Hessian linen cushion covers

Last Friday I ventured to Resource Rescue in Bayswater. A new non-profit outlet supplying the community with eco-friendly craft supplies, that may otherwise end in landfill. Amongst a bag of upholstery samples, yarn, zips, paper craft, vinyl and other bits and pieces, I scored a hessian sack (potatoes?), which is something I've been after for a long time.

I used some linen fabric from an upholstery sample book, some ribbon and velcro from my own craft supplies, to make hessian cushion covers.

Hessian can be messy and quite difficult to work with, so I over-locked all sides together, leaving a Velcro opening to insert cushion.







I love the texture hessian gives room decor, don't you?

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Zoo Animals

Before: Zoo animal thrifted pillowcase 50c
After: Reusable food wrap, and matching card, gifted with zoo animal gingerbread cookies

Red Necktie Owl

A little necktie owl brooch flying its way over to the UK for a gift..


Hoot, Hoot!

Linking up to these linky parties

Recycled Paper Roses

Inspired by paper flower bouquets here, here, here, and here.

Surely I could make my own recycle paper flowers? Tapping 'make a paper rose' into Youtube directed me here which gave me confidence to try out my own paper flower project, and here it is.

Materials used

Newspaper
Pink and white giftwrap stored from gift (as seen inside flowers)
Bamboo kebab sticks
Doily, $1 op shop
Blue ribbon stored from previous giftwrap
Rubber band
Sticky tape

Pink and white giftwrap shown on the inside of each newspaper flower, sticky tape to hold flower in place on bamboo stick, rubber band to fix all flower 'stems' in place, doily and blue ribbon for wrap.




I'm thinking next time I'll use some of my damaged children's books to make another bouquet, so next time, I'll blog a complete tutorial.

My first bouquet will be sent to a friend going into hospital at the end of the month.

Goodbye Laundry Detergent

In an effort to reduce waste and chemicals in our house, I have swapped shop bought laundry detergent for my own non toxic DIY version.

My laundry powder now consists of Bi-carb soda. Bi-carb Soda is made from soda ash (or sodium bicarbonate) which occurs naturally in our environment *sourced here

Whch I store in an empty nutella jar next to my washing machine

White vinegar is used for fabric softener, which is mixed with a little eucalyptus oil

stored in a fabric softener bottle from previous use.

More non toxic DIY cleaning recipes found here

Multi benefits for choosing a non toxic alternative to shop bought laundry detergents.

1. Cheaper than shop bought packaged detergents
2. Zero chemicals therefore minimal skin reaction
3. Less nasties flushed out to sea
4. Less waste by reducing the amount of empty boxes and bottles of detergent thrown out after use.

Baby Blanket Hot Water Bottle Cover

A quick ten minute project; a cover for my hot water bottle made with the baby blanket I bought at the op shop at the weekend.


It isn't perfect, but it does what it is supposed to do and is super cosy! I traced around my hot water bottle, cut two pieces of material to traced size, stitched all the way around leaving a gap at the side, and made a 'wing' of which to slide in water bottle, with Velcro closure.


I'm such a Nanna!

Op Shop Finds

A spontaneous visit to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula on this gorgeous sunny winter day, resulted in an equally spontaneous visit to JackanAndy’s, the St John’s and St Andrew’s Opportunity Shop.

I am still on a clothes shopping ban; the Free Fashion Challenge, but picked up a few non-clothing treasures.


An adorable children's book; Possom Magic by Mem Fox

“Once upon a time, but not very long ago, deep in the Australian bush, there lived two possums. Their names were Hush and Grandma Poss. Grandma Poss made bush magic…”

We stopped by a cafe in Sorrento where a waitress did a double take whilst I was reading Possum Magic to my son, "Oh I remember that book!" she says

As a child raised outside of Australia, this book is not familiar to me, little did I know Possum Magic became and remains the best known picture book in Australia and the best selling picture book ever in this country.

Look at the illustrations in Possum Magic, just wonderful..

Some snippets..




I also picked up a McCalls sewing pattern to make 5 children's bags. I have my eye on the dinosaur backpack, and can't wait to try it out.


I scored an 1970's apron pattern, but what is a little special about this find, other than it remains unused and intact, is that it still sits in a typewritten envelope to its recipient with a stamp post dated 01 May 1973. I imagine it would have been a free pattern available from the Herald & Weekly Times back in the day. The lady behind the counter said I was very lucky to find an apron pattern?!


Lastly, I picked up a polka dot fleece baby blanket for craft projects.

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