Friday 29 April 2011

Bolster cushions

I always dread taking on a new sewing challenge as I’m not a great sewer. Something about measuring always sends me back to high school, and having to be tutored, and still not getting it :)

Anyway, a friend recently gave me a couple of bolster cushions (some of you may call them pillows, but where I come from, a pillow is to lay your head on while you sleep, a cushion is a decorative item).

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I followed the instructions that Judy at DIY by Design posted, used a thrifted curtain and made these babies brand new again. Judy’s instructions are phenomenal!

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I used the hem of the curtain to make the ties.

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Tuesday 26 April 2011

Bathroom reno done

Mostly :)  I still have to hang a new shower curtain rod, but I’m scared silly to drill into my new tiling job.
This reno took me 3 weeks to do and other than having someone install the tub, I did it all by myself. Can you tell I’m proud?!  This is the biggest project I have taken on.

I started by ripping the existing tub and tile out, bringing it down to the studs.

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After – new tub, new shower faucet, new tiles

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Storage is an issue in a small bathroom, I solved that by building up.

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A fresh coat of paint and some new accessories helped to make the space feel airy and bright.

I installed this bamboo slatted shelf above the sink to hold brushes and soap. This is a shelf meant to go above your kitchen sink, I simply removed the legs and mounted it to brackets.

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The toilet and sink were in good condition and although they are no longer what I would choose, I didn’t replace them.

The final touch was new flooring which I installed yesterday. I tore out the old linoleum and to keep costs down, put new lino in.

Before
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After

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I love the pattern and texture in the shower curtain, bought at a garage sale last year for $3.00

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The new flooring goes well with the touches of bamboo in the blind and baskets.

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It was 3 weeks of back breaking work, but I am pleased with the final result.

In total I spent a little over $1,100. That includes the new tub, faucet, tile, floor, trim, paint, labour and building supplies. The wealth of knowledge gained and the boost to my self esteem is priceless :)

Sharing this project at


Transformation Thursday

Sunday 24 April 2011

Roman blind made from bamboo blind

Using the same method of gluing fabric to mini blinds, I brought some spring into my dining room.

I bought a piece of fabric for $4.00 at the thrift store.

Previously I had a bamboo blind up and my lamp shade was slipcovered in black fabric.

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There was just enough to make the blind and slipcover the drum shade.

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I didn’t bother to sew the fabric on the shade, I just used pins. Easy to change that way.

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A quick update for $4.00, can’t beat that!

A night time shot where the light isn’t streaming in

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Transformation Thursday

Friday 22 April 2011

Hoppy Easter

We had our easter egg hunt this morning because of other family events occurring this weekend.

I don’t “decorate” for Easter, but decided to put a little vignette together.

I created this mumma and baby bunny and threw it into a shadow box frame that I already had. Free suits me fine.

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Thursday 21 April 2011

DIY Sunburst mirror

I’ve admired sunburst mirrors for some time and when I saw the instructions on Centsational Girl’s blog, I knew that it fit my criteria, cheap and easy.

I started out with a plastic framed mirror that I picked up at the junk store for $2. On one of my many trips to the hardware store, I grabbed a huge amount of paint stir sticks. 

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I tried out a few patterns and ultimately decided that I liked the pattern on the end of the sticks, so I cut 1.5” off of half of them and laid out my pattern.

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I used a piece of masonite cut to the size of the mirror and replaced the orange, plastic frame with an embroidery hoop. It received a couple of coats of silver metallic spray paint.

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Hmmm, better, but it was still missing something as I only had the one layer of sticks. I got out the bamboo skewers and glued one in between each stick.

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Much better.

To hang it, I used a plate hanger

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I originally was going to place it on my gallery wall, but instead decided to put it on my chalkboard wall in the kitchen. Good choice.

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 Joining in on some of these parties

Wednesday 20 April 2011

I’m just sayin’…I’ve been seen on Houzz

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I’m gob smacked!  My humble living room is part of a post on Houzz.

