DIY * Art

Magazine Art Strips

Sometimes we forget how easy making something by hand can be. I absolutely adore this project that I found at Designed By BH. It's fun and a simple project to add some colour to the room. All it takes are magazine strips cut to shape, a board, glue and scissors! Simple outline any shape you want to paste the strips on. I'd probably go for something less girly though.

Click here to see the post.

DIY * Ramadhan Kids Activities

Ramadhan Calendar

1. Using cardboard, cut out a desired shape (this mosque design is stunning!), paint it a  lovely green and dress it up with little pouches. 

Happy fasting everyone! Now if you've got a child crying for attention this month, how about making these fun Ramadhan calendars? It'll give them something to do, and for you to have that much needed break. Plus to make it more fulfilling, each little pouch could contain a small candy and a good deed for the child to complete. Here are my top 5 calendar inspirations!

DIY * Ikea Hack

Book Shelf with a Twist!

Pic courtesy of Iron + Twine

It's amazing the ideas one can come up with when they are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Michele and Brian of Iron + Twine purchased three Expedit Shelving units from Ikea for their organizational needs. However, when they assembled it, the three units did not fit the space they had, which we all know can drive anyone up the wall. So, by putting their thinking caps on, they came up with a really cool Ikea Hack. It was meant to be a temporary fix but after two years, its safe to say, they've got a hit.

Click here for the steps.

DIY * Modern Christmas Tree

Modern Wooden Christmas Tree

From http://www.curbly.com

While I tend to gravitate towards more traditional Christmas decorations, I wouldn't pass up this modern wooden Christmas tree decoration. I probably would add more color though. and maybe even some glitter, but this is a great tree template for doing all sorts of fun festive patterns!

Click here for the steps.  

P/S If you don't know where to get balsa wood or craft stuff in general, check out Art Friend in Gardens Midvalley. 

DIY * Ikea Hack

Expedit Kitchen Storage

Image courtesy of Ikea Hackers

Over the years I have had a love hate relationship with this cabinet. I have one in my living/dining room and well, to be honest its not perfect for anything but dishes. I keep books in mine and it gets terribly dusty within a week. I love its simplicity though, but because it is so popular, almost every household has a form of this cabinet. I guess that is the only bad point about Ikea, mass production. 

However, there are a few quite crafty people out there who have come up with great ways to turn a popular ikea piece into something quite different, or if not, take it one step further. While I was pinteresting as I do very often, I came across this lovely DIY post on the Expedit cabinet. Of course their styling adds all the more appeal to it but wow did I finally see it in another light. A helluva more stylish for sure! Anyway, before I babble on as I seem to be doing right now, do check out this cool hack here. I'm wondering if my husband will allow his 8th month pregnant wife mess with his circular saw... 

Design * Buy

Shop Etsy for Merdeka! 

1. Decorative Throw Pillow by Kate Batik Shop, 2. Handmade Notebooks by Notbook Notbuk, 3. Help Poster Art by Flying Mouse 365, 4. 18" Laptop Messenger Bag by Deep Rooted Tree, 5. Black Forest Owl Pillow by Fong Studio, 6. Wired Chinese Knot Earings by Decors Handmande, 7. Blue Ear Wooden Container by OhandAh, 8. Long Wallet by SoarShadow Handmade, 9. Autumn Chiyogami Note Card by Nukilan

DIY * Hari Raya Decoration

Paper Star Lantern

Image courtesy of Star Lanterns

So we've all seen these star shaped lanterns before, some in Ikea and some decorating shopping malls across the country. I was curious how to make them and so I did a but of research and it turns out that it's not exactly rocket science. I think it's the perfect way to spend those waiting hours to break fast and get your creative juices going too! Its a nice added touch to the Raya festivities don't you think?

Click here for the steps.

DIY * Ikea Hack

Chic Table

SVALBO Dining Table, Ikea

I haven't posted an Ikea hack in ages but this one is pure gold! All you need is a simple wooden table, they used Ikea Ingo which I could not find on the Ikea Malaysian website. I think it's no longer in production. But you could use any other timber combination. This also does not necessarily have to be a desk, you can hack it for your dining table, side tables or dressing table. 

You will also need a few wood strips available at specialty timber shops, strong glue, a drill, several dowels and of course paint.

Click here to see the steps. Hack away my friends!

DIY * Backdrop

Sequin Photobooth Backdrop

From Ohhappyday blog

The minute I saw this DIY, was the minute I thought of my many glamorous friends (I think they know who they are). It is the perfect backdrop for any party and it certainly adds a little bit of sparkle don't you think? I have to say though, I might go blind doing this DIY, so whoever is going to give it a try... wear sunglasses?

Click here for the steps.

