DIY Hairy Buddha Bust

Remember the Medusa bust I posted about a couple of days ago? Using it as a source of inspiration, we decided to make them ourselves.

What you need:

• Hollow bust (we used a Buddha head)
• Stone drill bit
• Stone cutter
• Potting ground
• A ‘hairy’ plant
• Ear and eye protection (you’ll need it)

First of all we drilled a couple of holes in the bottom of the Buddha. Then we drew a very nip-and-tuck-ish cutting line through its hair. Tom used a stone saw to cut through the stone. I have to tell you, it really felt like preforming brain surgery on a Buddha! We then put potting ground in, and planted a pretty hairy plant. We’re so happy with the result.. it feels so zen!

Honestly, I have the bestest boyfriend ever!!

Thesis and door knobs

Now that I have more or less finished my thesis (just waiting for my promoter to check it a last time) I have the feeling I’m free again! Whoohooo!! This morning I went shopping with my new found freedom. To be honest I always go to the same stores, but hey, they have a lot. My hands-off favourite store is the Action (I promise this is not a sponsored post – I whish it was though). It has a huge amount of stuff, all cheaper than in other stores, and best of all they often change their products. This morning I found the coolest doorknobs. Just look how cute they are.

For now, I’ll keep them in the closet.. waiting for the next project that calls for cute knobs. Oh, before I forget they were only 1.40€! That is the price of a single boring knob in any other store.

Medusa bust inspiration

This Medusa has been floating around the web for some time, and it has totally inspired me. This should be a doable DIY project right? We’ll have a real hard think.. and make it. Soon…

I have already spoken to Toms mother about finding a plant that resembles snakes as much as this one. She advised me to get either Wilcoxia Schmollii, Echinocerus Schmolli, or Euphorbia Flaganii. We’ll see what we end up with.

Camping love

I’m officially in love with the tent-designs form FieldCandy! If only I had the money to buy one of these. Although.. the comfort level of a tent is not even close to the one of our very comfy foldable-thingy. I should probably take a couple of painting courses so I can paint a happy cow or some sheep on our foldable-thingy!

Pond Ideas

Pond-in-a-pot (should definitely do this!)

Tire pond

Fish-bubble (upside down jar)

Saturday back home & more measuring tape chairs!

It has been ages since I’ve been back in The Netherlands, except for my trip to Tajikistan (flew through Amsterdam) I haven’t been home for more than a year I think. So when my best friend invited us for a living room folk ball we just had to go!
We got up at six just to make it in time to Utrecht. We had some great fun, some good drinks (see below.. that’s me!), and pizza from Mario’s!

In the early morning we went to the lapjesmarkt in Utrecht to get 11 m of fabric for the inner tent we have to make for our folding tent (this one). We succeeded to find a bright orange stripe for just 1 euro a meter (yaay). And we even found a nice fabric for our new chair project (keeping that one a secret for now).
The afternoon we spent at my friends place. She had four old chairs that resembled the one we re-did with those Ikea measuring tapes (link), and wanted to redo them just like we did. So we spent a couple of hours cutting measuring tapes and stapling them to her chairs. Note that Ginny’s (check her out here) chairs do have a grid pattern!

55 Gallon Drum Inspiration

I found this cutie on Pinterest, linking to this Etsy page.. Being a badly funded student (aka cheapskate) I just cannot afford the 400 + euros it costs. So, we'll have to figure out how to make it ourselves :)

DIY Swiss Army Key Ring

Look what I found on Instructables, wouldn't that be handy for all those guys who have way too many keys in their pockets? This one is definitely going on the DIY To Do list!

Bread Box Charging Station

Now that would be something handy! I know Tom would be thrilled if I stopped asking him to find a cable for me. Although, for this to work for us, we will have to find a larger container (Tom has a tablet, and I have an e-reader).. To the second hand shop!

Tire Ottoman

Recycle Reuse Renew Mother Earth Projects has this amazing tutorial to make an ottoman from a used tire. Pretty easy and pretty amazing! So, now I'm roaming the internet for used tires :-)

What you Need:

• Tires (or just one)
• Hot Glue or SuperGlue
• Caster Wheels or Furniture Legs ( optional )
• PlyWood
• Material of your Choice Leather, Cushions, rope (that's what I plan to use)
• Screws
• Drill

Step 1 Clean the tires and get off any grease off them inside and out. Do this outside as it can get messy

Step 2 Take your glue and glue the rope onto the sides of the tire

Step 3 Cut plywood to the size of your tire and drill them into place

Step 4 Now cover the tire with the material of your choice

Step 5 You can add caster wheels or legs but that's optional

Dog Scarf

Yesterday I saw this amazing dog scarf tutorial at A Pair of Pears, and I decided to rush to the store for some yarn. After knitting a couple of hours yesterday evening while Tom was watching YouTube videos of trucks stuck in mud (cooler than you think it is), I finished my dog scarf. This morning I stuffed it in an envelope and sent it to my dog (in The Netherlands). When it arrives I'll post the pictures so I don't spoil the surprise just yet.