Read all about it here.  Unfortunately, I can’t remember my password to log in to the site :(

Saturday 16 April 2011

Province pride

I’ve admired the state pride art that I’ve seen around, but since I don’t live in America, I had to come up with one for myself.

I used an old frame, poster board and scrap book paper.

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I found an image of Ontario, traced it out in SCAL and cut it with my cricut.

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Kind of looks like a whale :)

I added a heart where my home is, ♥Toronto♥

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Friday 15 April 2011

Fun with placemats

Recently while at Urban Barn, I found a package of 8 placemats that I thought would be fun to create something out of.

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My daughter had a couple of girlfriends over to celebrate her 13th birthday so we came up with these

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Yes, my daughter is the different one; the apple don’t fall far from the tree :)

We took profile photos and then created the silhouettes in PS. I used SCAL software and cut the vinyl out with my cricut.

The girls love them.

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Wednesday 13 April 2011

Storage for a small bathroom

I’m still slugging away at my bathroom update. The tiling is done, it’s grouted, it’s sealed and caulked. It took me 2 weeks to complete just that part.

I’ve painted and the room looks better just with a coat of fresh paint.

This is my main bathroom, and it is very small, so I’ve been looking for some clever storage ideas. I didn’t want to take up floor space, so I made a wall shelf following Ana White’s instructions for the high rise shelf. I made some modifications to fit my space by making the shelves larger and the overall height longer.  I used MDF which I already had, so it cost me zilch to create a fabulous storage shelf, if I do say so myself.

Storage for small spaces at JunkinJunky.blogspot.com
Storage for small spaces at JunkinJunky.blogspot.com

I have plans for creating more usable storage, but I’ll save that for another day :) 
I still have to install the new flooring, and once the entire room is done, I’ll be sure to share with you.

Sunday 10 April 2011

cheap thrills

Last week I picked up some deer antlers, but I couldn’t figure out how to mount them on the wall.
I found this spoon rack at the GW for $1
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I removed the spoon rack part and nailed in a few nails and presto, a mounted deer plaque for $5 total.
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Joining in on
The DIY Show Off

Friday 8 April 2011

Finally done : the tiling

This wall was the toughest one! 

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I had to cut the tiles around the pipes and it was NOT easy!  It took me 5 hours to do this one wall.  I’m not sure what I was thinking when I took this on, but I’m in the homestretch now. Sunday I will grout, Monday I will seal the grout.  Maybe the bathroom will be usable next weekend :)

I apologize to my friends that have been kind enough to leave me comments, that I haven’t replied to; I’ve had a really, really, really hectic week.

I do believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel :)

Have a great weekend.

Sunday 3 April 2011

Junkin’ finds and what I’ve been up to

I have been holed up in my bathroom for the last few days. I have a very small main bathroom and it was in dire need of a spruce up. 

The tub, and tile were removed and a new tub and faucet installed by a friend.  I’ve never tiled before and I think I’ve picked one heck of a job to learn from. 

I just completed the larger of the tub walls. If the tiles are still on the wall tomorrow, I’ll be grateful :)

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Tomorrow, time permitting I will work on the wall without the faucet and then get some tips on cutting around the fittings. When I am done with the total overhaul, I’ll post some before and after photos.

Of course I had to take some time out for Junkin’ with my BFF.

A pretty bracelet for $2

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A Mikasa cut out vase for $1.49 and roe deer antlers for $4. which immediately got a coat of white spray paint

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A planter box for $3. My plan is to remove the flowers and spray it white, then reattach the flowers. It is going to sit on my window ledge outside.

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Finally, this coat hook for $2.

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Today I met Susan of Maple and Magnolia. She generously offered me some furniture for my niece and I was able to pick it up today. What a sweetheart, and she’s funny too. If you haven’t been to her blog yet, you should go and see what she does with thrift store finds. Ah-Maze-Ing!