a rescue project

I think it's the change of seasons that is drawing me to colour. As flowers bloom and things generally are getting greener, I have found some great examples of people brightening their homes through bold use of colour and pattern. First up is some of the wonderful work by Clara from The Home in Paradise

 

This charming shelf unit is affectionately named Inglorious Bastid and was given one last chance by Clara. See how she transformed a cheap and dull piece of furniture into something new and fresh in this blog post. I love all the before and after shots and step by step details. We have a similar story for a set of shelves in our home. I had used the shelves for a while but when we upsized our home, they became redundant. They were actually at the front door waiting to be taken to the rubbish when a moment of inspiration struck and I imagined the daggy 'pine' laminate replaced with a gloss white finsh. After a quick trip to the hardware store for primer, paint and some new handles we had rescued our own "inglorious bastid" and it lives on as a gloss white shelf for my cookbooks and magazines. It's actually quite rewarding to tackle a little project like this. You feel a sense of pride in bringing new life to a piece of furniture!

Do you like the look of those magazine holders in the second shelf? Well the crafty Clara has created these from the flimsy cardboard magazine holders from Ikea, but also suggest using cereal boxes too. So clever! I like the idea of putting your own stamp on things, and simple (cheap) projects like these are so easy to take on. Get the 'how to' over here and please also check out Clara's blog . There are lots of great stories and projects that Clara has taken on in her home in the Caribbean. Who knew a keyboard and mouse could look so pretty!

Get crafty

Want to learn how to make these?

 

This very cool and crafty little birdcage garland is courtesy of Laurie Cinotto. I went on a bit of a journey after first spotting them over at Creature Comforts, which led me to the full instructions here at The Brides Cafe.

It's a great little decorating idea and the instructions are really detailed and make it seem quite easy!

For more great crafty ideas had over to Lauries own blog - La La Laurie.

This is one talented lady.

I really like these little birds in this garland, once again created for a wedding site with all the instructions and templates.

I actually have recently added up the number of birds I have around our home as decorations and have reached capacity. Any more and I will be like a cat-lady but with inanimate bird objects!

There is something really appealing about bird shapes in decor items - but I need to find something new! That can be part of my new year goals - a new decorating motif!

Garland a go-go

I have noticed garlands popping up quite a bit in my pretty travels recently. With Christmas on it's way these are cute DIY decoration idea to spread the Christmas spirit throughout the house.

The garlands above and below are from the  Lobster & Swan etsy shop and are made from recycled paper and photos. I think the images themsleves are beautiful and it's no wonder when you start to look aournd the rest of the shop and find the beautiful prints for sale

......and for a real visual treat check out the blog record the day! What a creative way of collecting and recording all the fabulous 'finds' you come across every day. I definitely have scrapbook envy. I have folders of magazine pages but nothing like these amazing collages.

.... anyway back to garlands.

Here are few other finds from esty

{above} 'Butterfly Gladness Garland' by Royal Buffet

.. and check out her cool paper craft like this 'Wordy Butterfly Mobile'

 

{above} 'Paper Flower Garland' by Paper and Roses

 

{above} '12pc Nature Tags' also by Paper and Roses

There are too many to show here so go have a look for yourself at these stores;

Paper Stripe Studio

Kate Greiner

Art by Naomi

So garlands are up there on my 'try one day' list. Maybe I'll even give it a go this Christmas!

A year worth looking at

As this year is skipping on by I thought it would be nice to show you a beautiful calender I have come across for next year.

This die-cut calender by A Little Hut would certainly make you happy to let this year slip away just so you can admire these beautiful pages. The calender has 6 beautiul designs so once next year is over and done with, they can be trimmed and enjoyed as artwork for years to come!

If you would prefer to create your own calender Little Hut also offers printable calender templates which you can put your own crafty stamp on. These would make great gift ideas for you know what (it's too early to mention the 'C' word)

Anyway, there are 3 months left of '09 to prepare to celebrate 2010 in style!