PLASTIC COVER DRESS
just a little DIY project for our graduation photo shoot.
that turned out to be snow queen slash L.gaga
xoxo
(ps. i just posted something cos my friend reminded me that i had a blog :) been too long!
Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts
How To Make A Panelled Wall
I've had a few folks ask how we made the panelled wall in our master bedroom so here's a video tutorial for you all! This is one project I highly recommend... it was fairly easy to do, required only a few tools, and really made a huge impact.
We learned a few things while doing this project:
Show your space who's boss!
Before we started, we had a bit of an obstacleto deal with. The bump-out on the wall limited placement of the bed. The easy solution would have been to put the bed on the opposite wall but I really wanted to see the bed when you came in the room; it just visually would look better. So we decided to frame out the wall and make it flat. To avoid having to deal with matching the seams of the existing wall and the new walls to either side, we built the new wall in front of the old bump-out. That meant we lost 4 inches from the room but it was a much easier way to go about it. Lesson learned: don't be limited by the layout. Think creatively and find a way around it!
Sleep on it.
Just like we did when we were deciding on the size of the new laundry room, we wanted to visualize the design before we committed to it. So we drew our pattern on the wall and 'lived with it' for a few days. This gave us a chance to see if we liked the pattern, if we wanted to make it more of a regular grid pattern, if we wanted more or fewer strips. We did make some changes (like adding the platforms on which the bedside swing arm lamps sit) so sleeping on it for a bit helped us come up with a better design.
If any of you decide to make a panelled wall of your own, do send me pics. I'd love to see your handiwork!
Kitchens for Kids
Chloe's play kitchen has been featured! Check out my kids' blog Little Folk Design to see the details, find new pics of the finished fridge, and oodles more play kitchen inspiration.
Play Kitchen - progress!
I can be impatient. And though it may seem anti-climactic, I have tendancy of revealing projects on this ol' blog while they're still in progress. Like the kitchen and the yet-still-unfinished master bedroom. But what can I say, I don't want to wait until things are perfect and done before I show them to you all - that could take years and then there would be nothing for you to read!!
So here's a first look at Chloe's play kitchen!!! Its 2/3 finished... the last piece, the fridge, still needs a few coats of paint and the doors to be hung before its done. (Ignore the ugly wallpaper and tiny baseboards. The play area is in our soon-to-be-redone basement).
I am ridiculously happy with how this project turned out. We followed the very easy-to-use plans from Ana at Knock-Off Wood but made a few modifications for aesthetics and function. We painted the set in blue-green and marigold yellow (sorry, don't have the paint names handy!). Paired with the chrome handles and ceramic knobs from Lee Valley, it has a bit of a retro 1950's vibe.
Let's look at the sink a little closer, shall we? We scored and found the perfect bar faucet at our local Re-Store for $15. For the basin, we used a metal bowl from the Dollar Store. We had a bit of a mishap and cut the hole out too big originally and so had to find another larger bowl. Lesson learned: its easier to cut a smaller hole and sand or rasp down the sides until its the right size than to cut a too large hole!
We recessed the top face panel and the toe kick just for a bit of interest. Then we added a beadboard backing and a long handle for a tea towel I will eventually sew up.
Then there's the stove! Since we have a gas stove, we decided to make this a mini-gas stove too. Creating the grill was pretty easy. HandyMan took a 1"x2" piece of wood and drilled holes down the centre the same diameter as the dowelling. Then he cut the wood in half along the length and was left with two pieces of wood with semi-circle cutouts. He angled the ends to make sure there were no sharp corners. The burners are little wooden disks we found at Michael's.
My favourite part is the oven! The plans show the oven door hinge at the bottom but we decided to put ours on the side. This way, Chloe can open the door and stand in front of the stove while she puts things in and pulls things out. We also thought the bottom hinge might mean the door could fall open more easily and slam on Chloe's feet - a definite no no. We put a magnetic latch and Chloe has easily learned how to open the door with a little tug.
