Ryan's room starting to take shape

Last week I took a break from bag making slightly driven by guilt, plus a desire to see the finished project. The lining paper was completed and the white paint came out. Normally I love a spot of emulsion, but bar painting ceilings I can't remember ever painting using white emulsion and now know why, it's horrendous.

Three nights it took and the room is only 3 mtrs by 3 mtrs !! I also appear to have more paint on the floor, luckily we are changing his carpet. He are some pictures charting my progress .



I had the idea of using wrapping paper on his skirting board and have to say I'm very happy with the effect.

Had a trip to Hobbycraft on Saturday to buy some waxed card to make the template for his wallpaper. He wants various sport related images on one wall, not sure how it will all come together but we are getting there.

 The plan had been to give him a bit of Astroturf as his carpet to tie in with the football / sport theme.






However on looking at samples I decided it would be too rough under foot and we now have a red or green carpet to choose from.

 Not quite there yet but definitely getting closer. It's his birthday next month and I really want to have it finished before then....so watch this space
Nat x

Sport Cartoon Decoupage Numbers

Cartoon Decoupage Tutorial

If you read my earlier blog, you will know that I am starting a room makeover for my stepson Ryan. His list was quite long and slightly challenging, but I do love a challenge. He wants the shirts of his two favourite footballers on his wall, Messi and Pele. Even as someone that does not follow football, I realised that replica shirts would be very expensive and as my budget for the makeover is pretty small, I decided I needed to improvise. I plan to draw the outline of the shirt on the wall and use covered cardboard for the player's numbers. Both players wear number ten, not sure yet how I will do the player's names but sure I will think of something. 

I got the numbers after a trip to my local  Hobbycraft ,at only £2 each,I thought they were very reasonable. I also picked up to some Mod Podge and a brush. Well with numbers, glue and brush all I needed to get started was some football magazines. Thankfully he has a big drawer full of Match magazines, so armed with a pile of last years editions I was ready to get started. Below is my go at a tutorial to show you what to do:

1. First grab yourself a tray or cover your table with a cloth or some paper.
2. Go through your magazines and cut out the images you want to use, the more the better as you can pick and choose which you want to  use where.

   

   My number ready to be decoupaged

3. Once you have a piece selected for use cover it with Mod Podge and place it on your number. If the area has any curves I found it better to cut the pieces into thin strips. That way you don't get any creases or wrinkles. 
4. if your number has a middle, as with my zero, I found it easier to cover the inside first.

   

   Starting to stick my pieces on - I realised it was better to do the edges first after I took this picture

5. Once this done, then cover the outer edge.
6. The last step is to cover the centre sections front and back. Make sure to let some of your pieces go over to the side to let the deign flow.
7. Once you have covered the whole area feel free to go over the design with a layer of Mod Podge to seal it.



The finished number - not bad for a first attempt

8. All that is left is to stand back and admire your handiwork.

I love the look of this so much, I think i may have to decoupage his bed and skirting board

Number ten ready to go on the wall

Well I hope this has shown you how easy and inexpensive it is to do some decoupage yourself. I'd love for you to share your ideas and projects with me.

Autumn weekends - perfect for projects

The start of the football season in our house means one thing, Saturday afternoons without the boys. An afternoon of peace and quiet and time to get my sewing machine out or partake in some crafts.
Already I have become quite excited and have my to do list ready. My 9 year old stepson's bedroom is in desperate need of a makeover  and as he is sport mad, the theme he has asked for is no surprise.

Ryan's wishlist

Also on my list is a decoupage project to makeover my under sink cupboard in the bathroom, I also want to make some little lavender teabags and try my hand at making handbags.

Lavender Teabag Sachets by PatchworkPottery on Flickr

It certainly looks like my weekends are going to be pretty busy for the next few months. Who knows I may even try and make some gifts for Christmas. 

Well no time to lose... best get to it..