Rocking Chair - Because One Day I Will Be A Nana

Hey guys,

I have a secret, I love rocking chairs, I actually love to sit in my rocking chair and knit. it's totally a Nana thing to do but there is no place I feel more peaceful than in this chair knitting.

Even better I got it for free, it was my Mum's but she had no where to put it and unlike me she's kinda short and her legs didn't touch the ground.

It was scratched and dinged up so I gave it a chalk paint makeover. Also check out the tapestry in the background. My Mum did that for me when I was about 5 and it is still one of my most favourite things ever.

I'm loving the fresh white paint perfect for the new craft space.

DIY Delight or Disaster? Well I was going to add something else to it but I sent a picture to Susan of Simply Vintageous asking advice and she said it was perfect, given she is the furniture makeover queen, I decided to quit while I was ahead. Now I can pretend to be a Nana until (hopefully) in a decade or so I actually become one. Delight!

Thanks for reading,

Mel xo

Trestle Table

You know that feeling when you're in a store and you see something and immediately fall in love with it. You must have it no matter what the cost....until you see the actual cost and then start either laughing hysterically at how overpriced it is, or cry because it was never meant to be.

Well when I was in Freedom Furniture this desk was my dream for my new craft room. I wanted it so badly Julian was all ready with the credit card so I could have something special in my new craft room (I really shouldn't tease him the way I do, he is actually a keeper, shh don't tell him I said that.).

source

I lovingly looked at him, then rolled my eyes and said "Are you serious? It's $449 I could make that for about for less than a quarter of the price!" So I did.

Two trestle legs from Ikea for $25 each, in hind sight I could have made them for about $10 but you know what, sometimes it's just easier to have it done already and $28 for the door which just got a couple of coats of paint.

Then she was done for less than a quarter of the price and not on the credit card, which makes me love it more! Also just to break up the all white you can see I added a pink grain sack pattern to my $2 thrift store chair that I made over a while back.

DIY Delight or Disaster? Oh man it's a delight for me, so much cheaper and honestly I like the black legs for contrast which is why I didn't paint them and it is around twice the size for much less than a quarter of the price, total delight!

The Lounge - Obviously it's a before shot.

Morning All,

So what I have discovered over the past year and a half that it is almost impossible to finish a room and start on the next. The Entry is nearly done but I am looking for the perfect coat rack idea and lighting so while I search around for what I need to finish it off . However we did have ideas for the lounge room. 

So on the spur of the moment last Saturday we decided to get started on some ideas we had since Julian was measuring up, there was no time to tidy up, welcome to Saturday mornings in the mansion (pre clean up) I'm sure those scraper site will just be dying to steal these photos....or not on the plus side when you're having a my house is terrible come back and make yourself feel better.

It's actually a very large long room. Above it the front of the room. A lot of the space has been unused because of the arches.

That's the back of the room where Julian has his study. I told you it was pre clean up.

I know people love little nooks, but this one bugs me.

There isn't actually that much crap in there usually but I was cleaning out another room and I dumped everything there.

I had to snap these so quickly because Jule's had literally just been checking where the wall studs are and went off to the hardware store, as you can see, Madeleine thought she needed to double check the studs.

This is the arch that leads into to the entry just to give you an idea of how it is situated. So what's about to happen, big surprise but I can give a spoiler and say that awful dingy beige is gone! We have HUGE plans for this space.

Also I am kind of glad the photos are messy, it will make whatever we do look better (hehe) Plus I am praying that will be the last of the blue carpet in the living area, we were given some free carpet however it didn't fit so we have had a change of plans which we should complete over the Easter break.


So what would you do with that huge space, any suggestions? What about the nook, love them or hate them? I actually like some nooks but not this one we have another one in the kids area that is actually fantastic. With this nook I think they dudded us on kitchen space by adding it, however to remove it will add more problems so it has to stay.

