When life gets busy...

I'm having a hell of a week at work. Deadlines are coming up. There's a bit of required travel involved. Kids have started back at school. House to home transformation not quite complete...

I'll admit that thinking about it all does make me feel quite overwhelmed.

And then.. I remembered to just *stop*.

A few hours ago, I put away my laptop. I got in bed with the children and just *listened*. And I realised that in my busy-ness, I forgot that there are greater and more amazing things happening - and its happening without drama, without busyness.

At this very moment, my children are growing and coming into their own.

At this very moment, my garden is using and channelling the gift of rain after so many days without.

At this very moment, a lemon is ripening in my tree.

At this very moment, the season is turning and changing *everyone's* routines, behaviour, feelings.

All these amazing things happening so effortlessly and quietly.

And its amazing that after listening to this quiet for an hour, I suddenly feel...not so overwhelmed.

Wishing you all quiet moments like these.

Frugal decor - my entry way (attempt at faux stain glass)

The front door of my house opens into a dim hallway. I have to admit, its probably the one part of the house that I don't really like. Its okay - there is an existing mirror there that does reflect the light into the hallway BUT, I don't like doors opening straight on to a mirror - besides being bad feng shui (chi energy coming into the house is immediately deflected out again), its also very startling and depressing to see oneself upon entering the house after a long day at work.

I thought about buying a stain glass panel from an antique shop or a recycled building supplies shop BUT - OMG, have you seen the prices of those panels?? All of them were above $100! (and the ones I liked were over $200).

So I ended up trying my hand at painting the mirror a la faux stain glass look. Since it was my first time, I decided to use the children's "Arti-stick" paint - (the kind that you can peel off hehe). Paint (different colours) cost me $55 (and there's still half left for another project).

Anyway, here's the result:

The paint is transparent enough so that the mirror is still reflecting light into the hallway BUT its no longer mirror like. The flower is a lotus by the way :P

I think its okay for a first attempt. Actually that's my second attempt. My first attempt was I painted it then hung up the mirror BEFORE the paint dried.... and the paint ran down the mirror. Damn that gravity!

Table - existing but painted distressed white at the bottom. Doily from op shop - 50c. Vase - existing. Books from bookcase and costed earlier. Chinese doll is one of my daughter's given to her by a workmate of mine.

Anyway, its an improvement from the old dim hallway. I might try a few more projects like these then I *might* re-do it the painting but I'm happy with it for now.

Total cost of furnishing this entryway = $55.50.

What are these? (need tool id help!)

Many of you know that I've been attending a few deceased estate auctions lately. Now the way these auctions work is that for many things you bid for an entire shelf/wall of stuff. So now that I've sorted through my tool boxes, I've come across some tools that I can't identify. Can you help me please? (click on pic to make it bigger)

Mystery tools - "A"

Now the doobie bit to the right of yellow bit seem to fit at the bottom end of the yellow bit. And the rest of the stuff don't seem to fit on to each other at all. Should I keep/freecycle/throw?

Mystery tools - "B"

Should I keep/freecycle/throw?

Mystery tool - "C"

keep/freecycle/throw?

And finally, not a tool but a moth? Came home today and found this clinging on to my door screen:


Those of you with sharp eyes will note that its over 10cms (about 4 inches) in length! I would estimate the body to be about 3cms wide (1 inch). I didn't see its wing span but I would say it would be quite wide too. Anyone know what it is?

Simple Chair Slipcover Tutorial

This tutorial is dedicated to my Ninang (godmother), who wanted to know how I did my dining chair slipcovers. I couldn't really find any good tutes out there so I made this one, based on what ended up working for me. Please let me know if I need to explain myself better! (Click on each pic to make it larger!)



So first up, you will need 3 pieces of fabric:



The long piece of fabric is cut out by measuring the chair as follows:



Don't forget to add a seam allowance!

Fabric pieces E and F are cut out using the following measurements:



1. Now sew together A and B.
2. Sew E to one side of C.
3. Sew F to the other side of C.
4. Hem bottom of A, D, E and F.

Optional

- You can sew one side of E/F to D, or you can just leave it open; and/or
- sew ties onto the fold line of B and C and tie it back across A; OR
- you can do what I did and that is sewed a button on to the top left corner of E and F; then did a corresponding button hole stitch on either side of A.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! If you do end up sewing a slipcover out of this tute, I would love to see it!

Frugal decor - my dining room!

I've finally finished it!!



At least, I think I finished it... not sure if it needs more of its enough. I guess I'll see next week if I want to add to it.

The back wall is in a really terrible condition as a result of several picture hook nails all put in different spots. For a little while, I toyed with the idea of painting something large and hanging it on the back wall, but in the end I decided to just buy contact paper and make a huge wall decal instead.



