some simple DIY projects:
Our X-mas drink
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My daughter and I decided to compose our own little drink for Xmas events. After some trying and failing we ended up with a longdrink with gin, syrup and sparkling wine. We share the recipe here:
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New life to an old belt
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When cleaning up my (husband’s) wardrobe, I found an old belt that is no longer in use. Instead of throwing it away I said to myself: «What can I do with this belt?». |
I always have a project going, and right now it’s renovating a small cabin in Norway that sleeps 6 and has limited space, so I figured out that I needed to use the empty walls to save floor space.
I decided to use this belt to collect old blankets and quilts and hang them on the wall for guests to bring with them out into the garden, for a picnic or for sunbathing on the beach. The perfect use for my husband’s old belt! I sanded the belt a bit to make it lighter before stamping on “you may bring me outside” with letters that I bought at the craft store. This way the guests get a clear message, it’s easy to gather and bring, plus it takes no space on the floor or in the closets. |
Reuse your jam jars
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Instead of throwing a way your used jam jars why not use them as decor? I guess the pictures speak for themselves on how to do it, just make sure the wire is fastened tight so it won’t fall down if you fill the jars with water. Fill the jars with whatever you want: Flowers, candles or grissinis or snacks if you hang it over the buffet….You can of course bring the idea inside as well if you like.
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From plastic to fantastic
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It is so easy to transform cheap plastic eggs into something more original. Take an old book, cartoon, newspaper, wrapping paper, paper napkin, or as here, a notebook, rip the pages into small pieces and just glue them on to the egg. Voila!
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Varnished eggs
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Simply fill a disposable container with water. Drip some drops of nail polish on the water surface and then dip an egg into it. You’ll get the best result if you colour half the egg first, then let it dry, turn it and do the other half. You can boil them first if you want to eat them, or blow out the contents and then use the eggs for decoration. Have fun and experiment with nail polish!
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Eggcellent!
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Dye your Easter eggs with natural colours. Use what you have in your kitchen – either in your fridge or in your drawer. It’s not very complicated, but it takes a bit of time. For these eggs I used red onion skin, blueberry, spinach, lemon and beetroot. You can also try out: Onion skin, turmeric, saffron, yellow pepper, red pepper, cranberry, raspberry, red cabbage, red wine, coffee, tea…
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This is how you do it:
Happy Easter! |
Flower power
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During a sunny morning walk in the forest, I came up with this little DIY project: By simply using scotch to make a grid pattern in a shallow and wide bowl, you can fill it with flowers and they will stay where you put them!
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Home spa
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Home spa is one of my favourites – a warm bath, candles, perhaps a glass with something refreshing and a magazine and I’m in heaven. And a great thing with home spa: It doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg either. With simple ingredients you (or your kids/or all of you together) can make your own perfect spa products.
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Bathing salt:
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Foot scrub:
Mix a cup of sugar with a few drops of olive oil in a bowl and add some essential oil; peppermint is great for your feet (for colour I used a couple of drops of beetroot juice). I also like to refill shampoo etc in glass bottles and carafes, it’ll make the bathroom look a bit more glamorous. Who said anything about the practical aspect? Take the break you deserve! |
Bedroom facelift
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1) Buy a piece of fabric (I bought one at Ikea that looks like old, weathered plank) and simply nail it to the wall with small, black nails.
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Is your bedroom bland and simple and in need of a face lift? Here are two quick and easy DIY’s: 2) Another easy way to zest up for example the guestroom is to use decor tape in whatever color you fancy. You can get decor tape from Hema, Ava or any hobby shop. I made a simple, rectangular shape, more like a headboard, but use your imagination and experiment without limits! |
Get it sorted - make a mood board
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1)I used my wall as a mood board when I worked with the full renovation of a Spanish house
2)An old fashioned mood board in the making to sort out my wardrobe 3)Pinterest is great for gathering ideas |
A mood board is basically a collection of images and text samples organized in some way that helps you explore the desired overall look and feel, or tone, of a project.
Mood boards could help you in smaller projects like organizing your spring wardrobe or making a gift list for an anniversary, or in bigger projects like decorating a house. I use mood boards in most of my tasks and projects, simply because it helps me get a broader view. I also make it and use it for clients to make a visual presentation or translate a concept instead of using words and texts. To make mood boards you can use scissors and glue, but there are also fabulous tools online, and using Pinterest and tumblr is an easy way to do it. Or just google mood board and you’ll get lots of ideas. So go ahead – make a plan! |
Wrap it in
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Fold – tie – draw – cut – fold out & paste!
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For as long as I can remember, I have taken huge pleasure in wrapping gifts. Each Christmas I change the theme, from glitzy paper to pure white. This year I go for rustic, natural nostalgia.
For me, reusing materials is important, so when I came cross some old books in bad condition, I decided to use them as gift wrapping paper and ornaments. I went back to my childhood days and brought the memories of the «snowflakes» into this year’s theme. I think these little ornaments add an extra touch to a neutrally wrapped present, don’t you agree? |
Don't leave the leaves behind
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Decorative leaf balls
I used paper to make balls, but you can also use oasis or other types of balls. Glue the leaves around it, let it dry and then place it on the table for decor or hang them up in the window. Decor wreath I used a wreath made of thin branches and attached leaves to it with a thread. I think it makes a nice, welcoming touch to my front door. |
I can think of many reasons to love fall; one of them being mother nature’s beautiful colours, another all the the cosy indoor activities.
With all the fallen leaves scattered around in my garden I came up with some simple family DIY activities. So no reason not to go out and pick up some colorful leaves! |
Find your place
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A quick DIY for your next dinner party: I got this idea from a friend who went on a wine trip to Burgundy. So easy to do; just cut the wine cork in two and make a little cut on top to place the name tags.
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Spray it your way!
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A quick DIY for your guest bathroom if you want to glam it up before your guests arrive. Choose your colour or mood – I went for a bronze look this time (I did say glam!). This is what you need:
Soap and hand cream from your local supermarket, spray (I got it at AVA), and the glass jar is from my cupboard . Remove all labels, make sure the surface is clean and dry and just spray! |
