Magazine Rack Makeover

This week I have been trying to catch up on a lot of projects that I have had hanging around, some for literally years! I like the fresh energy of the New Year, it always encourages me to try and tie up loose ends and get rid of those half finished bits.

I decided to finally finish upcycling a magazine rack that I received, broken, over two years ago. Last year I found the most perfect MidCentury style fabric that was also a great colour match for some of the furniture I already have in my lounge. Luckily I decided to keep it with the broken rack, so it was all ready to whip out at the opportune moment. Which finally came!

While I was doing it I kept uploading my progress to Twitter, because I was feeling lonely (or attention seeking, whichever). So there are more pictures if you are interested, on the hashtag #magazinerackmakeover.

The plastic covering of the original is a pretty cool pattern, so in the spirit of recycling I will be keeping that for some unspecified project.....

I love it! Now I am feeling the upcycling bug I will roam the house looking for new victims/candidates.

Watch this space!

Making Curtains

 Although it was task 1278899 on my list of things I want to sew, making curtains for our coldest room (because it has no curtains....) has become number 1 on my list of things I have to sew. My husband is virtually pleading with me to get on with it, I have bought all the stuff (in fact, two years ago) and I seem to have some time. On NO!!

Why I don't like making curtains is, the seams. I am not a big fan of anything with long seams and unmanageable bulk, which is why I have not made a quilt for any of the beds larger than Toddler size. Also, all the interlining and lining and whatnot seems like a terrible faff. But then, I tried some curtains without any lining for the nursery (there's already a blind there) and they are really thin and pointless. 

These curtains let in waaaaay too much light!

However, I then discovered a useful product which seems to have cut down my grief somewhat, a type of curtain lining with interlining pre-bonded to it. At this point in the project this seems like a life saver, and it gives the whole project a more luxurious drape, but the stuff I had could have been a teensy bit wider. Here, I admit,  I was rather a cheapskate and refused to buy 5m extra just so I could have more fulsome curtains. They close, I just would have preferred an extra 5cm or so each side. 

Anyway - here are my curtains - NOT HEMMED! I thought I would let them hang a while before I did that last job. Well, it wouldn't be right if I ever actually completely completed the project yet, would it?!

The fabric is Frederika from IKEA.

What have you made for your house this year?

Happy Mothers Day

What do Mothers Do? They mother, of course. Which in my house usually means a number of things: cake and homemade jumpers readily available, cuddles at bedtime, almost regular fresh clothes and a lot of giggling. Oh, and a few visits to the naughty step but we won't go into detail ;-).


Happy Mother's Day everyone.

It was Spanish Week!

As school's European week grinds to a halt we come to the last parental ordeal of this half term - the obligatory fancy dress day with added Themed Party. As the Big Girl here was allocated Spain as her country, we were inevitably going to pitch up in some half arsed attempt at a Flamenco Dress. After wracking my brains, fabric cupboard and patterns, I cobbled together this hybrid of a dress, which needed to be frilly, wearable, but not use too much fabric up as I really didn't have enough of any red or balck (they're not colours I really stock usually). Then the weather turned cold so we had to find things to wear with it that we already had, hence the unorthodox addition of grey poloneck and cardigan.

After several days whirring away at this and angsting about if it would pass muster (still no call from school to say it's fallen apart, that's good) I just  thought I would share something. The thing we ask ourselves is 'Why Am I Doing This?' when we do crazy stuff like: make an elaborate costume, spend the evenings glueing sequins on things (I am thinking of the mother of the boy in the glittery matador jacket here), use up all our polka dot fabric on a Flamenco bodice to be worn once. Last night, as she lay in bed, with the Flamenco Dress hanging up on her door, this little cutie turned to her father and whispered 'Daddy I don't think I will be able to sleep I am so excited about wearing my dress to school tomorrow'. THAT is why we do it, right there.

