Exploring the Big House Collective

Big House Collective

On a beautiful autumn day, I had the opportunity yesterday, to explore a new shop on the Ballarat block, Big House Collective .

The Big House Collective is only a couple of weeks old, but it's contents is rich in history. There is lots to buy. Items such as old children's books, retro clothes, antiques, prints, and furniture. There is also craft and art available. My favourite room was the room out the back, which transported me back to the 1970s.

There are a number of rooms to explore, so make sure you have time to soak up the history and novelty that this place has to offer.

Big House Collective

614 Sturt Street

Ballarat

Victoria

Open 7 Days a week

Blog: http://bighousecollective.blogspot.com/

Divine Twine

Back in November (gee that long ago) I mentioned the very cute Airmail Twine from Whisker Graphics. Well I finally purchased a roll and the package arrived at my doorstep!

Well I must say it does live up to it's name, it is divine. The twine is so soft, which is not surprising seeing it's 100% cotton. The twine is 4ply and there is 240 yds of the glorious twine. And it's made in the USA! There was also a little extra touch. Some cute air mail stickers and samples of other twines in a selection of colours. Now the question what to do with the twine, I have a few ideas, just need to find the time. If you want to order your own, check out Whisker Graphics.

Pop into Curious Oyster Shoppe

Curious Oyster Shoppe, Thornbury, Victoria

Our Northcote and Thornbury Notepads and cards

Awesome, Thornbury Notepads in the shop window

So pleased to announce my first retail placement in Victoria! Today I visited Curious Oyster Shoppe in High Street, Thornbury, and it was such a buzz to see my Thornbury notepads in the window.

Curious Oyster is a real treasure, with a collection of retro, vintage clothes and lovely crafts made by local artisans. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. I loved the special touches of the cat from Alice In Wonderland sitting on the front window and Alice looking through the mirror.

If you are unsure where Curious Oyster Shoppe is, the best landmark to look for is The Thornbury Theatre. There is 1 hour free parking around the corner from the shop.

Curious Oyster Shoppe

776 High St, Thornbury

Victoria

Web Site

Facebook Page

Blog

Summer Hours

Wednesday 11am - 6pm

Thursday 11am - 6pm

Friday 11am - 6pm

Saturday 11am - 5pm

Sunday 11am - 2pm

Pepe's Paperie New Website!

Back in March I wrote about the Melbourne branch of Pepe's Paperie closing down. Very sad.

Well I was pleased to read today that Pepe's Paperie has a new web site! So glad this family business is still going strong. Also they have opened a store in Canberra. Check out the detail here

Whisker's Devine Twine

Pic: Airmail Twine - Whisker Graphics

Airmail - letters and packages that are
transported by aircraft

This definition should also include 'wrapped in Divine Twine', because that is what this twine is.

I am smitten for this new twine. The lovely shades of red, blue and white are crisp, and combined with brown paper, just takes me back to a time when things were simple and etiquette ruled.

The Airmail Bakers Twine will be available from the must see online shop, run by Whisker Graphics

Lovely Weekend

Have a lovely relaxing weekend folks. Mmm don't those Iced VoVo's look great?

Image taken at Lark

Lark

If you're in the area of Daylesford, Victoria this weekend, pop over to the lovely Lark. They are having a garage sale.

Orlando and Ivy

It was the perfect Melbourne day to visit the new specialist shop Orlando and Ivy located in North Melbourne.

Orlando and Ivy is just a short walk from the hub of the Nth. Melbourne shopping strip. I was greeted by a quaint stain glass window with an old style sign enticing me in. The shop is small, inviting and has a great vibe. I just loved looking through the products that were for sale. Assortment of books, stationery, tea towels, maps, crochet buntings, jewelry, home wares and so on. Many of the items are made here in Australia by local designers and crafters. I purchased this very cute Penny Farthing by Australian designer Polli. Purchased this because I'm such a Prisoner fan.

If you have the time visit Orlando and Ivy next time your in North Melbourne or check out their online shop / blog.

Orlando and Ivy
424 Victoria Street North Melbourne, Victoria
Web: www.orlandoandivy.com
Blog: www.orlandoandivy.wordpress.com
Facebook

I'm a little sad

I'm a little sad today. Went and visited one of my favourite shops in Melbourne, Pepe's Paperie at Doncaster Shopping Plaza. Pepe's Paperie sells all things paper, beautiful journals, albums, stationery from around the world, gift wrap, pens, calligraphy ink and it goes on.

Well I discovered that the shop is closing down. Hearing this from a staff member, I became very sad, I stressed to the lady how could this happen? She just said for financial reasons, she said it's a pity because business was picking up. I suggested couldn't they just rent a smaller shop. Alas no. She thanked me for the support and stated that the shop will close on April 11th.

There are two other Pepe's Paperie branches but they are in Canberra and Sydney. A long way.... Zeta Florence will just have to fill the gap for me.

Image - Alice in Wonderland Paper Dress - Shop front at Pepe's Paperie

Cristina Re Concept Store - The Visit

Yesterday my fellow paper crafter friend, Karen - Cosmic Cat Creations and I made our trip to the new Cristina Re Concept Store here in Collingwood, Melbourne.

The first impression I received was the shear vibe of girlishness. There were many images of butterflies (apparently Cristina's signature image), pretty t-shirts, bygone sewing equipment on display, a beautiful table setting with all the trimmings which would make any entertainer weep with glee. There's the beautiful chairs with plush Cristina Re cushions, and of course endless shelves of paper, envelopes and the odd scrapbook implement.

When we were there a craft workshop with kids was taking place. Yes get them while they are young, I thought. :-) And then the odd person looking at the Mac on the front counter viewing wedding invitation samples. It's all there.

