How to easily decorate a bedroom

What's better than doing the laundry? actually everything, well... except dishes + ironing Tell you what, painting silly on clothespins and hanging lovely photos over the bed is. It's even better than keeping them in an album (although scrapbooking can be fun) or worse, hidden in a folder.

 
 

we used wooden clothespins, painted with acrylic, four nails, hammer + thread;

tip: use matte photo paper;

a super easy, cheap + fun way to change the mood and dodge chores;

all in all it was awesome hacking another wall... what's next?

 

 Have a beautiful creative weekend!

Our new workspace

Olá cats. It may seem I neglected TAD for a few days, but I haven't. Honestly. We've been completing bigger projects (with many singing-for-the-baby breaks) and when I say bigger I'm just talking size, like arranging kittnish things in a workspace.

First off we hacked the dusty old curtains of our landlady hoping she would like the change so much she wouldn't complain. Then, after painting a wall pink I realized it's not my color, so I made it red the next day. I don't know if it was for Valentine's Day or not, but here it is, plain red.

So little by little our workspace is coming to life. I wanted to share with you, even though it's not finished yet. I will add a few paintings, cards maybe, a wall organizer + I'll try to always stash keep cookies nearby. The personal touch will come in time, for sure.

I had a bit of time to sketch how fashion was in the year 1969, but more about that in a future post so be around. Lots of kisses until then and have a great week!

Paper lamp shade + butterflies

Hi, cats.

I'm in love with the 6th thingy. We used plain paper, a paper lamp shade, scissors and glue. It took about 20 minutes to make everything and about two days to post it, yikes. I guess color paper, maybe red tones + black, would have been cool too. I tried painting a few butterflies but the paper lost its shape so we went back to simple.

So what do you think, hot or not?
(It kinda screams Valentine's Day, doesn't it)

Shoe box for photographs

I'm posting a little late about the fifth thing, I'm a bit tired cause I've been meowing + mooing + singing all day + all the other thrills when you have a ten week old at home (including starring into each others eyes for hours, like lovers).

I started working on it yesterday but I finished today: it's a cardboard (shoe) box turned into a pretty box to store memories like photos, notes, etc. How it's made? We torn apart a few fashion magazines in search of the perfect (as if) images, then we crumpled (for a vintage look) and glued it onto the box. Then... um, no, there's nothing more, that's it.

I hope this has been inspiring and I wish you plan + enjoy a very creative week... but see you a bit later!

Painting on the third day

For the third thing-a-day I started to work on (what is going to be) a pillow for a very special friend. I'm painting with textile acrylics on cotton and then I will get to the sewing part, but all about that in a few days.

To be continued...

Oh, and if you walked in late, I participate in a creative sprint to make one new thing every day for a whole month and post about it. Thing-a-day is an open space where we virtually work together, inspire and support each other. It's challenging, and I can't wait to see what comes next...

How to make a baby blanket

Before revealing the surprise project I've been working on, I want to say a few words about the last hectic days.

So we finally found a home and we already moved some stuff especially my mobile kittn corporation, that's why I was there yesterday working but actually breathing, listening to the silence, enjoying time alone... have I already said breathing?

Needless to say yesterday passed in a second.

I felt very calm, comfortable, all in all having again those feelings of something being just right. Not mentioning I was very inspired and motivated to work!

The apartment is a small studio with a big kitchen that I can somehow separate in two, arranging a work space. It's not completely furnished yet so it will tke a while until everything is into place, but you know what I loved?

The sun shines there all day, the windows are as big as the walls + the light plays all day letting me enjoy a wonderful sunset at the end of each day, just like the little prince wished.

And speaking of a little prince, here's the latest invention: a bright colored (I told you I felt happy in the new home) baby blanket that can serve as a cover or as a play mat.



I calculated that being about 80 x 90 cm it will have 12 (20 x 30 cm) pieces of fabric accordingly so I cut + sewed them together.

I created the felt animals + hearts separately, then I stitched them onto the fabric. For the other (warm) side of the blanket I chose a very thick fleece piece in bright turquoise.

I sewed the parts together, then brought them on the right side and finally stitched a line along each side creating a firm margin.



So this is it, a very cute easy to make baby blanket. If you have any questions or wish to use the same patterns, drop us a line anytime and we'll e-mail you the instructions.

Kisses + hooray for freedom, joy and new homes!

Deco lavender pillow

Hot or not?

Summer Giveaway (no regrets pillow set + dragon wings t-shirt + handmade biz book)

Hello.

Kittns worked a lot lately so they are finally taking three or four some days off relaxing on the beach. It would be the coolest thing in the world right now if you could come and join them, as they miss having friends around. If you can't join them now, kittns want you to be happy anyway, take some time off for yourself and enjoy soulful things.

