Cricut my home.

April 27, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago I introduced you to my Cricut Maker when I made some party decorations for my daughters formal.
Since my first project I’ve had a chance to play with my machine and I’m starting to use it regularly and understand its capabilities.

This time I want to share with you a few of the sticker/label type projects I’ve completed.

Firstly, I want to show you how the easy it is to create a label for anything. I shared the step-by-step instructions on how to use the software, connect to your machine via Bluetooth and cut your projects here.

Using that process, here’s a couple of projects I have done with adhesive vinyl in the past few weeks.

LAUNDRY SIGN
Do you ever wonder what all those little pictures mean on your textile care labels? I did too, so I created this laundry sign using an old white board I already had and navy blue adhesive vinyl.
All of the icons and the ‘laundry’ word can be found in the Cricut Design Space.

I used the Cricut Design Space to plan my layout.

The Cricut software automatically chooses the best layout for cutting your design to minimise wastage.

I measured each icon and used a ruler to get a straight line and equal distances apart.

The vinyl is so easy to use, I find it strangely satisfying when I peel back the transfer tape.

I have saved my project here in case you would like to use it.

LEGO STORAGE
Orlando’s LEGO used to be stored all together in one big plastic box, it made it near impossible to find anything and we usually ended up tossing it all on the floor when he played with it. Have you ever stood on a piece of LEGO? OUCH!
We were determined to find a better storage solution. I had this small set of drawers left over from the office at the last house and we thought the large shallow drawers would be perfect for LEGO.

We sorted the LEGO and decided what would work the best in each drawer, and we made the labels in about 15 minutes with the Cricut. Orly loves it and it saves me from stepping on LEGO!

We also glued some of the LEGO base plates to the top of the drawers so he has somewhere to build his creations.

Again, you can find my LEGO labels here.

VEGETABLE GARDEN

It’s no secret I am not a gardener, I kill everything from cactus to peace lilies. This poor little vegetable garden is going to need all the help it can get. I thought that if I could at least identify the vegetables I’m trying to grow I could google how to care for them. I bought plastic plant markers from my local hardware store and made teeny labels for all my little seedlings.

I hope you found some inspiration to organise something in your home this week!

When my house is organised, my headspace feels organised, the more my house is labelled, the more tabs I can close in my head. Do you know what I mean?
I feel like I have 300 files open in my brain, like a computer, but when my life is organised I can keep that number down and clear my mind.

I’m going to attempt some felt pennants next and I cant wait to share them with you.

Happy Crafting!

Hayley x

Master Mini Makeover with Madras Link

April 16, 2020 by Hayley 4 Comments

Making your house a ‘home’ has never been more important. We are all spending much more time at home, in fact most of us are spending all our time at home during the Covid-19 self isolation. Take the opportunity to create a space that you love, a space that makes you feel nurtured and a space that you want to spend time in.

As most of you know, we moved house a couple of months ago. Our master bedroom hasn’t had any attention and is looking a little unloved, the room needs some work, but in this current climate it might be some time before we can access new curtains and flooring. That doesn’t mean that I can’t make it into our sanctuary right now.

I’ve given it a mini makeover with my friends at Madras Link and I’d love to share it with you …..
AND
We’d also like to extend a very special offer to all of my Mum Little Loves readers!!!

Firstly, let me tell you why I love Madras Link.
They are an Australian business that design everything in house. They travel the world to find inspiration, then start each season with a storyboard. Their designers paint the prints which are used across their range of furniture, lighting, tableware and textiles. This means that you won’t find that print anywhere else. It’s becoming harder and harder to find unique homewares these days and I love that I can buy from Madras link and know that it is an exclusive design.

I particularly love their Country Style range. It is relaxed and cosy with natural elements and fresh prints.
Just wait till you see the new rattan furniture, a pair of these incredible rocking chairs just went straight to the top of my wishlist. Oh so swoonworthy!

