Free Nautical Printables

After recently moved into a new house I was looking for some nautical inspired prints to fill up my walls. I came across some brilliant vintage images on a site called Graphics Fairy.

There are a number of vintage etchings and drawings to choose from so I decided on nine images as I wanted a nice symmetry.

These images can be printed on A4 or resized to any size. I used some inexpensive 10 x 8 white frames from Kmart for $6 each (bargain) and found that an A4 size fits in these with relatively little trimming, make sure your actual image opening size is 10 x 8.

Be sure to use a good quality paper, I used a watercolour A4 sized paper 180gsm. Normal photocopy paper wont give as nice a finish as a thicker paper.

I chose to change my print colour to Navy blue. This can easily be done in Windows live photo gallery. The attached download is in black as most people love black 🙂

Instructions below and download at the end of post x

Remove the frame stand from the back of the frame as this will allow the frame to sit flush against the wall when hanging.

Use the cardboard template from inside the frame as a guide to trim your print.

Fit print and replace backing of frame.

Check your layout and spacing on the floor and when your happy with the arrangement hang your prints.

Measure out and hang your prints using 3M adhesive picture hangers. These are easily removed if you need to adjust your print.

The finished prints

Download images here:

Nautical Printables

Kids Frozen Party ideas

As a parent of a Disney Frozen obsessed child I came across some great ideas from Martha Stewart for a Frozen themed party. Check them out….

 

Scandinavian princess cake

Ice blue frosting and doily/snowflake topper, recipe from Martha Stewart here http://www.marthastewart.com/342413/scandinavian-princess-cake

Snowflake light Garland

Make these gorgeous lights from paper doily’s and white string lights to decorate your ice castle.

Sven’s Carrots

Instead of the traditional lolly bag try wrapping trinkets and surprises in coloured crepe paper ‘carrots” just watch out for hungry reindeer’s.

snowman cupcakes

Do you want to build a snowman? why not give pre made cupcake’s to your guests and have them decorate them into mini Olaf’s with white icing, marshmallows and lollies.

Snow globes

Set off your own eternal winter with these easy snow globes. Prep the jars first and then let the kids decide on which figurine they would like to use. Best to do this activity at the start of the party to allow for glue drying time and finish off just before the party ends.

Sand the inside of the lid until the surface is rough. With clear fast-drying glue, adhere the figurine to the inside of the lid, and let the glue dry.

Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water; add a pinch of glitter and a dash of glycerin to keep the glitter from falling too quickly. Don’t add too much, or the glitter will stick to the bottom of the jar when it’s flipped. Screw on the lid tightly, being careful not to dislodge the figurine. Turn the jar over and back again — and let it snow.

Snowman pencils

Styrofoam balls skewered onto pencils make cute snowman favors for your party guests.

Braid Bar

Enlist the help of a friend that is good at braiding and set up a braid bar and let guests choose whether they want the “Anna” or the “Elsa.” For Elsa’s ice-queen look, do a single classic braid down the back. For Anna’s, make two low braids, pigtail-style.

Halloween Draco-Lanterns

fanged pumpkins

MATERIALS

• For vampire pumpkin: Thumbtack or pin
• Small white pumpkin (For a big bite, choose a small pumpkin so the plastic vampire teeth seem huge)
• Plastic vampire teeth
• Mouth template
• For bat: Black construction paper
• Small white pumpkin
• Hot-glue gun
• Wing template

STEPS

1. STEP 1

   

   Print mouth template. Lay template on pumpkin, and poke thumbtack through, all along outline, to transfer design. Cut out with saw; remove excess flesh.

2. STEP 2

   Wedge teeth into hole.

3. STEP 3

   For eyes, pin map tacks onto pumpkin.

4. STEP 4

   Print wing template

5. STEP 5

   Trace onto construction paper and cut out.

6. STEP 6

   Fold down flat ends of wings 1/4 inch, and attach folded edge to pumpkin with hot glue.

 Credit: Marthastewart.com

Home Office Ideas

Is your office the dumping ground for everything miscellaneous in your house? Good organisation is they key.
Check out some of these ideas for some home office make-over inspiration.

I have recently had an office clean out and incorporated some new Ikea office furniture, I’ll post the pics soon, its not quite ready yet 🙂

home office traditional by Polsky Perlstein Architects

home office built in storage AMW Design Studio

elegant home office by KL Interiors

craft room office space by Collaborative Design Group-Architects & Interiors

blackboard wall office by The Cross Design Interior Designers & Decorators

Good use of wall home office by Robert Thomas Homes Architects & Building Designers

Hidden office by Butter Lutz Interiors, LLC Interior Designers & Decorators

office with a view by Merzbau Design Collective Architects & Building Designers

studio shelving and office by Schmitt + Company/Poor House General Contractors

Easter Recipes

Cracked Egg Dessert

What appear to be cracked eggs are something better, or at least sweeter — scoops of mango sorbet in chocolate shells.

