Tinker Studio

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Christmas Advent Inspiration

Published by Liz Aitken

With Christmas just around the corner you would have probably seen lots of different advent calendar inspiration around. It’s the final countdown to the celebration of Christmas day and a nice memory to create with your kids. I’ve never done it before, but we are enjoying looking inside with anticipation to see a special surprise each day as we lead up to the 25th. Looking forward to spending time with family at our home hosting Christmas this year and keeping things simple with homemade gifts and BBQ food.

I hope you get inspired to maybe start this tradition for yourself next festive season. Enjoy x.

vintage fabric found in my local second-hand shop

Cut your first stocking shape, then pin onto your fabric to cut out all the other stocking shapes the same size.

Once all cut out, sew together and turn the right way round.

Peg each numbered stocking on a piece of string, fill with goodies and hang it up like bunting.

Now it's not only an advent calander but a vintage homemade Christmas decoration too. Merry Christmas!!

Now it’s not only an advent calender but a vintage homemade Christmas decoration too. Merry Christmas!!

Geometric Upcycled Lampshade

Published by Liz Aitken

I LOVE upcycling interiors to give things a whole new look and feel. I’m also a lover of bright colour….so this little easy DIY geometric lampshade was a real hit for my guest bedroom.

Fun, bright, and super frugal….why not try it yourself?!

Heres what you’ll need:

A tired lampshade in need of revamping.
Some painters tape (any DIY store will stock it).
Bright coloured acrylic paints.
Some metallic copper paint (very on trend right now).
A smallish paintbrush.

Lets get started:

First use your painters tape to make a creative geometric pattern. Then choose a combination of colours that will work really well together. Paint out blocks of colour on your lampshade. When dry remove your tape.

Now its times to use your copper paint and carefully paint out all the areas which your tape had been. It’s that easy…take a look at the final product!! Hope this inspired you to create your very own.

The Modern Wreath with a vintage twist

Published by Liz Aitken

Hey guys….as promised here is my Christmas wreath creation and a guide on how I made it.

I decided to go a little more modern this year so that it can be used not only as a fabulous Christmas decoration for the front door….but can also be kept hanging inside on a bedroom wall as a unique home decor piece of art all year round.

I used some old vintage wallpaper which is black and white, textured and quite a thick weight so it was really easy to work with. Just a heads up that this craft is a little time-consuming and fiddley, so would probably take you around 3-4 hours the first time you make one.

What you will need:

Wallpaper, an old book, music sheets (whatever paper you have and would like to upcycle).
Scissors
Measuring tape
Hot glue gun (you could use white craft glue, but a hot glue gun is a lot faster).
Some cardboard and a craft knife
Pegs
Large plate and a mug

Lets Get Started:

First get a large plate and your cardboard. Trace around the plate and use a craft knife to cut it out. Do the same thing with a mug for the inner circle and cut out the piece to form your wreath shape. Then its time to roll your cones. I needed approximately 40 cones to make this wreath. Use a hot glue gun to secure your cones, snip off the ends and add a bit of hot glue inside at the bottom of the cone and peg it flat (as pictured above). This prepares your cones to be easily fitted to your wreath cardboard shape.

Now its time to hot glue your first layer of cones to the cardboard wreath shape. To ensure it is symmetrical you need to glue each cone opposite one another (as pictured above). Press down and flatten each piece right to the edge of your cardboard. When this is complete you will add your second layer in the gaps of the first layer.