Thursday 28 June 2018

Moon-Face, Silky and The Saucepan Man

image bunting the magic faraway tree enid blyton moon-face saucepan man silky storybook nursery domum vindemia

Hello!  I have been having so much fun recently adding a bunch of new storybook buntings to the store.  Today I'm showing off one of our latest additions and a long time favourite of mine, a Magic Faraway Tree bunting!

image bunting the magic faraway tree enid blyton moon-face saucepan man silky storybook nursery domum vindemia

I first read Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree series as an eight year old and was pretty pleased at how much my Cheeky Monkeys loved the stories when they were a similar age.  So you can imagine how excited I was to find some battered old Enid Blyton picture books perfect for bunting making!

image bunting the magic faraway tree enid blyton moon-face saucepan man silky storybook nursery domum vindemia

This is just the first of what I hope will be a permanent range in Domum Vindemia, but I would love feedback from my lovely readers.  Which Enid Blyton stories did you love best when you were growing up?  And which would you like to see in bunting form?

Tuesday 26 June 2018

Hercule Poirot

Just a quick one today!  I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had launched our new Hercule Poirot range of jewellery in Two Cheeky Monkeys.

hercule poirot earrings double-sided faux pearls bookish gift bookworm two cheeky monkeys agatha christie detective jewellery

I have been slowly adding to the range, so today I'm showing off an on trend pair of double-sided Hercule earrings.  I'm loving these so much that I think I might keep this first set for myself...what do you think!

Thursday 21 June 2018

More bookish art

 dictionary page art print seashell shells beach theme domum vindemia

I mentioned last month that I had re-launched our popular dictionary page art range for a limited time.  Today I'm showing off a few more of the new range of art prints, all keeping in theme with the vintage-inspired look of our original range.

dictionary page art print fruit pear orchard foodie gift domum vindemia

The amoeba print is one of my personal favourites, being a scientist, and the pear print was very popular when it was first released with the original range.  Which one is your favourite?

dictionary page art print science microbiology biology amoeba scientist domum vindemia

Tuesday 19 June 2018

International Sushi Day

As a HUGE sushi fan, I was intensely amused to discover that yesterday (June 18th) was international sushi day!  So since it's still June 18th in some parts of the world, I'm sharing a few fun sushi and onigiri recipes for you to try for yourselves.  Enjoy!

international sushi day recipes onigiri tutorial diy

1. Not strictly traditional, but you can't go wrong with sweet chilli chicken sushi!
2. Delight your kids with rainbow coloured onigiri.
3. More onigiri, with my favourite sushi filling, salmon.
4. Wholegrain sushi for those wanting a healthier alternative.

Thursday 14 June 2018

Don't waste time: a special watch order

pocketwatch necklace butterfly leaf charm two cheeky monkeys

Sharing another bespoke order today - one that has a cheeky saying specially requested by the recipient!  Long time readers of the blog will know that I have been creating pocketwatch-inspired necklaces for about three and a half years now.  They usually feature the name of a literary character or an iconic literary quote, but this special order was a little different.

two cheeky monkeys pocketwatch necklace don't waste time quote leaf charm

My lovely customer wanted a time-themed quote, settling on the forthright "Don't waste time" teamed with a butterfly adorned watch pendant and a chunky chain to better suit her personal style and tastes.  I think the quote is perfect for those of us who have a tendency to procrastinate!  What do you think?

Tuesday 12 June 2018

Love doesn't count chromosomes

love doesn't count chromosomes quote locket necklace two cheeky monkeys trisomy 21 down syndrome

Last month I had the privilege of being commissioned to create a special locket necklace for a customer to give as a gift to a beautiful mama of a trisomy 21 (aka Down Syndrome) baby.  As a Christian who believes in the value of every life, and as someone who holds a very soft spot for special needs kids, I was incredibly honoured to work on such a precious order.

love doesn't count chromosomes quote locket necklace two cheeky monkeys trisomy 21 down syndrome

In fact, there has been such a positive response to this special creation that I have decided to include it in my regular quote locket range in Two Cheeky Monkeys.  You will be able to order this necklace with your initial of choice and with a bead of choice, which can be customised to be in colour of the birthstone of mother or baby.  And if you have another inspirational quote in mind for a bespoke piece, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your options!

Thursday 7 June 2018

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie

snugglepot and cuddlepie bunting may gibbs homewares birthday party nursery domum vindemia decoration decor

I still vividly remember the day I decided to start creating Snugglepot and Cuddlepie buntings for Domum Vindemia four years ago.  It has been one of my more inspired ideas, thanks mostly to my wonderful customers and supporters and is a range that is still going strong and one that I struggle to keep in stock!

snugglepot and cuddlepie may gibbs supplies birthday party cupcake topper domum vindemia decoration ragged blossom fairy garden

Which is why I'm excited to announce that as of this week, there are two new May Gibbs buntings in-store AND, for the very first time, darling cupcake toppers that perfectly match the buntings.  It's not often that I have enough spare illustrations to create cupcake toppers, so I'm very excited to finally have this chance.  Which one do you love best?

snugglepot and cuddlepie bunting may gibbs homewares birthday party nursery domum vindemia decoration decor ragged blossom

Tuesday 5 June 2018

Using your little grey cells

hercule poirot cuff links suit accessories bookworm gift two cheeky monkeys
 
A few months back I had a request for jewellery featuring the one and only Belgian detective who is inordinately proud of his use of his "little grey cells", Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot.  As a long time fan of Monsieur Poirot, I jumped at the chance to create something Hercule-inspired, and am now excited to announce that Poirot will become a permanent fixture in-store!

hercule poirot bracelet jewellery jewelry bookworm gift two cheeky monkeys

At the moment the Hercule Poirot range consists of cuff links and our tennis-style charm bracelet, but I will be expanding the range as time permits.  Which of our regular Two Cheeky Monkeys pieces would you like to see featuring Monsieur Poirot?