Tag Archives: crafts

Go to Your Happy Place / Room

Written by on 3rd June 2013 in Blog POSTS with 3 Comments

Kids are Cool.  This weekend I had the pleasure of using my decorating skills to make a little girl very happy and guess what…it made me happy too! If you’ve been following along there is a second room too. But I’m not finished yet – so I’ll reveal that one in a week or so.  In the meantime here’s what I did (with mom’s help of course)

This Room is all about re-use and recycling of furniture and accessories and I made the pillows and bedding to get a custom colour combo and perfect patterns for less…

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I’ll go over some of the products and techniques for the room throughout the week. If you have any questions – just drop me a line. Here’s what I did…

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And as always…   If you want some help making the place you live a place you love...Contact Me…I can help!

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Coastal Coasters

Written by on 15th December 2011 in Blog POSTS with 0 Comments

This Holiday Season I’ve been searching for just the perfect gift  for clients… Something practical, beautiful, natural, local, one of a kind and priced reasonably.  Is that too much to ask?   Well I finally found it!  Yay!!

Now don’t get too excited because this is going to be a gift for future clients because I don’t have enough yet to share, but I met a great lady (Char Manning) at the Last Chance Craft show in Sidney this weekend who makes these spoon rests that I immediately saw as coasters.

Get it? They will  protect all the beautiful tables I am helping clients purchase and install in their spaces.

I love the rustic west coast flavour of these pieces… the watery colours… the imperfect glaze and the one of a kind impression they give when you see them …

A few rubber stickies on the bottom and you’re golden!!  There are amazing potters all over the island; support one near you!

Contact me if you want some help making the place you live a place you love.

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Simple Wreath Idea

Written by on 24th November 2011 in Blog POSTS with 1 Comment

I found this oversized gray painted willow wreath at winners the other day. I painted on a little glue here and there and sprinkled some glitter on it.  I took three large rusty metal bells I had left over from a country style wreath I did last year for the coffee shop and dry brushed them with silver craft paint. Tied them with black sparkly ribbon at different heights and voila! Cheap cheerful and nowhere near traditional.

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Buffalo Roundup

Written by on 6th July 2011 in Blog POSTS with 0 Comments

You know how etsy does a roundup…well here’s my take resulting from my semi-regular searches of etsy for unusual and cool (to me) art pieces featuring my animal totem…the buffalo.  Be sure to check out etsy and your local art sales for affordable art pieces that mean something to you!

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Heart of Gold

Written by on 5th July 2011 in Blog POSTS with 1 Comment

Neil Young’s Heart of Gold. It’s a favourite!! This weekend I took a sad looking large size canvas I bought on discount at Winners (Good tip: there’s no way you could get such a large canvas for so cheap at the art supply store) and decided to re-invent it.  I used mod podge all over it to add some texture to the canvas and let it dry. Then I painted it all over with a coat of dark brown paint (left over from my fireplace mantle colour mishap).  Once dry I smudged black and some metallic paint all over the brown base to get some movement. Once dry I printed off the lyrics and started to stencil the lyrics onto the canvas in various shades of gold metallic paints. Here are the results:

It looks a bit weird with the flash but the results in person are terrific. I’m really happy with it. Super easy DIY Idea for all you crafters out there!!

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Cone Head

Written by on 26th October 2010 in Blog POSTS with 2 Comments

I recently sifted through christmas magazine’s and photos and decided that I wanted to go a bit more rustic, a bit more back to nature with my holiday decorations this year..and yes a bit more ‘not from the store paying the big bucks’.  And so I know it’s early to think about Christmas and holiday decor, but now is the time to start collecting foliage and other tree droppings in the forest while it’s still sunny/dry and my dog is still willing to make frequent stops.

Yesterday was my first foray into the forest and I easily filled a plastic bag with pine cones, spiders and one giant beetle.  I plan to enlist the neighborhood children in collecting pine cones too in order to speed up the process.  I may make a wreath, or I may fill glass vessels with the pine cones and other natural items I scavenge from the hood.  I encourage you to take a walk, and keep your eyes on the ground for treasures, notice the different kinds of coniferous trees you have in your area and note the differences in their cones. (Tip. I brought a pair of tongs to do the picking)

 

Update:  See how nice they look!!  I’m heading back to the forest to get more! (Local Tip – Gorge area in Esquimalt has nice ones!! hubba hubba)

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Fall Wreaths

Written by on 21st September 2010 in Blog POSTS with 0 Comments

I think Fall is my favourite! It’s not quite fall here on the westcoast yet, but this is for all of you who ARE experiencing the turning leaves and cooler days.  These wreaths are my inspiration this season, Perhaps they might inspire you?? Dont forget your www.flyerland.ca michaels coupon before you head out the craft store!! I’ll post some pics if my results are half as beautiful as these

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