Back to my bedroom.
You all know how much I love blue, and I haven’t removed it completely, but I definitely felt like something different for this house. After living in a bold blue bedroom at the last house, I was longing for something calm, fresh and peaceful.
I have been drawn to green lately, a colour I never thought I’d love so much after wearing a green school uniform for most of my primary school years that I absolutely hated, but here I am … swooning after all the pretty green things.

When I saw this beautiful cushion featuring blue and green proteas I knew that it was the starting point for my mini makeover. I adore blue and green together and this cushion immediately stole my heart.

I chose a couple more cushion to coordinate with the proteas, I like to draw the colours from the feature cushion and enhance it with at least one block colour cushion and another pattern. The pistachio velvet cushion gives me a pop of subtle green, while the blue and green stitched cushion adds some texture and a different shape to the trio.

I chose the throws with the same ideas in mind, colour and texture. The olive faux fur throw adds rich colour and luxurious texture, it makes you want to snuggle up with a hot drink and a good movie. The second throw adds more interest with a plaid pattern in blue, cream and mustard. I love plaid, it’s a classic pattern that mixes easily with most prints, especially florals. It looks warms and cozy in this gentle colour palette.

The green lamps make a statement with their glossy speckled finish and voluptuous shape. The shade of green is perfect and the linen shades are timeless. I fell in love with these immediately.

Including a few creature comforts in your bedroom elevates it from a boring bedroom to a place where you can linger and lounge for a little longer. A tray is ideal for cups of tea, iPads and books. It’s handy at bedtime, but just as practical in nearly every other room in your home … serving food in the kitchen, a centrepiece on your dining room table, a styled vignette on your coffee table or a catchall in your front entry.
This tray is full of charm with its parquetry finish and soft circular shape.

Which brings me to this incredible chunky wood framed mirror that I chose for above my bed, it would have been perfect to add some warmth and natural texture. I love the circular shape which works so well above a bed, unfortunately we discovered that our fireplace chimney runs from downstairs up the wall to behind our bed. We aren’t keen to start drilling screws into the chimney until we are sure exactly what is behind there, so I hung the lightweight vintage paintings which I will add to and create a gallery wall, then I hung the gorgeous mirror downstairs in my front entry.

It ended up being a happy mistake because I absolutely love it there, as you can see, so does Skipper!

I took the opportunity to style a few of the other pieces with the mirror so you can see how well they all work together, you can also see how versatile these pieces are and how they look equally as gorgeous in a bedroom as they do in a living space of your home.

The country style lantern is functional and versatile in gorgeous grey aluminium and finished with a sweet leather handle. This is one of those pieces that will look good anywhere, it allows you to have a substantial size candle and the glass hurricane enhances the candles glow.

The ribbed vase is the perfect shade of blue and the ribbed design is textural and interesting.

I like to work with odd numbers for little vignettes or styled tray like this. I bought the sweet wooden pear from Madras Link last year knowing it would be a great little accent for styling, unfortunately it has sold out, but they still have an equally as cute apple.

Speaking of cute … I couldn’t resist sharing a couple outtake photos, I told you my pets were little models, they see the camera and they just have to get in front of it!

Isn’t it amazing how just a few pieces can make such a difference to a space.
Don’t be afraid to layer textiles, mix patterns and venture outside your comfort zone and try something different. I never thought I’d use green in my bedroom, but to tell you the truth, I think it’s my favourite bedroom look so far and I’ll definitely be using more green.

You can find all the pieces I used in my room from Madras Link here.

Now for that special offer, its a good one –
Use the code MUMLITTLELOVES for 25% off all full-priced items at www.madraslinkonline.com.au
*Offer valid until 30th April 2020
HURRY!

Happy Shopping!

Hayley x

Meet my Cricut Maker

March 16, 2020 by Hayley 1 Comment

I’d love to know what it feels like to be organised, like seriously next level organisation, where everything has a place, everything is easy to find and everything is labelled! Which brings me to my latest obsession – my Cricut Maker.

I wanted the Maker to help me label every cupboard, drawer, basket, box and container in my house, which it can do with ease. What I didn’t realise is that it’s capable of so much more!

