Cucumbersome » projects

Debranding the Bathroom (Again)

britt — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:40:31 +0000

We now have these three etched bottles sitting on the shelf in our shower, and these three only: “soap” – pure liquid castile soap, also used for shaving, “soda” – baking soda water used instead of shampoo, and “rinse” – watered-down apple cider vinegar used on hair once or twice a week to get rid of any residue. There’s also a matching soap dispenser by the sink.

A couple years ago, Ryan and I started selling vinyl stickers to de-brand your bathroom. We weren’t surprised when it received mixed responses, and I’m sure some of you reading this are likewise wondering why any sane person would do such a thing. Our little labels made the blog rounds and sold out in the first 24 hours, so that we had to quickly restock. It was quite thrilling to think that (some) people were actually responding to this idea that I had been thinking of for years. However, I got sick shortly after and we had to shut it down.
This new version captures my original vision much better, though. It isn’t just regular products put in new bottles. Shampoo is a detergent, which strips the natural oils out of your hair. Then you need conditioner to put them back in. I think that’s silly. Your hair will look after itself, with just a little help from baking soda and apple cider vinegar. Most days you can just wash it with water when you shower. It’s extremely cheap, and totally natural. If you didn’t want to use watered-down baking soda, I would recommend using the castile soap. It works really well and doesn’t strip your hair, but you still need to do a vinegar rinse once in a while.
I’m getting off-track here, when I really just wanted to tell you about these pretty bottles. They are from Ikea, and very thick glass so I don’t think breakage will be a problem. The etched letters provide a little bit of extra grip. I printed out the letters the size I wanted, and then put the printout on top of some contact paper and cut through both layers. Then you place the contact paper on the bottle and paint on a thick layer of etching cream (read the safety label). Wait for a minute, and then rinse it off. Peel off the contact paper, and you’re done. The letters are imperfect, and so subtle that they almost look like pockets of condensation.

Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate! Aack!*

britt — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:24:18 +0000

If the complete decimation of the candy (subsequently followed by crazed dancing, and the inevitable sugar crash) is any indication, the candy buffet at my brother’s wedding was a success. There was a lot of dashing around the morning of because we had planned to gather supplies the day before, but hadn’t anticipated all of the stores in Ontario being completely shut down (this was the long weekend, but BC doesn’t close up shop like Ontario does). There were a few other things I had wanted to add to our candy buffet (it’s no Amy Atlas table), but as I said, it seemed to still go over quite well.
Anyone else who thinks individually wrapping hundreds of chocolate bars sounds like a good time, read on for more details.
That sounded sarcastic, but sometimes performing simple tasks over and over again really is soothing to me. I was really inspired by the packaging of Mast Brothers Chocolates, but I used Hershey’s Miniatures, which come in variety packs (one of the four types is gold-wrapped, so I set those aside for, um, another use). Higher-quality chocolates would be nice here, but keep in mind that you don’t want to be handling the chocolate directly at any time so something with a neutral wrapping is best. I recommend using gift wrapping paper, because it is thin enough to fold around these tiny guys. For reference sake, you’ll need a 1.5″ x 3″ piece of paper for each bar. Using a cutting mat, clear ruler (like a quilting ruler), and an x-acto knife makes the cutting really easy and quick. To secure, use roll-on adhesive (like this). The whole thing ended up only taking one evening, but if you gather some friends and set up a bit of a factory line you could get it done even quicker.
The candy sign at the top of the post is another example of my new favorite technique. It was set up in a little frame beside the candy, along with the bags. Originally I wanted flat bags (without the square bottom) which you can run through your printer, but I wasn’t able to find any in time so we made striped labels for them.
I wish I had better photos of the whole table, but when the realization hits you that your brother is getting married(!), the color-coordinated candy doesn’t seem all that important.
* Completely unrelated.

Printing on Fabric, the Lazy Way

britt — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:39:08 +0000

Here’s the short story for you skimmers: Freezer paper + fabric + inkjet printer = banner.
And now for the slightly longer version: When thinking of how to make a banner for my brother’s wedding, I contemplated the freezer paper stencil method which I have used before (seen here, forgive the bad photos) with some success. The idea of cutting out intricate letters wasn’t thrilling me though. Suddenly I remembered reading that you can use freezer paper to stiffen fabric enough to feed through an inkjet printer so you can print directly on the fabric. I was skeptical but I had a bit of freezer paper lying around and a designer to help execute the idea (he wasn’t lying around mind you, but kindly offered to help with the type. Thanks, hon!).

