Favorites from the internet

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Another week is ending and we are heading to the first weekend of June which is already full with friends's gatherings, school shows and some diy plans. These are a few of the things I liked this week, you 'll find a couple of crafting tutorials if you feel like dedicating a few hours to make something this weekend:

Handmade sake cups by sewZinski 

Repurposed frame

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I decided to decorate my table a bit because for months all you could find on it was papers, toys and and a laptop. So I collected a few things to make a small decorative composition but couldn't decided where to put it on. I should make something. 

Favorites from the web

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It's been raining for days and the winter seems endless. But you know the cure, a bit of crafting can blow the blues away. 

Looking for ideas to personalize a lampshade? I love this one with the small pom poms but you will find many more here.

Kids Kubby

Projects for the kids

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Hello, let's start this week with two ideas for things we can make by recycling things we already have. Both are for kids.
I found the first one here.
Shoe boxes, toilet paper rolls, pill boxes, some felt and paint were turned into this fairy tale castle. I 'm sure those children enjoyed very much making it.

The second one I found here is a hanging lampshade. If you look more carefully you will realize that it is a part of those hanging storage units. A trim with crystal beads was added and a fairy - though not visible- is hanging inside. Such a lovey idea!

Have a great week!

How to make patterned birdies to decorate your wall.

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 My wall in the dining room needed some color, so I decided to make some patterned birdies to decorate it.

I started by drawing on paper the bird parts, a branch and two leaves.

I chose some colorful papers with various patterns.

I cut the colorful papers using the bird drawings as patterns. I used different paper for every part of the birds, the branch and the leaves.

I also cut the bird patterns on cardboard, the kind architects use to make models. It comes in various thicnesses and you can choose the one you like.

I glued the patterned papers on the right place on the cardboard. Ideally if you want to hang your birds in a wall colored other than white, before glueing the patterned papers on the cardboard,  you should paint the edge of the cardboard birds with the color you used for your wall, or at least a similar color, they will look better.

I used buttons as eyes and I glued the birds on the wall using blue tack.

DIY pockets for storage

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Here are some good ideas for stylish pockets you can make yourself, which will help you store small objects and keep your space tidy.

 Five Whys

Craftzine

Country Living

Woman's day 

A very quick and easy project

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This is a spot in my living room. I love the combination of brown and acqua but I had the feeling it needed a drop of  a warm, cheerful color to add some life to it.

So I took a branch from the garden and colorwashed it with white acrylic without covering completely its surface with color.

I bought some orange pom poms from a sewing supplies store. You can make your own if you have some wool, read how here. 

With a few drops of fabric glue I glued the pom poms on the branch. I have a blooming  branch in my vintage coffee pot now and I like this shelf  more.
 

Even a tiny balcony deserves to be pretty

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It 's been a hot day. You worked for many hours in the city but now, late in the afternoon  you are back at home sweaty and exhausted by the high temperatures. You make yourself a drink and head to the garden where you collapse in a comfortable chair in the shadow of a tree. Time to relax, you think. The blue reflections of the swimming pool are tickling your eyes....and then you wake up in your small apartment with your miserable tiny balcony. Don't get despaired, with the right moves you can have your little corner of paradise too. Maybe you won't be able to have a party with many guests but at least you 'll have a cool spot to drink your coffee or read a book. Think about the positive aspect of the situation, since your balcony is so small you can make it on a very tight budget.
First you 'll need plants. Unfortunately you won't find gardening advice in this blog because all I know about plants is that they need watering. Anyway, suppose you get some plants. Now you have to place them somewhere. Υour balcony may be of minimum surface, but there are some walls and railings normally. So you have one solution: go vertical! Mount your flower pots on the walls or hang them on the railings, so that they leave the floor free. Hanging baskets, shelves and vertical flower pot racks make space for your plants without taking up much surface of your balcony. Small side tables and stools in the corners can do the job as well.

 via Apartment Therapy 

picture by pimpelwit-styling

picture by EDWW day dae

 Here's a great idea that will save you space and allow you to have your own herb garden in a small balcony.

via sprig

Cans painted in striking colors is something you can make yourself and will add a mediterranean look to your balcony.

picture by Happy Sleepy

A new trend in gardening is vertical gardens, a wooden frame with soil and vegetation which can be hang on a wall. 

picture by Jill Clardy

and more examples

on Flora's Blog 

A ladder leaned against the wall could provide you with some additional space to put flower pots and some decorative accessories.

found on Viva Terra

Here you can find a tutorial to make easily a vertical stand for flower pots which will allow you to have flowers in you balcony but also save you space. 

Now that you have plants but still some space left you will need furniture so you can sit and enjoy the results of your labor. Choose a table and chairs that don't take up much space, folding furniture is ideal. Don't use your balcony to store away broken or mismatched furniture unless you are sure the mix is pretty. 

via Home Guide

via Flourish

 picture by ambrayasmin

What your balcony lacks in surface must gain it in style. Add color by using colorful flower pots, accessories and fabrics.

via Better Homes and Gardens 

Έτσι απλά  (Etsi apla)  magazine

picture by de zus

Then you have to add some things that will make your balcony a special place to spend some time in.


Some ethnic additions like a Buddha statuette

 picture by designerscall

or moroccan pottery

 found on E-Mosaic

will give an exotic style to your balcony.

It doesn't have to cost you much, it could be as simple as a collection of food tin cans to use as planters or vases,
  

via Mary You Me 

or pebbles you collected last summer

picture by robep 

But your work won't be finished until you light up your candles and lanterns 

 via Craftynest

picture by Tarkeena 

because the point here is to create the right mood that will carry you away, no matter how many square meters are available.

Have you tried it yet, to make the most out of a tiny balcony? I'd love to see some pictures.

For the baby's room

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I couldn't resist showing you those of you who can crochet, a crocheted lampshade for babies. It's so sweet! It's in Idees Maille Bebe which I found via La Brocante de Margote, a blog full of creative ideas.

 

Easter candles

Here in Greece it's a custom that the night we go to the church to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, the children hold colorful candles, beautifully decorated with all kind of ribbons and other ornaments. In fact it's one of godmother's /godfather's most important duties to bring the child its easter candle. Flora makes such candles and they are really cute and pretty. Take a look! You 'll find more on her blog.