Building my nest

Today, while looking around the bland rented magnolia box that I call home, I realised something.

I have always longed… no, ached… for my own bricks and mortar, a space for our family to make its mark. I have dreamed of buying an unloved, decrepit little place that would need so much work we’d have to live on-site in a caravan while we remodelled it inside and out! We’d toast marshmallows on an open fire in the fireplace while we talked about how we’d breathe life into its empty shell. The kids would get to draw all over the wallpaper in their rooms before we tore it all down. We’d roll away mouldy threadbare carpets to discover what lay beneath. We’d get really excited, get it exactly the way we wanted it, and then when we had finally finished we would feel at home, settled and content.

But it dawned on me today that I would never “finish” a project like this because what I really love is the process of creating a space to do life in. It’s the thrill of simply rearranging the sofas, then realising they were better the way they were, then thinking “oh well, it was a good opportunity to get the hoover in!” It’s the excuse to make curtains to fit the windows in a new house, and needing some light shades because the old place had tacky chandeliers. I love the challenge of bringing personality and colour into a room to give it ambience, without picking up a paintbrush (well, maybe just to paint a colourful canvas…). After a while the artex and clashing carpets become invisible to me, as I imagine all our renovated ebay junk shop furniture finds one day positioned in my beautiful dream home…

I could live my whole life wishing and wanting after that house. We could plough all the money we ever have as a family into that dream, but I’m so happy I realised today that the house is not really what I’m longing for. It's the creative journey.

And so I choose to dive even deeper into my Creative Experimental Life. That is all.

Sneak preview...

I'm getting very excited about our first ever craft fair this weekend! So I thought I'd let you have a sneak peek at some of the things we'll have on our table...

 

Herberts

A ridiculous way to grow herbs on your kitchen windowsill.

Braai mats

Perfect for the garden or to take on a picnic, these place mats also include the blingy plastic cutlery and paper serviette tucked into an old jeans pocket.

And they roll ever so neatly into your picnic bag. Oh yeah...

Salad bags

A living salad, grown in an old handbag, served straight to your table!

Elephants

These cushions are available in two sizes. We'll have a selection with us on Saturday, but I will also be listing them for sale at My Creative Experimental Life shortly.

 

Once again, craft fair details:
Saturday 14/7/12 @ Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall (Berkshire)

Braai Lights

These old glass jars have been given a new lease of life as pretty candle lanterns.

Like them? Visit my new online shop My Creative Experimental Life and get yourself one (or 2... or 3...). I'll be listing more items soon, but in the mean time you can see our full stock at a craft fair at the Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall (Berkshire) on Saturday 14/7/12. We're selling various bits and pieces made by me and my mum-in-law.

Key wind chime

Everybody has keys lying around that nobody knows what they’re for. Do you keep them? Chuck them? Or turn them into a wind chime…?

A summer reindeer

I know July is a bit early to be doing Christmas crafts, but I saw something in a book that inspired me so much that I was compelled to make this from some sticks I collected on a walk!

DIY aquarium

This fish tank has been passed round my family a few times and found its final resting place in dad’s garage. It was on its way to the tip so I decided to give it a makeover. I got rid of the lid, pulled off all the black plastic bits and removed the glass that holds the evaporation tray. Next, I took a piece of acrylic I found in a fly tip and cut it to make a compartment for the plants. The rest I made into a loose lid. I got some gravel and re-potted my peace lily straight into the aquarium (apparently they love this). The desk lamp is from Ikea. The fish loved their new home so much they had babies!