We were struggling with the inside of the oven - I really wanted a pull-out shelf that would mimic the movement of a real oven rack. Unfortunately, the slide mechanism would get in the way of the oven door so we had to find another solution. Cleaning up after dinner one day, I came across a great compromise - we could use a cooling rack that looked like a real oven rack. I just happened to have one that was the perfect size! We held it in place using four eye hooks.
To add to the realism, I decided to put a push-on LED light in the stove. And here it is, in use, as Chloe bakes a cake!
Man, I could go for a piece of cake right now :) More details on the rest of the kitchen and other small changes I've made in the playroom to come...
So here's a first look at Chloe's play kitchen!!! Its 2/3 finished... the last piece, the fridge, still needs a few coats of paint and the doors to be hung before its done. (Ignore the ugly wallpaper and tiny baseboards. The play area is in our soon-to-be-redone basement).
I am ridiculously happy with how this project turned out. We followed the very easy-to-use plans from Ana at Knock-Off Wood but made a few modifications for aesthetics and function. We painted the set in blue-green and marigold yellow (sorry, don't have the paint names handy!). Paired with the chrome handles and ceramic knobs from Lee Valley, it has a bit of a retro 1950's vibe.
Let's look at the sink a little closer, shall we? We scored and found the perfect bar faucet at our local Re-Store for $15. For the basin, we used a metal bowl from the Dollar Store. We had a bit of a mishap and cut the hole out too big originally and so had to find another larger bowl. Lesson learned: its easier to cut a smaller hole and sand or rasp down the sides until its the right size than to cut a too large hole!
We recessed the top face panel and the toe kick just for a bit of interest. Then we added a beadboard backing and a long handle for a tea towel I will eventually sew up.
Then there's the stove! Since we have a gas stove, we decided to make this a mini-gas stove too. Creating the grill was pretty easy. HandyMan took a 1"x2" piece of wood and drilled holes down the centre the same diameter as the dowelling. Then he cut the wood in half along the length and was left with two pieces of wood with semi-circle cutouts. He angled the ends to make sure there were no sharp corners. The burners are little wooden disks we found at Michael's.
My favourite part is the oven! The plans show the oven door hinge at the bottom but we decided to put ours on the side. This way, Chloe can open the door and stand in front of the stove while she puts things in and pulls things out. We also thought the bottom hinge might mean the door could fall open more easily and slam on Chloe's feet - a definite no no. We put a magnetic latch and Chloe has easily learned how to open the door with a little tug.
We were struggling with the inside of the oven - I really wanted a pull-out shelf that would mimic the movement of a real oven rack. Unfortunately, the slide mechanism would get in the way of the oven door so we had to find another solution. Cleaning up after dinner one day, I came across a great compromise - we could use a cooling rack that looked like a real oven rack. I just happened to have one that was the perfect size! We held it in place using four eye hooks.
To add to the realism, I decided to put a push-on LED light in the stove. And here it is, in use, as Chloe bakes a cake!
Man, I could go for a piece of cake right now :) More details on the rest of the kitchen and other small changes I've made in the playroom to come...
Enhancing the Entry
HandyMan has slowly been making covers for each of the radiators in our house. He's been wanting to make the one for the front entry for a long time - we need somewhere handy to throw down some keys or shopping bags!
For the entry, we embellished the design a bit and came up with not only a radiator cover, but also a place to store mail, keys, and little mittens and boots in the winter time. Our entry is small and severely lacking in storage. We have a tiny triangular-shaped front closet and keep our keys in a box on the window ledge so taking a bit of extra space and adding cubbies to the rad cover was one way to make the entry seem more functional and welcoming.
HandyMan trimmed out the cubbies to give them a more finished look. He's still deciding whether to build small pull out boxes to house keys and gloves, or if we can find some premade baskets or trays to fit. We might also drill little holes on the inside of the cubbies to allow hot air from the rad to circulate. It will be a special treat to pull out warm mittens on a cold winter's day!
The top has to be notched out to fit around the existing door trim but other than that, the cover is patched and ready for paint and install! Now if I can just resist the urge to dump stuff and allow things to pile up on the rad cover.
