I want this for my bedroom NOW please...

Last night I caught up on some taped frivolity I recorded while I was away (hey - can't miss highbrow unmissable shows like "The real housewives of Beverley Hills" or "Dance Moms" now can I?!). But I also watched last weeks episode of Selling Houses Australia; one of my absolute faves... and my heart did a little leap when I saw this:

I need to make one for my bedroom. Like, right this very second if not sooner. I did some research on the program and apparently the assistant whipped it up from an 'old craft magazine' - but WHICH ONE AND WHERE CAN I GET MY HANDS ON IT, DAMMIT!

It kinda looks like paper cones all threaded together somehow. But it's the 'somehow' that's got me stumped. I'm not giving up though folks, that sculpture will be mine. Oh yes it will! 

What have you uncovered this week thus far that has made your heart skip a beat?

Make a "broom broom" Nursery Wall Hanging for your baby BOY!

Today I'd like to share with you a little project I have been working on for Elli-Boo's bedroom. Following on from the original embroidery-hoop fabric wall hangings I designed before I knew he was a he, I've been wanting to update them a little - make them a little more 'boyish,' playful and fun. A bit like my sonny boy.

I've been playing with an idea in my head for a few weeks and over the weekend, I made this:

... and I'm a little chuffed at how it's come up! I don't know if you can see from my image, but those are actual toy cars stuck onto chalkcloth, upon which I've drawn a 'road.' Mine is on the wall, but it would be equally cute leaning on a bookshelf or somesuch. 

Want to know how I did it? It's pretty easy folks!

You need:

- An embroidery hoop 

- Some fabric (I chose a natural linen)

- Some chalkcloth or other fabric for the lettering

- Glue (preferably a hot glue gun)

- Scissors

- Toy cars (Matchbox or whatever you can grab from the $2 shop!)

Method:

1. First, stretch the linen over the hoop and secure into place.

2. Draw your child's initial onto your chosen fabric (I've used chalkcloth, and drawn on the back of mine). Print it out first onto paper and cut around if this is easier. 

3. Cut initial out.

4. Glue (or sew) onto embroidery hoop.

5. Draw your "road" on the initial using a ruler and chalk.

6. Finally, attach your cars onto the "road" using a hot glue gun. Cut excess fabric away from the back of the hoop.

7. Hang with pride!!

 I'd love to know what you think of this idea and if you do decide to give it a go yourself do DO send me pics! x

A Stripy Wall for the New Nursery!

When I woke up this morning (at 5am -- thanks, Fern) and heard the rain outside, I knew today was the day to get cracking on painting a stripy feature wall in my baby-to-be's nursery!

I had already purchased the paint over the weekend, so I was good to go. Fern and I had our first jammies-all-day day, and didn't actually get dressed til 3.30 this afternoon, when we donned our gumboots and went singing in the rain!

Here's a looksy at the old plain-jane wall (with all the nursery crap piled in front of it - hey - Ive got 13 weeks to get my act together!)

The preparation for the stripe wall was a piece of cake really, I mean it only took about 3 HOURS to pencil and tape my (somewhat dubious) straight lines. All those helpful how-to websites failed to mention the possibility of a wall that turns out not to be entirely straight, and the poor leveller had a meltdown! I eventually abandoned it, and went back to my trusty ruler instead. Actually, the taping part wasn't as bad as I thought - it was the penciling that kinda did my head in.

And the final result? See for yourself!

NB: the colour I have used for the stripe is Taubmans Opal Mist, and the rest of the room is Dulux Whisper White....

I am totally chuffed with how my stripy wall came out! I didn't even drop too much paint on the floor! Now, I'm going to add my embroidery-hoops to the wall and work on finishing the rest of the nursery. Next stop - the nursery mobile!

Stay tuned..... x

Chalk Clipboard

At the market over the weekend, I couldn't resist a little clipboard/ chalkboard that was just $6, including a packet of chalk! 

I've hung it near the front doorway, where I thought my husband and I could write messages to one another on our way out the door. Yes, its kitch, but I like kitch! I also hung my 'home is where the heart is' artwork I posted about here ages ago. I have lots of prints lying around until I work out where to put them; and even more holes in the wall from constantly moving them around or stuffing up in their placement! I pity whoever buys my house from us eventually... I will have to leave them a courtesy patch kit... or 10!

Scrabble art...

What do you get when you cross...

... an old canvas; a black tube of paint, and a $5 game of Scrabble found at the OpShop??

   

I'm creating an art wall in my home (in the bathroom no less, but that's another story) and looking to fill it with inspiring, creative works made both by myself and by individuals far more talented than I. When I found the Scrabble set I couldn't help but buy it; there are so many ways to use the old tiles -- to make jewellery or cards, or to create an original artwork like the one I've come up with below. Only problem with my original configuration was there were not enough 'H's... and it didn't look quite as effective using the blank square... however, with a little playing around I came up with the below. Not bad  I thought for an artwork that cost me <$10!

What fabulous artworks have you developed on the cheap?