Bedroom design lust

I am still looking for inspiration regarding how to decorate my bedroom. I thought that I would share this recent post from Design Sponge, which is an amazing blog anyway. Here we have a bedroom makeover that I am in love with! I want this bedroom. But I know that if I tell my husband 'yellow zig zag curtain and grey wall' he will sooooo not agree! But I think that a grey wall is definately the way forward.

Last minute Christmas

OK OK I have relatives arriving in under 3 hours, the house is still a bit of a mess and I am blogging? Priorities?!
But before I get off the internet for a festive cooking related break, i needed to share with you our latest make. If you want to make delightful last minute sweets that involves no cooking, hardly any ingrediants and are so simple a child of 5 can do them, then look no further than:

'Crusty' pear was created using rather air-dried marzipan!
(Using new marzipan is advisable)

Marzipan Fruit


You need:
Some marzipan (left over from icing the cake?)
Food colourings - I always have red, yellow and blue at my disposal, because then you can make green and purple etc.
Cotton buds (or clean small paint brushes, or clean small sponges)
Cloves
Mini-cases such as Petits Fours cases

To make:
Sit child done in front of the marzipan, which you should probably cut into cubes roughly the right size to fit into the case.
Shape marzipan into pleasingly fruit-shaped pieces. Round for apples, oranges, oval for plums, pear-shaped, log bananas. Go wild!
Add cloves as stalks.

Put some drops of food colouring into white small containers such as ramekins or saucers.
Using the brushes or buds, lightly brush the food colouring over the fruits, You can 'paint' different colours on different bits, be as artistic as you like.
NB: Food colouring does not wash off skin easily, so encourage your children NOT to cover themselves in it. Or they will have blue streaks on their face over Christmas. 


Put the masterpieces into cute little cases. Leave to dry for an hour or so then put them in an air-tight box ready for serving over Christmas.

 My little girl who is not yet 5 made these completely all by herself with very little intervention, which just shows me not to hover so much - her creations when I am not there are usually BETTER than when I am directing. Such a 'helicopter mom'. Step Back! Step Back!

Enjoy your Christmas and have a lovely holiday                      Dxxx

Wrestling with holly and other festive pursuits

Now that it is officially After The Birthdays for 2010, I can think about Christmas properly. Which, obviously, means sitting at home eating a mince pie whilst having tetchy phone conversations with a wind-chilled Mr Dolly about trunk circumference as related to our metal christmas tree stand. In a house where you become entangled in sewing equipment with almost every step, why can't I EVER find a tape measure when I need one?

I spent most of Saturday lashing branches of holly, ivy and cyprus to a curtain pole, which looks nice, and trying to make a wreath, which is a disaster. I had intentions of creating many pine cone balls. But now I have one, it is hard to consider beginning another. Also, my hands hurt from all the foliage.

Snow Days

We've been off school and stuck at home the last couple of days due to the unexpectedly severe winter that has arrived. No complaints from the children - they love the snow! But I have only a certain stamina for being cooped up in the house with my progeny. And as much as I love the beautiful snow, it can go away now, thanks.

Lovely Snow

Tantalising untouched field!

At least we have had time to make loads of cards featuring this highly topical snow man

Berries berries everywhere

The garden is positively heaving with berries of the non-edible kind, and crab apples, and leaves. All the wonderful oranges and yellows of autumn having one last gasp, I think, before the winter really sets in. Eat birdies eat!

How many days til Christmas?

Some decorations I have on Folksy
but not the one I'm sending to my Swap Partner obviously!

OMG There are only 42 days to Christmas, I have not done any of the things on my November To Do list or bought any presents. Still, I did manage to participate in a Christmas Decoration Swap over at Sew Scrumptious, more on that another day (secrets, secrets!!).

More 1970s decorating ideas

Red Rum Red Rum

As per my previous post I have a new book about 1970s home decor that I am enjoying thumbing through very much. As I unexpectedly have a little extra time tonight whilst my daughter is listening to a nice long story CD, here are a few more pictures.

