NikkiMay28

Home made fabric Doorstop

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:46:00 +0000

Another sewing adventure... Been looking on ebay at the fabric doorstop which are really attractive, and even on Ebay - over -priced.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cath-Kidston-Boats-Fabric-Doorstop_W0QQitemZ270472356883QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE?hash=item3ef968a413#ht_500wt_975

So, I rustled up some fabric offcuts, and got out the sewing machine.

Method

2 ways to do this, I cheated - so one long rectangular piece to go all around the outside, and 2 smaller ones, of equal size - one for the top, one for the bottom. Plus a 2 long slender pieces to make a handle for the top.

I found pinning the pieces together really helpful. I made a long tube from my 2 long slender pieces and turned the right way out - then I used iron on bonding inside to make more rigid. This was then pinned to the seams of the top - only then did I actually sew around the edges. Hey presto, half done. The bottom was harder, all those small spaces argh! but a bit of patience, and taking it slowly if you're not a seamstress and actually you end up with the fabric shell. Don't forget to leave a small opening for filling!

A friend recommended a good filling, to provide enough weight, but not too hard to stub your toe on. So, I filled with either rice or pearl barley using a funnel made this particularly easy. Then sew up and pop in front of a door - stand back and admire your handiwork. The only one thing I'd mention is not to get it wet as the rice/barley won't like it!

Materials:

Fabric, you don't need very much

Pins

Fabric iron on bonding

Filling - rice or pearl barley will do.

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Don't like it? Paint it!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:49:00 +0000

I bought a ghastly orangey pine wall shelf unit on Ebay for the princely sum of £3. I did not buy it for it's colour, but the fact that it has unusual detail cut into each side. This made it distinctive, and in my book indicated potential.

First I sanded it back to the bare wood, to make this faster I dug out the old power tools, detail sander went down a treat into awkward corners.

Next, I primed it, using wood primer and thumb twiddled while it dried.

Then, after 2 coats of eggshell paint, in this case a very pale powdery purple, I had an unrecognisable shelf unit, that is a fantastic addition to my daughters room, it looks like I forked out a fortune for her to display her treasured trinkets. If you like the shabby chic look you'd use some sandpaper to gently scuff the paint here and there and give it a slightly used look, this is most convincing on edges. You could also stencil your own design on for a truly customised, country look.

And the beauty of it is, once you have these materials, they go pretty far so you can re-vamp till your hearts content.

You will need:

Sand paper/sander.

Wood primer

Eggshell paint

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Heart mini chalk boards - make your own!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:32:00 +0000

In September my very lovely sister had a birthday, and being rather cash strapped - but full of ideas I set to work on a little project.

The idea, small heart shaped chalk boards hung from red ribbons to leave little love notes (or reminders!) round the house. Also a nice present for a teenage girl to hang on the door as a do not disturb sign!

Method:

Get your hands on some MDF, you don't need much, this is a great way to use up offcuts. Sketch out a pencil outline in the shape of your choice, in this case a heart.

Now the really fun bit, using a jig saw, slowly cut out your shape - this may not be possible the first time if you are not used to using a jig saw, be prepared to take your time with this, the sense of achievement when you nail it is fab.

Now you have your shape get some sandpaper to the edges to soften them and smooth out the odd imperfection. I then drilled a small hole in order for it to be hung, mine was at a jaunty angle on one side to give it charachter and extra charm.

Prime with PVA glue to seal.

Paint with blackboard paint, a couple of coats is good.

Thread your choice of ribbon through, and if including a gift card add now! (I cut out red rectangles from card, got a neat hole with a hole punch and 'handmade for you by....') Tie the bow carefully and voila! A rather lovely, very tactile and smart looking gift.

I also made a larger heart, and painted it up with the blackboard paint again and added a bracket on the back to wall mount as a companion gift.

Shopping List.

MDF, PVA, Blackboard Paint, Ribbon

You will also need:

Jig Saw, Drill, sandpaper, paintbrush.

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Invaluable tool for quicker and easier DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:40:00 +0000

Yesterday I had to dis-assemble a bed frame, and then assemble another one. This is a very easy, but mind numbing thing to have to do - and usually I end up with fairly sore hands from having to each individual screw into it's appropriate place. This is the bit I don't like about assembling furniture - yes it's great when it's all up and lovely - but anybody who has ever assembled anything flat packed will know that there are always about twice the amount of things to screw in than you'e think was even possible!

