tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21373425264083179122024-03-20T02:41:32.595-07:00Find Me Out By The ShedWhen the weather is fine, you will "Find Me Out By The Shed" painting, decorating and creating.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-8978081837248916952014-08-25T22:05:00.001-07:002014-08-25T22:05:41.118-07:00Study Room Upheaval - Part 1Recently we were all sick and in my flu induced haze I left my clothes iron sitting out. The youngest member of the household saw the plug and decided to plug it into a power board. Luckily he didn't play with the iron itself but the carpet got a big injury.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35KhQmk8OSOdhG7oATRh_7c7SQdgtG8NSmu9KndGSlcV73UHR-cm6Z5jkmoUx0qCZzlV0CcCHyGvCscD_APIVq5Vjf614AokU-FAz5a5anTBnYy62mPExRizCijK0QN0Z_OBWVTLuTO6d/s1600/bookcases+finished+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35KhQmk8OSOdhG7oATRh_7c7SQdgtG8NSmu9KndGSlcV73UHR-cm6Z5jkmoUx0qCZzlV0CcCHyGvCscD_APIVq5Vjf614AokU-FAz5a5anTBnYy62mPExRizCijK0QN0Z_OBWVTLuTO6d/s1600/bookcases+finished+003.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
As I rent, I could not leave the carpet in this condition. So I spent six hours stripping the room ready to replace the carpet. I pulled out 2 massive desks, a huge bookcase, a chest filled with fabrics, a baby change table and a mountain of 'crap' that was dumped in there due to a lack of space anywhere else.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPynARf0nJgvi7AMRQbaWpgEoY4T_k0nv9TYNr8INRitGCFSl3Paj4i_peqXMuKgfXYYLCGD5BeTYeh6UpjH64kUNUHU91rbMXfpw7SLTeYpSKD4n84hMO-V1GmWc1fF2XSedB_GuoCMps/s1600/carpet+burn+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPynARf0nJgvi7AMRQbaWpgEoY4T_k0nv9TYNr8INRitGCFSl3Paj4i_peqXMuKgfXYYLCGD5BeTYeh6UpjH64kUNUHU91rbMXfpw7SLTeYpSKD4n84hMO-V1GmWc1fF2XSedB_GuoCMps/s1600/carpet+burn+031.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Now seeing that I had to strip the room it has made me change the order of projects I have on my To Do List. I have also decided to swap a couple of the rooms around. The study will now move to the front bedroom and become my study and a 'classroom' for one of my boys who wants to home school next year.<br />
Seeing as all the furniture from this room is sitting out under the carport I thought I better start painting some of it. I started with this bookcase. It is sitting sideways because I had an 11yo help me carry it outside and this was the easiest way for us to manage it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPAsyksHSFriWlNeofdj5X6dp3NMSi7o6ElmBgRVOr2uD5zqqNXSVHVrA6P6mkimW4xkqA7yjGsGJNOCTWjH3v2AANygNe-VWTSKd0JacncH2huknyf4tMLzfCmOCuofFgZ-LfIoBHLZa/s1600/carpet+burn+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPAsyksHSFriWlNeofdj5X6dp3NMSi7o6ElmBgRVOr2uD5zqqNXSVHVrA6P6mkimW4xkqA7yjGsGJNOCTWjH3v2AANygNe-VWTSKd0JacncH2huknyf4tMLzfCmOCuofFgZ-LfIoBHLZa/s1600/carpet+burn+034.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Getting started using <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canterburyblueshabbychic?fref=ts" target="_blank">Canterbury Blue Chalk EZ2 Paint</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR4FxMrG8Sg1iz1v4x29NBW6jx7OfgLeKFcp7IqXrmDqZwOZ6_skkNx_s4c8lF8KVqYIL-IMFfh0PFM33PZ1Cmmn8VouIVR72NddrvE46QVJhGQA-lGTU_q3ydkCRRKSpjHax2PFZR8AN/s1600/carpet+burn+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR4FxMrG8Sg1iz1v4x29NBW6jx7OfgLeKFcp7IqXrmDqZwOZ6_skkNx_s4c8lF8KVqYIL-IMFfh0PFM33PZ1Cmmn8VouIVR72NddrvE46QVJhGQA-lGTU_q3ydkCRRKSpjHax2PFZR8AN/s1600/carpet+burn+035.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Below is a progress shot. I still haven't sanded it back or waxed it yet. I think this looks so much nicer now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9-rdEe_2J6sFqaMK1a-HfSfaWrc_RWZUdL9JCSWpA6nqUz-iuTU3RELqbbH_olxOBp9pgS6Yfg1wXF5Pp4JVXpAr_u2Ftq-c2A_9Kc4xuhILVjAkxJ7vKXKm4F8NQycZ7TWQ282OvDjn/s1600/carpet+burn+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9-rdEe_2J6sFqaMK1a-HfSfaWrc_RWZUdL9JCSWpA6nqUz-iuTU3RELqbbH_olxOBp9pgS6Yfg1wXF5Pp4JVXpAr_u2Ftq-c2A_9Kc4xuhILVjAkxJ7vKXKm4F8NQycZ7TWQ282OvDjn/s1600/carpet+burn+041.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
It has such a happy feel about it now. I can't wait for it to be finished so I can move to stage two of the Study Room upheaval. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-35791645925466889482014-08-14T20:56:00.000-07:002014-08-14T20:56:24.211-07:00Bookcase DelightI'm slowly going around the house and making fun changes. I have 2 bookcases in a passageway that hold the boys' books. The timber is quite dark which dulls the passageway so I have taken a paint brush to it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCLQcvjxwcnCP5CuC2rlRnIVmWY3j6GqcTt18AdAGHQxYFawuK0YT2WAiPfOnIp8Y6P4xWD4yPeHqN7amEBU_3a0eFLAmMYymlcekNCQU74Ohqb0C9HrVpEKV6lyhPAM9z0jM2haPeFtj/s1600/bookcases+finished+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCLQcvjxwcnCP5CuC2rlRnIVmWY3j6GqcTt18AdAGHQxYFawuK0YT2WAiPfOnIp8Y6P4xWD4yPeHqN7amEBU_3a0eFLAmMYymlcekNCQU74Ohqb0C9HrVpEKV6lyhPAM9z0jM2haPeFtj/s1600/bookcases+finished+010.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCLQcvjxwcnCP5CuC2rlRnIVmWY3j6GqcTt18AdAGHQxYFawuK0YT2WAiPfOnIp8Y6P4xWD4yPeHqN7amEBU_3a0eFLAmMYymlcekNCQU74Ohqb0C9HrVpEKV6lyhPAM9z0jM2haPeFtj/s1600/bookcases+finished+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What I used</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canterburyblueshabbychic?fref=ts" target="_blank">Canterbury Blue EZ2 Paint</a> chalk paint in different colours</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canterburyblueshabbychic?fref=ts" target="_blank">- Canterbury Blue Wax</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- sandpaper</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- paint brush</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- rags</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What I did</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- cleaned the surface to remove dust </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- I applied 2 coats of different coloured paints</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Allowed to set for a few days, because I got busy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- lightly sanded the paint to make it smooth and also to age it slightly by making the timber show through in places. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- applied the wax and buffed it off</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- convinced the kids to help me to bring it back inside :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a nearly finished photo. Here the bookcase has 2 coats of paint but I haven't sanded and waxed it yet. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXn3pQkkehbleOrmirZyeAc4NTA3GxwjtXe4ELRxgbTrwtI0Z7jpfZjVaniHl2AANc5anWBGKVK4UjtqHGDWxw70MSmV4YctLy19TT7dhUZsss73UaXDtYsWTJk03K3QPRcVRJck2nY7h3/s1600/bookcases+finished+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXn3pQkkehbleOrmirZyeAc4NTA3GxwjtXe4ELRxgbTrwtI0Z7jpfZjVaniHl2AANc5anWBGKVK4UjtqHGDWxw70MSmV4YctLy19TT7dhUZsss73UaXDtYsWTJk03K3QPRcVRJck2nY7h3/s1600/bookcases+finished+011.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here it is all finished and back in place.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI5fZvtM3DRJwfDNRY_OywB2R4yuh-nimPc3rM5xSSW0VSknRw4Sfxojs97F3alXgghl6HKEnuUVrWZmbSep9QiSqHJCvtZD1SMXNHYaTzdZ6FbGSzsJgQLoS5Z7t_c4mu2r-NLMoJtIO/s1600/bookcases+finished+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI5fZvtM3DRJwfDNRY_OywB2R4yuh-nimPc3rM5xSSW0VSknRw4Sfxojs97F3alXgghl6HKEnuUVrWZmbSep9QiSqHJCvtZD1SMXNHYaTzdZ6FbGSzsJgQLoS5Z7t_c4mu2r-NLMoJtIO/s1600/bookcases+finished+012.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmbooqAoIeiekUlf3dVRevvZSr_c2cfO3bzyWa8DRokB3m4-tmr5cDYnNYK9viI3fOw3XH61kLG8tvZZJqGoBADk4tXcratGhyphenhyphenI61uaCGEfu8mcA6yhNs3GndFJracxVknDxMcP1mocq_/s1600/bookcases+finished+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmbooqAoIeiekUlf3dVRevvZSr_c2cfO3bzyWa8DRokB3m4-tmr5cDYnNYK9viI3fOw3XH61kLG8tvZZJqGoBADk4tXcratGhyphenhyphenI61uaCGEfu8mcA6yhNs3GndFJracxVknDxMcP1mocq_/s1600/bookcases+finished+013.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love the blue and green colours. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78FE-ZJQBLoSndVq7IthDGACdi_Ifgn6jqTNLr6vnJQjf-a5DHR6OrOUnsgSzrh4_vXswuYOb6pm_PSqDiRwXXkMGkn11ihC642ywH43P6A9XUzABrH1zC374ApR8j_VGMiiG8QdEtRVL/s1600/bookcases+finished+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78FE-ZJQBLoSndVq7IthDGACdi_Ifgn6jqTNLr6vnJQjf-a5DHR6OrOUnsgSzrh4_vXswuYOb6pm_PSqDiRwXXkMGkn11ihC642ywH43P6A9XUzABrH1zC374ApR8j_VGMiiG8QdEtRVL/s1600/bookcases+finished+006.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now I have to put the books away and I hope no one notices that I am going to cull some books. Though I am sure the bookcase will still be full when I have finished. I don't think the colour in the shelves will show with so many books on there but it will still be nicer than before I started. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then I have to paint the second bookcase. I wonder if the kids want to have a go? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-15841262638162182172014-07-29T17:12:00.000-07:002014-07-29T17:12:08.352-07:00Upcycling an old picture frameOne day I was driving along and a song came on the radio that really sums up how I feel about life. It is called 'I make my own Sunshine' by Chelsea Basham. I really strive to make my own sunshine both in my life and in my home. Lately I am really moving ahead with making fun pieces for my home, but why stop now? So using this song as inspiration I have upcycled an old picture frame into a bright fun artwork.<br />
<br />
I bought this frame for $3 at an auction. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_8iDkZ0mD7na7lT1N8R2lWp3gzBRa_YI34EkoQ3dCU6_8DOMPrDVrw1JVjP8zEX6eWl1XmkB5BDvNLbBXpKyh5Of7soV_-0GP4-mjxBdijR2lDc-cjwKG9hRQ7iqk5jZhPoUmDhwfKLp/s1600/i+make+my+own+sunshine+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_8iDkZ0mD7na7lT1N8R2lWp3gzBRa_YI34EkoQ3dCU6_8DOMPrDVrw1JVjP8zEX6eWl1XmkB5BDvNLbBXpKyh5Of7soV_-0GP4-mjxBdijR2lDc-cjwKG9hRQ7iqk5jZhPoUmDhwfKLp/s1600/i+make+my+own+sunshine+002.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I pulled the back off and took the picture out and put the stuff aside to reuse later.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfb0ofFPd0BD7kyilI8gDZeEKQt60hh24YUbzYo67AL5OIicyQd9LvtUGajqcHfwkapuE2xAYq2aPjoWC0-ZiKdljimoSd6VTNX2h4yGagi8ZFSCuru8g7KBOcgZKy14evEXuoovYE3ZQ/s1600/i+make+my+own+sunshine+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfb0ofFPd0BD7kyilI8gDZeEKQt60hh24YUbzYo67AL5OIicyQd9LvtUGajqcHfwkapuE2xAYq2aPjoWC0-ZiKdljimoSd6VTNX2h4yGagi8ZFSCuru8g7KBOcgZKy14evEXuoovYE3ZQ/s1600/i+make+my+own+sunshine+003.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I then painted the frame with 2 coats of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canterburyblueshabbychic?fref=ts" target="_blank">Canterbury Blue Chalk EZ2 Paint</a> in teal. I think this colour makes a loves pretty frame colour. I then used fabric scraps and a piece of calico. I traced the letters onto an iron on adhesive paper, remembering to do the letters in mirror image so that they are facing the right way when complete. Then I ironed the template to fabric scraps, trimmed them, removed the backing of the adhesive paper then ironed the letters onto the calico. I then used the original picture board that was in the frame, put some quilting wadding in front and then the calico on top and put everything back in the frame. The frame doesn't have glass so I added the wadding to make the fabric pop out a little. As the fabric isn't going to washed, I didn't need to stitch the letters down and can just use the adhesive from the adhesive paper to hold them into place. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3-Xx382Lv6IwR3eRh0oAAB-QSODqdLBy07oDV3_hDOD2tAvKJMiJrbj_UXDqYUfaQ4C2GeqtH3HA9ri1kiNfXwo1P2KAEKfOkH9TtUvHL4-IJ3uXS87e3mkIbvGZs0RNu4GUseCtDvLZ/s1600/i+make+my+own+sunshine+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3-Xx382Lv6IwR3eRh0oAAB-QSODqdLBy07oDV3_hDOD2tAvKJMiJrbj_UXDqYUfaQ4C2GeqtH3HA9ri1kiNfXwo1P2KAEKfOkH9TtUvHL4-IJ3uXS87e3mkIbvGZs0RNu4GUseCtDvLZ/s1600/i+make+my+own+sunshine+004.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This project cost me a grand total of $3 which was for the price of the frame. I used leftover paint and fabric scraps. The plan is that it will join a wall of quirky artworks, all with fun bright frames. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77-DRPngRRXdAXwyreXrOOKZg7zWXBoFT3da4MUDfS5rkknPs7lnXbI_5pEQxO2xaFHW9hXEwE8Oijju2zeWfF5CCvvKCZFSE6sE6aUIM1ulOxsURZ2AcIdMv28Bs69Oi0S243sOVyHzy/s1600/i+make+my+own+sunshine+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77-DRPngRRXdAXwyreXrOOKZg7zWXBoFT3da4MUDfS5rkknPs7lnXbI_5pEQxO2xaFHW9hXEwE8Oijju2zeWfF5CCvvKCZFSE6sE6aUIM1ulOxsURZ2AcIdMv28Bs69Oi0S243sOVyHzy/s1600/i+make+my+own+sunshine+005.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-12947692257706540102014-07-28T19:44:00.001-07:002014-07-28T19:59:40.635-07:00Yellow chalk paint coffee tableThis project was a bit daunting as the item was already in good condition before I decided to paint it. I never have any second thoughts about painting something that is in poor condition but there is a moment of hesitation about painting something that looks fine just the way it is. But I decided to paint this coffee table anyway.<br />
This is the before photo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2KkjXqVmlEe_1et9j3E0scTvHII-TR9PDfM6NK5uwU4NZ49QGa6-1yFzbCjdVSYJ2BAEEpLMG9PcuvV5_zLJ0c0zFeViUHgGWJteewR9BChBwQ2UPZ9m0llop3Oszf_VzzkRKW8A_80K/s1600/no+idea+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2KkjXqVmlEe_1et9j3E0scTvHII-TR9PDfM6NK5uwU4NZ49QGa6-1yFzbCjdVSYJ2BAEEpLMG9PcuvV5_zLJ0c0zFeViUHgGWJteewR9BChBwQ2UPZ9m0llop3Oszf_VzzkRKW8A_80K/s1600/no+idea+004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is what I used<br />
- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canterburyblueshabbychic?fref=ts" target="_blank">Canterbury Blue Chalk EZ2 Paint</a><br />
- Canterbury Blue Wax<br />
- Paint brush<br />
- Sanding pads<br />
- cloths<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
What I did<br />
- I gave the coffee table a wipe down to clean it<br />
- Put a coat of chalk paint on, then waited for it to dry<br />
- Put on a second coat of paint, allow to dry<br />
- Placed a thin layer of wax over the paint and then buffed it off (you
can skip this step)<br />
- Sanded the coffee table. I roughed up the corners and edges a little to give it a bit of character. Even if you dont want to distress the piece a
light sanding changes the paint feel from a rough chalky feel to a silky
smooth finish.<br />
- Wipe off the excess sanding dust.<br />
- Apply the wax again and then buff off.<br />
<br />
And now my pretty 'new' coffee table.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhe3izyJ-vOHD2NLXcgYEJ2GPadm1pXX7iPvEVJaVszi40ocXF2OBItxPhAChrJmHxcVy_Y3RvKzf6xMVI73TN-2FpcLivI3S5p93ivbC-LCm3AHWh4nwvQMZ5uaLE26XP68VwqRHUXEM/s1600/yellow+coffee+table+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhe3izyJ-vOHD2NLXcgYEJ2GPadm1pXX7iPvEVJaVszi40ocXF2OBItxPhAChrJmHxcVy_Y3RvKzf6xMVI73TN-2FpcLivI3S5p93ivbC-LCm3AHWh4nwvQMZ5uaLE26XP68VwqRHUXEM/s1600/yellow+coffee+table+006.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreKCs3VIH0m9eS_Cfrf1Jwc4S8-xNWsY_dUrJOvnt_MjuBAN93Ig7loPq3-z5GSZGj9MNmP49kf5JcnKRYciEsENhMzLsdKrIwrBXrqgmdlbkQ2sqd8DzxM8WgWNdjc99VP5Zyq6T2sA_/s1600/yellow+coffee+table+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreKCs3VIH0m9eS_Cfrf1Jwc4S8-xNWsY_dUrJOvnt_MjuBAN93Ig7loPq3-z5GSZGj9MNmP49kf5JcnKRYciEsENhMzLsdKrIwrBXrqgmdlbkQ2sqd8DzxM8WgWNdjc99VP5Zyq6T2sA_/s1600/yellow+coffee+table+008.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfoAxr0gD4TZDnKMoRc4s3R4LwNfHbR1lNhiNgd-H7eq7USn8Hj_XjQQKWG1rojJ6_cODt-J_4Vgr-aQ6KzSUTz04ySom7wVmdOXhAw3dli_DI0UKz_im9gHYoDGf_fkeuLTztEjthfcK/s1600/yellow+coffee+table+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfoAxr0gD4TZDnKMoRc4s3R4LwNfHbR1lNhiNgd-H7eq7USn8Hj_XjQQKWG1rojJ6_cODt-J_4Vgr-aQ6KzSUTz04ySom7wVmdOXhAw3dli_DI0UKz_im9gHYoDGf_fkeuLTztEjthfcK/s1600/yellow+coffee+table+010.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I am happy I took the plunge and painted it. It is a very long coffee table and is nearly as long as the lounge it sits in front of. It is in a small room and the dark timber look really dominated the room. But now it has a softer feel about it, almost a Country Farmhouse type feel.<br />
<br />
The Pottles of paint are $25 and I used about half a pottle for this project. The wax is $15 and I used about 1/4 of a tin, maybe less. I already had rags, a paint brush and sanding paper. So even if I count in the sanding sheets I used then this project cost me about $20. Not bad for a completely different look for the room. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-25039653056278917262014-07-27T23:56:00.000-07:002014-07-28T00:08:42.484-07:00Bedside table upcycle aka Teal delightI am on a roll with the chalk paint and my technique is improving to where I am really happy with the quality of my work. I am so happy with how these turned out and can't wait to share pictures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I had these old bedside tables that really looked cheap and weren't doing the room any favours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_OExDfHFM7SYgPPiEOo_EDFUJi1wptD789zNx2qFzj5nAxo72zUqxfRiUmCy-o7WmssL0fUm_kQUCWp4f9GOcKJXIKC2PNkm9LdxVdFXH7vbpSagQlvWF23pOnhkOAO_L6CtMrsxFAZ9/s1600/side+tables+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_OExDfHFM7SYgPPiEOo_EDFUJi1wptD789zNx2qFzj5nAxo72zUqxfRiUmCy-o7WmssL0fUm_kQUCWp4f9GOcKJXIKC2PNkm9LdxVdFXH7vbpSagQlvWF23pOnhkOAO_L6CtMrsxFAZ9/s1600/side+tables+006.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg96Qc5yPWDV2yBfo9op7mhF7Yazb1BfQk1oqX_2rKi0Po17dXrSGP7BnQuQQ1_NKEMV8LcLodmdAyvh1rhVhbdJDzK2XQCuRRYsnLKAR6DDv7tEpE5vYA1IDBVvkJFfL-wdO5RATW8GiK/s1600/side+tables+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg96Qc5yPWDV2yBfo9op7mhF7Yazb1BfQk1oqX_2rKi0Po17dXrSGP7BnQuQQ1_NKEMV8LcLodmdAyvh1rhVhbdJDzK2XQCuRRYsnLKAR6DDv7tEpE5vYA1IDBVvkJFfL-wdO5RATW8GiK/s1600/side+tables+007.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Here is what I used<br />
- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canterburyblueshabbychic?fref=ts" target="_blank">Canterbury Blue Chalk paint</a> in Teal<br />
- Canterbury Blue Wax<br />
- Paint brush<br />
- Sanding pads<br />
- cloths<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNV5bFh7wrDZaG-XPPVdIo2pcsovT7CGmjj3ONzEaZx-nHUVO2dfuatFUBpUaRTb1GA36EugLbxq2ISGUUdKvkvPLZzJG1y28u7LP7kIl6GAQo8cmqVqeUwEeSxubfTMinRx6gB0Ru9bgK/s1600/side+tables+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNV5bFh7wrDZaG-XPPVdIo2pcsovT7CGmjj3ONzEaZx-nHUVO2dfuatFUBpUaRTb1GA36EugLbxq2ISGUUdKvkvPLZzJG1y28u7LP7kIl6GAQo8cmqVqeUwEeSxubfTMinRx6gB0Ru9bgK/s1600/side+tables+020.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
What I did<br />
- I gave the cabinets a wipe down to clean them<br />
- Put a coat of chalk paint on, then waited for it to dry<br />
- Put on a second coat of paint, allow to dry<br />
- Placed a thin layer of wax over the paint and then buffed it off (you can skip this step but I wanted to try it for this project)<br />
- Sanded the cabinets. Even if you dont want to distress the piece a light sanding changes the paint feel from a rough chalky feel to a silky smooth finish.<br />
- Wipe off the excess sanding dust.<br />
- Apply the wax again and then buff off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIZeJJTVRbcjy4LpSB7_NfeIHOuQFd9ouMC1QLdgMuU8QiLLebkluCDO6EHc1yrkJA58GKdJ5J1movU6uraiZS2FvjiuuGRbkBLCX_gBopOW56rYIgvthl3e5vY0eVCvFk_V7LHjBEguC/s1600/side+tables+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIZeJJTVRbcjy4LpSB7_NfeIHOuQFd9ouMC1QLdgMuU8QiLLebkluCDO6EHc1yrkJA58GKdJ5J1movU6uraiZS2FvjiuuGRbkBLCX_gBopOW56rYIgvthl3e5vY0eVCvFk_V7LHjBEguC/s1600/side+tables+015.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I did one at a time as I wasn't sure if this was the perfect colour but luckily it was. Check out the after photos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2D5HU7iLg7V1u7FPfGEWznFY-_LyNJPa_X7IYYMUxJPuf1HQ9jt7-hiimbKovI-7S1gjCPL-To55zosSdpfW3Ad2WRjIr77B0X-4RleeiGesWDHraj64f_h5b0KZGQQC1YCMXzFucuv8/s1600/side+tables+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2D5HU7iLg7V1u7FPfGEWznFY-_LyNJPa_X7IYYMUxJPuf1HQ9jt7-hiimbKovI-7S1gjCPL-To55zosSdpfW3Ad2WRjIr77B0X-4RleeiGesWDHraj64f_h5b0KZGQQC1YCMXzFucuv8/s1600/side+tables+024.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiJ_RK3g0PtuI2M-yS46iqs3lfc8jxoP1X9U8-u6qtSoWCrlI1I5-QjwMuW5hS7_Fk6M3zX3JKJdIU9_RnMIOyUvG1ixLKoXtZBxqf9ErtzdeaDQ0nKb_f9rK8oVRGgosqZpsX5SgZ9tG/s1600/side+tables+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiJ_RK3g0PtuI2M-yS46iqs3lfc8jxoP1X9U8-u6qtSoWCrlI1I5-QjwMuW5hS7_Fk6M3zX3JKJdIU9_RnMIOyUvG1ixLKoXtZBxqf9ErtzdeaDQ0nKb_f9rK8oVRGgosqZpsX5SgZ9tG/s1600/side+tables+027.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib55l5Wsb16Xk_yTw7hwKqy0oA74Vv8vsItEpTdOqHxWSH9To2taeTyJkbXWJoHXAzILuDm3BrDGd7PpjMVWKSE4Wu0dpt0fQfnyl7OrbkTcsByLzzWJjWgsGIjB0BBjMhahkskDR1vtH1/s1600/side+tables+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib55l5Wsb16Xk_yTw7hwKqy0oA74Vv8vsItEpTdOqHxWSH9To2taeTyJkbXWJoHXAzILuDm3BrDGd7PpjMVWKSE4Wu0dpt0fQfnyl7OrbkTcsByLzzWJjWgsGIjB0BBjMhahkskDR1vtH1/s1600/side+tables+029.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupZcO-9C1FAQIlHLcSFA2DxnZq8Cpticm2A-At-D0BaC1KIFHDT0SuM3F3d_IvG_S5iAXL7k11WJia-QKfgSBKO7xyXJ3HxZ3wz_RCMQ25We-SwiYhJKkS7NpVNvnFnLXsAIS0v4j1DCm/s1600/side+tables+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupZcO-9C1FAQIlHLcSFA2DxnZq8Cpticm2A-At-D0BaC1KIFHDT0SuM3F3d_IvG_S5iAXL7k11WJia-QKfgSBKO7xyXJ3HxZ3wz_RCMQ25We-SwiYhJKkS7NpVNvnFnLXsAIS0v4j1DCm/s1600/side+tables+028.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
They look awesome and it only took a small outlay in time. But I am now thinking that the bed frame needs some work. I better add that to the 'To Do' List. <br />
<br />
Check out the awesome knitted blanket my Mum made me for my birthday. :) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-54639335744979936752014-07-26T17:00:00.000-07:002014-07-26T17:00:43.275-07:00Making use of an old spice rackI haven't stuck my head into everyone's kitchens but I am fairly certain that most people have had a spice rack at some point in their lives. I prefer to use fresh herbs and spices when I can get them rather than dried herbs. So I had no use for this spice rack and I set about finding a new use for it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrmVYq9OE5DhsAtqrDrsqT6evr_JeL5WT9eWxzv51DKqSs_bNN96kv4CMJ-RzrXTYpFJFE7s-3XF1PsmWn1z7aQUlAyYF8_rAOinxiOQnkeQRzgTiU6keVL-TbinWjqnrCfhfe8IXomG3/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrmVYq9OE5DhsAtqrDrsqT6evr_JeL5WT9eWxzv51DKqSs_bNN96kv4CMJ-RzrXTYpFJFE7s-3XF1PsmWn1z7aQUlAyYF8_rAOinxiOQnkeQRzgTiU6keVL-TbinWjqnrCfhfe8IXomG3/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+011.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I painted it with chalk pain from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canterburyblueshabbychic?fref=ts" target="_blank">Canterbury Blue</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEgFn3wKaB2ZnmN5TI5STKAIVgnmTb0mz8bIk4rVFTol7ySIY_wEx4HEH31iQ2vtfsMZXifrUk_jT0MNZ4XipBN-Jp-RM_kM8wrJZznM0paF0URpll3n-Psp91pKsoQUr1B5lQ_l0l7SG/s1600/sidetable+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEgFn3wKaB2ZnmN5TI5STKAIVgnmTb0mz8bIk4rVFTol7ySIY_wEx4HEH31iQ2vtfsMZXifrUk_jT0MNZ4XipBN-Jp-RM_kM8wrJZznM0paF0URpll3n-Psp91pKsoQUr1B5lQ_l0l7SG/s1600/sidetable+020.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I am still experimenting with chalk paint so this time I used two colours, an off white and a navy. I put one coat of the white, then did two coats of the navy. I only gave it a light sand as I am still scared of getting too heavy with the sanding. But I wanted some of the white to show through so I should have sanded it back a little more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR8dL-9sUAIU3rxbCZJ7sZKEVcLWc0xesoL0_tfCbGydbcTo995WVjnD2cP_9Wdk5e2Sg06bXXZfMCMT5V3mjU04Hj26Z9yqtADahwQ9kXA1XvmvJya_mnpvP7f5kBezfu6-xUdnNrwo4/s1600/sidetable+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR8dL-9sUAIU3rxbCZJ7sZKEVcLWc0xesoL0_tfCbGydbcTo995WVjnD2cP_9Wdk5e2Sg06bXXZfMCMT5V3mjU04Hj26Z9yqtADahwQ9kXA1XvmvJya_mnpvP7f5kBezfu6-xUdnNrwo4/s1600/sidetable+008.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Suddenly seeing it looking pretty, I had inspiration of what its new role in life will be. So I applied some wax and then rushed it inside to its new spot. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWdo3JpSoda0a-y6fCzJ9F7KwPhGNXDkIiFFqf2IkosbdA4nW6RqtSNYvg9zH7O0FpL1ialU4ADZAf_bhg2ddEU5NAzoxVHKTFV_SYx3XmLQS1CeD161zhm5ce4ek0x01UaERrgXH_y4W/s1600/sidetable+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWdo3JpSoda0a-y6fCzJ9F7KwPhGNXDkIiFFqf2IkosbdA4nW6RqtSNYvg9zH7O0FpL1ialU4ADZAf_bhg2ddEU5NAzoxVHKTFV_SYx3XmLQS1CeD161zhm5ce4ek0x01UaERrgXH_y4W/s1600/sidetable+016.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
My spice rack is now holding some of my skincare products. As I am using up products I am replacing them with organic skincare products. Mum has been making us some home made products so I'm hoping eventually I can have rows of plain old fashioned looking bottles in here with nice organic contents. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
And yes I do realise that the green table needs cleaning. My youngest child is always spilling things and touching furniture with dirty hands, that's part of the joys of having kids. My house will never look like one of those pristine houses in the glossy magazines but my house is full of love and that's all that matters. And I am fully in love with my spice rack now. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-64438058870016835732014-07-26T00:03:00.002-07:002014-07-28T00:46:28.215-07:00Side Table Upcycle I love colour, texture and quirkiness and very slowly I am starting to change my decore to reflect this. It is a little challenging to experimenting with looks especially when on a budget. I am hoping my home will eventually have a bright Gypsy/ Bohemian feel. I can't afford to go out to a showroom and pick up pieces I like. Instead I have to upcycle old furniture and accessories.<br />
<br />
Normally doing up pieces of furniture takes some time and effort by sanding, doing undercoats of paint and then doing several coats of the top colour. Allowing for proper drying time would take a couple of days to complete a project. So I became very interested when I saw a range of chalk paint that makes the job much quicker. Made by <a href="http://www.canterburyblue.com.au/" target="_blank">Canterbury Blue</a> this chalk paint can be applied without primer/undercoat. It is also very quick to dry reducing the time between re-coats. If you need any inspiration on what you could use this paint for, then check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Canterburyblueshabbychic/timeline" target="_blank">facebook page</a>.<br />
<br />
