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 Calm Down Bottle

I've wanted to make calm down bottles like this for a while. I made an I-spy one, with and a glass Voss bottle, rice and random small trinkets, but sadly didn't take any pictures before I gifted it. For this bottle I used a plastic custard bottle and filled it mainly with water plus recycled icepack gel (you can also use clear glue, glitter glue or hair gel). Then added glitter and sequins. I adjusted it with more water to make the glitter faster or more gel to make it slower. It takes a while for it to completely settle again and is very mesmerising to watch or shake up. When it starts out it looks similar to a lava lamp.

There's other things I want to try using the icepack gel. I tried a sensory bag using a zip-lock bag, buttons and duct taped it all the way round but it still leaked and Bubby just scrunched it up. I thought it might be good taped to a window but the gel just collected at the bottom. Taping it to the highchair tray also didn't last before Bubby pulled it off. Still want to try again.

 Bags like these

Em's recycled Baby Toys

DIY rattles with plastic containers

Now I'm a Mother, a lot of my craft ideas are baby related! I'm not going to spend big on toys and have been using plenty of recycled materials and containers for Bubby to play with, which he loves! Household items are also a hit! At the moment he loves to shake and bang anything and the louder the better! So I made some rattles with varies objects inside. Also trying to find different shaped clear plastic bottles was good.

Bubblewrap didn't entertain for long- bigger bubbles might be better

Kitchen utensils discovery basket. This is good to bring out when he's getting bored with other toys as a toy rotation.

This pomegranate juice bottle is such a great shape! Filled with pasta it is a good LOUD rattle. The shape of the bottle lets it spin interestingly too!  

This was a simple toy that he actually loves. A tissue box filled with silky scarves he can pull out one by one. We then also play peek-a-boo. I think he likes the sensory feel of the scarves too.

This is probably my favourite. A small milk bottle that is hexagonal so it doesn't roll away and is easily for him to hold. I filled it with shiny jewels but it wasn't washed enough beforehand so started to smell. I then put water and detergent in to wash it all and it looked fun so left it! The more it is shaken the more sudsy it is :)

I also love this one! A plastic water bottle with ribbons threaded through a hole in the lid with beads tied on the end inside, then all tied together under the lid so they can't be pulled through and the beads therefore stay dangly to create a rattle. I also added a few more loose beads. This is another loud one. via

A drinking choc container I poked holes in and threaded pieces of ribbon through two sides to create a pull toy. I could've made the ribbon longer. He doesn't quite get the pulling yet but loves shaking it around, so I added a piece of Duplo to also make it rattle.

Rain stick! I used a hard cardboard tube, nails and rice. I nailed the nails through the tube at different angles and cut any sharp bits off. After a test run I added more nails as the 'rain' didn't't last long. This make sit quite heavy but sounds great! I then wrapped the whole thing in duct tape. It would be cool to use different coloured tape or stickers to make it more exciting. via

Another toy he's still a bit young for, a posting box. Formula tin with cut up cardboard shapes. I coloured in each shape with Texta but he just mouths it and gets the ink all over him so we don't play with this one much yet. They make a good rattle until he can use it as intended.

The coloured-in square.

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 Lego Camo Cake

I was told my nephew likes "anything camouflage", so I decided for my two nephews birthdays to make a marble cake with vanilla, chocolate and green to create a camo cake! They both also like Lego so I made it in the shape of a Lego brick, which was instantly recognised and got squeals of excitement form them both. It came out awesomely. I couldn't wait for him to cut into it! The Lego shape was created using Oreos and then iced over. (could have also used marshmallows?) So simple and effective!

The bottom of the cake before icing

Em's 2018 Christmas Presents

Reindeer Noses

I made these reindeer noses as effective Christmas gifts. I think it is a really clever way to give the sometimes boring gift of chocolate in a new way, as everyone likes chocolate right? A packet of Malteasers and a packet of Jaffers made two big jars perfectly (Damn! I was hoping for some left overs!). I also like the added touch of a reindeer Foo on the label! 😁

Eggs
Our chooks supplied the three dozen eggs we needed for our family Christmas lunch, so I edited the usual label I use when giving people eggs and put little Santa hats on the chickens!

Em's Beetroot Relish

I made a batch of my favourite beetroot relish for everyone for Christmas. We have a constant supply in our fridge and cupboard to put on eggs or fritters etc. I also made the labels.

 

 

700g beetroot

1 red onion, finely chopped 
1 cup Jam Sugar
1½ cups white vinegar
3Tbs balsamic vinegar
pinch of salt
½ tsp ground black pepper

Clean the beetroot and cut off all of the stalk/leaves. Place into a pot of boiling water and boil for 20mins (until soft and the beets can be pierced with a sharp knife). Remove from the water and cool. Wearing gloves remove the skin from each beet by gently rubbing. Grate the beetroot into a bowl (it should be very soft and easy to grate). Add the beetroot and all of the ingredients into a wide-based pot and stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Let mixture simmer for approximately 30mins until the liquid has evaporated and it has a jam-like consistency (test by spreading jam on a plate from the freezer- If it wrinkles and feels gel-like, it’s ready). Put into sterilised jars.

Notes: Store the relish in a cool dry location. 
Once opened it should be stored in the fridge. 
Use within 3 - 4 months. 
Enjoy on salad sandwiches, with cold meats, cheese and eggs

To sterilise jars

Preheat oven to 120C. Clean jars well with hot soapy water and rinse well. Let drain then place upright on oven tray. Place in oven and heat for 20mins. Fill while hot with hot jam. Boil lids in saucepan for 10mins then let drain.

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!!