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Upcycled Wooden Bin Planter for a Cosy Spa Deck

Red geranium in rustic wooden planter on spa deck

After finishing our pergola and decking around the spa, the space looked great, but it needed personality. Plants and décor make all the difference when you want an outdoor area to feel warm and lived-in.

I already had the perfect piece sitting in my kitchen. Years ago, my son made me a wooden bin at school. It’s nothing fancy, but it holds a lot of sentimental value. I couldn’t bring myself to toss it in the shed, so I decided to give it a new life as a planter for the deck. This project turned out to be practical, meaningful, and a beautiful addition to the space.

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May 23, 2026 By

Moving Aluminium Can Mosaic Wall Art

When I started creating this Moving Aluminium Can Mosaic Wall Art, I imagined a colourful wall hanging made from recycled drink cans that would shimmer in the sun. My original plan was to use the printed side of the aluminium cans, and I was almost halfway through nailing the colourful discs onto my board when I stepped back and took it outside. The movement was beautiful, but the colours didn’t pop the way I hoped. The silver circles, on the other hand, shimmered, reflected the sun, and created the most amazing sound as they moved in the breeze. That simple change transformed the whole project into a striking moving mosaic that dances with every breath of wind.

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November 30, 2025 By

DIY Halloween Mausoleum from a Vintage Wall Clock

Final Halloween mausoleum assemblage in vintage clock

Assemblage art is about more than just combining random objects—it’s about telling a story. In this haunting DIY Halloween project, I upcycled a vintage wall clock into a Gothic mausoleum, crafting an eerie love story that lives on beyond the grave. Titled “Eternal Love in Death,” this Halloween assemblage features two skeletons joined in eternal embrace, surrounded by symbolic flowers, ornate textures, and layered meaning.

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September 27, 2025 By

Laser Cut silhouette wall art

black ‘Tree Lovers’ laser-cut silhouette on bedroom wall

I created this xTool P2 conveyor ‘Tree Lovers’ silhouette wall art because I wanted a bold, modern piece without a fussy cut that would take ages. I’d had the xTool P2, Riser Base and Conveyor Feeder for about three months (for review), and I was itching to push the conveyor to its limits on a long panel—up to 3 metres. It took six tries (keeping it real!), plenty of problem-solving, and a final pivot that delivered a wall-worthy result. In this tutorial, I’ll show exactly what worked, what didn’t, and how to set your tab settings so you don’t repeat my mistakes.

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April 7, 2024 By

How to make simple rope wall art

Rope wall art trio in thrifted frames with flowing macramé waves

When the International Bloggers Club set the theme “Rugged Ropes & Twisted Twine,” I knew I wanted a project that anyone could make in an afternoon. Rugged Ropes & Twisted Twine: Easy Rope Wall Art in Frames turns simple macramé rope and thrifted frames into calming, textural wall décor. I trialled the idea on three small frames to let a single flowing pattern travel from one frame to the next—but truthfully, this technique is even easier on a larger canvas. If you love neutral, organic décor (and budget-friendly crafts), this one’s for you.

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July 24, 2023 By

Shou Sugi Ban Wooden Gecko Wall Art

Finished Shou Sugi Ban wooden gecko wall art on brick verandah wall

Looking for DIY outdoor decor that stands out? This giant Shou Sugi Ban wooden gecko climbs the wall with bold texture and gorgeous colour. I upcycled a free sideboard top, burned the timber for dramatic grain, and sealed it so it’s ready for the verandah or patio. One rescued panel. One simple technique. Show-stopping outdoor wall art.

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May 27, 2023 By

3D Wooden Wall Art

Horizontal hanging option for wooden wall decor

This week’s International Bloggers Club challenge was “Hang Her Up”, and for my project, I decided to make 3D wooden wall art from a recycled 4×4 fence post. This project is simple to build but gives an optical illusion effect that truly messes with your eyes when you look at it. The best part? You can hang it vertically or horizontally to suit your wall space.

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February 20, 2023 By

Porch Welcome Sign

Finished porch welcome sign with dog silhouettes and bow

This week’s project was a special request from my daughter, who asked me to make a porch welcome sign for her front door. As a passionate dog lover and owner of four very excitable pups, she wanted something that reflected her furry family. I decided to create a custom porch sign with a silhouette for each of her dog breeds, using my Cricut vinyl cutting machine.

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January 28, 2023 By

Pallet Wood Heart

Pallet wood heart wall art with wooden robots

A new year means fresh challenges for our International Bloggers Club (IBC), and our first theme of the year is “Pallet Parade.” With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to make a rustic pallet wood heart. To give it a fun twist, I used the leftover scraps to create a pair of quirky wooden robots, turning the project into a charming and unique wall hanging.

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January 23, 2023 By

Aluminium Can covered Steampunk Mannequin

Aluminium soda Can Steampunk Mannequin “Mistress Metallica”

Recycled art doesn’t get much bolder than this Aluminium Can Steampunk Mannequin: Mistress Metallica. After my first steampunk mannequin fooled people into thinking it was real metal, I set out to build an authentic metallic skin using embossed aluminium cans, pop rivets, and leather accents.

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May 22, 2021 By

Gouge Ball Shou Sugi Ban Art

3 panels Sealed and finished with rich texture

A few months ago, I posted wooden wall art panels with a distinctive abalone/snake skin effect I discovered by accident. The project quickly became one of my most popular—so many lovely compliments, though a few readers said it looked too hard. I found it easy, just very time-consuming. Today, I’m sharing how I halved the work by using a gouge ball to create this Shou sugi ban wall art.

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June 12, 2022 By

DIY wall-mounted toilet roll holder

Bamboo steamer toilet roll holder mounted on bathroom wall above the toilet

My mischievous Jack Russell “terrorists” inspired this week’s project: Upcycle a Bamboo Steamer into a Macramé Wall-Mounted Toilet Roll Holder. Our toilet rolls used to sit on a floor pole—easy pickings! Moving the spare rolls onto the wall solved the problem, and a big bamboo steamer made the perfect, budget-friendly base. The basket looked plain at first, so I gave it a quick macramé rope makeover. The result is a tidy, dog-proof toilet roll holder that looks like it floats on the wall.

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September 6, 2022 By