Lastly the cafe! One can choose, delicious little chocolates that look like art. Or the gingerbread cookies that have beautiful iced illustrations. Then there are the assortment of teas, coffees and hot chocolates. We both couldn't go past the hot chocolate with the dark chocolate spoon for $5.50.

I wish I could have taken photos for you all, but they said, "no, and I would have to check with HQ to get permission". However I was given the OK to take a pic of our drinks.

Overall I liked the shop, the design is beautiful and girlish. If you love specialty shop's decor then go and have a visit.

'Lark' ..... I'm here!

Allison and Beky

It's been a long time coming but I and my mum finally got to visit the 'Lark' shop in Daylesford, Victoria. It was the perfect day to do so.

We found the Lark near the MS shop. When I first saw the shop frontage it was a little weird. I have seen the front of the shop so many times on the Internet, seeing it in the flesh, so to speak, was quite weird but also very exciting.

Walking in, there was Allison the shop owner behind the desk. Hesitantly I said hi and introduced myself. Poor thing, she has these complete strangers who know her name and a little a bit about her because of Lark Blog. After formal introductions, it was time to shop!

I was thrilled out of my brain there was the Kamoi Paper washi adhesive tape from Japan that I have been hanging out for. My poor mum just didn't understand why I got so excited about Washi tape, but I'm sure a few of you out there would understand. :-) Also purchased the latest issue of 'Make Your Day World Sweet World'. My mother did her birthday and Christmas shopping at Lark, so she was VERY happy.

The shop is really beautiful, white, clean and fresh. The vibe is homey and I wish Allison and her team all the luck with her new venture. We will be visiting again for sure!!! Thanks Allison for the talk and being so helpful. Thanks also for being in the photo for my blog, I said, it's like meeting a celebrity blogger. :-)

Lark
4a Duke Street, Daylesford
(behind the MS Shop)
(03) 5348 1853

Open 10.30-4.00
Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(closed Wednesdays)

Lark what do I hear?

I haven't posted for awhile, I have been very busy on designing a new shopping list with more of a 50s feel and a birthday invitation with a comic book feel.

Tomorrow while my son is at school camp, I'm off to visit Daylesford with my mum. I'm so looking forward to looking at cute antique shops and of course seeing the 'Lark' shop. Wish us and our wallets luck!

Cristina Re New Concept Store

Ok all you Cristina Re fans out there. A new store has opened here in Collingwood, Melbourne. For those who don't know Cristina Re's work, her paper designs are bright, girly and use a lot of lace, french design and patterns. She is well known for paper being used in wedding invitations.

I haven't had the chance to venture inside but I did drive past the other day. First impression, very girly and it the colours reminded me of a beautiful cake. The colours of the exterior really stood out in the grey dreary back streets of Melbourne. Once I have checked out the shop I will give a little report.

Paper Crawl

Some people do pub crawls, me and a friend Karen of Cosmic Cat Creations we did the paper crawl yesterday.

First stop was Wedding Stationery Supplies in Collingwood. This place was certainly paper heaven. There were paper off cuts, Japanese Paper, envelopes all shapes and sizes, ribbon the list goes on and on. Definately a place to visit, but make sure you allow yourself time to browse and go ooo ahhh at the paper and letterpress printer!

Next stop was Zetta Florence in Armadale. I had visited the Brunswick store in the past so this time visited the Armadale branch. Very nice and very easy to drool over the beautiful Paris stamps, wrapping papers. It's a must for all things beautiful. Zetta was lovely to tell us that up the road was another shop to visit.

Next stop Papyrus Design . A sweet and lovely shop which held many items we had seen else where. However they did have the very large sticky labels that I have seen on American paper blogs. I did buy some fairly large envelopes, they were a little expensive, but heck when your on a paper crawl, one must have the paper one needs!

Papyrus Design

Another shop very close by was Rock Paper Scissors I learnt from Karen that this shop is a chain of stores that have come over from America. The shop is really for the scrapbook fan. It looks all very nice, laid out well with lots of bright colours.

Rock Paper Scissors

Last stop was Exlibris in Armadale. This shop is really a gift shop, but there is plenty of journals, stationery and other merchandise to make the customer like myself very happy. I ended up purchasing 'Paris: Made By Hand'. Yeah!

Exlibris

By the end of our paper crawl, I was all papered out. It was a great day, and hope to do it again!

Dreaming down Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

I love Brunswick Street in Fitzroy so much, one of my favourite places in Melbourne. It's a street that never stops changing and it always has a story to tell. I sometimes feel more at home there, than the suburbs of where I live now.

Recently on a very overdue visit to the street, I visited Zetta Florence. This store is a feast for the eyes if your interest lies in archival products, stationery and beautifully made gifts from afar. It's a must to check out. I feel a sense of calm and excitement when entering Zetta, I just can't stop looking at the paper and stationery. I guess this is what crafters feel when entering their beloved fabric stores. :-)

A cute little shop

I treated myself today by visiting the shop 'The Works' in Hawthorn today. They had discounts for VIP members today, so of course I had to drag myself over and check out the latest wares.

Also I finally visited a shop I have been meaning to explore for the last year, called 'Handmade' or Est. Inside this cute little shop is locally made products and products from Europe, all very eco-friendly. The colour scheme of the shop is natural, one is transported into an automatic calming effect. Outside there was this beautiful basket full of twine and string. I don't know what came over me, but I was smitten with just the twine! Inside there was a draw of ribbon which had an air of vintage. Absolutely gorgeous!

In the end I had to buy these plain graphit and colour pencils from the German company Lyra. They remind me of a time gone by.