Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Project Restyle

I have just signed on for Project Restyle, a fabulous idea from Elsie and Rachel of Red Velvet Art.
The idea is basically (in my words): make new stuff from old stuff that may otherwise be destined for the dump.
I feel like I live this every day, trying to save old things, give them new uses. But I think it's a fabulous project to promote and can't wait to see what everyone else has done. It will be inspiring.



This is something I did a couple of months ago, but I think it fits in with Project Restyle perfectly.
My upcycled lampshade was something I'd been wanting to do for a while. It has been sitting there on my list of 'things-I-am-aching-to-do-just-as-soon-as-I-can-find-the-time'
I found a couple of lamshades in an op shop one day and snapped them up with exactly this project in mind. I still thought it was a long way off from actually getting done, but not long after I had a day where the kids where kind-of-sort-of behaving and kind-of-sort-of driving me crazy at the same time........and I just started it.

It was so much fun to make. I didn't really have anything specific in mind, I just started. I ripped up some fabric and started wrapping. And then I started adding.

Just adding little bits and pieces, anything that took my fancy. I really love the end result and I plan on making more of these. Very therapeautic to just make something. Anything at all.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a beautiful Christmas. Stay safe. Enjoy the company of your loved ones.

And if you will be at an extended family gathering................I hope that everyone behaves themselves ;)

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Testing

Hi-de-ho, just a little test post as I have, well obviously been absent from my own blog, but also had trouble getting in to my own blog lately. Blogger you banned me from my blog? I did not know you could do that. My punishment for abandonment I guess?
But I found my way in, I'm back. Is anyone still here with me? After months of nothing, I guess not.

Two more sleeps until Christmas, the gifts are wrapped. Some beautifully and some not. I won't share the ugly ones with you, lol.


For much of my gift wrapping I utilized a roll of childrens drawing paper (originally from Ikea, but found by me in an op-shop a long time ago).
For this teachers gift I photocopied a very old map of our local area onto some card and also photocopied an old envelope I have hoarded from when I was a teenager with international penpals. I reduced the size by 50% and covered the part where my address was with a shipping tag (prior to the copying). I used a dymo labeller to put the recipients name on. A bit of hessian (op-shop), a bit of fabric, and a little peg from a $2 shop and there you have it. I think it's a bit cute.

This sweet little paper rosette is made from a page from an old childrens book (the book was already ripped so I didn't feel bad about that), added a button and attatched it to a piece of fabric. Again, my beloved shipping tags.

This one is as simple as it gets but, in my humble opinion, still looks good ;)
A paper doiley, stamped. Add a bit more hessian and some string, you're done.

I love, love, love wrapping presents.
If anyone's still out there don't be scared to let me know. Say hello.
:)
Merry Christmas all.