Making ourselves at home

We are two weeks post move into our new home.

What a wonderful feeling to be home owners again.

I even went a little crazy and put picture hooks in the walls!!! I know, I'm such a risk taker (and I apologise to 3M, I hope they survive without my copious purchases of removable hooks).

We are slowly unpacking boxes and revealing hidden treasures.

Two and half years of hidden treasures.

There is still so much to reveal and I know a big cull will also happen. We have everything we need and more (much more). The last two and a half years we've learned to live with so much less and I prefer it that way.

I am loving the fact we are just over the back of school, a three minute walk for the kids, pure and utter luxury for me!

Our new home is like a blank canvas for us. It is pretty much original 1950/60s everything and we have so many plans. You should see my Pinterest board... yikes! ideas galore.

I have already started a few little projects so come by again soon as see what we've been up to!

Thanks for stopping by.

Leonie
x
ps. Apologies for not visiting other spaces lately... we have only just got our internet connection...

Please leave a comment, I love comments!

You are TEN!

Today our very precious boy is ten years old.

This beautiful, sweet kid was such a miracle. We were told I'd never carry a baby and he was our second.
We nearly lost him at birth and then again at 11 weeks old.

He is every bit a miracle and a blessing in our lives.

At the moment he loves Lego, Star Wars and Chess. He still kisses his Mum goodbye in public and tells me he loves me all the time. I love this kid. So. Much.

So here are ten piccys of the birthday boy and none of them are the same size... because this Mama is having a 'moment' about her babies growing up too fast.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!

Love Mum
xx

Letter writing kits for children

When I first started blog reading in 2009, this lovely blog inspired me to start my own blog.

Recently Mel shared a post about making letter writing kits.

My girls have made friends with two very special girls in Australia and want to keep in touch via good old fashioned snail mail. We decided to use the tutorial and make some letter writing kits to gift their special friends.

In their favourite colours of course..

We stamped some blank envelopes and paper with some cute stamps we bought at Typo

We added a pen and there's a little pocket for postage stamps.

 I really love encouraging the idea of writing letters and I hope I will be more encouraged to do so too.
There is something quite special about opening up the mail box to a REAL letter!!!!

Joining in with the creative peeps over here....

Review: Nature Fresh’s Simply Fibre

My younger two children LOVE sandwiches and they especially love nice soft white bread!

We were asked to review a new Nature Fresh bread called Simply Fibre.

It was afternoon tea, the troops were hungry from school, swimming lessons and shopping for soccer gear.

It called for a HAPPY SAMMIE!!

The kids loved this new bread and Mummy is happy because of the extra fibre!

where to start?

So much has been happening in our lives that I really don't know where to start with a blog post. I feel so far behind and haven't even blogged about our trip to the USA yet (was it really five months ago?) or the Blogger's conference in Christchurch.

I haven't told you about the house we bought!!! (unless you follow me on Instagram or Pinterest...major pinning overload for house ideas).

Or the IKEA 'catalogue' I made with these lovelies.

Kristy, Anya and Weza

Or the week I went back to Aussie and saw some special friends and was honoured to be invited to a dear friends wedding.

I haven't told you about my awesome Mum and Dad who had our children while I was away.

Yes one is wearing the Christening gown and the other has a tongue that always pops out for photos.

Or the amazing toadstools my Dad made me for my birthday.

But, I'll blow off the cobwebs and be back to share. 

Promise 

x

Birthday Loving

Last Saturday was my birthday. You're only as old as you feel ...right??

Because I was going to Christchurch my family took me out for dinner the weekend before

they REALLY liked the menu ;)

On the actual day, I was very lucky and spent it with around 60 Bloggers and two of my birthday week bloggy buddies (try saying that fast), Jacksta and Meghan.

There was a party, in a restaurant, with fairy lights... with a special meal for me...
what??? that wasn't MY party??? ...hehe

My lovely bloggy friends spoiled me with gifts..

Cat made me THE most beautiful hot water bottle cover ever!!!

Simone bought me this cool as necklace!

There was cake and chocolate and a lovely card, a yummy breakfast (thanks Gail!) and sparkling pink grapefruit (Kristy!). And a yummy cupcake candle from Widge.

I may or may not have purchased myself some gifts from the Make Cafe.

It was a great day, with lots of messages of love.

When I got home my kids showered me with love and a banner and handmade cards.

My son made me one of a sardine. Because he loves sardines.
I love my son.

and a big parcel was waiting for me from Australia....
As soon as I saw the return address I knew (in my extra tired state) I was going to cry!

My very dear and lovely friend Jennie had conspired with my eldest daughter to make this BEAUTIFUL doll!!!!

EEK!!! She's so gorgeous! My very own A little Vintage Doll!!!

And... her name is....

Thanks Jennie I LOVE her!!

Thank you to everyone for making my day week so special!!!!

Joining in with 

Oh how I love thee Pinterest

I'm such a pinterest junkie. I LOVE that site. All of the pretties, the inspiration, the tutorials!!!
You can follow me and my 4000 something pins here!

A little while ago I stumbled across this gorgeous cross stitch canvas.

Which led me to this beautiful blog...Solgrim  and the instructions to make it.

It immediately made me think of my beautiful friend Cat with it's Cath Kidston style flowers.

I painted the canvas with some left over paint from my daughters bed (Dulux Laguna Teal because I know you are going to ask) and with some graph paper and some coloured pencils made my pattern (using the one in the tutorial).

I then taped it to the canvas with masking tape and punched holes in all the squares with a needle.

Stitching was quite hard work pushing it through the canvas (and paint) but I love how it turned out.

Of course I gifted it to the lovely lady who inspired me to make it, Cat.

Linking in with Leonie at Show and Tell


and My Creative Space