That is why they decided to give away presents this summer:

• a unique pillow set that's entirely hand crafted (+ hand painted using hypoallergenic textile paint, no solvents). The original drawing + text will remind you of your superhero powers and will be a friend for sweet napping or just hugging.
  

• I am not afraid of dragons T-shirt, Medium size, with a hand painted drawing and a lovely set of tulle wings to help you let go of fear and feel like flying.
  

• A brilliant book kittns bought here and read in a heartbeat. It was really really useful, that's why we would love to share the wisdom and pass it on (it would be nice if you did the same after you read it and took notes, in the hope that the handmade marketplace would grow & shine).

You can give your love too and enter the giveaway by following Kittn (see the Follow button at the bottom of this page) + leaving a comment about what you like or would like to see kittns do or write about + your contact.

We will use a random number generator to draw three lucky pals. The first one will firstly choose the prize and so on.

Shipping is international & completely free for you. Results on July 15th.

Meowy wowy hugs to you!

The message.

As we spend a lot of time indoors, I believe we should make our space comfy and cozy, a shelter where we feel nurtured on love and peace. I thought pillows can be so close and tender: we rest with them while napping on a Sunday afternoon, we hug them when we listen to our best friends adventures, we even throw with them when playing pillow fight with our better halves.



I called this particular collection The message, as and it showcases lovely realities that we need to be reminded of everyday or fragments of our favorite things to say all in the purpose to brighten our days and make them better.
I painted the characters and text on cotton and linen and they are very very soft to the touch. With the risk of repeating, I'm going to say again that the textile paint that I use is water-based and contains no solvents. Their sizes vary, as some pillows are singles and some come in sets of two.
You will find the entire collection for sale in my online shop or by simply writing to me.


Caution: powerful emotions attached!

Purrfect.

I don't have a perfect life, oh, I am far far from that.
I weigh six kilos over the point where my figure would be curvy, I live with my in-laws (insert holding breath here) and I feel vaguely detached from my own self most of the time.
I'm thirty years old and I haven't had a sense of direction in life ten years ago, nor do I have now (actually, I think of myself as being two times fifteen, it's more fun).
I started a handmade business almost four years ago and financially I am at the same level. I seem to cut my shoulder-length hair short all the time just to convince myself that I was on the right track growing it in the first place.
My workplace and room always look way past fashionably distressed (I particularly have a special relationship with socks that appear everywhere at most unexpected times).
And there would be a few more discontents I live with daily (or traits that one doesn't brag about so much) but you know what, f... orget that, I am happy to show you a few images from the project I am working on and I hope will be out in one week.

What would YOU change about your life?

Meanwhile, in Portugal...

... people name their houses. It's so pretty and captivating as you walk, read and begin to imagine stories that you have to really watch your step. I've seen girls names, last names, saints names, flowers, places and on some just mysterious nicknames or pretty things that one likes...


... while some are romantically called The (insert name) Couple.
You should also know that vivenda is a one family residence and moradia signifies that there are separate owners in the same house.

Would you name your house? What would you write on the wall?

3 x 0,50 m garden

Choose the plants/flowers you hope want to grow. Stare at them for ages dreaming of how you'll wake up feeling their scent this summer.
Clean your garden/pots/space by removing the weeds. I know, all plants are our friends, but unfortunately they don't get along so well with pansies and carnations.


Pretend your arm doesn't hurt where Mr. Cactus stung and contently watch the garden.
Plant the seeds following the instructions - some need to be deeper, some at distance, etc.


Rest. Enjoy the view. Think about your friends and wish they will come over.
Post on your blog about a very relaxing household activity.
Smile!

DIY: Curtains.

I am not such a big fan of curtains, but I have always dreamed of having colored light in the room, changing throughout the day. Not finding the exact ready-made curtains in the store, I decided to make them myself and if you have two hours and the will to design your home, you can do it yourself too. So here goes...

Find the fabric you want and measure it correctly. I chose red, green and beige for a very soft fabric that can hang loose. Of course, you can create it in how many colors and pieces you wish :)

Cut a few pieces which will be the hangers. Fold each in half, sew then bring on the right side and close with a stitch. This will hide the raw edges.

I chose a strong stitch to give the edge a nice finish. I sewed along the edges of the fabric, then I got rid of the loose threads by cutting them out.

I added the hangers...

... and simply turned them into bows. Cute, huh? Then I continued with the other pieces of fabric...

... and hanged them as well by making knots...

... and now I have my colored ever changing light!
Like it... or love it? :)