Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Monday, 8 February 2016

A little under the kitchen sink organising...

I am slowly working my way through all the cupboards in my home and giving them a little love, some are functioning perfectly, others not so much.  Under my kitchen sink honestly wasn't that bad, however I found that most of cleaning products I had stored under there weren't been used at all, and were taking up precious space. 

When I start any organising project, I like to pull everything out of the space, it's the best way to see exactly what you have and I find a blank canvas always helps you envision what the space could look like.

After I pulled everything out, I decided what was going back in.  From there I made a list of what I needed, and did a little online browsing; I find this saves me time because I find the products I want online (Kmart is always my starting point, their website is user friendly and honestly they have everything you could possibly need to organise a home!) I like to take a screen shot of the item and then I pop all the pictures into a folder on my phone for that project, this also helps as there is nothing worse than trying to describe an item to a sales assistant, when you can't find it and they have no idea what your talking about!  

By doing a little preparation first, I can also get measurements (9 times out of 10) which is handy if there is space issues, then I can measure out the space and make sure everything is going to fit.  There is nothing worse than coming home with a container that you thought would fit perfectly and it doesn't.  By the time I head off to the shops, I have a detailed list,  I know how much an item costs, if it will fit in my budget and I have a good visual in my head of how it's going to work in the space, best of all I'm not spending hours in store...this mama doesn't do well in crowds or busy stores! 

On to the details, I have tried to link all the products where possible...
I started the project by adding some stripes to the back wall using grey duct tape, I figured if I didn't like it I could just pull the tape off!  I took the tape over the joins and then used a stanley knife to ensure a nice clean line.

Such an easy way to add a little fun inside your cabinets!

 I used the large pantry storage shelf from Kmart to take advantage of the height, and these cute Kmart small white storage containers fit under the shelf perfectly!

I used four of the small storage containers in total.  To label everything I made my own labels using Microsoft word, printed, laminated and cut them out.  I attached them to the containers with some heavy duty double-sided tape...so easy!

 In the containers...the 1st container has tea-towels, the 2nd has dish cloths I like to have a few as I also use them to mop up any spills and then pop it in the wash, I also wash my dish cloth each day and just pop it in with a load of washing, so easy and I haven't purchased a Chux in years, the 3rd has cleaning products I use in the kitchen and the 4th has a scrubbing brush and bamboo cloth that I use with the cleaning products. (I use to use bamboo cloths as my dish cloths, they are amazing! I had previously purchased them at Coles but I haven't seen them for almost a year now...so if anyone knows where I can purchase them please let me know!) 

I used this container from Kmart to keep plastic bags and this container to keep all my bottle and scrubbing brushes etc.

I just tie up any grocery bags and they get popped in here.

I keep my dishwasher tablets in a glass jar that was a coffee jar in a previous life, it works perfectly as airtight storage for the dishwasher tablets.

I used this spice rack from Kmart and it works a treat for storing those items I use regularly. Those cute green scrubbers and soap dispenser brush are also from Kmart. 

I secured the spice rack with these little stick on hooks I also picked up from Kmart for $2 as I didn't want to drill any holes the doors.

On the other door I have a paper towel holder for quick and easy access, I picked up for $2 from a dollar store, which also fastens to the door with a double-sided tape.

The final result, after living with the newly organised cupboard for a week or so now, I can say it functions wonderfully and I love it! Nothing like another organised space to keep you motivated!

Hopefully there are some helpful little tips or trips you can put to use in your home!  Wishing you all a wonderful and happy week! xx







Monday, 4 May 2015

DIY Gold Mug...


I have been rather slack on posting for the last 2 weeks! Between sick kids, full-time work and the usual housework and study, it has been a little crazy around here, and I have really struggled to get a little me time of late.  I love Instagram for a quick, pretty photo journal of our life and home, but I love nothing more than sitting down and putting words to paper so to speak, I think that's I why I love the process of writing a blog post.  I use my 'me' time to sit and blog or work on other projects, so I am really going to try and allocate some time for me going forward, as best I can, to spend more time doing things I love...because every mama needs a little break, right?!  Now enough about me, and onto the DIY mugs...
 
I posted my Inspiration a couple of weeks ago here and set about creating my pretty DIY mugs.  I really wanted to try a couple of different metallic finishes, like a rose gold, bronze and silver finish as well as the gold, but as I said before a crazy couple of weeks so I used what I had and that was gold.  I am so happy with the results, they look super cute! I have used them, and no chipping or scratching off, though I have only hand washed and wouldn't recommend putting these pretties in a dishwasher.  Here's how I did it...

What you'll need...

- Spray paint of your choice, I used this White Knight Metallic gold (I love the finish of this spray)
- White mug
- Painter's tape or masking tape
- Clingwrap (not pictured as it was an after thought)

 How I did it...

- Decide on the pattern you want, for this mug I did a horizontal stripe.
- You want to cover everything you don't want sprayed with painter's tape, I wanted the handle gold for this one so I left it tape free.
- Make sure to run your finger nail along the edges of the tape you want a clean, crisp line once the tape comes off.
 
