This category includes general DIY projects, home repairs, and recycling ideas, providing creative and practical solutions for everyday home improvement.
So… I finally found and bought a vintage sofa set! I was thrilled when I saw the photos—charming, with character and perfect curves – just like me :). But when it arrived… let’s just say it doesn’t look exactly like in the ad. 🙈 It’s still ok… I paid 300 EUR for delivery (they came … More I Bought a Vintage Sofa Set!
When it comes to making a ziedu vainags (flower crown), you don’t need wire, thread, string, or tape. Nature gives us everything we need. With just wildflowers and smilgas (bentgrass or other strong wild grass), you can make a crown that stays firm, holds its shape beautifully, and brings joy both in midsummer and long … More Make your own Flower Crown!
Lately, I’ve been busy packing out our plates and sets—finally giving them a proper home after what feels like forever. There’s something so satisfying (and slightly overwhelming) about unwrapping each piece of porcelain and imagining the meals, celebrations, and quiet cups of tea they’ll be part of. The buffet, as lovely as it is, turned … More Finding Room for Beauty (and a Little Bit of Chaos)
This weekend was supposed to be about unwrapping memories. And it was—but not quite the way I expected. Among the many boxes we brought back from storage, there was one I was especially excited to open: my vintage German porcelain from Seltmann Weiden. I bought that set during my mom’s 60th birthday party—the one we … More Let’s Talk About Weekend or Seltmann Weiden Service
On Saturday and Sunday, we finally brought home all my china from storage, along with my grandmother’s buffet. (Or is it a cupboard? Honestly, I never know the right word in English—please, comment below). It’s a beautiful piece with the history, made in 1880, and has been in my family ever since. I grew up … More Monday
In 2008, I opened a photo studio. I wanted the space to be both functional and stylish, so I commissioned a local youngster to create a custom table and shelves. The design was an industrial dream—dark wood and metal, perfectly matching the vibe I envisioned for my studio. Fast forward to a few years later, … More From Photo Studio to Dining Table: A Tale of Repurposing
So, I was off the blogging cause I “made” Nelles’ birthday party! This was my 12th kids birthday party I have thrown. Well, I would say I never learn! Still doing it by myself, still cooking, baking cakes, making decorations, cleaning, planting flowers, etc… even when I don’t have much time left. This is called … More Nelle is 6 now!
Another childish card came up in my mind! Why not!? After all word, Pawesom is adorable! If you like it, you can buy it, just ask! Ilze
While girls were ill at home, we made beautiful 3D tulip greeting cards using square paper plates and colored paper! You can find the directions & template here. Yes, that is my coffee in the middle of those paper scraps… and that is Marley watching birds! I run on coffee all those two weeks while … More DIY: 3D Tulip greeting card
Update: Two bigger girls don’t have a temperature but Nelle got itchy throat. Salt water gargle isn’t an option cause she doesn’t know how to do that. We will stick with pastilles and camomile tea, water and honey. That won’t be a problem. It looks like Helmī is allergic to quince! I added it to the herbal teas for … More Early morning after a late night!