I have always said that opening a can of nice coloured paint is like opening a 'can of happy'. There is something so special about turning something drab into something nice. When these pottles arrived in the mail, I was super excited. I am calling them 'Pottles of Joy' because these are so much fun to play with. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTMMoWrSxnZXrx4Xu_F_gMupXAF38nCIShHZB8R_cgkJS9GHv6ZtVFFAXbE6AC8-OZGExj3zzWYDC5rjTHdA7MPuqx-eu_PLtn81ZTeJ5CQF_pm57IO6sBWrx549Y5_GUbMy7ZXdBqUwK/s1600/sidetable+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTMMoWrSxnZXrx4Xu_F_gMupXAF38nCIShHZB8R_cgkJS9GHv6ZtVFFAXbE6AC8-OZGExj3zzWYDC5rjTHdA7MPuqx-eu_PLtn81ZTeJ5CQF_pm57IO6sBWrx549Y5_GUbMy7ZXdBqUwK/s1600/sidetable+019.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I had this very drab side table in the shed. There is nothing special about it so it became the perfect candidate for experimenting on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbACN3hW1NDkumWm9I7WC1ae3kUkz9OiVh8TeOw6rpxUJbYGV2VKulIJtmG6rvO8qTTsL1TD3i26yn8UkbD9TSdKzi39FGyOaYd0nnT_eNZ4nVIdhvjuvLQ8TwqLldIXJBWgovtn2hKLR/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbACN3hW1NDkumWm9I7WC1ae3kUkz9OiVh8TeOw6rpxUJbYGV2VKulIJtmG6rvO8qTTsL1TD3i26yn8UkbD9TSdKzi39FGyOaYd0nnT_eNZ4nVIdhvjuvLQ8TwqLldIXJBWgovtn2hKLR/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+010.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I had only bought a limited range of colours due to budget restraints but this range of paints comes in 30 colours (from memory). I raided the kids' small paint brushes to work on the legs. I really need to get myself some decent small brushes. Normally I just use normal size brushes but to do the legs required some fiddly work. As I am not a fine artist I have added strings of beads around where the colours meet to hide any bad joins and to give the work some extra bling. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMVXEnyeDS9rmrqBSmiLW7qSnl5R2cwEvgsl3fHeDcATPovRCkfqskh5WpulErRYL4kG_5aFuQURl3xmfQKxPEXZbpmgSogtPU2v0qY2rrzilxD6HM9777CcHd2_CzO1DCpqqyRYHrYnJ/s1600/sidetable+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMVXEnyeDS9rmrqBSmiLW7qSnl5R2cwEvgsl3fHeDcATPovRCkfqskh5WpulErRYL4kG_5aFuQURl3xmfQKxPEXZbpmgSogtPU2v0qY2rrzilxD6HM9777CcHd2_CzO1DCpqqyRYHrYnJ/s1600/sidetable+021.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhNqNZW_ARL6MZseTPjnuOiYTLpAI__9c_4ZaUXDD_Iy5Fg5d52N26wI3RKSqoNkptNudN-NkxBL4jCDxHdP-ThyphenhyphenjWXGPhAzLVHwaw8Dmvjo6dZ-ucgZa0M4dn-5hBCG6FDKHE1BHijNn/s1600/sidetable+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhNqNZW_ARL6MZseTPjnuOiYTLpAI__9c_4ZaUXDD_Iy5Fg5d52N26wI3RKSqoNkptNudN-NkxBL4jCDxHdP-ThyphenhyphenjWXGPhAzLVHwaw8Dmvjo6dZ-ucgZa0M4dn-5hBCG6FDKHE1BHijNn/s1600/sidetable+005.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji677jOnGuEJyIosGZaj2IAjTlBWW-G984Rwu5ZKzqr7JdZck_zdGTi934UUI5qXC-ZsvUDJ4e_wXCRTEja1T0BRXBWX9TGD1dH-uUFK7y6Ummd_JRBmIg5vuLkeuFZeId5LaL0dee8H3k/s1600/sidetable+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji677jOnGuEJyIosGZaj2IAjTlBWW-G984Rwu5ZKzqr7JdZck_zdGTi934UUI5qXC-ZsvUDJ4e_wXCRTEja1T0BRXBWX9TGD1dH-uUFK7y6Ummd_JRBmIg5vuLkeuFZeId5LaL0dee8H3k/s1600/sidetable+006.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I tried to do a stencil design on the top but I stuffed it up so I had to redo the top. After I painted it and sanded it in places, I applied the wax which gave it a nice clean smell and finish. <br />
<br />
I had so much fun with this paint and I have now finished 3 other pieces and have several more projects on the go. So check back tomorrow for the next project reveal. <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-52336630288048603292014-07-24T02:31:00.000-07:002014-07-24T02:31:06.915-07:00DIY Wooden Bracelets / Wood BanglesWhile playing around on YouTube one day I found myself watching craft videos. Eventually I stumbled upon a video on how to make your own Wood Bangles, to see the video go <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEM1VXAwCRQ&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">HERE</a>. (For some reason the video isn't loading for me today but you can also find out more on her <a href="http://www.craftychica.com/site/2014/03/felt-marker-wood-bangle/" target="_blank">web page</a>) This lady made it look so easy that I thought I would give it a go.<br />
I already had some fabric markers so that was a bonus. I got the gold pen and some of the bangles at Spotlight. I also bought some bangles online.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVsJjZfyvw8flMOr504_BMZsZECrdKx0y9ol4rTMmgJQWsJf-ghptoi5sx1IFzoluXiecxGjW_SWcBXLWR9hDACkbYsKlIBbdNSjn2OI-VaUdCvvGlfM7cnzdv9yTNJ7Fr_kB52p2cWp4/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVsJjZfyvw8flMOr504_BMZsZECrdKx0y9ol4rTMmgJQWsJf-ghptoi5sx1IFzoluXiecxGjW_SWcBXLWR9hDACkbYsKlIBbdNSjn2OI-VaUdCvvGlfM7cnzdv9yTNJ7Fr_kB52p2cWp4/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+013.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Now I am NOT a fine artist but I wanted to play around and have fun. Despite my lack of artistic skills I think they look ok.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqQ7ALTN7drMBtGr3GZ3UEQiv2kQUof9dn_vFkTl8aZrWfGvKStAuDAv17-o_Vq20aWpW3BY1zoRZ2GPcjU-4A2k2dV5J8PCzA78v7hyphenhyphenX1EZPIWckRPbYzDXotpEg88OqUAHsDoMpsmac/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqQ7ALTN7drMBtGr3GZ3UEQiv2kQUof9dn_vFkTl8aZrWfGvKStAuDAv17-o_Vq20aWpW3BY1zoRZ2GPcjU-4A2k2dV5J8PCzA78v7hyphenhyphenX1EZPIWckRPbYzDXotpEg88OqUAHsDoMpsmac/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+014.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchsAWinJoa7ejpmk_N-tZ58oO7Autv8mNnWVJq5CmzuTyBQU0MRpl69zWhb9Jm4QP_s3i7RziYRRePksGUMyA_6Q0HFBkJhxAlZbXNvR1JrwbGhyphenhyphenbEMhO-BBkUuutrfr0qa1LByLT9MnA/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchsAWinJoa7ejpmk_N-tZ58oO7Autv8mNnWVJq5CmzuTyBQU0MRpl69zWhb9Jm4QP_s3i7RziYRRePksGUMyA_6Q0HFBkJhxAlZbXNvR1JrwbGhyphenhyphenbEMhO-BBkUuutrfr0qa1LByLT9MnA/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+016.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I did one with different coloured hearts around it. One has random flowers and says 'Happy'. And the last one has my favourite quotes from Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. <br />
<br />
This would be a great project for artistic children to do. It would be a great school holiday activity. I have some spare blank bangles for my boys to make presents with. In the meantime, one of my boys used a bangle to make me a birthday present. He wrapped wool around the bangle and we glued the start and finished threads on the inside where they wont be seen. I have worn this bangle a few times already.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpz8lxjb3uqLjF9TgMf8zcsnMFjULu7JM3qh0PGwuus9ydcVTqLvnx25yJ3lkBcVMTiMw8lQmtpg70NA3prPVYtU2X1LwobF1NlNJwtEBIBW4Cy-BFHliGr8MfLdLkqTHq-O8DGzxTNfe/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpz8lxjb3uqLjF9TgMf8zcsnMFjULu7JM3qh0PGwuus9ydcVTqLvnx25yJ3lkBcVMTiMw8lQmtpg70NA3prPVYtU2X1LwobF1NlNJwtEBIBW4Cy-BFHliGr8MfLdLkqTHq-O8DGzxTNfe/s1600/purple+chest+and+bangles+017.JPG" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
So if you are keen to try making your own bangles, then check out the video and have fun searching in Spotlight for materials. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-87220722911171103792014-07-21T04:02:00.002-07:002014-07-21T04:02:26.309-07:00Minecraft Birthday PartyRecently my twins turned 11. Woohoo, I think I was more excited than they were. It is just a wonderful feeling to watch them grow and develop. I am so proud of them. They don't let autism hold them back and they are such wonderful kids. So I couldn't let their birthday go past without celebrating with a party. Besides they kept asking, very nicely, for a party. :)<br />
<br />
I decided to do a Minecraft party for them but it had to be done on a budget. The boys wanted a pinata but there are no Minecraft themed ones available in stores where I live. I don't even know if they have even expanded into party merchandise so I had to DIY. I bought a pinata and made my own picture for the front. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8j4iLpxswa2jD2ThlrjoGNTVTaZmw5JbN2vc6H3WmXQGAFCBglBJAL_fq9MBYEKSCLXrhpojVAmFaHZemQe6MSnz4q2EWFkgsTEr6B-_LrFP9tSEO0KG-nNoHEzOsUZ_gWQemMLTSghr/s1600/old+phone+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8j4iLpxswa2jD2ThlrjoGNTVTaZmw5JbN2vc6H3WmXQGAFCBglBJAL_fq9MBYEKSCLXrhpojVAmFaHZemQe6MSnz4q2EWFkgsTEr6B-_LrFP9tSEO0KG-nNoHEzOsUZ_gWQemMLTSghr/s1600/old+phone+068.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Luckily Creeper faces are easy to draw. I just needed some green cardboard, a permanent marker and some sticky tape. Then after a few minutes of work, TA DA.... a Minecraft Creeper Pinata. The boys liked it and they were super keen to check what goodies I was filling it up with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOk8IQyJWIn81PYcnHp2IpiSs8bwVZUABxcljMPpiaDUoBDN7cVlzYC-N0lZZXu5ZcbhWaAvw3of0md1Q-piIx8NTgY-2iB25AZCDS5LyqVFCdAfVCFMehXi519bK6Ja_H9bUhXSSYo5z/s1600/old+phone+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOk8IQyJWIn81PYcnHp2IpiSs8bwVZUABxcljMPpiaDUoBDN7cVlzYC-N0lZZXu5ZcbhWaAvw3of0md1Q-piIx8NTgY-2iB25AZCDS5LyqVFCdAfVCFMehXi519bK6Ja_H9bUhXSSYo5z/s1600/old+phone+069.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I had seen lovely Minecraft birthday party spreads on Pinterest and Etsy. I couldn't afford to get a professional party planner to do it for me so I had to try my best. I bought a piece of artificial grass from Bunnings to use as a table cloth. I really wanted the long thick artificial turf but that one was EXPENSIVE so I had to go the budget option. Let me tell you that the budget option still cost me $40, so luckily I have been able to recycle it for another project.<br />
<br />
I bought some place card templates on Etsy and printed them off and then pasted them onto cardboard. I then tried to find food to match the names of Minecraft items. Here is a sample of some of the foods that I used. <br />
Obsidian - Oreo biscuits (both black)<br />
Redstone - strawberries<br />
Coal - Cocoa popcorn<br />
Sticks - straight pretzels<br />
Raw Fish - smoked salmon slices<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0wsrGKdpQplklcpEH2eFxsnGDgOwHh-0lRBNKmlhVja9U4XqUOzJgIwMHqRI8A_g_ZNeu4cOF19hiaaYcVD7zo6PvEtDS3Ub4Izbim7LeBnE_R2rvVfOh1PhaBSL6TBEduGsH2HnncQ7/s1600/old+phone+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0wsrGKdpQplklcpEH2eFxsnGDgOwHh-0lRBNKmlhVja9U4XqUOzJgIwMHqRI8A_g_ZNeu4cOF19hiaaYcVD7zo6PvEtDS3Ub4Izbim7LeBnE_R2rvVfOh1PhaBSL6TBEduGsH2HnncQ7/s1600/old+phone+081.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnQOXiJHkvMh9RuCgyN8zaBnl8VmEFPX4n5ayDjk7NoikGSvraEWzIdbB0OmKj98jZsbBfd9lmmk2AbPRTwUqj2LzJf0x1hP9Ui7Z20QQY6fZQsQCrwsR4zPTuK7tbbtfOo8XYwrKrDBd/s1600/old+phone+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnQOXiJHkvMh9RuCgyN8zaBnl8VmEFPX4n5ayDjk7NoikGSvraEWzIdbB0OmKj98jZsbBfd9lmmk2AbPRTwUqj2LzJf0x1hP9Ui7Z20QQY6fZQsQCrwsR4zPTuK7tbbtfOo8XYwrKrDBd/s1600/old+phone+082.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The strange part was that the kids all went for the healthy food first. The smoked salmon slices were so popular that there was a line up of kids waiting for their turn to get some. I did not expect that at all. I expected the 'chicken' would be popular as I had spicy mini drumsticks and chicken strips but what 11yo would ignore chips and lollies to eat smoked salmon. But apparently an entire class of 11yo kids are more interested in healthy eating than I am because I kept sneaking lollies. I also may have been sprung eating leftover icing out of the tub with a spoon. I have no regrets either. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vh6zaaUijLF7jO00JL9w7nKl6RZvdLAz7QZ12YwsguBVcI1qc2wwxyD8jyx5BHJDYgTQ-LpRAqxuMjiFqzEV58OEa7-55KRjeXzNr2yZo-LEox_ByD_LjrYNFhDOvzbk5lEOWzbcYC-h/s1600/old+phone+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vh6zaaUijLF7jO00JL9w7nKl6RZvdLAz7QZ12YwsguBVcI1qc2wwxyD8jyx5BHJDYgTQ-LpRAqxuMjiFqzEV58OEa7-55KRjeXzNr2yZo-LEox_ByD_LjrYNFhDOvzbk5lEOWzbcYC-h/s1600/old+phone+079.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now for the cake, I attempted to copy a cake I saw on Pinterest but I am hopeless at cake decorating. Seriously I am not talented at all in this area, but hey I can't be Supermum at everything. So here is my sad attempt at making a Mincraft cake. It is meant to look like water, sand and grass blocks but I didn't quite nail it. I used blue jelly, rice crispy bars, and lamingtons which I tried to ice to look like grass. I then added plastic figures to decorate. Luckily my boys have good imaginations and that no one had seen the proper photo of what it was meant to look like. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblpOz3h128JzWqlg-9NB87hgb7JdfiTvjwL_F7hFm2Yqjoa73OQOa9rZ68fYgBqvwTvZYUoFs3ONmmzDzh912ZjeC0XcCG3HJ7FKJLE84VXZ3Eu5rrJtOjeXiCcXIvCG4sK4tpl_Ax_Dw/s1600/old+phone+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblpOz3h128JzWqlg-9NB87hgb7JdfiTvjwL_F7hFm2Yqjoa73OQOa9rZ68fYgBqvwTvZYUoFs3ONmmzDzh912ZjeC0XcCG3HJ7FKJLE84VXZ3Eu5rrJtOjeXiCcXIvCG4sK4tpl_Ax_Dw/s1600/old+phone+083.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Now here are the birthday boys. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5n-SBPaicx6IU957kjVbBjcYdqwXnNsntJJLrLhLXosEOOv4ZpkaIBzH1hZofJAl6pkHRZneruK02PeOygFUn2RZ_-Q_3yZlIfHNJVkdwNZw0cs5QwnJawnqGo-hskbsbJ2SINRXPq8X/s1600/old+phone+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5n-SBPaicx6IU957kjVbBjcYdqwXnNsntJJLrLhLXosEOOv4ZpkaIBzH1hZofJAl6pkHRZneruK02PeOygFUn2RZ_-Q_3yZlIfHNJVkdwNZw0cs5QwnJawnqGo-hskbsbJ2SINRXPq8X/s1600/old+phone+084.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Now if you would like to check out better versions of Minecraft party ideas, then head to Pinterest <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=minecraft%20party&rs=ac&len=7" target="_blank">here</a>. Prepare to be amazed. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-46690963165627490552014-07-16T16:25:00.000-07:002014-07-16T16:25:32.574-07:00Making use of an old dryer drumMy clothes dryer recently died which was most upsetting. We had been together for a while and it had got me through many rainy days. Though I was becoming too dependent on it. I was even using it on bright sunny days to dry all the little things that take forever to hang out. After I hung out the towels and bulky items I would throw all the remaining undies and socks in the dryer to save time. I know that sounds very lazy doesn't it. <br />
