So You Broke Your New Years Resolutions, Now What?

Feb Fast, That's What!

Okay so I have to admit I am not a maker of resolutions because I think that on the whole you make (and by you I mean me) make all sorts of ridiculous goals and by Jan 3rd I'm back to doing what I do and feeling like a complete failure!

Have you guys heard of Feb Fast? Basically the idea is that, they say it takes 28 days to form a habit and Feb of course is 28 days also being the shortest month you can kid yourself that it's not going to be that bad.

I'm Back, Really Back!

Howdy Peeps,

I'm back in real time for 2014. It's been a lovely holiday with the kids and an interesting time of self discovery for me and so 2014 will most likely take this blog into a slightly different direction.

You see I preset my posts towards the end of December, to coincide with Julian taking some time off work and the kids going on Summer holidays. My plan was to use my weeks away from the blog as a chance to get a pile of posts in draft for this year.

Guess what? It didn't happen! What did happen though was that I truly enjoyed my time with the kids. We went swimming at the beach, sweated during a week of over 40 (110) days and the nights dropped all the way down to around 30 (86), we played a million games, I nearly went broke shouting them frozen yoghurt, (no jokes, $50 yikes!) and played under the hose with Nana.

We finger painted, we played with play dough, and I read a million books and guess what? I loved it.

Max also explored mixing fashion trends with cycling, Madeleine did too but she preferred to be nude so err not blogging those.

Then I had a bit of an issue in my craft room (more on that in coming posts) which lead me to look at the other rooms I have done and I realised I hate them (except for the kids room) but I do love how my entry is coming up. So I spent hours every night a little time on Pinterest looking at what I had pinned and then in the home decor section pinning décor I really love, no matter how ridiculous and imaginary it seemed. Which made me realise what my "style" is and why I love the entry and not the rest of the place. (Entry completion will take place soon).

So why am I sharing this, well 2014 for me and therefore the blog, will be more about me discovering and attempting to have that style on a minuscule budget, at some point last year I lost my way on the DIY and ended up doing mostly crafts. This post, aptly titled "There Is Always Hope" from Maureen at It's all Connected, made me cry and was a bit of a kick in the butt I needed to get me back on track with the house,(read both parts) left me feeling very inspired about no budget decorating. It also left me feeling very grateful for what I have in the mean time.

It also made me realise that my projects need to have a purpose, I feel I wasted a lot of time in 2013 doing things I don't really care about. I also have been searching the net for free things which I hope to share with you guys because lets be honest, anyone spending time DIYing is probably on some kind of a budget even if that budget is different for everyone.

So 2014 will be about trying new things with and for the kids and trying to organise my most hated household tasks (think cooking dinner and grocery shopping) I'm looking forward to this year and whatever it brings.

Kids are now officially back to school, and as much as I enjoyed most of the time, I am very glad to send them back!

Thanks for reading,

Mel xo

Become a Master Chef For Free

Hey Guys,

Have you heard of Craftsy? It has become my absolutely favourite place in the world. There are dozens of courses available to up skill or learn fun new skills, crafts and techniques. With plenty of free options.

Well today Craftsy is offering all of you the opportunity to learn all those amazing knife skills you see the pros doing FOR FREE!!!

 

Around the mansion my boys (that includes Julian) like to pretend they're Master Chefs and I am going to download the course for them to learn some mad knife skills, they can be the stars of the Home Ec class!

Basically how it works is you choose the course, and that course is yours forever, you get to interact with all the other participants and for many courses you have the instructor. You do it in your own time whenever, where ever you have free time and a computer, They even have an iPad app which is awesome.

If you want to learn how to slice and dice with the best of them, sign up today (it's free and they don't spam you) or check out many of the other AWESOME free classes (or paid)! Complete Knife Skills with Brendan McDermott

If you have any interest in crafts, cooking or photography you will love Craftsy.

Thanks for reading,

Mel xo

Happy Australia Day!

Happy Australia Day, before we fire up the Barbie, I thought I would share some True Blue funnies.

We get to play live action Angry Birds....It's not as fun as you think!



That's a Magpie for those not familiar and during nesting season hey swoop and it's horrifying.


We are well prepared for any disaster, this is our evacuation plan.



This is how those in North America view our beautiful country.



Beware of the drop bears!


Anyway off to enjoy a beautiful sunny Australia with the family, and to all my Aussie blog mates, wherever you are have a great Australia Day

Mel xo

Here Are A Few Of My Favourite Things

And it's not string, thread maybe, but not string!

I get a lot of comments on my craft tools and I figured since I had been sharing a collection of things I would add in all my favourite things since people often ask about them. I have to confess I am a tool junkie, all of my spare mad money is scrimped and saved to buy craft tools and supplies.

Affiliate links included but rest assured I purchased all of these with my own cold, hard cash, so I am under no obligation to talk them up.