All you do – and it’s really deceptively simple – is iron the glossy side of the freezer paper onto the wrong side of the fabric and then cut it down to fit in the printer (8.5″ x 11″). Then just print on the fabric side, and peel the paper off.

This example (above) shows the heart with the backing on the left, and the same heart sans freezer paper on the right. I love how pulling the backing off pulls at the threads and warps it ever so slightly.

For the banner part, I cut the letters down to the same size and folded and sewed over the tops to make a pocket for the twine. The whole project – from start to finish, from layout to threading the letters onto the twine – took less than an hour. Easiest banner ever.
I recommend checking out this instructable, which goes over the process in better detail and discusses what to do to make the fabric washable.

Two-Faced Watch

britt — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:14:34 +0000

How cute is this watch from Anthropologie? I also appreciate that these are pieced together from different vintage watches and not manufactured to just look vintage. The reviews are mixed, however. Some loved the unique watches that arrived in the mail, but others were really upset. To be fair, the disappointed customers are more likely to post a review (with photos) so it might not be an accurate gauge of the quality… but for $250 CAD, I’m not sure I want to take the chance.
It would make for a fun project, though, wouldn’t it? I would really love to find some vintage watches and put my own together. I wonder if it would be hard to do. Do you think it’s doable? How about you try it out and then get back to me…

Grey Suede Shoes

britt — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:45:04 +0000

Just wanted to share this great tutorial that I used to make these tiny baby shoes for Piper. The easy-to-follow tutorial took me about one hour from start to finish and was generously provided by Joanna of Stardust Shoes. I want to make more, maybe with some cuter fabric. I used really soft white leather for the soles (left over from this necklace project) instead of the bonded fleece recommended, which worked out quite well. So if you are looking for a baby gift and have a bit of sewing experience, check it out. I wonder if I could convert the pattern and make some slippers for myself…

Downsizing

britt — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:43:27 +0000

I’ll admit it. I get a little emotionally attached to clothes. It’s not like I cry each time a sock goes missing (although that sure does happen a lot), but I have a tendency to hold on to things past their prime if I have fond memories associated with them. This skirt is a prime example. The eyelet had ripped off in one area and I had stitched it back on. The lining was threadbare in places, and a couple of the side seams were starting to pull apart. I have had this skirt for at least five years, three summers of which I wore it to death. It served me well in Mexico because it was comfortable to tromp around in, ever so light, and it actually looked better a little wrinkled. Now that’s my kind of skirt.

But it really wasn’t wearable any longer. In fact, I hadn’t worn it at all this past summer. It was too worn to donate, but I held on to it because it seemed to have a little life left. And now, with this dress for Piper, I have found a way to happily part with it.
First, I removed the little metal grommets from the eyelet. They had started to fall out, and I didn’t want them to be a choking hazard. Then I ripped the skirt apart (and cried a little… just kidding), reinforced some of the seams and added light fusible interfacing to the panel that would end up being the top of the dress. For the pattern, I used a dress that I bought for Piper, tracing the outlines onto kraft paper with a spoked tracing wheel. It left a nice little dotted line on the paper for me to cut out after adding seam allowances. (This Built by Wendy book taught me that trick for transferring patterns.)
The skirt had a string attached to the waist, I guess so you could hoist up the top layer a little to show off the eyelet. I promise I never did that. But I was able to repurpose the string into little ties on the back to accommodate a baby’s adorably large head.

(Forgive the wonky hanger – I had to twist it up to get the tiny dress on it.) The whole project took just a little over an hour. It helped that I didn’t have to hem it at all. It’s much too large for Piper now, but it will hopefully fit her in the summer, when it’s much more weather-appropriate.
It’ll be good to know that my skirt went to a better place… on a cute baby.

PS I Made This: Statement Necklace

britt — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:15:40 +0000

And by “I”, I mean Erica Domesek. I’m really loving this statement necklace that was featured on Refinery 29. She uses upholstery trim – that’s genius! It has my head spinning with possibilities.
Check out her site, PS I Made This, for other ideas.

Time for Tea Soap

britt — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:07:04 +0000

Drinking tea is such a lovely ceremony, what with the dainty cups and small spoons and little dishes reserved only for steeped tea bags. The aroma is such a huge part of that experience. Sadly, I’m finding that one can only drink so much tea in a day. So why not pull those luscious scents into our lives in other ways? This was my thinking when this idea popped into my head. I whipped up a batch of small Earl Grey tea soaps (see my instructions below) and folded them into individual tissue tea bags.