I spent yesterday doodling in Illustrator… Never used an Illustrator before. Tried to do a small “project”…. … got dizzy! I don’t know where that day went… but I guess I liked it so much even don’t mind spending one-day moving points! I was so entertained… end up having a headache! It’s not good to … More Illustrator
I shared an inspirational (it was for me!) blog post a few days ago with pictures of Christmas decorations from previous years. Now I want to share this year’s Christmas decorations. As you know I decorated two times this year! And I actually didn’t want to make a second “round”. I hope you are ready … More This year’s Christmas decorations
This years house decoration was like a rollercoaster! I made all the natural decorations (as I did before, cause I really love natural material)…. then I had to take them off, cause it felt like I have some sort of allergy… then I had to think about decorations again… And do it again! But after taking … More Decorations and our Christmas tree
This one is my first card after I finished those 55 identical Christmas cards… Thought I couldn’t touch that embossing folder anymore. But it wasn’t that bad! I had few minutes (free time!?) upstairs in my craft corner and made this: I used my new Dahle and it was precise – perfect cut! This is … More Handmade Christmas card
Hand knitted socks are something our family love! All my girls have wool socks to wear in boots when going out in winter. When we have to wait until our central heating heats up the house, wool socks are just in time! My mom makes all our wool socks! More than 20 pairs per year!!! Starting … More Hand knitted socks
Decide to number my happy mail days… reason!? Can’t name the reason… Anyway! Happy! Another metal die for cardmaking is here and I promise myself to use it whenever have time to make a card! This variety of different sized rectangles with a stitched edge was my dream ever since started the card making.It’s mine … More Happy Mail day #5
I’m grateful to Aija, who believed in me and gave me an opportunity to fall in love with cardmaking once again! Thank you, Aija for such a beautiful time spent in my craft corner. Last time I made cards was a year ago and it seemed impossible to get back to cardmaking after… DIY wooden kitchen … More 55 identical Christmas greeting cards
So, the Advent is here and my girls started to count down till Christmas. We started at 1st of December. Everything went as planned until Helmī got ill and stayed home and decide to destroy Nelle’s and Linna’s calendars… But I will print new ones, cause girls really love to cut the stripe off every … More Santa’s beard calendar
1st of December… let’s begin preparing for Christmas. I know a lot of you are ready for Christmas already (I mean decorations and advent wreath) but here in Latvia… we are running into a forest for natural material for wreath right before Advent Sunday. Otherwise, it will fall apart. A few days ago the weather … More How to make a salt dough?
Yes, Yes, Yes! It feels like I’m back to cardmaking! I began to order die cuts and embossing folders, get creative and spend time in my craft corner! Usually, I have to wait from 3 weeks to 2 months for the package to travel to Latvia. The best part is to receive it finally and to open … More Happy Mail Day #3
I was surprised to find this die cut on the internet. For me, it is something so Latvian. It is not just a random pattern – it is Latvian symbol – Auseklītis! Auseklis (The Morning Star) Auseklis is the Morning Star (Venus). The symbol is one of many ancient cosmological and magical symbols used in … More Auseklītis / Early Morning Star
This year I made Santa’s beard countdown calendar. A bit different Advent calendar – no presents, no treats – just countdown. I can’t decide whether girls would love to see the date of the day (like a calendar) or answer to the question: how much days till Christmas!? There are Advent Sundays when we lit the … More Printable Santa’s Beard Countdown Calendar
Handmade Christmas cards aren’t cheap but they are unique and made by a person, not a machine. I started to make cards when I was pregnant with my first girl in the year 2012. I’ve been through a lot of phases since then: had time, didn’t want to see cardmaking stuff, had time and loved … More Card Making
This is how it will stay until spring… Have no time to continue and I’m not sure if I need to continue. Now that wall looks rustic cause there are few places where I couldn’t get the green paint of. Ant that wall already looks better in my opinion… Well, doesn’t meter! Christmas decoration will … More That Green Wall
DONE! I made my kitchen! Thank you for being with me on this journey! Now.. I need to clean everything (whole house) to take a picture of my NEW & DIY kitchen! Wait! I need to sit down and think about it all… how did it happen!? Be patient it might take a while! Cause … More DIY: Oven & Hob section / Part 4
It’s not like I don’t have anything to do! My daily schedule is full already! But.. I can’t stand that green kitchen wall. It’s so old and odd looking…. It won’t fit in my new kitchen! Actually, it didn’t fit in old one ether but then I didn’t care! \ Now I’m burning daylight by … More Green – Brown – Terrible
Yesterday I felt down… I felt tired, empty, a bit angry but most of the time anxious! I called the seller and he wrote an email to the manufacturer! He hopes to get another tap holding screw… … but if you ask me, I would say, manufacturer, don’t physic and don’t do testing. It took … More Yesterday’s trouble…
Finally! I’m frustrated! It’s been a while so… it’s interesting to feel something else than joy in your body… The reason for that is – kitchen tap! It just broke down!!!! I installed it few month ago.. and now it’s broken! Frustrated! Angry! And feeling down! It feels like my DIY kitchen project is … More Frustrated… and Tired!