My number one favourite thing is my Sizzix Big Shot , this thing pretty much will cut anything and I use it from everything from quilting to jewellery making to cards. Although your are limited to the available dies there are thousands to choose from

 The Xyron 150 Create-a-Sticker Machine , I use this for all my bottle caps, you can turn your ribbon into washi tape and it's great for all those little things.

 The Xyron Creative Station this thing has had quite a workout, I love this thing it's really great for making things for the kids.

Oh the Klic-N-Kut KNK ZING , I know most bloggers who use a digital die cutter have bought the silhouette, but for me the added features of the Zing won me over. You can turn any picture into a cutting file anything you find on the web, photos, ect you can turn into a cutting file. It also embosses and you can even use it to make cake decorations and it engraves metal. It's got a bigger cutting width than any of the other standard cutters and a tiling function which means you can enlarge things as big as you like. If you're wondering why I chose the Big Shot over the Zing, well I just think the Big Shot has more crafting opportunities but each does it's job.

The Euro Metal Hole Punch Pliers 1.8mm , this thing cuts through metal like butter, I use it for my bottle caps and washer crafts.

My latest toy,BrotherComputerized Sewing and 4x4 Embroidery Machine which was a gift from my Mum, I've only begun to play with it but it is a heap of fun. It comes with heaps of Disney items to embroider and I think I am going to have heaps of fun this year.

Lastly this 61 Thread Rack is what I am currently saving my coins for, I want to have the entire set so I can just go with whatever I feel like doing without having to wait to get the threads.

What's your favourite craft item?


Thanks for reading,

Mel xo

My favorite Trash Chic Posts of 2013

Yep still recapping, actually I'm on holidays and Summer is hot so while the kids are off school I am being a little lazy. Here are my favourite upcycled posts of 2013

Formula tins to laundry Canisters, of i love these and I use them every day!

The ear bud key chains, which the kids used for coins as well as their ear buds.

These Gamer book ends, about the only thing I did in the boys room, other than their doors which they really liked.

The Santa Boots which I truly adore!

The Stacking Cans which the kids absolutely loved!

These are my favourite necklaces and earring sets and the fact they were made for free makes them even better!

This turned out to be the handiest item for my knitting. Love it, Think I need another for when I am using multiple colours.

My first time using chalk paint and I love this for my vinyl!

This upcycled crib rack was just what I needed to complete my craft room.

Last but not least my gorgeous Max in his DIY iPhone costume.

Looking forward to turning more trash into treasure this year!

Thanks for reading,

Mel xo

Ten Disasters of 2013

As you guys no I have no shame when it comes to showing all of my fails, here are 10 (I wish I hadn't so many to choose from).

First there was that time I decided to rip off the awesome Danni at Silo Hill Farm, sorry Danni! I peeled all the paint away because i didn't prime..lesson learned!

Or when I tried to make an Abby Cadabby hair tie holder, the laughter in this house could be heard from miles around!

Then I had even more trouble with those darn Sesame Street Characters, how crap is this!

Copying Martha also turned out to be a nightmare, I guess she was thinking of me when she infamously said "who are these bloggers, they're no experts"

My yarn art gave the kids nightmares when it turned out to look like a monster.

The clock my boys hated so much they hid in their wardrobe, I am pleased to say Julian retrived it and put it on his desk, yep he's a keeper!

These bracelets, I was a little kinder in the post for reasons you'll have to guess!

The ugliest bottle cap necklace EVER!!

Can't have an ugly necklace without an ugly bracelet!

The Luggage tags will end this misery filled trip down memory lane!

Here's hoping that 2014 has less disasters but I'm positive there will be more!

Thanks for reading,


Mel xo

My Favourite Posts of 2013, aka the Delights!

So I showed the posts that you and by that i mean mostly pinterest peeps, loved best in 2013 now I though I would share my favourite posts of 2013.

I have no particular order but these are my faves from last year

The Peg Board Door, still my favourite thing about my craft room!

The Wire Wrap Ring, I think this is really pretty!

My First Dress, I am so proud of this and I really hope to do some more sewing in 2014.

When I showed you all how "perfect" I was at the celebration of one year of blogging.

My Organising Buckets, as much as I love them I should be using them more!

These Balloon Balls I made for the little ones, they just loved them and I have to tell you those balloons last for ages in them I eventually had to pop them and replace them.

Of course then I told you how to be the perfect parent, you know, like I am...

Then there was that time I made a real bag, that I actually thought looked pretty damn good!

Only one Room reveal for the entire year...I really need to work on that this year, My Craft Room

But the thing I loved most (and sadly I let the kids play with it and well it now looks pretty sad The Train Table.

Well they're my delights for 2013, hopefully there will be plenty more this year!
Btw still on holidays and while you guys are freezing we are about to melt!
Thanks for reading,

Mel xo