"

"Women got the vote? Huh, that's news to me. Another Tom Collins dear?"

Hang this outside your kids bedroom and I guarantee quiet nights

Found, in a fish and chip shop!

My latest find, to add to the retro sewing library that I've got going on, is a fantastic edition, The Collins Enclyclopedia of Home Sewing (1976). For 30p at the 2nd hand book box in my local fish and chip shop (why?) I am now the owner of this marvellously psychedelic collection of sewing ideas and embroidery charts. The fashionable lady of the house was obviously expected to be able to whip up a matching kitchen set for herself and then, after making a nice pot roast, relax in her fabulously over stitched bedroom. I hope she doesn't get headaches or fevers, as this decor will only aggravate them! 

Happy Halloween!

Video proof that I need a table!

Eggstremely Busy Hands

Queen Eggwina and Prince Eggward

Just recovering from dashing hither and thither at the weekend, ballet lessons, buying beds, all the usual things spare time is taken up with! What a good idea we had on Saturday morning to fortify ourselves with a delicious egg. And then spent a little family time decorating them with faces. I would recommend this as an eggsellent (geddit) thing to do to entertain the smalls during relaxing weekend breakfasts. Because children don't do reading the newspaper over a slow coffee!

My week needs to get going now as I have a few days worth of listings to catch up on for Folksy as well as the usual housework (whistles - what is that?). I have a few more of my black scotty brooches that need a home, including this lovely fellow with a red collar as seen below. Anyhoo the sun is shining and I could always just go out and knit in the beautiful autumn sunshine!!!

October Folksy Fest - Bring it on!

In an effort to get myself all busy in prep for Christmas I have decided to take part in this months daily listings challenge over on Folksy. Everyday we (the members of the challenge) will post up at least one item each. It's a bit of a personal push, and then we help to promote each other's handiwork. Already after just 2 days I have seen so many great things I will have to keep my paypal hand steady!

The first image is my latest: Christmas Bunny, and then also, a few of the beauties which have caught my eye.

Steampunk Pocket Watch Pendant by London Fogg

Birdy Bag Charm Keyring by Leanne Woods

Brooch by Pants and Paper

Red Reindeer Print by IAlbert

Among the drawbacks to country living.......

not being able to walk to the shops, getting wet feet alot, seeing dead animals lining the road (todays road kill, RIP dear baby fox) I would say that the excessive amount of spiders in my house is the worst thing. Aside from my macabre fox moment earlier this afternoon, I found this delightful scene of cannibalism occurring between one large spider and an even larger one. Bleugh. Word of the day: DANK

Folksy Friday - Back to School

An obvious inspiration today for Folksy Friday. My first little chick is fluttering into the big bad world............

From Left to Right:

Badger with Satchel from Fluff and Fuzz

Bunny Shoe Bag from Minxtures Clothing andAccessories

Pencil Case from Love from Beth

Car Shoe Bag from Marti Rich Creations

and finally some vital accessories for the smart young lady or gent about the playground

School Headband from Hollyjollystockings 

Pirate Badge from NickyNackyNoo

And then something for the mums at the school gate!

Handbag Tissue Holder from Sew Stylish

Doodles doodles

We've been having lots of fun doing the doodle challenge over at Betty's Place. It's taken over our lives! Everyday DDsnr asks 'What has the lady drawn for us today?' and I have to go and print it out................ So far my favourites are the Aliens ones, as you will see we did not collaborate but selfishly did our own versions. I am rediscovering drawing which is completely ace, as I have not done any for ages, or had a reason to do so.

Fir Cone Madness - Part 2

Following the pine cone animals idea I have had another brilliant idea disclosed to me by a friend. She has given her trellis a fantastic woodland overhaul by using the cones on it. Her advice is to wire them on though as they expand/contract depending on the weather and this dislodges them after a while. I think it looks really pretty.