One Drawer´s Tale from Garbage to Gorgeous

I am a huge fan of before afters. I like to read about other people´s projects and I also love to do makeovers. Recycling and trying to reduce waste is also near to my heart. I hate it when good stuff is cast to the refuse dump. This drawer project was about both: a great before after project and rescuing mission for good material. 

I found this drawer near to a garbage bin where it was standing in the rain. The garbage was going to refuse dump. But there was a clever sign saying it was free to take! :) The drawer was wet, a bit broken and missed some minor parts. It is made by Finnish design brand Lundia and is a very good quality wooden drawer. It had been repaired before with glue and paint but was worth getting new life once again.

Here are some of the equipment I used: Glue, saw, filler, primer, coconut paint, wax and sanding machine. The first job was to remove red paint and varnish. I did that with scraper and sanding machine plus some parts with plain sanding paper. Paint was relatively easy to remove and sanding went well.

Then it was time to glue parts together where the drawer was broken. After that I had two boxes that missed parts. I made those parts from wood that I had in storage. Also some corners were damaged and needed wood filler. I built corners with filler and used sanding paper to get the wanted shape. Corner in the picture needed this process twice but I was very happy with the result. Where I had used the filler I put primer on the top to help the coconut paint take to the surface better. This caused tricky white spots but I got those hidden with the paint quite well. With this experience I would recommend to use one layer of the primer all over the surface. Though without primer the coconut paint shows the wood beautifully. When all the construction was done I painted the whole drawer twice with coconut paint (color cinnamon) and used transparent shabby wax on the top. I also made golden decorations with acrylic decoration lacquer.  

I am extremely happy and proud of the result. Look is both modern and traditional. Drawer is easy to style according to current trends and preferring. 

Now that it is winter I wanted to bring out the warmness of the brown with other deep colored elements. Simple Christmas decorations update the look for the coming season. I crocheted covers for plastic baubles from paper yarn and now they match perfectly with glass ornaments. 

I wish this post and drawer makeover will inspire you to think over pieces that are broken or out of date. Nowadays we got so much material to recycle and renovate for new purposes. I don´t claim that it would always be easy task to use second hand material. It takes time and creativity but it is a lot fun :) Even though this was one of the most time consuming projects I have ever had with furniture, it sure was the most motivating. To see a piece of scrap turning into something gorgeous is so inspiring. Also it is one piece less to the refuse dump! The total cost for this project was about 27€ which is not much (I didn´t use whole packages of all products so I counted how many percents I used. For example with wax I will make lots of more projects). 

Have you renovated something that has been in a very bad condition? Or used scrap material in your crafts or other DIY projects? How did you feel about that?

Inspiring weekend to you all!

Sannu

3 Fun Fall DIY projects

Sometimes we need a bit silly DIY projects to cheer up and enjoy just the making process without pressure. Some materials like colorful garden twine and old glittery bracelets offer good feelings per se. As much as making crafts can be serious art the process of crafting can also offer a chance to play. These simple projects offer that fun moment in the middle off sometimes hectic and stressful life. Don´t mind the result, take a cup of coffee with a bun, put your favorite music on and enjoy the journey!

You will need:

a basic stool (mine was faux wood plus metal)

white primer

chalk paint

antiquing wax

glue

colorful garden twine

scissors, paintbrush, cotton cloth, builders tape

1. Paint the sitting part with white primer two times.

2. Paint the sitting part with chalk paint two times.

3. Apply the wax to the sitting part with a piece of cotton cloth.

4. Cover the legs with colorful garden twine. Use glue to attach the twine to the surface. Hide twine ends under the second color as shown in the picture.

You will need:

a glass jar

old metallic bracelets

glue

wire cutters

1. Cut old bracelets with wire cutters to small pieces.

2. Glue bracelet pieces to the glass jar´s surface.

You will need:

colorful garden twine 

crocheting hook

needle

1. Chain 4 (= a loop and first double crochet) and crochet 11 double crochets to the first chain stitch. Close the round with slip stitch to the first dc.