DIY * Gardening

Hanging Garden

Be it indoors or outdoors, this is certainly one great way to bring greenery into any space. Of course, you could simply make a trip to Ikea and buy them but that will take the fun and uniqueness out of these hanging pots. So try out this easy DIY by the talented Heather Moore from Skinny Laminx and click here for the steps.

Design * Trends

Ombre!

Ombre Dresser

It's been a while since I've blogged anything on trends, and perhaps i'm a little behind on this post, but here goes. Ombre ladies and gentlemen, have you ever heard of it? I'd say most people in the fashion and design industry have.

Cool Ombre Wedding Cake

Ombre is a french term that literally means gradation or shaded. Usually a multi coloured stripe with colours graduating from light to dark. It was popular for a while last year, seen mainly as a trend for hair, but that fad has not yet died down in the world of interior design.

Many people have tried to recreate this look by using fabric dyes and paint and some have pulled it off really well.

I am particularly obsessed with the ombre dresser (left) which would look very cool in a nursery or kids room. lf you have the patience and eye for detail, this is definitely a project you should try.

I've also listed three more cool Ombre DIY's that are so easy, you'd wonder why you've never tried it before. Click on the links below the images to read the steps.

Paint Swatch Chandelier, Ombre Tissue Box & Dip DIY Cups

DIY * Gardening

Garden Pallet

This DIY is perfect for those hankering for a touch of greenery, especially if you live in a high rise building with little or no space to practice your green thumb. Garden pallets is the clear solution to to this problem but of course you'll need to hunt for one, or if you are handy with timber, saw and nails, try make one yourself! A lot of effort but the end results are well worth it!

Click here to see the steps.

DIY * Romantic Fort

Indoor Valentines Day Fort

My jaw literally dropped to the floor when I saw this Valentines Day Fort! How beautiful is the image above? I think it's a little insane but I just had to share it with you, because if you are thinking of constructing this fort, please, please take a photo and send it my way! I'd say if you had kids, this would be an awesome play area too! 

Click here to see how to make this mind blowing fort.

DIY * Vintage Arrow

Vintage Arrow Valentine

Cupid is a hippie! Seriously, how cool are these arrows? I am quite in love already. If you have the patience, time and love for that special someone, give this DIY a try cause I can bet you, your other half will love it! The supplies are easily available at well-stocked arts and crafts shops in KL. I happen to know a good one in Gardens Midvalley (Art Friend) where I get a lot of my craft supplies. 

Click here for the steps. 

DIY * Printables

Valentines Day Cards

Morgana from Fellow Creatives ( a pretty awesome site you should check out ) has done us all a favour and created these very cute Valentines Day cards that we can download for free! Bet this will come in handy tomorrow for those who completely forgot to buy one!

Click here to get the download!

DIY * Heart Candles

Beeswax Heart Candles

How cute are these love candles? Would make great decorations on a cake or centerpieces! This DIY comes from multi-talented Margie Oomen of Resurrection Fern and as a guest contributor for Poppytalk, she has come up with a couple of neat Valentine DIYs.

Check them out here!

Craft * Dragon

Chinese Dragon Puppet

On the 23rd of this month comes Chinese New Year and this marks the beginning of the year of the Dragon. So in celebration of this pretty cool mystical animal, why not get your kids together and make a Chinese Dragon Puppet! Makes a fantastic decoration and you have fun doing so too. Hey, I wouldn't be doing this for my animal sign... can't imagine a dog puppet looking like the dragon puppet above!

Click here for the steps.

DIY * Lanterns

Chinese New Year Lanterns

A very popular decoration during Chinese New Year is the lantern. In fact, right outside my front door are rows of houses decorated with them. All red of course. Anyway, after doing some digging, I found a very easy method on making your very own lantern. Of course the one above is quite colourful, and if you are a traditionalist, then stick to the red, but I do think the different colours will set your house apart from the rest, in a very cool and modern way.

Click here for the steps.

Design * Fabrics

Highlighting Fabric Fanatics

It's the new year and it's time for a new look. If you've got mad love for fabrics like I do, here in Malaysia we have Fabric Fanatics to appease the addiction. They have a shop at USJ19 Mall and they also sell their stuff online. From cotton, linen, canvas, to buttons, accessories and more, they have a wide range of fabric craft stuff   as well as offering classes in clay work and sewing. Check their website here or send them an email at fabricfanatics@gmail.com

DIY * Printables

Holiday Printables and DIYs

It has been a while since I last blogged, but with the snow falling outside, i've resorted to the touristy thing and taken a hundred and one pictures of trees with snow. So yes, i have been neglecting my blogging but better late then never!

On the Poppytalk page, they have listed 15 beautiful holiday printables and DIYs that are easy and fun to do. Since I hear it's raining almost every day in Malaysia, why not try some of them out over a warm cup of milo? If you don't celebrate Christmas, you can also use some of these ideas for New Years!

Click here to see the slide show.