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Monday, December 21, 2015

How To Make A Holiday Party Emergency Kit: Last Minute Gift Idea!

Make a new BFF in the bathroom or save your own life with this Holiday Emergency kit.

This is easy, inexpensive, useful and chances are you already have many of the items you need.

The Holiday party season has been raging and chances are we all have a few more events before the dust and tinsel settles (bust one of these out on NYE!)
So when your mascara smudges, wine spills on your dress, put a run in your stockings or when your bra strap snaps...you will be fully prepared.

Scoop up some of those cosmetic bags you have laying around (you know the ones you get at department stores or Sephora) and fill them up with first aid.
I bought something similar a few years ago from a company called Pinch Provisions (excellent, products- I wish they had them in Australia) which is where I got the idea to make these at home.



Here is a list of item ideas which you can personalize. Obviously try to get the smallest travel size you can in order to fit more into your bag. A girl scout is always prepared!

Q-Tip
Bobby pin
Advil
Safety Pin
Sewing Kit
Chapstick
Mirror
Tissue
Clear Nailpolish
Tampon
Mints
Nail File
Hairspray
Comb
Toothpick
Blotting Papers
Floss
Stain Remover

Put it all together with a cute little note and viola! An awesome, affordable, practical last-minute gift.

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posted by Unknown @ 2:25 PM   0 Comments

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Makers Monthly: The Makers Monday Edition

As most of you may know- Black Friday is wrapping up right now in the USA. You know the day when the shops open at like 5am and people get trampled at Wal-Mart? Yeah that's the one.

Well something positive has come about to counteract this day of massive, corporate consumerism and it's called Makers Monday.

Share something you've made and a link to your store or blog and show the world the importance of preserving all things handmade. Let's support local businesses by supporting one another!

Add your Etsy listing, a link to your blog and show something you've made! It can be a craft, artwork, recipe, DIY project or even a story. I can't wait to see the creativity!

Click on the Blue Link to Add your Etsy Listing or Blog Post



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posted by Unknown @ 8:16 AM   7 Comments

Friday, October 9, 2015

Doing The Races on a Budget? Try this DIY Fascinator



Melbourne’s Spring Carnival is galloping toward us with Derby Day on October 31st!

I adore The Races for fashionable reasons (American readers picture a week-long Kentucky Derby with Champagne instead of Mint Juleps) and look forward to getting dressed up for the racecourse (we don't call it 'the track' here, makes us feel more civilized).

This year I'm doing my fashion on a budget. I’ve already rented a dress online and I decided to make my own fascinator as well. The Milliners in this country are insanely talented (and expensive) someday when I’m a famous author/artist I will be able to afford to buy some of their incredible pieces.

Today I spent 50.00 at Spotlight (a craft store which does not hold a candle to JoAnn Fabric’s or Michaels but does the job) on fascinator supplies with some to spare after the finish.

They had a little millinery section which scared me a little bit- like, one feather costed around four dollars. They didn’t really have what I was looking for and it was all pretty basic (and overpriced) - until I finally found a neutral base attached to a headband- I didn’t want to mess with making one of those my first time around. My skill level right now= glue gun.

My advice: Stay far, far away from the ‘millinery’ area where the odds are worse (wink wink) and get creative with the other craft supplies you can find.

Onto the fake flowers section where I bought some white roses and two big lavender colored flowers. This hat is going to go with my Derby Day outfit where traditional dress code is black and white. I wanted to pull the white from my dress, the purple from my hair (yes, I have purple hair because I’m a rock’n’roll Mom) with some neutrals and black accents.

In the craft section I bought a bag of black and white feathers for eight bucks and I have plenty extra. Bargain.

When I got home, true to form, I didn’t really have a plan so I just went for it. The end result was really cute and I think it will look perfect with my outfit. This was so much fun I can definitely see myself making more…anyone want one? Lemme know.


What you need

  • A base and headband or clip combo
  • Fake Flowers
  • Feathers
  • Glue Gun
  • Scissors 

1. Try on your headband/ hat/ base and decide in which position you will wear it. Make sure to take note of which will become the front, back and side view.

2. Start to play. Put a few flowers together, decide which area will be the highest and which will be the lowest or just glue a flower on as a jumping-off point.

Tip: The fake flowers should pull right off the stems easily. Trim any excess plastic or leaves with scissors.
Cut the crap- it will give you a flatter base to work with.
3. Before you add another element make sure to see how it’s looking as a whole and how it looks on your head.

