Woodland Pets!

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to let you know that I've been working on some super cute illustrations and they are ready for downloading! Yay!

I've always wanted a pet squirrel ... soooo instead of illegally smuggling one into Australia I decided it would be safer to settle for an illustrated version of cuteness! Not quite so snuggly, but at least I don't have stop Turbo from getting a little too friendly!

And, you can't have Mr Squirrel without his buddies, right? So to keep him company, I added Deer, Fox, Owl, Rabbit, and Bear! That's 6 cuddly woodland creatures to fall in love with. Not to mention the supporting forest friends to make them feel right at home.

Without further ado, I would like to introduce the fully customisable illustrated "Cute Woodland Animal Set"!

You guys can download this set from GraphicRiver and build your very own forest full of cuties!

If you download, please let me know! I would love to see what you use them for.

Also, if you've got any other suggestions on what you want to see illustrated, comment below and let me know!!

New Camera, New Lens!

I just blogged over at Happy Co Lucky (my design studio) about my love for the lens I just got!

Make it: From Sketch to Softie!

I've been having so much fun creating and experimenting lately! I've been immersing myself in colour, tinkering with all sorts of ideas that wildly pop into my mind at inappropriate hours, getting lost in inspiration, and above all - just doing it!

Although I haven't been updating my blog that often, I am quite active on instagram and if you want to check out what I'm up to day to day you should check that out.

One of the projects I'm most excited by has been my Softies. A few weeks back I was bored and a little discouraged at not getting anywhere with some of the ideas I had floating around in my head... So after snapping myself out of my pinterest induced slumber, I turned off the computer and started sketching with a clear idea in mind of what I wanted to create.

Enter Momo (yup, definitely named after the Avatar Momo)...
It started with a rough sketch on paper which I then took to Illustrator, created a pattern then stitched up this little cutie.  I posted some pics on instagram and Facebook and then one of my friends commissioned another, which I created using the same process.

 

I'm loving making these little guys so much! I'm going to work on making up some more prototypes and maybe even make up some kits so you guys can make them too. These are probably the favoruite things I have made in ages!! Is there something you guys are enjoying making at the moment?

Gift Guide: For Her (under $50)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Kitchen Inspiration

Bitten by the Travel Bug.... again!

You guys, I had great plans to continue on my plant posts and show you some DIYs and planters.... but time got away and life got in the way (ooo, poetic?!)

Anyway... BIG news!
I'm headed to USA in a few days!!! Yipee...
Mr Peck and I get to participate in Summer Camps in Yosemite!

So excited to be leaving the miserable, cold Sydney behind and heading to summer days (I'm reading about excitedly on my favourite blogs). You better great us with warm sunny days LA!!!

This is my view from work - don't let that blue tinge fool you though, it's definitely storm blue!!

Anyway, so we'll have a spare couple days in LA before we head up to Yosemite.... Any recommendations?

I'll try and post a few updates from camp, but if not... Wishing you a lovely winter (for you Aussies). Can't say I'll be missing it!!!

On Trend | House Plants!

image: via design love fest, by laure joliet

One trend that I'm currently digging: House Plants!!

I've always wanted a garden, and now that I live in an apartment that's a little out of reach.
But you gotta have some green somewhere! I do have a pot or two of succulents on the balcony and of course you could always make a little terrarium, but nothing beats a lovely big, green plant!

You've probably seen pics floating around the internet from Design Love Fest's living room makeover—hard to miss, they're just so beautiful with all that natural light and those plants! And I just stumbled onto another gorgeous living room makeover with the same two elements (natural light & plants) from A Beautiful Mess.

Not only do house plants help to clear pollutants in the air, they provide a place of rest—both visual and physical.

Here's some plants I wouldn't mind finding in my house!

Stay tuned for some planter options, including a fun DIY!

