Easter 2022

 

Easter has just gone here in the UK but as I am originally from Transylvania (Romania), we celebrate Easter on a different day, normally a week later. But because I have been living in the UK for the past 17 years, we celebrate both Easters. Not to mention that this always falls around my husband's or my birthday thus making April a celebratory month in our household. Posting this blog between the two Easters and the two birthdays seems like a good fit. 

Halloween Food

 

I have never done Haloween inspired food before, nor have I decorated the house for this autumn celebration, although I did add some decorative pumpkins in the past. For me, is more of an autumnal display but this year, I decided to do a little bit more. So in preparation for the big day (or weekend), I practised some easy recipes, took some photos and then I decided to share them here. There is not a lot to write about them as they are very simple and straightforward and as a bonus, they are truly delicious! My husband and I decided to make the mummy hot dog one of our favourite party snacks. 

Make Your Own Spiders for Halloween

 

Recycled Planters and Plant Labels

We were so lucky to get an allotment last year in summer and because it was too late in the year and wildly overgrown, we only started to work it this year. We got some seeds on sale from a local garden centre in autumn to get ready for planting this year and when the lockdown restrictions came, I knew that gardening would keep me busy. But one thing that I didn't have enough of and could no longer get were planters. Internet is full of inspiration and you are just a click away from the next idea for your projects. So here are my solutions as inspired by other keen gardeners and recyclers. 

Dyeing Eggs with Turmeric and Onion Skin

As Easter is fast approaching, I thought I would show you how I dyed real eggs last year using natural products - turmeric for yellow and onion skin for red-orange.

Natural Dye for Easter Eggs

The challenge for me is to dye real eggs a different colour each year. The traditional way to dye eggs in my family was using onion skin (either red or orange) and create leaf patterns using women tights to keep the leaves in place. Although I love the results, throughout the years I wanted to try different colours but keeping the natural dye tradition.

DIY - Easy Garden Sign

Yesterday, I finally had some time to tidy up the patio that was long overdue. After playing with the furniture and the planters around and I was happy with the layout, it was time to think details. And I don't mean flowers (yes, I know that some of the planters are still empty - I promise, there will be flowers soon), but little details like accessories and garden signs. 

Spices Cupboard Makeover

Take a grey-ish cupboard bought on Christmas sale, white primer and black chalkboard paint and you get a lovely spices cupboard that can be also used to write recipes on. Ta-da!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall; How Did You Turn into a Board?

For those of you who followed my blog posts lately, you probably know that I have been obsessed with blackboard paint. So obsessed that not only I have been using it on 'normal' surfaces to give a boost to my usual handpainted furniture, but onto some unconventional surfaces as well, such as this kitchen lighting makeover. 

Today, I am going to show you another usage of this versatile paint: turning a mirror into a notice board. Yes, a mirror! 

Yellow Desk for My Cottage Style Studio

I can't remember where I had this school desk from, but it has been staying in the attic for a few years or so until I found a use for it. I liked it too much to throw it away so when I got a new studio, I knew I wanted to paint it yellow. 

Materials:

✽ sanding sheet (although I have a sanding machine, I did it manually as it is a small item) 

✽ yellow furniture paint (simply use your favorite brand)

✽ brushes (various sizes according to your preferences)

✽ screwdriver to take the hinges out and put them back at the end

Storage Solution for My Husband

You know how I can't resist a bargain in a charity shop. And this piece was only £20! As my OH needed something to store his gadgets, cables and other uselessful stuff he was also taken not just by the price but by the piece itself too. Luckily, I had some leftover furniture paint and wood paint and I used white wood paint for the main part of the piece and mustard yellow, turquoise and chalkboard paint for the accents. My OH loves it and we both like how it fits next to the cabinet in the dining area and it is amazing how many things he managed to hide away in it!  

