Jikana Damaru

Mollie Makes

Today I wanted to share with you the gorgeous new British magazine, Mollie Makes; a wonderful new craft magazine with the tag line of “Living & Loving Handmade”. It was launched in May of this year and every month is packed full of loveliness. I saw my first copy last week and haven't been able to put it down! Each project is trendy and contemporary and shot in a beautifully inspiring environment.

I have made the iced gem felt biscuits and bought a crochet needle to start crocheting after reading a couple of issues. Not only are there craft projects but also inspiring interior environments of some delightfully creative crafters and lots of resources to search for great craft supplies.

From the editor:

"Today's crafters are creating a whole new aesthetic which is inspired by vintage, love of all things handmade, and showing off their individual style. They are crafting socially in cafés and clubs, and they are sharing their ideas globally, using the internet as a giant poster. This is why Mollie Makes is so much more than a traditional project book - it is a lifestyle magazine for the generation who make up the handmade revolution."

In the UK it is available in Sainsbury's and WH Smith and it has been available in the US and Europe since June 9th.

Have a sweet day!

This week I'm grateful for... near misses

It was a week of near misses for me. Some minor (I did that 'leaping through the closing doors of the train thing' on Thursday); some major (hellllooo Cappers, the Trampoline and the Ankle).

Gets you thinking, that does.

So, this week I'm grateful for...

163. Near misses - 'what could have been' is always a moment that makes me question the role of fate in our life. It's a shame I get a bit queasy whenever I see Gwynnie these days as I have a sudden urge to watch Sliding Doors again!

164. Being spoiled - such a lovely birthday week for me. That LOML of mine, he sure knows how to treat a girl. A little pile of Tiffany boxes, pictures he framed himself and a surprise afternoon tea. I love that husbie of mine all the way to Mars and back to Venus. I cannot get enough of him.

165. Riding the gravy train - can you believe there is another restructure at my work right now? This is number four in nine months. Madness! Luckily I am a very adept corporate passenger these days and I'm just looking out the window, enjoying the changing viewpoints.

So, what's making you smile today? Add your Grateful post to the list below (and please, we love you, but it really does matter that your post is one about being grateful, not just a random), add the button (grab the code from my sidebar and paste it into your post) and pretty-please add a link back to me. Then pop over to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.

[Image found here]

to have & to hold

it was a day I was honoured to be a part of. The wedding of Jo & Ben. A celebration of true love & a perfect match. I will let these images tell the story. enjoy.

{make sure you have your speakers on}

Getting my craft on...

My poor neglected blog .... Oh how I miss you. Most times I sit down to write post a little cry comes from the baby's room. Catnapping and blogs don't really mix I'm afraid.

However, Friday mornings is my little break from the ~~monster~~ preschooler so the house seems calmer and bubs can usually get a bigger nap. Today I indulged in a little crafting.... how cute is this?

I have a few to make but this was my first attempt. I'm sure it will look so much better sitting on the cake I am yet to make. It's about to be birthday season around here and you know how much I love birthday craft. Hopefully I will be able to get some decent posts this year.

For the ultimate in cuteness cake bunting you must head over to Twirling Betty's Made it store or if your willing to give it a go she has made a tutorial here in her fantastic blog !!

Happy weekend everyone!

Things I filter (just)

I think it's fairy obvious that I suffer from a condition known as Speakbeforeuthinkitis. I never quite caught onto the idea of applying a filter between my every thought and my mouth. So, if it's in the head, it's as good as said.

Ever wondered why I schedule my posts? Well, now you know. Scheduling allows me a little buffer between writing and actually publishing. It's a buffer that I have indeed relied on from time to time.

I thought I'd share a list of topics that I've written about, but have decided not to publish. Some are too controversial, some I was writing ahead of really knowing what I wanted to say, others are merely boring even beyond my usual dullness.

I think the subjects alone make you realise how important that filter is and what a dehabilitating condition Speakbeforeuthinkitis can be.

The worst mother in the school*
Why I don't do sponsored posts
What religion means to me
The most boring job in the world**
The mean side of blogging
Committed to social media
The falseness of make-up

There you have it. A trip through the less-than-delightful unpublished drafts folder of Maxabella loves... All posts I spent a little time on that will most likely never see the light of day. Hmmmm... most likely.

Do you have 'unpublished' posts?

What sort of topics did you shy away from?

* A perfectly fine topic if you are writing about yourself, of course.
** Darn, just realised I published this one on Monday. Sorry about that - the filter is obviously a little rosy from time to time...

[Image created by Carol Rivello and found here]

Julyhobby

This week on "Wonderful World of Etsy" I bring you the cute felt food and toy patterns from Etsy Store, Julyhobby. I had so much fun making Molly her felt food kit that I have started making more from patterns and making my own up. I am in love with the chicken from Julyhobby and think it would look super cute in Molly's oven!

Have a sweet day!

at our house

we have a visitor coming to our home this week so I have been busy getting the spare bed organised. She is a special visitor. My cousin Louise. All of my Aunties, Uncles, cousins & Nana live in the UK & so when anyone is making an effort to pop over from the other side of the world to spend some time with us we get extra excited!

The sad part is she is only here for a week! {on her way home after some adventures in NZ} so we are planning to fit in lots of activities. Horse riding on the beach, trips to local towns to take in the sights, kangaroo observing & any other past times that Louise needs to complete before she leaves this country we call home.

She is a huge fan of burger rings so we are stocking up on those. Her twin sis Emma will no doubt be anticipating a few packets squashed into the returning suitcase!

Here is the spare bed all ready & complete with my bargain of the year. See that cushion?
$2.14 from Target - love it!!