We had first snow on October 26. That snow didn’t stay for long, only two days! When girls saw the snow in the morning (together with the deer family) they wanted to stay home and build a snowman! So, why not. We build two small snowmen and by that time it was raining, so we placed them … More Snowman
Forgot to share my progress on DIY Kitchen unit project. So here it is! Will you believe me if I’d say that I’m tired of a messy unfinished kitchen! But there’s nothing to blame but me :). And that’s hard… It’s easier to blame husband or worker than “GO&DO” by yourself! Isn’t it?! 🙂 SO, … More DIY: Oven & Hob section / Part 3
Two days ago I shared how hard it was to get going on this oven & hob section. Now I’m up and running :). I measured, I cut and glued all the boards together to make a countertop for this section a few days ago. Yesterday it was sanding & oiling. Is there anyone who likes … More DIY: Oven & Hob section / Part 2
It was so hard to get this project going again. I dropped it cause I didn’t know if I’ll get the hob delivered or not also the cut in size was important. I waited for almost 3 months for my hob to be delivered! No, no… I didn’t order something fancy in fact these hobs … More DIY: Oven & Hob section
This is something I thought of when Linna wanted to help me in the kitchen. I was in the hurry so I needed her to be off the “helping”. I asked Linna to wash potatoes while I was looking around (still mess in my kitchen – haven’t finished it!) for cookie cutters. I was lucky! … More DIY: Easy Potato Stamps
I got this idea since I started the DIY: Kitchen unit project. IDEA: Make kitchen lamp shade from spoons or other kitchen related items. After spending hours by generating ideas in my head I quit doing that. Drive to the shop and check the prices of spoons. And I mean really cheap spoons – Made … More Spoon lamp idea!
I can’t believe it’s already more than a month since I last use my tools and worked on myDIY kitchen unit project! It feels like I didn’t do it. And if I did, I don’t know how I did it! I’m surprised. Every day looking at it! It’s time to move on! The cooktop is … More Kitchen
If you follow me you might recall that I bought an old/vintage candle chandelier! We hung it in the kitchen/dining! Hurray! We already had dinner in the candlelight! It is as I wanted! Realy! Beautiful, romantic, rustic, useful and heartwarming! It’s pity I can’t find the right angle for the picture to show all the … More Vintage Candle Chandelier
I was screaming loudly and running like crazy when I saw this candle chandelier in one of my favorite shop of used/vintage things from Germany! Yes, from Germany! I don’t know why actually I have an idea, but a lot of used and vintage shops getting their stuff from Germany! I love buying pre-loved stuff, … More Candle Chandelier
Saturday morning I made few cake toppers to add to the flower pots I use for decoration. Also, I printed out few coloring pages, Max & Ruby stickers on plain paper to use for party hats that also I finished Saturday morning. Everyone can color a page or make a party hat or mask of … More Max & Ruby inspired party: Part III
Max & Ruby share just about everything. These two bunnies go through life together and share love, friendship, and playtime. As usual, I started with the theme and date for the party and then made the guest list. After I had the guest list, I made the invitations and send them out. Then I start … More Max & Ruby inspired party: Part I
These paper pumpkins are easy to make and sure looks cute. I made these as a gift wrapping for the “Little Pumpkin party” a.k. “David’s first birthday”. If you have bigger present than a t-shirt for 1yo, you will need bigger size paper. If smaller or few small presents, pack them in a cello bag … More DIY: Easy Paper Pumpkins
As I told before I have to quit woodworking and start thinking about Helmī 2nd birthday. Also, I already had “theme” for the birthday. It’s “Max & Ruby”! Lovely! This is what I came up with! Simple “Max & Ruby” inspired birthday invitation. It says: “Helmī loves Max & Ruby, come and get acquainted! Saturday … More Max & Ruby Inspired Birthday Invitation
Sink and dishwasher section. What can I say…. It’s something that still isn’t finished and won’t be until I didn’t make next section and decide where I’ll store pots and pans and strainers. Where I’ll put dishes and how to hide gas cylinder for the cooktop. That’s ok. Baby steps! The mornings are so cold … More DIY: Sink & Dishwasher section
And YES! It’s final – I decide to finish my baking corner (and the rest of kitchen units I’m working on right now) with oil! Oil finish… As you know I already move into my brand new baking corner (I actually never had one before). And now it’s time to get everything out and get the … More All covered in oil
Remember that kitchen sink, that came from manufacturers warehouse without a hole for tap? Guess what! We found the “hole maker” and now it’s ready to be installed in the place… BUT. There is one BUT. We lost the manual and there are lots of different pipes we need to connect. I made that “art … More That Kitchen Sink
