All Posts By

Anita Holland

How to make a Halloween Skull Goblet

Upcycled Halloween skull goblet with black gesso base

I always joke that I love wine so much they don’t make a glass big enough for me, which is exactly why I created this Upcycled Halloween Skull Goblet into a Spooky Table Centrepiece for your next Halloween celebration. A few years back, my friends gifted me two of these jumbo 1-litre wine glasses as a joke—but they were too heavy to hold, so they ended up tucked away in a cupboard. With Halloween on the horizon, I decided to breathe new life into one of them by turning it into a skull-themed goblet that doubles as creepy table décor.

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August 12, 2020 By

Vanity makeover using chalk paint

Vanity makeover using chalk paint and wallpaper

Transforming a tired piece of furniture into something beautiful can be highly rewarding, and that’s exactly what inspired our DIY Chalk Paint Vanity Makeover with Wallpaper Drawer Accents. A friend asked me to breathe new life into a small vanity that was missing its mirror and had a broken drawer knob.

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May 14, 2021 By

How to Make a Steampunk Hat

Finished steampunk hat with copper highlights and goggles

Yes, you guessed it, I’m back again with another steampunk project, and this time I’m showing you how to create a DIY Mixed Media Steampunk Hat. I’d been hoarding this empty plastic bucket in my shed, waiting for inspiration—and once I realised its potential, a steampunk hat popped into my head. I’ll guide you step by step through adding layered textures, crafting resin gears and rubbing on copper highlights to turn an ordinary bucket into a bold steampunk hat—and then into a show‑stopping lamp.

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September 5, 2020 By

Stiletto Ring Holder

Steampunk embellished black stiletto ring holder with mixed media art makeover

When I spotted a pair of stiletto heels for just $10, I had to have them, only to discover that standing still was the only thing I could do in them. That sparked my Steampunk Stiletto Ring Holder: Upcycled High Heel Jewellery Stand project, a tutorial that shows you how to transform uncomfortable heels into a show-stopping, mixed-media masterpiece. Whether you choose to display yours as a unique ring holder or—if you can walk in high heels—strut out in truly one‑of‑a‑kind footwear, this technique lets you personalise every detail to make your shoes as distinctive as you are.

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April 27, 2020 By

How to make a Spellbook

Eerie mixed media Halloween spell book centrepiece

With Halloween creeping upon us, conjure up this DIY Eerie Mixed Media Spell Book for Spooky Halloween Décor to wow your guests with a haunted grimoire centrepiece that showcases your creativity. Thanks in part to Harry Potter, spell books have become a must‑have prop, and this tutorial walks you through every step—from preparing the pages to adding polymer‑clay eyes and resin skulls—using supplies you likely already have at home.

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August 23, 2020 By

Book repurposed into a Jewellery Box

Old hardcover book transformed into a black mixed‑media jewellery box with silver wax accents

With the shift towards e‑readers, tablets and audiobooks, printed volumes are becoming relics of the past—but that doesn’t mean they belong in a landfill. In this tutorial, From Page to Treasure: How to Repurpose an Old Book into a Stunning Jewellery Box, you’ll learn how to transform a neglected hardcover into a functional, mixed‑media keepsake that celebrates recycling, reusing and repurposing.

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May 18, 2020 By

DIY Horseshoe Towel Rack

Final rustic horseshoe towel rack mounted on wall with towels

Ever since I first spotted a horseshoe towel rack on Pinterest, I’ve been itching to make one of my own. Luckily, a mate from work who races horses had a stash of discarded shoes, so I collected plenty for this project. I’d planned to add a custom horse motif using traditional pyrography, but my arthritic hands quickly sidelined the burner. That’s when I discovered a scorch‑pen stencil method that delivers the same rustic, hand‑burned look—no special skill required. In this guide, I’ll show you how to create a DIY Rustic Horseshoe Towel Rack with Easy Scorch Pen Horse Design that’s as charming as it is functional.

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August 15, 2020 By

How to use Iron On Vinyl

DIY Holographic Iron‑On Mosaic Australian Map Cushion- completed

This month’s International Blogger Club (IBC) challenge is all about “Local Love,” so I set out to celebrate Australia in style. My project transforms a simple cushion using my Cricut into a tribute to our sunburnt country by layering a rich brown leather map of Australia with sparkling holographic iron‑on vinyl silhouettes of our native wildlife—kangaroos, koalas, platypuses and more—scattered across the continent like glittering gems.

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September 21, 2020 By

How to Upcycle a Sand Timer

Upcycled Sands of Time: Egyptian‑Themed Sand Timer Stand

Welcome to this month’s International Blogger Club (IBC) challenge! It’s time for the Sands of Time theme, and I’m thrilled to share my Upcycled Sands of Time: Egyptian‑Themed Sand Timer Stand. I rescued an old hourglass from my cupboard and transformed it into a striking Egyptian‑inspired décor piece using pallet wood, vinyl decals and metallic wax highlights.

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August 24, 2020 By

Halloween Flower Arrangement

Spooky Skull Halloween Table Flower Arrangement

YAY, it’s nearly Halloween and my favourite time of year for crafting: the Spooky Skull Halloween Table Flower Arrangement Tutorial shows you how to create a hauntingly stunning centrepiece that will wow your guests. I love Halloween because it’s the one time of year you can let your creepy side out to play—perfect for adding a dash of eerie elegance to your party décor.

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October 19, 2020 By

Steampunk Books

Completed steampunk prop books styled on tabletop

I’ve been on a mission to make my final steampunk project photos truly pop, so I designed these DIY Steampunk Prop Books to add Victorian flair to every shot. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to upcycle old hardcover books using waterslide decal paper, chalk paint and clear acrylic sealant to create eye‑catching steampunk book props. Follow along and master this easy technique—no fancy tools required!

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January 10, 2021 By

Multi‑Tier Wooden Planter Made from Pallet Wood

Multi‑Tier Wooden Planter Made from Pallet Wood- in the corner

Turn reclaimed pallets into a stunning multi‑tier wooden planter made from pallet wood with this simple DIY tutorial. After salvaging free pallet boards (and wrestling with them like Hercules), I crafted a stepped planter perfect for succulents or seasonal blooms. You’ll save money, reduce waste and add rustic charm to your garden—all using basic tools and leftover materials.

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July 11, 2020 By

Halloween Bottles

Spooky Mixed Media Art Halloween Bottles: Upcycled Textured Centrepieces displayed

Halloween is a fun time of year for kids and adults, and Spooky Mixed Media Art Halloween Bottles: Upcycled Textured Centrepieces shows you how to turn empty wine and vinegar bottles into eerie mixed‑media art pieces. Combining layered textures, coloured wax pastes and upcycled embellishments, these Halloween bottles double as haunting centrepieces or mantel décor—without breaking the budget.

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July 15, 2019 By