Tip: Grab a little mirror to put in front of your workstation so you can occasionally check out your hat as you add to it. I think it should look nice from all angles- not just from the front or side.
Why hello, Craft Nerd.
4. Once all the flowers are in place and you are happy with them, start thinking about where you want your feathers to go. Stick them in- without gluing them to get a better idea of the configuration you like. Don’t be afraid to cut the feathers.

Tip: Less is more, or more is more it’s totally up to you. If you remember one thing about the races it’s that you can’t be too over the top!

5. Glue the feathers in one at a time, either to the base or to the petals of your flowers.
Thought I was finished at this point, but it was begging for some black feathers.
6. Cross the finish line!

Lesson Learned For Next time: I would probably try and position the little base differently and buy a sturdier headband- so maybe I’ll try to make one myself. Also I might play around a little with different configurations of flowers- I made it work with this one but I could have done things a little differently.

The final result
The total cost of materials used was easily less than 40.00 and considering the long odds with my novice skill set I'm more than pleased with the standings (just a few more racing puns then I'll stop, promise).

I’d bet money $ that you’ll look and feel amazing in your unique piece of wearable art! 

Good luck, punters. x

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posted by Unknown @ 5:32 PM   2 Comments

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

DIY Reclaimed Wood Sign


So I was at a cute little cafe, Miss Marie’s in Rosanna, and I saw this ‘Specials’ sign. The place is decked out super cute- kind of a modern industrial kind of way.


I did what lots of artists do and took (stole) this idea as my inspiration to make it my own. 

My hubs was in charge of cutting some spare decking and wood that we had in our backyard into even-ish little rectangles I could use for my lettering.


Layout
I laid out the different blocks to spell out “But first, Coffee,” because <3 coffee. Laying out the different colored chunks I could easily spread out the different greyish ones and the warmer colored ones- spreading them out in a way that draws the eye around (I’m always working on composition.)

Get some Stencils
Next came the easy part- not! I already had black and white acrylic paint and brushes- just needed some letter stencils. I dragged my daughter to three different stores before I found them. Spotlight and Bunnings don’t carry them and I eventually settled on cardboard letter cut outs I found at Lincraft. Not ideal but I was too impatient to go online and order some.

Side note: it’s one thing that constantly exasperates me about shopping in Australia. I never feel like I know where to look when I’m looking for something. One would think a craft store and a hardware store were logical places to start! Anyhow, I love living here but I can’t stand being ‘shopping-clueless.’



Paint
So with these cut out ‘stencils’- my painting time and precision got longer and tougher. I had to trace all my letters and painstakingly hand-paint each one (I’m not the most patient person so I had to take little breaks). 

I wanted to use a mix of black, white, and ‘wood’ for the backgrounds and letters. After three hours I was extremely pleased with the results.

I started out matching up the colors and letters randomly and it got to the point where I realised I needed to lay everything out and decide exactly what colors I wanted to fill in the gaps. Usually my projects involve more of a random process full of ‘happy accidents’ however in this case planning was necessary.

You can line the blocks up on a shelf or mantel or fix them to a long strip of wood with wood glue or nails. We haven’t decided where this one will go in our house so the letters will likely remain loose for the time being.

What you Need:
14 wood blocks or panels cut to a similar size
Black and white acrylic paint
Brushes- any size you feel comfortable using (mine were pretty small)
Alphabet stencils
Patience

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posted by Unknown @ 9:54 AM   2 Comments

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

One + Four = Life: Change

‘For a seed to achieve it’s greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth it would look like complete destruction.’ Cynthia Occelli




Sometimes life breaks down in order to allow you to rebuild. I can’t help but feel like this weekend was the perfect example of how change is the only constant.

Recently there have been changes in my family, my career, my daughter and my home. All of these elements are at different stages in the cycle of life, death, birth, destruction and growth.

I woke up Saturday morning to the buzzing of chainsaws and the grinding of a wood-chipper. The trees in our backyard were being cut down to clear the way for an extension on our home. I guess you could say Saturday was the first official day of the renovation which should have been exciting.

I could not help feeling nostalgic for my beloved Meyer Lemon tree. I don’t know much about gardening but I did know that this tree has produced so many lemons at such a constant rate, that everyone who came to the house mentioned it- and left with a bag of lemons because we could never possibly go through them fast enough.


