For awhile now I have had a design crush on a collection of prints by Mitchell & Dent. I just didn’t know who did them, until last week when I stumbled upon their blog.  It was lust at first sight.

Unfortunately my joy was short lived when I saw that the print set I so desperately wanted had sold out and would not be produced again.  Wah!

However, fortune favours the bold, so I took a leap and left a comment on their blog asking if there were any sets floating around out their in the big bad world that had yet to find a home.

Score! They’d just had a set returned to them.  So I’ve snatched them up and can’t wait to have them framed and one day hanging in our nursery.  (I told you I like to daydream about decorating…)

Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake. ~Author Unknown

Or in my case… cupcake!

1. Gerbera Cupcakes, 2. Let them eat cupcakes, 3. Cupcakes, 4. Mini Mini Flower Cupcakes 1

Want to see more Flickr Faves, or even submit your own, head on over to ArtMind!

I’m crushing on stars at the moment, and not the Hollywood kind.  There’s something just whimsical and wonderful about them.  I think it’s because to me they always remind me of fun times, like parties, dressing up or decorating school posters.  Here’s six star items I wouldn’t mind adding to my collection.  Enjoy.

1. Destini Necklace 2. Galileo Gingerbread Necklace 3. Moroccan Star Kitchen Towel in Ruby 4. A Song for Deep Space 5. Twinkle Earrings 6.  Tiny Silver Star Necklace

I was over on Sarah London’s blog just minding my own business and crushing on all her crocheting goodness when I spotted these pajamas from Peter Alexander.

Image source: Peter Alexander

It was love at first sight so I skedaddled over to Peter Alexander to see if they had any available online.  Seems I was out of luck.  So I filled them away in my wish list and went on with my day.

However, when we were recently in Melbourne I happened upon a Peter Alexander store.  I nearly walked by without even thinking about the pajama love.  Luckily my mind gave me a swift kick and I went in for a look.

I had a cruise of the store not holding out much hope as I’ve never been able to fit into their clothing before.  Just as I was leaving the store I spotted a bit of crochet poking out from under a pile of multicoloured mix and match items.

I held my breath as I picked up the first pair I came to.  I dared not believe it they were XL’s and they fit!!!! There was a chorus of heavenly voices.  They were on sale as well for the bargain price of $14AUD.

I purchased the last two pairs of the crochet shorts and left the store with a smile on my dial.  (I would have gotten the long pant version as well if they had them, but alas my good fortune only went so far.)  I can’t wait for summer slumber when I shall wear them with my Victoria Mason Crochet Necklace!

I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman

1. Peony, 2. Dreamy pink peonies, 3. Pink Peonies, 4. Coral Peony

Want to see more Flickr Faves, or even submit your own, head on over to ArtMind!

I am sick.  Really sick.  I haven’t been this ill in a long time.  Combined with all the hormones pumping through my system from the IVF I’m a mess of tears at the moment.  I am so homesick for my folks it’s not funny.

When I get homesick I listen to music that reminds me of home and how much I love my folks.  This song was dedicated to me by my Father one day when I was about twelve.  I listen to it whenever I’m homesick and pretend that we’re all together having a laugh and causing trouble.

Now I hope that one day we’ll be able to dedicate it to our daughter.

Coming off the back of an action packed season of Masterchef Australia there’s high expectations for this evolution of the franchise. Expectations have certainly been raised through the selection of Gordon Ramsey as one of the judges.

Ramsey is no stranger to controversy, nor is he renowned for holding back when it comes to critiquing people’s efforts in the kitchen.  In fact, for me it’s part of his charm.  It makes for great reality television, I’d just hate to be on the receiving end of it.

The other two judges are Graham Elliot and Joe Bastianich.  When the show first aired I had no idea who these two were.  As the show has continued I still don’t know who they are.  However, they balance Ramsey perfectly.

In the two shows that have aired so far it seems that Joe may just be the cultured version of Ramsey‘s temper.    Where Ramsey goes in swearing and spitting food out, Joe relies on his cold shoulder and disapproving facial expressions.

Surprisingly it has been Joe that’s towed the hard line on contestants.  It’s been a refreshing surprise and counterbalanced the assumptions about Ramsey and his possible judging style.

On the other hand Graham is the soft touch.  Already he has been persuaded by Ramsey to change his vote on a contestant, which makes for emotional television in the early stages but it makes you question his consistency as the show goes on.

The Australian Masterchef was plagued with audience perception of inconsistent judging without having judges back flip on decisions.  Without having interactive judging the audience relies on the judges to be fair and consistent. Experience has shown that get this wrong and the audience will turn rabid.

Decision making style aside this week has seen the end of the selection process and now the real competition begins as they whittle the players down to their top 24.  It’s going to be interesting to see the personalities and cooking styles develop.  I find the first weeks are like watching a F1 Grand Prix, you watch mainly for the hope that there’s an accident.    And that accident involves a knife… or perhaps a mincer.

If I can’t get bodily harm I’ll settle for one of Ramsey‘s outbursts.  Whatever happens I know I’m already addicted.  The question is will you be addicted as well?

Warning: Clip contains expletives.

This Friday I’ve gone with a theme inspired by the Japanese art of Kokeshi. Wiki gives the following information about Kokeshi:

Kokeshi (こけし, kokeshi^?), are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face. The bottom is marked with the signature of the artist.

The traditional art has evolved as it’s been embraced by artists all around the world.  All of these wonderful interpretations of the Kokeshi can be purchased on Etsy.

a.  Little Zombie Kokeshi Doll.  b.  Kokeshi Doll Magnet Set.   c.  Hand painted Kokeshi Fairy Doll.  d.  Sweet Blossom Silk Screened Print.  e.  Kokeshi Doll Fabric Pin Brooch.  f.  Dancing Kokeshi Adjustable Ring.  g.  Little Red Riding Hood Kokeshi Doll Necklace.

I daydream constantly about a house.  We own a townhouse and when we purchased it it was exactly what we needed and wanted, but three years on I’m dreaming of a house.   Something with a white picket fence and a porch perhaps…

Image source: Pinterest

It is my greatest pleasure to have Amanda from Calico & Co guest blogging today.   While Amanda and I have only ever met in cyberspace we often joke that we were separated at birth.  It’s not often you find someone born in a different decade that you can share so many crazy idiosyncrasies with, but Amanda and I do just that.

Amanda was the first person I ever asked to be a guest blogger here, and that’s a huge thing for me.  It’s like letting someone into your house and letting them rearrange.  Amanda has brought a wonderful sense of sublime awesome with her. I found myself reading the list and going “me too!” or “oh yeah!”.  It just went to prove yet again how much we do share in common.

So without further ado, please welcome Amanda to the house of gnome.

*round of applause*

Hi Gnomeangel readers! I am so excited to be writing to you today! I feel so honoured that Ms Gnomeangel asked me to be her very first Guest Blogger, and was thrilled when she requested that share the top 10 things I am crushing on at the moment.

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10. 500 Pencils
The last crush I am going to share with you today is another big one for me. It’s the 500 Pencils program. The deal is you subscribe for a monthly fee and each month you are sent 25 gorgeous coloured pencils until you eventually receive 500 of them! Not only would it be a very inspiring event each month, but there are some amazing ideas for displaying the pencils, so they become art in themselves! I can’t wait to sign up one day!!

So, there you have it! The Top 10 Things I am crushing on right now! I hope you have discovered something great, and maybe even learnt a little something about me along the way! Keep reading Gnomeangel for some great daily fun and inspiration, and you are always welcome over at my blog Calico & Co if you ever feel like dropping by! Have a great day!