Secrets of a Butterfly

Selina Lake's new book Homespun Style

 

Homespun style by Selina Lake! my copy arrived today, i know so many of us have been excitedly awaiting its publishing! And i have to say i am just finding it amazingly wonderful in every way!

 

Packed full of the homemade and pre-loved, this book is a treasure trove for those who have a passion for the restored & reinvented, or who seek to add their own creativity to furnishing, through a love of crafting, painting,or stitching.

Homespun style is most comforting & homely,
but with an added modern twist
of fresh colour combinations and unique one-off finds.
Just as i like it!

We can take a look inside the rooms of some beautiful homes from various countries, all brimming with individuality and design ideas to inspire. With photographs taken by Debi Treloar, that are full of soulful colour combined with Selina's expert styling and attention to all important little details, the result is a book showcasing a style of decor that feels full of light, colour, the lovingly handmade and a freedom of expression that's not always apparent in other ways of decorating. By this I mean, the style is more about living with what speaks to your heart and enjoying it, than creating a look to impress or live up to.

 

 

As with Selina's previous 2 books,(i reviewed here, here and here) Homespun style is clevery divided into sections

Elements: modern craft, 
colour & pattern,  customize & recycle
 
Details: textiles, 
furniture & lighting, display 
 
Spaces: relaxed living,
 cooking & eating sleeping & bathing,
 children's rooms, 
creative spaces, & outside living 

 

* * * * * * * *

I was particulary looking forward to seeing the homes of friends and people i recognise from my online world, such as the lovely Jasna & lovely Jeanette from Fryd & Design.

This book brings together so much of what lifts my heart, about filling a home with what you love. Decorating is always a balance when dealing with repurposing of vintage pieces and adding such an eclectic mix into one home, it could lose identity, instead of enhancing personality. But here we are shown how to add the homespun look in ways that create just the right feel within modern day rooms, and how recycling and reinventing the old, doesnt have to have the sense of being outdated. It can instead create an entirely fresh, yet at the same time comforting feel to our homes, with the added colour of soulfulness and happiness, that really only handcrafted or customised pieces can truly bring.

(back cover)

Selina is an expert tour guide, we can follow her umbrella (which i imagine is neon pink and floral & oh so very pretty) above the crowd within this Homespun World of wonder and never feel lost!

Homespun style is out now! and there is a facebook page specially for it here

Love and homespun goodness,

I Love Stationery

 

I was kindly given this book lately, I Love Stationery
and as a lover of all things papery, especially stationery, it is such a delight!

Charlotte Rivers has brought so many new designers to my attention, and given me inspiration for my own card designs along the way.
I love how it is set out by style, covering hand-drawn illustrations, screen prints, letterpress, woodblock, digital illustration, calligraphy, spray paint, papercut, relief print and etchings. I had never realised there were quite so many beautiful techniques!

Each chapter begins with an explanation and tutorial on the specific technique featured, and includes an  array of lovely examples, some of which i have picked out to share with you in this post. It really is a comprehensive overview of the beauty that is being created in modern day stationery.

 A humble card, can be transformed into a work of art, and technology isnt ending the love of paper, it is enhancing what can be applied to it. Computers aiding the artist's ideas and enabling old artforms such as letterpress to be taken to a whole new level.

The internet then being used to share the love of cards and letters, with an audience that appreciates the design, care, creativity and imagination that goes into the artists work. And this book bringing so many of them together, so that we can browse and find new favourites or be inspired to create ourselves.

I Love Stationery is a lovely collection of the very best of paper goodness, from gift wrap to greetings cards, notebooks, journals, to invitations and place cards, it has only ehanced my love of Stationery and independant design.

 

I love Fryd - JOY

Jeanette's blog frydogdesign, has given me much JOY in 2011

So it was with real DELIGHT that i learnt she had made a calendar that would be coming to me free with my copy of Mollie Makes magazine in December.

And my it is very BEAUTIFUL,

i find it SO inspiring.

And i am so HAPPY to see a blogger i admire being in print!

I love the colour combinations Jeanette uses at her blog and the calendar is very in keeping with her style.
Even down to the wonderful little quotes she adds (smiles)

This is the back cover which shows all the pictures for each month...

And below is the front cover, many of the photos feature Jeanette's own home, and her little treasures or decorations

And my collection of Mollie magazines....

 

Thank you Mollie Makes for gifting us with such a lovely lovely free gift,

it will be used all year, and is already hanging upon my door awaiting 2012's start.

If you maybe are interested in having a calendar of your very own,

you could buy the current copy in any larger supermarket in the UK,

or to get one posted to you look at the website newstand,

they ship internationally too.

And here for offers on subscriptions   And here for  the Mollie Makes blog

much love

I love Mollie Makes

Mollie Makes weekend!

One of the best things to come about in 2011, has to be the publication of Mollie Makes magazine. No ordinary craft magazine, this is a world of creativity, full of stylish designer/makers, presented in a beautiful way. And with many recognisable names from the world of blogs, it can feel like a home from home (smile).

I flicked through my growing collection, and picked out a few favourite images from with the pages, to give you a taste of what the magazine is all about. As certainly when it comes to magazines, i am such a visual person, i like to see beautiful content, and this magazine has so much of it!

