DIY Garland Project

Garland Nostalgia Project

When I was a child, garland streamers hung like curtains in doorways; they were so very much a part of the normality of Australian living. They were also the only Eco friendly way to keep the flies out of the kitchen or the local fish and chip shop. They made this wonderful flapping sound in the gentle breeze... oh boy, a little garland nostalgia for you!

This garland is mostly inspired by nature, specifically made to style the dining area of our open plan living room. 

 

I wanted to use dried leaves because they are readily available and because it’s difficult to beat nature at its best. I added feathers and faux flower centres. I wired these together with florist wire. I also made my own flowers from feathers and Milner's netting, simply by cutting small squares and wiring them together on the diagonal with flower centres.

Handmade Flowers and Feather Buds

Garland- Horizontally suspended

Garland- Vertically suspended

Now I really am quite torn as to which way I should hang this?  

Rach x

Hip Brown Homewares

Hello and how has your Thursday been??

Thursday is one of my favorite days because 
it is usually my uninterrupted work day
 and it is "almost Friday"

This makes me smile, really big!

I have been busy with orders 
and doing a little cake decorating 
for my big 7 year olds birthday today

Hmm don't look too closely, 
I have nooooo wish to be a cake decorator 

I have also been working on a collection
 of product shots of all my wares
These pictures/ collages are a work in progress
I think I will always and forever be trying to capture
 the perfect product shot. 
Bye for now 
Rach xx

Lavender Decorations and Bamboo Dishcloths

Hip Oli Belt

Hip Cowboy Belt

What I did for Mothers Day!

I phoned my mum
Ran an 8k run for the Mother's Day Classic in 50mns
 Put a load of washing on our Hills Hoist... I know, so vintage of us

Enjoyed a Lamb Roast cooked by my husband

Had a glass of vino

+ A sneaky one with our neighbours out front
 Almost enjoyed a little bit of shut eye however had to settle for a lovely rest and a window view instead

Hoping you had a great Ma day if you're a mum or maybe you just enjoyed sweet thoughts of your mum instead

Rachael x

DIY handsoap and detergent holder tutorial

Ooh hello! Here is a quick and slightly quirky DIY tutorial to brighten your day! These holders are super easy and came about because I needed to zhush up the hand soap and detergent bottles in our kitchen... as you do! Yes, totally agree that one option is to tuck them away preferably out of sight however am truthfully thinking and just saying, OK well that's no fun at all! x
 

Requirements: 

1 x hand-soap or detergent bottle 

Approximately 30 cm of vinyl; or place-mat/ oil cloth (basically any fabric that is easily wiped over for an easy clean)

A Sewing machine is required for a simple straight stitch
Tape measure and scissors

Adornments- I used cotton rope, pom poms and a vinyl swing tag.

Other suggestions might be vintage lace, ribbon, garlands and fabric.

Pattern:

 Measure around the width of your bottle at the widest point (the little belly)

Allow 2cm for a seam

Measure the length of your bottle

The length and (width + seam) measurements = approximately the amount of vinyl that is required for your bottle holder 

Method:

Place vinyl on the wrong side and measure it around the width of your bottle as shown below

Pin seam "very firmly" down the length of the bottle

Mark the height of the bottle at the neck and base of the bottle on both sides.

Gently remove the holder from your bottle, try not to lose your pins 

Cut straight across the width of your vinyl at the neck and base markings (these edges will not be hemmed so the more professional cut the better your holder will look)

Straight stitch down the length of your bottle holder, do zoom straight over your pins

Cut extra material (the hem) off at seam

Cut off loose threads at each end

Slip holder over your bottle again (with seam showing on outside)
Place seam at the back and middle of bottle

You may need to do little tuck's/ pin shoulder seams at the nape of the bottle if tapering is required: It will depend on the shape of your bottle however I needed to do this step for both of my bottle holders purely because it looked much better

Remove holder from the bottle again and sew diagonally across corners where pinned (these are the little shoulder seams)

 Turn holder to right side of fabric and place over bottle

Adorn your bottle holder as desired

Hand-soap holder with a simple rope looped over knot. This one is my favorite!

