A casual ransom letter

The latest Swapbot project to be bundled and spirited away from my desk is a ransome note. Yes you read it correctly (unless you didn't)...

"The mission is to create a funny ransom note. You know how they do it in movies... with words cut out of magazines. Please be creative and have fun with this. Decorate the letter, and please include a 3d element on the page. Check out your partner's page for ideas."

So, my random swap recipient is a professional ghost hunter (uh...yeah) in the US and, I'm surmising, needs to have the hair on the back of her neck in working order... and so it reads:

"Lora, If you ever want to see the hairs on the back of your neck again you must follow our instructions. Any attempt to involve the authorities will bring dire consequences [insert hair glue styling product]. If you fail to comply with our demands, the results will be semi-permanent [insert scary purple hair dye]... your hairdresser has our instructions [image of Edward Scissorhands]"

Project: baby boy coat

Devastated by the recent demise of a Granny made jacket/coat which will have been perfect for littlest boy to wear this winter, I was inspired to re-make it using some cute fabrics I had in my stash. So I laid it out and used it's shapes to cut out a new coat, allowing, instead of a zip, for a overlapped front. I also added a secret layer of thick fleecy between the outer fabric and the lining, just in the torso. So it's quite toasty (I imagine) to wear.

so here it is modeled by the dark and hansome Hugo, 1 1/2 .

Just arrived: Vintage Quilt bag

I just love receiving parcels and handwritten notes, this one is the reciprocated "Purse That Wasn't". You can see the one I sent to Canada here. Made by Cindy, of Sauvage Blue, she wrote: "I am sending you the Purse that wasn't I made for you. It was a vintage quilt top I found and I made you a bag. It could be reversible if you choose. Hope you like it, Cindy."

Well Cindy, I don't like it...I ADORE it... I'm going to love this one. It works with so many things in my wardrobe it's not funny. Seen here with my "I Love Billy" shoes and yellow cardi. Soooo cute, thankyou Cindy xxx.

Re-fashioning: dress into skirt

Another simple re-fashion. This time a dress which I adored while I was very pregnant. Worn now, it still makes me look pregnant! The smocked band sat too high under my bust which looked aweful. So, inspired by this fashion diva, I gave the dress the chop and quick smart, turned it into a cute skirt - love it now!

Storage love: Ikea road tripping

A recent Ikea road trip saw me able to complete my wall of storage in our play room. The toys had been getting out of control so I chose this solution from Ikea.

It is comprised of 3 Lack coffee tables, joined together, with 3 Ivar storage boxes. I added castors to the boxes (which bring them to a perfect height to avoid finger squashing) and chalkboard paint so the kids can have a little fun - or we can draw or write what is inside each?
On the wall is the Dignitet wire hanging system so I can clip up the kids' art or posters etc. I am planning a large canvas for the right side on the wall - yet to be inspired on that one!

I love it because it keeps everything out of site - but only when they are put away!

The Purse That Wasn't

I've become hooked on Swap-bot after completing my first - the April Black and White Swap, hosted by the Shopping Sherpa. The handbag I made was well received in Canada. So I have found myself committed to 3 more! "Show Me Your Town" "Candy From Your Part of the World" ...and finally...
"The Purse That Wasn't"
The mission: Your job, should you decide to accept it, is to take a container that wasn't a purse and make it into a purse/tote. There are ideas for cereal box purses and knitted plastic bag totes on the web just to name a few. How about a purse from a book or a game board.There are no size requirements. Just don't use fabric. See what you can do. Remember to send on time and that we are all different. It should just be fun to see what you can come up with. Use your imagination. Send what you would want to carry.

So mine is made from a plastic shopper and cute masking tapes from Smiggle. The handle is pink plastic tube. I do hope my random swap partner likes it!

Hugo's New Room

Hugo's room is a triumph of my DIY-ing by design and has been a steady project for me. The linen was made, walls painted, mural designed and executed nicely, I upholstered the chair, hung the romans and re-fashioned the 'speaker-light'. All is finally complete and I can now reveal...

In detail: The Mural
The main wall colour is "Academy Grey" and the white is called "Geisha White", both by Wattyl. I decided to do a tree silhouette, but spent far too long choosing a style of tree which I was capable of doing well. Inspired by several sources - there are so many examples of well done tree murals (my favourites are here and here). It wasn't until I saw Redmag's beautiful mural for her little boy's room that I decided to just go for it! Then the next day I bought this at Don't Tell Phyliss (in Kingston) which helped me with a direct style of tree to go with. I drew it freehand with pencil, then painted.

Frustrated by a lack of boy-able bed linen which suited my aesthetic, I decided to make my own. The fabrics are quilting fabrics, Wise owl print, Amy Butler full moon polka dot, and Heather Ross Goldfish. (ordered from Duckcloth, Quilt Fabric Delights and Funky Fabrix)

The 'Speaker-light' was made a long time ago, but remains one of my favourite re-fashions to date (details on how I made it will be posted soon).

The room is quite restful with mod clean lines and fresh uplifting colours with fabulous doses of natural light - I love it!