Reworked vintage

Hi dolls! Hope you haven't forgotten about me!

Today I just wanted to show you a reworked vintage piece. So I've been totally obsessed with the blog New Dress A Day - blog owner Marisa aims to spend $1 on fashion for a whole year and she's actually keeping to her budget!

It definitey has inspired me to get my "creative juices" pumping. I am no designer or fashion expert but I definitely love the challenge. Opportunity knocked on my door when I came across this dress at the local trash and treasure market. I liked the top and knew I could somehow make it look current (errr I hoped anyway).

I got rid of the sleeves and I pretty much deconstructed the whole dress. I used my dressmakers dummy (first time I actually used it to alter clothing) to pin the sections all back together. Sewed, sewed, sewed. Then made a fabric flower (I love GOOGLE!) to replace the button and voila! I think it turned out ok...

BEFORE

AFTER

The only problem is it was supposed to fit me but I umm forgot to change the dummy's size to reflect mine?! Therefore the dress probably fits a size 8 or small 10 hahahaha I'm a ditz sometimes *sigh*

Nursery update – toy box & bird cage (not).

Hello everyone I have returned! I have been so busy the last few weeks with dinners, catching up with mates, birthdays etc , that I have totally neglected my blog. Also, now in my third trimester, I really utterly feel and look pregnant! Been going to bed at 9pm latest and napping when I can over the weekends which can be partly to blame for my absence. Ok enough excuses.

For those who follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook, you might have noticed that I recently won a toy box on ebay. YAY! This was one of the last pieces I needed for the nursery. Luckily enough this toy box/chest doubles as a bench and I didn’t have to drive halfway across Victoria to pick it up. Location was practically down the road, over the bridge, down another road and around the corner! The item was in great condition and I don’t think I would have revamped if it wasn’t going in the nursery – on second thoughts maybe I would have replaced the fabric!

So initially I removed the screw (things) that was holding the fabric in place. The foam was glued to the box and needed to be extremely careful not to damage the foam, unscrewed all the fittings, sanded down with an electric sander (my new best friend) and it was ready to be painted. This time around I used a small roller instead of a brush and it halved the time in painting. I spray painted the fittings in black as I didn’t think the brass would suit. Finally, washed the foam and sewed a cover using the same fabric I used for the lamp shade – you know to provide some continuity around the room!
 
So here it is before and after - in all its revamped glory!

I’ve also been on the hunt for a small decorative bird cage to hang in the nursery. I have searched high and low during my charity store trips, trash and treasure markets and ebay, with no success. So during one very humid lunchtime – I was walking (my current and only form of exercise) around the city and came across a candle store. On the sale table was this gorgeous mesh candle holder. I know it’s not a bird cage but I loved it and instantly visualized hanging in the nursery. Hubby K didn’t see my vision when I showed him but men are hopeless when it comes to ATTENTION TO DETAIL!

Have a great night lovelies!

Knobs.

I’ve been a busy bee preparing the nursery hence the lack of posts. Every night this week I’ve stayed up until midnight (yes that is super late for me) moving the furniture in and diy décor. I can’t believe I’m 70% there! YAY!

So I had a bit of a problem with the chest of drawers. I imagined it to be painted in white and replace the knobs with antique wrought iron style round handles. I found the perfect set on ebay at a bargain price. I received them and they were too damn big! Note to self: CHECK MEASUREMENTS! I know it’s ebay rule 101, but I was so excited I found them. Anywho, they will probably end up on ebay again – or I’ll store for some other furniture makeover.

I went back to the original knobs and was going to paint them black to contrast with the white. But that was too boring. So I went on Etsy to look for some inspiration. Etsy never disappoints! I found handmade fabric covered drawer knobs and they were exactly what I was after. So of I went to Lincraft to choose a fabric and craft glue.

So I started off with this:

And ended up with these:

It’s pretty simple to make. All you need is craft glue, fabric and a knob(s). Check out the tutorial on this blog http://afieldjournal.blogspot.com/2008/09/fabric-knobs-tutorial.html

I had a bit of material left over so used that to make a table runner to place on top of the chest. I like how the runner and knobs match.

I also sewed together a change pad cover (fitted Sheet). Got the fabric from remnants basket at Spotlight. Wouldn’t have taken too long if I measured correctly and sewed on the correct side. BUT I got there and here is the before and after shots. The picture doesn’t really do it justice but trust me it looks better in person (and on the actual change table).

If you haven’t noticed already, the nursery will predominantly be black and white in décor with a hint of romance. I’m not finished yet but I promise to do a comprehensive post once it’s done. In the meantime, keep checking in...

Machines, dummies & babies

Weekend was super busy and didn’t have much time to play around with my new toy (sewing machine). However, I have unpacked and threaded so getting really excited! If you are looking for a sewing machine, mine was from Spotlight – Brother BM2600 which is currently 50% off. When we went to pick it up, the sales lady said that they were running out the door. Sales pitch? Probably.

I have also been playing dress ups with my new (old) dressmakers dummy. Get used to her; she’ll be featured in many more blogs to come.

Tomorrow I have my 20 weeks ultra sound. K and I have been in two minds about finding out the gender of the baby. I’ve never been patient so naturally I want to know but I think that it would be a nice surprise at the end… ahhh decisions decisions!