DIY detergent and hand-soap holders

Best be off, have big plans to link up at the following parties at Shabby Creek Cottage Transformation Thursday and DIY Project Parade

Pastel love and TV cabinet revamp

Surprise 5th year wedding anniversary flowers in pastel pink... Oh yes please!

Imagine this little mess of wii games, dvd's, TV remotes, dvd player and stereo just sort of kicking around and on most days being quite in your way... do you sense a little of our desire to find a more functional TV cabinet? Truthfully speaking, TV cabinets are not one of my favourite types of furniture. In my mind, they sit in the same sort of category as the fridge... sort of elephant-ish like and somewhat unavoidable. I was thinking that we needed a cabinet that was preferably white which would hopefully morph or better still completely disappear into the abyss of our antique white walls. 

We were very nearly on route to IKEA absolutely certain they would have just what we were after however one of our boys had a fever and it never eventuated. A few weeks passed and I was able to convince my husband that maybe we should just turn our handcrafted coffee table into a TV cabinet instead. For the record the coffee table was beautiful! It was made by one of our friend's but unfortunately it did not work as a coffee table in our living space.

Our coffee Table used as a very UN-functional TV cabinet

Did you know that I am so very smitten for all those beautiful mint green and pastel shades in season right now?... the sense of calm they contribute to a room is so very sweet! I had also recently been on an excursion to the Paddington Antique Centre and had eye spied a gorgeous vintage cupboard. It was a lovely vintage pastel green color with massive hinges. I do love a rustic hinge! I completely fell for it and it became the inspiration for this project.

Our TV cabinet transformation

My darling husband did all the handy work. A lil mdf here and there, some cedar doors how hard can it be?? hee, hee, hee! The very nature of a handmade coffee table does not necessarily mean perfectly square therefore he at times, quite painfully, added the doors, back and sides. On the flip side I had a fabulous time working some magic with Dulux antique white wash gloss and mint green doors. I do love how it looks in our living room!

Revamped and styled TV Cabinet

Styled with pastel pink vintage bowls and bottles

Also linking up to my first ever blog party. Here is the link for The Shabby Creek Cottage- Transformation Thursday. Its a great little hub for completed projects and inspiration. 

Oh so sweet!

I do love gift wrapping orders!

It is especially lovely when I have the pleasure to write little notes on behalf of my customers like the above. Oh so sweet.... I do love my job!

Teal Coloured Ocean and Beach Thrifting

Work-shopping 60's inspired Hip Brown rest/ relaxation signs for the store

This Easter, we embarked on a rather unplanned road trip to a lovely beach area in NSW called South West Rocks: If ever you visit, Trial Bay is simply a must as far as beaches go! It also happens to be very near the area, where I grew up. Easter time is fast becoming my favorite time of the year to holiday. The beach, the weather and water temperature was so absolutely perfect. I am talking lovely soft, soft sand and calm beautiful teal coloured water... for so many reasons, I found it achingly hard to leave and return to my home here in Brisbane. Alas the sign of a fabulous holiday, my friend!

Tooth's Lemonade bottle

Simply had to do a lil souvenir thrifting from a beautiful antique store I found. I purchased some gorgeous vintage bottles... surely one can never have too many, can you??

1 Pint Milk bottle

  I also so found some beach souvenirs to remind me of my favorite beach. I do think holiday souvenirs, specifically shouting out loud for the non tacky ones are a must have!

Beach Thrifting/ Souvenirs

Cowrie Shell from Trial Bay

School holidays can be a tricky time to always feel creatively connected and on top of everything especially from a business point of view. Children force me to keep things very simple and for this reason I have been enjoying work-shopping some new product ideas. I find it is something I can quite easily do with the boys around especially if they busily work on their own projects, albeit drawing or making paper airplanes. I specifically wanted to use rope, paint and wood possibly along the lines of a sign or wall artwork... Maybe even a little 60's inspired in terms of design. I do love these particular mediums and have wanted to use them in my work for ages. These are still a work in progress; The hand painted designs need more tweaking however I am looking forward to them being listed in my home-wares store oneday soon.

Hip Brown Wall Signs/ Art works