(Note that the contact paper is the FIRST brand new item I have bought to decorate this house!!) The contact paper was bought at KMart for $5and I used the "Rattan" look which looks ugly on the roll but looks fantastic on a wall.

Basically you just cut out the shape you want and stick the contact paper on the wall. The contact paper peels right off and won't damage the wall if you decide you don't like it later.

Dining table was already existing - bought new about 12 years ago. Slip covers made from an old heavy cotton sheet I got from freecycle (which I was going to use as sheets but when I unfolded one there was a huge tear in the middle, so perfect to turn into slip covers!)

Cushions from St Vinnies = $6
Plant and pot = from friend's larger plant and her spare pot she was going to send to Aussie Junk but I nabbed it instead. :)

Total cost = $11


Oh I tried to hide the aircon on the top corner wall but the top part is so narrow (and the bottom part so wide) that the cover I made for it won't stay up there. The wall is actually backing on to brick so it would be too expensive to take out the aircon and brick up the wall. I guess I'll just have to live with it.

Though if you have any other ideas on how to make it blend in a bit more I'd love to hear them!

Not-quite frugal but still 2nd hand and upcycled craft

So I'm interrupting pics of rooms in my house to show off this gorgeous lamp I got at C&G auctions last Sunday:



Not quite frugal = $35...which means this one lamp cost me almost as much as my entire living room! Having said that, I *love* this lamp - its wrought iron (so quite heavy) and fabric. I love it so much, I would have paid a LOT more for it. So is it frugal?? Well, maybe not but since I would've paid a lot more for it, I still consider it a bargain.

It needed a good wipe down and the actual light component screwed in correctly (thank goodness I bought all those tools too!).

The other reason why I love it so much is that actually matches my "new" handbag.





...and the little zippered pouch I made to go with the handbag:



Book I got for $1 at Minnamoora Antiques and Collectables - rapidly becoming my favourite antique store in the ONC.

Fabric - scraps from Button Beauty's stash. (I'm so lucky to have such a talented friend with a very cool fabric stash - hehe).

Zipper - from Anglicare's Bargain Hunter Op Shop (50c)

The D rings are the only things I bought brand-new = can't remember how much - maybe about $4??

Anyway, I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. I hope to get back into decorating tomorrow so I can show off another part of my house. I hope you are enjoying my frugal decorating/furnishing series. Please feel free to pass on any frugal decor tips or websites! I'm starting to get stuck for ideas. I need ideas for my dining room, my laundry and my bedroom.

(*ONC - our nation's capital)

Frugal decor - my craft room!

This is my favourite room in the whole house! It used to be the family room, but since I can't see the need for a living room AND a family room, I turned the family room into a craft room.... and the whole thing cost me a whopping $65:



Aside from the sewing machine (second-hand @ $200 a few years ago) and lamp (new, 10 years ago), all other items were purchased/acquired for this room.

So for $65, I got:

- the vintage white bookcase (next to sewing table) = $25 @ Salvos
- Glass jars to store stuff = $5 @ Salvos
- sewing table = $15 @ C&G Deceased Estate Auctions
- large executive desk (in middle to be used as cutting/general crafting table), I painted the bottom half a distressed white but decided to leave the top as it is 'cause the white shows it up nicely = $10 @ C&G auctions.
- various baskets = about $10 from various op shops - one found on the side of road.



For free, I got:

- shelf and open cupboard unit (1st item on left) - found under the house and I cleaned it, took out the broken cupboard doors and painted it distressed white.

- Little desk in corner for my computer - from Freecycle.

Chairs are the leftover chairs from my dining room (will be shown once I've finished what I'm doing there).

I think out of all the rooms, this has been the one that has been my most "successful" attempt at frugal decor... or maybe its only 'cause I'm such a craft addict?! hehe

Oh I should mention that the sewing table and desk from the auctions had stuff inside their cupboards (mostly needles, bobbins, thread, pins etc etc). So I'm very happy to have also added to my supplies. I also found this:



Can someone tell me what this is??

Frugal decor - my kitchen!

I have to say, out of going out on my own it was the thought of having to pretty much start again with the kitchen that's been the most daunting on my mind. That's why I was so thrilled to discover the Estate Auctions scene at the ONC.

But before I start waxing lyrical over the bargains, best I show you my kitchen now:


Original items in this picture are (from left to right):

- Coffee machine - gift from friends 7 years ago
- Sandwich maker - bought new about 7 years ago
- Recipe books (most bought second hand) - all older than a year
- Electric kettle - bought new about 5 years ago
- Cast-iron camp oven - bought new last year
- Green cocktail glasses - passed down to me from my great grand-mother.

...and that's it. Yep, everything else you see I got from deceased estate auctions or from op-shops. And the bargains?? (Again from left to right)

- ALL pots and pans - all enamel or cast iron = $5 - and included in that $5 (and not in picture) are a complete set of everyday cutlery and most cooking utensils!! Bought at C&G auctions.

- Microwave = $30 - included with this are frypans and a gravy boat (don't know how that got grouped together, but my guess is because frypans and gravy boat were on top of microwave and it got sold as one lot) - also at C&G auctions

- Vintage tins and copper kettle (top row of the cupboards on the left) = $15 - C&G auctions again.

- Knife block and complete knife set - excellent condition and in fact looked like they were never used = $12 at the Salvos

- Wooden spice rack with vintage glass spice bottles = $5 at the Salvos

- Large vintage tea towels (bought 8 of them) = $15 at Anglicare's Bargain Hunter Op Shop (okay, I know this was an extravagance but I love the old style vintage tea towels - such better quality and so large!)

- Coffee plunger (not in picture) - still in pack = $4 at the Salvos.

- Basket (not including fruit) = $4 at St Vinnies

But wait there's more:



Fridge (only 5 years old) = $150 - C&G Auctions.

Dishrack = $8 - Vinnies (is it just me or is Vinnies getting more and more expensive? Ah well, its still a really nice dishrack and exactly what I was looking for.)

I also got given (from friends and family):
- a dinner set and a wok - was headed for Aussie Junk but was diverted to me instead (thank you L!).

- Some glass bowls, mugs, couple of glasses, and melamine dinner set.

So there you go - a full kitchen, including major appliances for: $240 That's a lot less than what I thought I would be up for!

Having said that, I *am* still short of a few bits and pieces. I have only 2 wine glasses and 2 glasses. While they're okay for me, at some point I would like to be able to offer more than one friend a drink when they come over! I also am still looking for a garlic crusher... So I'm using that as my excuse for going to the next C&G Auction this Sunday. :P

Oh and some people may have noticed my newspaper box at the side of the sink. That is my compost bin. I get the free community newspaper once a fortnight and after reading it, I turn it into little trash boxes (using 2 full pages instead of one) for my indoor compost bin.



Once its full (as above), I just pick it up, tip contents into outdoor compost bin, then shred the paper and throw it in as well. Or I put the paper in the recycling bin if I think there's enough newspaper in the compost. :)

Anyway, I've written enough. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Wish me luck at the auctions!

(I just realised that I had not mentioned the stove/oven etc... the reason for that is that here at the ONC and most parts of Australia, the stove and oven always comes with the house. So not an "extra" cost in outfitting the kitchen)

*ONC = our Nation's capital

Frugal decor - my living room!

Finally organised to take some pics! First up is my living room:



In this picture, the only pre-existing furniture were:
- bookcase (bought new 15 years ago),
- and coffee table (given by friends about 7 years ago).

What I got given:

From friends and family (who say that these items were headed for the tip or the charity bins):
- couches
- little pot plant and plant (separated from a much bigger plant)
- side-table - in this picture
- cushions
- little stool (you can see a bit of it in between the left couch and bookcase)
- large white lamp

What I bought:
- blue vintage suitcase - bought at an deceased estate auction - about $11 (suitcase came with lots of fabric, clothes and hangers).
- Yellow vintage tin "Weetbix" - bought at Salvos - $10
- Books - lots of them - some bought new (about 20 years ago when I was at uni), most second hand - I would estimate the cost of the more recent books to be about $50)

*My* decor attempts:

I recovered the cushions using existing fabric and converting old pillowcases into cushion covers.

Fabrics as throw rugs - actually there's only one throw rug (the dark red one) which was gifted to me early last year. The rest are shawls which were in the vintage suitcase.

I found some ceiling paint under the house (half a large tin!) and painted the coffee table...actually my daughter and I painted it. In the end, I decided to go for a distressed white look (which is remarkably similar to the "painted by an amateur and a six year old" look).

And I re-upholstered the stool!



Didn't take before shots because I decided to re-upholster it at about midnight on my first night of moving. The stool was very dirty and the top was covered by very badly stained yellow fabric. So I cleaned it and then took it apart. I then used existing fabric (remnant bought at op shop a long time ago)to re-upholster it. Am quite pleased with the result.

On the other side of the living room:



Bought pieces of furniture were pre-existing. The side table bought 15 years ago and the chair was given to me by a friend last year. I had blogged about the chair before - my friend was about to freecycle it but I was lucky enough to come to her house just before she did it and snapped it up instead. The chair was actually my first upholstering project. Cushion was also using an old cushion that I recovered using fabric remnants given to me by several friends over a long period of time.

The lamp was bought at Salvos for $5.

The shawl draped over the chair was from the suitcase that I had bought.

The magazines are old gardening and sustainable living magazines I had bought 5 years ago.

So the total cost of my "new" living room (including "newer" second-hand books) = $86 or $36 if you don't count the books.

I quite like it. I know its not everyone's style, but its very cosy to me.

