HOW TO MAKE A NO-SEW TEEPEE

Over the weekend we created a makeshift teepee from garden stakes, builders line and a bed sheet. The kids liked it so much that they wanted to sleep in it that night.

This is how we did it.

Note: There are a few no-sew teepee tutorials out there, but this version is even easier (although, perhaps, a less permanent solution). Rather than weaving fabric through the posts we just wrapped a queen-sized flat sheet over the top and kept it it in place with safety pins. Obviously, if you are worried about them as a safety hazard you could tack-sew or use a hot-glue gun.

YOU WILL NEED
 8 garden stakes
Builders line
Queen-sized flat bed sheet
Safety pins or a hot-glue gun
Decorations

HOW-TO
1 Arrange your stakes/poles against a wall and weave the builders line under and over until it reaches the beginning again then tie a knot.
2 Gather the stakes/poles together.
3 Wrap more of the line or twine around the bundle as you fan them out from the bottom.
4 Once in position start weaving the builders line around each pole to hold the frame in place. Leave a gap at the front opening. Wrap more line/twine around the top of the front opening.
5 Wrap a bed sheet around the frame, leaving a gap where the opening will be. Tuck the ends back near opening and safety pin in place. Decorate! We used some garlands from Nomades.

images the indigo crew

BEFORE + AFTER KIDS STOOL

Revamping furniture and objects around the home has always been something that I've done. I like to keep life simple - reusing what I have, and restoring what I find. Plus, for me, I get a kick out of seeing something I've transformed. Gratifying, as they used to say.

It's been a while since I've done any DIY projects around the home but when I spied this stool at Mitchell Road Auction Centre in Sydney's Alexandria, I became inspired again. My daughter didn't want to sit in her high chair anymore but our regular bentwoods were a little too low. This stool sits a little higher - I think it may have been used for sewing or by a machinist - and was quite stable. It also didn't look like "baby" furniture. I've never been big on buying kid-specific furniture other than the absolute essentials, such as a cot and high chair. The rest - change tables - have been fashioned out of the tops of chest of drawers. 

The bonus is that when this stool is no longer used by the children it can find another use in our house. 

Toolkit

Sanding machine

Sand paper

Spray-paint

Wood oil (I used the remains of a sample pot of Livos's natural oil sealer in Walnut, which we are testing out on our floors)

How-to

1. Sand back any layers of paint and wire brush the frame.

2. Unscrew the frame from the seat and spray-paint in black satin.

3. Oil the seat - drying time between coats required 24 hours. Reassemble.

images courtesy of the indigo crew

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS...

We gave a friend with a lemon tree a little nudge. We'd be happy to take some if they had too many on their hands. Three bags later we were planning a lemonade stall. The kids helped to make the signs, and they hung them up while I was out running around for ice. They also customised the paper cups and brown bags. The recipe was a big hit with customers. We made several batches, and still ran out. Here it is:

Homemade lemonade

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 cups water

3/4 cup caster sugar

lemon slices to serve

1. Combine lemon juice, water and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves.

2. Remove from heat. Transfer to a jug filled with ice and add lemon slices. (You can also chill in the fridge.) 

images the indigo crew