Thursday, 28 August 2014

Frost - A Cuff Bracelet

 Hi Everyone,

I've been busy creating for the Blogger/Non-Blogger Challenge again.

One of the two themes this round is Holiday Sparkle and it was the one I decided inspired me the most. Of course - my colours totally, right?

Here is the inspiration image.


And my cuff bracelet...


I love the sparkle of it, like frost on a cold Winter's day...

Take care,
 
xxx

Photobucket
 https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreDays
 

Wednesday, 13 August 2014

The New Zealand Tui Bird


Hey everyone,
Since we've moved I've missed the abundance of birds that would frequent our old garden. We had an enormous tree out back and we would hear the beautiful songs of all the birds including the Tui bird.
Our new place is a lot closer to the road and maybe it's the busyness of the week but I hadn't really spotted too many birds until the Taiwanese Flowering Cherry Tree started to bloom.




This particular tree attracts Tui Birds and I've never had such a great view of them before. This week we've had up to 5 in the tree at once.


Native to New Zealand, tui are a very beautiful bird. At first glance they appear black, but they are actually a shining metallic green with blue & purple reflections. The reflected colour of the feathers changes with the angle of the light. The best known visual feature of the tui is the very distinctive white tuft on the throat.
Tui are also well known for their unusual calls. They have the beautiful notes of the bellbird, combined with cackles, clicks, groans, creaks and even wheezing sounds!
I am sure most of you have seen many tui in the last month or so. Especially those who are close to an area of native bush. I have seen very large numbers of tui in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Pirongia, where there seem to be more and more tui every year.
- See more at: http://www.groundzone.co.nz/blog/want-to-attract-tui-into-your-garden/#sthash.t2UBtBRW.dpuf
Native to New Zealand, tui are a very beautiful bird. At first glance they appear black, but they are actually a shining metallic green with blue & purple reflections. The reflected colour of the feathers changes with the angle of the light. The best known visual feature of the tui is the very distinctive white tuft on the throat.
Tui are also well known for their unusual calls. They have the beautiful notes of the bellbird, combined with cackles, clicks, groans, creaks and even wheezing sounds!
I am sure most of you have seen many tui in the last month or so. Especially those who are close to an area of native bush. I have seen very large numbers of tui in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Pirongia, where there seem to be more and more tui every year.
- See more at: http://www.groundzone.co.nz/blog/want-to-attract-tui-into-your-garden/#sthash.t2UBtBRW.dpuf
Native to New Zealand, tui are a very beautiful bird. At first glance they appear black, but they are actually a shining metallic green with blue & purple reflections. The reflected colour of the feathers changes with the angle of the light. The best known visual feature of the tui is the very distinctive white tuft on the throat.
Tui are also well known for their unusual calls. They have the beautiful notes of the bellbird, combined with cackles, clicks, groans, creaks and even wheezing sounds!
I am sure most of you have seen many tui in the last month or so. Especially those who are close to an area of native bush. I have seen very large numbers of tui in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Pirongia, where there seem to be more and more tui every year.
- See more at: http://www.groundzone.co.nz/blog/want-to-attract-tui-into-your-garden/#sthash.t2UBtBRW.dpuf
The Tui is native to New Zealand and you can find out more information about these beautiful birds here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tui 
 
I always thought the Tui were black with white tufts at its throat but they are actually very colourful with a gorgeous turquoise  sheen to their tail feathers.

Besides the neck feathers, these birds are very unique in their bird song. It's just beautiful.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have caught these images this week. And so very happy to take in all the bird life around me again.

It's nearly Spring!
Take care,
xxx

Photobucket
 https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreDays
 

Monday, 4 August 2014

Girl's Drawer Makeover

 Hey Everyone,

I made over this wee cabinet in a few hours, it was so quick!

When we bought Gabe's bed off Trade Me last year, it came with this extra little drawer set that he didn't want, so it ended up being used as extra storage for the girls clothes. The drawers have a type of laminate on them and were in good nick but the wooden top and sides were scratched and boring!



I painted 2 coats of Dulux Taradale (Pink) on the wooden shell and sanded a bit to neaten up. It was a perfect day for painting, not too hot or cold!

I found these adorable removable wall stickers from the dollar shop and knew they would be perfect on the laminate drawers.


 What's really great about the wall stickers is that when the girls outgrow fairies, they can be easily removed with no damage to the drawers.



Seriously, how cute right?


This project is an epic hit with the girls and I'm really happy with the transformation.

I had the pink paint on hand already so I just spent $3 for the stickers.
 

Not bad for $3 huh? My kind of makeover!

 

I hope I've inspired you to tackle an easy little project today.

Take care,
xxx

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 https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreDays