The Greatest Part about Yesterday

I was reading through the blogs I subscribe to yesterday, and Gracie was checking it out with me - when we stumbled upon this. Without saying a word, Gracie grabbed some paper and went to the table. A few minutes later she says, "Mommy, this is what we need to do...."
These are her directions for her project - all planned out before she started! (sounds like someone i know).

She says, "I'll need some tape too..."
And she set to work...



All finished: My new Marker Holder from Gracie:


The older she gets the more exciting it is to create with her. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Watching her be inspired by something, but make the project her own - hooray for creativity!

Whatcha-makin' Bags

Hello there. I've been tied up in yarn lately, and haven't had a chance to post. But I saw a pic of a fabulous project bag featured on this blog. And have been daydreaming about it ever since. My friend, who happens to own my LYS called to ask if I had any knitting totes. I didn't at the time, but I quickly got to work throwing these together...
They are all lined with vintage bed linens - the outer materials are some vintage and some new , but I think they came together quite nicely.








I acquired some vintage linen/lacey stuff, and wasn't quite sure what to do with it, I think it made some very stylish new tags for these bags, what do you think?

Anyway, if you're in the market for a bag to carry your latest project in, you can find these bags and more at Puffy Mondae's - their grand opening is this weekend.

Here's a peek at these soakers I've been working on ... #6 is missing... because he's not finished yet.

These are curly purly soakers, I highly recommend the pattern - although I only use 2 sizes of needles instead of 3, and they seem to work great.

I can't wait to to show you what I'm up to - in my quest to organize the pile of toys my kids have accumulated! It's going to be GREAT.

Just Cause

So, I was approached by a friend about contributing to a fund raising auction for an important cause, and wasn't really sure what to make or do.

I had made this "bucket" about a month ago, mostly as a prototype - but couldn't seem to wrap my head around what else to do with it - it was made using a felted vintage icelandic sweater, and vintage bed linens. It's highly functional, and interesting textures. So, this ended up being donated for the auction.




I have also been toying around with some ideas for "wall pockets", as I am obsessed with making fabric storage, but was running out of places to put them - except for the giant blank canvas of my walls! Here's a take on the previous pocket, but with more "adult" tastes. The pocket was made using repurposed herringbone tweed and is lined with vintage bed linens.







Hopefully, my work will bring some much needed funding for the Idahoans for Midwives.

Sewin', sewin', sewin'...

This has been a very productive week - I found some inspiration from a plastic envelope Gracie brought home from preschool a couple weeks ago. The shape of it seemed perfect - it did have a velcro closure (which can always be altered), and was made of... well, ... plastic. So, I do what I do... find other fabrics that need a new use!

Here's my take on that envelope, I don't know what to call them, like usual. But mine is filled with all my circular needles, tapestry needles and small scissors for knitting. I know, not everyone knits, but I know you can help me find a use for these.

This is the original... the one, I call "mine". It's made from a sweater sleeve, and vintage buttons from gentlemen's suits.



Here are a couple more, you get the idea... They measure 6" x 8".







I also found another way to use a vintage curtain, and some vintage bed sheets - here's my first take on making creative wall space.


I love it so much! I think I will keep my wool soakers in it above the changing table/dresser. But I do plan on making a LOT more, in different shapes and sizes.

Happy Crafting!
Jenn

And the winner is...

NITA JO who said :
I always celebrate by getting candy or small gifts for my immediate family. Just delivered my gift to Grandma yesterday. I think it's a nice time to remind people how much you love them.


Happy Valentine's Day 'Nita :) I will send your scarf this week - - all the way to the other side of the valley.

And here's a link to her blog.

love
jenn

Valentine Giveaway!

Hey friends,
In honor of Valentine's Day, I will be giving away a Revive(d) Scarf, made with love, from a vintage polyester quilt. This scarf is lined with soft cotton flannel, and ready to warm you or your loved one.





To win, all you need to do is post a comment telling whether you avoid or participate in Valentine's Day. I will pick a winner randomly (so, there is no wrong answer). Comments must be posted no later than midnight Friday 13th (spooky). I will announce our winner on Valentine's Day!

lovey love,
Jenn

Ideas, Ideas...

During the winter months, it's hard for me to stay motivated to create product. I have boiled it down to the cold hard facts - I pretty much only sell when I am face to face with my customers - and those opportunities are few and far between in the first few months of the year. So, instead of sitting around wondering what I should do, I have been trying to create at least once a week, and will be posting more items on etsy, each week, hoping to generate some interest in the items I have in stock.

In the meantime, I need to be consistent with my posting, blogging and also try a giveaway or two, to see if anyone actually reads this blog.

Maybe it's because this is Gracie's first year of school, and maybe it's because I love hearts - but I've already jumped head-first into making Valentine's for her classmates. Why make them when you can buy them? Because I love all things handmade, because I was inspired by these, and because I had a cool old book with a billion sweet illustrations that were begging to be cut into hearts. Here's our first batch:
I just randomly cut freehand hearts around the illustrations I liked.


Then we painted the backs red.


Then Gracie signed her name.



Voila! Happy Handmade Valentines Day!


I will post a giveaway on Friday, and we'll see if you're still in the mood for warmth! See you soon.

Back in business...

Hey everyone - I know, I know, I don't post often enough, and I don't stock my shop often enough... blah. Judger. Anyway, I do have items to post, just don't have enough hours in the day to take pics, write witty descriptions and post products. Not to mention, I had come to the conclusion that Etsy was not working for me and was a waste of my precious creative energy. But, I have been wrong about so many things lately, I decided to repost, and keep the creative juices flowing. Who knows, maybe my new goal of posting weekly, will actually get me going on some more projects!
First of all, remember that sweet polyester quilt I posted a few times back? And how I promised I would give you some pics of what I had created? Well, I hadn't posted yet, because I had this notion that maybe I would sell out of them.... and wouldn't be worth my posting, but I was... wrong. It seems I am the only one who thinks these are rad... and worth $15. So, here you are - note my beautiful model (who was freezing, but enjoyed mommy saying "look over there"... "look at the tree" ... "look at the ground"... "look at the sky" ).







I have added these items to my etsy shop and put some stubborn items on sale, maybe I can liquidate some things -
I have been sketching new ideas, and recycling clothing into other functional products, so stay tuned - I am working!! (But I'm also potty-training my son, chasing 3 kids, taking Gracie to and from school 3 times a week and trying to keep up with this awkwardly designed home!, so please be patient with me.)

Happy 2009, here's to creativity!!