Monday 19 August 2013

How to Upcycle Glass Bottles


I have been eyeing off this upcycle project  for some time now but have never known how to achieve a clean cut when cutting the bottle in half. I have tried the 'flaming rope' method but that left very jagged edges and the bottle was not salvagable. After doing some intense googling I found Dan Rojas, a green earth activist with amazing and easy DIY videos, and he taught me through the world wide web just how to achive a clean cut. 

The video can be seen HERE and in it Dan demostrates how to use the G2 Bottle Cutter (a seriously good investment for those interested in upcycling bottles).

Now if the above image didnt make up your mind view those below and I am sure you will be itching to try it yourself!

cheapcrafting.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smallstump/
unknown
homemade-modern.com
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Thursday 15 August 2013

The Golden Fleece Cafe


This morning the sun was shining and the sky was blue, so I decided to go exploring. Willunga is a town that I usually pass straight through on my way to Victor Harbour but today I decided to take a chance and see what it has to offer. I knew of the Golden Fleece but had never visited until today and I was very impressed. I was immediately greated with smiling faces and funky retro decor (see pictures). I treated myself to a berry and chia smoothie and drank in my surroundings. Each interior table was dressed with fresh flowers and a deck of cards and the out door tables were adorned with succulents in terracotta pots. The charming mix matched furniture teamed with an open fire place and retro pendant lighting created a very warm inviting environment and the floor to ceiling windows with succulents in tea cups was the icing on the cake!
If you are ever passing through Willunga I urge you to pull up and visit this cute cafe in such a gorgeous historic town. (Golden Fleece details in my Cafe Directory)


Wednesday 14 August 2013

Get That Look #2


Credit: www.homelife.com.au

If you are anything like me, then you are still experiencing some serious heart pain from the death of Patrick Reid in Australia's most loved drama series Offspring. I must admit that during the latest episode I used many many tissues and had to re-apply my make up afterwards, and I am sure that I am not alone! So to honour Patrick I have decided to do another 'Get That Look' feature on the interiors of offspring. This time I will be featuring Geraldine Proudman's house (as I have already featured Nina & Patrick's abode) and all of its quirky personality.

Now as you may know, Geraldine has a very loud and bohemian personality and this is directly reflected in her home. As a retired architect Geraldine has only slightly modified her gorgeous Melbourne heritage home to include large windows in the living/kitchen areas which brings lots of natural light into the home and brings a glowing look to the yellow walls of her living areas. The walls are aged and chipped with mementos and photos taped in eclectic arrangements around the room and the floors are covered in vintage carpets. Geraldine has embraced the 'organised chaos' style of living, with piles of books and crockery spread across her living and kitchen areas and has brought the outside in with various pot plants in and around the windows.

If you would like to achieve this look in your own home then I am here to help! The following post will share with you some carefully selected upcycled/reclaimed/handmade products that will have you on your way to having a delicious bohemian home like Geraldine's.



1. Upcycled herb spoons by Handmade At The Homestead
2. Hand painted pot plant by Birdsnests For Hair
3. Pottery mugs from Sunbird Pottery
4. Hand made lamp shade from Patturn
5. Mason jar trio by Tutus And Tattoos
6. Upcycled tumblers by Twice Drunk
7. Wooden serving tray from Sunlab Productions
8. Upcycled wine barrel recipe stand from Winestains Barossa



1. Reclaimed timber dining table (seats 8) by Triple R Tables
2. Upcycled cushion from Collecting Feathers
3. Storage basket from upcycled materials by Been And Done
4. Vintage boucherouite rug from Fossik
5. Recycled timber coffee table by Milkcart
6. Reclaimed wooden crate from Hiatus Vintage
7. Handmade bulletin board from Kraft4Kids
8. Upcycled teak dish from ELCdesigns
9. Upcycled blanket ottoman by Flaunt Design
10. Driftwood clock from Jan Dickers Ocean Art