Découpage

A rather bland mirror came with us in the move to Hastings and I had just stuck it out in the shed until I had an idea of how I could jazz it up. I came across these cool découpage sheets of sea shells and creatures and thought they'd be perfect for the job. I also bought a small sample pot of Marston & Langinger, Grey Green for the background colour of the frame.

Here's how you too can jazz up any of your dull items of furniture...

You will need; 

- Your object you wish to decorate 

- A tin of paint in a colour of your choice
- Découpage sheets of your preferred design or magazine clippings, cut out to size
- Découpage glue (I used an exterior quality découpage varnish because my mirror will be hung in the bathroom and I needed to make sure it would be waterproof). PVA glue will also work fine
- Scissors or craft knife
- Paintbrush(es)
- Sheet of sandpaper

Step 1: If you have chosen to paint the base of your object, you may need to give it a rub over first with some sandpaper to smooth out any lumps and bumps and lift off any surface dirt or grease to ensure the paint takes to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean off any dust left behind. 

 

Step 2: Apply a coat of paint to the base of your object. My frame needed a total of 3 coats to achieve a nice even solid colour. Allow to dry between each coat of paint according to the instructions on the tin. 

Step 3: Once the base colour is dry, you're ready to start layering on your paper cut outs. Arrange your cut outs on your object until you're happy with the design, it took me a while to decide on how I wanted to place mine, take your time with this step; move them around and try out different designs, don't be afraid to experiment. 

Step 4: Now you've decided on the final composition, you're ready to start gluing down. Apply a little glue to the back of each cut out (take care not to apply too much as this could make thin paper wrinkle). Gently smooth down each piece. 

  

Step 5: When all your pieces are glued down in place, you will now need to apply a coat of the découpage varnish or PVA over the whole surface of your object. Don't worry if it looks white, it will dry clear! Allow to dry completely at room temperature, usually about 4 hours, and repeat this step. 

And there you have it, your unique piece of jazzed up furniture to enjoy! 

Taking up something new...

A few people asked me, "What are you giving up for Lent?" And I pondered that for a while. Then I asked myself, why does it have to be so negative? So instead I'm taking up something new! Well OK not entirely new, but revisiting something and sticking to it this time. And that thing is... my tapestry herb pillow! I started this project way back in November 2010 and although I have been stitching slowly bit by bit, it is just plain shameful that it still remains unfinished!! So, my aim is to complete it within these 40 days and 40 nights of Lent!

Watch this space!

Here's how it's looking so far... almost there!

Christmas Decoration Making

On Thursday I spent a wonderful evening with my good friends Kate & Chloe enjoying good food (the first proper feasting of this season), drinking mulled wine and making Christmas decorations for our respective trees.

I made some spiral shapes from beautiful patterned origami paper that Chloe found in Muji and will now thread them with cotton to hang from the branches.

Here's a picture of them:

And HERE's a good tuition on how to make them and put 6 of them together to make a star!

Badger Cross Stitch

I spotted these two little fellows hiding in a nook when I visited my good and talented friend, K, one half of Magpie Inventions at the weekend.

Tapestry in progress

Some photos of how the tapestry is coming along....

Crocheted Bottles and Other Homeware

I love these so much that I think I'm going to have to learn how to use that crochet hook I've got under the bed in a box somewhere....!

Or you can buy them HERE at FreshlyFound.

Tapestry

At long last, I've treated myself to a tapestry kit! I was inspired months ago by Simon's aunty (she has beautiful tapestries all over her home; in frames, as cushions and dining room chair seats and she makes them to give as presents!) and now I'm finally all framed up and ready to go!

I found my kit in John Lewis, but it's made by a company called Cleopatra's Needle, you can by them online HERE. The company specialise in Needlepoint and Cross Stitch kits many which are contemporary designs. I've chosen this one,

a herb pillow with brightly coloured Anemones. I've half completed one of the flowers already, and I'll say it is time consuming and there's a lot of counting involved but it's so addictive and actually really therapeutic!! Just can't wait to get home to carry on with it!!

For more traditional tapestry kits, try Ehrman Tapestry. There's some really cool ones on here and I've already created my wishlist!

Photos to come...