I'm thinking of painting the large side table (in the first picture - *not* the antique one) in the distressed white but not sure if two pieces of distressed furniture would be too much... what do you think?

Frugal decor...and I didn't even know it.

You know, I've been living simply and frugally for so long that I had set myself a challenge and didn't even know it.

As regular readers of my blog will know, I'm in the middle of moving house. I am so excited to have my own space again! However, moving to my own home does present some challenges. For one thing, I will be needing my own kitchen items, furniture, needing to decorate etc etc. While I do have some pieces of furniture, it is really not enough to fill up a house.

So, here I am accumulating my stuff second-hand, looking around my existing materials to make stuff, getting stuff from friends and Freecycle, and something occurred to me..... I think most people around me would actually buy this stuff brand new!

Wow, I never thought I'd get to the point where buying brand-new is a novelty. Funny how my life outlook has completely changed from that career-driven, "everything brand-new" yuppie I was 7 years ago.

I have to say, I'm having fun with this move! (First time I think I could ever say that). Not having so much stuff is definitely making it easier. Hopefully I'll be organised enough to get pics of my frugal decor soon!

I spy with my little eye...

Rainforest Alliance and Organic Certified Vittoria coffee!!



Out of all the "mainstream" coffees out there, I would say that Vittoria seems to be the most popular at the ONC* cafes. So its nice to see that Vittoria has released an ethical line.

So what does Rainforest Alliance certification mean?

Rainforest alliance means that while farmers can use chemicals, they do have buffer zones between their farms and vegetation. It also means that they can't alter natural water courses, dump wastewater or partake in the trafficking of wild animals.

From a labour standard, it means that children under 15 yrs old can not work on their farms. Children over 15 can not lift 20% of their body weight, work on steep slopes or in dangerous areas. Further farmers are to pay for further education of those children (so more mirroring the apprentice schemes we have here in Australia).

In addition, farmers must pay all their workers the legal minimum wage.

All of the above are regularly audited by an independent third party.

So there you go, while the standard is not as strict as fairtrade (where people are paid a living wage rather than the country's minimum wage), it does mean that there is no child-slavery in this coffee.

Me, being me, *had* to buy a packet and can assure people that the coffee is good and is perhaps a tad stronger than the normal Vittoria coffee... though its been so long since I've had Vittoria coffee so don't hold me to that!

I bought my Rainforest Alliance certified Vittoria coffee at Woolies.

*ONC - our nation's capital.

I am moving!!

...no, not moving this blog - I'm moving in real life! For new readers to this blog, the last few months I have been living at my parents house. While it's been great, I am soooo looking forward to being in my own house again!

So what does this mean? Well from a green/frugal point of view, I'm using this move as an opportunity to declutter. So I'm making my three piles - one for disposal (hmmm... only one small box), one for charity/freecycle (ooops quite a big pile - how did that happen?) and one for actually moving.

It also means that I've been buying items for the house - namely, fridge/freezer, washing machine and microwave. I also needed some pots and pans. I'm glad to say that all my buying is OVER! (yay) I managed to buy everything I need from estate auctions. So not only green but very very frugal. I've managed to buy all my appliances, plus some furniture and handyman tools (oh and oops craft stuff) for under $400. How cool is that! Pics will come once I've moved and have everything out accordingly.

Now the downside... I packed up my craft stuff last Thursday, so no more crafting for me for the next week or so. Which accounts for the redesign of this blog... I need a creative outlet somehow! Now the design of this blog is from: Simply Fabulous Tutorials. I did change the header a bit so I can put in John Vander's painting on the left. Oh since we're talking redesign, does anyone have any suggestions on what else I should have on this blog? Any gadgets/features you'd like to see?

Oh and for those wondering, I won't be going offline - the joy of mobile broadband! So while you won't see crafts here for awhile, I'll still be blogging away every couple of days or so.

See you next time and I hope you had a great weekend!

Rock is dead...long live paper and scissors!

(Okay, I know I've read that somewhere... just can't remember where.)

Everytime I look at my latest craft, I think of that line... and its driving me crazy where I read it!! Anyone know?

So here it is, my vinyl record journal:



Record covers were cut with a guillotine and hole punched after being warmed in the oven, (10 mins at 100 degrees Celsius)



Papers held together by twine in a coptic stitch.



Papers made up of - brown paper lunch bags (so there are pouches throughout the journal), old music sheets, old novel papers and leftover blank sketchpad paper.

So there it is! I really enjoyed making this one... but I've now realised that I am acquiring a hobby (making journals) and I'm not a journal-type person. I'm now searching madly for friends who may be journal-type people and give them as gifts. ...or maybe one day I'll get the nerve up to set up a market stall somewhere and sell them. Who knows?

Oh and as I hate waste, here's what I did with the ends of the records that I had cut off: