Owl Cushion - free embroidery

I've recently finished sewing up an owl cushion, my own embroidery, and thought I'd offer it up as a free pattern. Perfect for Mother's Day if your Mum loves owls like mine does!

The making -

 The free owl embroidery -

If you use the pattern let me know. I'd love to see your take on it!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! I hope your day is spent with friends and family and chocolate and Easter egg hunts!

 Made this little Easter diorama jar. The flocked bunnies are adorable! I love this idea, think I'll make some more jar dioramas in the future.

DIY Solar Light Chandelier

Picked up this nice glass, but totally useless-as-an-electrical-light, chandelier from our local dump shop ($5).

Pulled out all the wiring and fixed up the ends. Found some glass crystals (ex-Xmas stock, only $3 for 8 of them) and attached them to give some sparkle and charm, and then added solar lights ($1 each) using hot glue to keep them in place.

Now I have a gorgeous recycled garden ornament that lights up the path of a night, and all for only $14.00.

Totally stoked!!

Golden Deer

Little plastic deer statuette from op shop - 50c
Wooden shield cutout from eBay - $1.00

Making a beautiful golden deer shield to hang on my wall - priceless.

Tray makeover

You know those old bamboo trays you see in op-shops and garage sales for a few cents?

Here's an idea (link) with what to do with them.

Customize the try for whoever will receive it. I made the mushroom one for myself, and the rose one for my Mum.

Last minute Xmas Crafting

I got the urge to make something more last night, so I made this -

A winter scene that won't melt.

DIY Forest Diorama Bauble

Take some plastic clear baubles, some little trees and deer, some fake snow and a hot glue gun and you've got -

Cutie-pie little forest dioramas!

Christmas Crafting

I can't sit around and do nothing while there's Christmas crafting to be done!
I've made our front door a wreath to match our Aussie tree, and the one I created for a friend -

I've made a felt mitten garland using ricrac and owl ribbon -

I made a little owl clay ornament for Liz!

Also a little winter wonderland house scene that glows when you turn it on -

What have you been making?

Golden Dinosaur Ornies

Here's a simple and fun idea. You know those plastic dinosaurs that you find in toy baskets in op shops, or even in your own home?

 

1. Collect the ones you want and spray paint them gold.
2. Get some wire and pliers, and push your wire into the dino's back until secure enough. I used jewelry bits with loops in already but you could easily curl the wire around to make a loop yourself.
3. Now simply cut your clear thread to size and tie a knot in the end.

They're ready to hang and enjoy!

Of course, you could use any sized and type of plastic animal, like kitties, or farm animals.

Shabby Christmas Tree Tutorial

Has anyone else noticed all the beach-themed Christmas crafts around lately? I've also noticed some beautiful drift-wood Christmas trees. Too much work for me, but it sparked an idea.

Ingredients:

• Branches of your choosing
• Pruning shears
• Scissors
• Spray Paint in your colour choice
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Twine or string
• Cardboard
• Floral foam
• Pot or container of your choice
• Artificial moss or some other ground cover (I used wool)
• Artificial birds and mushrooms or whatever you wish.

Directions:
1. First, start by finding the perfect branches and pruning them to your desired length to create a Christmas tree effect. Secure your "branches" to your main "trunk" with hot glue, and then twine or string.

2. Paint your chosen container whatever colour you wish, or leave as is. Allow to dry.

3. Take your floral foam and cut to size of your container and secure into it with some hot glue. Push your Christmas tree into the foam and secure again with hot glue.

 4. Cut your cardboard to fit around your tree and whatever pot you've chosen, and secure it down with hot glue. Now spray paint your cardboard the same colour as your container, or green. Wait until dry, then cut any over-lap.

5. Now attach your artificial moss or other chosen "base." I chose wool and wrapped it in a spiral effect, securing with more hot glue.

6. Add your decorations! I put two toadstools at the base of my tree, along with a fungus owl I found in an op shop and some birdies I picked up at a cheap shop. You can always add a star on the top if you wish.

I adore my finished tree, and it looks good simply standing on it's own!

DIY deer mount

I love faux deer head mounts! I have 2 little plastic ones hanging on my wall.

Seeing the patterns for DIY deer heads around the web, I decided to make one out of some scrap corrugated cardboard.
This was the result -

Now don't get me wrong, but it could be a lot better.
Take two, and now I'm happy with it.

Perfect for Christmas, and it can be pulled apart and stored flat for next year!

Partridge in a Pear Tree Giveaway

I've been Christmas crafting!! Partridge in a Pear Tree Wreaths. Do you like them? Would you like to win one?!

Just leave a comment and a way to contact you if you win!

Become a follower for an extra entry, or leave another comment if you are already one.
Blog about the giveaway for another 2 entries!

I'll pick a winner on the 9th, one week from now. (Australian residents only, sorry.)

10 things making me Smile

1. Fresh flowers. Oh how I love Spring!

2. My new owl bedspread which is light and soft and fluffy.

3. Finding pretty things while walking the dog.

4. Owl solar lights.

5. Making Christmas wreaths for my two best friends and having them received with happiness!

6. Playing with baby birds. These guys are Cockatiels.

7. Browsing Christmas decorations in the shops.

8. Visiting frogs.

9. Finishing a pair of shoes for another friend.

10. and my favourite - A tawny who thinks he's camouflaged! Can you spot him?