Em's Dresser #2

 

My sister gave me this bigger outdated dresser with the other dresser I painted. It had 6 drawers, so I decided to paint each one a different colour of the rainbow. This was my inspiration. I mixed each colour with my acrylic paints. As each drawer front isn't very big, it didn't use much (expect white, as I lightened the colours a lot) I was very happy with my colour mixing skills. I white washed it all over once dry to give it some texture and cohesion. I really wanted gold handles and looked at all different options but set on spray painting the wooden ones I had, which actually came out fine, I believe.

Em's Ministry of Silly Walks Clock

I finally got to make a Ministry of Silly Walks clock! I've always thought this was a great idea and made it as a gift. I didn't get a great photo before I gave it away and will have to get them to take more pics at different times! I bought a cheap clock (although also could've picked one up from an op shop) and then printed the body and legs from a template a downloaded and edited from Google images, making sure the legs would be the right length to fit the clock. I carefully pulled apart the clock arms and stuck on the printed body to the clock face. I then cut out some sturdy black cardboard for the legs, and hot glued them to the existing clock arms (squashing them flat while drying). Once dry I reassembled the clock and it was as simple as that. His legs look great at all different times, so will have to get more pics!

Em's Tub Chair

I bought an old worn out tub chair from an op shop years and years ago. I liked the classic shape and we had an empty spot in the house. It has been covered up all these years and been on the to-do list forever! I had a whole lot of stripey fabric sitting aside for the project taking up space in my sewing room, which was part of the motivation to do it. I wanted to patchwork stripey fabrics together and tried to use more durable fabrics than just cotton, so upholstery fabrics and other tough cottons. Most of the fabrics I used were from meaningful places. For example leftover upholstery fabric from the van all those years ago,  green upholstery fabric used as curtains in our first house together, an old bag, a few repurposed old projects and my old favourite pants..

I used the existing fabric as a pattern and had a go making the cushion first. It turned out great and I really wanted to finish it so put the sewing room aside to do it all. I started by removing the existing fabric, which was attached with a million staples! I got a blister from removing them with a screwdriver and pliers! Then, using the old fabric as a pattern, patchworked what pieces I had together trying to coordinate the colours and stripes as well as use what sizes I had. I had limited pieces for some fabrics but it worked well. I then had to staple it all back together. Luckily I took pictures of me taking it apart and followed that. It was actually easier and quicker than I thought to do. I am so happy with it and glad I've finally done it!

So many staples!

I reused the cardboard from inside

A nod to the old chair- usinhg the old fabric on the bottom

Bubby approves

Em's Dresser

 I was given this old outdated dresser by my sister, and we needed one for Bubby's new room, so a revamp was needed. We still have this orange paint from when I painted the van so I used it for the handles and used other paint we already have for the rest, mixing some grey and white paint to get the right shade of grey. Simple and easy to update and freshen. My sister might want it back now!

Edit: I added some wooden planes and boats to the draws to create more interest. (we also got new carpet!)

Em's Bee Hotel

Bee hotels are a place for solitary bees to nest, rest and breed (not honey bees who make there own nests). I like the quirky and interesting look of a bee hotel and also the thought of maybe attracting the beneficial creature so made one for my Mother-in-Law who has a garden full of quirky interesting things and bee attracting plants. I really like these ones my Dad made so used it as inspiration. Gardening Australia has some great info and specifics for making a bee hotel. 

I used gathered or recycled materials from around our place to create the whole bee hotel. Firstly, I put together a house shaped box with back from scrap wood and covered the roof with some metal to give a little more shelter. The depth is about 15cm. Then cut some scrap untreated firewood blocks to fit the house and drilled different sized holes (they should range from 3-8mm) to a depth of the drill bit (about 10cm)

To attract a variety of bees and for the visual interest, I filled a bit of scrap steel tube with clay from our garden and poked holes in it. I then arranged the wood and pipe filling in the spaces with bamboo I cut from our plants about 10cm with an enclosed joint at the back end. I then collected some sticks to fill in more spaces jamming it in tight so it wouldn't fall apart.