<br />
After getting a very large power bill it was time to make serious changes to my habits. So when the dryer died I decided not to replace it. So far it has been about 6 weeks and I have survived the extra work.<br />
<br />
I was going to take the dryer to the tip but remembered that I had seen a picture of a washing machine drum being recycled into a fire pit or into a pot for plants. I wasn't sure if you could do the same with a dryer drum but I decided to find out. I wasn't sure how hard it would be to pull apart the dryer to get the drum but it worked out to be quite easy. I only needed basic tools and it took about 5 minutes.<br />
<br />
My dead dryer<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DLmPWQFJKX9r7hV1KmxV9e1oMuNyS01cA59H6-xpQ8KFqEI-e10dQvIgJmHgXYfaoZ9lgOJhxt4hyFNMEMumcml0-KILYaGqPJu1GcXFeozfkp9qBQj-eGrjNRtxnwNXFyLYF6U0z8qP/s1600/26may14+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DLmPWQFJKX9r7hV1KmxV9e1oMuNyS01cA59H6-xpQ8KFqEI-e10dQvIgJmHgXYfaoZ9lgOJhxt4hyFNMEMumcml0-KILYaGqPJu1GcXFeozfkp9qBQj-eGrjNRtxnwNXFyLYF6U0z8qP/s1600/26may14+015.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The icky insides of my dryer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkIwbU5JWhHBGG21Pfay-rkvCcs5vw3pTrzvdxJIO5n7pDjIbxO1xYbj1-tKMnp_T3FB5Vs_5lOCqxn38y2kel9OJRiGJx__YkEwcTWKEKnklu7ktOLPIb0sry02zNnEhfPRQQeclzTmS/s1600/26may14+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkIwbU5JWhHBGG21Pfay-rkvCcs5vw3pTrzvdxJIO5n7pDjIbxO1xYbj1-tKMnp_T3FB5Vs_5lOCqxn38y2kel9OJRiGJx__YkEwcTWKEKnklu7ktOLPIb0sry02zNnEhfPRQQeclzTmS/s1600/26may14+016.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Some burnt fluff.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC5fyqcXw5Bo3xHHPAUvP77irbEar_AyoTgeQ6VVC5C8YueMQG-GXVDIixYpZk0T-AyIn3gWnPTso3XlqjdHkCjlcS9WrEDi4Aa1CG1HgZ8gJ6OQO__oQ6NwFGaPcafyxGPE5WBJF2gr3/s1600/26may14+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC5fyqcXw5Bo3xHHPAUvP77irbEar_AyoTgeQ6VVC5C8YueMQG-GXVDIixYpZk0T-AyIn3gWnPTso3XlqjdHkCjlcS9WrEDi4Aa1CG1HgZ8gJ6OQO__oQ6NwFGaPcafyxGPE5WBJF2gr3/s1600/26may14+017.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
When I got the drum out I tested it as a fire drum and it worked really well. I raised the base slightly on bricks to allow the air to flow through the air holes at the bottom and this kept the fire burning hot. As it worked well as a fire drum I could have happily kept it for this purpose but I wanted it instead as a big pot for a fruit tree.<br />
<br />
I bought a dwarf lemon tree to put in the drum. As the top is narrow I figured that re-potting the plant would be difficult to do in the future so I wanted a plant that wouldn't grow very large. I also thought the drum might get quite hot in summer so I will have to think about placement options.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuD_dVOotG0PvBv2UDXIr0cHSKPr2s6QJvu345aAwqK5oqaKD_jmAtKwUumkE09Mggf3sCB_DU-UuybbuhnW88ClXD3uypiG7yXKDiFuclcCS2aMJisULSLBUtpXQ2P1rugrL8qEjvwDB/s1600/no+idea+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuD_dVOotG0PvBv2UDXIr0cHSKPr2s6QJvu345aAwqK5oqaKD_jmAtKwUumkE09Mggf3sCB_DU-UuybbuhnW88ClXD3uypiG7yXKDiFuclcCS2aMJisULSLBUtpXQ2P1rugrL8qEjvwDB/s1600/no+idea+001.JPG" height="640" width="480" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now to wait for some lemons. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think this is a great way to recycle. I wish I had kept the drum out of my old washing machine because that would have made a huge big planter. Oh well, I know now for next time. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-51751095750870315032014-07-13T17:17:00.002-07:002014-07-13T17:17:46.978-07:00Minecraft coffee tableMy boys want a Minecraft themed bedroom. The company that makes Minecraft hasn't expanded into the complete range of merchandise to flog to kids. Though I am sure it is just a matter of time but for now I can't just go to the store and buy Minecraft decor items. So I am slowly decorating the hard way, which is DIY. <br />
So far the boys have knitted wool cushions which Grandma made from a pattern found <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/patterns?patternSearchText=minecraft" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
I also bought them weighted blankets made with Minecraft fabric. Weighted blankets can help calm and settle children with sensory issues especially children with autism.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeWultDwn9qiOGO9G9CnidX0rXS3jsOG9AT0GwP6p7HvTt_kGFh1dFzWlOjxTaSfECe937CEh7dM6_HaXQzIB_HYEeITela9O5kggRl_vLfgA9sDSbPPquiIM8q-si842bMsEb4QsrD3P/s1600/coffee+table+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeWultDwn9qiOGO9G9CnidX0rXS3jsOG9AT0GwP6p7HvTt_kGFh1dFzWlOjxTaSfECe937CEh7dM6_HaXQzIB_HYEeITela9O5kggRl_vLfgA9sDSbPPquiIM8q-si842bMsEb4QsrD3P/s1600/coffee+table+014.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I had this old coffee table that was doubling as a bedside table between the bunk beds. It was very knocked about and even had a corner chewed by a dog many years ago. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZCpbddYJ2yz9qIpRCfmFcRsA30cIAUGcC2F9dO5urF_8yAwC4kfsNTCNqX5ab-Bk705JZhC8ojtG1yWuyM_NbJaL32rVjpxpguFdVTDQRz22ezPFtnz9priK81fkt3hs_t_VUCMAWn-_/s1600/undara+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZCpbddYJ2yz9qIpRCfmFcRsA30cIAUGcC2F9dO5urF_8yAwC4kfsNTCNqX5ab-Bk705JZhC8ojtG1yWuyM_NbJaL32rVjpxpguFdVTDQRz22ezPFtnz9priK81fkt3hs_t_VUCMAWn-_/s1600/undara+067.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I sanded the coffee table and put two coats of undercoat on. I then put two coats of leftover green paint on. I then tried my best to make a Creeper face template. I was convinced it was big enough but I think I should have made it bigger still. I was also convinced I had centered the template before painting. hahahaha. Luckily the boys haven't noticed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNHBfU1Aza-wzWetvutu6dFKoCebrBVzg3LeIaHVHG2-WTLDh2pDiksfXOS5r0EUeFlsbFwfb5lY-aXRdCysOmx5R8CsXL-uhH3I8Z1Qtwme7kIXrBEVWzzhO3KVc6qwLjL2B4lo84FN6/s1600/coffee+table+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNHBfU1Aza-wzWetvutu6dFKoCebrBVzg3LeIaHVHG2-WTLDh2pDiksfXOS5r0EUeFlsbFwfb5lY-aXRdCysOmx5R8CsXL-uhH3I8Z1Qtwme7kIXrBEVWzzhO3KVc6qwLjL2B4lo84FN6/s1600/coffee+table+001.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I then had a wild urge to distress the paint. I have never tried heavily distressing a piece of furniture before but wanted to try before I start a BIG project later in the week.<br />
Here is the final product. I haven't sealed it yet as I am trying to work out if I need to make any further adjustments first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgYzFykiwvrtQ3c4Xq3Lvcm-y3ReD_Oj-_2U9fEGYY2Zb9-56CUBlWmoASXHeLIW2OmBu92rLwARIVH2dDnK6OkvoO6MUvfdYHFRaL3_gnlBSbPD_wZjhW3klldDoUyAJpdXoHOW1w9Rx/s1600/coffee+table+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgYzFykiwvrtQ3c4Xq3Lvcm-y3ReD_Oj-_2U9fEGYY2Zb9-56CUBlWmoASXHeLIW2OmBu92rLwARIVH2dDnK6OkvoO6MUvfdYHFRaL3_gnlBSbPD_wZjhW3klldDoUyAJpdXoHOW1w9Rx/s1600/coffee+table+012.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuANHGQd1RjyjyeXO0_z-AcvEVPm3YCaYdZ24k3-sefpVv4dhgLUeEvtNieb9_9IHiOR-3jHsqeWpUZejxTmc1f62eU_QTAFeTs28pmuoZ9QLjJYoQiJIfRvsXwOtvqvpMAyyLXU3en5Y/s1600/coffee+table+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuANHGQd1RjyjyeXO0_z-AcvEVPm3YCaYdZ24k3-sefpVv4dhgLUeEvtNieb9_9IHiOR-3jHsqeWpUZejxTmc1f62eU_QTAFeTs28pmuoZ9QLjJYoQiJIfRvsXwOtvqvpMAyyLXU3en5Y/s1600/coffee+table+013.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbXlWap-gjDQPkN6ReGPi4MLzOh_yNSog2Nnko00xyc8r5gnsau-hWB_hA2mBk60IlPwf5R0wPY_qN2DtYq3OvWcy28B4rXRTNogZb3nbjERD7XHqlZCdQNiWBbxnBHTKzFAl5SEnr8Bz/s1600/coffee+table+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbXlWap-gjDQPkN6ReGPi4MLzOh_yNSog2Nnko00xyc8r5gnsau-hWB_hA2mBk60IlPwf5R0wPY_qN2DtYq3OvWcy28B4rXRTNogZb3nbjERD7XHqlZCdQNiWBbxnBHTKzFAl5SEnr8Bz/s1600/coffee+table+015.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wpl8Eq-Xz9pVdyWPe8XPf_UPT6r6N5MkNVG4m4tlpk0wUBEEWkrztbGwE-V8JB-KCWKKgLEL5ybAA1iEt4b49Xr-acTplld1GOAcZc7LqPVBiC8el4jtkicVfc1PRumFsZs2G1KXcyVw/s1600/coffee+table+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wpl8Eq-Xz9pVdyWPe8XPf_UPT6r6N5MkNVG4m4tlpk0wUBEEWkrztbGwE-V8JB-KCWKKgLEL5ybAA1iEt4b49Xr-acTplld1GOAcZc7LqPVBiC8el4jtkicVfc1PRumFsZs2G1KXcyVw/s1600/coffee+table+022.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeSnscpi1UR_zBlNcgoEX9FDOsTx6q1bhd_cqydkORmUyMJZpvUQohIZcy6PrxrixzKUeZBwDfr0g0xXB1tR40h-j_mru7GAj5-TBU9JbosM6ez4mhFpY47mc8U6Cc6yP1-UVDPiBWW0b/s1600/coffee+table+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeSnscpi1UR_zBlNcgoEX9FDOsTx6q1bhd_cqydkORmUyMJZpvUQohIZcy6PrxrixzKUeZBwDfr0g0xXB1tR40h-j_mru7GAj5-TBU9JbosM6ez4mhFpY47mc8U6Cc6yP1-UVDPiBWW0b/s1600/coffee+table+023.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCE2r0oCuEPjpAXjTi9u5TqeDqIcq7Mkun1bqVqgNPJo1wYUD5a6NHY4LO1_s6aph7L-i3NxLl1VInT0Spjd1NQVxp8KbMVP_GsAmjab2Z2yGfrX5V83lasMEXgdvhXK-Ij4LoST6TRkEL/s1600/coffee+table+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCE2r0oCuEPjpAXjTi9u5TqeDqIcq7Mkun1bqVqgNPJo1wYUD5a6NHY4LO1_s6aph7L-i3NxLl1VInT0Spjd1NQVxp8KbMVP_GsAmjab2Z2yGfrX5V83lasMEXgdvhXK-Ij4LoST6TRkEL/s1600/coffee+table+024.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a> </div>
Here is a photo from when I was falling off what I was standing on to try take these photos. Luckily I wasn't injured. :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Yxg2uJWsrjD_thFaiukTXxzpVYgPSI0ufOV1xyr-5EkoZY6wUeCS4BFemtjTx33EewyQZ5AqJktEV_HpgXBnmCRZDGQ6MRjepIi3oB8ieHXUIQZvehYumnOdcLdV88KdNEv6Lo4_CXD6/s1600/coffee+table+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Yxg2uJWsrjD_thFaiukTXxzpVYgPSI0ufOV1xyr-5EkoZY6wUeCS4BFemtjTx33EewyQZ5AqJktEV_HpgXBnmCRZDGQ6MRjepIi3oB8ieHXUIQZvehYumnOdcLdV88KdNEv6Lo4_CXD6/s1600/coffee+table+017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have seen a few removable wall stickers on Etsy that have Minecraft related designs. I am thinking of getting some of those for the room. I also plan to get the boys to help make some paintings to hang up in here. I think we have enough Creepers in here though. I really want to make a Minecraft pig as they look cute.<br />
<br />
I hope you have a great day. I am hoping to stalk the postie today as I am waiting on exciting things to arrive for a new project. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-71852098474605251522014-07-10T17:01:00.000-07:002014-07-10T17:01:08.286-07:00Upcycle - Table runnerI know I only recently featured an upcycled tablecloth but last night I had a wild urge to make myself something pretty and I couldn't wait to share it. Besides snuggling up in a comfy chair with a project seemed to be the best cure for last night's cold weather.<br />
<br />
I started with a plain store bought runner and a table full of supplies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEHCzdmdDGwxB0HyaW5mQwxVrnUH_kLeA3VteiqHFJihAHNa3iHRB2ijkZzP1lOd-94iSLNvJK0pQHIiH_kaTTeeHBc4mPwKjQ2wB1zJocF_umWYyrFXfLgImCKkL3V1ojg5CBHuRzga2/s1600/tablerunner+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEHCzdmdDGwxB0HyaW5mQwxVrnUH_kLeA3VteiqHFJihAHNa3iHRB2ijkZzP1lOd-94iSLNvJK0pQHIiH_kaTTeeHBc4mPwKjQ2wB1zJocF_umWYyrFXfLgImCKkL3V1ojg5CBHuRzga2/s1600/tablerunner+011.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The crochet flowers I bought in bulk off ebay ages ago. I also used buttons and coloured threads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmusl_MMM_m6KtkqAtqUlnx46DaQGrinLzueJxXdT03i2lRW2EQE8GfcWr5Ma7oRYjm1E6KBmzA71_IngYPkfM3kBoQAElGq-pcvy2VCoJvsHuqdklwoIcGUUU20mfnhnenbqwwBarG-fK/s1600/tablerunner+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmusl_MMM_m6KtkqAtqUlnx46DaQGrinLzueJxXdT03i2lRW2EQE8GfcWr5Ma7oRYjm1E6KBmzA71_IngYPkfM3kBoQAElGq-pcvy2VCoJvsHuqdklwoIcGUUU20mfnhnenbqwwBarG-fK/s1600/tablerunner+012.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Now here is the finished product on the table. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgwsb8WEeTnNT_xUlMRbt2uLieRuZCmLWet5vO5XUaqyU-qDzHs4OqIRna3Oq-VNZ2jiXb3dyDqjl92kPxQR48dqMlKRL7QjimlocIrro_6Y8yyWSTDqzLZGzgECBVYacboUclxsl70wV/s1600/tablerunner+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgwsb8WEeTnNT_xUlMRbt2uLieRuZCmLWet5vO5XUaqyU-qDzHs4OqIRna3Oq-VNZ2jiXb3dyDqjl92kPxQR48dqMlKRL7QjimlocIrro_6Y8yyWSTDqzLZGzgECBVYacboUclxsl70wV/s1600/tablerunner+021.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I have yellow pompoms at one end and red on the other end because I was using up scraps.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXCKFNGahKQFvaG72vw-1G76SRMvcN9D2L5bvakc7e82w5sS3N5M-pgB98apdJrPZuNK6L_VDYhOVtGl_Z5FNQ207FN1iNSA-zBwLCYSQrfU-nBWQtwTT2U4DUy2x60BMr6k1bwHxtSvF/s1600/tablerunner+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXCKFNGahKQFvaG72vw-1G76SRMvcN9D2L5bvakc7e82w5sS3N5M-pgB98apdJrPZuNK6L_VDYhOVtGl_Z5FNQ207FN1iNSA-zBwLCYSQrfU-nBWQtwTT2U4DUy2x60BMr6k1bwHxtSvF/s1600/tablerunner+019.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSTXzJk0u8LLeREbVdT3Eq55hvev_756GsjfO1gX-AdlpSmcFTibxT8lsUC1LaICjAFs6f-sc6v4LMhnmZKzwtQ1Mu2d40lUj-qd78NwVFT01LaQTb7OCfYsINwuZzTE31MBszLOACKcA/s1600/tablerunner+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSTXzJk0u8LLeREbVdT3Eq55hvev_756GsjfO1gX-AdlpSmcFTibxT8lsUC1LaICjAFs6f-sc6v4LMhnmZKzwtQ1Mu2d40lUj-qd78NwVFT01LaQTb7OCfYsINwuZzTE31MBszLOACKcA/s1600/tablerunner+015.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am really happy with how it looks. It will be great for birthday parties or just when I need a dose of happy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next week I am hoping to have a few big furniture projects to share. I am so excited to get started on those. I am just waiting for supplies to arrive. Now to head to the shed and finish something special for the boys. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-21288096835232922402014-07-09T04:11:00.001-07:002014-07-09T04:11:46.964-07:00Organising kids clothes for large familiesRecently the 3 older boys decided that they wanted share a bedroom so a big reshuffle took place to make them happy. I wasn't too concerned though because come summer we will only need to run one air-conditioner for them rather than 3. Win Win.<br />