However, if you are just as enchanted by the picture form A Pair of Pairs, have a look at their tutorial!!
I can't wait to show you my version!!

Bicycled (recycled bikes and upcycled cars)

Wow! Bicycled Bikes is making bikes from junkyard cars! What a terrific idea! To be honest, it's not really new for me. My grandpa used to be a car mechanic, the type who could put two cars together into one 'new' car (those were the days) and who also made my fist bikes from car parts. Although my grandpa did not use a transmission belt as a chain, they were very sturdy bikes! I can't wait to see these new and fully recycled bikes on the streets!!!

Kitty Birdhouse

It's looking like Friday is becoming birdhouse-Friday. After last weeks rooftop birdhouse to keep the kitties out, I found a pro-kitty birdhouse for sale a Modcloth. I am sure that there are some of you who can easily DIY this cutie! I can't wait to see your results!

Crochet Foxy Scarf

Do you remember the foxy scarf I wrote about a couple of days ago? I just found an other super cute crocheted fox scarf from the BeesKneesKnitting Etsy shop. They even have lots of other animal scarves such as raccoons  seals, dogs, moose and pigs.  They are great for people who actually know how to crochet (unlike me). The rest of us can just gape in amazement!

Teapot Birdhouse

Everyone knows I'm a tea drinker and tea paraphernalia lover pure sang, that's why I instantly fell in love with this teapot birdhouse. It would fit so snugly with the teacup bird-feeders we made a couple of weeks ago! It looks like a great DIY, by mounting it to a wall it's out of reach of all kitties, reusing the lid as a roof keeps the rain out, and the spout is great for keeping it dry. We're surly going to try this out!

Have a look at my version and DIY HERE

Birdhouse cookies!

Ooh look! Birdhouse cookies! They look like such a good idea, and so cute! Planning to make these very very soon!

Rooftop Birdhouse

I found this in my pictures file! It sounds like such a nice and space-efficient way to have a birdhouse. The only problem I can imagine is the cleaning out. I'm really not prepared to climb on the roof to clean it out, far to high!

Fun Faux Taxidermy

Lately there have been lots of posts on faux taxidermy floating around the web. Since I grew up between hippo and impala sculls I have developed both a love and a hatred for taxidermy. On the one hand I love the idea of bringing nature inside. On the other hand I abhor the idea of bringing dead animals inside (especially since I'm a vegetarian). Faux taxidermy could be a solution! I compiled quite an inspirational list for you (and for me).

I love this deer from Okgreat, it only seems like a whole lot of knitting work. The fluffyness of the wool and the knitting pattern give the deer a warm and homely feeling.

This deer is from someone on Flickr who stuck Brooklyn on a kit from Cardboard Safari. However if you are to cheap to buy cardboard over the internet (like me), Ty from Know and tell crafts has made a downloadable and DIY-able version. Or if you have a laser cutter download this one.

I absolutely adore the faux from Anthropologie! I love the way they used typed paper to give an extra dimension to the animal heads. Mandi from Vintage Revivals did a great piece on how to DIY one of those cuties from Anthropologie, definitely worth checking out!

I found this inspirational cutie at Apartment Therapy (yes that is one of my favorite websites), they too have a page on faux taxidermy. But this cutie is from Etsy and no longer available.

For something pretty and simple and very DIY-able look at these Antlers with Japanese tape from Stylizimo blog.

There are so many fun things to do with faux taxidermy! I'm sure you can come up with lots more fun projects! I'm looking forward to seeing them on your blogs and comments!

DIY (Banksy) Wall Stencils

I found this amazing stencil (or so they claim) on ecosalon.com. They did not say where it came from and I've been unable to find the actual stencil online. But still, wouldn't this be absolutely perfect in a washing room? Just over the washers and dryers?

I'm sure this is nearly impossible to stencil, and if I want it bad enough I will have to draw it on. Anyway I've been looking into stenciling and how to do it in a most cost effective way. The first thing is to find a pattern or picture you really want on your wall. Print it, blow it up/shrink it to the size you need. Then place something see through and sturdy (see through binder, binding covers, etc) on top of the picture you need. Trace it and cut it! Now comes the difficult part, sticking it to the wall with painters tape and making sure it is straight!! Then dab paint on it, remove the stencil carefully and let it dry. Clean the stencil or rub it down for the next stencil so you won't get any blobs of paint where you don't want them.

For more stencil ideas take a look at the the Etsy page of Cutting Edge Stencils {here} or for more info on the how to take a look at {this} article on all things thrifty.

P.S. It turns our that this is a Banksy, and that you can get the stencils {here}. The fact that it is a Banksy copy lets me love it even more!!!

How Vogue can surprise you!

I'm surely NOT a vogue person.. but they have pleasantly surprised me. Have a look at their article on Miranda Brooks and Bastien Halard's Brooklyn Home, and take a very very good look at those pictures!!

Don't you want your bedroom to look like this?? I certainly do!!

Or a super cozy living room like this one? I love the color pallet and those high white beams!

Or this ultimate bathroom? I can just see myself sipping wine and enjoying the bubblies, can't you?