31 January 2013

the one... with a little challenge

I think I want to set myself a diy challenge?

The challenge is to not purchase anything new for the cottage that is over $10.

The only exception to this rule is what I've committed to for the kitchen (that being the appliances, cabinets, tradies). No accessories - I can only use what I have.

Here are a few cheap diy projects I've done.

door mat

bedside tables


Christmas decoration


front screen door

I'm thinking of setting this challenging for myself for the month of February.  Yep, I have just 1 day before I start!

Wow, this will test me.  I've got a couple of things in mind and I can use whatever I have on hand in the garage or in the house.  I can only purchase things that cost less than $10.  If not, it'll have to wait until March.

Gosh, can I do this?

We will have to wait and see.

Have you set yourself a challenge like this before?  I'd love to know how you went?

Lisa xo


30 January 2013

the one... with a birthday candle

It was Charlie's 2nd Birthday on the 24th January.



It's hard to believe it was almost 2 years ago that I drove to Kingaroy to pick him up.  He was just 8 weeks old and only 15cm tall.

Lisa xo


28 January 2013

the one... with a mid week project

I have had this little project on my list for a while now and for some reason one night last week, after I got home from work, it seemed to be the perfect time.





Yep I spray painted 'hi' on my front door mat.  So simple!


I typed up 'hi' on the computer and printed it out.  I then cut out the letters using a cutting blade.  I then grabbed a can of spray paint I had in the garage and some newspaper.  I layed the paper out on the veranda table and used sticky taped to hold the paper on the mat.  I sprayed in short bursts to prevent bleeding underneath the paper.


I love it and it should hopefully put a smile to everyone's face when they walk up the front stairs.


Lisa xo

25 January 2013

the with... your help is needed

Those in living in Australia are well aware that we have a long weekend this week for Australia Day!!

It looks like it's going to be a wet weekend which is not very Australian.

So in saying that I thought I would take advantage of the extra day try to finish a few projects inside the house - you know those little jobs that finish a room but never seem to get done.

My bedroom is almost finished but I can't decide what colour to paint the chest of drawers.

As you know I painted the bedside tables a light grey which I'm happy with.


On the mood board I had chosen green but I'm tossing up with a deep purple.


A purple taken from the print I bought which is now on the wall (yippee).


I think what's stopping me is that I still want to find a bedhead to fill the white wall and had been thinking of doing up an old timber door and painting it - I like the option of changing the headboard colour.

Wait...

Thank you!

You know what, in typing this post I have made up my mind.  I guess it's like when you say something outloud - it becomes clearer.

I'll be back with photos of the colour I have chosen.

Lisa xo

the one... with the new kitchen

I have been in kitchen mode lately.

At first I was thinking I would diy the kitchen with one from either Bunnings or Ikea but after putting together the cupboards from Ikea for the laundry (this room isn't quite ready for the big reveal just yet) I was a little dissapointed in the quality of the cupboards and found they chipped a little when you put the screws in (granted you don't see them but still).

This is my first kitchen reno and of course it's a big deal which I'm sure it is for most.  I don't want something I will regret in the future because this girl has no plans to leave the cottage anytime soon.

I have always loved my kitchen.  Yeah the cupboards are really old, the bench top is raised in spot and there isn't enough storage.  On the plus side there is plenty of bench space and the room has always had a nice feel about it.

Anyway the old one has to go.

The big news with the new kitchen is... wait for it.... it's on the move!

Yep, see the original cottage floor plan below, you can see the kitchen is located on the left at the back of the house.  Can you guess where it's going? 
OK, see the centre room where it says 'Study' and 'Dining'?  Well, that is just one long room that has the dining table at one end and my desk at the other - basically it's a walk through room from the entry to the veranda or from my bedroom to the kitchen.

This is the centre room, looking towards the dining.



The plan is to run the main part of the kitchen, that being the stove, sink, counter space and high cupboards along the wall that backs onto the bathroom and then the fridge and pantry will go on the opposite wall.  A galley kitchen down the centre of the house.


I've been over on pinterest having lots of fun lately.  Check out all the great pics I've saved on my Kitchen board - click the image below to take you straight to the board.


Over the Christmas holidays I did take a trip to Masters to check out their kitchens.  While they were really nice, I thought the price was a bit $$$$ considering you still have to install it yourself.  They do send someone around to install the counter top and the splash back which helps but when you are only 159cm tall, the high cupboards will be difficult to put up on my own.