<br />
But the room they moved into didn't have wardrobes so the boys' clothes stayed in their old rooms. There seemed to be clothes spread everywhere so it was time for a big sort out. I stripped one of their old rooms and have made it into a dressing room for them. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZpdVbxsTtfykYeFbviOmU2wUfE3T2b2MXtAuLNPxPz-nc9MNbajkXOevyHoJZ5I5mraN-ztVbkOkudyuHflDHLWK7OhyC23Xs4ewN-Wv5q49RTT9eDrhU2hn5AAjmy-bvnYswEMygZq9/s1600/undara+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZpdVbxsTtfykYeFbviOmU2wUfE3T2b2MXtAuLNPxPz-nc9MNbajkXOevyHoJZ5I5mraN-ztVbkOkudyuHflDHLWK7OhyC23Xs4ewN-Wv5q49RTT9eDrhU2hn5AAjmy-bvnYswEMygZq9/s1600/undara+001.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44fbpuIh44xZi0uJFX7-wp0YKs2G3JcLnB1S-u-6IaVvT-IjFg1_daNyzAGR45weEG8YvH38TSEbUdh_t1scHQK6WPK2vU2Wl4YTd-GCJ09uFSxkqUaM0cQb0LxXRDskS7SveYo2HWVpx/s1600/undara+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44fbpuIh44xZi0uJFX7-wp0YKs2G3JcLnB1S-u-6IaVvT-IjFg1_daNyzAGR45weEG8YvH38TSEbUdh_t1scHQK6WPK2vU2Wl4YTd-GCJ09uFSxkqUaM0cQb0LxXRDskS7SveYo2HWVpx/s1600/undara+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I placed all the t-shirts, shorts, long sleeved shirts and tracksuit pants in these wire baskets. The bottom row is all size 6, the next row up is size 7, the next row up is size 8, etc, etc. I decided to put the smaller sizes at the bottom and largest at the top because the 8yo can't reach the top so his clothes are at the bottom. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSZfhYB9inTnwlsrJTJ5V29WHK0Hk8_KNFPuW8hyPgIqO0lUnjIZQ9FU7WfYFVuIlyzHXQZsQtP8zkh74K6uRP45-nATz3OwP-cJ4ZrUIu34h6pLvM7eYICPYpuMIUlylgqY8qAV-IRRl/s1600/undara+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSZfhYB9inTnwlsrJTJ5V29WHK0Hk8_KNFPuW8hyPgIqO0lUnjIZQ9FU7WfYFVuIlyzHXQZsQtP8zkh74K6uRP45-nATz3OwP-cJ4ZrUIu34h6pLvM7eYICPYpuMIUlylgqY8qAV-IRRl/s1600/undara+003.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I really love how this has worked out because as the boys grow then they just start taking clothes out of the next basket above. Previously I would have had to empty cupboards and move them into the next child's room. And then sort out their clothes, etc. Also with the baskets I can easily see which basket looks like it needs a refill of new clothes. For example I thought I had a lot of size 14 clothes for one of the bigger twins but I realised that I have very few shorts for him. I can also see that we have quite a lot in some sizes and I do not need to purchase any more of those unless at some point they get damaged or stained. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LlJ-Rv9osHYQCkfKkm-ze2E39q5VMTyW0ba9deA18i1YDrxD7A2UzBR61JI9gCPYU4W3uy81d_Zwwf6UNDM_QY0onwEb4TWmLzIK_F6aBbwzcwuTi2Ri9n3mx2SoktXiVCp6CaAiMQ-v/s1600/undara+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LlJ-Rv9osHYQCkfKkm-ze2E39q5VMTyW0ba9deA18i1YDrxD7A2UzBR61JI9gCPYU4W3uy81d_Zwwf6UNDM_QY0onwEb4TWmLzIK_F6aBbwzcwuTi2Ri9n3mx2SoktXiVCp6CaAiMQ-v/s1600/undara+004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
This type of organising wont suit all families but if you have lots of kids or kids around the same sizes then this is something that is working well for us and may work for you too.<br />
<br />
In the dressers I have placed pj's, underwear, swimmers, jeans and hats. The jumpers, jackets and dress shirts are in the wardrobe. The school uniforms are in there too. I placed an empty laundry basket in the room and so far the boys are placing the clothes in there without any nagging. There have been no discarded clothes on the floor. <br />
<br />
I am planning on adding a mirror and possibly some boy's fashion photos to make it look more like a dressing room. It would be awesome to make it look like a Hollywood movie dressing room. But that wont be happening any time soon as I have quite a few other projects to tackle first.<br />
<br />
Another trick I do to make sorting clothes easier to to buy dozens of identical socks for the boys. I then don't have to worry about trying to match pairs. Every sock in the draw will match. Then when the socks are looking grotty I throw the whole lot out and replace them again with dozens of identical socks. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-27104467311332269522014-07-08T04:52:00.000-07:002014-07-08T04:52:44.895-07:00Tablecloth upcycleThis old tablecloth has sat in the linen cupboard for years. I am not sure where it even came from, but I am guessing it was secondhand when I got it. It is rather bland so it never got used but it is time it had a face lift... and an iron. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUUD75rD7iD0AZzrr7Bi-KFPFQJwAr5hZ-CJzULc5nKFrTHzcPCWIxPhFTEAeNzDS5nbVrdFwYQij2OC8DdX7YDlAfHJ7kAXIuiDoXAEqPJBUlgmuOcfSVzQBaawXXVyC45VgndYkBjlJ/s1600/26may14+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUUD75rD7iD0AZzrr7Bi-KFPFQJwAr5hZ-CJzULc5nKFrTHzcPCWIxPhFTEAeNzDS5nbVrdFwYQij2OC8DdX7YDlAfHJ7kAXIuiDoXAEqPJBUlgmuOcfSVzQBaawXXVyC45VgndYkBjlJ/s1600/26may14+087.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
There were lots of blank squares around the tablecloth, as shown below. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiCuujC-dla2Okgx6pzid7Df-INE3ydGLAPgCewVcGSv_CuQbkFNsKNowPTfBY1o1t6tv4JW0xO4Y28mIp22zEBwGBDHhMb0JUvJYBZaZhLU9kBF7a962ZTEQyYv2Vblh-W8LppGftu_T/s1600/26may14+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiCuujC-dla2Okgx6pzid7Df-INE3ydGLAPgCewVcGSv_CuQbkFNsKNowPTfBY1o1t6tv4JW0xO4Y28mIp22zEBwGBDHhMb0JUvJYBZaZhLU9kBF7a962ZTEQyYv2Vblh-W8LppGftu_T/s1600/26may14+088.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I filled these blank squares in with different coloured embroidery threads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5ZVhtDa8wshRwVcUbelvZm5zf0PDMC2LPWtq4vSaEnCqyXKAXPXhNSn6835kj2pTT_KYKNcINt3niqeLgqC54aJAeKYct9Uqtqsq1Sksfdd8nsL33KpdQ5VIyse-WhJtx3R8f-R1U5v_/s1600/tablecloth+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5ZVhtDa8wshRwVcUbelvZm5zf0PDMC2LPWtq4vSaEnCqyXKAXPXhNSn6835kj2pTT_KYKNcINt3niqeLgqC54aJAeKYct9Uqtqsq1Sksfdd8nsL33KpdQ5VIyse-WhJtx3R8f-R1U5v_/s1600/tablecloth+001.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaABevA7wyLFZSYCWjYKtQfCQWPAyXSfzreTdc8Smu2oJaPLvS3KMWgx6YNWPzMZ5ct_dYNna_pmRhcP7xS6ECN9e48j7jNb6M_cvzfv7f5gY5M3KWxCm9WgStnbYI5MaHZVITbnsZbJyd/s1600/tablecloth+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaABevA7wyLFZSYCWjYKtQfCQWPAyXSfzreTdc8Smu2oJaPLvS3KMWgx6YNWPzMZ5ct_dYNna_pmRhcP7xS6ECN9e48j7jNb6M_cvzfv7f5gY5M3KWxCm9WgStnbYI5MaHZVITbnsZbJyd/s1600/tablecloth+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I added yellow pompom tassels which I bought at Spotlight. I forgot to buy matching sewing thread while I was at the shops, so I hand sewed the pompoms onto the tablecloth with embroidery thread. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFrrLj5r8EyVPHcO-6aGpVk6b1VS_PuLniThqUz1lpiqW6a0u8VcQh_lQLhmzmFwfTbdyspytzHII8TwaNxLSTRjspR6eO3kPJTXYLlS9WspS2ZESIiG-V1jOc16KlKcWRRcI87V4J61T/s1600/tablecloth+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFrrLj5r8EyVPHcO-6aGpVk6b1VS_PuLniThqUz1lpiqW6a0u8VcQh_lQLhmzmFwfTbdyspytzHII8TwaNxLSTRjspR6eO3kPJTXYLlS9WspS2ZESIiG-V1jOc16KlKcWRRcI87V4J61T/s1600/tablecloth+003.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rhabis19eL0nyknsKpO2cRXvDzpHVwlm4wNlrllwOEnpUharCGUPbItH-dJ2K8E6udr9l5yFOU_cLevMaxfysCxxWvi96nArwMytISGat8_Xxad8JKUv5awE6mvKKXBy2Y9uesOfmd7q/s1600/tablecloth+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rhabis19eL0nyknsKpO2cRXvDzpHVwlm4wNlrllwOEnpUharCGUPbItH-dJ2K8E6udr9l5yFOU_cLevMaxfysCxxWvi96nArwMytISGat8_Xxad8JKUv5awE6mvKKXBy2Y9uesOfmd7q/s1600/tablecloth+004.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I am much happier with the look of the tablecloth now. It is now pretty enough to stay out of the linen cupboard. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-31014138461840849792014-07-07T00:29:00.001-07:002014-07-07T00:29:42.978-07:00Rubbish bin upcycleI had this old bin sitting in the shed, it was a bit dented and rusted but still quite functional. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JQm_7IiDmd5kevBB6ziiEL_oUC4Un88TtL_c_UpGd8ZQKFBUgBkCGDbrol9yO7bDoePOKuAAaBN5VqiPm0v9f_eiUu9rojcg8UXLQpPoX6_IBERl4aenD3u-HYGzl88HcKXW_fs3NCuY/s1600/26may14+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JQm_7IiDmd5kevBB6ziiEL_oUC4Un88TtL_c_UpGd8ZQKFBUgBkCGDbrol9yO7bDoePOKuAAaBN5VqiPm0v9f_eiUu9rojcg8UXLQpPoX6_IBERl4aenD3u-HYGzl88HcKXW_fs3NCuY/s1600/26may14+001.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aH4Ipsm5wIRW_l8LM53gzDqG_KkRxj-R9vPIy8uZZkBomKl9jV-fdyz8NbqHVHfUzND_Vd8_NJuKTKLS8nuo-Tk3S40Xv76CQZeFsiGSxP0-BkDesrxPB-CCbG-Ncs1QcqTAOS4Go8Do/s1600/26may14+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aH4Ipsm5wIRW_l8LM53gzDqG_KkRxj-R9vPIy8uZZkBomKl9jV-fdyz8NbqHVHfUzND_Vd8_NJuKTKLS8nuo-Tk3S40Xv76CQZeFsiGSxP0-BkDesrxPB-CCbG-Ncs1QcqTAOS4Go8Do/s1600/26may14+002.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I sanded off some of the rust and hammered out as many dents as I could. I wanted to paint the entire bin pink but I realised I didn't have much paint left in the spray can. Instead I painted 2 coats of paint on the top and bottom. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy9NQ2QuXX2B0TlJyn_zD6HVoA_WSbI7r9VPAj14mkVRnotOJ6e8GwrxuNgNbF0WSLDVOZ9oRWP6EzeyTppLv_0bB7RVO3waqUudntmmsYyfShqXN10I1ZFY1vJnXon8LT0RmCfuIwcTX/s1600/26may14+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy9NQ2QuXX2B0TlJyn_zD6HVoA_WSbI7r9VPAj14mkVRnotOJ6e8GwrxuNgNbF0WSLDVOZ9oRWP6EzeyTppLv_0bB7RVO3waqUudntmmsYyfShqXN10I1ZFY1vJnXon8LT0RmCfuIwcTX/s1600/26may14+009.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I then glued fabric to the outside of the bin. The Littlest Man knocked the bin over while I was working on it and knocked the lid out of alignment and I didn't notice until after I took the photo. I have fixed it now and the bin is now jazzing up the kitchen. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6o8AK5j7x-j9axw22t9XRvmtvfmp7JKHaEPG6pjWd81u0FlnOZ8vMJjDq795P4eFa-mRbeHyMErSO5gEIcK9wqqpffHjPvnUyVR-pYKXi-RMksa-Qc-fVC6dYRW5ETUehq4AhusUfcU_z/s1600/26may14+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6o8AK5j7x-j9axw22t9XRvmtvfmp7JKHaEPG6pjWd81u0FlnOZ8vMJjDq795P4eFa-mRbeHyMErSO5gEIcK9wqqpffHjPvnUyVR-pYKXi-RMksa-Qc-fVC6dYRW5ETUehq4AhusUfcU_z/s1600/26may14+010.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
It is hard to believe that just a few hours earlier it was looking old and rusty. Now to find something else to jazz up to use for the recycling. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-87133145895902541032014-07-06T04:53:00.000-07:002014-07-06T16:06:31.381-07:00Road trip - Undara Lava Tubes.Taking 4 boys camping is a big task. Taking 4 boys with autism camping is a huge undertaking. But taking 4 boys with autism camping by myself as a single mum sounds like the stuff of nightmares. However, it was time to step well outside my comfort zone and plan our very first camping trip. <br />
<br />
I chose to take the boys to see the Undara Lava tubes because we might as well make the trip an educational outing as well. The Undara National Park is about 4.5 -5 hour drive from Townsville going via the Harvey's Range Rd route. There are longer routes from Townsville such as going via Ingham or Charters Towers. About 18 years ago I went out there and then much of the distance was dirt road. This time the entire journey was sealed road but in a very few short sections it was one lane only and cars have to pull over to allow the road trains to pass. This was what the roads looked like in the worst sections. This photo was taken by one of my boys. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjCaKBrfDc2mOnNWnAUAheRpwXbOggzaYtPwOYigxEd2NxtH_e4-wInCAozW0carzht6w2cRAly_b65liEQufnBJI6xqzxdhblROU4b19yMXpbBXGSrxYZbmt_L07tLH8oZmCOZrb5iXX/s1600/undara+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjCaKBrfDc2mOnNWnAUAheRpwXbOggzaYtPwOYigxEd2NxtH_e4-wInCAozW0carzht6w2cRAly_b65liEQufnBJI6xqzxdhblROU4b19yMXpbBXGSrxYZbmt_L07tLH8oZmCOZrb5iXX/s1600/undara+006.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
We stopped in Greenvale on the way there and on the return journey for fuel, a stretch and toilet break. The boys all coped well with the drive but I made it easier for everyone by having snacks, drinks and charged ipads within reach.<br />
