Made from trash

I have been busy this weekend doing the mad dash to get a class project over the line for presentation this morning. It went pretty well and I am quite happy with how it turned out.

The brief was to make a working light fixture from a found object or objects. I had already bought four wire bin baskets to turn into pendant lights which I found for $2 at a bargain warehouse hopefully to hang over a new kitchen bench in the coming months, but I hadn't thought too much about how I was going to do it. Then voila an opportunity.

In developing my concept it occurred to me that the wire is the perfect surface for stitching, knitting or crocheting. I remembered seeing these knitted Eames chair's by Akira Ishikawa that I absolutely love so I wanted to add to the lamp with some form of knitting or stitching.

As it turned out on one of my finding expeditions I came across a whole bag of neon coloured nylon crochet thread - you know the toilet dolly style. I had another project in mind for it, and still do I found so much, but it was perfect as my thread. Because I wanted four in total above a kitchen bench I decided to stitch in a message.

Here is my found object pendant Made From Trash the concept and the real thing.

My inspiration

The materials
The nylon thread, orange cord, as you know I'm mad about colour and it looks hot with the multi-coloured thread. I chose to use a much rounder bulb in the end because you can see right through the bin and the curves are lovely. I spray painted the bin grey, I love grey and orange together and the thread and message stand out more.

A rough sketch of the size of kitchen I fantasise about - oh and how the pendants might look in context. The message was going to read 'made' on one side and 'here' on the other as a little play on made in China or Taiwan but in making it I edited it down to 'made' as two words was going to be visually too much and it is much cleaner this way. I added some interlinked squares for more colour and interest.

Last but not least the light itself

I selected light fittings that I liked the look of as an almost sculptural piece then I had to work out how to make them work safely. In this I was greatly aided by my partner and especially my father in-law who wired it up for me.

The stitching is certainly not text book but a method I worked out with trial and error, printing off a font I settled on at the right size tracing it on in crayon and stitching over it. I must say I loved this bit.

I love the shadow play with the text and the wire. I will have to see if the kitchen ends up big enough to accommodate the whole thing - it might end up being 'om' to promote peace and harmony in the kitchen (ha ha) - we will see. Either way I am really happy with how it turned out.

Found Friday

As if I don't have enough unfinished projects of my own I have been collecting other peoples again and the accessories.

And This 70's or 80's little rose serving plate - black forest cake anyone?

And last but not least this sweet vintage children's books which starts with the ABC's then numbers then nursery rhymes 

What I'll be finding next is more time for finding - and as I mentioned earlier this week more time for making the finds I am not showing you - those projects 1 through 1005 - dandy!

What will you be finding this weekend? Or are you hoping for a surprise?

Finding Dandy

Hi There - I have been a little quiet here of late so just an update - I know I skipped Found Friday last week and I am sorry - I had great finds just no time to snap them and get it all together.

No time - seems to be the status quo lately.

I would love to say I am off Finding Dandy because I have never before in my life been so brimming with ideas and so short on time to execute them. This is what I wish I was doing with my time right now. In reality I am doing assignments, have started a new job and we are nursing the household through (hopefully) the last of the winter lurgies.

I may not be here much for the next few weeks so apologies in advance.

I will still be doing the odd little snippet on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram so you may catch me there. I am going to try really hard to find the time to find that dandy which can only result in me having so much more to show you when I'm back. Let's hope the ideas keep coming in the night.

Found Friday

The finding this week has been slim - some wardrobe additions to add to the list of ones I need to don and snap for you (including a pair of oversized blue and white stripe harem style pants ready and raring for a bright spring day) and these little bitsy's

A floral tin with a beautiful rust most would say means it's had it's days - for me they are only just beginning.

This cute little floral pin cushion - 2 pins max it's so small (not really but it is wee) that seemed to go beautifully with the little pods I collected on a walk in the local botanic gardens to make into sailing boats with some play-dough, paper and tooth picks - I will let you know the race results when they are in.

And while we are on the sailing boat theme this divine scrap of fabric (about 1.5 x 1 metre) - hopefully making it's way onto a mixed fabric cushion soon.

And here is my favourite Instagram pic from the week - my finds on the shelf in my old kitchen - I found this photo
and it made me miss this much space to display my happy things - note to self include plenty of shelving in the new kitchen design

I hope you sail through your weekend with a smile and a happy surprising find or two.

Patina Inspiration

I recently went to Cockatoo Island in Sydney to see the installations there as part of the Sydney Biennale. It was a gorgeous day and while we didn't see as much of the art as we would like (little people sometimes have other ideas than standing still) it was a great day with family and friends.

