A big huge smooshy thank you!

I didn't realise just how much interest my little kitchen renovation would get. Thank you to the following people for blogging about it!



And another big thank you to the following people for supporting my new Etsy store. It's given me the confidence to keep at it. Thank you.



Check out the blogs above for a good read. If I've missed anyone let me know and I'll make a mention of you as well.

Thank you also to EVERYONE for all the lovely comments you've left me!

Etsy art

There are some absolutely amazing artists on Etsy. Here are some pieces I've collected over time.


Front: Greta Print (kjsdesign)
Middle L-R: The three bears revisited - boy chairs (sarahjanestudios), Toadstool trio (ickleson), Barbie Dress on a Clothesline-Fuschia and Mint (MichelleBrusegaard)
Back L-R: Peaches and Cream Barbie Dress on a Clothesline (MichelleBrusegaard), When Harry Met Sally Watercolor Painting (jellybeans)

And just yesterday I bought this amazing drawing from a new Etsy seller Featherblessing. It is lovely isn't it?



I can't wait to hang it in my home. I'm thinking it would look great in the studio. I don't only want to be surrounded by my own work!

My little studio (aka the dungeon)

I came home the other night to find my husband had set me up with my own little space to be creative.

You can see I haven't made much progress on the painting

I think he may have been sick of the mess I was making on the dining room table.

It's in the garage which I've nicknamed the dungeon and yes - I will be decorating ;-)

Ish and Chi Etsy Store Launch

I have been creating and designing for as long as I can remember - invitations, illustrations, web sites, logos, even chip packets (random, I know!). It is something I have mainly done for friends and family and also professionally.

BUT I have never actually offered anything I have created for sale so I'm pretty excited that I have finally set myself up with my very own, brand spanking new Etsy shop: http://ishandchi.etsy.com

These are the first prints to be listed.

Please excuse the poor photography. I'm hoping to have better photos taken.

I'm also working on some fabric artwork designs. This sort of explains the fabric purchase I posted about previously.

I would love your feedback on these prints. But please be gentle. I'm new to selling my designs and nervous about it.

Margaret Elman

I first fell for Margaret Elman's home of Chair Couture when I saw it featured in Home Beautiful back in May 2007. I recently came across the images again and yep - I love it still.

Images via Home Beautiful May 2007

You can read the full article here.

I'm currently thinking of decorating schemes for my combined study/studio/part laundry space which I'll post more about soon so you will probably see me dig out more inspiring images in the coming days.

Robin's Egg Blue and Yellow

Looking around my home I'm surprised at just how much the colour blue has crept into it. The recent addition has been the wallpaper I used in the kitchen which I posted about a few days ago.

I have a cottage style home and there is none more cheerful combination for such a home that robin's egg blue and yellow I think. I'm inspired by this image today.

Image via Design*Sponge of Eleanor's home of push me pull you

Does anyone know of Dulux paint colour names that can be used to achieve these colours?

Keep Calm and Carry On spoof calendar

I've been spending a little too much time on Etsy lately but check this out.

This clever seller has taken the "Keep Calm and Carry On" message and created a new slogan for each month of the year.

Images by littlebrownpen

There is also a male version of the calendar.

And some good news for those of us in the southern end of the hemisphere - littlebrownpen offers a re-jigged version to suit our seasons.

On purchase you will be sent a PDF file with instructions on how to print them yourself. I think it's a fab idea. Whilst you are over there check out their other cute stationery items.

I can't get enough of Etsy and the creativity of the people that sell there.

Fabric

I 'accidently' broke my spending ban and bought these gorgeous fabrics. I have a new project in mind.

Image via Etsy seller: fabricworm

I should probably finish a project before I start a new one though...

Cushion heaven

I seem to have an unhealthy obsession with cushions. Here are some of my favourites from Etsy:

Image and cushion by Olive

Image and cushion by modernradar

Image and cushion by skinnylaminx

I'm on the hunt for more (did someone say spending ban? nooooo... not me).
If you are a seller of cushions on Etsy, please let me know by posting in the comments section of this post with a link to your shop.
Thank you muchly!

Fridge magnets

Remember the vintage earrings I bought from Rozelle markets back in November last year?

I've turned them into fridge magnets.

Wallpapered kitchen display cabinet

A few months ago I mentioned I wanted to paper the kitchen display cabinet. One broken champagne glass and a minor finger cut later and it's done!



It is by no means a professional job. I won't even show you closeup shots of the jagged edges. But when the cabinet door is closed and the shelves are dressed you can't see it so I'm happy.

Dining Rooms

My little home isn't big enough to have a separate dining room. If it did, I would love it to look like one of these.

Images via Matt Sam's house tour on Apartment Therapy

Images of Nichole Balch's dining room from Making It Lovely

I posted yesterday about the Victoria bushfire tragedy. The death toll keeps rising and the victims need your support. If you can make a donation, please do by visiting www.redcross.org.au or calling 1800 811 700. Thank you.

Victoria's bushfire tragedy

The last few days have been very sad days indeed. For any non-Australian visitors to this blog, if you haven't heard, Victoria is suffering from the worst bushfire in history. You can follow the story here. Unfortunately too many lives have been lost. 108 confirmed dead this morning and the toll is rising.

Please, if you can, donate to the Red Cross appeal.

www.redcross.org.au or 1800 811 700

RIP to the innocent lives lost.

Nursery on Real Living website

Check it out! The nursery is featured on the Real Living website here.


It's been up since December so I'm a little behind the 8-ball. Oops.

Thank you Belinda, web editor for Real Living and author of renovate + decorate, for including this little nursery room as one of your reader's rooms.

Fashion Friday: Birthday outfit

I'm getting together with friends to celebrate my 30th this weekend. It's a circus themed event. This is what I plan to wear.




Dress: ASOS
Fascinator: ASOS
Shoes: ZU

Have a great weekend!

Wallpaper as art

If you have been following my blog it seems all I talk about is wallpaper. My son's nursery is papered, I've considered papering the master bedroom and on my list of DIY projects is to paper the display cabinet in my kitchen.

My mum has a beautifully renovated home with lots of blank wall space. She's asked me to help her fill the walls with artwork, prints etc.

How's this for an idea mum?



I found this image over at House of Turquoise of an Ami McKay designed room. I love the idea of fitting ceiling lights to shine onto framed wallpaper like artwork.

When you get a chance head over to House of Turquoise for a great read.

It's my birthday

There's something magical about birthdays isn't there?

This one was extra special because I turned 30 years old today. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful day with my family. I was spoilt rotten.

Ish & Chi revamped

Ish & Chi is in the process of getting a new look! Please bear with me while I fine tune it.


If you notice any issues when viewing this site, please drop me an email at ishandchi@hotmail.com.

Kitchen Makeover: Before and After

If you would like to see a side-by-side comparison of the various stages of my kitchen renovation, here you go:


Click on the image above to read more. Hope you had a great weekend!