How-To
Use a sharp paring knife to split hollow chocolate eggs, available at specialty-food stores, in half, using the seam as a guide. Use a melon baller to scoop sorbet into each shell. Serve immediately, or freeze up to 2 hours.

Creme Egg Mojito

Here is a great use for those Creme Eggs at Easter. Adults only of course.
The Creme Egg Mojito

To make one at home you will need…
• 25ml Bacardi Superior
• 25ml Mozart chocolate liqueur
• Sprig of mint
• 25ml sugar syrup
• Dash of lime juice
• Dash of soda
• 2 chocolate eggs
Just bruise the mint sprig and put in the bottom of the glass with the rum and chocolate liqueur. Then add the sugar syrup and lime juice to the mix, add some crushed ice and smashed up chocolate egg and give it all a stir. Top with a little more crushed ice, dash of soda on top and serve with an oozey half of egg.

Roasted Salmon and Spring Onions with Mint-Caper Pesto

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 pounds spring onions or baby leeks, trimmed and halved lengthwise (if using leeks, wash thoroughly after halving)
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 piece (3 pounds) skinless salmon fillet, preferably wild Pacific
• 2 cups lightly packed fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons slivered blanched almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
• Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling
• 2 lemons, cut into wedges

DIRECTIONS

1. STEP 1

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds. Coat 2 rimmed baking sheets with 1 tablespoon oil each. Divide onions between baking sheets and drizzle each with 2 tablespoons oil; season generously with coarse salt and pepper. Roast until bottoms of onions are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating pans and switching racks halfway through. Remove from oven; reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Let onions cool, then consolidate them on 1 baking sheet.

2. STEP 2

   Place salmon on top of onions. Brush with 2 tablespoons oil and season with coarse salt and pepper. Roast on lower rack of oven until partially opaque in center, about 20 minutes.

3. STEP 3

   Meanwhile, combine remaining 1/2 cup oil, mint, almonds, capers, 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor or blender, and puree mixture until smooth.

4. STEP 4

   Remove salmon and onions from oven; carefully transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt; serve with lemon wedges and pesto.

Easter Egg Puzzle Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Royal Icing
• Sanding sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. STEP 1

   Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. STEP 2

   Beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture, and beat until combined. Add vanilla. Wrap dough in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

3. STEP 3

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut out egg shapes with a 2 1/2-inch oval cutter . Transfer cookies to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake until edges are golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Upon removing from oven, cut into pieces with a sharp knife (if they’re cool, it will be difficult to create clean edges). Let cool. Using a pastry bag fitted with a 1/8-inch tip and filled with royal icing, decorate as desired. Sprinkle with sanding sugar while icing is wet. If adding dots or stripes, let base layer dry first.

 

Sources: Martha Stewart and The Jewel Bar Piccadilly Circus

 

Screening Alfresco Areas

In the U.S. screened in patio’s or screen rooms have always been around. I can’t help but wonder why they haven’t caught on here in Australia considering that the size of some of our insect friends can be quite scary.
What do you think would you screen in an entire alfresco area or is this not for you?

Waterside screen room

A frame screen room

multi zone screen room

Hamptons style house screen room

Ikea Hacks

I love IKEA. I could easily furnish my whole house from this one store alone, so it was while searching the IKEA site for some home office furniture that I came across a number of sites and pics that are dedicated to customising your IKEA purchase. These are termed IKEA Hacks.
At first I thought this was IKEA furniture idea heaven as the possibilities are endless, but be warned you will lose hours of your life once you search it and this won’t make your decision any easier.

Expedit Bench

Liatorp Cabinet Hack

Ikea Table Hack Bathroom Vanity

Built in Hemnes Unit

IKEA Hemnes Desk with 2 x Hutches

Hemnes Office Hack

Sources: http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=ikea%20hack

http://www.ikeahackers.net/

Outdoor Decking

I love decking outdoor’s and recently I have developed an unhealthy obsession with the new range’s of composite decking that is available on the market. These all weather composite decking materials require very little maintenance and are resistant to pest’s and doesn’t require painting or staining. I must say when it all comes down to it I don’t mind admitting that I’m far too lazy for that type of ongoing maintenance. One of my favourite products at the moment is a product called Trex  http://www.trex.com/au/index.html
What’s your thought’s? have you used it or do you prefer the real deal? below are a few photo’s of both options.

Picture sources from Houzz.com  and Trex

BBQ Area Design

We posed this question on our facebook page a couple of weeks ago. What do you like in your outdoor area and what is too much? Some people love the idea of an outdoor kitchen whereas others prefer something a little less permanent that can be moved to suit the season. Either way there is no shortage of inspirational pics out there to suit your style.

Hampton style Outdoor BBQ area

Classic stone built in BBQ

 

Rustic Outdoor area

Modern BBQ area

Exposed beams outdoor area

Picture source: Houzz

 

Outdoor Living

Just in time for the Holiday season we have some new outdoor living lines on our website  www.urbanspice.com.au

Limited stocks of some lines so be quick.

New Season Alfresco Homewares