Thifty Chicken: A lovely $4 chair

With the arrival of Spring, my annual 'clean and re-decorate the house' illness has struck.  Again.  I do believe that I am genetically programed to re-do the nest on a near constant basis, but it decidedly reaches fever pitch in Spring.  When I can see the hiding dirt.  And the furniture in daylight.

So thank goodness for op shops.  I. LOVE. THEM.  Because, you find fantastic stuff that you wouldn't otherwise find, at an unbeatable price, the money goes to a good cause, and the house gets a change up: WIN/WIN/WIN/WIN!  But you already know that!

I have completed a few projects recently which I hope to share with you soon, but I wanted to jump ahead and show you this adorable chair.  It was purchased as part of my table dressing for Chicken Ink. Creative at the upcoming summer markets, but of course I could not deny Miss 4 the joy of having it in her room the other 99% of the time.

Throwing caution to the wind (i.e. with no training and no research into upholstery) I jumped into this little project, and crossed my fingers and toes, hoping for the best.  Because really, there isn't much you can't do with a staple gun.  Is there?  Did I tell you that I have an electric staple gun?  Look out world! 

This is the BEFORE and AFTER:

Cute, no?  While you're you're having a squiz, check out the other items in the room, which are either second hand, re-decorated, or handmade:

• Chest of drawers - was my grandmother's. It was dark wood, and hubby re-painted in Antique White USA.
• Mirror - was already distressed and awesome, bought from an op shop when I was in my 20's.
• Little shabby chic box - recently purchased for a song at a local op shop.
• Photo frame - ok that one was from the Reject Shop (so not quite but nearly).
• Cushion - was a lovely pink napkin, already embroidered and sitting all by itself in an op shop, turned into an appliqued cushion be moi.
• Bunting - see it in the reflection, also by me.
• A Calamity Bolt filly - because Elke does the BEST horses in Australia.
• And of course, the new chair.

And here is a bit of a visual step by step of how I did it.  Yes, I did use a nappy box as part of the upholstery.

Don't 20 month olds make the BEST helpers?  Except when they try to insist on using the power tools.  And hammers.  And nails.... 

The whole thing cost me under $10. I had the fabric and everything I needed in my stash, including the box which I used to help me create a stable back to wrap the fabric around.  I did have to get some new upholstery nails, but that was it.  And there are stacks left over for another job. 

So here is Miss 4, showing off her new chair.  I am glad she likes it, cos I am not changing it now!

Do you like to thrift, re-do, renovate, up cycle?  What was your best project?

Cheers, Chicken

Random Acts of Kindness

We handmaidens are savvy business women. Capable. Driven. Focused. Multi-taskers. Boy do we work hard. And amongst the dedication to our families, homes, friendships, jobs and communities we strive towards our business goals with often unwavering determination.

But we know that sometimes, it’s not sales that we need to make. It’s more than orders that we need to do. Sometimes, it’s not things that we need to mend.

It’s hopes that we need to make.
Comforting that we need to do.
Hearts that we need to mend.

And in these times, our community really shines.

Throughout 2011 we have seen many examples of how the Australian handmade community has mobilising quickly, selflessly and without hesitation to help others in need, via the massive power of social media.

Our ability to raise funds and morale came into sharp focus in February this year when Qld and Vic were affected by severe flooding. Without missing a beat, the leaders in our community mobilised people to take action the best way we could. So we got sewing, soldering, hammering, beading, painting and pasting. We donated our time, materials and products to raise funds through auctions, or we sent items to those who needed it most; those that had lost everything.

And gee weren’t we just a little surprised and a bit chuffed at just how successful our efforts were? What an overwhelming sense of unity, pride and achievement we gained!

Now with the holiday season approaching, I encourage you to once again put some time aside and turn your hand, head and heart towards helping those in need. Actually don’t wait for the holiday season to come around; or natural disaster. You can give any time.

Here are some fantastic organisations and charities that need your help. Spend some time on your own, in a group or with your family to support these deserving causes; this holiday season and all the whole year through. Your kindness will yield the most beautiful gift of all; that beautiful feeling that comes from giving selflessly.

Name: Softies For Mirabel
Type: Handmade Softie Christmas Appeal
Get involved: Make softies! Create 1 or more. Create as an individual, group or community then send them into Meet Met At Mikes.
Beneficiaries: Supporting children orphaned or abandoned due to their parent’s drug addiction. Children in need are matched to their perfect softie to help provide emotional support.
Period: Now until 5th December 2011 More info and register: http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/2011/09/softies-for-mirabel-foundation.html

Name: Treasured Babies
Type: Clothing and Blanket Collection
Get involved: Create handmade, size appropriate clothing for miscarried, unborn and newborn babies such as night gowns, matinee jackets, hats, booties, as well as blankets.
Beneficiaries: Supporting bereaved families to begin the grieving and healing process after losing their unborn or newborn baby; by dressing, wrapping and bonding with their child.
Period: Ongoing - all year
More info and register: http://www.sidsandkidsvic.org/bereavement-support/treasured-babies

Name: Backpacks for Aussie Kids
Type: Clothing, Essentials, Blanket, Toy and Bag Collection
Get involved: Donate handmade clothes, toys and blankets for children.
Beneficiaries: Supporting children who are placed in foster or kinship care. Backpacks and nappy bags are filled with essential and personal items for Aussie kids in care to call their own; after often being removed from their homes with little to no possessions.
Period: Ongoing - all year with a special Christmas collection More info and register: http://www.backpacks4aussiekids.com.au/Articles/what-is-needed.html

Name: The Toy Society
Type: Random Toy Drop
Get involved: The Toy Society is an Australian project which has now gone world-wide. Crafters of varying skill levels make toys and leave them as gifts in their community.
Beneficiaries: Children (or people) in your community
Period: All year round plus a special Christmas Toy drop on the last weekend before Christmas. More info and register: http://thetoysociety.blogspot.com/

This article was origionally written for and published on 'tickle the imagination'; the Christmas edition. Please click through to see this wonderful online magazine, full of crafty goodness.

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Cheers, Chicken