 - For this one I wanted a triangle down the bottom of the mug, I marked out a triangle on both sides of the mug.

- Rather than cover the whole mug in tape for this one I tried clingwrap and taped the edges down, and it worked perfectly.
 
- I also covered the top of the mug with clingwrap so as to prevent any spray getting inside the mug.

- Now the fun bit! Spray as per the directions on the spray can
- I did one light layer and let it dry for 20min before giving it a final coat (this is important you don't want to be too heavy handed with the spray or you'll end up with run marks)
- I removed the tape about 20min (you want it to be dry to the touch) you don't want to leave the tape on longer than necessary
 
How pretty is the end result! I love this little DIY and I love that the sky is the limit when it comes to colours and patterns!

 
Happy DIYing lovelies! xx

Monday, 20 April 2015

Monday Inspiration...DIY Gold Mug

This morning was crazy in our household as the kids headed back to school.  I like to think I am organised, but somehow regardless of how early I get up or how organised I am, I feel like our school/work mornings are rushed, and always like I have forgotten to do something!
 
As I've mentioned before on a Monday morning I like to set myself up for the week, and this morning after I arrived at work, coffee in hand it was especially nice to just sit and exhale.  I sipped my coffee and went over my big list and to do lists, setting myself up for the week ahead (I always feel so much better after I have done this!).  As I finished off my to do list, I decided I wanted to add a little something pretty to make this week, and thought some gorgeous DIY gold mugs would be perfect!
 
I love all things metallic in finish...with gold and copper on trend at the moment, I think I will definitely try a couple of different colours and finishes.  I can't wait to give this one a try, and internet willing I will have another post up in coming days showing how I went! 
  
 
 Hope your Monday has been a great one! xx

DIY Sisal Rope Bowls...

I apologise for the late post, I was unable to upload on the weekend.  Unfortunately after a year in our home we still struggle with a decent Internet connection or any Internet connection at all...so frustrating!

Last Monday I posted my Pinspiration for the week DIY sisal rope bowls, and the verdict is...I loved this DIY project!! It was a super easy DIY and I love how they turned out.  Below is a little step by step on how I made my rope bowl...
 
 What you'll need...
-  Bowl, jar, container...really the sky's the limit and you can really use whatever you'd like
-  Hot Glue Gun
-  Glue Sticks (I used around 10 sticks in total)
-  Sisal Rope (I picked up mine from the hardware store and used 8mm and 10mm, I purchased 10m of each size and still have some left over)
How I did it...
 1. Start with the handles.  Begin by gluing down the end of your rope to the bottom of the handle.
 
2. Continue wrapping the rope around the handle, popping a little hot glue down as you go (I glued every second wrap).  Be sure to pull and hold quite firmly each time you wrap the rope around.
 
3. Once your handles are both complete, you are now going to start on the bowl.  I started by gluing down the end of the rope at the top of the handle.  Start working your way around the top edge of the bowl, gluing as you go. Once you get to where you started, place a drop of glue a to start point, holding the two lines of rope together firmly. 
 

4. Continue to wrap the rope around, under your top line of rope, gluing and slightly pushing the two rows of rope together.  Continue until you reach the bottom.  Once you reach the bottom, cut the end of the rope on an angle, and then and push the angled end of rope firmly on the rope row before it.  You can trim the end of the rope once glued, you want to try and make it as flat and level as you can to the last row of rope.
 

I also tried this technique out on a glass coffee jar and also wrapping the rope around itself to make a bowl, and they were just as easy...I think wrapping the rope onto itself to make a bowl was the easiest of all of them to make.
 


Have I mentioned how much I love the look of these, and how easy they are!  If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you!  If you do give this little DIY a try I would love to see your finished product...if you have an Instagram account you can tag me on Instagram, or head over to my Facebook to share! Enjoy xx

Monday, 13 April 2015

Monday Inspiration...DIY Sisal Rope Bowl

I love Mondays, there is just something about a Monday that makes me happy!  It's a fresh start, kind of like a New Year but on a weekly basis!

Monday mornings I like to set myself up for the week, for both work and home.  It helps to set the tone for my week ahead, I spend maybe half an hour in the morning going over my to do lists and my big list.  I love to add a little project or new recipe on a Monday to my weekly to do, it inspires me for the week...I love ending the week knowing I have completed and tried something new!

I love Pinterest and it is always a source of inspiration for me! I thought I'd share with you each Monday, a little something that I have added to my list to do or try, and during the week I'll show you how I went...because we all know there are plenty of Pinterest fails!

My pinspiration this week are these sisal rope pretties (all pictures via Pinterest, however where possible I have tried to link directly to original blog)...
 
 
 
I love sisal, and woven textures...I spotted these cute little DIYs using sisal rope, and thought I could definitely find a spot in my home for these pretties! I am going to attempt a couple of these, and the beauty of it is I only need to pick up some sisal rope from the hardware store, everything else I have at home, nothing better than a cheap and cheerful project!

Happy Monday xx