PaisleyJade: brooch

Lately...

By PaisleyJade - Tuesday, March 14, 2017

February ended up being a rather difficult month, but one where I continuously found myself declaring this...

Here are a few bright and happy moments from the last month, because I always love to remember these moments, in the midst of the difficult ones...

Moments like homemade coffee...

And breakfasts with your raccoon toy...

Our children's school took part in a couple of festivals celebrating Asia & China recently. Soon (next month), this guy below will be travelling to China with some of his class!

Sushi cones... where have you been all of my life?

Loving sibling catch ups...

And making new friends on an evening walk...

Love our library cafe and the free magazines...

Metal straws - one way we can cut down on all the plastic!

It was pretty amazing to come across this Stick Insect the other morning - we haven't seen one of these for years!

A pretty new picture to brighten up the gloomy days we've had around here lately...

Little coffee badges - so cute!

After a recent viewing of Napoleon Dynamite, we suddenly have a pet llama named "Tina" in our family...

Loving my city...

So much to love and be thankful for.

For more Loving/Lately posts, click here.

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brooch

Earring & Brooch Felt Shapes

By PaisleyJade - Monday, January 09, 2017

As a young girl I was a bit of a 'Tom Boy', so was never really into jewellery, especially earrings. Over the years my love for necklaces and earrings has grown, and along with that, the problem of storing them has grown as well.

Until today, my earrings were haphazardly stuffed into a container which made them hard to see and use, especially when in a rush.

Today I decided to solve my sorting problem and came up with the super simple idea of cutting up some felt (recycled from an old laptop case) and finally organising my earrings for ease of viewing and use.

I cut the felt into various fun shapes - you could do anything from circles, hearts, triangles, cactuses... then added the earrings and was super happy with the result.

Presenting a tidy and easy to use way to display your earrings and brooches.

And if you were wondering, here are some of my favourite places to buy earrings.... Twig and Little, Natty, AliExpress and Kmart!

For more crafty makings, visit here.

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brooch

Crochet flower hairpiece

By PaisleyJade - Monday, March 18, 2013

Next weekend, Symon and I are going to the wedding of an awesome couple from our church. It is a vintage themed wedding, with everyone encouraged to dress in vintage style clothing for the occasion... think braces and cheese cutter caps for the guys, and vintage dresses and fascinators for the girls.

On a side note: I don't know about you, but when I hear the word "fascinator", all I can picture in my mind is the one Beatrice wore to the recent royal wedding...

Anways, I decided to have a bit of a play around on the weekend and make some crochet hairpieces as an option to use in my hair next weekend. I like how they turned out - not quite as spectacular as Beatrice's facinator, but fine enough for me.

Three layer petal flowers in cream wool. I had the option of felting them but decided to keep them as is for now. A couple of ideas of ways to wear them (in my haphazardly tied back hair)...

Fun to make. Quite keen to try seeing what brooches, bracelets or necklace combinations I can come up with them as well.

For more crafty makings, go here.

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The year that was...

By PaisleyJade - Sunday, December 30, 2012

For the last 3 years I have traditionally done a "Year in Review" post, looking at all of the things that have happened during the year etc. I love reminiscing and I love being reminded of the good stuff that has happened each year.

To be totally honest, I didn't really want to do a year in review post for 2012... this year has been difficult and to put it frankly, one of my hardest years ever. I won't go into details, but I've cried a lot, and my heart has ached and ached.

But you know what, I've decided that looking back is probably the best thing I can do, to help me change my perspective and find the good stuff that has happened in 2012. This is probably the most important year for me to review my year and dig through the stink stuff and find the gold and diamonds... cause we all know that pressure makes diamonds.

So here we go, digging for the diamonds in 2012...

January

We thoroughly enjoyed our summer holidays (as usual) which included a trip to Auckland, beach trips etc and a softie giveaway (might be time for another one of those soon!). January ended with all of our children finally being at school - woohoo! It also ended with me being back working full time! Talk about shock to the system (not that being a fulltime mum isn't hard work - but you know what I mean).