We stayed at the <a href="http://undara.com.au/" target="_blank">Undara Experience</a> in a family swag tent. This is what ours looked like.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZUvxbdqVMj98basm8gpNHHpFBM2BfC-hIJQADA57uYHlZZ8Tw1v1OAqPzJobVQt0FMC4CfQVdJ8nVV28BDupOy1yidzcwBQOdv6mNsoI_2sdH2c3UJbVKfn_jcLCAZCSaoXT0HViZK1L/s1600/undara+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZUvxbdqVMj98basm8gpNHHpFBM2BfC-hIJQADA57uYHlZZ8Tw1v1OAqPzJobVQt0FMC4CfQVdJ8nVV28BDupOy1yidzcwBQOdv6mNsoI_2sdH2c3UJbVKfn_jcLCAZCSaoXT0HViZK1L/s1600/undara+059.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was a double bed on one side and two bunk beds on the other side. In the middle was a small deck with a bar fridge, sink, power points and small table and chairs. We took our own bedding to keep the cost down but you can hire bedding. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is a restaurant on site but I had packed our portable fridge full of food. Near our tent was an undercover area to prepare meals. It had push button gas BBQs, a sink, communal fridge, kettle, toaster and picnic tables. I used the BBQs to cook our meals but next time I might take an electric frypan then I could cook at our tent. The kid's meals at the restaurant were $12.50 each so just one meal for my boys would have cost $50 before I had even picked a meal. The adult meals were between $20 - $35 from memory. We did go and have a couple of baskets of chips one lunchtime while the kids warmed up by the fire. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISwz7vfAr0p2fxaxayEDGoPK4wCSTodWgK7FVyefAYslx6V0NVDvKIknX7znpcrc0-_s5hs1InVuNeLDuM0fVxqD2rPMeyXxuvcSi5-PYhRp-iwBhyH3RV5oE3p23ayKTzo7jFZKTN99F/s1600/undara+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISwz7vfAr0p2fxaxayEDGoPK4wCSTodWgK7FVyefAYslx6V0NVDvKIknX7znpcrc0-_s5hs1InVuNeLDuM0fVxqD2rPMeyXxuvcSi5-PYhRp-iwBhyH3RV5oE3p23ayKTzo7jFZKTN99F/s1600/undara+035.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went in winter so the nights were quite cold. The daytime temperature was pleasant except when the wind picked up. The boys were a bit upset that it was too cold to use the pool. But everyone loved the hot water in the showers. The communal showers and toilets were very clean and well maintained and there was plenty of lighting along the paths for late night toilet runs. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We did a few bush walks while we were there. We did a few around the resort and then we also drove to a different section of the national park where you can walk up to the rim of an extinct volcanic crater. That walk was about 2.5k and was a bit steep in places but the Littlest Man could manage it with his tiny legs and in the areas he couldn't then I was able to do it while carrying him. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLqKgT6IR9TuetEo1LubvNbyQyEHswKzzs_idcsi0KoW2PP2KEhgCiIMT20N1f1l4Gl2-cBH_m-vOhy764DaBxp4GifMSJSxYfrMz8XaSMSe0EJtRf5IXfdXE9a_okykBqyQm1w8ajjKm/s1600/undara+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLqKgT6IR9TuetEo1LubvNbyQyEHswKzzs_idcsi0KoW2PP2KEhgCiIMT20N1f1l4Gl2-cBH_m-vOhy764DaBxp4GifMSJSxYfrMz8XaSMSe0EJtRf5IXfdXE9a_okykBqyQm1w8ajjKm/s1600/undara+013.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVcAZHDP9u1iYXCpWYiOMp2xjpRpjf6Hai7FOwKSPdP0XKDAsNHC-oYssN5kMfFPuKe-fFtP_Un5EOEGezxd-HtcX85G9VtRz-LK_lq2EYR3_Ie5xGJYS9sWKJJfE_zzsW6G9CvvFHrTa/s1600/undara+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVcAZHDP9u1iYXCpWYiOMp2xjpRpjf6Hai7FOwKSPdP0XKDAsNHC-oYssN5kMfFPuKe-fFtP_Un5EOEGezxd-HtcX85G9VtRz-LK_lq2EYR3_Ie5xGJYS9sWKJJfE_zzsW6G9CvvFHrTa/s1600/undara+025.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCs60IL3l21S1mld79J_xlSW47jkBcc1z_OiPbQBDVHMPlRVyb2yElWaA0s56jdinvoxCah3QH3V6e0kLm7jQhygR1dihwtYQIi-p2W1TTtSlcKw1pk6T2XKEa_LNMXhXMCNaqs8Niek5/s1600/undara+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCs60IL3l21S1mld79J_xlSW47jkBcc1z_OiPbQBDVHMPlRVyb2yElWaA0s56jdinvoxCah3QH3V6e0kLm7jQhygR1dihwtYQIi-p2W1TTtSlcKw1pk6T2XKEa_LNMXhXMCNaqs8Niek5/s1600/undara+027.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some photos of us chilling out after all the exercise. Note all the ipads, they are a must for taking my boys anywhere as they help the boys cope with change. I must say that all 4 boys coped very well trip. Things went far smoother than I could have hoped for. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYIAwrz7fTNYbWiVgSRMKCH_-liR5fDSZb0QAybs95_iYnGn8MDIVSZ-G1XKY-kv3ahKZm1qIR9ZvZTVnjz7AHpvVUrogyjiTE-gYdpu0rIWwHKiXBngN5hdQ0JnDPNMtSno25pXrtFEC/s1600/undara+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYIAwrz7fTNYbWiVgSRMKCH_-liR5fDSZb0QAybs95_iYnGn8MDIVSZ-G1XKY-kv3ahKZm1qIR9ZvZTVnjz7AHpvVUrogyjiTE-gYdpu0rIWwHKiXBngN5hdQ0JnDPNMtSno25pXrtFEC/s1600/undara+009.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpnEJScl4DF01MDXRo_fuWDzEIjgTjCjkEHoAJLFQINF5pT5bu8bjU9UlsghiUYt2SSMoxeTzJtVBJhJUDGUprqZFA-ujYLKnOllBaCu-GsIePJN69tlCznB5ZdnpJAZUhIe2EqcNgtqz/s1600/undara+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpnEJScl4DF01MDXRo_fuWDzEIjgTjCjkEHoAJLFQINF5pT5bu8bjU9UlsghiUYt2SSMoxeTzJtVBJhJUDGUprqZFA-ujYLKnOllBaCu-GsIePJN69tlCznB5ZdnpJAZUhIe2EqcNgtqz/s1600/undara+024.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0Rx6_w5v3vPGcI-h1URc7g2kgocgEnVmp1ZAlIomlGhmQqVcHm4kFHY8fTKlgGgKDXiZtaqmAkiw9of-lckKj4UDVAGqtoIsZ_-ZgZUqIxKMGEZSXfZ4_4_osqZPMyelEKAxcrERZU3v/s1600/undara+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0Rx6_w5v3vPGcI-h1URc7g2kgocgEnVmp1ZAlIomlGhmQqVcHm4kFHY8fTKlgGgKDXiZtaqmAkiw9of-lckKj4UDVAGqtoIsZ_-ZgZUqIxKMGEZSXfZ4_4_osqZPMyelEKAxcrERZU3v/s1600/undara+057.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
To access the Lava Tubes you need a guide. We went on a two hour Archway Explorer tour where we went into a couple of sections of the caves. There were boardwalks and stairs into the caves so it was a safe and enjoyable way to access the caves. I chose this tour because the Littlest Man might not have coped with the more active tours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl291CXoJhAGxAU4rv7IdU7ZARUTQlmcjZL76FNkTZQUaRRO2kCHYAS7hlzZXQOVMKGcBfgtvJ4HqCpX3pYOYCNnuEzwTZXFCqMFnBb5piaDMjcqAD_J_goJ2zTAlMhA0g0EuFITHCo1bP/s1600/undara+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl291CXoJhAGxAU4rv7IdU7ZARUTQlmcjZL76FNkTZQUaRRO2kCHYAS7hlzZXQOVMKGcBfgtvJ4HqCpX3pYOYCNnuEzwTZXFCqMFnBb5piaDMjcqAD_J_goJ2zTAlMhA0g0EuFITHCo1bP/s1600/undara+049.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
The boys loved the trip and had a great time. I made the trip easier for myself by preparing some meals in advance which I placed in disposable aluminium trays and then heated on the BBQ. This meant I wasn't away from the boys for long periods cooking. I also have a giant sports team sized water cooler that I filled with ice and water before left home. So we had icy cold water the whole time we were away. The only thing I didn't think to do was to have a meal prepared at home waiting for our return. I certainly didn't feel like cooking an evening meal when we got home. <br />
<br />
We have a few small weekend trips planned for the next few months. These trips will be very budget friendly as part of making memories and also as birthday present treats for my boys. This trip was for my twins as they turned 11 just days before we went.<br />
<br />
Happy camping for everyone else spending school holidays out bush. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-18338522315159209962014-05-25T17:27:00.000-07:002014-05-25T17:27:14.320-07:00Paradise toiletDecorating while in a rental house can be hard and very limiting. I have been trying to think of ways to make the house suit my style and be a fun place for the kids to grow up in. <br />
<br />
I was walking past the very dull toilet and wondering how could I make that more interesting without changing the paintwork. I love colour and recently I decided to bring in more 'gypsy' style decorating to tie the look together. But what could I do with this average looking toilet room?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQnoqM4tM24mAZqBK4O9LsuhTq5TKtcxJQEV1yYX2MjRznYbJ5dRMARQyDnBn1WFWcuVPYCDNmLQFphkRJLHkK1LjjyE8wM-O6YfSXexCMe-gP7PbziYG3L3vh3vAWYPS9rdDYiq8e7yu/s1600/26may14+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQnoqM4tM24mAZqBK4O9LsuhTq5TKtcxJQEV1yYX2MjRznYbJ5dRMARQyDnBn1WFWcuVPYCDNmLQFphkRJLHkK1LjjyE8wM-O6YfSXexCMe-gP7PbziYG3L3vh3vAWYPS9rdDYiq8e7yu/s1600/26may14+072.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Then while I was cleaning up my craft stash I thought of a wonderful way to use up wool and ribbon scraps. I found an old rod and spring loaded ends hiding in the shed and I looped the wool and ribbon over the rod. With the spring loaded rod, it means that it can be removed easily without damaging the walls and it doesn't require any holes to be drilled in the brickwork. Brilliant.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk1NL36jLRH3wi-0btpgaelzCoErXbOpZGI-NrM0H5hBNac6s3DN1H4O254RgyVXQQ8qsKYnIMxV6cPLf9PPR45uu9VegZFIJ3oLjgAwtVJWlSupECU-PkmIQaSwngZoLHlkHVDceqmyv/s1600/26may14+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk1NL36jLRH3wi-0btpgaelzCoErXbOpZGI-NrM0H5hBNac6s3DN1H4O254RgyVXQQ8qsKYnIMxV6cPLf9PPR45uu9VegZFIJ3oLjgAwtVJWlSupECU-PkmIQaSwngZoLHlkHVDceqmyv/s1600/26may14+078.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcT-dv4HTZNUCpK3fZDNmjUlp8qGb2XOphY6Q3rDoekY7BAVfEsuvfqX2ODvy8caRRCunIsTFR8ONEsATE1J8HhuNDByYr56vg5OYYwmDgetaMzKJrXZKor0hRybItPlhQM89AtvhUcD3/s1600/26may14+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcT-dv4HTZNUCpK3fZDNmjUlp8qGb2XOphY6Q3rDoekY7BAVfEsuvfqX2ODvy8caRRCunIsTFR8ONEsATE1J8HhuNDByYr56vg5OYYwmDgetaMzKJrXZKor0hRybItPlhQM89AtvhUcD3/s1600/26may14+083.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Next I got an old plant stand and added a pot plant to the room. The plant stand was once white and got spray painted orange a while ago. I have used an old glass cookie jar for the plant and tied wool and ribbons around it to add more colour. The plant came out of a big pot that needed thinning out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_X7FcTvWejXG5aFlyzZrFQqW8ULdXbT7AfYlVPUJij0Wh19gjZAhE-1VX0jI4qAf27tHe6xtnYkjkO9WhXW7TCxJURWJyyQW9-vzIOCm14fkLHDVMEUDi51XLifAV6qH5lwps4TGkW_Az/s1600/26may14+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_X7FcTvWejXG5aFlyzZrFQqW8ULdXbT7AfYlVPUJij0Wh19gjZAhE-1VX0jI4qAf27tHe6xtnYkjkO9WhXW7TCxJURWJyyQW9-vzIOCm14fkLHDVMEUDi51XLifAV6qH5lwps4TGkW_Az/s1600/26may14+077.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQY-pyRkKB9iGPFcOl1lKoZY9iHl8FfOap-8otZ4yxf0cBY6BqckrlVZLIUTbihOvMn577y7YG2hRi2KiSf8kJDKTd2OJCCL1oLYKVUeVZbM28KYZrIDD1DpCmkQrnvNoTHybrRS9Dr8o/s1600/26may14+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQY-pyRkKB9iGPFcOl1lKoZY9iHl8FfOap-8otZ4yxf0cBY6BqckrlVZLIUTbihOvMn577y7YG2hRi2KiSf8kJDKTd2OJCCL1oLYKVUeVZbM28KYZrIDD1DpCmkQrnvNoTHybrRS9Dr8o/s1600/26may14+081.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
The best thing about this project is that it cost me nothing because I just used things that were laying around unused. I think this is probably the most gypsy feel I can give to the room without painting or re-tiling. Though if you have any other ideas please let me know especially as I have the bathroom to do next.<br />
<br />Surprisingly my boys love it. As it was a very quick and easy project they didn't see it happening so the next time they needed to use the bathroom they got a pleasant shock. Even the youngest said "it pretty" which I will take as a high compliment. One of my boys sometimes struggles to find words to explain things due to his autism. He looked at the room and said "wow it looks like a paradise toilet". I'm not really sure what a paradise toilet is but I like the name and forever forward this room will be referred to as the Paradise toilet. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-37268152196402900102014-03-10T19:34:00.000-07:002014-03-10T19:34:01.205-07:00Craft project: ea alis propriis volatNormally I follow craft patterns as I feel I lack imagination to design my own work. But this week I decided to design something from scratch. If I didn't like the end product then I would just hide it in a cupboard but I actually think I did ok for my first attempt so I am going to share it.<br />
<br />
I used my favourite Latin quote "ea alis propriis volat" which translated means "She Flies With Her Own Wings" or "the feminine one flies with her own wings". From what I can tell the quote can be used without the 'ea' but the 'ea' gives a stronger emphasis that it is about a female. I think this quote really describes me well. As a strong independent, single mum I think I really fly with my own wings.<br />
<br />
The font for the script came from googling script fonts and discovering a website for designing tattoos. You put in your words, choose a font and then can print it off. This was great for then tracing the font design onto the fabric using a water soluble pen. The website I used was called www.tattoodesign.com.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LVnOhXJb6wQ47v153GqxIAzJNG_mpmteS9P3JaHjnHTOmEBkdlyv1PN2xyGZAtgnJG6JXMwIw38diS8R6UHS0LJd3fzdI2ZmfK-CZJo-MKqQ4Xr50vNAOGmoXDYnAQTJQTFUKNoFamBz/s1600/butterfly+project+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LVnOhXJb6wQ47v153GqxIAzJNG_mpmteS9P3JaHjnHTOmEBkdlyv1PN2xyGZAtgnJG6JXMwIw38diS8R6UHS0LJd3fzdI2ZmfK-CZJo-MKqQ4Xr50vNAOGmoXDYnAQTJQTFUKNoFamBz/s1600/butterfly+project+001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
All the writing and thread work were done with 2 strands of thread using backstitch. With the stem of the flower and the body of the butterfly I did rows of back stitch beside each other. I used a fabric scrap for the butterfly and the flowers were crochet flowers I bought off Ebay ages ago. If I didn't have those to use up, then I would have made appliqued flowers instead. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtW_7okHFg8is_Y4sOa4A_3TEmV_lDkjHgSdcsSQXjEzSvILgwwFSmhIV1T0VpEo2C77vVUU4fgvUnqGaepEYaHhYdw3KT6aBlJc9sBynz4ncpCo8q9PZiuY9WMyU-z8DLM1oz4hTlTMcl/s1600/butterfly+project+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtW_7okHFg8is_Y4sOa4A_3TEmV_lDkjHgSdcsSQXjEzSvILgwwFSmhIV1T0VpEo2C77vVUU4fgvUnqGaepEYaHhYdw3KT6aBlJc9sBynz4ncpCo8q9PZiuY9WMyU-z8DLM1oz4hTlTMcl/s1600/butterfly+project+018.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
