My kids asked me to go Dollar stores every other day,whenever I go there find some thing that give me an idea to make some quick DIYs .My son Abdullah often complains I don’t make any thing for his room as much I do at Aleeza room.Boy”s room are really hard to decorate.Last week I stopped at Dollarama there were tons of spring and Garden decor items ,they will be disappear within few days.

Chicken wire was on my list,during my kitchen Reno trips to Home Depots I often thought to get it but I forgot to buy .I was surprised when I saw them at Dollarama a whole roll for just $3.You may find it any hardware store easily.

Lets makes a 10 mins craft,all you need a big frame without glass and staple gun.I already have staple guns.If you want a light duty staple gun ,You may find at Dollarama too.Some times I am so surprised when I got things for more dollars and I got to see them In Dollarma,May be they are not for heavy duty work but for beginners that are good.

Unframed your picture frame and remove the glass,paint it if you like with spray paint.Cut the desire size of chicken wire with wire cutter or scissors.Staple the chicken wire on the back of the frame,twist the cut wire and fold and staple down .

Make sure to twist the sharp edges and staple it down so that kids won’t hurt there tiny finger.

Flip it over and adjust the the chicken wire, add your kid’s art work and souvenir  etc.It is super easy ,you can use for hanging jewelry etc.

I made an easiest  version of bulliten /message board few months ago,you can check here

DIY Message Board

I admit and guilty for being so irregular(I know!! Again),it doesnt mean I was a couch potato…I was busy doing some renovation  in Aleeza room along with daily house routine.Her birthday is in coming week and she is going to be 11 this year Masha Allah.Time passed so fast,it looks like we brought our first baby home for the first time.She is growing so her needs are changing  too…she is not baby but she is still in glitter and  glue.

Her size got change so often,I  dont have any one younger (doll )who can use her beautiful  dresses and feel some times(often) I spend too much on her clothes and she uses once and a while.I love this dress she got it  as a gift from her khala (so its  a kind of her sentimental asset )and she only used 2-3 times as its summer  dresss and sadly we only have few months to use them.Every year I have tons of  their clothes to recycle or donate,try my best not to waste any thing in anyways.I was dressing  her bed up and I thought to use different pillows and cushion to make it accent.The lumber or body pillow is longer than average  pillow and sleek rectangular in shape.

Lets make  it together,its a beginner version.

You  can use any cotton dress or skirt of roughly atleast has  35″×16″ size (2 pieces of same rectangular sized) fabric when you cut it.

cotton filling.

Decorative Lace/pom pom/Ribbon etc etc .

Measure the desire size and cut the fabric in two pieces with same size.I wanted to use pom pom lace but couldn’t find at that time.I used this cute shabby chic lace and attached it to the fabric with sewing machine.All you need is basic sewing skills.

Use lace in between and stitch with sewing machine. If you are not expect like me,use clothes pins.All you need is stitch in a straight line or can even go little zigzag like me (lol) Don’t underestimate  your sewing skills just make sure it is stitched. You can make first  a simple cover for filing but I  insert filling directly because  Aleeza uses her stuff gently,if it got dirty I will toss it in a washer (Tip: When you put pillows and comforter in your dryer after a wash,Add 3 tennis ball inside the dryer to keep them in shape).

Stitch three side and leave it open so we can insert filling inside.Just make sure you fill it up all the way from top to bottom.I used almost three standard cushions size cotton filling to make this lumber pillow.

Close the open side with hand or sewing machine. Tara!!Ready to enjoy for a cozy nap…!!

I am so grateful to  all of you for appreciating  my kitchen make over so much .As I  promised,I will share from failure to success. ..yes …I got failed,stressed out or whatever you say..almost about to give up.I changed my mind so many times and I am really happy with Canadian  Return policy otherwise I would have been bankrupt.You would be amazed I returned almost everything other than this my marble tiles,because I loved them alot. The only thing that gave me a lay out for my kitchen. ..than I realize need to do some paper work and did some online and in store search and finally decided to go with the “Monochromatic” kitchen (with same shades )of neutrals.

You have so much options to  choose from,its all depends how much  you wana spend.lets start ,from back splash .There are lot of options  available  from glass tiles to ceramic, metal and porcelain tiles.

If you are living in rental or do some simple DIY peel and sticks are available.They are easy, look good but kind of temporary make over.I liked metal peel and stick tiles but they are way too much expensive  for temporary  solution.It can be done if you have a small project.

If you are doing everything, my two cents advice…always start from countertop and  floor than back splash and  choose your cabinets accordingly after you done… Dont choose your cabinet color before your counter top or back splash….your back splash would look different after grouting is done.

We (me + Husband) mutually loved the “Valensa 2×4 “Mosaic subway tiles at Lowe’s and we brought them rightway.Intially I wanted to DIY but it was so heavy and thick.It cant be cut without professional grade tile saw.Renting a saw worth more than I hire…this is the only thing we didnt DIY..once you choose your tiles,you need to buy grout.Its upto you to choose the shade of your grout ,went with the almost same/lighter shade called “Alabaster”.I removed this cabinet  from the wall between window and walk out back yard.I had no idea about results.I was really scared but I love the results,this wall become focal point of my kitchen and  needs a make over.

People at home renovation centers are very helpful .You can ask them  what type of grout and adhesive would be used . You can see here how they look like after grouting is done..I am more than happy and enjoying my marble subwway tiles.

If you like to know anything let me know,got so many questions  about my DIY cabinet transformation.Details coming up very soon(Hopefully )!!

I am so excited and happy to reveal the long-awaited project ever, I put all my efforts to make my Dream kitchen, It took more than 2 months along with lots of research, hard work and stress (everything) behind the biggest renovation so far…!!

