-♦ ideas ♦-
use what you have
to create something new and fresh
Tapestry Cushions (Pillows) – Found and Featured
I am always on the lookout for treasures. When I find someone's beautiful handiwork, that has been forgotten or has never had a chance to shine, I am so delighted to give it a moment! Tapestry Cushion Covers These gorgeous tapestries had never been framed when I came...
Twist Dyed Tablecloths with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – DIY
What a wonderful opportunity for free creative expression. A friend asked me to help her create a number of Twist Dyed tablecloths for a function. Neither of us had tried it before. We put in some research, and were delighted with the result. It was a great...
Collecting – Rose Gold Glass with Copper
Rose gold is the term I used to describe the colour of this collection of vintage glassware. We collected bits and pieces over the past few months for a special family wedding. Now that the memories of a wonderful day are safely packed away, I am enjoying the...
Crochet Stars – A quick handcraft project for Christmas
It's so good to be making again! We have just finished moving house, studio and my husband's office into beautiful temporary space. I'm making some last minute Christmas favours. Crochet Stars for Christmas. I followed crafter and crocheter - Matt's clear...
Sari Tarpaulin – Simple Event Decor Idea
My passion for collecting saris is no secret. I have a huge collection, neatly coiled into shelves in my studio. I have used saris to make bags, to create furoshiki wrapping, to make necklaces and brooches, tablecloths, cushion covers...
Upcycled Cardigans
Today's story - Upcycle sweater - Tutorial Here's how it happened in real life to 2 warm and fluffy pullovers. They have been converted into cardigans - projects perfect for our chilly Southern Hemisphere weather right now. The first is family heirloom Angora...
Botanical Bottles
We have made a huge decision - to put our house on the market. With that has come a mix of emotions - the heartache of leaving a much-loved home full of memories behind and the excitement of the adventure of finding something new. It has also resulted in action,...
3D Still Life – Painted Gondwana Blooms
Proteas from a couple of gift bouquets I received were left to dry for a few weeks.... - and then brought back to life again with a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I painted the petals with Emperor's Silk Red and then dipped the centre stigmas into a thinned down...
Mini Paint Project
I've been doing a number of small paint projects at home, using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. According to the website, it is very easy to work with and rarely requires any prep, such as sanding or priming. It can be used on just about any surface - from wood to metal,...
Cords – Rainbow Tinted Coils
I have a copy of Elizabeth Glasier Foster's book - Embroidery and Design in the New Stitchery, published in 1926. Included in this volume is a chapter on making the most interesting cords. Her colourful encouragement lights up the black and white pages with...
Kanzashi Flower Necklace
Japanese styled fabric flower necklace created from local vintage sari fabric. Threaded with a hand-twisted cotton cord and finished off with touches of crochet. Available as a Boutique Limited Edition option from Freshly Found More colour options coming...
Azuma Bukuro Bags
Azuma Bukuro - Quite a mouthful! A clever and simple traditional Japanese style bag. Also called a wrap bag or triangle bag. [I believe Azuma means East and Bukuro means bag or wrapping] It's made from a rectangle of fabric that's cleverly folded and stitched. I made...
Button and Thread Bracelets
I made these bracelets for myself. I did not want the buttons to be the star of the show, rather the pattern formed by the thread as it dipped in and out of the button holes. I hope to try out some more and document the process. Update - Tutorial here ☺...
The Same
There is something so pleasing about having collections of similar things - Similar shapes, Similar sizes, similar uses and similar colours. For a while I have been collecting wooden goodies - spoons, apples, egg cups, bowls, knife handles and even a shoe polish...
Paper Earrings
Freshly Found Heart Shaped Earrings made from recycled book spines And recycled packaging materials... Happy Valentine's...