Apartment inspiration:: A little Anthropologie comes to Sydney.....

Recently we went looking for some deck chairs for our balcony.  So we headed to our local Freedom store *yawn*......Umm hello.....what is this we find? Did Freedom magically turn into Anthropologie overnight? Colourful rugs, cushions, knob handles, prints. The store that usually sends me to sleep with their bland (safe) colour choices simply blew me away!  Here, have a looky at just some of the pretties that caught my eye:

See what I mean? Gorgeous huh! I love these colours and the little touch of handmade and mix of interesting textures and designs. Si porfavor!

My obsession with Doilies is satisfied for another hour.....

Oh cozy, yummy teal wall....how you inspire me!

So of course now, I come back to our apartment and want to grab one big paintbrush and give the whole place a makeover - crafty stylee! 

oh and we never did get the deck chairs. How could we?  After this colourful assault on our senses, grey just felt so...meh.

Project #5 - Feather Earrings

A few years ago I had an Etsy shop for my jewelry creations.  Jewelry making was my first attempt at learning a crafty skill.  I used websites, tutorials, videos and library books to learn techniques such as wire wrapping, stringing beads, making jump rings and working with crimp beads. As well as acquiring a whole new set of skills  I also enjoyed the creative process. A chance for me to combine my basic skills with my love for colour, textures and all things sparkly to create pieces in minutes.  Although I am now learning and practicing a whole new set of skills with my fabric work, I still enjoy bringing out my jewelry tools and bits and pieces when inspired.

These Anthro earrings recently caught my eye:

Alabaster Peacock Earrings via here

I knew that I had a few feathers in my jewelry kit that I could use to create a craftyclaudes one of a kind pair.  So I gathered my supplies and tools:

And after 10 minutes I created these!

I had to trim the white feathers a little to give the black and polka dot feathers a chance to stand out.   It was really good to see that even though I made my last pair of earrings nearly two years ago, I still felt the buzz and excitement of creating.  The Etsy Shop may be closed, I have now moved on from jewelry making, but the skills will always be with me as I continue on my crafty journey. I like that.

For those wondering. Yes. Yes I am.....

Obsessed with the gorgeousness that is Anthropologie.   I spend time on their website every week.  I dream up outfits and pretend shop for shoes to match those outfits.  I event style looks for our apartment. I guess its my way of daydreaming.  I am currently on a "Rug" pretend shop.  Wont you come with me?

pretty isn't it?   what about these ones......

"Honey"  rug

beautiful.

And don't even get me started on their wallpaper! Check out these beauties.....

"Woods" wallpaper

I could go on....and I will.   This gorgeous poppy double hanger

OK and the last one......an owl door stopper.

How cute is he!!!

OK that is all....for now.   I now must go and rest.  This pretend shopping has worn me out.  Good thing the credit card was safely packed away.

To do your own pretend shopping and see all these lovelies and more check out the Anthropologie website

These are a few of my favourite things..Anthropologie

The November 2010 Anthropologie catalogue is out.   !!Hooorah!!  It is my favourite catalogue to pour through. Best done in a comfy chair with a nice cup of tea and a little biscuit or two.   Sadly, we are not lucky enough to have Anthropologie in Australia.  However, they do ship here.  Good thing with Christmas just around the corner.  No need to miss out on any of the lovelies.  Although some of their pieces are way above a crafty girls budget, the ideas are wonderful and sure to spark up some creative ideas of your own.  Catalogues are great for this.  Just check out this beautiful example.

Here are some of their new pretties:

All photos property of Anthropologie