and I was happily eating a tuna salad sandwich &  he swooped down, snatching it straight out of my hand!   It all happened in a flash and my heart was going, I can tell you.   He delicately took it from my hand as his beak never even touched me!   He must have had his eye on the prize, that's for sure.

Will be going back here in the summer to swim in the gorge with the kids.   They would have gone in if I'd have let them, but the water was very cold.

Next stop Airlie Beach

This Oleander tree was full with blooms.   It's so pretty, just a shame it is a poisonous tree.   If the leaves are chewed it can make you very sick so best not to plant in your garden if you have small children.

I hope I have brought a bit of spring early.    I am lucky the winters in North Queensland are glorious.

Bollywood Cushion

Thanks  Kellie at Ada & Darcy who inspired me after she left a nice comment about my Bollywood Birthday post I wrote a couple of weeks ago.   She mentioned that the fabric I had made costumes out of would make a lovely cushion.

So I got to work looking for all the fabric cut offs I have stashed  away in my many baskets & luckily I had enough to make this one off exclusive cushion.   

Its going to have to go on sale at my Etsy store now, if I can part with it!!!!!!

Pretty Dress

It's coming up to my little niece's 1st birthday so I have been thinking what to get her; she has so many different toys.  I decided to search the net to get some inspiration, & I came across this cute little dress from Jellybeans.

I thought about buying it as it's so cute, but I remembered about some fabric which was left over from some upholstered notice boards I had made.    My mind was made up, I would have a go at making it myself  & when Charlotte grows out of it, it would look lovely in her bedroom on a pretty hanger on her bedroom wall.

The cute little buttons are from Francheville.

I cut out some flower shapes to add a contrast on to the fabric, using interfacing to hold it in place while sewing the sequins around the flowers, instead of using an applique stitch.

It just has to be finished off with an accessory and what better than a little head scarf.   She will look so cute!   Happy Birthday Charlotte!

Bollywood

After reading Rajee Sood's blog the other day it reminded me about my Bollywood birthday party.   I was not blogging then, so I thought I would share it with you now. Here goes my epic, I hope you enjoy !! 

All my invites, table settings & menus were custom designed by The Linen Paperie.  I just had to keep them they are done so beautifully; they always come up with a unique design.

This gorgeous fabric is from a little shop in Brisbane called Rani Creations. It is from a sari I purchased.   Sari's are around 9 yards in length.   If you want to know how to wear a sari, have a look on Sari Safari; it has some nice info if you are interested.

I decided to have a go at making some outfits for some of my family & friends.   We did have a lot of fun wearing them.    We performed a bollywood-styles dance, which I choreographed as a suprise for all of my guests.    Now that was really good fun!    Shame we didn't video it as I could have put it on you tube.    I think my performing harem girls were glad of that, as they are not quite the exhibitionist that I am; HEE!

I just love this sari.   It's what I would love to own!   Maybe in my dreams & if only I was 20 years younger!!    If you want the real thing you can always purchase one of these gorgeous saris from a great website in India called homeindia .com.    They are simply stunning.    You would certainly make a statement.

These stunning jewels were kindly modelled for me by my niece Rebbeca, who looked absolutly stunning in them.

You can really stand out from the crowd with these.   You can purchase them from fusion Jewels.   Some of their gems are just wow!!   I want to go to India, I just love the exotic colours; and Bollywood is just so happy and vivacious; maybe its the performer in me?

My garden was the spot for our exotic location.    I had some of my family & my dear friend Allison to help with putting it all together.   I couldn't have done it with out them; thank you guy's. What a night :) The catering was by The Spice Avenue.    It was fantastic; it is the best Balti in Queensland.   I am just so upset we never got a picture of the party in full swing, I was too busy parading around in my costume!

I know I was lucky to have my marquee & I loved how it was put together, but this one from Sangeeta International.  is so opulant.   It would be great to do up; got me thinking for my next significant birthday.

The table flowers were a wash of bright gerberas which added to the viberant bollywood colours, which I so love.

I found most of these fake flowers, to put on the drinks table, in a shop called Loot.   So glad they were not real, as they are now sitting lovely in a glass vase, with hundreds of shells around them, in my family bathroom.    I will always remember my best birthday ever, well they say life begins at 40!!

I wanted to give a little keep sake to my guests, so I made these little draw string bags.  I embroidered the bollywood writing on them; each bag had a naturel soap inside, mine is in my bed side table making my clothes smell fresh still!!

If you didn't have the time or oppertunity to make the little bags, I found these delightful clay candel diyas from Indian gifts Portal.     They are adorned with Kundan beads & filled with sparkle wax.

Hope you enjoyed my bollywood birthday...I did!!!

Apron customized

Its that time again when I get out my fabric that once had a different use  & make it in to something else.

A while ago a good friend of mine had some fabric chair covers, which I took apart & I used the fabric to make some tote bags, which I featured on my blog earlier this year.

I had a piece of fabric left, so I decided to make an apron for Allison to wear in her new kitchen.

I did seams in the side panels which is okay, but the seam across the waist I didn't want to see (too many joins). 

I found some satin ribbon so I decided to attach it, to hide the waist seam.   I also added the ribbon to the pocket edge.   It looked so nice; I decided to then use it for the neck & waist ties.    Its 25mm wide which is a good width, & it keeps it all flowing beautifully.

Hooked on Buildings

Chaddesley Corbett

I have been checking out Julie's Hooked on Houses site again, totally addicted!   Will be getting loads of inspiration for when I get to start building my house.

Anyway Julie got me thinking; it took me back to my root's & I came up with these three buildings that have different characteristics.  Photo's courtesy of my Mum, thanks Mum!!

The top photo is a little cottage in the village of Chaddesley Corbett in Worcestershire; the wisteria climbing on the building is just gorgeous.

Stratford-upon-Avon

This one is from Stratford-upon-Avon, where William Shakespeare was born.  It is such a quaint country cottage; it makes you want to go to the village for a cream tea. 

The Crooked House

And finally there is this wonderfully shabby building.  This has now been converted from a miner's cottage, to a public house.   The illusion is enough to induce an unsettling effect in the stomach; either that or one too many pints of Mild (a dark English beer) have been drunk!   What a building this is The Crooked House, in the Black Country in the heart of The Midlands, England. Inside the flooring is level so you don't fall over (only after a few pints). 

I have added a link if any one wants to read about some of the history.