This is not sponsored post, I have done almost everything all my self with help of my husband. However, I had to hire a contractor for our backsplash. I could n’t tell you details right now…I promise I will tell you each and everything step by step in coming weeks……Did I tell you… it’s not completed yet … our dishwasher is on its way …but I couldn’t wait for another couple of weeks for that, so please ignore that black ugly dishwasher at this moment….. I am so sorry for making you guys wait for long too…..Are you ready??

let’s start with the Before, I shared a few days ago…

and the final result…

Another before,

Here is after,

There are lots of choices for everything, it was really hard to decide what will look good in my kitchen. Initially, back splash was not on our “To Do” list but I always wanted it.

here is after,

I fall in first sight love when I saw these Marble subway tiles. I wanted to DIY but didn’t take any chance just because they are super heavy and thick, second, you simply can’t “undo” it..so better to hire somebody if you are unsure to DIY like me. I am glad we hired a professional…I love it after the grouting is done.

It’s more in Taupe shades than in grey in real…

Next, I  need to change the counter-top, I had that black laminate countertop. It looks odd once my back splash is installed and I wanted to change it too ..I love Granite but that’s really out of the budget, I wouldn’t change it and keep it as it is until and unless I didn’t find the much cheaper option of “Stone Coating”.I love the result..you can see how it look ….in between, I DIY  this cake stand.

Last(not actually) but not least, that took my most of the time …Yes…I painted my kitchen cabinets. It was oak but in pretty good shape…I sanded,2x primed and painted 3-4 coats of Benjamin Moore Advance, waited so much to let them dry. All you need patience but it really worth to wait.

I changed all hardware, again I used 3 different types of hardware in my cabinets and drawers.Can you guys spot them.??.my stove top cabinets has Brushed Nickel knobs, the rest of the cabinets has BN handles and my drawers has BN pulls.

I had to wood filling for drawers pulls because the size was different (again, details later).

This Dollar Tree tray keeps my counter-top clean from oil etc and I DIY Mason jar ” stove potpourri”.I  used some wooden boards from Winners and glass decor to complete it. A little jug is perfect for cooking oil.

On the other side of the stove, I used a wooden tray and my frequently used items.I bought these Chalkboard Tea and sugar jars from Home Sense, a utensil holder from Avon with colorful utensil set and a vanilla candle from Home Sense…it smells nice when I lighten it up.

I have removed the cabinet from the wall, to have this marble subway tiles up to the ceiling and I am so happy with the result..this wall is waiting for a makeover.

These blue Retro bottles are so cute but I  couldn’t find the tray/holder I  really looking for, so I used one of my old set of mirror art. It matches perfectly with these small glass bottles.

Both bottles and mirror are from Avon.

I simply removed the dish rack and I have no plans to use one since I am waiting for my dishwasher to come. This tall chic flower jug and flowers are from Burgundy.

These flowers are fake but look real.

This green candle holder is  “Target” short-term stay in Canada and I really missed that store.

I couldn’t resist buying the dish soap dispenser and dish.The smell of gingerbread makes my mood on.

On microwave I placed this wooden fold-able tray from Pakistan gifted by my dear khala, this faux plant is from Dollarma.

This accent rug is from “Home Sense”, it matches the decor and love the tussles.

I also changed the light fixtures, After a long search online and in-store finally bought this set from “Home Sense “. I am so pleased with the result, I was so scared before I started it but trust me if I can do it you can do it too, all you need is patience…I won’t say it easy …but hard work that worth!!…the new tiles, clean countertop and new cabinet colour make you love it.

I will tell the details of DIY and process of Renovation (selection/confusion/ failures etc)in separate posts in coming weeks. If you need to know more please leave a message in comments.

Hi Everyone,

I made this simple mirror jewlary /display stand with Aleeza for her room during March Break.We brought this glitter  mirror from Dollarama for $2 and got pair of candle sticks from  Walmart 70%  off for only $4. 99 . I used only one candle stick from the box .

 

I simply used gorilla glue(you can use any bond or strong adhesive  )and attach the mirror to the base of candle stick.Leave it over night with some weight on.

You can use any round mirror or plate.You can use it as a cake stand or display your favorite  items on your vanity.Isn’t  so cute and  easy?

March /Spring break  just started here and kids are home for more than a week.I am planning to do some indoor activities  and crafts with them as much as possible to get their eyes out of the gadgets.

Soft or play dough is highly recommended  for preschoolers and toddlers to improve their “Fine Motor Skills”.It helps to make  their muscles stronger and strengthen grip .So allow your kids to use play dough ,I know its messy thing to do but its ok you can give him with a sheet down to the floor or a carpet.

I am sharing two ingredients DIY play dough recipe with you and I am quite sure you have these two ingridents handy/home.I made this with my kids and we all enjoy it alot.Play dough or soft dough you can find any craft /toy store easily but if you can make at home it will be so much  fun…trust me…lets start.

You will need just two ingredients.

Any Shampoo with Conditioner: 1 cup

Corn starch/flour: 2 cups

Food color (optional)

Method :

You need to measure the shampoo but it *must* have conditioner , now add color into it in a big bowl.I didnt have any food color other than regular yellow food powder (zarda rung),I simply mixed water and make it (if you don’t have it ,you can still make white soft play dough)Now start adding corn flour and make a dough.Kneed it untill your dough is not sticky any more.You can check the consistency ,its Aleeza started playing right after we make it.

The dough is ready you can store it in a zip lock  or tin /air tight  container  so it wont dry .We stored it in empty cookie tin .