Also, don't forget to enter my Mother's Day Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY : Lifted Gift Set

You know how Mother's Day is coming up? (It's on May 12 in case you forgot!)
Well, I've timed my first ever giveaway perfectly for you guys!!

winter wants

1// Billini Harvie boots $59.95 2// Penny Zip Tote $299 3// Pop knit Beanie $39.95 4// Departure Jacket $129.99 5// Lace Zip Back Tee $39.99

That guy there, he's mine!

He's my spunky, cool, talented, amazing husband! I love him....

Got a few bits of news - the one I'm excited about the most is that I've got my first ever giveaway coming up! YAY!

I'll let you know the details sooooon!

You Are in Control!

Lately I've been really thinking about the direction of my life, and how I spend my time.
I think it's something that happens to most people as you get older and have more responsibilities and things that drain your time. I've read countless posts lately from bloggers realising social media and all this technology stuff really disconnects you from life and living.

Last week I turned 25.
I look around at my favourite bloggers, look at where they are in their life, what they've achieved... and I am shocked that I am older than some... and definitely not as accomplished.
I look around at the people that I follow on Instagram, that inspire me daily ... and am shocked at how creative people can be, and how they are living their dreams (or maybe, they are living my dreams!!)

Today, I was looking for design inspiration and came across this quote by Dave Gamache:

"Take a moment and realize you're in control of your own life. Odds are, no one is stopping you from doing what you want. Stop going through the motions every day and take control of your life. Waking up at 8AM, going to work, coming home at 6PM, watching TV for 2 hours and going to bed is fine routine, but shake it up and get out of your comfort zone more often."

Um... Hello. How did he know what was my daily routine? Except I wake up at 5:50AM, go to work, come home at 6:38PM, cook tea, watch a movie for 2 hours and go to bed. Sometimes I really want to shake things up - do the unexpected... But it's hard, and it's tiring and sometimes I'm lazy (no.. make that usually!)

But am I living? Am I excited to be alive, do I wake up with a smile? Can I look back at the last few months and say, I really lived the bananas out of February.  Nope. No I can't.

So this is me making a public declaration that I really want to change that!
I want to work on the ideas floating in my head, I want to take the time to be creative for my own sake (not because I get paid for it), I want to go to the beach after work and eat chips and a milkshake in the sand as the sun dips below the horizon, I want to go for an epic bike ride and come home exhausted but satisfied, I want to dress up in silly clothes and have a dance party, I want to bake lots of different cookies, make a huge mess in the kitchen, and eat them all (with icecream).... I want to do crazy things, and fun things... and scary things.

I want to make changes & follow through on plans ...

I want to be in control of my own life!

Make: Polka Dot Tote

I've long been in search of a bag....
Commuting really creates the need to carry a lot more things than you usually would, so none of my usual suspects fit the bill.

I wanted something quirky and cute to carry my things, so I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to get back into the swing of things and do an easy peasy DIY! Plus I've been wanting to do some potato stamping for ages!

So, it's pretty self explanatory...
Click below to see some instructions if you need them!

MIA

Oh man!!

I can't believe I haven't posted for so long. The shame!!

So, time for a quick update...

Since I last posted here are some things that have happened:

1. I got a job
2. I got another job
3. I moved (and we still don't have internet)

Now to expand!

1. The first job was more like a paid internship at the college my husband is studying at. I work in the design department two days a week.   The graduate design subjects are run as a class/business and the students get the opportunity to work with real clients.

Officially my title is "Traffic Manager/Intern" which basically means I run meetings in the morning to make sure everyone is on task and knows what's happening, and I do all the dirty work and jobs that the class is too busy to work on. It's been great to learn how to be more organised and confident at running meetings.  I've only got 4 more weeks of that... and that also means that Mr Peck only has 4 more weeks of what seems like an eternity of study!! YAY! (I'm so proud of you honey sweety pie!!)

2. The second job is more of an official design job, and my first ever 'proper' job! I work at Hopping Mad Designs three days a week as a junior designer. The travel is pretty hectic and has taken me a while to get used to. I get up at 5:45am and get home around 6:45pm. So.... there isn't much time for anything in between! I take the train to work, which is nice and relaxing but can be annoying when there are 3 people in the quiet carriage are competing in some unannounced snoring competition.

