DIY stairs make over

When we moved into this house, 4 years ago now, the stair case had been stained in a horrendous red mahogany that did nothing for the small small, it was imposing and frankly it had been done by a blind man!

So last year I made a start on doing them over, I painted all the sides white and the banister and painted the spindles a variety of colours just to add something new to the space, I LOVED it and we then replaced the tatty cream carpet with a lovely Berber, however, the cat took an instant dislike to it and over several months scratched out nearly all the loops he could get his swanky little paws on, I wasn't best pleased but this spurred me to take the giant step id been pinning over since I started painting them and that was to pull up the carpet and paint the stairs completely.

I lost many an hr over several months looking for inspiration, trouble was I had to much and I basically couldn't choose a style I loved most so in the name of frugality i had a rummage in my wallpaper storage ( read the loft!) and found something i thought would work.

Id picked up this paper at home base about 2 yrs previous for £1 for 2 rolls in their massive end of season sale.

Basically this is what i started with, bare boards. The house being only 8 yrs old and not being build by the most capable of builders is a little rough around the edges but this really gives you the perfect opportunity to work with something you wouldn't normally attempt because basically, it couldn't get any worse!

The bottom step had already been painted after the cat ruined the carpet so this was the first coat of gloss paint, I used satin so it wouldn't be as shiny.

3 coats in and I didn't really feel like i was making much progress in all honesty.

Approx 7 coats of paint, 48 hrs and a coat of varnish and they look the shizzle, here is the paper in all its glory. surprisingly it only took about 2 and a half hours to cut and paper all the steps, I still hate wallpapering!

And... drum roll please.... The finished article! I seriously couldn't be happier, and totally on a budget, it didn't cost a penny! I used everything we already had around the house. Finally I have a stairway to be proud of!!

If you where making over your stairs, how would you do it? I'd love to hear your ideas.

L x

GameBlast Games Marathon Weekend

Disability charity launches UK-wide 24-hour video game marathon weekend

SpecialEffect, a charity who help people with disabilities to benefit from the fun and inclusion of video games, is running a GameBlast marathon weekend on 21-23 February 2014. People of all ages across the UK are invited to play video game marathons with friends or family to raise money for the charity.

The sponsorship raised from the GameBlast marathons will provide funds to modify and provide technology and gaming equipment that will enable more people with disabilities to enjoy video games with their friends.

The charity is calling for teams to set themselves a fundraising target, register on the website, and undertake their own sponsored marathons, which can last anything up to 24 hours during the weekend.  Every team that registers will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win gaming goodies.

Mark Saville, SpecialEffect Communications Officer said, “Many children across the UK can only watch their friends and family play video games because their disabilities prevent them from using a controller. We want to change this and the money raised will enable the Special Effect team to create bespoke gaming equipment to bring joy to many families across the UK.”

SpecialEffect will be running its own marathon from the Gameblast HQ, and will keep the world up to date with their progress through Facebook and Twitter.

For more information visit: www.specialeffect.org.uk/gameblast

Kids Bee Happy Sand Art - Review

I have to admit it, I have crafty kids, I don't know if this is entirely my doing or not but any opportunity to A) make a mess or B) create something wonderful and they are there!

When I was given the opportunity to review some of the Kids Bee Happy Sand Art I was over the moon! The girls have been trying new things, the Moshi Monster Hamma Beads where a roaring success and I crossed my fingers this would be too.

Being slightly neurotic with OCD about mess, yeah I know I have a cat, dog and 3 kids and its always a mess but hey i dream of an immaculate home! I was a little worried about hoovering up sand from every nook and cranny of my tiny kitchen but i have to admit there was barely a mess at all much to the girls disappointment . 

Being able to peel off small sections as you go gives even the youngest of children the skill not to randomly sprinkle sand on every surface in view and makes for a very lovely and precise finish. Even Emma who has some special needs found the kits easy peasy and having such a beautiful finished picture really made her day.

My girls LOVED making these and their little smiling faces prove just that..

 Emma age 7 with her finished Snowman picture.

Zoe aged 4 with her wild Alien picture.

With the wide range of coloured sand provided you can really make some special and unique pictures as you can see from Zoe's finished picture. The larger sticky areas once peeled off really allowed for her to go with her imagination and create this multicoloured landscape.

They loved the little plastic wallets that you can slip your finished art work into to keep them in tip top condition. They grace the playroom walls and its regularly a point of conversation, especially " Muuummm when can we do these again?" That alone says it all about these wonderful kits.

If you would like to try them yourself you can find a massive range here at http://sandartcrafts.co.uk

My girls give them a massive thumbs up and thats OK with me!

L x

Poundland Santa Blogger challenge

Poundland Blogger Challenge.

