Concrete succulent pots

I used this template / mold for the octagon pot - template here

3D wall art

It was impromptu girlfriend craft day when inspiration for 3D-decor struck. What started out as a ceiling mobile though, ended up as framed wall art. 

Loving the blades of grass.

All for this bundle of cuteness that recently popped into our lives, sending my girlfriends and I into a flurry of baby-obsession. 

You gonna get lotsa loving babyboy!

Tissue for you?

More sharpie love!

paper + sharpies + kleenex box

Tutorial: Make a cushion seat

I knew I wanted to cushion my stool because I knew I was going to spend hours and hours sitting on it. (Read: Dream.)

I love that if i get bored of the colour, changing the fabric would be painless.

The key ingredient in making a cushioned seat - A STAPLE GUN.

(I mulled over using thumb tacks but decided $7.50 was more than a worthwhile investment)

Materials:

Staple gun

Fabric

Foam / Stuffing (I would highly recommend foam)

1. Size your materials. 

Flip the stool upside down. Mark out and cut the foam the same size as the seat. 

Measure and cut the fabric. I.e. Diameter of seat x 2 + height of foam + height of seat = diameter of fabric. D x 2 because I wanted the fabric to cover the bottom as well. You could just eyeball it. I used pinking shears to keep the fabric from fraying. 

2. Staple the fabric to the seat.  

Remember not to shift the seat or foam to avoid a wrinkled cushion.

I find it helpful to staple in intervals. Fold and staple the fabric all around (see: 1), pulling the fabric taut. Then work in between (see: 2 then 3) and so on. This would ensure that you have a even distribution of fabric all around. 

3. When you feel the fabric's nice and secure, neaten it up. 

I opted for "box pleats" here, simply by taking the fabric that was standing up (you'll know what I mean if you stapled in intervals) and fold it down the way you would the sides of a christmas present. Tuck in the cut edges to prevent fraying and staple.

Done!
Completely clashing with the decoupaged bottom, but well, thats the way I like it. 

Note: Staples are pretty easy to get out so if you "make mistakes", just pull them out and start over. The wood would have a collection of holes though, but it was an OLD stool anyway, right?

Tutorial: How to decoupage a stool

Breathe new life into old furniture around the house - decoupaging gives items a new look.

If you can't draw or paint, decoupage! 

1. Prepare the item. 

Firstly, I unscrewed the seat because I had other plans for it.

Sand the item down to smoothen the surfaces. Sanding also removes varnishing and allows the glue to adhere better. 

2. Choose your paper material. I used gift-wrapping paper from a scrap booking shop. 

Note: Decoupaging flat surfaces is much easier than curved surfaces. If your surface is curved, you might want to use a lighter and more moldable material. 

3. Cut your paper into workable pieces.

I measured and cut a strip of paper, making sure that it covered the underside of the leg as well. 

4. Apply glue.

I use Modge Podge Hard Coat. Any other decoupage glue from craft shops would work as well.

Coat the wood surface with glue. Be generous, but spread the glue evenly.

5. Stick the paper to object.

Make sure that there are no air pockets underneath. I do this by vigorously rubbing the paper with my fingers and brush. I don't suggest you do this with delicate materials as they might tear. 

6. Apply glue over entire surface. 

Instead of using whole pieces of paper, you can also cut/tear material to make other shapes or designs. If your material is not flexible, you might want to do this for curved surfaces. (This will add years to your life.) Stick the pieces one by one, overlapping them as you please. 

I did that here because I was lazy to measure out the circle. (On hindsight, I should've just taken the time)

7. Lacquer.

The glue will feel tacky even after it's completely dry. To reduce the tackiness and also to waterproof your item, spray the entire item with lacquer. Let it dry for a couple of hours. 

Done. 

And the possibilities are not limited to furniture. Use your imagination and decoupage almost anything. Like a tissue box. =)  

Next up, how to cushy your tushy - cushioning a wooden seat. 

Refurbished stool- Decoupage and cushioned seat

I had needed a stool for my new sewing table, one that was small enough to fit under the table in my corner of the living room. After trawling through Ikea (stools are $79??), I decided the old kitchen one would do. It was a first attempt at refurnishing furniture - any excuse to buy hardware, really. There's just something about the sound of a staple gun that is so satisfying.

So from this,



it became this.



In all it's decoupage and cushioned seat glory. What can I say, I love crazy loud completely clashing colours.

/edit: Tutorials are up! How to decoupage and make a cushioned seat

refurnished metal board

turning this:

into this: 

{spray paint love}

I think my little corner looks much chirpier now. As you can see, the magnet obsession hasn't really passed.

I find chalkboard markers handy. Nothing like scribbling little reminders to yourself on a happy board. 

{said chalkboard marker}

"welcome, new taxpayer". Why, thank you very much.