Kitchen Lighting Makeover

You probably know that we have just moved into our new home. Part of the decoration was to also transform some of the existing pieces that we liked but we also wanted to make them our own. This was the case with the kitchen aluminum lighting that we wanted to paint matte black and we rather like the result. 

Summer Meadow in a Re-purposed Drum

I have started this project over a month ago in preparation for the patio of our new house. I love meadows and I have always dreamt to have one in our garden but we never had a proper garden, only patios. As I was looking for ideas of meadows in pots, I came across something similar on Pinterest and I thought I could try to plant a colourful meadow in a re-purposed drum that we had in our yard as a little coffee table.

Display Cabinet Makeover

When I see a bargain in a charity shop, I can't help it but buy it; this is what happened with this display cabinet that I couldn't leave it in the shop knowing that it is only £40! Bought it, took it home and gave it a new life. My OH gave it a good sanding and I painted it with white chalk paint and blackboard chalk paint and I rather love the result. The placement of the cabinet is only temporary, so is the rug beneath and the blue sign on the wall (in case you are wondering why so many clashing colours). In situ photos to follow soon; in the meantime enjoy the 'making of' photos.

Little Things

I wasn't sure what title to give to this post - Before & After; Little Changes; Splashes of Colour - but I settled for 'Little Things' in the end, hoping that people will continue with 'that make you happy' in their head. Indeed, in my world, it doesn't take much to be happy and being surrounded by colours is one of these 'little things'. So this blog is about some small changes I made to various objects to give them a new life. There will be another post where you will see them 'in situ', but for now,  the product photos will do. Enjoy!

Wooden Box Makeover with Mustard Chalk Paint

You probably know by now how much I like yellow in any shades and tones. I've got yellow clothing and yellow accessories so why not move on to yellow home decor and even furniture. Although I am known for favouring bright colours, I decided that for this project I would use a rather pale-ish mustard yellow. And here it is, a brown wooden box makeover using furniture chalk paint. This is just a tester as I want to paint a whole furniture piece in this colour and I think it will look great. In the meantime, I will enjoy looking at this box, but I have a question for you: shall I leave it as it is or shall I give it a distressed look?

Knitting a Yellow Scarf

Yes, I can knit! Not complicated patterns, but easy and straightforward ones. And I fancied knitting myself a yellow scarf. I have to admit that it took me longer than I hoped, but I got there in the end. Halfway through February, I nearly abandoned it for next year; then came March with its snow flurry, so I thought I would finish it so I can wear it a few days before putting it away. Nope, still not finished until the second snow flurry! So now, not only do I have a lovely yellow scarf but as I said in the previous post, I appreciate more (not that I needed to) handmade items and why is it wrong to think they are too expensive - they are actually NOT! Next on my list: a thicker green scarf and maybe some handknitted items for my family and friends as Christmas presents - I'll have all summer long to do it :).

DIY - Tea Box Makeover

I got this mini chest of drawers from my brother in law and his partner a couple of years ago as Christmas present and while they mentioned that I could do anything I wanted with it (knowing my crafty inkling), it sat there unused for quite some time before I decided to give it another life. I wanted to try something different using decoupage paper (I have never tried this technique before), various paints (acrylic, chalk paint and chalkboard paint) and repurposing some brooches that I really liked but never worn.The result is a pretty box that I can use to store my tea bags and the good news is that I love it!

Tin Cans Planters for a Vertical Garden

You may have noticed in last week's blog post that I was posing with my newest top in my patio accompanied by some painted tin cans. Well, after seeing these projects and being obsessed with vertical gardens, I wanted to create my very own. I collected a few tin cans and I went to my local shop that sells chalk paint to ask if I can use it on metal and if it is suitable for outdoor use. The answer was yes to both, so here it goes:

From Unworn Dress to Favourite Top

Take a high-street dress and make a top out of it, hand saw the seam, including the frill. Add a crochet collar by MoniqueBoutiqueMB and ta-da! Can you call it ethical fashion?