I then got a quote from a local kitchen company.  The price is comparable to Masters and the best part is I don't have to lift a finger.

The next thing to do is pull all the quotes together like the electrician and plumber and see where I am at.  Oh, I still have to buy a dishwasher (my first one!), gas cook top, oven, sink and have gas bottles installed.

Do you think I'm being unreasonable to try and keep this project around $10,000AUD?

Lisa xo

23 January 2013

the one... with christmas celebrations

I realise we are heading towards the end of the January but I wanted to share with you a few photos from Christmas.

Christmas Eve has been at my place for the last couple of years and this year it was on the new veranda.


I co-host the evening with my beautiful niece and this year we wanted a centre piece that was off the table to allow more space for the seafood.


This is what we did.


We found a stick in her yard and spray painted it silver.  After it dried we hung it from the veranda rafters - I really wanted to use fishing wire but I didn't have any on hand so we went with string.


After we hung the branch up, my niece got to work on hanging the purple and silver baubles and I think she did a stunning job.




We also sticky taped butchers paper to the table and had crayons for everyone to draw all over it.  There was some interesting pictures by the end of the night.

Christmas morning was just Charlie and myself, before we head over to my parents place, and this was Charlie's stash.



I think Santa was very good to him this year - he must have been a very good puppy!

Lisa xo

21 January 2013

the one... with a trip to the vet

Saturday morning saw me taking Charlie for his yearly check at the Vet.


It's funny how I book him in for his checkup but I don't do the same yearly task for myself.

Anyway, the vet said Charlie was in good health and even had a low rest in heart rate which meant he is a healthy dog who is very active.  Really, I didn't realise he was active!

The only thing is that he has a wheat infection in both ears.  Particularly the right one.  That means for the next 2 weeks I have to put drops in his ears, morning and night.  I better make sure I'm stocked up on his favourite treats.

Sunday morning while I was having breakfast on the verandah I was having a look around on pinterest and a particular photo caught my eye about emergency packs for your pet.

In light of the fires we've had recently in Australia and it was almost 2 years ago that Brisbane went under in the floods, I thought it might be a good idea.

The pin took me to a blog called A Bowl Full of Lemons and this post on Emergency Preparedness.  The plan is to put together a kit for myself and for Charlie.  Hopefully we never have to use them but I would rather know that are sitting there.... just in case.

Have you got an emergency kit in your home?

Lisa xo

18 January 2013

the one... with the new print

Look what I got from my lovely sister for Christmas.


She was very sneaky and went back through my blogs with all the goodies I have found on etsy.

It is from Miranda Lyn by ProjectType.

I'm in love with it!

I've decided it will now be the centre piece of the new kitchen.  More on the kitchen soon - I'm in the process of getting quotes from the varies tradies and working up a moodboard.

Lisa xo

16 January 2013

the one... with the blogs new look

I felt with the new year that I needed to give my blog a fresh new look.

I don't like clutter, both online or at home.  I'm a girl who likes clean likes when it comes to reading online.  I don't think my blog was cluttered but it just didn't reflect me I think.

I have been reading blogs for many years and only started my blog in May 2012.  I felt up until then that I didn't have anything worthwhile to share.

I want to give my blog more love and attention this year and the first thing to get more attention is my banner.

The colours I chose are throughout the cottage in fabric and accessories and I really can't go past purple!

I would love to know your thoughts on the new look.  What do you think, be honest now?


Lisa xo

13 January 2013

the one... with some freebies

I love a freebie, don't you?

Here are some free January 2013 desktop calendars to download (click on the image to be taken to the blog/website).

LwL_JAN2013

Leelou Blogs January 2013 Desktop

ipadcalendar1024x1024


Have a lovely day.

Lisa xo

11 January 2013

the one... with my favourites from 2012

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and got a little break so you are feeling fresh and ready for the new year.

I thought I would share with you a couple of posts from 2012 that were either popular (thank you) or particular favourites of mine.





I know I have been very quiet here on the blog.  It was a combination of the spam comments that just kept coming at me and I think I was tired.

2012 was a big year for me personally.  Some down times and the cottage renovations do take a lot out of you - you know what I mean.

I can assure you that the renovations and diy projects haven't stopped so I have many posts to write to bring you up to speed.

I will be back soon (I promise).

Lisa xo


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