WHAT WOULD YOU DO WEDNESDAY # 4

Welcome back to the triumphant return of What Would You Do Wednesday! (I know its Friday....I had serious Blogger issues the last 2 days)

I meant to keep up with this feature but life keeps getting in the way *sigh*

For those of you that are new to this, here's the deal:

I post pics of stuff (maybe a piece or some materials) that I would like to make in to something and you guys tell me what YOU would do, if you had the opportunity.

Then I'll hopefully pick from your wonderful wellspring of ideas and suggestions and post the final completed project when completed.

Sound good? Hope so! I totally need your help with this one!

Help! What would you do????

Thanks peeps xx

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG BIRTHDAY PARTY INVITATION

Well, its over. My stress levels are back to normal. The party was yesterday and we're pretty sure it was a success! (although we're so tired today I can't really be sure....:-)

It all started with Theo's new obsession: Sonic the Hedgehog. You know, I don't really use the word "obsession" lightly. When Theo likes something, he goes for it. Since Christmas, Theo's probably gotten enough Sonic merchandise to open a store. So, its no surprise that he wanted a Sonic the Hedgehog themed birthday party.

I'll start from the begining: Invitations. We did these the same way we did the Super Mario Invites. Email me for the templates and I will be happy to send them over, with instructions.

To make this, you have 3 pieces. The base (in blue), the mouth and inner ears *which I forgot to do!!* (in peach) and the eyes (in white). We've made the templates on to a standard piece of printed paper so all you have to do is get the blue and peach coloured paper and off you go!

 

 Once they're all glued together, they really do look like Sonic and it leaves the back free for all of the party information. 

                           

They can also double as the party bag toppers too if you wanted to cut out more ;-) 

In the Next post: Sonic cake & Cupcakes! 

 

SUPER MARIO MUSHROOM PILLOW

 Its been too long. Life's gotten in the way of keeping up with the blog posts. That sucks. I've felt so drained recently. So tired and fed up of things in general. Then it hit me....aside from the bedroom project (post and pics to come - promise) I've not done anything creative in what seems like forever. That sucks too. I think that this lack of creativity is a direct contributor to my crappy mood of late. Okay, so what does one do in these sorts of situations???? For me, I make something for Tooter.

As you can see from the past posts, I have a slightly Mario obsessed son. (I can think of a lot worse that he could be obsessed with, you know) So, from time to time, I like to feed his obsession with some Mario related craft projects. This one: Mario Mushroom pillow.

We started with a £1 sale pillow from Ikea. Great neutral blue colour. Then, Theo and I raided my felt stash... We used the template from the Mario Mushroom Invites post. Then I just used a simple stitch with embroidery thread. I think it gives it a bit more of a homemade feel like this. 

From the original Fire Flower post

oposite side of the Fire Flower pillow

Perfect Bed Buddies :-)

It took a little over 2 hours from start to finish and now he's got something cool and original on his bed that hopefully he'll have for a long time.

(and maybe, just maybe, he'll realise how cool his mom is when he's older) *fingers crossed*

Check out some of the other video game craft ideas here.....

TOP 10 NEW BABY HANDMADE GIFT IDEAS

Well, I've been slightly absent from my little blog and you guys for a while. I promise its with big things to report....soon. I'm in the midst of a big Master Bedroom project, deets to follow soon!! I'm absolutely exhausted! Coming home every night and working on the room until Midnight is taking its toll. BUT, I will have a great "reveal" for you by this week (fingers crossed). In the meantime, I wanted to share with you the cutest Top 10 list I've done to date....

TOP 10 NEW BABY HANDMADE GIFTS

1. Kristy @ Starfish Cottage has a gorgeous alternative to the handmade gift. She also has created some little extras for the rest of the family. I especially love the sibling gift....so very thoughtful. Go check it out!

2. The Purl Bee has got to be one of the best resources for knit / crochet / sewing projects I've seen in a long time. They have the most fantastic turtorial for really simple but cute baby shoes made from felt. Just think of all of the colour-coordinated shoes you can make?!?!?!

3. Allison @ Little Lovelies has a fantastic post for a baby name embroidery hoop. I think even a newbie can tackle this one in their own way....go see whats she's done. Its been pinned for me for ages. Too cute.

4. Diana @ Saving By Making posted a few years ago about an Appliqued receiving blanket. I love the simplicity of this project and that the colours are so bright. It may be an older post but I think its timeless.

