Upcycled Pannier bags

I am not sure if I mentioned I have recently purchased a beautiful town bike (see below).  I absolutely love it and am fully in the throws of customising it a la Amsterdam style.  I brought some cheapish double pannier bags for the back....practical, but just not very pretty.  Cue 'Tutorial for Upcycled Panniers'.  Now I used a vintage 1960's apron I had acquired, but you can use any fabric you have to hand....a tea towel, pillow case anything that is big enough.  The fabric is essentially appliquéd onto the original waterproof fabric, so, although if you do not use waterproof fabric the items inside the bag will still be protected.  I also added some vintage buttons for a bit of detailing, but you can add whatever you like!  Be creative and let me know how you got on.

Making something out of nothing!

Finally, I have managed to do another little diy project for you!  It is one that I have had in mind for sometime and it is a great one to do with the children as it is so simple.  It is again down the route of recycling and upcycling, creating something new out of something that no longer has a use.  Follow the photographic steps and create your own little softie.  I'd love to know how you got on.

NEW FEATURE.......DIY Party Decorations - Pinwheels

In the spirit of 'reuse/recycle/renew' we have developed a new feature....A step by step guide on how to make your own party decorations.  Today we start with Pinwheels, a really easy thing to make that looks great!  Follow my Pinterest Party board here for more ideas and let me know what you think to the new feature!

Spring Summer 2013 Trend Neon / Fluoro

Neon / Fluoro is everywhere this season.  From high-end fashion, accessories and childrenswear to interiors. It is an easy, fun trend to wear with a nod to the 1990's club scene.  Styling can be subtle or as full on as you like.  From Neon graphics, trims and accessories to all over fluoro fabric shades.  There are numerous accessories available and none more so than in footwear, check out the lovely Belgium Website Les Casse Pieds (www.lescassepieds.be) there are a gorgeous pair of Neon green patent shoes as well as the neon trim high tops below or the French brand Sun Jellies in every shade (http://www.sunjellies.com/little-jellies) as see below also.

However, there are lots of DIY tutorials to help you give your current items a 'Neon' make-over.  See this post by Celina Bailey (Editor of the fantastic blog http://petitapetitandfamily.blogspot.co.uk) for the Uber cool La Petite Magazine Blog, but if that is just too tricky then why not add a neon lace as J.Crew have done to their desert boots, see link and image below.

Love it or loathe it, this trend has been here for a while and shows no signs of disappearing!  I'm pretty sure though from looking at the selected images you can see how good it is for Childrenswear and perhaps just what we need after this long dark winter!

All Images Available here 

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454999036/

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454986870/ (Babekins Magazine Fluoro Ballet pumps)

http://pinterest.com/rubancollectif/ruban-collectif-studio/ (DIY Fluoro Headdresses & tutus)

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454972457/ (J.Crew Fluoro Laces in desert boots)

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454984870/ (Barbara Decre photograph fluoro satchels & pumps)

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454962265/ (Les Casse Pieds.be Fluoro trim high tops)

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454948194/ (little-miss-y.be Fluoro hair tie)

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454922544/ (Fluoro decorations / accessories by milchschaumdesign.blogspot)

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454864089/ (Fluoro graphic styling by http://www.pauletpaula.com)

http://pinterest.com/pin/96897829454792665/ (Fluoro Yellow shorts & Jeans http://www.noahs.nl/)