SPRING // home edition

It's spring here in the Southern Hemisphere, and things are looking up. As we say in Kiwiland, soon it'll be time to "crank out the jandals and light up the barbie." Days are getting warmer and nights are getting shorter. Yussss.

I must admit, spring is my favourite time of year, mainly because of the incredible bloom that happens at this time of year. There's also this poignant feeling of hope in the air; it's as if the night has passed, and the day is at hand. Even if life is unutterably awful, one does feel that things must start to look up when spring arrives on one's doorstep. Also, everything just grows at this time of year. Like, uncontrollably. Grass, trees, weeds; you name it, it's growing!

So, to celebrate S P R I N G, here are some projects to enjoy this weekend (home edition):

// Plant seeds for your summer vegetable garden

We planted basil, tomatoes, perpetual spinach, beans, coriander, chili, and lettuce.
Then you can make T H I S:

here

// Complete an outdoor furniture project

Like this modular pallet seating from shanty-to-chic:

 

// Propagate a succulent

Succulents are so beautiful, and so very easy to keep alive. Check out this handy-dandy chart to help you:

West Elm

Then you could create this beauty:

Pinterest - inspo

 

// Start one of these cutie-pies

  Ultimate cuteness right here:

here

 

Ta da!! 

Lots of exciting new projects to start this S P R I N G!

What projects are you currently occupied with? Leave a comment below!

WINTER // yes please

It's winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Yup. Here are some of my winter wants:

1// Blanket capes are cool. Amiright??!! I really like this Glassons one.
2// Bright pink Revlon lippy to brighten a dark day
3// A cosy scarf from Trade Aid. Helps people in need, as well as keeping me warm #winningatlife
4// A cute winter blanket DIY

here

here

here

here

What are you lusting over this winter? Leave a comment below!

DIY // pinboard

A few years ago I created a pinboard from an old embroidery hoop and some vintage fabric. And now. Finally. I bring it to you.

YOU WILL NEED:

// Embroidery hoop

// Cotton (or any other light fabric) - enough to sit over your embroidery hoop

// Padding - enough to sit over your embroidery hoop

// Two lengths of lace or string
// Fabric scissors
// Hot glue gun

STEP ONE

// Place the hoop over the padding and trace inside with a marker.

// Carefully cut out the padding. It should be a circle that fits inside the hoop.

STEP TWO
// Trace inside the hoop onto your fabric

STEP THREE
// Now line the padding up with the traced circle on the fabric.

STEP THREE
// Attach the padding to the fabric around the edge of the circle with a hot glue gun.

STEP FOUR
// Lay the embroidery hoop over the fabric and thread edges through the gap around its edge.

STEP FIVE
// Turn the hoop over and pull taut, tightening the knob as you go.

STEP SIX
// Add in your desired ribbon/lace. I added two layers so I could pin more on the board.

STEP SEVEN
// Finally, turn the pinboard over and trim the excess fabric.
// Glue down with a hot glue gun

VOILA! Now you have a handy pinboard to display cards, photos, or what ever else inspires you!
Have you made any interesting projects recently? Leave a comment below!

Crafternoon ideas for your weekend

CUSHION
// This gold foil cushion from Design Sponge:

PHONE CASE
// This phone case from The Lovely Drawer:

POT
// These gold foil succulent pots from Miss Renaissance:

DIY: Mid-Century Cabinet

This is one of my first real furniture do-ups, and I couldn't be prouder! 
A few months ago, I was perusing my favourite shop, The Dump Shop (yes they do get claim most of their items from the dump next door - gutted I didn't think of that first), I came across the find of the year, nay the find of the century. As I rounded a dusty corner, I bumped into a wooden, not veneer, mid-century drawer-set. Ah, I said to myself, this'll be spensie. It's wooden and everything. To my surprise, and extreme pleasure, the price tag indicated in was only $20. Twenty dollars. This seems to be unheard of in NZ, where many a good kiwi loves to up-cycle second gems. Needless to say, I made a beeline for the counter and brought it as quick as could be. 
A few weeks later, and with the help of my amazing "other-half", we now have a modern, yet classic TV cabinet. And we only spent about $70 total. That surely is one helluva bargain, if I do say so myself!

DIY: dip-dyed stool

This year has been an interesting one. Not the good kind of interesting, either. It's been the kind of year that people say is character building. So, to fight the daily grind, I have been experimenting with furniture DIY-ing. Not only does it satiate my desire to buy things for cheap, but it's also helped to take my mind of difficult situations. The other day I found a cute wooden stool at my local op-shop for $15, which inspired a long weekend project. Good times.

You will need:

1 wooden stool

White paint

Sandpaper

Masking tape

Danish oil, or any stain of your choice.

Decide how high you want your paint to go and measure carefully. Tape it carefully with masking tape, creating a clean line. I wound the tape up the leg, because I was scared of slipping and getting paint where I didn't want it.

Paint the lower legs of your stool carefully. I chose white paint and did about three coats. Once it's dried (I left it over night), peel back the masking tape and revel in those clean, white lines!

The next step is to stain the top part of the stool. I chose danish oil because it's not overly shiny and it easier to touch up if you need to fix a scratch or blemish. 

Voila! You have a cute stool to enjoy!