We bought our home from an almost 90-year-old woman. We gutted and restored it before our daughter was born and when elderly Joan came over to see the results (she keeps in touch with the neighbors) her last remark was to ask if she could have some lemons from 'her tree.' It was such a tender moment, Joan seeing a brand new home and a brand new family where hers once grew. Despite the modifications inside, 'her lemon tree' remained gnarled and strong in the backyard, unaware of time passing, still hard at work, pumping out its juicy yellow fruit. 

For some reason though, for almost six months this year, the tree has produced next-to-nothing. I cannot remember a time where this happened in the five years since Matt bought the house- even when we had tenants in it. 

Perhaps the tree was going through some sort of metamorphosis itself. I had to purchase lemons at the supermarket for the first time in ages. I checked often, willing lemons to appear and when those first green fruit-buds peeped out of the branches I thought to myself- Finally! Now I’ll be able to get back to experimenting with Limoncello and salt cures. 

A tear rolled off my face when Matt told me the lemon tree was the first one tackled Saturday morning. I fought so hard to keep that tree but in the end it was too risky and expensive. Matt told me the tree removalists had been kind enough to pick all the half-ripe lemons from the center where we were not able to reach (I had already made Matt scavenge everything he could the night before.) Unfortunately most of the lemons were sacrificed, too green to pick and won't ripen off the vine.

As sad as losing the tree was, nothing prepared me for the news to come next.
“I spoke to your Mom, and your Dad this morning,” Matt started. I could tell he was choosing his words carefully.
“What is it,” I said, eyes narrowing, more as a statement than a question.
“It’s Bella...she’s gone to doggy heaven.”
“No!”
And then the tears came for real. My dog, the one I got when I was 21 ,who was my companion and roommate for 8 years while I stumbled into adulthood. The one who was there through broken hearts, moving-boxes, job-hopping, and indecision. She was the one I came home to. My constant and my companion. 

When I moved to Australia I gave her up because I could not bear risking her health- flying for more than 24 hours as cargo and entering quarantine for a month. It broke my heart but I gave her a better, happier life as a grand-dog, and in turn I gave my Mom a little piece of me to keep while I moved thousands of miles away.

And now she is gone, just two weeks before I could have seen her one last time. I could have been there to hold her in her last moments. And be with my Mom so she would not have had to experience that heartache alone. After losing my grandmother less than three months ago it just triggers and stings.

The only thing that could make me feel better was to hold my daughter close and smell her hair and remain grateful for her health and warmth.

This weekend I was cheered by friends who made me smile and laugh. I’m looking forward to the new addition to our house, the upcoming visit to my hometown, hugs from my Mom, Dad and Brother. And not least importantly, the new beginnings of a career in art- the fulfillment of my dreams.

And as these changes swirl around me, caught in the middle, I will undoubtedly change too. 

I think it's how we accept and absorb these transformations which provides the opportunity for renewed grace.

One
All that is left of the 40 year old lemon tree, but it will make the way for our spacious new family home. Matt has promised we will buy a new lemon tree and use it in a topping out ceremony, once the roof is complete (oh the things you learn when your partner is in the construction industry!)

Two
National Geographics from the 1920's and 30's that I bought at an auction with my Grandmother. They are my inspiration behind a new art project I will be starting once time allows.

Three
Our dearest Isabella. Loved by many, loyal to all and particular as the day was long. She will be forever in my heart and her name forever tattooed on my ankle.

Four
My love, inspiration and new beginning. We can finally get that hair into a 'pony.' Her conversational capabilities astound me on a daily basis. Today she asked to go to 'eshoping' in the 'beep-beep.' She is definitely an apple who didn't fall far from the tree...or should I say lemon?

How has your week been? I'm hoping for a less intense one next week. 

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posted by Unknown @ 7:49 AM   4 Comments

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Turn a Bad Day Good with a Gratitude List


Our Surprise Care Package
I received an upsetting email last night and this morning I woke up sad, angry and even a little bitter.  Online I read about how Kanye dissed Beck at the Grammy’s and it was all I needed to be disappointed at the world. I love Beck, he rocks.  He’s been around twice as long as KWest and is ten times as humble. It’s just as important to support one another as it is to acknowledge those who came before us. Sometimes all we want is a little humanity and a little less drama.

Today was day-care day and I planned to exercise and go for a swim but I felt so off, I couldn't decide what to do.  But then as I was taking a bagged, poopie diaper to the back porch I noticed a little package sitting there.  It was from my Aunt (who is more like my sister.)  Her thoughtful gesture reminded me to stop feeling sorry for myself.

I decided to be grateful for the little things today.  Here is a big list of small things that happened which made me feel grateful, humble and a heck-of-a-lot better.

