Patchwork Footstool

 

My beautiful friend (and workmate) Ellena picked this footstool off the side of the road for me. She took it on her bike to work. Dedication.

I was going to cover it in more stripes but had a brilliant flash of inspiration to do a bit of a patchwork look in pretty corals and creams.

I am absolutely stoked with how this came out.

And as per my resolution (non-specific, just to get rid of crap we don't REALLY need/want)
it is FOR SALE over here on Trade Me.

Plus if you ever see things like this on the side of the road (in Christchurch) let me know! It is one of my favourite versions of recycling.

xx

Vintage Bike Restoration

 (post written in Amy's words)

In April 2012 I wrote a post about an old vintage bike we bought from Trade Me and were planning to do up. You can read the post HERE.

After a final burst of motivation by Dave he finished the bike yesterday! (I say that he did because, to be honest, I pretty much did nothing to help with this project. I did some sanding of the guards and cleaned the wheels)

And here are more photos, in a general order, of the restoration process...

Rust-proof primer on the body

Black top coat with the guards in the background

Tape around the bits that will be painted cream

All the accents taped up ready to be painted

Leather seat purchased from Trade Me

Comfy springs

Front forks all painted up

Back rack

Slowly coming together (phone photo sorry!)

Armstrong

12 Things in 2012

As the year draws to a close, I thought I might make mention of a few significant things that went on in my life in 2012.

1. I gave up coffee. This is a big deal for coffee-loving Amy. It was a recommendation from my dr as my blood pressure is running pretty high. It seems to be making a slight difference so I shall continue to be (mostly) caffeine free. I have the odd glass of coke and chocolate so can't properly claim caffeine free. I had my last cup of coffee in mid- May so 7 months going strong.

2. I learnt how to use power tools. Dave taught me about the different types of power tools on an educational trip to Mitre 10 and supervised me using a skill saw. It is fair to say I am a natural and I haven't looked back. Safety first though, I usually have my ear muffs on.

3. I got over my fear of the Dr. I'm not sure if it was a fear but more a waste of money. However my view has changed dramatically and I very much appreciate the service that GPs do. I am now much more likely to suggest a trip to the Dr if something is not quite right.

4. The dentist. I won't tell you how long I left my teeth to do their own thing but this year I finally got them sorted. Just a few fillings mind you, but any longer and things could have turned out differently. I would like to thank my IRD refund for that.

5. I started blogging! It seems like I have been at it for way longer than a year but my blog history tells me that I started blogging just after New Years 2012.
Blogging has done wonders for my creative life. I am much more motivated and have made a tonne of new 'friends' to share and gain inspiration.

6. I am on my way to starting a mini-business. My pallet art has become a decent little hobby that is proving to be very popular. Early in 2013 I hope to re do my stocks and get a felt shop up and running, as well as a few more markets.

7. This is the longest I have ever been at a job! It is coming up to 2 years and that may sound like not very long but between moving cities a bunch of times, studying and earthquakes 2 years is quite an achievement.

8. We started our house buying journey. Not quite there yet but hopefully in a few months we will own our first home!

9. We got our finances sorted. Our debt is nearly gone! (Not including student loans grumble grumble) just one year left on our car loan, totally achievable.

10. We watched the entire Stargate franchise. We also own them all. Self confessed sci-fi geeks we are.

11. We had a good go at a handmade Christmas. 90% of our gifts were handmade which I think is an awesome achievement.

12. I had my most successful (and currently only) re-purposed sale on trade me. A $2 hall table became $95 in my pocket. I aim to sell a lot more stuff in 2013. The problem is that everything I do I want to keep. But we have run out of room so the only way is out.

Happy New Years to all my readers, I pray 2013 is a year that you achieve so much more than you plan to!

Xoxo

Some Things

As well as 90% of the population, I am on holiday. The only horrible thing is that blogging becomes rather difficult when you only have an iPhone. So instead of recent crafty escapades, I thought I would rifle through my photos and give you a reminder that I am still here!!

Advent Swap Days 22-25

It's over! I am really going to miss opening a present every morning.

Day 22: measuring tapes! I must be a super slack sewer because I have none of these items Louise has gotten me! It's handy though!

Day 23: Super soft white wool

Day 24: Delicious Crunchie bars, yum

Day 25: Christmas!!! My big present was a cutter and stamp set so I can make cute labels for all my homemade items. Such I cool gift, I love it.

Thanks so much Louise, you have been a wonderful swap partner!

Merry Christmas to you all, I pray you all have a wonderful day and relax in the coming days. Xoxoxo

Advent Swap Day 17-21

Day 17: A bread saver, I was eyeing one f these up in a shop the other day, you soak it in water and stick it in the bag with your bread (or cakes etc) and it keeps it fresher longer. Handy!

Day 18: The best chocolate Cadbury make :) yum!!!

Day 19: Elastic! Also handy, I have
None in my stash, and now I do :)

Day 20: Blu-Tac. Surprisingly don't have any of this either, now I do!

Day 21: A super cool wall plaque. Now to find some space on my walls...

On the home stretch now, Advent has just flown by!!

Advent Days 13-16

Day 13: Werthers Originals - yum!!!!

Day 14: a huge roll of white thread. After using a few rolls quilt-making, this is perfect!

Day 15: Knucklebones! Fair to say I am useless but it is such a fun game.

Day 16: Some super cute woodland fabric and some cool green polka dot fabric.