5. Little Birdie Secrets shared a onesie cupcake tutorial even with matching box and notecards.There are alot of different posts on these but you have to check out this one, its gotta be the cutest one ;-)

6. Sparkle Power has the sweetest tutorial for baby rattles. These little cuties are perfect for the scrap fabric you have laying around (and you know you do!!). I love how colourful these are...and her blog is pretty fab too.

7. This one's my own (I had to sneak it in somewhere). A colleague from work had a baby a little while ago. During her pregnancy I made a note of all the little names she had for her bump and once the baby was born and we knew the details (weight, length and full name) I made this one for her. I think it turned out pretty cute and it makes a great hand made gift!

8. Elizabeth @ Violently Happy shared a handmade mobile made from little felt dolls of the family. Cuteness, right??? Wanna know the even better part??? It was made by her hubby! Love this...

9. Sweetaprils diaper cakes are the most amazing looking things I have ever seen! It takes diaper cakes to a new level. It gave me so many different ideas for alternatives to the tiered cakes you see everywhere.

10. Preppy Pink Crocodile has taken the standard baby gift basket totally handmade! You have gotta go see whats she's done to personalise this beautiful basket gift. Makes me want another one...

SO, if you're like me and have babies being announced or born all around you this time of year, take the time and check out these ladies and their fab posts. You won't regret it! Happy cuddling xxx

SURPRISE MOMMA LOVE

Last Saturday we decided that we were going to finally start the epic project of re-doing the bedroom. We've put it off year after year and now, 5 years later, we're finally in the swing of things. This isn't a few coats of paint....This is new floor, new wallpaper, painting, repairwork etc etc etc. Every night (After a full day of work) we're both up until midnight trying to get this room done before this coming weekend. I DON'T WANT TO SLEEP ON THE FUTON ANYMORE! *sigh* I'm so very tired....

In the middle of our frenzied week of redecorating the bedroom came a beautiful surprise.....

As part of the Birds Eye Teatime Handover, Hubby and Toots made a wonderful pre-Mother's Day dinner for me! (ps: for all my US friends, Mother's Day is in March in the UK).

I've been loving fish recently but hubbs is a vegetarian so I don't really get the opportunity to eat fish as often as I would like. Tonight was like a little slice of heaven! They made me Birds Eye Fish Fusions Garlic and Herb lightly breaded fish with Birds Eye Field Fresh steamed veg and rosemary and thyme potatoes. A-Maz-Ing!!! Here's what to look for:

The potatoes couldn't have been easier. He cut them, drizzled some olive oil and sprinkled rosemary and thyme over them and threw them in the oven for 45 minutes. They went perfectly with the fish.

For dinner  ideas and recipes, check out Birds Eye on Facebook here. Clarence the polar bear has a recipe app that is full of great, quick meal ideas (absolutely perfect for during the week, when you have tons of stuff on the go)

I have to admit, while dinner was cooking I did go upstairs and put a coat of paint on the door....Once dinner was ready though, it was handed to me and I was told to relax with my feet up watching TV! How amazing are my guys?!?!

Even topped off with a cupcake for dessert!

And check out what hubby was up to while I was chilling???? I love him....

Official dinner with Nanny will be on Sunday but it was really nice to have a night to relax and be spoiled by my guys.


I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network, a group of parent bloggers picked by Mumsnet to review products, services, events and brands. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. 
I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity

BEDSIDE TABLE RE-DO, ON THE CHEAP!!

Can you believe that we're half-way through February already? Seems like yesterday we were putting up the Christmas tree. Time is flying this year!

As I wrote in my post about upcycling a kid's chair, 2013 will be the year of ANTI-PROCRASTINATION. In other words, GETTING STUFF DONE....I don't think that I'm doing so badly so far. Back in January, I was approached by the Sunday Mirror (a National UK newspaper) about doing a feature on bloggers. The editor loved the fact that I was a full-time working mum and also a DIY blogger. We had a great phone interview and she had told me that the piece would be going in at the end of January. Well, the end of January came and went and when the article wasn't put in, I was gutted. I had a brief moment of "I wasn't good enough for the article, so the must have dropped it". Well, I quickly shaked off that negativity and started working on my next project to keep myself going. I then got an email from the editor and was told that it was bumped that week BUT it would be going in February 10th. Well peeps, here it is!!

It was also added online  here.

I'm really happy with the way it's turned out and I've been contacted by a few readers who want advice on the comic book chair and other projects too! I love that I'm connecting with you guys. It makes me super happy :-) Thank you to all those who read my posts and have read the article. Go and check out the other  blogs featured, they are lovely ladies. 