We have new Stainless steel kitchen sink. That’s good, but since it’s possible to choose the side of the bigger sink to be located you have to tell where to put the hole for the tap when order. We decided to put the bigger sink on the right and table and smaller sink on the left … More Problem with Kitchen Sink
And… the sun is shining and the weather is sweet again.. and I’m continuing with my kitchen unit making! I made the first part which was the baking corner. It turned out beautiful and is exactly what I need! I’m still can’t decide whether it will be covered in oil or other finish… So… Now … More DIY: Second section (Sink & Dishwasher)
I’m so happy I’m gonna cry! I HAVE THE BAKING CORNER! And the best part – I made it! I made it from boards – few new and few old, few planed and few unplaned covered in splinters. I did it and I’m proud! Indeed! I can’t express my satisfaction! I had an old shelf and … More DIY: Baking Corner
We have an old shelf (like really old – almost 60 years) that was used for storing grocery jars like flour, rice, sugar, etc. Now it’s time to clean it, sand it and finish with flax oil. I can’t imagine such an old shelf always being natural to finish with lacquer. Before: It’s time for … More Old Shelf – New Life!
I decided to divide all the DIY kitchen unit project into smaller units. There will be a baking corner, sink & dishwasher section, cooktop & oven section and all for dining section. First will be the baking corner. I needed extra mixing & product storage space. I already know that I will love it! I … More First part: Baking corner
I spent the whole day cutting the boards I got a few days ago. Why? I’m the ambitious young mom of 3 and I want to make my own kitchen units out of real wood. I know it’s something crazy, cause wood doesn’t like water. But. I already made a blueprint 🙂 I’m not aiming … More Kitchen units in making
We can be whatever we want. We can do anything. Anything we love! Now it feels like I’m into woodworking. And why not!? Yesterday felt like a birthday! I got new tools – little helpers, that helps a lot. Makita cordless impact driver and drill! It’s time to finish what I’ve started before we went for … More New little helpers: Drill & Impact Driver
As you know my latest passion is woodworking. I’m getting slowly into a new thing mainly because I have to care about kids and house and garden and… anything else. But in those free moments in between (Jodi, I thought about you!) I do what I’m excited about… And this time it’s woodworking! I got my … More Boards!
I wanted to clean the porch but it ended as a rescue mission for animals. First, I have to admit, that I wanted to through away few things like old pillows, sweaters and recliner chair month ago … or even more!? Long story short. Waste collector comes only once a month, so I stored all … More Porch: Bird and the Mice family
I even don’t know how to call it! Restoration or finishing! This wooden floor was left unfinished for more than 6 years. We moved in 3 years ago and decide not to finish it (sand it). Linna was just born and Nelle was only 2 years old. I had no time nor willing to do … More DIY: Natural wooden floor restoration
All my 3 girls are sleeping in beds now. It started with the caravaning. All the girls slept in one twin bed for whole travel. There wasn’t any problem. I used pool noodles to divide space. And now when we are back home we don’t need crib anymore. So, I’m free to experiment! I would … More DIY: From Crib to Bed
Or should I say – simple woodworking?! Is there such thing as simple and not so simple woodworking!? I guess. My first cut ever and already with my own (I don’t know why Janis bought me a used miter saw before we left for the caravanning!!! I was more than surprised!) miter saw is … More New Hobby: Woodworking
Before I’m starting to share the photos of house repairing let’s explain the situation: I felt so sad and helpless after we returned home. My eyelid allergy is back and it showed up only spending 15 minutes in the house! And it’s not just me! Helmī had a runny nose every single day before we left … More A bit about our home and my allergy
I always wanted to have a beautiful red and white checkered picnic blanket. Big enough to for all of us. Waterproof and easy to clean (washing machine safe). Well… I dreamed and now I can say dreams come true! We have Waterproof, big enough, red and white checkered picnic blanket. I saw the beautiful cotton flannel … More DIY: 2 in 1 Waterproof Picnic blanket
I was surprised to saw tiny daffodils growing in my flower bed… they weren’t there last spring! I stood there for a while and enjoyed this unexpected beauty! And suddenly I remembered – I plant them last Easter! I had them for the Easter decoration and later I didn’t throw them away – I planted them! … More Daffodils!?