So it has been something I have been wanting for a long while - a powered screw driver - aaaaah! And I have recently got one - so the bed assembling was the perfect oppourtunity to see if this really was something worth having.

And the verdict?

No person who has to screw anything should be without one!!! It made seriously light work of my task, and no sore hands at the end of it, indeed, in my half hour time frame one bed was was taken apart, the other assembled and I was able to make up the bed and tidy the room to be presented to my daughter! Fantastic.

And what is more, the one I have is not all bells and whistles, it was priced very reasonably at Wickes (one of my favourite places!) I gather some can bend into awkward corners and some some also have a LED light to show clearly what you are intending to screw into - all very nice, but for starters, mine is a HUGE improvement on hand power!

The outgoing bed incidentally was sold on Ebay, really worth doing if only to make someone else take it away!

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Ebay is top of the shops for home furnishings

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:09:00 +0000

I am a recent convert to Ebay, and I don't mind admitting that I am slightly addicted now. The buzz you get from making money on items you're selling is only equalled by the elation of being the winning bidder on something you really wanted!

So I made a commitment to myself, and our bank account, that I would only spend what I have earnt, otherwise I think the temptation would be far too great with all those goodies on offer! Thing is, it is a very useful constraint as you only buy what you actually want or need, and don't get caught in the trap of buying anything and everything.

So far I have bagged some delicious bargains. probably my favourite being 2 gothic arched mirrors for just £29, a fraction of what they would have cost me new in a shop. Nobody has walked past them without passing some comment on their charm! But also I did manage to pay just 99p for 4 coffee tables - 2 I did give away, but the remaining 2 have been sanded back and are enjoying a new lease of life - and I am feeling very smug for having paid so little.

Do beware though of losing your heart to something but not sticking to your final price - that is the price you won't pay above - I must admit that I have done this once, and whilst I am happy with the purchase, I have that sneaky feeling that I did overpay which does take the edge off! Oh, and always bear in mind the price including postage, or the hassle it will be to pick it up - that has been the deciding factor in many things I have had my eye on!

My one moan is that I really enjoy getting each transaction complete, and so few people leave feedback promptly!

Sorry to sound like a bit of a bore - but I also think that Ebay makes perfect sense in these financially challenging times, I'll bet most of us have stuff that we own but never ever use! Plus surely this is a slightly greener way of consumerism, as it is re-distributing things rather than creating demand for new?

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Burn (sustainable) wood - not your money!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Three years ago we moved into out house. I had a list of things that I wanted changed - immediately! And one of them was to remove the ghastly gas fire, which we weren't even sure was safe.. and re-instate the fireplace.

Of course, things take time, and the kitchen and bathroom were priorities, and the ugly fireplace remained there - lurking. Until, one afternoon last year, with the help of the builder, the gas fire was removed (don't worry - was all disconnected when kitchen was re-done!)

But a house more than 10 years old always hides away a few surprises. And behind the ugly fire was and even uglier redundant back boiler. And it was bricked in.

So the project slowed... as I chipped and chipped away at the bricks, and after they were removed it took quite some time to pluck up the courage to pull the thing out and grind the old pipes away. (could not have done this without hubby's help)

To cut a very long story short(er) we initially had the chimney swept and had a simple firebasket. But our intention was to 'upgrade' to a Jetmaster, a convector fire box that is far more efficient, and rather easy on the eye! We managed to get a builder friend to part with a used one and then the real hard work began - there was a tiny difference between the size of the hole and the firebox, many hours with a chisel later it finally slid in .

Was it all worth it?

Heck yes!!!!!!!!!!

Having an open fire is just lovely, there is nothing like it. But even better than that, since finding a good place to buy our firewood, it is saving us money hand over fist, our gas bill just went down by £30 a month! Plus, it's sustainable energy, so cheaper for us and greener - installing the jetmaster was an excellent investment and an enjoyable addition to our home.

New Favourite Places

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:31:00 +0000

I was trawling the Internet recently and stumbled across a place called Witney Warehouse, though I must admit I took no action, and had no idea where it was.

Today I decided that as I was doing a few errands around town I'd hunt for the place.