When I was asked if I would like to take part in the Poundland blogger Challenge, I was really excited to see what goodies I could find, as I'm sure we all do, I love a good browse around our local Poundland as you can stumble across some really lovely items, not just toys and gifts but homewards as well.

So with £20 in my pocket, which in fact I honestly thought I'd struggle to spend, i braved the cold and headed to town, was like Christmas Day!!

I came back stocked to the brim with stocking fillers, craft items, chocolate, wrapping paper and the like!

I got the girls each a polly pocket doll for their stocking, they collect these and the little animals that go with them and they have so much fun with them, and because of their size you can take them anywhere!

The crayons where from making handmade candles at our community centre group, the outcome of that is not to be repeated!

I literally couldn't resist this gorgeous wool and 3 balls for £2 is a steal! Thats next years scarfs sorted for gifts.

The window clings, snow flakes and scandi stars are just beautiful and have really topped off our christmas decorations! 

The fake snow was for making snow globes, also at our community group which now sit pride of place on our fireplace.

I couldn't resist some goodies to munch on, the bakewells where for my hubby, they where inhaled in less than a day and the Toffifee where a birthday present to myself!

I also bought 3 giant sacks for the girls christmas presents and a roll of matching wrapping paper, 2 bottles of bleach, some glitter and some printer paper.

I had so much fun taking part in this challenge and will defiantly not miss out on checking Poundland for some gifts when birthdays come back around.

Adam The Doddles Man and his trusty pooch Rover

I've always been fascinated by drawing forms, they aren't just an artists tool but are art all by themselves, Adam The Doodles Man and his very lovely dog Rover are no exception! I couldn't wait to free them from their very modest packaging and if I'm honest, have a little play with them!

They soon found their pride of place upon my fire place, they have already welcomed in two birthdays and the beginning of Christmas and never look out of place.
I will often catch the girls playing and chatting with them and we have a lesson planned in the new year for our community group on Famous Artists so these will be coming along for a drawing workshop with some very lovely children.

Adam the Doodles Man is the perfect companion to help you with your figure drawing. Made of stainless steel wire connected at the joints with aluminium rivets, his fully adjustable joints and limbs will hold any pose for as long as you need. He never rusts, never rests, never eats and never sleeps, so will always be on hand whenever you need him!

The Doodles range also includes Rover the Doodles Dog, together the pair make an ideal gift for any budding artist!

If men and dogs aren't really your drawing thing then fear not, Homerama have robins and reindeers in their online store, who doesn't want little moveable, metal animals dotted all over their house whether they are artists or not?!

After browsing the web I also found some snowmen, SNOWMEN!!!
These have to be the coolest gift for artists, lovers of finer things and general weirdos like myself!

I can't wait to build a collection of my own, and i plan to create some gorgeous line drawn images for gifts next year, Thanks Adam The Doodle's Man for inspiring me to create something new!

Autumn Cool outfit post via Polyvore

Autumn Cool by immamabetty featuring a flight jacket

Adidas sweater
adidas.com

Forever 21 flight jacket
forever21.com

TOMS sneaker
yoox.com

Disney backpacks bag
hottopic.com


Watch available from http://www.thewatchgallery.com/shop/exclusive-88-rue-du-rhone-steel-rose-gold-plated-watch-87wa120057.html?___SID=U
Jeans available from ARITZIA.COM

*Rushes off to buy this entire outfit!*

Psychologies Magazine - A Review

                                     

I had never come across Psychologies magazine before i was approached to review the new look copy. Sure I had seen it on the shelves before but i had never gave it much thought.

Mainly because i had no idea of the content but it just never screamed at me from the shelf, well i tell ya, if like me you have been passing it by, you are missing out.

It is crammed full of news, reviews, books, film, art, ideas ... the list is almost endless! It isn't stuffed full of adverts like many popular magazines, which to me is a massive selling point, there is nothing worse than flicking through half a magazine before you actually find something suitable to actually read.

As i have never read an issue before it had a face lift its hard to say what in fact they have fixed but in my opinion they have struck a home run. Its informative, it reads great, the interviews are relevant, even to me and i aint no fashion mag reader, give me a cup of tea and a craft mag any day! 

Its one of those that you take to your comfy chair, with a brew and a cheeky biscuit when no one is looking and simply loose yourself for an hour, taking in all the beautiful photography and gripping stories, there is even recipes nestled away near the back!

If you want to try a copy for yourself they are currently offering a fab deal for 3 issues for £3, yeah 3 for £3!!! Especially at £3.90 a copy this is one of those deals where you would be mad not to!

You can find it here 3 for £3 offer available at www.kelseyshop.co.uk/psy/c101

I hope, like me you will never pass by a copy of Psychologies mag again! * Adds to shopping list*

L xx