Using MDF and the Octoperf wood mesh screen that we used for all the other covers, HandyMan built the cover to suit the surroundings. I'm not sure if you noticed, but all the covers have been customized to fit in with the rooms... the one in Chloe's room is a shaker-style to go with the shaker closet doors. The one in the master bedroom is more decorative and has feet and fancy trim. And the one in the dining room has styling similar to the wainscotting.
For the entry, we embellished the design a bit and came up with not only a radiator cover, but also a place to store mail, keys, and little mittens and boots in the winter time. Our entry is small and severely lacking in storage. We have a tiny triangular-shaped front closet and keep our keys in a box on the window ledge so taking a bit of extra space and adding cubbies to the rad cover was one way to make the entry seem more functional and welcoming.
HandyMan trimmed out the cubbies to give them a more finished look. He's still deciding whether to build small pull out boxes to house keys and gloves, or if we can find some premade baskets or trays to fit. We might also drill little holes on the inside of the cubbies to allow hot air from the rad to circulate. It will be a special treat to pull out warm mittens on a cold winter's day!
The top has to be notched out to fit around the existing door trim but other than that, the cover is patched and ready for paint and install! Now if I can just resist the urge to dump stuff and allow things to pile up on the rad cover.
Bedroom Bunting
The paper bunting from Chloe's birthday party has found a new home.
Chloe loves looking up at the banners when she's lying on the change table... which is good because the girl is a major squirmer these days so I need distractions galore!
HandyMan: "When we're done with the banner, we can donate it to charity"
Wanderluster: "Okay"
HandyMan: "It'll be Good Will Bunting"
DIY Project: Milk Bottle Cap Art
While in St.Jacobs, we stopped at Market Road Antiques. I found these in one of the little booths - they're old milk bottle caps. Don't you just love the typography?
I thought I could make a little art project for the kitchen with these caps. All I needed was some double-sided tape from the Dollar Store and a Ribba frame from Ikea. Removing the mat from the frame, I lined the frame with some polka-dot scrapbooking paper and figured out the layout and arrangement of the caps. I put a piece of double-sided tape on the back of each cap; the tape is about 1/8" thick and provides a slight relief or raise of the cap from the surface.
Its a small detail but adds a bit of interest to the art. Can you see how the caps have slight shadows in certain light?
And here's the finished art "in situ". A little vintage pop of colour in the kitchen!
I thought I could make a little art project for the kitchen with these caps. All I needed was some double-sided tape from the Dollar Store and a Ribba frame from Ikea. Removing the mat from the frame, I lined the frame with some polka-dot scrapbooking paper and figured out the layout and arrangement of the caps. I put a piece of double-sided tape on the back of each cap; the tape is about 1/8" thick and provides a slight relief or raise of the cap from the surface.
Its a small detail but adds a bit of interest to the art. Can you see how the caps have slight shadows in certain light?
And here's the finished art "in situ". A little vintage pop of colour in the kitchen!
Chloe's Party: Love Notes!
Chloe will turn 1 in 3 days - 3 days!! - and her party is next weekend so I've been busy getting my craft on.
I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I go a little, um, overboard with the party details. I swear the sickness started with our wedding 3 years ago - but that's what happens when you have a year-long engagement to plan the biggest party of your life... you end up spending too much time on projects like these and these. I find it so much fun though, to come up with a theme, to find all the bits and pieces to make your vision come alive, to use your hands and creativity. I know that Chloe is much too young to appreciate all this effort but I'm hoping somehow a little bit of this party will burrow itself into her long-term memory (and if not, I will have hundreds of photos to help her recall the day!).
Speaking of photos, I have taken thousands of photos of Chloe over the past year. I wanted a way to display them at her party so her guests could see how she's grown over the past year. But I also wanted to incorporate them into something special, something that Chloe could enjoy too when she gets older. So I've made up these notecards, 3 to 4 cards for each of Chloe's birthdays from age 2 to 18. I'll be asking each of the guests to pick a card and write a little note to Chloe. I think it will be a fun tradition... each birthday, Chloe will get to read some cards and see not only how she looked as a baby but also read the sweet messages from her friends and family and see what they dreamed for her future.