Its for anyone who loves the handmade worlds of etsy, or who knits, sews, does paper craft, crochet or embroidery. Who likes to attend craft fairs or who has their own craft business.
Its all in there, every issue featuring up and coming or established makers and designers. Showing inside their inspiring homes, or how they have set up their creative spaces.
There are projects too, that are easy to have a go at, clearly printed patterns, and often a free kit is included to make something, such as a corsage.
I like the little features on handmade sellers, or upcoming books. And i also like seeing all the adverts for online craft shops and haberdasheries.

And this little motto, sums up just what the magazine is all about...

Tomorrow i shall share some pics of the calendar that comes free with the current issue of Mollie Makes. If you are interested in buying a copy, you could try newstand, or myfavouritemagazines
or full subscription here
love

Shabby Chic inspirations by Rachel Ashwell

My copy of Rachel Ashwell's new book Shabby Chic Inspirations & Beautiful spaces arrived and I couldn't wait to show you some of my favourite pictures from inside it's pages.

These are pages that I know I shall be turning for some time to come too. There is much to read about her time in Nottinghill London and the people she was inspired by.

The bedrooms here are in the home of Pearl Lowe, beautiful soft peachy pink, with a brighter chandelier and a butterfly mirror, a distressed chest in chalk pink and floral bedding. Just perfect.

love

Dreaming together

Unicorn Dream magazine - issue 6, is now online, browse for free.
I liked the feature on hope, with quotes and photos.
And the photos of Mary Claire Roman, including the front cover (above), i really like. Congrats to Noni on all her work bringing another fab issue together.
Love

Gatherings magazine

I have been blessed to come to know some beautiful bloggers over the last few years. Sometimes uncannily, it turns out that we are on a similar healing paths or share such a lot in common in terms of what we like. Heather is one such fellow traveller. It is with much admiration that i share with you her latest venture, an online magazine named Gatherings after her business and blog.

You can freely browse through the pages, of recipes, interiors, interviews and quick simple craft projects...like these evr so pretty doilly cones below....at this link: Gatherings magazine

love and wishes

Dear world - giveaway now closed

This is one of Kelly Rae Roberts' new paintings, Dear world. I thought it so beautiful and wanted to share it here today, as i have a giveaway of Kelly's book!

Thanks to a lovely Secrets reader named Helen, we have a copy of Kelly Rae's book Taking flight for you to have a chance of winning. It happens to be one of my favourite books of all. I have blogged about it before here and here You can also read further about it here at Kelly Rae's website As Kelly so beautifully says...

"I am just like you. A girl who is always learning. A woman whose soul is vibrant with inspiration. A creative spirit that is expressive and sensitive. We are all connected, intertwining in this creative life. It’s because of this that I believe in the power of telling our stories – the stories of how we muster up our courage and leap and dance and breathe our way into our creative dreams. This is how we learn from one another. How we begin to finally see the potential and possibilities that live inside our hearts".

The chance to win the copy of Taking Flight is open to all, wherever you may be in our Dear World.
Leave a comment on this post saying you wish to be included in the draw. If you like, you can share what you are finding uplifting creatively at the moment. Is there a blogger, website, book or technique that you are enjoying and finding such a source of inspiration?
Good luck everyone, the post will be open for enteries till Sunday evening (English time)

Chasing the moon

Hello lovelies, how are you?
It seems a while since i wrote you, i'm so glad that you have enjoyed my latest jewellery posts. Look in the comments for an offer from Kerri on her ten things range. I am really wanting an angel wing necklace since finding the photo i shared with you!

I have just finished this magical novel, another by Sarah Addison Allen.(i blogged about The sugar queen earlier in the year) Her way with words just speaks to my heart and i love the way she weaves syncronicity, meaning and a touch of spirit into her characters circumstances. They navigate their way through some ups and downs, but always with a sense that there is a purpose to the route they are taking, and one which eventually leads to a deeper happiness.

Helen so kindly sends me on her Frankie copies, and she also gave me this beautifully scented Lily candle recently (thank you darling). Would you like to see it lit? I hope to share some photos of it burning, on my personal altar space soon.

I am a little worn out this week, the ebb and flow of my energy levels can be quite varied and this week's healing task has been one of rest rest and more rest. Sometimes this can bring up questions and frustrations. But i know after all these years its best to go with what my body is calling for when its like this, and just be with the moment. Often there are deeper healing things occuring than we can on the surface realise.

My mam who has been in great pain walking, is thanking those of you who have sent love and well wishes her way. Things are still hard, she returns for more test on her thigh muscles next week. It would be a weight off our minds to know more of what is causing her to be unable to take any weight on her leg.

I have so much i would wish to share with you once i am able... some roses photos as they are blooming in the garden, all about my new phone addiction - Instagram, and soon another giveaway...this time a book.. but for now just this little general update post, to keep in touch.
till next time my dear readers,
love and healing vibes

Japanese Craft books

Japan Lovely Crafts is a wonderful little etsy shop which carries beautiful Japanese craft books. All the images in this post are from inside the titles featured in the shop. For all the text is japanese, there is still plenty of inspiration to be found in the photography.

You know how i like to display cards, so i loved these.

The wallpaper here is totally gorgeous!

Such prettiness to be found in these books, even if the text in japanese is beyond understanding - the images are so beautifully styled, it can often be worth purchasing a book, just for those alone.
Japan Lovely crafts is also on facebook and flickr
love