I have included a full, rather detailed tutorial for you to make these yourself. You can even download my tea soap tags, if you are so inclined. Each tag has a “Made by” and “For” on the back, so you can give these little soaps as gifts. You could also write a tiny message on the inside of the tag. I assure you that these are extremely easy to make, and cheap as well.
Click through below for the free tag download and how to!

You can buy all the materials you need here.
(a) Soap: I used a Melt & Pour Soap Base which some may think is cheating, but I think it’s fantastic. It’s incredibly easy – you just cut up the block of soap and melt it in the microwave (or if you are like me and don’t have a microwave, use a double-boiler) and add in whatever ingredients you want.
I used Earl Greyer Tea which has more bergamot than usual. Then just pour it into a mold or pan and let it set. After a few hours mine was set and I cut it into rectangles about 1″ x 2″. These are small (think hotel soap) and I was able to get eight soaps from a 1 lb. block, plus scraps that I can melt down into another one or two. You can see more detailed instructions here. I would recommend wrapping each soap in a dark-colored paper.
(b)Tags: You can create your own tags, or download mine here. Each sheet has tags for Earl Grey Tea Soap, Green Tea Soap, Citrus Mint Tea Soap, Ginger Peach Tea Soap, Rooibos Tea Soap, Jasmine Tea Soap, and Tea Soap (plain). Just cut them out, fold them in half, and snip little notches in the corners (see photos). [A note about the tags: Feel free to print out these tags for your personal, non-commercial use. Please do not redistribute in any way.]
(c)White tissue paper: Pieces cut to approximately 6″ x 9″, one per soap. *Not intended for use in the tub or shower.
(d)Tape
(e)String
(f)Stapler
(g)Scissors

How to fold, tea bag-style:

1. Place one soap on the tissue paper, centered vertically but slightly higher than the middle.
2. Fold the two sides over the soap so that they overlap slightly. Tape closed.
3. Pinch the edges to form a rectangular box. Pleat the sides inward.

4. Fold the bottom up over the soap and secure with a loop of tape (or double-sided tape)
5. Trim so that the front and back are the same height
6. Fold the two corners in to form a peak.
7. Pull the peak down and tape shut.

8. Flip over and staple the string onto the bag, tying a knot in the end to keep it from slipping through. Staple tag on the other end of the string.
If you have any trouble with these instructions it might help to inspect a real tea bag. For the sake of comparison, here is a real tea bag with mine:

Here are the tags that are available (click here to view and print):

Now I’m off to have a cup of tea…
Thanks for reading.

Chair: Before & After

britt — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:57:14 +0000

Months and months ago, when we still lived in Nelson, we found this chair at a thrift store for four dollars. It has been in storage at my dear parents’ house since we moved to Vancouver. We brought it back with us on our last visit there a few weeks ago. The wood was very unevenly finished – the arms had been worn right down to the wood. So I sanded it down and finished it with varathane. Nothing fancy, but a little more even. I added a thin layer of padding and reupholstered it in a sky blue ultrasuede.

The fabric was on sale for $15 per meter and because it was so wide I only needed one meter. Everything else I already had, so the grand total for this project was $19. The seat is a little too deep for short people like me (perfect for Ryan, though) so I will have to make a little pillow. I was thinking something with a contrasting texture, like one made out of recycled leather, or burlap. Other than that, it is incredibly comfortable. And the color just makes me feel happy.

Beginner’s Quilting

britt — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:44:59 +0000

My brother and his wife are having a baby girl – she’s due in about a month. I’m so excited to have a niece! We threw a small shower yesterday here in Nelson for Jayce, my sister-in-law. Part of my gift was this crib-sized quilt. It’s my first attempt at a quilt so I kept it pretty simple. The backing is just a soft, pink flannelette and you will probably recognize the Amy Butler fabric I used for the top and binding. I wanted a fairly bold pattern so I could stitch around the lines. It worked out quite well. In the beginning, I was trying to decided if I should hand-stitch around the flowers and leaves or machine sew a grid of some sort. This tutorial from Purl Bee helped me to decide on hand-sewing, and gave some really great tips.

One of the most valuable things I learned was the quilter’s knot, as seen in this tutorial by Heather Bailey. How did I not know about this? This tutorial (also by Heather) really helped me with the binding.
If I ever make another quilt, I think I will try to do something like this gorgeous one on Flickr. Do you quilt?