Thanks for reading,


Mel xo

Thread Holder

Well every sewer needs a place to store their threads, and what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't include some sort of monogram? So here it is!

Chair Makeover

Well it's a mini makeover! I wanted to paint it but it belongs to a set and at some point I would really like to have it as part of my dining room. We removed it and started using our old set because the pieces all have big metal hooks and they weren't really toddler friendly. So I just changed the manky seat which will need to be redone on all of them down the track. It is from the same set as my Houndstooth Table.

Any it looked like this.

So I removed the seat. Mind the ugly winter feet

Then couldn't decide what to do with it so I put it out on facebook and was really keen on the idea of patchwork but since I had already removed the pad I had nothing to sew on and I just wanted it done in a day. I ended up choosing the polka dot.

Stapled it on and like magic it went from that to this. BTW getting the chair back on....well that's annoying to say the least, ugg there were tears and tantrums and a screwdriver may have been flung!

But she's done!

DIY Delight or Disaster? Well it's not too bad for a first attempt at a chair makeover, but she wont be winning any beauty pageants.  It looks cleaner and it is closer to the theme than the old cover but I think I'm on the fence with this one.

What do you think?

Thanks for reading,

Mel xo

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Grab Your Controller - Gamer Bookends

So it's only been a couple of months in the making, a project for the boys room, Gamer Bookends!

So here's how it started, I want to add some authentic console parts into the decor and since the hubs works in IT everyone he knows is a gamer and I figured that there would probably be some freebies.

So I put the request out on my personal Facebook page and basically said, I'm after gaming stuff, I don't care if they work, 5 mouths to feed, want freebies!

Well I got inundated with stuff, so firstly to the best Uncle and Auntie in the World - Thanks Sheena and Wes!

To the guys at Julian's work, I know a couple of you actually read - and I'm flattered, a big thanks to you guys too.

So first up I made some bookends and here's how:

Supplies:

• Scrap wood
• Paint
• Game controllers
• Hot glue/gun

First up measure and cut the wood x 4, I would suggest others use some safety precautions and not do it barefoot like me. (I never wear shoes at home)

Screw two pieces together and paint, grab the controls and cut the cords off.

Hot glue the controllers onto the boards

Then you're done!

DIY Delight or Disaster? Aside from the spray paint dripping a little, I like them, I just wish before I cut the cords I had realised that the controls are slightly different.


I have to admit the boys room has left me uninspired. The boys don't really want me "going too far" and so it's going to be pretty simple. At this point I'm hoping it won't be boring. They did seem to like this so maybe they'll be a little more easy going when I get in full swing. I hope so!!

There it is the first project and now they're finally back to school, I can get back into doing the house. Woo hoo, it feels like forever since I stopped.
Thanks for reading,

Mel xo

Be Delighted Every Day, Follow Mellywood's Mansion!

And The Curtain Closes

Morning Everyone,

Well I am over excited today here is the very last project before the big reveal!

The Roller Blind

I didn't know what I was going to do for this, simply because we need to have 100% block out during our summers and the idea of sewing curtains scared the living daylights out of me.

I've seen all of these roller blinds on Pinterest that had been covered in fabric but I couldn't find anything I liked. Then I thought with all the educational pieces in the room, I should add some shapes.

So here is how I did it.

Supplied:

Roller Blind

Vinyl

Digital Cutter

I unrolled the blind on the floor

Then I cut out my shapes

Placed them on the blind

Then Julian and Samuel (The joy of having teenage children - Unfortunately there aren't many, don't judge me for saying that until you start living with your own version of teen aged angst!) installed it for me

There you have it one educational roller blind.