I like all the different textures, shapes and colours created by the different materials (sticks, hollow bamboo, wood, clay pipe etc.) The bamboo holes are probably too small and the sticks should probably have been from pithy stems so I don't know how well it will work as a bee hotel but I think it looks cool!

It should face North-East-ish in sunny/semi-shaded sheltered position between 1-2m off the ground

Em's Knitted Blanket #3

As soon as I had cast off my last knitted blanket I cast a new one on still using a lot of the beautiful yarns I had. This one I decided was for my Step-Mum's 60th who complimented my first knitted blanket. I used the same technique with a mix of yarn weights, 2 yarns each row, leaving the ends for tassels and not using any furry yarns.

I tried to base it more on the aqua and green colours with added dark purple (since I had so much purple) and touches of orange. It turned out a bit brighter, more colourful and a bit more block-stripey. It took me 2 years with a little help from a little Bubby. 

The needles are empty for the moment. I think I've made enough knitted blankets for a while and it has become a lot harder to find the time with a little Bubby. Although I do have a Mother-in-law who hasn't got one..?

Related posts:

Em's Knitted Blanket #1	Em's Knitted Blanket #2
Em's Frayed Denim  Patchwork Picnic Rug	Em's Jumper/Sweater Blanket

Em's Whitewashed Chairs

We had four of these wooden folding chairs given to us. I liked them as they were, however, we wanted to put them on the front wooden deck, which was too much wood that clashed. So, I decided to paint them. I wanted to keep the wood feel to them so white-washed them with white paint mixed with water. I used a paint brush and rag to wipe off excess paint. This was a very messy job. The white on it's own was way too bright. I then did the same technique with grey paint and water. They have a rustic look  that now contrasts with the deck. I do wonder what an even darker wash would've been like but think it has done the job.

Em's Coffee Bag Mat/rug

I bought some coffee bags from the local coffee roasters, where I get my coffee, for 2 bucks each. I've seen some pretty cool stuff made with them. But I thought I'd try a mat for our kitchen. I have a mat but it is a little ugly and dated. I really wanted it to be double sided so I can flip it over when needed.

I roughly followed the tutorial from here. I used the original 'blanket-looking' stitching on the edge and then cut the bag to size and used some left over thick stitching thread to stitch the other side with a similar looking stitch, sewing the ends closed with big zigzag stitch on the sewing machine in red and orange/brown threads. Then frayed the short ends up to the stitch (could've also tied the frayed edges into knots instead of stitching). It was a very quick and easy project, although messy! It is a little slippery, although with more use may become less..? I looked at transparent non-slip sprays and paints but I couldn't find anything easily or cheaply. So without putting a backing on it and making it one sided I've left it as it is. I love the look of it and still have a few coffee bags left to make something with!

Other coffee bag ideas:

So many ideas! Heaps of different bag styles, place mats, cushions, beanbags, aprons, pencils cases even curtains!

Tote- (I actually bought one from the coffee shop who gets a local to make and sells them
(more of a reusable shopping bag style)
The lining makes it good
(can also have contrasting fabric on the outside)

Bag with contrasting fabric

Bag- would be super easy!

Cushions- another easy craft!

Em's Knitted Blanket #2

I finished another knitted blanket using scrap wool. I loved my first attempt a knitted blanket and still had lots of beautiful wool to use so decided to make this one for my Mum's 60th. I used the same technique. A circular knitting needle, mix of weights and fibres, leaving the ends for the tassel. I knitted with 2 yarns each row and left out any yarns that were too furry this time. I also kept a darker, denser colour palette using the aqua and purple yarns as a base. I love those yarns and have lots of them. I've already looked at a new colour combination to start a new one!!

1960's clock

Inspiration for a 1960's starburst style clock..

Love this one!!! but add dots for numbers.. via

via

via

via

But not pink!  via

Could be cool as different wooden pieces Via

via

Bonus clocks:

Couldn't resist.. via

Love the colours! Mixed with white..

 

 

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