Tag Archives: DIY

Farewell 2014

2014 IMG_4672 IMG_8359

2014, what a year you have been.

Blackbird became my job, we moved house and literally moved a house, moved cities,  began renovations on our first home, had our Coco Darling, Lost our Coco Darling, Gained 15kgs, Lost 22kgs ( and counting ) Celebrated 5 years of marriage, went to Vietnam,  Opened a pop up shop and got ourselves our puppy Frankie Blossom.

It has been a hell of a year, we have been so heart broken, so defeated, but we have been so happy, so thankful and have become far better for it. In saying that, I am happy to see the back end of you 2014. 2015, you better be a great year.

 I want to thank all you beautiful, wonderful and dedicated readers, I never thought anyone would want to read about my life, our Coco, home renovations or my DIY’s. But you did! And you do! So thank you, I cant wait to share what is happening in 2015.

Wishing you and your families an incredible, simple, beautiful and refreshing holiday season.  See you in the new year!!

Until next time,BlackbirdBLOG signature

MAKE IT | orange ornaments

DehydratedornamentsBLACKBIRDBLOG IMG_9767 IMG_9770 IMG_9779

Every year I decide on my new Christmas ‘theme’ and hunt high and low for the right decorations, as well as try my hand at making a few.  And the next year, I don’t like them anymore and I generally give them to the op shop. So this year on my quest for a more thoughtful Christmas I decided enough was enough.

After reading this article again in Kinfolk

“Instead of buying a bunch of meaningless ornaments just for the sake of having something to hang, let them accumulate over time so they have real stories and significance attached to them. In the meantime, adorn your home with more temporary accoutrements such as leafy satsumas, or fragrant oranges “

It resonated with me, and so I decided to do just that.

I used two oranges, cutting them around half a centimeter thick, nice and even. I then took a baking tray, lined it with grease proof paper (otherwise they stick like no bodies business) and popped the oranges on. With the oven at 120 degrees celsius, I put them in and waited. Mine seemed to dehydrate in around 2 hours. Make sure to turn them a few times or they will stick a little. I then used cotton thread and made a loop to hang them from. And that was it! Unbelievably easy.

So this year our tree holds copper lights, wooden nut crackers I bought in America the first year we were married, and dehydrated oranges.   Simple, but quite pretty really.

Until next time,BlackbirdBLOG signature

MAKE IT | shibori furoshiki wrapping

SHIBORI FUROSHIKI WRAPPING blackbirdblog TITLE

Each year I do a wrapping DIY, I am a wrapping addict, I seriously love it. Last year I made paint splatter wrapping but this year, keeping in theme of both a more sustainable christmas, and my continuing obsession with Indigo, I decided to make Shibori Furoshiki wrapping!

Furoshiki is a traditional wrapping used to wrap and transport everything from clothes to wine. There are so many ways to wrap, but I chose the basic wrap.

Shibori Furoshiki BLACKBIRD BLOG

For the shibori, I once again used linen fabric, ripped into 40cm x 68cm rectangles ( traditionally Furoshiki is around 68cm x 68cm ) Then using the same dye and technique as my Shibori Wreath I tied each one differently. One in a ring pattern, simply bunch up a small wad of fabric anywhere on your larger fabric piece, and place a rubber band around it. The areas covered by the rubber bands will create small, abstract rings of white. One in a line pattern, bunching the fabric horizontally, then binding every 5cm. One with an accordion fold then binding, and One pleating and stitching every 10cm. But you can choose whatever technique you want. I also left some plain, using the dregs of the dye for a light shade. Once again letting them to dry in the shade, and finally ripping into squares.

IMG_9709 IMG_9723IMG_9741

I wrapped following these simple Furoshiki instructions, It is such a great way to give a gift, it feels luxurious and thoughtful, plus they then have a piece of unique fabric to do with as they please!

Happy Wrapping!

Until next time,BlackbirdBLOG signature

MAKE IT | shibori wreath

ShiboriWreathDIYblackbird IMG_9615 IMG_9685 IMG_9695

As I mentioned in my Driftwood Centrepiece DIY, I am trying for a simpler christmas. This year as well as a foraged wreath, I decided to turn my hand to shibori dyeing and make a wall hanging that can last the year as well as the festive season. Plus, a nice alternative for our allergy prone friends!

Once again, this is such a simple idea that has such a big impact. Here’s how to do it..

YOU WILL NEED | Dylons Blue Jeans dye, Water, Salt, String, Metal Bucket, Rubber Gloves, 1m squared cotton, linen or other natural fibre material ( polyesters, and even mixes do not take the dye well and the result is a patchy or dull colour )

I decided to rip and leave the edges raw on mine, but this would be the time to hem if you wanted to.

First off, take your piece or material,  and fold in half, then half again. This will give you your middle point,  pinch the corner and shake the fabric to loosen the folds. Decide how big you would like your ‘wreath’. I chose 30cm from the middle. Once you have decided, measure to chosen point. Holding it firmly, begin to wind your string around tightly. The wider you wind the string the wider the ‘wreath’. Now you are ready to dye! Follow the instructions on your specific dye packet as they may vary. I kept mine submerged for 45 minutes, occasionally turning and moving it. Once dyed, ring out the excess water and dry somewhere out of the sun. DO NOT take the string off until the fabric is dry!

And your done! Time to hang it and enjoy!

Until next time,BlackbirdBLOG signature