I am happy with my first attempt and it does match in with my bedroom. Though I did straighten the frame up a little after I took the photo. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqV3x1iKvT6HqX3SOcV92Y_f8nDTbeyYXzK403HDyMXef7OsWBLGFE_wd6nZQ01XD0DfL__AZABB45yAk4fc7WeodPjQWN1oDJL1GL6aVHK9DnoXQeGbPgYT68caQBjyMbY3ZgSFIj9Y7/s1600/butterfly+project+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqV3x1iKvT6HqX3SOcV92Y_f8nDTbeyYXzK403HDyMXef7OsWBLGFE_wd6nZQ01XD0DfL__AZABB45yAk4fc7WeodPjQWN1oDJL1GL6aVHK9DnoXQeGbPgYT68caQBjyMbY3ZgSFIj9Y7/s1600/butterfly+project+016.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Well do you think it turned out ok? How did your first attempts at designing a project go?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-30045688704024331432014-03-06T16:34:00.001-08:002014-03-06T16:34:29.574-08:00Furniture renovation project - small outdoor setting. I finished another project. This was a cheap outdoor setting I bought to sit on when supervising the kids in the pool. The boys like to go swimming a lot. Often I join them but some days the water is a bit too cold for me, so then I watch from the side lines.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiywp8GewVumc0RlnJvFcVMndRnoPWlPdevioqouH7MOAUBvrnonfdwzgl99J_DSWO4-QBpYqRHmPXUsKgpX_P_-j3U1kVEr7KFeppxMx4Y756v0tlCWCVWOenLxsvK08qTqCotmALQQR/s1600/jack+BBQ+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiywp8GewVumc0RlnJvFcVMndRnoPWlPdevioqouH7MOAUBvrnonfdwzgl99J_DSWO4-QBpYqRHmPXUsKgpX_P_-j3U1kVEr7KFeppxMx4Y756v0tlCWCVWOenLxsvK08qTqCotmALQQR/s1600/jack+BBQ+021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I painted the setting in a colour called Tsunami. It is a blueish green or a greenish blue. It looks blue in the photos but it does have a green tinge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXt-2nbsjPNi1gtpa3Om7QbWmSc-ltWMNZ5IJg7Meee_7JVcsFGkAZyXUdo-B_7Xk9wS2jKMpA9X-CsNiKkG8QnGgEDX5WpkfnXA6Czc6mLJxB6IPK6wLiF6MYH11PpmBOVqN6ChkIEfD/s1600/chairs+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXt-2nbsjPNi1gtpa3Om7QbWmSc-ltWMNZ5IJg7Meee_7JVcsFGkAZyXUdo-B_7Xk9wS2jKMpA9X-CsNiKkG8QnGgEDX5WpkfnXA6Czc6mLJxB6IPK6wLiF6MYH11PpmBOVqN6ChkIEfD/s1600/chairs+001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu2FBnN1n2GUgS3ZtGjyl1J7ivYHRkd7-Nz4SL-EKUNjFnWohc5sV8fGtgB_Bhz8j4q8MYQVdHW-2Hf3BmjWrvUYW-_fcJYGiewcdOq5XxYXRcENJ5yLdlTNHkg_s1-TofM8qeNPCenj1/s1600/chairs+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu2FBnN1n2GUgS3ZtGjyl1J7ivYHRkd7-Nz4SL-EKUNjFnWohc5sV8fGtgB_Bhz8j4q8MYQVdHW-2Hf3BmjWrvUYW-_fcJYGiewcdOq5XxYXRcENJ5yLdlTNHkg_s1-TofM8qeNPCenj1/s1600/chairs+004.JPG" height="400" width="300" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They look far more inviting now. Though with a couple of cyclones lurking around and heavy rain expected, I'm not sure when I will get to enjoy them next. I would like to add some more colour into the pool area. I am thinking of some pink and/or yellow pots filled with tropical plants. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-90783870050258245402014-03-05T23:37:00.000-08:002014-03-05T23:37:47.661-08:00Furniture renovation project - desk <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I bought this old desk at auction a long time ago. It needed a bit of work but it was very solid and sturdy so worth the money. It sat out in the carport for a long time and when ever the youngest man walked past he would peel off strips of the veneer. It went from a small patch fix to requiring all the veneer to be removed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5p0YmHAFKySVnFEUpwIM1S1aS7CC3eUSWEdGtgHfXcKtkLJMMnktJENmcJTHQd-9W_ikOrxZYOi82KNpeyycoVhH7y_QgUbl_SuzOwaHqekCbKsFo7Ngn2wQBHOuf5rFPKiBJ4R7JkACW/s1600/chalk+board+table+and+ben%2527s+box+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5p0YmHAFKySVnFEUpwIM1S1aS7CC3eUSWEdGtgHfXcKtkLJMMnktJENmcJTHQd-9W_ikOrxZYOi82KNpeyycoVhH7y_QgUbl_SuzOwaHqekCbKsFo7Ngn2wQBHOuf5rFPKiBJ4R7JkACW/s1600/chalk+board+table+and+ben%2527s+box+013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs006eerjhIIcYKrXfoVds9xuGiudOuiody9vDtn8_vKa-ZZWQ6U8KXIGbnplpOy1qib6kxg2PE_bm6Q5BzN0JI28KACWgp8qhyKi3K-YFkTuQsDsZlLTzuWtreG8PZx0O_woDD9hx1hX/s1600/chalk+board+table+and+ben%27s+box+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs006eerjhIIcYKrXfoVds9xuGiudOuiody9vDtn8_vKa-ZZWQ6U8KXIGbnplpOy1qib6kxg2PE_bm6Q5BzN0JI28KACWgp8qhyKi3K-YFkTuQsDsZlLTzuWtreG8PZx0O_woDD9hx1hX/s1600/chalk+board+table+and+ben's+box+014.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLzjrOqTDoA7ao4bnImae9PeSfkSdn_mDSsZNlX7JpFbVHwq7yKvooYwwCddNNwbaV8HFuF5ArLfyAoi3BBQeDWctaQavZyzRnBaFcLgwqp1M9sQek6xeJrBxNyzZ8DTR0MmaFcILTXFp/s1600/chalk+board+table+and+ben%27s+box+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLzjrOqTDoA7ao4bnImae9PeSfkSdn_mDSsZNlX7JpFbVHwq7yKvooYwwCddNNwbaV8HFuF5ArLfyAoi3BBQeDWctaQavZyzRnBaFcLgwqp1M9sQek6xeJrBxNyzZ8DTR0MmaFcILTXFp/s1600/chalk+board+table+and+ben's+box+015.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
It eventually got moved to the shed to join all the other projects and mess. After a while I got sick of all the space it was taking up so I started working on it. I spent about 4 hours stripping off the veneer using a paint scrapper. Then I sanded the traces of glue. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaX0iiaxHDDtFS_NTVbRMmMm0Pp2Ykqy3gvAgc76RbHh-Ox-jnPWdeMFwKKi_OZ0yYu-rV9DB27hpq2GyyywGUb8go_g1OWpdsB_Qo91QrPszEthlXQ35OHRo5s7oVarQ_MYwWUy8_DT0/s1600/jack+BBQ+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaX0iiaxHDDtFS_NTVbRMmMm0Pp2Ykqy3gvAgc76RbHh-Ox-jnPWdeMFwKKi_OZ0yYu-rV9DB27hpq2GyyywGUb8go_g1OWpdsB_Qo91QrPszEthlXQ35OHRo5s7oVarQ_MYwWUy8_DT0/s1600/jack+BBQ+037.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I had to hammer a few nails back into the timber.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuziTHfubYkl9MciXwXRaJHook0w4-0v2wqEfM79KU3GlffxQjGOGxFi3keNCFxVdHQHSRfG7v4x2ytA1PRqciH3VYiQI3EDiqZdBZI6IvopQVTGrurMSDSH67IcL0CL1afLQtfpcoKBQ/s1600/jack+BBQ+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuziTHfubYkl9MciXwXRaJHook0w4-0v2wqEfM79KU3GlffxQjGOGxFi3keNCFxVdHQHSRfG7v4x2ytA1PRqciH3VYiQI3EDiqZdBZI6IvopQVTGrurMSDSH67IcL0CL1afLQtfpcoKBQ/s1600/jack+BBQ+038.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
After a couple of coats of undercoat, I painted it white and green. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYUzQtf4HyacAbu5T8vfcP0sQ0sgqUc6dOZtI1I0G5wmzGCMCLRWWk-vRdok2xdIHs5M1DOfNGJzaYDsWoX_N2JH-ALgaloxsDvSiEMKF_KQssbhdurzkX-_ElXnJB7UqKDR5vqFNzfEv/s1600/whitegreen+desk+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYUzQtf4HyacAbu5T8vfcP0sQ0sgqUc6dOZtI1I0G5wmzGCMCLRWWk-vRdok2xdIHs5M1DOfNGJzaYDsWoX_N2JH-ALgaloxsDvSiEMKF_KQssbhdurzkX-_ElXnJB7UqKDR5vqFNzfEv/s1600/whitegreen+desk+002.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTw0idhHqjKH6SkCFRdEIsoAvdGEVn__DKWmOZVFe85G0xrX0VEICy1GkFO5Idt1yVLfUgq_XTiizNu8eDKH6YhHEv07beSlkiJ98nZ9IiUy5AmPiM42DEm-S5LarHTHIHzK5WsrNA5KM/s1600/whitegreen+desk+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTw0idhHqjKH6SkCFRdEIsoAvdGEVn__DKWmOZVFe85G0xrX0VEICy1GkFO5Idt1yVLfUgq_XTiizNu8eDKH6YhHEv07beSlkiJ98nZ9IiUy5AmPiM42DEm-S5LarHTHIHzK5WsrNA5KM/s1600/whitegreen+desk+003.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
The final coat of white was done late one afternoon and unfortunately I didn't check the weather forecast. The wet season decided to finally arrive later that night. Three solid weeks of rain really affected the paint drying. I left the draws out for about a week and I thought they were dry and safe to put back in. Big mistake. In our hot and humid weather the draws stuck. Eventually I was able to pry them open but I have learnt a lesson there. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-42771807043081889152014-03-04T16:47:00.001-08:002014-03-04T16:58:11.900-08:00Craft - Map of AustraliaOn Australia Day I was reflecting that I haven't done an Australian themed craft for a long time. Many years ago I saw a lovely cross stitch pattern of 'Advance Australia Fair' that I was determined to do in the future. But now we are in the future my eyesight and my patience isn't as good as it once was. Big projects like that will never get finished so I set out to find a small project that was full of colour and quick.<br />
<br />
I couldn't find anything suitable so I made this up as I went. I got out my old school Atlas and photocopied a suitable map. I had to play around with the enlargement/shrinkage buttons to get it to the right size for my hoop. I probably should have shrunk it down a little further but it still looks ok.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSmFsYc8gQkhM9eTfYsJ7B9NcCLgUjeDX7WY3Ef4Eae7H7Z3ovZ7bVc8B11HJ2bYxyVMq6EdDebpRGrbhqkiYliy7Dp4EbYsD38HNilbpKZeG7KQAtwV6l3WblX1mcIb882hAqXYsUrgJ/s1600/stickers+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSmFsYc8gQkhM9eTfYsJ7B9NcCLgUjeDX7WY3Ef4Eae7H7Z3ovZ7bVc8B11HJ2bYxyVMq6EdDebpRGrbhqkiYliy7Dp4EbYsD38HNilbpKZeG7KQAtwV6l3WblX1mcIb882hAqXYsUrgJ/s1600/stickers+010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
As I was doing this at night, my eyesight would have struggled to trace the image in the traditional manner. Normally you would place the fabric on top of the pattern and trace the shape. But as I was using a photocopy anyway, I just cut cut the template and placed it on top of the fabric and traced the outline with a water soluble fabric marker. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tja1zHnFlqIEldp9WeL2gChlNYzZFmrIlH8BKwDRQI19nVQ2TnBvDdTe8l2BZp26-YEV7PVFuuqvPkfXqZR7e0CFXVQ2ioKu9t5nbby8nzTIx59cacS3UV7mlQHpIobADJGeCqZqplr-/s1600/stickers+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tja1zHnFlqIEldp9WeL2gChlNYzZFmrIlH8BKwDRQI19nVQ2TnBvDdTe8l2BZp26-YEV7PVFuuqvPkfXqZR7e0CFXVQ2ioKu9t5nbby8nzTIx59cacS3UV7mlQHpIobADJGeCqZqplr-/s1600/stickers+011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
When I was finished with the outer outline, I just cut up the map and traced the borders of each state. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzhCK_eoBqftJ1eCzVw6B6hcMNWOM_JOHjxFSkT-YWRAOKc_4qCRoehAfY8g-o3QpqRjPRYaTueaKZmfT_9ZtFOphX9G4S2KAXY7aSFcW9iXkT0S3xNhuo6ISVCLCkWJqWSmS9NrluSWJ/s1600/stickers+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzhCK_eoBqftJ1eCzVw6B6hcMNWOM_JOHjxFSkT-YWRAOKc_4qCRoehAfY8g-o3QpqRjPRYaTueaKZmfT_9ZtFOphX9G4S2KAXY7aSFcW9iXkT0S3xNhuo6ISVCLCkWJqWSmS9NrluSWJ/s1600/stickers+012.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I have a heaps of DMC threads from when I would cross stitch. I have them all sorted into numerical order in various craft boxes. I also have one box that holds random unknown threads or small leftovers from old projects. I just grabbed out several colours I like from that box. I used 2 threads as I was working on this project. I started with QLD and NT and did shorter rows. I am unhappy with how this looked so for the rest of the states I did one continuous line across from border to border.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHnDvWExFyDW3V4jUeP9PL1wAQkULI6N46jZEHNvC1kdDR_nqsIgCRPhIDTkGLipY-q-L88vtJYDAy1cWSGjk1KwFF1mbUunoC5M4Pauu3gEyhxTzbV394vldlDppXJhV_S2a8ywnSzVo/s1600/March+2014+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHnDvWExFyDW3V4jUeP9PL1wAQkULI6N46jZEHNvC1kdDR_nqsIgCRPhIDTkGLipY-q-L88vtJYDAy1cWSGjk1KwFF1mbUunoC5M4Pauu3gEyhxTzbV394vldlDppXJhV_S2a8ywnSzVo/s1600/March+2014+053.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Now somehow while I was working on the project I must have pulled the fabric in the frame and distorted the lines. Some of the borders then ended up wonky when I started to embroider. Hopefully no one notices.<br />
<br />
After I finished I trimmed the extra fabric at the back and it was done. I think I might do a kangaroo next or maybe some of our bright colourful bird life. If you have any ideas or seen any easy patterns then please let me know. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-56461669098964554862014-03-04T03:42:00.001-08:002014-03-04T16:57:43.269-08:00Family times - Special lunches for my boysThere are some days in life that we all need a special lunch. I try very hard to make special treats for my boys though I don't know if they notice my efforts. This Valentine's Day I wanted to make sure all 4 boys had a special lunch treat to take to school. <br />
<br />
For many years my boys had very limited diets due to their autism. One of my boys would only eat white food and he had the same things for lunch for years. Slowly over time, each child is trying new food. Recently they tried prawns and two of the boys are now hooked. <br />
<br />