Hometown Love

  1. A lovely Care Package at my doorstep from my Aunt Jeefy.
  2. Vigorous and intense workout to blast negative thoughts out of my body and mind.
  3. Hearing Thunderstruck on the radio. Loud. It reminds me of the time I watched Buffalo’s own         heavyweight Baby Joe Mesi approach the boxing ring to the song. It still gives me chills.
  4. Reading a great article sent by my best friend: ‘10 Ways You’re Making your Life Harder Than It Has To     Be’ which basically tells you how to get over yourself, but in a good way.
  5. I bought Thunderstruck on iTunes because it’s not on Spotify.
  6. I went to my old neighborhood of Fitzroy to take a swim in the outdoor public pool. I still feel at home there, and I always park on our old street.
  7. I heard the Taylor Swift Song, Blank Space, on the Radio and it made me tear up.
  8. I bought Blank Space on iTunes because it’s not on Spotify.
  9. I ate my healthy bagged lunch in the sun and went for a swim.
  10. My car remained free from a parking ticket.
  11. I found gorgeous second hand bowl and saucers for 10 dollars.
  12. The nice American man who cashed me out enforced just how great it is to live in this country.
  13. When I started playing Blank Space on repeat I pulled over and bought the rest of the album. I like the first four songs already. (I’m all about guilty pleasures but I really wanted to hate her.)
  14. Lavinia had good day at day-care.
  15. I received some helpful advice from one of the women who runs the center.
  16. Lavinia did crafts for the first time and loved it. They told me she will probably be artistic. This makes me proud. It’s also okay with it if she’s not.
  17. One of my Mum’s group friends dropped off a plate while I was out. I’m so eternally grateful to know her plus the four other women in my group. They get it.
  18. My husband is one of the kindest, most supportive people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I am beyond lucky. He is one of those people who has this “life” thing figured out.
  19. My daughter was asking to dance before I put her down for a nap.
  20. I can’t wait to play the Taylor album for her when she wakes up.
  21. Did I mention that today I got to go to the gym, the pool and shop???

Photo does not do these justice


Little Plate, Little Love
Budding Abstract Expressionist
Swag


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posted by Unknown @ 5:43 PM   0 Comments

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

7 Rad DIY Chair Tutorials

Images Credited Below*
I recently garbage picked for the first time in my life and it was completely exhilarating.  Don’t get me wrong, I completely condone it I had just never done it.

Luckily I didn't have to go very far because the thing would barely fit into my car with the baby-seat in the back.
Ridin Dirty
This bad boy sat beckoning me from about four doors down from our very own house. My little bug and I drove past it two days in a row (the first day I meant to grab it but, you know, Mommy brain.) If we lived on a busier street I would not have been so lucky to snag it.

Lavinia was proud of our haul.  She wanted to climb in as soon as we got the little beaut home.

They don't make 'em like this anymore.
I have always fantasized about refinishing furniture (I have boring fantasies okay?) and now I have my chance...except that I’m totally clueless about the next steps.  

Naturally I turned to Pinterest and the blog world.  After wading through a sea of information I've narrowed my research down to the top tutorials and ideas I came across. So, grab a seat (pun definitely intended) and take a look at how to refinish all different types of chairs!
  1. How to strip, paint and recover dining chairs step by step instructions on how to make tired chairs brand new.
  2. Refinishing wood with waxes and oils- a side by side comparison.
  3. How to turn thrift store chairs into an outdoor dining set- outdoor furniture can be so expensive or ugly- not in this case. 
  4. How to reupholster cushions, you can do it, really! This DIY’er had no previous experience and her chair looks really well executed.
  5. Simple instructions turn a traditional chair into a funky, modern piece.
  6. You can even make folding chairs adorable. 
  7. 28 before and afters for inspiration...Happy workshopping peeps!
I will reveal my own DIY chair before and after as soon as I make some precious time to get down to business.

What is a craft or project you have always wanted to try?

Note: Speaking of pre-loved wares- This awesome blog talks about all things vintage and more in Melbourne. Here is a specific tutorial from the blog about shellacking used furniture.

*Collage of images from designformankind.com, simplysalvage.com & homedit.com

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posted by Unknown @ 2:00 PM   0 Comments

Friday, February 6, 2015

Libster Award Nomination

The lovely and thoughtful Emily of notsonanna.com nominated roospotting.com for a Libster Blog Award.  An award! Me?

This is the best kind of award because it’s about spreading blog love and creating a community.  Both of these things are high priorities of mine in 2015 and I’m super stoked to participate.