What I found is a little gem, a large warehouse full of goodies, most old, some new. There is everything from enormous stripped pine dressers, to repro mirrors, chairs, painted furniture - just a wealth of goodies. And of course part of the charm is that they have age, and are one offs.

I was pleasantly surprised to be offered a coffee as I browsed their stock, and found the owner and staff to be helpful and friendly. What's more -they encourage you to haggle a bit on the prices! Quite how I came to leave the place without having bought something just shows that I have incredible self control (ha ha!) as I would happily have bought most of their stock.

It does surprise me that in this credit crunch, as we are not tending to buy new. that there are not more places selling what is second hand, but gorgeous quality furniture and home furnishings. The only other affordable, but sometimes slightly over-priced second hand furniture place in Witney is Sobell warehouse, where you can stumble across some little gems also, but generally it's pretty dull furniture.

Sobell House warehouse however is unbeatable for clothing, at £1 per item, or 50p per item for kids wear why would you shop anywhere else? You do have to keep visiting however as sometimes the stock is less than exciting. Today though I bought a number of kids designer outfits and my total spend was under £5! They also do homewares. Only downside is that they presently only open on Tuesday and Friday mornings (10-1) and some Sunday's.

But it's not just a good idea to save money by buying at these places - in this re-cycling focused society surely re-using things should be something we're doing more and more of??!

If anybody has any more tips on places like these - I really want to know about them. I am so used to seeking out bargains that I really hate to pay full price for anything!

New President - new hope?

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:37:00 +0000

I have just torn myself away from the TV coverage - myself and so many others have been watching with a measure of wonder, curiosity and great interest as Barack Obama officially took office. So it is, the first black American begins to lead possibly the most powerful nation, but a nation in deep crisis.

So, as a British 30 something, aware of what is happening in my area, but also in the country, and world at large - I wait, rather impatiently, to see good things. I did feel his was an offer of hope, but also the promise to make and swallow hard choices. Will his charisma and persuasion steer his nation to better times - and what effect will it have the wider world?

Today I am inspired to hope for the best.

Birthday - evening

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:18:00 +0000

The day was something of a damp squid, life went on as usual and very little marked today as being anything special.

This evening though I know that Robin had arranged a birthday meal out for us. To be honest, I was wondering if I was going to bother. Now I am glad I did.

Because I had not been a party to a bit of scheming done by a (very) loving husband. In the past few weeks he had been carefully selecting and inviting friends and family to join us for this birthday meal.

My first surprise was that the taxi was not so much a taxi but a cruisy friends car - with them along too! Then I did not even notice my lovely in-laws as we went into the restaurant! And to top it off - a beloved sister and brother in law too. All in on the secret, and all, a surprise to me.

I've not smiled so much in ages, I drank in the pure pleasure of having these people not only in my life, but willing and able to be there to celebrate my birthday! It was the best present, to be valued by these fabulous people. So thank you, you know who you are. You made this evening really special for me. What a great way to end a birthday.

Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:22:00 +0000

Well, it's here again, March 28th, my birthday. And this year it is grey and pouring with rain.

Sadly, my 'Big' present has arrived and had to be returned (they sent the wrong one) And the gorgeous shoes I bought myself yesterday are far too summery to wear today - aw! Oh, and yesterday I lost my voice, and it's only just returning!

What was totally lovely though, was having the kids wake me up singing 'happy birthday', swiftly followed by my dear hubby with breakfast in bed. I may brave the weather later for a little retail therapy... then again, I may not.

Fairtrade cuppa

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:10:00 +0000

I may well be discovering this LONG after everyone else - but I was pleased to find out today that Tchibo coffees are fairtrade in their cafe's. Sadly the sugar they use is not - yet, but I gather some employees are pushing for it to be. Also, their ground coffees available to buy are Fairtrade as well - with the exception of instant which they are working on! It's very nice to know that the fairtrade movement is spreading to the high street.

Oh, and when buying your ground coffee to take home, why not pick up some chocolate as the perfect accompaniment? Tchibo chocolate bars are Fairtrade too!!!!!

There are many Fairtrade products popping up all over the place - it's great not to have to go out of your way to choose more responsibly

BBC iplayer

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:52:00 +0000

A good few months ago, I was invited to be a part of a test group for the BBC iplayer (before it's launch obviously) There was a kooky log on process, and if you got past that, the thing kept falling over and was barely useable. In fact, I gave up on it, and only when the ads on tv started coming thick and fast, did I bother to look it up again.

