The Interior DIYer

Uncategorized

Inspiration – man blanket

I’m currently in cahoots with my broseph for his birthday. I wanted to make him a blanket, but I soon realized in order to make one he genuinely liked, I would have to consult him on the pattern and colours, therefore it would not be a surprise.

It needed to look manly, but not too boring. I was conscious of it looking dated in the future, which meant the colour and pattern we chose would play a huge factor. After much humming and hawing, I found a style of blanket that broseph very much approved of {you can see it here}. It was straight forward, masculine, wasn’t too colour restrictive and doesn’t scream a particular age group. In stead of blue and yellow, he wanted maroon to be incorporated {no objections here}, so here’s what I sent his way for approval …

From there, I made some tweaks and we narrowed it down to this …

… he’s very happy with it, which is something I didn’t expect. After work yesterday I managed to find the perfect Aran wool, whose colour I can only compare to a warm gunmetal grey, and came in the perfect quantity of two shit-tonnes of yarn. The detail colour yarn only comes in similar amounts, so I’m scouring the internet for some smaller skeins. 

Since broseph’s birthday is now less than a month away, I literally had to start crocheting the moment I got home last night. The selfish side of me is so happy to have a project to work on, and I happily crocheted 4 lines last night. I’m the kind of person who constantly needs something to do. Otherwise I’m screaming with boredom.

Before I went to sleep last night, I said to hubby “I’ll do a couple lines in bed before I go asleep.” I sound like a crack addict. 

Uncategorized

Lately …

It’s been one of those weeks where I do nothing but curl up on the couch after work. Incredibly unproductive. For the little things that have happened this week, that were swell, but I can’t justify dedicating an entire post to each … 

I came home to a romantical surprise from husband. “Since I can’t get you hydrangeas this time of year, I got you these”.  For no reason. A massive stack of catkins* in the daintiest shade of pink. They’re one of my favourite flowers / buds because they feel like teeny kittens paws. 

I don’t write about beauty stuff, but having said that, I had the opportunity last year to get a gel manicure for free. It lasted over 3 weeks, and I was converted. They didn’t scratch or chip once. But at €40 at the salon for paying folk, I haven’t justified getting them since. Except this week I spotted the SensatioNail starter kit in Boots and couldn’t not get it. I did my nails last week and above is how they look today. What they say is true – once you shellac you never go back …

Initial sloppy sketches at my desk, but I’m very indecisive. I’m obsessed with picture frame tattoos these days, but haven’t found the right subject matter.

And lastly, we’re heading here next month for a mini holiday to celebrate our 7 year anniversary. I mean really, our hotel has its own beach. I’m jealous, and I’m the one going.

At long last, Friday is here! To all the mothers celebrating this Sunday – happy Mother’s Day 🙂 My mom has it made. I celebrate the Irish Mother’s Day with her ’cause I’m Irish, and my brother celebrates the Canadian one because he’s Canadian {we moved a lot when I was little}. So, she gets two Mother’s Days. Lucky duck.
  

Image cred 2 and 5. 

    

*Well I could hardly write “a massive stack of pussy willow”. Am I the only one who thinks that sounds really dirty?
Uncategorized

Living room makeover – painting update

At long last, our canvas is at peace. After my previous attempt, I knew exactly how I wanted to paint it, and finally finished it late last night.

I’ve really enjoyed uncomplicated artwork as of late, so I thought why not magic some up for myself. I wanted it to pop, for it to remain monochromatic, and something artsy fartsy yet simple going on in the middle. I also chose to hang it up compared to it previously sitting on our shelf, which I think has made a huge difference. 

At the moment I’m conscious of it looking a bit pretentious. But I’m really, really happy with it this time around, so that’s trumping my hesitations. 

And below, the ‘work’ I had done on it previously. I felt a whole mess of guilt painting over it at first thanks to your incredibly sweet and thoughtful comments, but for me, it’s previous state made me want to barf a little I felt wasn’t to its full potential. 

I finished painting late last night, and when husband saw it this morning all I heard was “Woah. That looks a lot better” from down the hallway. Happy face.

I hope you guys had a relaxing and / or refreshing weekend! It’ll be Mothers Day on Sunday here in Ireland so I’m determined for no last minute malarky this year. I have a couple tricks up my sleeve … 

xx A