My first time!!!

Settle down!

It is my very first lamp shade revamp!

It only took me two years to pluck up the courage to recover this old lamp shade but what was I worried about? Sure it was a bit fiddley and I did swear under my breath a few times but I think I did a pretty good job considering it was "my first time".

I will not be doing another one in a hurry though!

I used my very favourite Laura Ashley fabric called "Isabelle" and I very carefully cut out the fabric so that I would have the same pattern on each side - alternating between pink and white stripes.

I admire the "girls" out there who make these all the time. Well done girls...it's not easy!

Pretty huh?

Pretty pink beaded trim around the bottom.

This is one of my favourite op-shop finds. It was just sitting on a dusty shelf stuck to its' backing board all for $2.00. I had to have it. I love the pink and green together (my favourite colours). "She" has used ribbons to make the flowers along with pearls and french knots. When I brought it home I discovered that this frame was just perfect.

This is another op-shop find. It is English Tudor Rose and is called Kentish Garden. It was cheap because it is missing the saucer. I love it because it reminds me of England.

Look forward to some Cath Kidston fabric bags in Our Shabby Cottage soon.

After 10 years of dreaming of a bigger home we have finally purchased some land to build our "dream" home on. The house where we live now is a 3 bedroom 1970's white brick nightmare. The backyard is so small, the house is small (13 squares of small!) , the kitchen is small, the lounge room is small, and we live on a hill. You get the picture?

Not so sure about the process of building being a "dream" though.

It's a beautiful 1/4 acre block with amazing views off to the east. Not that they will be there for long once everyone else has built there too. :(

It's one block from the school, three blocks from the little town and close to the post office - which is very important!

The view from the back of the block to our new street. It is a very exciting prospect for us all. Very daunting for my husband who will take on most of the responsibility. He is a draughtsman and has designed (with alot of help from me) our new home. To save some money we are going to be owner builders. Are we mad or are we sensible?

I'll answer that in 2 years time when we have (hopefully) finished.....

Kathryn XX