I am really glad that I did. It is a rare and wonderful thing when something works so well! I was surprised that it is so easy to use, and plays your selected tv show with no delays, or out of sync sound - it even allows downloads of higher quality.

In this sky/itunes climate, we've become somewhat resigned to paying for on demand and/or quality programmes - how refreshing it is to access many (sadly not all) BBC programmes, in many genres - FREE!!!! (ok, technically anyone who pay for a tv licence is paying for this anyway ....) No credit card needed, just click, and enjoy.

Missed a BBC show lately? Check out BBC iPlayer.

Re-cycling round here is rubbish

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:04:00 +0000

We are constantly being told to reduce, reuse or recycle. And I believe that we should be doing all we can to reduce the impact that we have on our envionment.

Probably the easist thing to do is use the kerbside re-cycling schemes that most, if not all local authorities now provide. When we moved to our present address I was pleasantly surprised I could request any number of boxes, and had a long list of what can go in them. In our 3 boxes I even seperate the items so that it is a simple case of the boxes being emptied into the correct bin on the truck. I'm doing my bit.

But the company who are contracted to gather all this stuff we have washed out, and seperated are not playing ball. They discard the lids and boxes all over the kerb and road - and take no care to make sure all the items go into the truck - leaving a trail of litter behind them! Plus, sometimes they don't even turn up on the right day, so we're guessing whether to take the boxes in or hope they'll come the next day.

I have complained, so have others. I also believe that it is discouraging some from bothering to recycle at all, as all they seem to do is pick up their re-cycling that has been strewn all over the street.

Are we alone I wonder...

Another unpleasant animal incident. Two in a day!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 22:57:00 +0000

Herbie the kitten mistook the magazine rack for his litter tray.

Magazine rack, linen, in the bin.

Magazines, catalogues, papers, design file...... in the bin.

Kitten. In the dog house (not literally)

Nasty thing in the car park

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 22:40:00 +0000

I Pulled into the car park at our local Sainsbury's this morning. As I stepped out of my car a huge mangy, rat sauntered between the cars and into the trolley park. I don't think I actually did anything because I was frankly taken aback by how relaxed it looked.

I made a beeline for customer services where I mentioned the flea bitten car park visitor, they pleasantly thanked me for letting them know (but as far as I am aware - did nothing) I had to scoot round selecting items from high up shelves that could not have possibly been anyplace near that thing, all the while dreading going back out the car in case I might find the rat leaning against the car or something, eugh!

Rats and supermarkets - bad mental association, just can't shake it........

facebook - the blog killer?

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:44:00 +0000

I just realised that it has been a really long time since I last posted. Over two months which previous to the summer would have been unthinkable! So to all those who dip in every now and then - I guess an explanation might be helpful.

I blame it all on Facebook.

I was probably one of the most cynical about facebook's benefits until I joined in. But now I am finding it just as compulsive as everyone else. It is such an easy way to re-connect with people that you've fallen out of touch with, and keeping up wth friends and family all over the globe is now easier and fun. I do agree with it's critics that a large part of it is essentially a waste of time, but I myself have found it a great tool, and I pick and choose which things I sign up to, tailoring it to the way I want to use it.

I do wonder how many people will actually read this - it is more likely I'll hear from you on Facebook.

Lovefilm?

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:01:00 +0000

We do. So we're subscribers to Lovefilm, where we have lists of the movies we want to see - and they mail them to us! Simple, and wonderful. Then we post them back just as soon as we've finished with them - or after how ever long it takes for us to get around to watching them.

Interested? Then go here

Happy Birthday Robin1

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:52:00 +0000

Just a quick post to wish Robin a Happy Birthday today! Seem to be having a couple of tech issues so not sure the picture i selected of youwill appear! Hope you'll have a lovely day with us, Nx

Floods

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:10:00 +0000

Just a brief post on the floods. You may be aware that our region is presently being hit very hard with floods - for most of the weekend we were pretty much stuck in the village as all the roads out were under water. Where we are is now fine - roads are mostly opened again.

Also just wanted to mention that the worst it got for us was a drippy conservatory, and a slightly hairy journey home for Robin on Friday.

