Less than 6 weeks to go!

My big trip is coming up fast! 6 weeks until I'm in London and then traveling around Ireland. So much to do before then... The freelance work is coming in like crazy so crafting is on the down low. Hard to fit everything in these days!

I've planned a few things for London. I'll be staying with my cousin then meeting up with a couple of friends. Will definitely check out the markets, pubs and see a show. I only have 4 full days in London. It'll go by fast!

There's tons of helpful blog posts on things to do. Have you heard of Got Craft? Got Craft curates their own craft fairs in Vancouver and London. I follow them via Facebook and Twitter.

If you're going to London definitely check out Got Craft's London blog posts - they mention kewl markets, stores, etc.

Ireland will be filled with family stuff and single girl adventures. I've been in touch with my relatives and have a few things sorted out - accommodation, who to see, when, etc. Next step is to plan some mini solo trips. I can't wait to hit the road on my own and see what Ireland has to offer. My last trip was 15 years ago. I was there for 2 months working and playing. This time will be short and sweet!

My home base will be my Aunt and Uncle's B and B in Enniskerry.The B and B is my Dad's family home that they've renovated. Enniskerry is located 30 minutes south of Dublin City. It's the perfect home base!

I've been reading about things to do while in Ireland on Discover Ireland. Super helpful! And I'm thinking about submitting a blog post after my trip. Kind of nifty!

I'm planning to meet with Emily Boyle Westbrooks while in Dublin. Her blog is From China Village. Emily has been living in Dublin for a few years and wrote a city guide for Design*Sponge last year.

Emily is also writing for Poppytalk - she's a wealth of great info! Recent posts on Poppytalk include:

Dispatches from Dublin: Designist
Dispatches from Dublin: Article
Dispatches from Dublin: The Trinity Arts Workshop

I'll also be spending time in Galway. I have a few cousins to check in with and will definitely plan some adventures for the west coast. I'm getting excited!

Location, location, location

Last night I moved my crazy cabinet into my bathroom. I didn't think there would be enough room but there was and it looks FANTASTIC there. Yay!

It matches with the bright yellow paint, doesn't it?

Next step is to figure out the shelves and finding some storage options for soap, bath stuff, etc. And maybe some new towels. I currently have blue and brown damask towels... Not the best fit for the harlequin motif on the cabinet.

Home sweet home for my repurposed wood pallet

Today I moved my cabinet from my parents' laundry room to my place. I'm not sure where I'll put it. It actually will fit in my bathroom which was my original idea. I'll take some time to find the perfect place. So happy to have it FINALLY complete!

Here are some shots of the final piece.

BEFORE

After a few months and a bunch of DIY steps, I have a funky cabinet using a wood pallet and some table legs from the dump.

Here are the many steps it took to get to my finished project...

IN PROGRESS

Taking the wood pallet apart then joining and planing the pieces...

Drilling the sides and back together...

Inserting the table legs into the bottom...

Sanding the top of the legs so they sit flush...

Assembling the cabinet...

Adding the shelves...

Adding the vinyl...

Painting the pattern and staining the top...

Adding a coat of varathane...

AFTER

Bring on the varathane

Today I finished up my cabinet. First I shabby chic-ed the legs and the edges. I like how the shabby chic finish helps define the design of the legs. This cabinet is quite the odd duck, isn't it?

Next I got out the varathane and started on the top and worked my way down.

I added some pencil crayon to the edges of the triangles to help define the edges. The varathane definitely gives the acrylic paint a richness.

Here's the cabinet all done. Tomorrow I'll get it home and find a place for it. Then I can add stuff to the top and to the shelves.

Next project will be these cars. I know I want to paint them bright colours but I'm not sure how much detail to add. We'll see how it goes. I'm looking forward to making them fun and cute!

Feeling the upcycling love

Hope everyone had a FAB Valentine's Day and is feeling loved, appreciated, etc. I know I am! So many great friends & family in my life and so many wonderful things going on... Lots of possibility out there!

I had a pleasant surprise yesterday morning - my goodie bag tutorial got posted to Recyclart! Yay! Recyclart features nifty products that are made from recycling, reusing, upcycling, etc.

I submitted the goodie bag tutorial last week on a whim and it got posted. I'm not the best these days at promoting my projects - I want to get better in the future. So many link parties on other DIY/crafty blogs and so many opportunities to get featured on other sites. Sometimes ya gotta love the internet! And sometimes it's fun to share what you're working on and see that you're not completely kookie when you cut up old wool sweaters and turn them into other 'items'!

Here's the Recyclart homepage with my goodie bag tutorial...

Another 'feature' to add to my list... Recyclart... Canada Arts Connect Magazine...

And the Arts Office enewsletter...

What's next?! I have some ideas for my cabinet project once I get it done this weekend. Can't wait to finish it off and see what craziness will happen next!