Christmas craft

After making Maisy an advent calendar last year, Myles asked if I could make him one, but I ran out of time last year, so this year I started early.
Taking inspiration from online images and the style of Maisys, we settled on a cute Snowman.

Designing and making

The final result, Myles likes him!

(Maisys angel from last year)

Now I don't have the old stocking advent calendar to hang across the fireplace I decided to make some bunting. Keeping it very traditional in colour to match most of our tree decorations.

Cannot wait to decorate... in December!

Kirsty xoxo

Sunshine Frangipane: Sunday sewing

Sunshine Frangipane: Sunday sewing: A little while ago I got Maisy a super cute sleep bag, sadly the zip broke (most likely due to her Houdini attempts). I couldn't bring m...

Sunday sewing

A little while ago I got Maisy a super cute sleep bag, sadly the zip broke (most likely due to her Houdini attempts). I couldn't bring myself to throw it out so put it away until I could decide what I could use the pretty fabric for. After a recent conversation with my sister I got an idea of how to re-purpose it.

Removing the fabric from the wading

Now a drawstring bag for toys

A quick fix to an old piece

We have had this unit for years. Its been placed in various rooms for a variety of uses, but now is sitting in our living room. My husbands never been a fan of wicker, so I thought now its not hidden away id try to give it a bit of a spruce.
I really like the finished effect, it feels fresher, brighter and ties into the room (and the wicker is a little disguised)!

Before

After

Im slowly working on making liners for the draws

Lego storage

The amount of Lego in our house is increasing, rapidly! The problem with having an 18 month old in the house is she likes to try and eat anything, which means we have to keep the lego out of the way.
I decided we needed to figure a storage solution out because hiding the lego meant it was never played with.
When we cleared out the garage we found this old wooden box, perfect for the purpose.

A simple pine box

Primed and ready to go

Add a catch to stop little hands getting in

Blackboard vinyl adds detail and fun

Lego storage and drawing fun

This was a great Saturday night project!

The hunt for the perfect coffee table

I love having a coffee table in the living room, we seem to use it for everything, but I am struggling to find one that I really love.

I found this one on ebay and really liked the style and shape (and it was 99p). After working on it though I decided its just too big so I just sold it. So now im back on the hunt!

The table was definitely well worn

I love the shape of the leg

Nice, but not quite right for us

Who doesnt love a bag

With quite a few birthdays for Myles' friends coming up I decided that id like to make something to add a more personal touch. I kept it simple as I am still very rusty with the sewing, what little girl doesnt love a bag for all her precious things?!

Mini book bags

For my oldest niece I wanted to make something larger, with an added extra smaller pocket

I was really happy with the finished bags, I hope their owners were!

My munchkins

My Family

Dusting off the sewing machine

My favourite thing is working on furniture, but theres only so many new projects I need at home. So I decided to dust off my sewing machine and try a couple of simple projects.

I decided that for Maisys 1st birthday I wanted classic girly decoration (my first chance to bring pink and flowers to a party)! After a look on youtube I tried some bunting...

Pinks and greens run through Maisys room so I chose

 

material that I could use again

 

The finished products

Long time coming - Maisys bedroom

I have finally finished Maisys bedroom furniture! Its taken longer than planned but now its done I love it.

Sanding and priming

Farrow and Balls Skimming Stone adds a soft tone to the room

All thats left is to move the wall decal!

First project of 2014

Maisys bedroom

Moving back to England means a new house, and English style bedrooms = no fitted wardrobes. Whilst she is currently using Myles' old wardrobe (which was a project 4 years ago) its well travelled and well worn, and her change unit is becoming surplus to requirement and not giving the storage we actually need.
Looking around at new furniture that would all match, I realised just how expensive it was going to be, and whilst I would have no objection if I knew this furniture was going to last a good 10 years, we are renting and cannot be certain anything would fit into a new house if / when we move.
Becoming a little stalker like I watched gumtree everyday (the local version of craigslist) waiting for something to come up. Finally after a lot of rubbish was being sold, a matching pine wardrobe and chest of drawers came up at a bargain price.
We already have a nightstand so im looking to colour match the paint and make everything coordinate. Its not quite the same working in the garage in February here in England as it was in California but Im loving it nonetheless!

Chest of drawers before

Being primed, to cover the knots in the wood

 

 

Finished chest

New Year, New Country, New Things

Wow a year has past since I last posted something... That's pretty awful!

It was a crazy, busy, exciting year. We were blessed with the arrival of Maisy Rose Lake, visited Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Honolulu, oh and move back to England.
The learning curve of juggling two small children was let's say entertaining, but we have survived (nearly) the first year, now there appears to be a light approaching that says we got this, we can travel / move country, make new friends, and not end up in a padded cell.

2014 looks to be a calm, non eventful year and we cannot wait, although I guess from history you never know what will come up.

I have begun doing projects again and it's brilliant. I'm hoping to start blogging more regularly just to  keep track of what I'm doing, and throw in a few snippets of family life.