Paula Mills Art

Shelley inspired me to go out and have a little scratch around my local op/thrift shops, one is never disappointed! My finds were: 2 meters of beautiful, vintage, flocked fabric, a little gold tray, two pretty glasses, another stunning tea cup to add to my collection, a pile of old Australian stamps, a 1952 encyclopedia and some pretty writing paper with birds on - all of this was under $25, ahhh the satisfaction.

My sister and I will tell you that nothing beats a good rummage through an op shop or at the flea market. I have to admit Paula is the queen - but i can hold my own sometimes and Im still proud of the plaster Virgin and child icon I recently found for her on a trip to Melbourne. Since this is a blog about the things we enjoy, i thought it would be fun to post our "finds'' on a regular basis. My find of the week was a beut. A set of drawers made of Remu wood. Lovley honey colour and lots and lots of little compartments and flat map drawers. Salvaged from an old science lab. Bargain at $5 a piece. I got two and the old scale in the photo and the old chalk board. This will soon turn into my drawer full of wonders. If you have an old vintage cabinet full of things - I'd love to know - What's in YOUR drawers?

Ooh - its always fun to do interviews. It makes one feel special I tell you. Thank you Jo from thedesignalphabet - she has a gorgeous blog that i will add to our blog roll “tout suit” as not only are we featured in it - but she is from just down the drag - and I love to support local. She is a guest writer for Decor8 soon - and i think there might be a giveaway of note! Well done Jo.

This is an illustration i have recently done for friends and family who have had babies. I thought we could offer it up as a customized print on Etsy. So if you know of a friend or family memember who has had a little one recently and would like to send them something personal, then have a look at our shop: www.lovelysweetwilliam.etsy.com

here we go a lovely sweet line drawing to embroider, have a go!

I love to embroider and I'm always looking for little patterns. The challenge is coming up with a contemporary way to use the embroidery. I used my sisters tree design to make this embroidered canvas. Have a look at my flickr site if your into embroidery too. I thought it would be fun to include some of Paula's line drawings that could be used as an embroidery pattern. If you find one you like please let us know how you used it (and be respectful of the fact that it's an origional design) - we would love to see the result. ***** softie below sold *******

I have had such a busy time at the moment (doing some full time teaching) that there has been no time to restock some Madonna's. However, the fabric stash was calling me, the fingers started to itch and before I knew it - i'm like the crafting Mummble from Happy Feet, i just couldn't help it. So here is another lovely mama - she bears a blue swallow - a lino print I created for a swatch swap and have now also used on this sweet lady. She is in the shop and about to be joined by a second.

Well done to Nancy Mccarroll who has won the peach spring print for herself. Thanks to all who left a comment on our blog and thanks for all the lovely words of support.