2. Chain 3 (=first dc) and crochet two double crochets in all stitches, close the round with slip stitch.

3. Change the twine color. Chain 3 (=first dc), *crochet one simple crochet in every next 3 stitches, 1 dc in the next stitch and 2dc 1chain 2 dc to the next one (=corner of the square) and 1 dc in next stitch* ** repeat.

4. Finish the twine end´s with a needle.

Wishing you all a good start for the week!

Sannu

DIY: Color for the Kitchen

Kitchen dreams

Living on a rent dreaming of a self designed fully functioning kitchen, but in the meanwhile trying to manage with what is given. Does that sound familiar? What comes to living space we have lots of dreams and wishes. Blogs and magazines are good source on inspiration but sometimes make us feel unsatisfied with the reality. I have had often this kind of feelings. The house is full of materials and solutions I would never pick if I would be given the the keys to design my own home. After several years of living on a rent I have changed my attitude. Instead of limitations I have started to see all the possibilities to change my home into a space that represents my personality and lifestyle.

Food is one of our basic needs. Kitchen is the place where we can enjoy food: cook, bake, eat and share a common table with our family and friends. It would be sad not to enjoy your kitchen just because the cupboards are wrong color or the space itself is too small. I spend a lot of time in my small kitchen space (it is not an actual room with a door, that is why I say space). I love trying new recipes, taking care of my plants (kitchen is the best place for that because it situates near the balcony), reading on a kitchen table and of course eating. I often listen to music in the kitchen to get into that right mood for cooking; When I am dealing with colorful veggies and spices I like to dance  and when baking a cake silent classical music is the best. Taking all these activities that take place in the kitchen it is only natural that there is always something in progress.  It is the color of life that the homes are designed for. So don´t feel anxious about a messy kitchen (or any other corner of your home) it only tells that your home is a place for living.

Now a few simple projects to add some concrete color to your kitchen. Pick a color you like and start making. 

After I tried hand knitted cotton dishrags I have not needed those sold in the supermarkets. You can wash these dishrags in 60 Celsius degrees. 

How to make these dishrags?

Create 40 or 50 loops depending on how thin the yarn is. Then just knit until you have a square. Then change the color and take a crocheting hook: 1st round: Crochet with simple crochets around the square. 2nd round: *4 simple crochets, every fifth loop crochet "one simple crochet, chain 5, one slip stitch, chain 5, one slip stitch, chain 5, one slip stitch (=flower)"*    *-* repeat. To the last corner make a hanger: chain 15, a slip stitch to the following 2 loops. Turn and make simple crochets around the ring until it is covered. One slip stitch next to the beginning of the ring. 

Did you know that you can remove brown stains from the stove with a little sugar cube? Dip a corner of the cube to water and rub off the stains.

How to make these potholders?

Take a big crochet hook and colorful carpet rag. Chain 16 and make simple crochets beginning from the second from the hook. Always when you turn to go to the next round chain one. Make about 18 rounds using simple crochets to form a square. Then change the color of the yarn and crochet simple crochets around the square, to the last corner make a hanger by chaining 11 and crocheting one simple crochet to the next loop.

My small recycling center

Recycling is one of the challenges in a small kitchen. There is always too little space for all the buckets. I have removed the garbage cart to get one extra bucket to the cabin. Modern recycling requirements do not meet with the nineties kitchen design. I am recycling bio waste, energy waste, glass, metals, cardboard waste, bottles and papers. Anything else goes to either non recyclable waste or special waste. Planning is needed to have this all organized. But the best thing is that I have to take the garbage just about once in a week! Plus I could not deal with the bad conscious that follows if I don´t recycle... I warmly recommend to take this recycling matter seriously. I know that every land/ town has it´s own recycling guidelines so take the time and read more how the recycling is done at your area.

Dye old white curtains 

You might remember these old white curtains. Well now I got these dyed with washing machine color.  I really like the result and how simple it was to use washing machine color.

These were my ideas how to add some color to the kitchen. Don´t forget the lampshade DIY project that I made a few weeks ago!

What kind of solutions have you made in your kitchen? What kind of colors do you prefer in the kitchen?

Wishing you all a good and relaxed weekend!

