This upcycling project has dragged on for more than a year now…it is now on the wall and out of my head!
Some of you may remember my excitement in February 2012 (more than a year ago), when I stumbled across this bundle of rusted wire fence. It was in a paddock being cleared for development near our house.
Months ago I re-covered 2 canvases with burlap (I didn’t like the creation from a previous crafty exploit).
I had two ideas for these two new burlap canvases, but couldn’t decide.
Many would describe me as having ‘thing’ for butterflies and birds. Previous ramblings featuring birds and butterflies are testament to that.
Before making a decision between these two beautiful creatures, I wanted to see what they both looked like on the canvases, so created them both in a kinda draft format (so excuse all the pins holding everything onto the canvas).
There has been a gap of three months between the first option and the second.
Rather than get my nickers-in-a-knot making the final decision, I thought I’d let my blog readers decide for me.
**MILD PANIC SETS IN ***
I guess you could call this Part II of Upcycling: Transforming garbage. I have ‘a thing’ about throwing things away that can be used for something else – it drives my husband crazy.
All around our house you’ll find items I have saved from the trash that are being stored until I get around to doing something with them.
A few months ago I posted about a collection of household garbage I had transformed into useful home storage items (see post: Upcycling – transforming garbage).
Below are examples of the baby formula tin becoming a cooking utensil holder, and the bulk washing detergent bucket turned into toy box….
On the first day of Christmas my true love said to me…. “Now we’ve moved house can you finish off some of these crafty projects you have started (and never finished)!”
Amongst the box unpacking (we moved into our new house last week… you can visit my blog about building the house at http://www.lot271.com) I found some time to make my toilet-paper-roll-Christmas-wreath as I promised I would in my Christmas decoration post. I couldn’t have made it any earlier because I needed the extra time to collect enough toilet rolls! I think that is a good enough excuse, don’t you?
Every day I am reminded of the disposable lifestyle we live – constantly chucking out packaging (glass, plastic and metal). So many of the things we put in the rubbish bin could be used for other purposes in our house – so I started collecting them.
For some reason it seems a lot worse with a baby… formula tins that seem to multiply, washing detergent packaging, empty wine bottles (they seem to mysteriously appear after all the washing and feeding is done for the day!!).
Combine my frustration with the amount of garbage our house produces, with some rather nifty upcycling inspiration I gained from Pinterest… ****abracadabra **** and this is what you get:
Heidi’s nursery (whilst temporary) is quickly filling with amazing hand made items, and gifts – making it feel more like home for her.
Knowing that we will be moving in a few months (when our new home is built), I didn’t spend a lot of time decorating her nursery…
a) because I will be packing it all up soon, and,
b) because we will be leaving the bright blue walls behind, and welcoming an entirely new wall colour in our new home (giving me more freedom with colours!).
In addition to what I have done, many other crafty people have contributed in their own unique way to making her nursery feel homely (many have crept out of the woodwork. The quilting fraternity is still alive and well – it seems to be the hidden talent of many!). And those that aren’t crafty (or just can’t find the time – fair enough!) have also provided simply adorable gifts for our little Heidi. This post is a pictorial display of the eclectic hand made items, and gorgeous designs that together make her temporary nursery a warm and welcoming home…