Makings included my Crochet Rainbow Cake, Easy Peasy Creamy Dessert, Ginger & Apricot Slice, Crochet Moustache and Brown Sugar Biscuits.

February

This month included a tonne of important celebrations, including my baby turning 5 (which also prompted me to write an Ode to my Cake Carrying husband). Makings included Icecream Cake with Butterscotch Sauce, a Crochet Hamburger and Belgian Biscuits.

March

This month I celebrated my 1000th post! Woah - that's a lot of blogging for a shy-ish person like me! I bared my heart a bit with this post. Makings included an Amigurumi Mushroom, Mini Crochet Mushrooms, Crochet cupcakes, Blondies and a Crochet Pixie Hat.

April

In April I shared my daughter's version of our National Anthem (c.u.t.e), Symon and I celebrated our 16 year wedding anniversary with a delicious meal out together, I found this cute Flashback photo of us, and was sent this precious lawnmower love note. We had the most lovely family holiday away. Makings included a Softie Bunny, a Microwave Chocolate Pudding, and an orange beanie.

May

I revealed to you all that in fact our family is rather crazy, we celebrated our oldest daughter's birthday, and I finished my Retro Granny Square blanket!!!! Then sadly, we lost a most precious friend and pastor. Devastating. Makings included Butterballs, Cranberry, Walnut & Chocolate Chip Biscuits and Cheese Damper.

June

This month was a mega birthday month! Firstly, my firstborn became a teenager! Exciting and scary! Then Symon celebrated his birthday - in a not so exciting way - poor guy! Finally, celebrated my precious Nana's 80th - I have watched those videos over and over again! Makings included some Orange Crochet Coasters and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Shortbread.

July

Mega news of the month - Symon grew a beard (ahem), I reminded myself that God makes beautiful things out of the dark moments, we did a bit of road tripping. Makings included crochet phone covers, a crochet beanie, Sticky Date Pudding and a lot of working on Symon's granny square blanket!

August

August started off with an early Christmas wishlist, and me joining Instagram (oh yes people, I'm a bit of a late one!), my kids made me proud at the annual school Cross Country. Makings included Lime Syrup Cupcakes, and my Quick Quiche recipe.

September

The middle months of this year were CRAZY, and here I did a bit of chatting about my family, as well as introducing my 3 ducks to the home. Makings included French Butter Cake and Mustard Crochet Coasters.

October

October started off with a bit of Lamb sitting, and Symon & I having a much needed holiday away by ourselves. I finished Symon's Black Edged Granny Square Blanket and we celebrated our youngest son's birthday. I also shared my wisdom after catching my oven on fire. Makings included Duck Egg Blue Crochet Coasters, Salted Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Biscuits, the Tardis Cake and of course, Symon's blanket!

November

I had the most awesome time with some girls from church at Sistas 2012, shared about my struggle with fear and learning to do it afraid! We had tonnes of fun at our friend's dress up 21st birthday and I was spoiled on my birthday. Makings included Twinkie Chan's Lollipop Brooch.

December

We started off December with our usual "Eggnog under the Christmas Tree" tradition, I shared some tips for a Simpler Christmas, I started documenting Symon's naps on Instagram under #husbandnaps and caught up with special friends. Boo painted her nails on Christmas Eve (ahem - she may have had a little bit of help), and we had a fabulous Christmas with our family! Makings included some Cupcake Brooches, Christmas goodies - my favourites and Iced Tea.

So there you have it - that was so worth it! Indeed there was a tonne of light and laughter shining through a year that at times was rather dark.

It's amazing what a change in perspective will do.

I am looking forward to 2013, not with the glossy expectation that everything will be smooth sailing and one big bed of comfy roses, but with the knowledge that even in the difficult times, my God was and is faithful to hold me close, and we made it through... and we can do it again with whatever the future holds.

Happy New Year to you all - see you in 2013!