Randomly - a doodle

I couldn't help it - not sure if it's the slightly incorrect grammar or the amazing facials - but this doodle by Lim Heng Swee makes me laugh.

Source: kootutmurut.com via Amy on Pinterest

:p

Windy Windy Wellington

via

I couldn't think of a more appropriate picture than this one by Christian Schuller.
I love his work - he is SO talented.

If you have ever experienced the wind in Wellington, New Zealand, you'll know what I'm talking about.
At times the house trembles and I think it's a small earthquake. Not to mention thunder and lightening has just started, along with hail. Hard to believe it was so beautiful and sunny this morning. Exciting.

Happy Weekend!

    - Amyshka

Kootut Murut - DIY painted jars

I have recently found a new blog that is super cute and smart.

Kootut Murut is a blog by Finnish Illustrator Jutta. You may have heard of it. As well as being a talented artist and having an uber-funky artistic home (I bet I'll be talking more about that later) one of her ideas particularly stuck out to me.

Source: kootutmurut.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Cute jars, right?
They are totally easy DIY and possibly even free to make, assuming you have a jar and some poster paint in your house.

She pours the wet paint in and tips it around to coat the inside:

Source: kootutmurut.com via Sandra on Pinterest

Then lets it dry:

And fill with the objects of your choice.
Easy.

I love how good it looks while being something that literally anyone can do.
Big ups to Finns!

Check out the full tutorial on her own blog here.

                    - Amyshka

Pinboard project

It happened in a matter of minutes - I got annoyed with some little notes I had on my desk, and decided I needed to pin them somewhere, immediately.

And so a pinboard was born...

 Here's a run-down on my process:

I began with this un-opened frame from a second-hand shop for about $4. I bought it a while ago then ran out of inspiration for what to do with it.

I removed the border and painted it white. I decided to leave the frame wooden, for now.

Then to select a fabric - I could have gone for something very plain but I wanted something that could bring life to a wall.

I landed on this favourite recent fabric from Spotlight, then laid a piece of foamboard under the fabric.

I glued the fabric over the foam-board and down onto the edges of the wooden backing board. 

...then assembled it all back together.

 
which left me with a pin-board to pin my notes on.

I'm not sure where to hang it yet - this room needs some serious work - but you get the idea.

It was definitely a very simple and quite rushed job, but I'm glad I can use it!

- Amyshka

Shared at:

Not So Simple Housewife

       

Traditional Scandi

I recently fell in love with Scandinavian style all over again. This time, rather than looking at Swedish style from a perky, colourful point of view, I wanted to think more about the crafty, traditional side of it. Did you know Scandinavian style actually has an emphasis on this, rather than just the 'minimalist white' look that is often perceived?

via Amy on Pinterest

I love the quaintness of the arrangement above. You get the sense that the Indian wall-hanging is a meaningful peice or heirloom, and the texture from its perfectly-imperfect wrinkled effect has a cosy feel that goes well with the cushions and simple bench.

Source: klikk.no via Amy on Pinterest

This room caught my eye - love the sense of depth and warmth from wood and books. Not to mention the sheep-skin on the seat, and cute cushions.
Did you notice the 6 hanging globes?

Source: flickr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Snuggly quilt with an inviting organic feel.

Source: scandinavianretreat.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

I can think of a certain man who would probably love a room like the one above - complete with hunting trophy of course. It is cosy, but also a little rugged. It makes me really want a little cabin to stay in during outdoorsy adventures.

Source: maryruffle.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

I couldn't leave this Dala horse out. I'm not the horsey type, but I love these Dala horses. Partly for sentimental reasons as they remind me of my time in Sweden, and partly because they are painted in pretty Swedish patterns - my favourite kind!


Last but not least, this may be my favourite:



via


I had just been thinking earlier today about what a lot of space is wasted in our rooves. Imagine laying flooring, painting the roof and floor white and creating a usable room.

Sounds great!

 - Amyshka

Kiwi Land

It's winter here Down Under (actually, if Australia is 'Down Under', I guess that makes New Zealand 'Down Under Down Under'?) and I thought a pick-me-up of my summer holiday pictures from January this year were in order.

These are all taken around the upper North Island where I roadtripped and explored with 2 friends and Big C. Having been and lived overseas, I now understand why this country is considered so beautiful.

I'm thinking of starting a series of "Kiwi Inspired" colour palettes and mood boards in the near future. For now, the snaps:



The stunning isolated Pokahino Bay - a handful of people walk down through the bush to get here





I loved the colour of the water at this deserted beach we found. I think it might have been Waimahana Bay.




Someone poked a flower in my hair while we walked around Waitangi - the home of New Zealand's Waitangi Treaty.





On Big C's birthday we went sand-surfing at 90 mile beach. The climb up is harder than it looks! Needless to say, he loved it, and surfed the hill more times than anyone else. (I was stumped after one go).





All 4 of us fell in love with Russell - a quaint town accessible by boat, that was New Zealand's first Capital





Cape Reinga - the tip top of New Zealand. We were lucky it was such an amazingly clear day.

Those are some of my favourite summer memories. Just a few more months until it's back again. :)

     - Amyshka

Some like it hot

I recently rediscovered one of my favourite colours - Vermillion.
There is something about the cleaness of this orange-toned red that makes it forever pop.

Even tho it's the middle of winter down here in Godzone, the great thing about vermillion is that it works both ways - I have got this colour in a cardigan that always catches eyes and brightens my winter wardrobe.

But boy does it look fresh with white shorts, or with a shot of deep peacock blue.


Can't wait for Summer  :)


      - Amyshka


Images for board sourced from Pinterest