Sannu

DIY Project: Embroidered Lampshade

This colorful DIY project is relatively easy to make though it takes some time. These sunny days offer a good light to work with embroidery technique. You will need: a basket style lampshade, spray paint, woolen embroidery yarn (yellow, 2 shades of green, coral, 2 shades of red) and cheap transparent nail polish.

These lampshades cost only 1€ per each at the flea market. I spray painted these with pink color.

I was surprised how difficult it was to find woolen embroidery yarn. I looked at the internet and local shops but did not find any place that would sell these. Finally when I asked at the local yarn shop they had little bags of embroidery yarn in their drawer. I remember that couple of years ago every yarn and craft shop had a special stand for these. Maybe these do not sell nowadays so well.

The design is simple. Count the middle of the work from your lampshade and begin at the middle of the pattern.  Take a short piece of embroidery yarn to tapestry needle and work one color at the time making cross stitches.

To finish the yarn ends use transparent nail polish to fasten the knots and cut off long yarns.

The white cord was too pale so I decided to crochet a cover from cotton yarn. Chain 6. *Chain one to turn and crochet one simple crochet in every loop (6 loops). * ** repeat. Measure the height of the cord and crochet accordingly. End the work when you reach the height. Fold the piece around the cord and sew the long seam by hand with the same yarn you used for crocheting.

I changed summer curtains but these are too white for my current taste (these are old curtains I had in my storage). Now I have plans to dye these with machine color. We will see how that goes :) I have already bought a coral color package.

Colorful DIY moments to your all!

Sannu

Home is a big mood board

Home sweet home! I am back home and blogging after one and a half months of living and working away from home. Wonderful experience that was, it was still a bit surprising how much it effected to my creativity that I was not surrounded by all this colorful DIY material. I noticed that if I don´t see all these piles of yarn, paint, fabric etc. my brain will stop planning new DIY projects. I did some crocheting though, but the "normal" constant stream of ideas was away (You know that hard to get sleep -feeling when you just burst with creativity?). It is like this home and this stuff inside it forms a big mood board for my project planning...

Situation is now completely different :) I have been in the local yarn shop twice, bought some spray paint and started three different projects. I would also like to do something with my balcony. At least clean and organize it, to start with.

Winter has changed into spring at some point. Last week I was skiing, now it is plus 15 Celsius degrees! Some trees have begun to grow small leaves and birds are crazy about spring screaming (singing) their voices out. After few weeks I will be able to drink morning coffee or read a book at the balcony. I just love this time of the year. What comes to making, taking photographs and writing, spring gives needed light. During the mid winter the day light lasts for few hours, now I can work till ten p.m.!

Crocheting and embroidering that is what is coming next weeks. Now I will go back to embroidering. At the end of the week you will see what that project is about :)

Sannu

10 Ways to Decorate Easter Eggs

The Creative Night Shift proudly presents: 10 (Glamorous) Ways to Decorate Your Easter Eggs! If you have followed my two week journey trying to get this finished, you might sigh: Finally! :D It´s not that I would lack inspiration doing this. Quite the opposite. I just always came with new and new ideas how to make better and better so that I have found it difficult to stop. Now I think I have enough Easter eggs for this year. I would say this is not a minimalists guide to Easter decorating. But note that you can choose the colors you prefer. So that if you like you can use for example black and white and silver ending up with completely different result. My leading idea was to use pink, blue (or turquoise)  and golden glitter. This has also been the red line when I made this display on my chest of drawers. BUT lets start with the eggs!

You can use plain hen eggs or plastic ones. Painting is easier with real eggs as the acrylic paint attaches better. When making an egg cozy by knitting or crocheting I would use plastic egg so that it won´t broke. When using real eggs remember to empty the eggs first.

***

1. Glitter Egg

This is one of the easiest way to decorate eggs. Apply glue all over the surface. Sprinkle glitter to the egg. Use a plate or a box to collect loose glitter. Let the egg dry. 

2. Dot Egg

Use puncher to make dots from a wrapping paper. Paint the egg using acrylic color. Decorate with the dots.

 The picture below leads us to the following idea.

3. Flower Decoupage Egg (I call this Marie Antoinette :)

 Choose a napkin that has small motifs to cut. Cut some motifs and separate the picture layer from the white layers. If the motif is too transparent leave one white layer.

