Memory Tree

Keira love's this blue/turquoise colour in her room - it's Dulux's Waikiki.  Recently I saw this tree painted on a wall in an IKEA magazine and immediately wanted to try it in her room.

IKEA FAMILY LIVE Summer 2011

I drew the outline of the tree with a piece of chalk and when I was happy with the shape I painted it in using the white paint that we used on the doors and trim.  I tried not to stress too much and be relaxed when I was drawing it on, but I still had to get up and down the ladder and stand back to look at it a few times!

We've just put up the few frames we had already in her room and over time can add to it.  I think it would look good with some keepsakes too, like her first ballet slippers, etc.  I love these stick on hanging strips from 3M.  They're great for these small, lightweight frames and seem to stay on the gyprock walls.  (They don't stay so well on our rendered walls . .)

We gave that armchair to Keira on her birthday this year and I made the cushions to go with it (and the wall). The patchwork one is made using some of the fabrics from the quilt I'm making for her and also includes an old dress that she had when she was little.

I'm including photos of the back because it's the first time that I've covered buttons with fabric and they worked really well.  I always thought they'd be fiddly but they were super quick and are very effective I think. 

I also gave piping a go on this one.  I have done that before and while I can't say I love the process, again I think it's worth it for the finish it gives.

Overall, I'm very happy with the way the wall looks and Keira really likes it too - which of course is the main thing! I think it's a nice thing to look at when she wakes up in the morning and it's also a good way to show new friends some of her memories.