Upcycled Egg cups...

This upcycle began as a set of very retro egg cups found at the second hand shop...
They were from the 70s made from wood and ceramic.

I got all four for for 40 CENTS.

Gotta love a bargain!!

Now if I was a Retro fan they would just be left in all their original glory...

but y'all know me now I'm sure...

and white is for me.

So out came that trusty spray paint...

Rustoleum of course,

and in a matter of minutes - Retro became French Country.

A crime to some I'm sure.

But for me white is the obvious match for my white dinner set.

Though I did leave the insides of the egg cups the original gold ceramic for a nice contrast.

These sweet textured and now white egg cups will be used...


as quirky window flower vases,
for this Easter, the themed decor has extended to the kitchen.
And aren't these so sweet on the window sill.

And also to be used as an egg cup.

Because I love boiled eggs too!

What a win win!
cute and pretty...but also practical!


#upcycling  #diyvases

FREE Watercolour Rabbit Printable For Easter!

How about a little rabbit cuteness to add to your Easter home decor,

Or to gift?

This rabbit has been created in watercolour with ink and is available FREE. 

An Easter gift from me to you.

Copy and paste to your computer then print on A4 size white card or paper.

© Copyright Note:

This rabbit artwork was created by Tracey Lee Cassin.

It may not be reproduced for sale or profit.

The image may not be digitally or otherwise altered in any way.

The Rabbit Watercolour image is for your personal use only,

 to use framed in your own home decor or to print, frame and gift for Easter. 

#Easter #rabbit #artwork #freeprintable

The CUTEST Rabbit Cake Ever...

Well ain't this the CUTEST rabbit cake you ever did see?

There is a bit of fiddly prep,

but actually it is not too hard to create.

This cake was for a 3 year old girls birthday.

But would it not be the most fun cake to serve to family and friends this EASTER?

The first step in the week before making the cake,
you need to make the rabbit ears.

I just free hand drew the ear shape, 
but on the internet there are many free rabbit ear templates.
The ears were large at about 25 cm tall.

Then I cut out a smaller set of pink for the inner layer.
These were 15cm tall.

Then I decorated them.
The final step was to attach them to the iceblock stick with glue.

And this is the final result.

For the cake - I whipped up two packets of ready mix Strawberry cake.

These were baked in two large 23cm by 8cm deep cake pans.
Once cake is cold, remove it from pan and slice off tops so it's flat.
These cake slices can be frozen to use in trifle  type desserts.
Then ice the bottom cake layer (cut side up) with vanilla frosting, 
Top with other cake layer - with the cut side facing down to the frosting.

Place a thin layer of frosting over the entire cake.
Roll out white ready roll icing and cover the cake.

Then place the ears on top.

Make a pink strawberry frosting and create little swirls around the ears.
Decorate with edible paper flowers.

On the front pipe two eyes and a little pink nose.

To decorate the back of the cake place more pink icing swirls and more paper flowers.

It was a huge HOPPY hit at this Birthday Party...

And I think it would be as equally fabulous as a Easter cake.

The Rabbit cake was almost as big as the Birthday Girl!!

Pre Packet cake mix is a real timesaver...
and you know what?
It was pretty delicious too!

#rabbitcake #childrensbirthdaycakes #cakedecorating

Pastel Painted Glassware...

This is a 'Quick and Easy' painted glassware project.

Honestly it took an entire FIVE MINUTES!

You will need some glass items.

I have used a mini vase, jug, and wide neck bottle.

And you will also need some paint in pastel colours of your choice.

I use the Rust-oleum brand of spray paint as it has a fabulous coverage.

I chose Duck Egg, Gloss White, and Citron in matte.

Make sure you use a quality paint like Rust-oleum because it makes a huge difference to the project end result!

You need to be in a well ventilated area to spray the glassware.

What you do is shake can to mix paint well,

and place the nozzle in the glassware opening and spray, turn glassware, spray.

Until you have a good coverage of the inside.

Clean up any painty finger prints and drips then set aside to dry.

I'm going to use this pretty pastel painted glassware on my Easter Sideboard in my dining room.

Once I have finished all my Easter inspired pieces I'll show you the finished vignette.
Meantime....I think I need to create some pastel paper flowers to go with this pastel bunch of glassware pretty!


#painted #glass #spraypaint #easypaintcraft

Easy Sew Lavender Pillows...❥

Easy Sew Lavender Pillows are something I sew every few years...

they are handy to have on hand for when you need that unexpected gift to give.

I use mine under my bed pillow because lavender not only has a wonderful aroma,

it is very calming and helps aid sleep.

There are about 450 different varieties of lavender.

It is very easy to grow and take cuttings from in Spring to create new plants.

I have Lavender growing in various parts of the garden.

The plants like a sunny position that's well drained.

The lavender I grow is English Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)

I like this one because it has a strong scent and drys well.  

The scent actually lasts well over a year once dried.

To make  the 'Easy Sew Lavender Pillows' you will need:

Fabric 

Cotton

sewing machine

Needle and thread

Buttons and ribbon bows if embellishing the pillows

Step one:

Cut on fold - the fabric into into a rectangle measuring 16 x 14 centimetres.

Step two:

Sew edges together leaving a good size gap for putting lavender in.

Turn right side out.

Step three:

Poke corners out with a skewer.

Step four:

Press with iron.

Step five:

Stuff with dry lavender. 

Then stitch an outside edge around whole pillow to seal opening and give detail edging to pillow.

Step six:

Stitch a button or bow of ribbon on front if desired.

#lavender #lavenderpillows #sewing #crafts #homemade

DIY Upcycled Headboard and Beautiful Art!

I wanted to show y'all this upcycled headboard... 

And this beautiful new artwork print.

My daughter was in need of a new headboard for a queen size bed,

I searched what was available from stores in my town.

The result was:

Don't like that...

Nice but won't suit the décor style...

or

perfect but too expensive!

Next was an online search...

and there was soooooooo many to choose from.

But most were way out of my price range,

or the freight charges to my tiny township were exorbitant!

SO that left the DIY upcycle option...
And that is exactly what happened.

I came across a damaged modern country style pine headboard.
With a little bartering I managed to acquire it for just $60.

 The broken end knobs were removed and wood sealed.
Then the entire headboard was sanded.


And then two coats of chalk paint in pure white was applied.
Once dry it was waxed.

And here it is attached to the queen size bed.

A string of battery operated fairy lights were twisted around it...

A gals just gotta have pretty!

 
And here is a closeup of a Tabatha Forbes print.
Isn't it beautiful?
This artwork is from Tabatha's 'Ei Katu' collection.
(You can read about this and her other projects HERE.)
This limited Edition print was chosen as a memorial piece to the 'Little White Dog - Gracie'
who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in October last year.

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful dog in lei form which in the Pacific Island of Rarotonga is worn to celebrate.
We celebrate our memories of Gracie.
Also Tabatha has connections to Rarotonga, as we also do, 
with many fond times spent there.
That is why this beautiful art seemed all the more perfect!

 As this artwork is the focal point of the room,
 the decor pieces were selected to compliment it.


Softs greys, whites, pastel pinks and sage greens.

With a pop of bright colours too.

And flowers...in brights,

 And soft pink hues.
This room with it's new artwork , decor pieces, and headboard 
is soft and welcoming...
everything my daughter wished for!


#diy #headboard #pastels #upcycled #pinks #bedroom #decor

Free Photographic Quote...

The smallest things can warm the heart...

Just like this tiny fern frond!

Isn't simply beautiful?

You'll find more of my 'Photographic Quotes' HERE.

#photography #photo #filter #fern #frond #nature #quote