It is essentially a die-cutting machine, it cuts over 300 materials from crepe paper and fabric to basswood and leather. After I unboxed my machine and completed the beginners project I was amazed and excited by the possibilities. I started searching on Pinterest and Instagram and found some incredible projects. I quickly realised the only limits of this machine was my imagination.

At the same time, I had Bella’s formal preparation happening and I volunteered to have the pre-drinks at our house. We had just moved house 2 weeks prior and the last thing on my mind was decorations.

The Cricut Maker was an absolute lifesaver and my daughter and I made the decorations in just a few hours and they looked amazing!

This was my first real project and I was a little nervous. It was so easy, it has step by step instructions and walks you through the entire process.

I used materials I had on hand from my scrapbooking days, but you can get all your supplies at most good craft stores. In Australia, Spotlight has a great range, along with a large selection of the Cricut machines and accessories.

Cricut Design Space software has 1000’s of ready made designs and projects that are great for a beginner like me.

Our formal was 1920’s themed, I searched for 20’s and scrolled through until I found what I wanted.

I chose the gorgeous Deco style banner in gold and black, then hit ‘Insert’ to add it to my canvas, which is the design space of the software where you bring your projects to life.

I dragged it to the size I wanted and then selected ‘Make It’.

This is where you can see how it will cut on your mat and how many layers you will need. I needed the gold layer for the decorative front layer and the black layer for the backing.

I inserted the gold card stock on a mat for the first layer as instructed by the software. It connects to your machine via Bluetooth and the lights on the machine flash when it is ready.

Then the magic began. I was actually blown away by how precise the cuts were and how easy is was to use! Once my first layer was cut I repeated the same process for the second black layer.

This is my favourite bit, it’s called ‘weeding’ and it where you remove the negative details and leave the design behind. I used the Cricut tool which made it easy and strangely satisfying.

Once I finished both layers and removed them carefully from the mats, I assembled them with two-sided tape.

I repeated these steps and made the year ‘2020’ and two blanks ones to go on each end. I joined them together with gold string.

It turned out beautifully! What do you think?

I’m was so happy with my first Cricut project. I didn’t stop there, I also made a confetti box for the grazing table.

I already had the fun confetti filled perspex box, I simply added some font using the Cricut Shimmer Vinyl in black. I chose the Deco font. It was super quick and easy and it looked amazing.

It was the perfect finishing touch to the grazing table and everyone loved it!

I’m already planning my next Cricut projects and I can’t wait to get started. Stay tuned for a Lego organisation table, some felt pennants for Orly’s room and some monogrammed pillowcases!

Happy Crafting!

Hayley x

Much ado about Bamboo

January 17, 2020 by Hayley 1 Comment

Four month ago I was challenged by Linenly to try out their bamboo bedding.
If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know that I am mildly obsessed with belgian linen and to be honest I didn’t think I was going to love the bamboo sheets.

I accepted their challenge, but I ordered the sheets to fit my daughters bed because I wasn’t ready to part with my belgian linen. Yes, I use my kids as guinea pigs! I have never heard a kid rave so much about their bedding, she absolutely loves it and complains if I change her sheets with something different. She kept telling me that I had to try them, so when she was away for the weekend, we slept in her bed ….

Okay, now I get it …. they really are beautiful to sleep in. They are soft and silky without being sticky or clingy, the fibres are cool and breathable and we truly did get a great nights sleep.

I was happy to get these sheet for the kids as they are not only affordable but they come from a sustainable source and are friendly to the planet, and now I’ve added a set for my own bed.

One of the best things about these bamboo sheets in particular is the ‘long side’ label, it is an absolute sanity saver and I can’t understand why it isn’t mandatory on all fitted sheets!

Oh, and Skipper loves them too, have a look at her doing her morning yoga session here …

If you want to give them a go, you can find them here.
Now excuse me while I pop back to bed for a quiet cup of coffee ….

Happy Shopping!

Hayley x

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