Posts tagged ‘crafting’

I am simplifying my palette for my Templeton line and Crafty Mart this year. Trial and error has convinced me that I had overshot what I make and mostly left buyers confused as to what it is I offer at my booth. So this year I am making many of the same items, but only using men’s clothing fabrics that I have upcycled.

I have made flower pins many times in the past, and even made a tutorial on it. But this time I did box pleating and cinched it in the center, which I think makes a fabulous flower shape I hadn’t achieved before. I also have some other broach shapes I’m experimenting with. I haven’t decided if they are turning out or not, so no pictures at this time.

I have some other ideas brewing, this week is a big making week, so you’ll see how they’re turning out in a few more days.

Yes, it took me forever to wash the tie dyed socks. I had put them in a strange load, the rugs and sheets, in case the dye bled. I had to wrestle them out of the corners of the fitted sheets.

I like how the band on each sock lines up so well. It makes them look like a pair. My husband, Rob, tied off this pair by wrapping the two socks together in the rubber bands. I think these are cute, but the overall tie dyed effect would be more apparent on larger socks. I’ll remember that for next time!

We used Dylon fabric dyes. The color was amazingly vibrant. I will absolutely use this brand again. My friend Mary remarked that it was a shame to dump the dye in the drain after the socks were done. I should have planned to dye more things! I would have loved to dip dye my bedroom curtains or a shirt I rarely wear. Next time… next time.

I know you’re excited. I’m excited because Crafty Mart is my favorite local event of the whole year. I love seeing the creativity that North East Ohio has to offer, and I love feeling that electric vibe right in Downtown Akron.

All the details are the same as before. Awesome work for local artists and crafters, for sale to you on November 13th, from 10am to 5pm at Musica downtown. If you come later rather than early the bar is open, too, which makes for extra fun while browsing.

I’ll be there as Templeton Goods as well as representing Craft Akron. Which will be fun because I get to do the two things I like best: sell stuff I really like made from repurposed clothing, and teach people how to make some very cute, very quick crafts. Do come. I can speak for all the vendors- the more the merrier!

Last Wednesday was our akron Stitch n Bitch group’s annual birthday swap. Our group has this fantastic way of spoiling each other, all at once. Rather than trying to remember to gift one another on our birthdays through out the year, we all sign up for the swap in September and celebrate everyone at once. Amy was my swap partner, which meant that I knitted and gifted for her. I made this circular knitted pillow with a silk reverse pillow for her gift because I loved the pattern (available on Ravelry here, you just need to sign up for a free account).

The way the swap worked, though, Amy did not knit for me. Stacey did, which was a boon for me, since she excels at the “owl cowl.” The first time I met Stacey she was wearing her own owl cowl and I was so jealous. Jealous not only of her cowl, but of her skills, since she made it herself. Well, she couldn’t gift me her skills, but she did make me my own owl cowl, in my favorite colors, too! Can’t you see on my face that I really love it?

Cloth bags by TerreMum.etsy.com

Sending my daughter off to school with a packed lunch was going to get really expensive. Even though we reuse resealable plastic bags at home, it’s not really feasible to expect my 5 year old to remember to bring home her ziplocks when the lunch monitor is throwing all the trash away.

I imagine this happens to a lot of people who bring a lunch along, even occasionally, that you don’t want to haul around a plastic sandwich bag after the sandwich has been eaten from it. Enter, the reusable sandwich wrap. It’s perfect for bringing along, as well as a more attractive way to wrap up your BLT. And making it is simple. So simple, I would call this project a novice sewing project. You just need to know how to thread your machine, and change the stitch to zigzag. Read more »

I made this necklace from pearls, fire polished crystals, and fabric from a thrift store dress.  Plus the chain is recycled from a clearance necklace from Target…I just removed all the metal charms with my pliers.

To make the flower, cut a bunch of fabric circles, hand-sew them together, then sew on the three little pearls.  I sewed it to a flat metal charm & covered the back of the charm with a small circle of fabric (using fabric glue) to give it a finished look.  The charm is then hung to the chain with a jump ring.  I also intend on using fray check on the perimeter of the flower layers because this fabric weave is really loose.

back of flower

I’m teaching this free class at the Highland Square branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library .

Iris Paper Folding Wall Art

Come use recycled paper and Iris Paper Folding techniques to make a 5″ x 7″ frame-able wall art. Iris Paper Folding is basically layering paper in a pattern and using it as a background behind a shape cutout. Participants are welcome to bring their own recycled papers such as envelopes, junk mail, greeting cards, or discarded books to use, but a selection of papers will also be available. If attendees have a paper trimmer, they are welcome to bring it, as cutting paper strips will be much quicker.

Sign up is required, and begins August 16, at 330-376-2927.

If you can’t make it to class, I also wrote a  tutorial for this project.

I made these beads from pages of an old poetry book.  My inspiration is from a similar project in Playing with Books-The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book.  The only difference was that they rolled up triangles & I rolled up rectangles, so my finished beads have more of a tube shape.  With either shape, the basic idea is to roll up a long strip of paper (leaving a hole for beading wire to go through), use adhesive to secure it closed (I used decoupage glue), cover the outside of the bead with glue (for a protective finish), & let it dry.

Here’s one of my i-can’t-type-well posts. I found the pattern for this jacket in a bag of handed down linens. It was cut out of a grocery bag and only had the words “5/8 inch seam all around” written on it.

After a little puzzling it out and I came up with this jacket in a 3-6 month size. I graded it to a 12-18 month and made one for my sweet Cressida.

It’s because I broke my collar bone playing soccer last Saturday.

For the sake of keeping blogging short (I have trouble blogging left handed) I will be mostly sharing links and photos until I get my right hand back. In the meantime I’ll be sporting this fashionable sling I altered by hand sewing a panel of upholstery fabric to the blue hospital sling. Yes, I used my left hand for this, and no, I don’t plan to do any more sewing until I can use my right hand again.