3. We moved houses so I could be closer to my job. It cut about 45min off my commute which is definitely awesome.  Mr Peck inspected the place and I didn't see it except for a few photos before we moved.  Mr Peck also did an amazing job of packing and unpacking and moving mostly without my help! What a champ!! This is the first time we have lived in an apartment and while there are a few things to get used to, I have loved it! We have a great balcony where you can relax in the sun of an afternoon (on the weekends).

So there has been a lot for me to adjust to and it has been a bit of a weird adjustment. I went from having all the time in the world—to the point of having too much time—to having no time at all.  I went from sleeping in as long as I wanted to getting up before the sun. I went from having 2 hours to cook dinner to having a few moments of time with Mr Peck and then breaking myself away to try and get something out as fast as I can so satisfy my rumbling stomach. I went from worrying about money to actually being able to afford some 'just because' things!

Overall, it's been such a blessing to get a job and I'm sooo grateful!!

But, I guess it means my plans for this blog may have to wait... at least until I get the internet at home!!
I will try and find the time to post every now and again, but on the whole Tinker Finca may have to be put on pause.....

Stick around though, and even if I'm not posting I often check into Facebook and update you that way.

Helpful Herbs | Parsley

I've been procrastinating on writing this post for ages... One of the things that sparked the change up of Tinker Finca was a book that I found on herbs.  Reading through all the different uses for common herbs was really interesting to me. I come from Polish heritage and have always been exposed to herbal remedies and interesting uses for various plants (I'm sure this isn't just a Polish thing).  I guess I just find it kind of sad that a lot of people now days just rely on 'artificial' medicine and don't know the healing properties that many plants & herbs have. So... after a little research, I present you with a series on interesting uses for common herbs.

Varieties

• Italian / Flat leaf - a lot of flavour and retains its flavour in cooking quite well.
• Curly leaf - milder flavour and should be added toward the end of cooking or as a garnish

Growing Tips

• Grows best in full sun (as with most herbs) but it can tolerate part shade.
• Likes to be watered regularly and will grow well in a pot.
• Pick regularly to encourage thicker growth but remember to leave some growth on the plant.
• Lasts 1 to 2 years - once it goes to seed you should replace the plant (if it is in a pot)

Storing

• You can dry parsley but it doesn't keep its flavour very well
• Can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days - place stems in water and a plastic bag over the leaves, replace water daily 

Medicinal Use

• Stimulates hair growth
• Helps balance oily hair
• Helps with dandruff
• Great for clarifying brunette hair
• Great to freshen breath - chew after meal

To use as a hair treatment - Purée a large handful of parsley with 2 tablespoons of water. Apply to hair, wrap with cling wrap and towel and let sit for 1 hour. Rinse.

OR Combine 1/4 cup parsley with 1 cup boiling water and steep for 1 hour. Follow previous instructions.

Disclaimer:Please note that I am not a health care professional and all the information I am providing is a guide only. Please consult with your doctor if you are unsure about anything especially if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions.

Cook | Cashew Spread

Another delicious lunch.... I'm really starting to get into this lunch business now!

This week I found Happy.Healthy.Life and fell in love with the gorgeous bright photos and was impressed/surprised that vegan food could look so good!

I have wanted to try going vegan (I'm already vegetarian) for a while because I'm not sure that dairy really is that great for me.  Have you ever stopped to wonder why we are the only adults (including adult 'animals') that still drink milk, and that milk is from other animals (meant for their babies)? It's kind of gross really... imagine if your dog drank human breast milk..? Weird no? Also, I'm pretty sure there's been a few studies that show calcium from dairy is really hard for the body to absorb.

So, instead of using cream cheese or butter like I normally would, I tried out a version of Happy.Healthy.Life's Lemon Pepper Cashew Walnut Spread. I didn't have any walnuts or lemon so I just stuck with cashews. It was great! Better than my last attempt at almond butter that never turned into butter.....

FYI - Photo edited with VSCO Film 02