The art was inspiring but, and not to discount it in any way, for me I was so inspired by the beautiful patina of the sensitively restored convict buildings up on top of the hill.

The layering of materials, texture and the overlay of colours with chipped away paint in various shades revealing weathered stone, tin and brick inspire me no end.

Here is my day in images.

Finding Weeds as good as flowers

I mentioned in yesterday's Found Friday that I had been weed gathering again but time and daylight escaped me to show you so I thought I would share the little weed arrangements with you this morning - I also picked up the stick you see because of the most beautiful delicate and lovely shade of green moss on it. I find them as interesting and beautiful as many flowers I hope you do too.

Found Friday

I did some good finding this week - unfortunately I haven't managed to capture it all here to show you as I have assignments due and a little person who decided that he didn't need sleep today - ah well an excuse to show you more over the next week/s. In fact a lot of my findings are things for me to wear - spring things - spots and stripes and silk and clogs - bring on spring - so I will have to wear them and show you that way - come on warmer weather you're almost here.

Here are the finding highlights of the week.

Number one is this needlepoint - yes I am obsessed but this might well be the best yet. It caught my eye immediately then I was excited as I am planning a woodlands themed bedroom for the little man when he changes rooms after the renovation (I keep talking about it but it will happen - plans to show you soon if I get my act together and find time instead of needlepoints). After consideration though he might not get it and he may have to share it with us somewhere more prominent as I like it soooo much.

Orange floral pillowcases - these add the zing to the bed I was looking for. I also found 2 of them in pink but that may be a step too far in the girly direction for a room I share with the fella.

I have gathered quite a few of these Nana style coat hangers and I am mad for Poly knit (at least I think that's what it's called and I found a whole bag of it in neon colours a while ago and have a project in mind for it I hope to share with you soon) This though is a very fine example indeed.

Gingham and cross stitch - was there a better match ever made? Yellow and black tablecloth in the aforementioned 'love in' combo needing an iron and a tea party on my dining table.

A favourite find, and one that has been a while in the finding, is this little yellow table - you may recall when I found these little yellow chairs pictured with it, part of a Found Friday all the way back in March - proof that persistence and obsessive op shopping do pay off. I am still in 2 minds about painting part of the top in chalk paint - maybe as a cross pattern so there are 4 segments - and maybe a colour not black hmmm?? I will let you know - I do know that it is already a hit.

Lastly a little sneak peek of some pre-arrangment weed collections from my walk this afternoon - time and daylight have escaped me to show you them as they are now but stay tuned
Happy finding for a fabulous weekend - I am assignmenting and finding second wins and also hopefully inspiration
as I check out some art at the Biennale with friends and family. Let me know what you get up to and if you find anything special.

Found Friday

I think I have more than made up for the lack of findings last week - I certainly have coloured my own world happy - I hope you like them too.

The first are these most lovely trinkety plastic apple container baubles - I swooned when I saw them thinking about what I could put inside each pot of plastic coloured perfection but I also just loved them as they are - I had to hang them up and show you just how lovely they are - they also made me think of Christmas.

Even before I found these I had already thought about doing a neon and silver christmas this year inspired by these neon pink ribbons I found the other week attached to trees and fences and left after a local primary school around the corner finished it's fun run - like a good little orienteer I collected each one with the idea of tying them to a branch for a Christmas pop of colour difference.

How perfectly do they sit together

I have been a lucky girl this week - here is another little treasure I uncovered at a recycle centre while looking for parts for a lamp project for Tafe. I don't mind at all that it has been cut up - I'm not a purist like that - in fact the cut outs give me some beautiful little windows through to the next page

 

This little cable spool I also found at the recycle centre will become my sons bedside table when we transition to a big boy bed and redo his room after the renovation. I had to laugh at myself returning to my university furniture days but the colour could not be passed. The central column is currently black but I bought the orange rope to wrap around and the colours hum together - I just need more rope and it's done. Then the big boy bed - am I ready?

And lastly I have been really enjoying finding flowers around the yard - with the exception of the lavender which was a gift from my mother in-law from her much more floral garden the rest are surprise finds in my own back and front yards - loving the startings of spring - I hope you get to enjoy some good weather this weekend as it starts to creep to warmer days.

Roshambo - The final blast

OK I couldn't resist - when I played Rock, Paper, Scissors as a kid someone always tried to outsmart the game with dynamite - basically a thumbs up symbol with a clenched fist - and dynamite beat the lot.

These might not beat the Rock, Paper or Scissor posts that have gone before but they are a blast.

Boom!