loving cozy/comfy...

Lambswool, sheepskin, real or faux, however it comes you cant deny how lovely it feels and looks, especially in your home.....and as the weather is getting cooler it is more appealing than ever.

 Here in Australia we are fast approaching Winter. So I figure its time to pull out the extra throws/blankies and add some warmth. Nothing like lazing on a lounge with loved ones and feeling warm and content.

Have a few pics for ideas of how to add a sheepskin into your own home, so many uses, very versatile and the kids love it as well! (If you are interested I also have more pics from various sources on my Pinterest board under "home" heres the link pinterst.com/deebrigden please feel free to follow any or all of my boards, especially if you are interested in lovely home decor ideas/inspiration like me.

This sheepskin in my pics is the LUDDE sheepskin  from Ikea, priced at $69. I actually couldnt decide if I prefered the grey or this one...(might get the grey next visit....would be great in Beaus room). There is also a faux sheepskin the TEJN at Ikea for $19.99.

bye for now, keeping cozy!
Deahne xo

placed over our ottoman, not for feet, for faces in this case....

or over my replica Eames chair...

Beaus room....

On the end of a bed is nice, or even on the floor next to your bed just for those cold mornings when you step out...

thrown over the lounge...

Over the foot of the bed.

......and why not on the floor, for play time.

ps. Was pretty funny because as you may have noticed in these pics, Beau went everywhere I went with the sheepskin...he LOOOOOOOVES it! I think he wanted it all to himself, not to share with Peter rabbit, etc....

till next time.

 (Sky loves it too)

Autumn colour, Autumn love.

Autumn, without a doubt my favourite time of year. Love the cooler temps, fresh mornings, nights under the quilt but most of all I love the beautiful colours of Autumn.

So why not bring a little Autumn colour into our home....a simple leaf and pom-pom garland thread together with cotton. Leaves do dry out in a few days, but even then they still look nice. I got this idea from the blog yellow paper kite (under craft). So pretty and easy too.

I also took a few photos of the kids today at a local spot, had to make the most of the pretty leaves before they changed too much more...anyway, thought Id share our little play from today. Enjoying the little things.

Deahne xo

A few more paintings...

Pulling out paintings I have done in the past. I have been thinking about getting back into some more pet portraits, I love painting pets/animals in particular because they hold such a special place in our hearts. Here is my first dog painting,(first time using acrylic paint on canvas). Jack Russell Terrier.

Tribute to Hunter, 1997

And below, a couple of landscapes...

old house in Hartley

Nepean gorge

The one above of the Nepean river I painted for Chris back before we were married, one of the local spots he liked to take his boat.

I love to paint animals and if you are interested in a pet portrait please email me....
brigden1@bigpond.com

Deahne xo.

Pompom/washi tape deer...

Washi tape border/frame

My latest deer project, made from paper mache....decorated with a pom pom garland to make it fun.

This project is the first time I have used paper mache, again I got the idea from different sites on Pinterest where I am finding endless inspiration and ideas. Was pretty fiddly but I did enjoy the process and besides the girls got to join in and make little projects of their own. Super messy! so we pretty much did it all outside (to save my sanity really hehee).

I used wire for the inside for strength, but without it being to heavy. Was pretty easy to form into shape.

starting out, shaping the wire head and attaching ears.

Paper mache process, with a hook attached at the back ready for hanging.

I did a few layers of the paper, just so it was strong and firm enough, letting it dry well between each layer. The face was the hardest to get into shape, thats for sure. 

Once I attached the antlers (all wire inside as well) I found they dropped abit from the weight of the paper once I started to mold them...my thoughtful husband advised me to try again and so with a little frustration on my part I cut them off to re-attach them in a higher position. I am glad I did in the end, a little extra time/work but worth it. Then two coats of white acrylic paint to finish, nice and neutral.

after cutting off the antlers, wire and all, poor little deer...

Our finished results. The girls "Tom and Jerry". Once Ash realised Hayley was making Tom (orange one of course) she decided to change her bear into Jerry...I think they are pretty cute and they certainly had fun! 

And my pom pom garland can of course be changed or removed (Chris prefers it without them) depending on the colour scheme of where we decide to hang it...still deciding on its home, the girls have put in a request for their room. 

I am thinking of doing a washi tape "frame" around it too, (bright, colourful or patterned tape used for decorating, etc)....when we have found the perfect hanging spot I can decide on the colours to use...good thing about the washi tape trend is that it can easily be removed/repositioned etc. Thats the thing with trends, I cant justify spending alot of money on any product that may not go the distance, thats another reason little projects like this appeal too. 

If you are interested the paper mache recipe I used is below....

Till next time! 

Deahne xo

Paper mache recipe- 1 part flour to 2 parts water 

Stir well in a large bowl untill no lumps, runny NOT thick like paste).

I added a little salt to prevent mold and cinnamon to smell nicer.

The mixture lasts for a couple days in the fridge, just stir again if it seperates. 

Then torn up strips of newspaper, different widths and lengths. Dip in "glue mixture" and mache away!

the little things....

Brocco bear.

Have been sorting through alot of photos lately and found a few worth sharing, I dont know about you but I always try to really appreciate all the little things in life. The kiddies are growing up so fast....(Hayley will be 10 this month!). These are a few of those little things that I wont always have the pleasure of seeing in our home....little things we take for granted.

Example, my little Beau sitting at the front door looking out, but not venturing out....yet (thankfully) because he doesnt like the feel of the doormat on his hands (and hasnt figured out a different way past hehehe, he isnt walking yet, but it wont be long and his "babyhood" will change to "toddler". sigh.

And the girls wont always be into dolls and fairies etc....(so glad they still believe in Santa, the Easter bunny & toothfairy too)

Wish they wouldnt grow up so fast....hope you like these "little" pics.

Deahne xo.

A play at the park.

Beau has his two favourite sleeping friends (above) Foxy and Bunny, they always get well cuddled....

My little Ash.

Some of Beaus faves...(including a little felt bear I made originally for Hayley when she was a bub.)

Could have added 100 more! so many beautiful childrens "things" and moments/memories in our home, this month we will have been here for 8 years! always nice to reflect....bye for now....