This was pretty easy to put together. Using an old canvas my brother painted years ago (he no longer wanted it and we were going to donate it to Goodwill so someone else could enjoy it), I covered the frame in some fabric. I used thumbtacks to attach the fabric to the wood. Then I strung ribbon across the fabric and also held that in place with thumbtacks. I made the notecards in Photoshop and found the cute flowered clothespins at the dollar store.
So pretty. And more importantly, nice little memories of Chloe's special day.
I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I go a little, um, overboard with the party details. I swear the sickness started with our wedding 3 years ago - but that's what happens when you have a year-long engagement to plan the biggest party of your life... you end up spending too much time on projects like these and these. I find it so much fun though, to come up with a theme, to find all the bits and pieces to make your vision come alive, to use your hands and creativity. I know that Chloe is much too young to appreciate all this effort but I'm hoping somehow a little bit of this party will burrow itself into her long-term memory (and if not, I will have hundreds of photos to help her recall the day!).
Speaking of photos, I have taken thousands of photos of Chloe over the past year. I wanted a way to display them at her party so her guests could see how she's grown over the past year. But I also wanted to incorporate them into something special, something that Chloe could enjoy too when she gets older. So I've made up these notecards, 3 to 4 cards for each of Chloe's birthdays from age 2 to 18. I'll be asking each of the guests to pick a card and write a little note to Chloe. I think it will be a fun tradition... each birthday, Chloe will get to read some cards and see not only how she looked as a baby but also read the sweet messages from her friends and family and see what they dreamed for her future.
This was pretty easy to put together. Using an old canvas my brother painted years ago (he no longer wanted it and we were going to donate it to Goodwill so someone else could enjoy it), I covered the frame in some fabric. I used thumbtacks to attach the fabric to the wood. Then I strung ribbon across the fabric and also held that in place with thumbtacks. I made the notecards in Photoshop and found the cute flowered clothespins at the dollar store.
So pretty. And more importantly, nice little memories of Chloe's special day.
Mini Chair Makeover!
8 months, 148 nail tacks, 7 feet of flexible tacking strip, 1.5 yards of fabric, 1 quart of paint, and 2 bloody fingers to take this:
to this 
and finally this:
It's not perfect, but its done :) This is my first reupholstery job and I learned a few things like:
- flexible tacking strip is probably well suited for regular sized furniture but is a pain in the butt for a mini chair like this one
- flexible tacking strip needs lots of foam on top of it to prevent it from poking through the fabric
- for a first time reupholstery project, don't pick fabric with stripes or plaids (strike 1 and strike 2!)
So it took much more effort than I anticipated but I'm pretty happy with it. Now Chloe will have a chair to sit on when she blows the candle off of her 1st birthday cake!! Not that the kid likes to sit on the chair - yet. The chair isn't the only thing that's changed:
I'm linking this post up to some blog parties: Creative Cats; Saturday Nite Special; Frugal Friday; Show and Tell; Frugalicious Friday; Transformation Thursday
to this 
and finally this:
It's not perfect, but its done :) This is my first reupholstery job and I learned a few things like:
- flexible tacking strip is probably well suited for regular sized furniture but is a pain in the butt for a mini chair like this one
- flexible tacking strip needs lots of foam on top of it to prevent it from poking through the fabric
- for a first time reupholstery project, don't pick fabric with stripes or plaids (strike 1 and strike 2!)
So it took much more effort than I anticipated but I'm pretty happy with it. Now Chloe will have a chair to sit on when she blows the candle off of her 1st birthday cake!! Not that the kid likes to sit on the chair - yet. The chair isn't the only thing that's changed:
I'm linking this post up to some blog parties: Creative Cats; Saturday Nite Special; Frugal Friday; Show and Tell; Frugalicious Friday; Transformation Thursday
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