Out of that brief bit of negativity, I managed to kick myself up the backside to get cracking on some more of my epic list of projects. I decided to tackle the bedroom. As its currently in the process of being stripped and painted, I chose to take the project out of the bedroom for pics. My bedroom is a bombsite at the moment.

Our furniture is this dark wood-effect and modern looking handles. The vibe I'm now going for is a little more relaxed and LIGHTER!! Can you imagine how dark the room is with all the furniture this colour?? Yup, its pretty dark....

Of course the logical answer would be to buy new furniture...Ummm, we're kinda broke..Christmas was expensive...So, I had to look for alernatives.

I've seen so many posts on spray painting and the pro's and con's of doing it. Basically, what I got out of it was that it all depends on the spray paint you're using and how you prep.

This Rust-Oleum stuff in Antique White was perfect. It dried super quickly, had a great finish and can be used on just about anything...

First, I took the drawer faces off and removed the handles. Then, laid them on a drop cloth and sprayed. It took 2 coats in total. Handles were sprayed separately.

Wait for it all to dry and then put it back together again. **the only downside is that flat pack furniture isn't really meant to be taken apart often. It sometimes goes back together a little more loose. You may need to tighten things up a little**

 

Even with the minor issues, I think this looks great. I'm really happy with the look and the finish of the table.

All done for a total of £9.72 for the can of spray paint. (With plenty left over for the other table)

Not too bad, right?

TOP 10 UPCYCLE PROJECTS

Hello peeps!! Here is my favorite Top 10 post to date. I absolutely love the idea of taking something useless or "at the end of its life" and bringing it back to SHINE. I've done this myself in some posts from last year, like my Ugly dresser redo and a few more. Check out my Furniture section down the left hand side search terms. This Top 10 List is of some absolutely beautiful projects that you need to have in your life! So, without any further delay, here is this month's Top 10:


1. UPCYCLED FURNITURE:

Ashley @ Edge Designs has a sweet tutorial for an armoire turned in to a beautiful addition to a newborns room. I'm not going to spoil it, you have to go over and check it out.

Mak and Jill @ Makandjill took old chairs and turned them into a beautiful outdoor bench. As well as some other gorgeous projects.

Dana @ Happy Day Vintage posted about an absolutely defunct entertainment center which I'm sure you've all seen (or maybe even had???) over the years. Don't turn your back on it! You can turn it in to awesomeness.

Solana @ Solo Thais has taken a dresser and turned it in to a perfect addition to the kitchen.

2. UPCYCLE ART

Camilla @ Family Chic has a simple but yet totally adorable tutorial for a wire hanger and yarn! Perfect for Valentine's Day, no??

3. UPCYCLE JARS

Chez Beeper Bebe has breathed new life into the jars in my house with this upcycle. No need to use mason jars. Why not use old sauce jars? I LOVE this one.

4. UPCYCLE BOOKS

Cathy @ Trinkets In Bloom has done the near impossible! Turning an old book cover into a designer knock-off! Check out this tutorial.

5. UPCYCLE BAG

Wayward Girls Crafts has claimed "Top Spot" in my Things Im Gonna Do Pinterest Board. Hubby bought me a camera for Christmas and I have yet to find a camera bag that is cute enough. Now, I can just make one myself!!

6. UPCYCLE SHIRT

The Art Zoo took a men's shirt and turned it into an on-trend tech accessory. A little sewing is all it takes.
Better than spending cash on a boring old store bought one..

7.  UPCYCLE WINE BOTTLES

BrightNest has a collection of great upcycle projects for wine bottles. I don't know about you, but my house is coming down with wine bottles after Christmas. This is a great alternative to throwing them out.

8. UPCYCLE SWEATERS

Going a Little Coastal took an old cashmere sweater and gave it a second chance. Take a good look at those old sweater peeps, there are a tonne of possibilities in there!!

9. UPCYCLE JEWELLERY BOXES

We're back with Happy Day Vintage for a post on upcycled jewellery boxes. I have one that I actually hide away 'cause it doesn't fit the decor. Now, I can bring it out and make it my own.

10. UPCYCLE STORAGE

Cheryl @ Nefotlak has taken some jars and a coat rack and made something wonderful and functional. Okay I know this maybe cheating as its jars too but I think her storage-type use for them  is different, don't you??

Try upcycling something soon!!