HOUSE Archives - Nannycraft4u

Make a Frame Tray

November 24, 2015 by Nanny Leave a Comment

Today I am going to show you another easy project using a photo frame – Make a frame tray!

When we had a disaster in our kitchen last year,which resulted in a ‘new’ kitchen, I felt I needed some colour accents in the white kitchen.

I had the tea cup herb garden

So I decided to take the red of the cup to make this tray!

What you need:

A photo frame – I used an A4 – choose a frame with a profile that suits your need. I chose this one because the high gloss finish fitted perfectly with the kitchen finish.

A roll of contact or some of your favourite fabric

Silastic sealer

What you do:

Remove the backing board from the frame and carefully remove the stand from the board.

2. Cover the board with the contact or if you use fabric, staple or glue it to the board. Replace it in the frame and secure.

3. Now I wanted to be able to clean the tray without worrying about water getting under the glass, so I asked PJ to seal it for me with Silastic Sealer. So you simply squirt it around the edge

4. Wipe it clean with a dry cloth

5. You could add handles if you wanted to – I chose not to.

6. Enjoy your new tray! This is mine in the kitchen.

There are so many lovely frames available today and you can often pick them up on sale so why not give it a try. You can make them whatever size you like and they can serve a purpose in any area such as on the dressing table or even in the bathroom and you can make them whatever colour/design you like to suit your decor. They make a great gift too!

Until next time

Nanny xx

Nanny’s Herbs in the Window

August 3, 2014 by Nanny 7 Comments

With the restoration of our kitchen following a leak disaster, I had lots of time to think – I know it sounds strange but I do do it some times!!

I have always wanted one of these gardens in the window but I guess expense, window not in the right place etc etc has meant its never happened so, here comes the thinking and my herbs in the window!

I spotted the cups (soup cups) at Spotlight and brought one home to see if PJ could drill some holes through the bottom for me.
Enter PJ with his trusty drill and a 6mm Masonry Drill …..

and he set to work … (note the old board so he didn’t drill through the table!)

Fantastic! Back out to get two more so PJ can work his magic again. I thought I’d like them all to be different colours….

Now there was just one problem – they didn’t come with a saucer so I went to the Op Shop to have a look – I couldn’t believe it when I spied these:

Perfect match and 4 for a dollar – SWEET!

We did a swing by Bunnings to pick up some plants and potting mix…

Then it was out to the garden to collect some stones (I know they look like big rocks here!)

Then I spread some newspaper ( to take care of the mess that I knew I would make) and covered the holes with the stones.

I then sprinkled enough potting mix to cover the stones and planted the herbs – Chives, Parsley and Coriander.

I watered them in, popped them on the window sill and admired my new herb garden in a window!

Now don’t tell PJ, but there is plenty of room for more!

I just know that you will ask about the chickens! The larger one was a gift from a sewing friend (it looks like Gingham)

and I happened upon the little one and couldn’t resist the spots!

I think they look right at home among the herbs don’t you?

Until next time

Nanny xx

Outside the Box or Picture This!

June 22, 2014 by Nanny 8 Comments

I am so over stuff accumulating on the ensuite vanity!!
Yes, I have a bad back and avoid bending to search in bottom cupboards if I can possibly avoid it, but I can’t stand the constant mess/clutter that results from not ‘putting away’!

I initially thought I could use some glass shelves but they were all too long and wide for the space and too expensive so I had to think ‘outside the box’.

I gathered PJ and ventured out to Bunnings for a look-see and after quite a bit of searching , I came across photo shelves – they were glossy white (easy to clean), a nice width for a confined space and we would be able to cut them to fit!

PJ measured up, cut them off and painted the cut end white and then it was simply a matter of drilling a couple of holes and ta-da our new bathroom shelves!!

and my nice clean, clear vanity!

I do have one glass shelf that you can see in the photo – it is a corner shelf for my Maiden Hair – I can’t wait for it to grow and hang down!

Does clutter drive you crazy or is it just me?

Until next time
Nanny xx

A Total Remake!

October 3, 2013 by Nanny 4 Comments

I thought I would share another Nanny and Poppy makeover today! In the furniture that we collected from my Grandmother’s house was this dressing table.

Unfortunately, it had a huge chip missing from the front corner of the top.

So, I had PJ sand a bit of the drawer front and wouldn’t you know – it was oak!!

The ends had oak ply inserts

So I started thinking……..

Remember the sideboard or buffet?

I looked at all the pieces of timber that made up the dressing table and looked at the sideboard and let my mind flow…

I looked at the design features :

i) the cut away corners on the top,

ii) the shaped thingies under the top (sorry about the technical talk) separating the

iii)drawers,

iv) the ply ends,

v) the ply doors and routed frames

and thought “We can do this!!”

I measured up pieces, drew piccies and ~~conned~~ asked my little brother to help out with his router and this is the result!

i) The cut away corners (that got rid of that chip!!)

ii) Shaped thingies to match – there I go with techie talk again

iii) and a drawer (I knew PJ could do it!!)

iv) the ply ends

v) Routing around the doors – yes, PJ had to make doors!!

and…. the total finish !!

I love the way PJ trusts me when I ‘come up’ with things and I love our little sideboard – what do you think?

Until next time

Nanny xx

My Grandma’s Dresser

June 20, 2013 by Nanny 2 Comments

At about the time that we were doing the dining and lounge furniture, my much loved, bachelor Uncle passed away and PJ and I ended up with a garage full of my darling Grandmother’s furniture pieces.

Whilst Grandma owned nothing of real money value, I had expressed a desire to have one piece, if possible – Grandma’s ‘best’ dresser. This had sat in her lounge room and had housed all of her ‘special things’ – all of the little mementos accumulated while another of her sons toured the world in the Australian Navy, as well as photos of the rest of her family. Every Xmas, Dad, my brothers and I would go and decorate the lounge room for Grandma – she loved to have it nice for Xmas when other family members visited – so the crepe paper streamers, tinsel, balloons and Xmas baubles would all appear.

We would carefully wash and dust her precious items, photos of her other sons and their families, and the Council Certificates of War Service that hung proudly on the wall for three of her seven boys. We would polish her much loved ‘Alkoomie’ name plate at the front door, wash the windows etc etc.

Anyway, long story, but we ended up with the dresser – and all those wonderful family memories live on……

PJ knew how much it meant to me, so he virtually rebuilt the special dresser. It was hand built many years ago, and the years (especially since Grandma had passed away) had taken their toll, but the lovely Australian White Cedar timber responded to PJ’s loving care.

It now sits proudly in our family room, housing all of the games, puzzles and toys for our grandchildren to enjoy.

I know my Grandma would love that!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Please share:

Please share:

Please share:

Please share:

Please share:

© Nannycraft4u