Two Little Dicky Birds » projects

My Creative Space: Colour Inspiration Scrapbook

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 04:57:32 +0000

I’ve been trying to soak up as much as I can of Holly and Leslie’s cleverness over at Blogging Your Way, there is just so much inspiration to be had there. I’ve just started a new scrapbook dedicated purely to colour. As great as it is having all these files on my computer, trawling through images online is wearing me down a little, so I’m going back to basics and tearing up my ridiculously over the top magazine collection. Sorry Real Living, it was nice knowing you. Prepare for decimation.

Heirloom Chenille Cut Quilt

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:59:44 +0000

2010 seems to be the Year of the Baby for our circle of friends. I guess we’re all around 30, most of us are married or engaged, and as is often the way, people want to start sprogging up. Three of our close friends are about to give birth, two for the first time, so I’ve been wanting to do something a little bit special. There are so many great gifts that can be given and I was hunting around for ideas when I came across this clever tutorial at Aesthetic Nest.

I’d never made a quilt before, so I was a little bit nervous, but Anneliese had written up such a great set of step-by-step instructions, I figured if I could manage to follow her tutorial, I should be okay.

The outcome actually exceeded my expectations, for a newbie, the steps are very easy to follow; I had no problems at all working my way through it. Some of my lines are a little wonky, but you can’t really tell unless you look closely, and the chenille just looks fantastic after a burst in the drier.

So thank you, Anneliese, I so enjoyed making this blanket. Now I’m going to make two more!

NB. The fabric I chose is Amy Butler’s Optic Blossom in Linen from the Midwest Modern collection.

Sunday

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 14:03:00 +0000

Wooden fruit, my latest find at the local second-hand store, a bargain at just $1. They’re receiving the white paint treatment as I type.

Image Details:
Nikon D60
Nikon AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm F3.5G VR
Manual
ISO 400
f 5
1/25

In the Mood

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:00:00 +0000

This mood board has been tacked up on the wall above my desk for a few months now. I’ve been adding bits here and there and chopping and changing things, which is kind of the point, I suppose. I initially started with a folder of ideas, but it always gets tucked away in some obscure “paper pile” (I have a lot of these around our house) and I really wanted something right there, in my face, pushing me forward.

What do you think about mood/inspiration boards? Do you find them helpful?

Happy Yellow Chair

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:52:00 +0000

One chair before and after – as promised. There is another one too, but my other half has acquired it for his shed aka “The Man Cave” and wasn’t keen on giving it back. Seeing as it cost me all of $5, I think I’ll let him have it. I am nothing if not a generous wife.

Disclaimer: Please note that said chair may be subject to DWLS (Dodgy Wobbly Leg Syndrome). That would be his chair, not mine.

Recovered Ottoman

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:46:00 +0000

I was so excited when my fabric arrived from Signature Prints. Did anyone else go a bit over-the-top at their sale? I know, it’s hard not to. Now I have lots of projects underway. This is the first one I tackled, the brown was a little tired and we’d just painted the room. There is nothing more frustrating than a freshly painted room filled with stuff that doesn’t “work”. I know you’re supposed to pick you’re fabrics first. I never do. I’m all about the paint colour.

So, the ottoman was a cheapie from ~~K-Mart~~ Target. I’ve had it for ages, and it gets stacks of use. Mainly as a train (the little seats are the trucks); a close second would be as a foot rest, usually with the computer propped on my lap while I stalk all your blogs ;P

Boring, hey?

Apologies for the poorly styled photo, I had little people hanging off my ankles, literally.

Lamp Revamp

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:18:00 +0000

I’ve been looking and looking for a lamp for the nursery for months now. I was beginning to think that Sam would be packing his bags and leaving home before I found one, when I stumbled across this at the local secondhand shop the other day.

The base was in pretty good condition but the shade had seen happier days. No big deal, a quick trip to Target for a cheap shade and some lovely Tanya Whelan fabric and voila!

Much better!

Before & After: Dressing Table

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:39:00 +0000

Remember the dressing table I posted about here? I did promise you photos of the makeover, well, here it is! After a good sanding, a couple of coats of paint, and the paper I posted about last year, it is all finished and ready for a new home.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing -does anyone ever have a DIY go completely to plan? I suspect around 99% of my projects have at least one minor hick-up along the way!

An improvement? I’ve been really inspired by Bryonie Porter and her beautiful wallpapered furniture. You can see her incredible work here.

Up and Coming Projects

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I have a couple of new projects in the works, and I’m really looking forward to these ones. I stopped in at the local second hand furniture shop last weekend and picked up these beauties – a tall lamp and pine dresser. The dresser actually comes with a mirror which I’m going to use as well because it’s beautiful, but sadly the time has come for them to part. I used to be a bit precious about painting timber furniture, having grown up in a home with a lot of beautiful antique pieces and parents who stoutly refused to paint anything timber. That however, has changed. I can’t wait to take to these two with a paint brush.

Beautiful Bentwood Chairs – Complete!

Abby at Two Little Dicky Birds — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:45:00 +0000

I finished re-upholstering the bentwood chairs last night, there was a fair bit of sanding, staining and varnishing involved, particulaly as the first colour I picked barely resembled the sample at the store and I had to re-sand and stain them to get it right. I was so pleased when that part was done with! Stapling the fabric to the seat was definitely the highlight. I’m so happy with the fabric, it’s one of my favourite Broadhurst designs.