My Sweet Prints is 2

Can you believe it???

I can't, My Sweet Prints is 2 years old!

It's hard to believe that two years ago I hit the 'sign up' button on etsy and tentatively (and thinking that nothing much would come from it) put a handfull of prints up for sale.
Boy I'm glad I did :)

Thank you to all my lovely customers, stockists and especially all you bloggy friends who have been along for the ride with me and supported me in every little milestone along the way.

cake via here

I think I should celebrate in some way.... any suggestions???

Country House Rescue

Have you been watching Country House Rescue on ABC?

I have and I've really been enjoying it.

Basically Ruth Watson goes to these old UK family country homes that are in financial trouble. Most of the homes seem to cost around 20-50 thousand pounds a year in bills and upkeep so it's pretty difficult for the families who own these gorgeous mansions to keep them.

Last night I watched the episode on Chesters. A gorgeous Georgian country house in the Scottish boarders which was inherited by John Henderson on his 30th Birthday - pretty amazing birthday present!

Ruth gives the owners ideas on how to turn their properties into financially viable self sufficient homes/businesses. From the half dozen episodes I've watched most owners seem to be on the slightly to very eccentric scale and usually Ruth's blunt approach puts them a bit off side.

I think Ruth's ideas are generally really practical but I can see from the owners point of view that they might not want to open up their houses for tours, events, over night guests etc as it is their home.

If you want to watch some of the episodes you can check them out on http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/lifestyle

Could you live in one of those big old country houses? I think I could - although I'd have to get a cleaner :)

Have a great day,

Two favourite birthday presents

I thought if share a pic of my two fav bday presents after so many of you asked to see what was in my Tiffany box.

I love my new bracelet, I wanted an every day bracelet that would be easy to wear 24/7. And check out the other side of the heart - Tiffany turquoise.

The perfume is such a pretty fragrance and is the latest scent from L'occitane.

It's very floral and very summery, what sort of fragrance do you like?

Exciting news over at wallstudio

I'm over on my wallstudio blog today after some exciting news I had to share.
Check it out here.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes and I'll have to take a pic of my bracelet and show you.

Have a great day,

Small Packages

It was my birthday yesterday and the old saying is def true. The best things come in small packages. The first being my little Will who started the morning at 5.45am.

And the next being a gorgeous bracelet from Tiffany&co from my boys.

I had a great day and was very spoilt!
Jxx

Beach House anyone???

I was real estate stalking and came across this little ol' beach house in Palm Beach, Sydney.
Check it out...

 That's my sort of sized pool, not too big but not a spa bath either. And I think an artist studio is a must for me :)

 I love all the shutters and weather board, it has such a beachy vibe.

Check out the window seat, lights, love the kitchen.

Are they heated polished concrete floors? Why yes they are and if you're not warm enough then crank up the fire!

 What a fun loft space!

 It looks so cute and quaint from the front.

 Gorgeous bathroom!

 

Love all the natural textures and materials they've used to decorate with.

 

And I love a bunk layout like this, imagine sleepovers in that room!

If you want to see the real estate write up then take a look here.

What do you think, is it your type of beach house? 

Have a lovely day everyone,

Photobooth shenanigans

Pastel Perfection

I have found myself drawn to pastels at the moment and here are some of the beauties that have been inspiring me!

Image via here

Image via here

Image via here

Have a great day,

A new print

I've had this print on the back-burner for a while, it would simmer for a while in the back of my mind, then I'd get busy and forget about it. But I managed to finish it yesterday and put it up on my www.MySweetPrints.com.au shop last night.

It's funny how sometimes the simplest designs are the ones that keep you stumped. 

I guess because the design has to speak for itself when it's simpler. You have to make sure the tracking, kerning, leading, and over all balance works - there's a little graphic design tutorial for you if want to click the links :)

Boy version in primary colours - print measures 11 x 14"

Girl version - I love this colour combo :)

What do you think? I think it would really brighten up any child's room or playroom and with Will now learning his letters and numbers I think I'll have to add it to his room. He can count to 11 now! I'm so proud!

Have a great day everyone,

Minky love

I know not everyone is a cat lover...
But look at the love and affection I get from my 'schmacky' Minky. His version of a kiss is a head butt.

We were enjoying the sunshine together this afternoon.

Written by a woman on her 90th birthday

 

My friend forwarded this to me and I thought it was just so perfect I had to share it with you all...

great life lessons we could all do with being reminded of every day.

_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_:_

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:


1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything.. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

What do you think? Don't you wish you could have told your 16yr old self these great pearls of wisdom - and made yourself listen. 

Image above via here

Have a great day everyone,

wallstudio SALE

Hear ye, hear ye... for 24hrs only you can get yourself a massive wallstudio canvas for the same price as the standard canvases. That's a $50 saving! Get in quick as it ends Friday morning.

Ek, I'm very excited!

   

P.S. thank you for your lovely comments, I'm feeling heaps better now! Ahhh... nice to be able to breath again :)