 Paint the egg with acrylic color. Mix glue and some water. Using a brush apply some glue mixture to the place you are going to put the motif. Place the motif and apply some more glue mixture to the top of the motif. Attach all the motifs in a similar manner. Let the work dry.

Using a small brush border the motifs and paint some spirals and S-shaped curls between the motifs. As you can see from the picture you don´t need to be a master painter to do this. Just relax and create :) 

Below is a picture of an egg that has been painted the same way but with different color. Looks very different? Doesn´t it?

4. Feather Egg

 Apply some glue to the middle of the feather. Sprinkle golden glitter to the glue. Paint the egg using acrylic color and glue the feathers.

5. Painted Ornamental Egg

Use acrylic colors. Paint the egg with the color you choose. The use a very small brush and white color. Divide the egg to eight sectors by sketching like in you see in the picture above.

Combine the lines.

Paint five circles to every sector.

Change to golden paint. In every other sector paint the outside of the circles with golden paint and in the other sectors paint the circles (use flat brush). If needed make the white lines stronger and paint some small dots inside the circles.

6. Traditional Easter Egg

Decorate the egg with peel of stickers. Use a sponge to apply the paint. Remove the stickers (those areas are left white).

7. Knitted Egg

Use size 3 needles and cotton yarn. Cast 9. 

1.When knitting the first round divide the stitches to three needles. "Knit 3, increase one" "" repeat. >12 sts.

2. Knit.

3. "Knit 4, increase one" "" repeat. > 15 sts.

4. Knit.

5. "Knit 5, increase one" "" repeat. > 18 sts.

6. Knit.

7. " Knit 3, increase one" "" repeat. > 24 sts.

8. Knit.

9. "Knit 4, increase one" "" repeat. > 30 sts.

10. Knit.

11. "Knit 10, increase one" "" repeat. > 33 sts.

12.-24. Knit.

Put the egg inside the cozy!!!

25. "Knit 9, 2tog" "" repeat. > 30 sts.

26. "Knit 3, 2tog" ""repeat. > 24 sts.

27. "Knit 2, 2tog" ""repeat. > 18 sts.

28. Knit.

29. "Knit 1, 2tog" ""repeat. > 12 sts.

30 Knit.

31. "2tog" ""repeat.

32. Knit one, put back to the needle from which you are knitting. Pull over all the other loops.

End the yarn left overs. If you want you can decorate the egg using loop stitches.

8. Hearts and stripes <3

Use double sided glue paper. Cut hearts or stripes. Paint the eggs using acrylic colors. Attach the motifs. Remove also the other side of the glue paper and sprinkle the motifs with glitter.

9. Decoupage and glitter.

Cut four sectors from decoupage paper (or a napkin) and apply them to the egg using glue and water mixture. Cut stripes from glue paper and glitterize the seams of the sectors.

10. Crocheted Egg

Use crochet needle 1,75 mm and thin crocheting yarn.

Chain 5 and combine to a ring with slip stitch.

1. 12 double crochets to the ring.

2. Crochet 2 double crochets to every stitch.

3. Crochet 2 double crochets to every other stitch and one to others.

4. Crochet a double crochet in every stitch.

5. 2 double crochets in every third stitch, one to others. 

6.-8. Crochet a double crochet in every stitch.

9. Using single crochets: "crochet 2, 2tog" "" repeat.

10.  Crochet a double crochet in every stitch.

11.Using single crochets: "crochet 1, 2tog" "" repeat.

12. Crochet a double crochet in every stitch.

13. Using single crochets: "2tog" ""repeat.

Pull the yarn through the stitches that are left. End the yarns.

+ some other ideas

If you can´t find perfect branches from the nature, use Japanese saw to form one masterpiece from a pile of branches! 

Combine the branches by drill. No one will notice this little DIY part if you spray paint the whole thing with golden spray paint :)

Hope you got some inspiration and ideas for the coming Easter. 

Wishing you all a good start for the week!

Sannu

By the way, did you notice that I am on twitter nowadays? How inspiring it is to follow all you creative people and share the common passion for DIY, crafts, colors, interior design and baking! I am so exited. I have already found many new people and blogs to follow. Are you on twitter?