Sunday 11 August 2013

Autumn Lavender Pillows And Nature Finds Postcards For Handmade Monday



A lot of the inspiration for my creations comes from the natural world, the observations i make whilst out walking through the woods and fields, the colours of the flowers, the changing of the seasons, it all seeps into my consciousness and turns into ideas for new designs.

This week's makes are a good example of this - i hope you enjoy :)


Autumn Lavender Pillows


I know, i know, nobody wants to think about Autumn/Fall whilst the sun's still shining, its one of my favourite times of year though so i'm a little bit excited to see the crops in the fields ready to be harvested and the apples growing bigger on the trees.


I love apples, to eat and to look at. I'll definitely be having a go at an apple fabric design soon but for now i've made up some of my linen lavender pillows.


These were quite a popular make for me last year, as were my Autumn leaf lavender hearts which i've made some more of too.


The applique leaves are cut from a Michael Miler postcard print fabric which i think compliments the romance of the season... anyone else think falling leaves are romantic? :)

Both the apples and the leaves are £12 for a set of three and available from my Etsy shop and other outlets.



Nature Finds Postcards

I'm one of those people that approach walks in the countryside like a treasure hunt - whenever something unusual catches my eye it gets slipped into my pocket and taken home. These tend not to be live things such as wild flowers which i generally prefer to leave in situ, but things like feathers, fossils, dried leaves, acorns... i like to decorate the house with my finds and more recently i've taken to photographing them too.

I've had in my mind for a while that some of these images might make nice postcards and this week i got around to creating some mock-ups for you to see...








What do you think? Would you but something like these to send/hang up? The price would be something like 85p/90p per postcard, £4.80/£5.00 for a set of six.

Which ones do you like the look of the most? Thank you in advance for your feedback!


Quick Craft Paper Update


Thank you too for sharing your thoughts about my craft papers last week, every comment was super helpful :)

I've now started the process of making my papers available to download in printed friendly A4 size - i've done the rose garden designs so far which are now listed on Etsy.


Adding my other collections in A4 and also making them all available to buy in paper form are on my 'to do' list... amongst other things... :) I'm working on getting some cards printed up too - i'll keep you updated!



Handmade Monday

Before i nip over to Handmade Harbour to peruse all the fab crafty blogging going on over there, i must let you know about a post i wrote this week showcasing the loveliness of one of my fav Etsy shops, Bahari Blossom.  Its not often i take time out to blog during the week these days but i just had to make an exception to share gorgeousness like this...


All Bahari Blossom bath and body products are natural and made by one of the loveliest ladies on Etsy so if you have a moment, why not pop along to find out more about her story.

Thanks for stopping by! x

35 comments:

  1. I love the colours that Autumn brings.

    Your apples and leaves remind me of the time I was in the east coast of America during the 'Fall'. New England was awash with glorious colours.

    Thanks for taking me down memory lane xx

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    Replies
    1. Me too :)

      Aww you're welcome, that does sound so lovely! x

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  2. You have been super busy this week. I like the feather and hog weed postcard best. As for soaps I was given a posh one and rather than put it away cos it was too special, we actually use it!

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  3. Wow - what a plethora of gorgeousness on your blog today! I'm not surprised you don't have time to blog during the week much ;-) I love the postcard idea and would definitely buy them to send - I should think my Mum would put them up on her wall, they're exactly the kind of prints that she likes! Have a great week, Simmi xx

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    Replies
    1. Aww thank you very much Simmi, that's fab :)

      wishing you a lovely week too! x

      Delete
  4. Don't think it's too early to think about autumn, but then it is my favourite season. I think the postcards are a great idea, my favourites are the feathers and leaves.

    Have a great week,
    Alison x

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  5. I love those apples! Your collecting habit sounds just like mine! The feathers remind me of my 2-year-old granddaughter whose attention was caught by a feather on the ground recently. She said: "Look! A fluffy leaf!" I thought this was a lovely description.

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    Replies
    1. thank you Wendy!

      Aww that's such a cute story, your granddaughter sounds like a real sweetie :) x

      Delete
  6. I'm glad I'm not the only one who collects bits and pieces out walking, but I've never done anything pretty with them, your postcards are a really good idea. There's just something romantic about natural materials I think.

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    1. i'm glad i'm not the only one too! :)

      i agree, natural things are v romantic in a lovely gentle way x

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  7. I love the falling leaves and love watching them turn from green through to the most beautiful golds, oranges and reds. The apple and leaf designs work really well.

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    1. me too, they're so pretty aren't they :)

      thank you! x

      Delete
  8. love the postcards they look amazing :) if you go ahead and get them printed what company do you intend using??
    I think the first set of 6 are definately my fave! xx

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    1. thank you!

      i'm thinking of using moo... whenever i've had business cards done by them i've always been v happy.

      i like those too, that's why i put them first! :)

      Delete
  9. I'm another autumn fan, loving the days that start crisp but still warm to soft afternoons.
    Love the postcards, they make a great set but if I had to choose the first attracts me most. Trying to work out why I think it's probably as there is less white - I'm not a white fan (just me I bet!)

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    Replies
    1. that's the perfect description of Autumn loveliness! :)

      thank you, yes i can understand what you mean, i do like white but i think the balance has to be right x

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  10. It's too early to think about fall, but I like the look of your cards. A lot!

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  11. Haha it seems everyone is thinking towards Autumn, your lavender bags and lovely and the postcards are just gorgeous

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    Replies
    1. hehe :) i know... i hope we don't make it come too early!

      thank you very much! x

      Delete
  12. I love them all. So fresh and nnatural and beautiful.

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  13. I really don't mind you mentioning Autumn - it's always been my favourite season. I love when the nights are drawing in and you can indulge with some hot drink and good book.

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  14. Lovely autumns items. Not quite sure I'm ready to let go of summer just yet though. Lovely photography too

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    Replies
    1. hehe :) i know, it doesn't seem quite time yet does it, especially after all the lovely sunshine we've had this year.

      thank you! x

      Delete
  15. I like all the postcards but the last set with the whispy flowers and leaves on is my favourite. I'm sure I've seen and admired the dandelion puff one before in another post of yours!

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    1. thank you!

      these are all new pics but i have probably put up something similar in the past! x

      Delete
  16. A lovely post and I always enjoy seeing all the lovely pieces of work you have created. Hope you have a good week.

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  17. Oh, I can feel a slight autumn breeze over here ;)
    I'm also thinking of celebrating autumn in card making and glass painting while I am already making my xmas cards! ;)

    It's great to hear your papers may be printed and on sale... physically, not just digitally. I love the little rose set a lot. I'd buy one.

    your lavender pillows are cute, the apple motif stole my heart! gorgeous!

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    1. me too.. :) that sounds lovely Martha!

      thank you! i'll let you know when they're available.

      :) x

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  18. I love the simplicity of the nature postcards. Great idea and suitable for male and female which is not usually the case!

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Your lovely comments are much appreciated x