DIY Delight or Disaster? I like it, this was a heck of a lot cheaper than sewing or buying blinds. It adds more color and it's educational. Confession, I have never bought my kids educational toys (unless you count books, which I don't because reading is fun) I figure they have 5 years before the world starts making expectations of them and they should just have fun. We all know kids learn through play, you can teach your kids through fun without buying expensive toys or gimmicks. My older kids are doing just fine so 5 years of play did not hamper their education. Baking is their first science experiment, cooking teaches them math, reading teaches them about words, honestly a $50 toy that sings the alphabet is less help than singing the alphabet while they're in the bath. Anyways, enough of my views on parenting this for me is a delight and stay tuned the reveal will be posted shortly.

What are your thoughts, Delight or Disaster? Do you think educational toys make a difference or do you prefer to add it to your play time?


Thanks for reading

Mel xo

Linking up here

http://www.tipjunkie.com/all-crafts/handmade-projects/homemade-projects-1023

IKEA - My Love/Hate Relationship

Morning All,

I am going quietly insane today - actually I do nothing quietly, I am partying like a freak. I woke up to discover that the lovely Mandy from Sugar Bee Crafts, had not only featured my Ruffle Scarf but that it was the most viewed link. To say I was pleasantly surprised, is the biggest understatement of the year. I have been reading her blog forever, long before I started blogging and I am just floored!


                                                          

I truly feel that the lovely ladies from The Inspiration Cafe were the ones who made this happen.Without their offer to guest host, I would not have put my knitting on display.

Today you get to see the latest edition to the babies room.

When I showed you my toy box I mentioned that it was a great place to read, so you may have seen this one coming.

 Here is our Story Central.

If you follow me on Pinterest you may have seen me pin this Book Nook from Naptime Decorator.
I immediately fell in love with it and decided I must have one.

So a few weeks back we went for a trip to IKEA. Now I have an issue with IKEA, did you know that Australians pay more for IKEA products than anywhere else in the world? Well according to a recent survey which was discussed over at Apartment Therapy, we pay more than anyone else.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've been skipping around blog land and there is a project with a $30 price tag, only to discover that the item alone will set me back $70, before doing anything else. Damn you IKEA and your fabulous storage.

So to my utter amazement, I discovered the one thing we pay less for - The Spice Rack! $2.49 here, $3.99 in the U.S., so for once, I wasn't cursing them all the way to the checkout!

Anyway enough griping here's how I put together Story Central.

Supplies:
Cardboard Letters
Ribbon
Assorted Scrapbook Paper
Glitter
Modpodge
GlueGun/Sticks
Ikea Spice Racks

First I glued ribbon onto the R. I saw this in blog land and can't find the original, so if you know where it comes from please let me know so I can give credit where it is due.

Then I punched out circles and hot glued them to the E.

For the A, I simply glued it on and cut it out, the middle bit left rough edges which made me a little sad, I think I need a new knife.

The D was done using the same method as my "Trash Chic" Vases. I mixed red and green glitter, have to say not overly impressed with the D but stayed with it anyway. It looks a little Christmasy

Hot glued them to the wall, and added the spice rack book cases. Now I know the Spice Rack to Book case has been done a million times, but let's face it, it's an awesome idea!

Finally, my little reading area.

DIY Delight or Disaster? Delight, I am really happy with the outcome. If there is anything I wish I had done differently it would be the D otherwise I'm really happy. The books have just added so much color to the wall.

I'm really disappointed with the photos, if you read along regularly  you know I'm not great with the camera, but this area is so much better in real life, it actually looks amazing. I have tried and tried to get a good shot but with no luck

I also have a very delighted 2 year old, she was quite excited by the books. Unfortunately, every time I add something to this wall she doesn't take a nap, she just jumps around in her cot talking (jabbering) and pointing to whatever has been added.

As for Max, he looked like this (rare snap of the boy looking clean and smiling. Sorry couldn't resist, I am a mother after all.)

I'm so close to finishing this room. I can't begin to tell you how much having the kids home has hampered the finishing date, a couple of things left before I can finally file this one away.

So what do you think, camera issues aside, delight or disaster?

Thanks for reading,

Mel xo