April 17, 2007

The New Arrival

How excited was I to get this new baby today?

Posted by Maxine at 08:16 PM | Comments (5)

March 26, 2007

Easter Give-Away

I have been feeling a little subdued lately. Partly because of the day to day demands of two tinys getting to me, partly because of interrupted sleep and also because I have been feeling like I need to do more. When I say more I mean, something more meaningful and positive. I think its probably hormones and I am super sensitive at the moment but I feel like I need to get involved with some cause or other.

While I am feeling like this I thought it was only befitting to offer up an Easter Goody Bag to one you guys. I have never done anything like this in all the time I have been blogging and I think its about time. I really appreciate the fact that so many of you out there read my blog and are actually interested in the things that I do, in fact this amazes me, especially on the odd occasion I check my stats, I am blown away. So thanks to you all my bloggy friends, you have inspired me and supported me over the past year and a half.

So I am offering up an Easter surprise for one lucky commentor. I can't tell you what it is as the Easter bunny will be very cross with me and not bring me all the chocolate I so desperately need! Just leave me a comment and I will draw names at the end of the week. :)

Posted by Maxine at 09:04 PM | Comments (9)

January 29, 2007

Thanks Sal

I have been trying to think of a creative project I can do from the comfort of the sofa, whilst watching TV. As every night this seems to be where I end up and I just don't have the energy for anything else. So I thought I would knit a patchwork blanket for Harrison. Now I can't knit (despite what you think Sal! thanks for the vote of confidence anyway), well only in straight lines anyway. So I thought this would be a reasonably easy project for me.

I asked Sal for a bit of advice and she told me about this book she has 'Blankets and throws to knit' book, by Debbie Abrahams. I had a look at it on Amazon and went ahead and ordered it! Now I have no choice but to put my plan into action, have a project, learn to knit a couple of patterns and get some creative satisfaction.

Just have to buy the wool and figure it all out now. Fingers crossed.

Posted by Maxine at 09:02 PM | Comments (3)

January 27, 2007

Delightfully Delicious Decole

Velda has yet again come up trumps with a wonderfully irresistible collection of Decole to purchase from her store. This is just a sample of what I simply couldn't keep my hands off and what will be appearing at my door in the very near future. There is a whole lot more to choose from, including her fungi teapots and teacup tower and a house planter with chamomile seeds. I don't know how I managed to stop myself. I think every house needs a bit of decole sunshine, so go check it out.

Posted by Maxine at 08:36 PM | Comments (6)

Buttery Goodness

Look what I got! I got sucked into ebay the other night and and ended up buying this wonderful Alessi butter dish. Just what I need for the lashings of buttery goodness for my toast and scones and whatever else! Bad but good! The steam coming out the top is a handle for the butter knife, very clever really. I love the Alessi products, but I generally don't feel justified in buying them. Ebay is so so very addictive, especially when there are pages and pages of each product. There must've been about 20 pages of butter dishes and yes, insanely I looked through them all!

Posted by Maxine at 08:01 PM | Comments (0)

August 15, 2006

Something To Make Me Smile

It was perfect timing that these arrived this week, I really need some things to bring a smile to my face right now and these do the trick. I have been coveting all the lovely Decole loveliness around the web for a while now, there is something about its simplicity, innocence and down right fun that makes me want to snap it all up. But as you Decole fans may know its not that easy to get hold of in the UK. So when I stumbled on Velda's blog, then her Flickr set and discovered that not only did she sell these lovely pieces, but she was also from the UK I couldn't be happier! If you visit her blog make sure you check out her Flickr pages too for lots of extra cuteness.

I think I am just gonna have to call these two happy houses 'Sally' and 'Paul'! So I will be reminded of you two everything I look at them! I think I need more Decole happiness in my house...

Posted by Maxine at 05:18 PM | Comments (8)

May 27, 2006

Bunnypops

Em and I were out shopping the other day and came across these cuties. How could I possibly resist? They had all different colours but for me, bunnies are yellow. I'm not sure if that is strange or makes sense, it just seems right. Although it was hard not to get them all!

I was a bit concerned they would be a bit tall for the freezer but luckily when I got home I tried one and they fit lovely. All I have to do now is clear some space in our very overcrowded freezer to make way for some extremely cute ice lollies.

Oh by the way, they are sitting next to one of Amy's lovely quilt postcards, which LiLi was very kind to send me. If you haven't been to her site yet you should go now because she is an inspiration!

Posted by Maxine at 08:32 PM | Comments (5)

February 03, 2006

Lauren Child is a Genius

Its great having a 2 and a half year old because you get introduced to things you might otherwise miss. Everyone in my house is a huge Charlie & Lola fan and it has become a ritual to watch an episode every night before bed. Not only is the style totally original and amazing, the story is so well observed it really is genius.

SO you can imagine how happy I was today, on one of our regular library visits to come across this book, also by Lauren Child. The story is far too detailed and complex to keep Emilys interest for too long, compared to Charlie & Lola but it is just amazing and prefect for me!. I would urge you all to take a look or hop down to your local library and order a copy!

Apologies for the image quality, I cheated and took it from Amazon and if you are reading this W I think this is one for our collection!

Posted by Maxine at 03:29 PM | Comments (0)

January 20, 2006

An Exciting Purchase!

Look what I just bought from Marilyn in the Etsy Shop ( I wish I had more time to look on there its such a cool site...hmm maybe its a good thing, otherwise I would end up bankrupt!).

Marilyn is one of my daily reads and has been for some time now. Her illustration style and crocheted critters are amazing and totally inspiring. I am so pleased that I have bought this bunny pouch! Although a little sad as I will have to let it go when it arrives, as I have bought it for a friends birthday. I don't think its too risky putting it up here as there is only a very slim chance that she reads my blog.

Next time it will have to be just for me!

Posted by Maxine at 09:35 PM | Comments (2)

September 06, 2005

My First Ebay Purchase

You may be wondering why on earth I would buy 8 little teddies from anywhere let alone Ebay but there is a reason. Emily is coming up to her second birthday and I am planning a teddy bears picnic style party for her. It might not be quite a picnic, depending on the weather (and also our back garden is still in aftermath of extension build) . So I will be sending out teddy bear invites, decorating the house with teddy bear balloons, and these little teddies, along with some other teddy related goodies will be in the party bags for Ems chums to take home.

I am also trying to get my hands on 250 teddy bear stickers on ebay at the moment. Its exciting this ebay lark, although W thinks I might end up going crazy on there!

Posted by Maxine at 02:26 PM | Comments (1)

June 19, 2005

Claire Robertson aka Loobylu

I am so excited. I managed to buy one of Claire's limited edition digital prints of her illustrations this morning at 8am! She writes the blog Loobylu, which is wonderful and an inspiration. I have to say that it was Warren who introduced me to this site a while ago and since then I have been hooked and totally inspired - in fact it was this site that finally motivated me to write Noodles & Doodles. I haven't taken part in a 'month of softies' yet but its only a matter of time.

She has been working hard over the past few days to get the shop up and running and so I have been checking frequently (almost obsessively!) to see when it was up so I could order one. Especially as there was only 2 copies of the one I wanted called 'Thermos'. If you are looking on her site, it is no longer featured on the shop but it is used to illustrate the shop on Loobylu - its the one with the boy and girl sitting on the tree branch. Even though I know its coming from Australia I will be waiting for the post every day!

Posted by Maxine at 09:40 PM | Comments (0)