I can never be lonely while peeling prawns as I suddenly have extra shadows putting their hands out. I did manage to peel these prawns in secret and wrap them in Cling Wrap. I then popped them in a cupcake patty and wrapped them in Cling Wrap again with a little bow. I heard no complaints about these additions in the lunchbox. I should point out that there are fridges in each classroom that the boys can put their lunchboxes in. I couldn't imagine sending prawns if they were to sit in a school bag for several hours. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSxagZVkb-nM5jb_ypOuWjjCUMxaifF93ORbvOCc3ucOupNJR3X79McwxLkook5482fnugMbq0bgHqwyaMlAyiBa-z_WZrJhXX1v8Wy7kQT37gSmtfPhG9L7x7YPX2r-nhInnHfINDMZv/s1600/March+2014+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSxagZVkb-nM5jb_ypOuWjjCUMxaifF93ORbvOCc3ucOupNJR3X79McwxLkook5482fnugMbq0bgHqwyaMlAyiBa-z_WZrJhXX1v8Wy7kQT37gSmtfPhG9L7x7YPX2r-nhInnHfINDMZv/s1600/March+2014+005.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5XV6D4N9On9bQKVzjGtU-ESvXyXj466FocvtXB4V1Gpx2hl964oxYatkOppPyiGO_6XwwOUVZSNsHoTfc2IXQPj-UwaBNdmzkgbOAtTpM7ccNcq2ET6rquPGYP04y6pNo-o89jaFJ71r/s1600/March+2014+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5XV6D4N9On9bQKVzjGtU-ESvXyXj466FocvtXB4V1Gpx2hl964oxYatkOppPyiGO_6XwwOUVZSNsHoTfc2IXQPj-UwaBNdmzkgbOAtTpM7ccNcq2ET6rquPGYP04y6pNo-o89jaFJ71r/s1600/March+2014+006.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRWz6KGM5TObWIPU6W9Cf5sZ19QMRXYjOwC71OJd_UikKfqS2nmrg5xw5fWm_Wft5K7lq0C_CVvNW5DIgQpzEfN0lZgu46sSFxfVzEJvLh4lLY67cAk2Js1l-RawFQa__zmk9NxU2TEKB/s1600/March+2014+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRWz6KGM5TObWIPU6W9Cf5sZ19QMRXYjOwC71OJd_UikKfqS2nmrg5xw5fWm_Wft5K7lq0C_CVvNW5DIgQpzEfN0lZgu46sSFxfVzEJvLh4lLY67cAk2Js1l-RawFQa__zmk9NxU2TEKB/s1600/March+2014+007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Then I went crazy with a biscuit cutter. I had a little heart shaped cutter and cut up various cold meats and cheeses. We don't usually eat processed meats but this was a special treat and I was hoping the youngest child might show an interest in them. Unfortunately he was more interested in saying "hearts, hearts, hearts" rather than eating them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RN2FoXvaMJhh8VMaILJBvdZhFbYh6APzJZqiqbUfsWzwxwXhdNYBnx0ISDJPKwGwqExw0Rubo-0it7zNcynvI1ySDxJ8vJwVeFlHGB7dQop86mObm8gu5La49VhNQNDDqAjLXaPs_jwD/s1600/March+2014+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RN2FoXvaMJhh8VMaILJBvdZhFbYh6APzJZqiqbUfsWzwxwXhdNYBnx0ISDJPKwGwqExw0Rubo-0it7zNcynvI1ySDxJ8vJwVeFlHGB7dQop86mObm8gu5La49VhNQNDDqAjLXaPs_jwD/s1600/March+2014+009.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I made a massive batch of heart shaped biscuits. There is something very special about the smell of home baking and as a result there was no chance I could make these in secret. The boys kept popping their heads into the kitchen to claim some of these as they came out of the oven. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvtDZDZKgw_7QKVaXtex7Cxs_95QHD6o-2kiuSLCWjs8NUnUPgunoVxFGSOT0xhVlUBRXjAWOBshlcdiSRTVbGs-Oy2IWcr6WfPwqpM2EH-10E7EtBSLsjp3CC_ni0DsKKO-TOif9TCg-/s1600/March+2014+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvtDZDZKgw_7QKVaXtex7Cxs_95QHD6o-2kiuSLCWjs8NUnUPgunoVxFGSOT0xhVlUBRXjAWOBshlcdiSRTVbGs-Oy2IWcr6WfPwqpM2EH-10E7EtBSLsjp3CC_ni0DsKKO-TOif9TCg-/s1600/March+2014+010.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Here are some of the finished lunchboxes that the boys took to school. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKdxKfyPCOpoODa5kw8-0upq46tFfi02_w9r45MU_8SItanvnd7QeZxa9W_8LFhr4KLSe_HuckL-TaYNsaIbjoxoDGab6sXMbKx-Y9nvRBWJ-49P1D104UeR9VKAxkC4jMDkSZwZ4OLn_/s1600/March+2014+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKdxKfyPCOpoODa5kw8-0upq46tFfi02_w9r45MU_8SItanvnd7QeZxa9W_8LFhr4KLSe_HuckL-TaYNsaIbjoxoDGab6sXMbKx-Y9nvRBWJ-49P1D104UeR9VKAxkC4jMDkSZwZ4OLn_/s1600/March+2014+011.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO3w4IbHCbuoVzTLKqu2WY6ZzwOl7_8U4EbLoDvNQbJ3TyJk3XTaXR6CT8U1tmLarYw0VYiemNNUBmMuxYHCrGAc-XjfRIiZyo9gTtnlZa0GzsvCIEOrb7-ydoF0tsf5cCDHxR0Gh_ENl/s1600/March+2014+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO3w4IbHCbuoVzTLKqu2WY6ZzwOl7_8U4EbLoDvNQbJ3TyJk3XTaXR6CT8U1tmLarYw0VYiemNNUBmMuxYHCrGAc-XjfRIiZyo9gTtnlZa0GzsvCIEOrb7-ydoF0tsf5cCDHxR0Gh_ENl/s1600/March+2014+014.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
My attempts will never look as fancy as the photos that you find on Pinterest. Seriously how many hours must it take to create some of those masterpieces. I wish I had that much spare time. And even if I did, I think I would prefer to channel my time into making special meals we can share together. Because the one problem with sending them to school with special treats is that I never get to see the looks on their faces when they open their lunch boxes.<br />
<br />
I am now thinking about making some 'green' treats for Saint Patrick's day lunches. I will have to hunt down some natural green food dye and start planning in secret. I have a friend who also likes to make special school lunches for her boys. We often share photos and ideas so I'm putting out the 'Saint Patrick's Day' lunch challenge to her. Will she accept the challenge? We will have to wait and see.<br />
<br />
Edit - My friend is all in for the Saint Patrick's Day lunch challenge. She has declared war. Stay tuned for photos in a future post.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-8499646264659138482014-01-12T22:18:00.000-08:002014-03-04T17:15:29.609-08:00Furniture Renovation project: Outdoor Lounge - from drab to fab.This is a project that started ages ago but I realised I never came back to post the 'After' pictures. As it was so long ago now I have included the previous posts here as well as the after photo.<br />
<br />
This first part was posted back on 18/09/2012.<br />
This outdoor lounge is very sturdy but was drab, faded and dated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aDfKha0MXF7Jz0P3PlzdPC19OAffh6SJESTPI57DW7qIm6EP7cXifhrB4eiwS9ZuuZEHWHjz1IRFb_4mobyyYhvXCSyPprz0o0NSDsG9H3AFBHKLNfThYv5m7R-VsjkHvRxcGF3gDvwK/s1600/before+and+afters+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aDfKha0MXF7Jz0P3PlzdPC19OAffh6SJESTPI57DW7qIm6EP7cXifhrB4eiwS9ZuuZEHWHjz1IRFb_4mobyyYhvXCSyPprz0o0NSDsG9H3AFBHKLNfThYv5m7R-VsjkHvRxcGF3gDvwK/s400/before+and+afters+027.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOhFDELB-XaT-QvkCpuzMXsB4gznNu6GP9rkSqeLn6bkJXW-U3Zxbut7YR0AtLHmcd0qtdoYNd3_UFxuIwLOV9YG6Y1y0LqeztpaKXyt_x1oeXByep2OHV4n9LkQ7G94ZWKKz0nGctRMw/s1600/before+and+afters+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOhFDELB-XaT-QvkCpuzMXsB4gznNu6GP9rkSqeLn6bkJXW-U3Zxbut7YR0AtLHmcd0qtdoYNd3_UFxuIwLOV9YG6Y1y0LqeztpaKXyt_x1oeXByep2OHV4n9LkQ7G94ZWKKz0nGctRMw/s400/before+and+afters+028.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I painted the timber in white outdoor gloss paint. Boy typing it
like that makes it sound like it was an easy quick job. Don't be fooled,
those timber slats on the chairs took ages to paint. Then my darling Mum
took the feral covers off and replaced them with Calico. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QyTmux8rfdevDvtwhbLbN48pLipNUxugO1Qedp2B4ROFgM5cmeaZXvo7cHs_kqVz1PtAd1QvfFDFfYK88MLCzjmxUj1TyQkxcJj44U-NeC6NlKxyq047G4zxrJg9djs1bgK4173zaLXn/s1600/blue+table%252C+ben+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QyTmux8rfdevDvtwhbLbN48pLipNUxugO1Qedp2B4ROFgM5cmeaZXvo7cHs_kqVz1PtAd1QvfFDFfYK88MLCzjmxUj1TyQkxcJj44U-NeC6NlKxyq047G4zxrJg9djs1bgK4173zaLXn/s400/blue+table%252C+ben+033.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWmhjkhlU9WcP4qpV533TvG0FxiAxINBsfslk4a6Ggtxx5GrqziqFTDtCbShneEfyMhxM2BjFaNErHf1ifQotPMqOFWwpJ4fF729Hd4kS_L6dF-hSWYi17qTpI84KZoCVjO21UYUYkT3x/s1600/blue+table%252C+ben+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWmhjkhlU9WcP4qpV533TvG0FxiAxINBsfslk4a6Ggtxx5GrqziqFTDtCbShneEfyMhxM2BjFaNErHf1ifQotPMqOFWwpJ4fF729Hd4kS_L6dF-hSWYi17qTpI84KZoCVjO21UYUYkT3x/s400/blue+table%252C+ben+034.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTUAMrciwPbh8CxjE1KsrQVQvfFoub-TB55V9YLckckVO8JYoI3QbLOgfaERFWvLlgj8jOUDZA9zyeBIkprph6EkxIBDut4qKBk2sNDLfq5W25Mlpi9lkJAX1_LGZ6nFTHYFFNhHYOQ_V/s1600/blue+table%252C+ben+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTUAMrciwPbh8CxjE1KsrQVQvfFoub-TB55V9YLckckVO8JYoI3QbLOgfaERFWvLlgj8jOUDZA9zyeBIkprph6EkxIBDut4qKBk2sNDLfq5W25Mlpi9lkJAX1_LGZ6nFTHYFFNhHYOQ_V/s400/blue+table%252C+ben+035.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I bought the calico as lining. There is special UV resistant fabric
coming to cover the cushions. Those will be included in the Part 2
edition. I have ordered the fabric from the USA and have to wait for it
to arrive. But for now the calico looks much nicer than the old faded
red fabric.<br />
<br />
Then I published an update on 20/10/2012<br />
I recently started jazzing up my outdoor lounge. I had painted it
white and Mum had started recovering the cushions with calico as the
lining.<br />
I had been trying to find a suitable outer fabric that
wouldn't fade from the sunlight. I couldn't find anything locally that I
liked or could afford. I ended up finding this one at an online
American shop, <a href="http://www.fabric.com/" target="_blank">fabric.com</a>. Surprisingly adding the postage costs to the price of the fabric still
made this a far cheaper option than buying anything locally. From the
time the order was processed to the time it arrived to my door step was
less than a week.<br />
<br />
Here is a blurb on it.<br />
<span class="DescriptionDetail" id="ctlProductDetail_lblDescription">"This
outdoor solarium fabric is solution dyed (solution-dye process is when
the color is manufactured into and throughout the fiber, the color is
part of the finished fabric). This gives the fiber consistent and
durable color that stands up in tough environments, such as sustained
direct sunlight. This fabric will withstand 5,000 hours sunlight and is
perfect for porches, patios, deck side, pool side and boat side"</span><br />
<br />
<span class="DescriptionDetail" id="ctlProductDetail_lblDescription">Now I just have to wait until Mum has time to sew these for me. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jELNXV5rHqspc5pu_D4DlL0a678Yk7hdBlxgtusavKu7yU_ZkXFppBVcmb77ygTuVu62wUlS9n_jgLwIhdYf-DC0QCaS3pExYriNlqLLcs762C36bHfwxNdZxKBbfJDzmjvlOMrtKBX4/s1600/fabric+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jELNXV5rHqspc5pu_D4DlL0a678Yk7hdBlxgtusavKu7yU_ZkXFppBVcmb77ygTuVu62wUlS9n_jgLwIhdYf-DC0QCaS3pExYriNlqLLcs762C36bHfwxNdZxKBbfJDzmjvlOMrtKBX4/s320/fabric+001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Well it didn't actually take Mum long to sew them. It has just taken me about a year to show you the after photo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjRrdTGNsWGrEoAOkUPGXHkd6Ve22inHznJZHaC4SFv78taZ8ZFECuyEwIRxhS70mkzvvTRwnIGekRoKQ9fGVPL043iyTl71XWnp4AX2p_qYHzbCWruX4CrLE0J3FF8bN0GMefS3oZ6Sw/s1600/tea+party+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjRrdTGNsWGrEoAOkUPGXHkd6Ve22inHznJZHaC4SFv78taZ8ZFECuyEwIRxhS70mkzvvTRwnIGekRoKQ9fGVPL043iyTl71XWnp4AX2p_qYHzbCWruX4CrLE0J3FF8bN0GMefS3oZ6Sw/s640/tea+party+013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="DescriptionDetail" id="ctlProductDetail_lblDescription"> Now if you were paying attention, you would have noticed that the little table has changed colour too. I love my lounges now. They are so much nicer than the drab red. I love sitting outside and enjoying the breeze in the evening. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-15521628333899195002014-01-11T21:59:00.000-08:002014-03-04T17:16:00.905-08:00Craft - I heart buttons.As a child I was fascinated by my Mum's button jar. It contained lovely old buttons. Buttons back then were far more interesting than buttons today. I remember buttons with shapes stamped into them, shell buttons, fabric covered buttons, metal buttons and different coloured buttons.<br />
<br />
Recently I borrowed her button jar to use a few buttons for a project. Then seeing the jar was still here and tempting me I used a few extra buttons and made this heart. I traced a heart shape onto the fabric with an erasable pen and then filled the space with different buttons. It was a very quick and easy project. I bought the hoop from my local Spotlight store and the fabric is a scrap out of my basket.<br />
<br />
The best thing about this project is that it is light and I have stuck it onto the wall with a tiny piece of blu-tac. This makes it easy to move around and is great for living in a rental house as there are no wall hooks required.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw91Ts1m3ATUQ8Ndg-706apfa7QsUYX6qy3wOEiAh6AQ_Je19p0RS9A1aJZrtuYb1tlLi7Q6a0F7M6lABRF3cl64Nf_ezBxN9Tjp5lSZhOTMzULZeusUmR1vmXLgc_wfbbzgr0Akjpy4vj/s1600/buttons+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw91Ts1m3ATUQ8Ndg-706apfa7QsUYX6qy3wOEiAh6AQ_Je19p0RS9A1aJZrtuYb1tlLi7Q6a0F7M6lABRF3cl64Nf_ezBxN9Tjp5lSZhOTMzULZeusUmR1vmXLgc_wfbbzgr0Akjpy4vj/s1600/buttons+005.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
Now I'm off to raid the jar for interesting coloured buttons to use on another project. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137342526408317912.post-91327372936556338842014-01-04T22:53:00.002-08:002014-03-04T17:02:29.385-08:00Craft - Rope Swirl Tapestry ArtIf you are a fan of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> then you might have seen the stunning Rope Swirl Tapestry photos doing the rounds. The original photos come from <a href="http://blog.freepeople.com/2011/06/rope-swirl-tapestry-giveaway/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. If you haven't seen them then you must go look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5_J5nXRV35j6swLYWly6QYq2qqf_Sv-oRBaWpsJCeC1BKGZ6BZANUhAKJYfVmgS1tNdk_hkL-hP8MZM5-phDXn0Oa2oQ-heflafnGX3tnvkKLJCUDgmk3IhKt4Ye7SrI44r3y0lf67KG/s1600/rope+swirl+tapestry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5_J5nXRV35j6swLYWly6QYq2qqf_Sv-oRBaWpsJCeC1BKGZ6BZANUhAKJYfVmgS1tNdk_hkL-hP8MZM5-phDXn0Oa2oQ-heflafnGX3tnvkKLJCUDgmk3IhKt4Ye7SrI44r3y0lf67KG/s400/rope+swirl+tapestry.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They were even kind enough to post instructions <a href="http://blog.freepeople.com/2011/05/wednes-diy-68/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I think it is totally awesome of them to share the instructions. As soon as I found the instructions I rushed off to my local Spotlight store to buy wool.<br />
<br />
It is a very fun project and easy to do. The one thing that isn't clear is that you need to skip a section in each row as you weave to keep the pattern going.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Here are my attempts so far. I haven't cut off the green twine ends yet so it looks messy. I will wait until I am ready to attach them all and then work out what needs cutting and trimming. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp2Lu3hBud7bW5W97epPKK2HBlPdjpr1yro0W08592AyeWHcY6yhFUmtqgCP3gbb-iPOjr5xtW_p_n6955AIg-GeXRQpc25u2pqqvtd0tJjlRglK0wkRBToYM6JWPy0ZOITSxFkrO4CrM/s1600/rope+swirl+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp2Lu3hBud7bW5W97epPKK2HBlPdjpr1yro0W08592AyeWHcY6yhFUmtqgCP3gbb-iPOjr5xtW_p_n6955AIg-GeXRQpc25u2pqqvtd0tJjlRglK0wkRBToYM6JWPy0ZOITSxFkrO4CrM/s640/rope+swirl+005.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
When I am ready to attach them I will add bright tassels and pompoms. I love the colour in the original photo and mine currently looks quite drab even though the wool is quite bright. The rope dulls the overall look so it definitely needs to be jazzed up. Don't hold your breath for the completed article, I think it will take me a few months of work. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08309727923395598262noreply@blogger.com0