We are back from Salacgrīva! Suitcases unpacked and the big mountain of dirty laundry waiting in the bathroom! But… It’s time to fix everything that isn’t working as we want or not working at all in our caravan kitchen control panel. Our kitchen control panel is located under a wall cupboard and contains 4 switches: … More Caravan Kitchen Control Panel
I love bringing Spring indoors by displaying extra long branches on an easter table. If we speak about flowers in summer than I can say it’s very rear and special occasion if I’m bringing blooming flowers inside. I love them better outside. What relates to extra long branches – I love them! Every spring I … More Bring spring inside
After all the scissor cutting practices are finished, a child might want to demonstrate his/her cutting skills. And what’s a better way then easter greeting card for a dad or a grandma?! I made few greeting cards for my oldest girl to cut out to show dad how good is her scissor cutting skill. Learn more about Scissors Cutting Practice … More Scissor Cutting Practice: Shapes / Free Easter Printable
Scissor cutting practice is important for developing the fine motor skills that young children need in order to hold pencils, pens, and crayons. Children should start scissor cutting practice before learning how to write. About the Scissors cutting skill development you can find in my previous post: Scissors Cutting Practice for Preschoolers. Practice sheets for short and long … More Scissor cutting practice: Simple Shapes / Free Easter printable
I’m so obsessed with nice looking materials for my girls to play-learn. I really enjoy the process of making them and the smiles on here faces to use them! And my math related roots says that math is something that we need to learn and it could be so enjoyable and fun activity too! (At least for … More Learn Numbers, Sequence & Counting: Ice Cream Scoops (free printable)
About the Scissors cutting skill development you can find in my previous post: Scissors Cutting Practice for Preschoolers. For better results and faster learning start with tearing paper by hand and the cut short cuts and end with wavy lines. I made Easter themed worksheets…. because, why not! I’d say this a Preschool Cutting Activity for 3-year-olds … More Scissor Cutting Skills / FREE Easter Printable Worksheet
Cutting practice is what going on in our house right now. Nelle loves to cut. I’m surprised how she can do that with right arm, she is left-handed. I bought here left-handed scissors but still cutting with the right arm. Well – let it be! Maybe it’s not too late to teach her to write with right … More Scissors Cutting Practice for Preschoolers
Finally, I did it! I opened my “first aid” box and took out all the medicine boxes with an expired date! Before I got pregnant (~10 years ago) I didn’t think about the cause of illness, I deal with the results of it. So did my family doctor. I used pills and liquids, emulsions and steroid … More Unused Medicine
We bought set of wooden blocks for girls to play a few years ago. They still use them when playing with other wooden sets but not that much anymore. I don’t like throw away toys (nor other things!). That old set has cubes in it and now it’s time to use them again. Since Nelle (will be … More Wooden Cubes Pattern set
Yesterday we had s busy day by making and using popsicle stick pattern cards. I found few popsicle stick pattern cards on the Internet for Nelle to try out. Every new card was greeted with such an enthusiasm and happy face ready to start to match the pattern on the card with the colored popsicle sticks… After … More Popsicle stick pattern cards
I wish my kids can help with laundry! My wish was granted! I found instructions for super cool t-shirt folder made out of cardboard in the Facebook few days ago! I was sceptic as all the Latvians are (yes, most of Latvians are sceptic for new things!). This is my first time using something like that. I … More DIY: T-Shirt folder for kids
a day in the life of a latvian mom 