Oxford though is under water - Botley and Osney seem particularly hard hit, and are totally flooded. Witney is drying up, though strewn with sandbags and spoilt carpets left outside. The car parks are mostly full of water and not cars which is a bit weird.

Our biggest problem now is that Robin's route to work remains either flooded, or closed whilst they clean up debris. Going out and doing lots of summer activities with the kids is pretty much a no-no as it's difficult to keep up with which roads are open, and which are closed.

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:07:00 +0000

Look who came for lunch today! Pretty amazing to see such a wonderful bird in the garden - not bothered at all by the rain!

A silver lining to the rain clouds

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:13:00 +0000

This morning I have dropped the kids in school for their last day before the summer break. They were so dismayed to wake up to rain, and even more annoyed when it got heavier and even more persistent.

So we trudged to school in waterproofs, wellies and clutching umbrellas - and even then arrived rather soggy around the edges.

School had a slightly empty feel with wall displays gone, no book bags - but a very damp sort of smell wafting through the classrooms once you got past abandoned wellies and little streams forming on the cloakroom floors from the dripping coats. Most kids looked a little glum, and nearly every parent seemed bedraggled and ever so slightly fed up.

So I kept the fact that I actually welcome the rain to myself. You see, every day for the past week - and for a few weeks to come (if it has not rained) I have been setting up the sprinkler to water our newly laid turf. We've waited the past year for a useable garden and finally got around to having it levelled out and laid. Most people will tell you that it's not good to lay turf in the Summer as it's prone to dry out and not establish itself particularly well. Not this year.

Looking outside the lawn is looking lush and green, it's soaking all this rain up and putting down it's roots. I can't really moan about the weather just now!

Summer school holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:45:00 +0000

I came across this article on the BBC website today detailing how many weeks of school holidays the UK and continental countries have. I have to say that I was stunned that we have the shortest summer break - with Portugal for instance having 12 weeks break!

I did think it interesting that even though we have our kids in school so much more - we do not seem to match up to the educational standards of some countries with far longer breaks.

Are our kids too worn out, is what they actually need more time off? Ooh, slightly controversial maybe - I for one do not find the summer holidays all that easy, but have we geared our educational year all wrong? I have often though that longer breaks spaced more evenly through the year would be a far better idea to beat the summer burn out and then September scramble to catch up. Comments?

Ninja arrested in Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:57:00 +0000

Yes really - well sort of! Take a look here

How to move a gas meter....

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 16:39:00 +0000

Our kitchen is pretty much falling apart - the drawers gave up a couple of months ago and the remaining cupboards are ancient and bashed up. There is a bit of an issue with getting a new kitchen though - we have a lot of awkward restrictions on the kitchen space that we have - things like waste pipes, small windows, and the biggie - a larder that has to remain taking up piles of space.

So we've been having a good think - and came up with a workable solution - house the washing machine and dryer in the larder, which will enable us to have a dishwasher again, and far more cupboard space. But oh, there is a problem. The gas meter eats into the larder floorspace and needs moving to the right about 80cms.

People move gas meters all the time no doubt, so I didn't expect to find it too difficult to get a quote for having it done, or indeed to waste SO much time on the phone even finding out who does it.

You see, British Gas are inept, They have misinformed me repeatedly, and seem utterly clueless. I have been told on two occasions that Fulcrum Connections are the company who move meters - Nah. Oh, and they also told me it would be free if moving the meter less than 1 metre - Nah again. Fulcrem though are not a great deal better, I left my details for a pack that never arrived, and initially could not even talk to a real person! Thankfully, at last, one bright spark told me that Scotia are the ones for us - they were helpful and even had an online for to help speed things up.

Now we wait for a surveyor and a quote - I just know it's going to be more pricey than we'd like!

French Charm

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki Mayfield) — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:24:00 +0000

I was reading through a home magazine and one product caught my eye - a French enamel sign. Been thinking about wall decoration a lot lately - ours are presently rather bland.

So I looked up Lavender & Sage online. I really enjoyed looking through the various categories, wishing I could furnish a quaint French farmhouse with most of their stock. They seem to sell a wide range from some odd pieces of fairly rustic furniture to kitchenware and lovely bits for the salle de bain (bathroom!) Of course I couldn't very well be looking through all these goodies without wondering hoe Anni's house is coming on, I hope we'll get to visit soon.