creating with H.

Hi, it is Petra here today.

I like to work with paper and cards, creating with H. is relaxing for me, and enjoyment for him. Usually we fine with bits of paper or treasurers from our walks. It so sweet to see him how proud he is showing his creations to his friends and how much he loves playing with them. 
If you would like to try to make these paper trees as a Christmas decoration, it's really easy, follow here. 

See you next week! 

photos & styling by P.+V. Weiss   

painting with A.

Not sure if you remember couple of months ago Anya and I painted  a large canvas, which is above our bed at the moment I love it a lot. This one was piece of my art for about 4 months, I repainted it about 5 times and in the end it just ended up all black. Oh artist frustration:)

I gave it to A. ( 4 years) and she made into alphabet. A- apple, B- butterfly, C- cat.....F- Frank (her granddad), M- Mark ( her dad), I - igloo.....unfortunately there wasn't enough space for me - V:)

I just love how kids creativity is so pure and without hesitation and doubts. Her hand is firm and decisive when she paints, not bothered about composition and colours just doing something she loves. 

We have a lot of DIY project to finish this weekend and cooking a large dinner for friends. 

Enjoy your one!

DIY book covers etc.

Couple of days ago I came across this great blog - paislee press and few things that caught my eye over that space was - DIY book covers and a book called Mini Masterpieces. 

When it comes to DIY book covers, I know that not many of us probably have time or energy to do it, but I think these simple b&w covers and ribbon labels looks really pretty. Perhaps just cover the "ugly" books? like dictionaries, or really colourful books? head over here if up to this project.

Mini masterpieces is a photo book or in this case with pictures of drawings and projects your child made. I know my daughter would love it and me too...definitely doing it when she gets a bit older and have more drawings. Wouldn't that be great gift for grandparents?

tuesday 27.7.2010

I'm a bit upset, disappointed, annoyed and angry. Just found out about couple of people copying my work and selling it. I do understand that my design can be very good 'DIY' idea, but please don't sell it on.. ....

But anyway. Most of these days apart from work I try to enjoy every minute with family. Long summer evenings and ever so talkative and cute A.

and ....

one recent project of mine. I couldn't find the right door handles for our wardrobes so I decided to make them on my own. I wanted something simple, almost invisible, nothing plastic, but didn't want push and open system as I thought with white finish it would get dirty very soon. I used remnants of leather from my previous work and cut thin stripes. I sealed the edges with clear varnish ( there might be a different product for this) but this worked just fine. Then I folded them in half ( measured the wanted length before) and screwed them on the inside of the door ( they bend over the edge of the door). You could also use cord or ribbons. I used only little screws, so it didn't damaged the wardrobe and I can easily replaced them when I want to.

have a great week everyone!

more cupboards ...

I seriously needed some space for my work so after hours and hours of thinking we decided to create a working space for me in our kitchen/dining room. It gives me a lot of working space, storage (still not enough, but much, much better then before), and a lot of day light. As we are planning to build, hopefully a large extension into to a loft next year, this space is temporary, therefore I didn't want to spent a lot of money. I'm very familiar with Ikea ( worked for them for bit), I think I know all their catalogue names (joking), so I chose to use their kitchen cabinets as a base, and kitchen worktop.

How to do it:

If you ever decide to do something similar:

Use Faktum kitchen cabinets- Faktum frames and then you can choose different front doors. I bought Applad white.

Type of the cabinets - above fridge/freezer. These cabinets (above fridger/freezer) are perfect high ( together with supporting legs- stainless steel Capita) and depth. The normal kitchen base cabinets are too high, and wall cabinets too shallow.

If you don't need that much working space, you can use for the base, wall cabinets as well ( they are only 37cm to normal 60 cm depth) and cut the depth of the work top or Besta bookcase cabinets are great too and have drawer option as well. I wanted solid oak worktop, but it is temporary solution, so I bought oak veneer ( I think is Gimmon, can't find it on website..Solid wooden top, but it's hollow, so cheaper. I had to use two, they don't do long enough).

Too late to make day photos so couple night ones.

I've just ordered new chair for myself, can't wait:) and also need to buy some lampshades. Not sure what colour...I have one , but it is little bit tired, and ideally two matching ones would be nice. When is all finished next week I will post some more pictures, promise:)

have a look at this! :):) found on minor details

and one more thing...Thank you again Mrs. French! ( very much)..

white ? or white

Before...

I had a little bit more time the last couple of weeks so I was able to catch up with some stuff around the house and cross off a few lines on my list. We had been given this birch wardrobe a while ago same as the rocking horse and my plan was to paint or wallpaper them. I had quite a few ideas for the wardrobe (as usual), the same wallpaper all over, different wallpapers for each draw etc...In the end I surprisingly painted both white. How original:)...I figured with white cot, tiny room and with my obsession for changing and moving things this is the easiest option. I have never been a pink girl and before A. was born our house and previous flats were beige, white and black. Same as my clothes. I used to live in black, now I wear it rarely. Colours slowly crept into my life and house.

I had a lot of questions and emails about this room lately so here are some answers:

wardrobe - old ikea (discontinued product), cot- ikea, bedding - mamas & papas, throw- laura ashley, rocking horse- gift, tree- dwell studio, wings- pedlars, pictures- me (sarah & bendrix), felt birds- me. room size - 4.4sqm (tiny)

Have a great weekend!

tea towel cushions

While ago I made this cushion from an Eye Chart tea towel. Recently I saw nice printed tea towels and I'm thinking about making another one again. It's very cheap option, especially if you want to change only the cushion cover and you don't need the inside. I really like the idea of Calendar tea towel. Calender on a cushion ? You can even customize it and circle important dates.......what do you think ?

1,2,3 pedlars, 4. MrPS on Etsy

5. brookish on etsy 6. branchhandmade on etsy 7. madzhasrunway on etsy