Here’s how it works. I create a post about the Libster award which includes 11 questions Emily has posed to me.  I in turn find 11 blogs I admire (with less than 200 followers, though this is not a super strict guideline) and nominate them for a the award, asking them 11 questions of my own. Easy peasy. 

Not sure if the rest of you occasionally lack topic ideas but this is like a little freebie- plus it forces you to go out and explore new blogs and give shout outs to your faves. As the band Rilo Kiley sings, 'You've got to give a little love to get a little love.' xo

Here are my answers Emily!

1.      What was the one thing that took your blog from a dream to reality?
It would have to be the support and encouragement of friends and family when I started writing about my post natal depression and anxiety.
2.      Who is your favourite artist (musician, crafter, painter etc)?
This is an incredibly difficult question!  I have a favourite in every genre.  Here goes off the top of my head: Musician(s) Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse, Dave Matthews, Led Zepplin, Jay-Z, Missy Elliot, Coldplay, 90’s Alternative Rock....Crafter: Alexander Calder, Painter: Michelangelo, Photographer: Cindy Sherman, Poet: John Donne Playwright: Shakespeare, Director: Frances Ford Coppola, Actor: Bill Murray I could go on...
3.      Why do you love your favourite season?
I Love Summer more than anything because I grew up in the Northeastern part of the USA where we didn’t see the sun (or the ground because it was covered in white stuff) almost 9 months per year. Bring on the sun and the beach!  Autumn in New York is a very close second.
4.      What was the best moment from a birthday when you were a kid?
Probably my 10th birthday when I had 10 girls sleep over and we stayed up all night trying to freak each other out with games like ‘light as a feather,’ the Ouija Board and Bloody Mary.
5.      Milk, dark or white chocolate?
Daaaaaark
6.      Least annoying / despised / boring type of house work?
Cooking
7.      If someone offered to make you dinner, what would you have them whip up?
Something healthy, tasty, and veggie-laden
8.      Last concert you went to?
Uuugh sore subject.  I had tickets to see The Kooks in Melbourne a few weeks ago but we had a wedding to attend (which was amazing BTW).  It's the second time I purchased Kooks tickets and didn't get to go.  The first time I mixed up the dates.  Ouch!  To answer the question the last concert I saw was The Lumineers at the Corner Hotel in Richmond.  Excellent show.
9.      Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook?
Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest in that order.
10.  Do you watch the movie first or read the book first?
Read the book, then the movie is never as good.  Why do I do this?  Good question.
11.  Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A recovering night owl.  I have a 16 month old daughter so I’m trying desperately to fit in with the morning peeps.
Ok ya’ll.  Here are my Libster Award nominees.  Check out their blogs, they rock.
And here are the 11 questions you lucky folks have been charged to answer:
1.      What is your biggest blog inspiration?
2.      Favorite subject to blog about?
3.      What is one thing you want to try in 2015?
4.      If someone gave you three extra hours in each day, what would you do with it?
5.      Most recent TV obsession?
6.      Top three favourite movies?
7.      If you could eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life what would it be?
8.      Favorite way to unwind?
9.      Coffee or Tea?
10.  Who was the last person you called?
11.  If you could get on a plane tomorrow, where would you go?
And here are 11 random facts about me.  I have a feeling this is going to be the most difficult part!
1.      I have 11 tattoos
2.      I met my husband on Langkawi Island, Malaysia
3.      Our daughter owns two passports (American and Australian)
4.      She was named after the song, ‘Lavinia’ by The Veils
5.      I grew up in Buffalo, New York.  Go Bills!
6.      I’ve worked and lived in Germany, The Netherlands, Finland, Australia and the USA
7.      I write sentences in my head
8.      My younger brother is turning 30 this month (man it makes me feel old)
9.      I have an on again, off again obsession with Bikram yoga
10.  I really like wine, wait-that's not random, everyone knows that
11.  When I am creating, I am happy
 Wasn't that fun?  Okay nominees.  Here are the official rules in dot points:
  • Acknowledge the blog that nominated you and display the Liebster Award image on your blog.
  • Answer the 11 questions that the blogger gives you.
  • Give 11 random facts about yourself.
  • Nominate 11 blogs that you think are deserving of the award, have less than 200 followers (check out the Facebook and/or Bloglovin’ follwers if you can tell from the blog – this seems to be a bit of a flexible rule).
  • Let those bloggers know that you’ve nominated them.
  • Give them 11 questions to answer

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posted by Unknown @ 2:55 PM   3 Comments