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!!

Arrrgh, Matey!

I've been creating like crazy around here, trying to get gifts done for Christmas - yes, it's worth it!
Anyway, I just finished Pete's Christmas present, and I'm having trouble not playing with it myself. Maybe blogging about it, will distract me enough, so I can get on with the rest of the gifts I need to make by Friday. (yes, it's worth it!)

I decided to make Peter a bag, for "pirating" - or for hunting treasures.
Here's his Pirate bag, made with scrap corduroy and lined with a used men's shirt:




Inside you'll find some extra special cargo:






I found a map at a local used book store for $1.00 + tax, and I just sewed it to double thick fabric, for easy rolling (as this is how pirates carry their treasure maps apparently). If I were a pirate I would make my maps tiny and laminate them, for easy traveling - but I guess that's not piratey enough these days.



I'm hoping to make a telescope and a compass to add to the bag too. And I like making the maps so much, I might add some to my shop and see what happens. I can't wait to see how he reacts to these maps (he's even been tearing apart road atlases to roll up the "treasure" maps in them!).

If I don't post before the holiday, I hope you have a very Happy Christmas, and are able to spend it with people who love you!
Jenn

It's Hip, come on!

Hey everyone, it's officially "shopping" season and it's time to look at the calendar. Wow, did you look? There aren't many days left until Christmas, and don't you have a LOT of people that you would like to delight with gifts?

This Saturday, from 11-7, the Flying M Coffeegarage, holds it's 3rd annual "Hip holiday Market". It is a fabulous collection of local artists, and their unique gifts - you will NOT want to miss it. This year there will be more artists than ever before, and if you haven't been to the M for a while, you'll note that there is a lot more room in the "garage"for the biggest market ever.

If you are planning on spending any cash this year, please consider shopping locally (no, not at your local Walmart), but by businesses that are owned by local people, who live in your community. And if it's possible, look for items that are made by hand by people you live near. A simple choice to purchase locally, will benefit our community and brings so much satisfaction. Meet the person who created the product, find out that they live within 10 miles of your home, and their handicraft is made without compromising or threatening your family's employment.

I hope to see you there! Join the local and handmade revolution.
Here's a sampling of what I will have to offer...





oh oh... here's a sweet article about this show (and a shout out to fellow crafters!

Sneak Peek

I found this at a fabulous second hand sale...


Funny thing is, I'm not even sure what it is. It is definitely made of seriously cool polyester squares, from previously loved clothing... but it's not a quilt. Well, at least, it's not a quilt that you would put on a bed... or a lap... or anything else I could think of. Maybe it once warmed the back of a couch? It is the only thing I can think of that would require such a long, skinny, quilt.
Whatever it once was, I know what it will be next!! And then the cycle will be complete... or will it?! Just think - all those clothes, from so many people - were then turned into a quilt... and will now be turned again - upcycled, if you will, re-used. :)

I'm not telling what I'm making with it, but I do know where you'll be able to see my recycling efforts:


Craft o copia - The White Pine, downtown Nampa. There will be a group of artists each night, I'll be there Friday evening. But feel free to stop by each night, and start your Christmas shopping before it gets crazy!

Later!

Well, hello there!

Well, hello, where are you boys off to, looking so dapper, and trim?


Whoa, one at a time please - I can't listen to all of you at once.



Much better, thanks.
Oh, you're a new line of Zips? by Revive you say?
Well, you're awfully good-looking, and reasonably priced I'm sure.



Wait!! Where are you going, when will I see you again?


Oh, so I WILL see you again. On Saturday, from 9am-4pm at Idaho Arts Charter School Holiday Bazaar!

Be there, or be square, this is NOT going to be your grandma's bazaar.

Falling Downtown

Wow... ok, I've been super busy, again.
And I didn't even have time to post about this craft show, until today (and it's tonight...).
Anyway, thought you'd like to see what I've been up to:
creating more scarves.... I am using gently used gentlemen's suits - as well as a lot of really fantastic fabric Trish nabbed for me at the Re-Use Market! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.






I also made a LOAD of glass magnets, which are quite fetching, if I do say so myself - they just don't photograph well... so, you'll have to come see them for yourself!

I'm leaving on vacation tomorrow - so I'm hoping this show is worth my while this evening. I always feel like I'm gonna lose it before a show - like, if people don't come or purchase things, that I have wasted my time. And maybe I need to CHILL out about that part, and remember how much fun I've had creating things, instead. (easier said than done... so if you come tonight, make sure to gush the compliments... :) ha!

More knitting... in AUGUST

So, I've been knitting a lot more than sewing, which goes against my theory that sewing is more satisfying because you can complete a project so much faster... d'oh!
Anyway, here's a sampling of what I've been up to:
I finished the stripey socks... then i tore out the bind off because I couldn't get my stinkin' cankles into the socks!!! I found a new bind off called knit 1 purl 1 bind off, which uses your tapestry needle instead of the other knitting needle. It's super stretchy and my cankles are happy :)


Here's the bind off before:



And After:



ok, so maybe it's not that obvious off my leg, but on it's a huge stretchy difference!
On this first pair of socks, I learned - the "magic cast-on"... an invisible cast on for toe-up socks. A short row heel, which turned out really great, and the new bind off - satisfaction guaranteed!

I liked it so much, and had enough yarn left over to make Ella Bella some sweet shortie socks:



I also knit this soaker for a friend this weekend, while we were camping, and it turned out SO pretty!



Here's my next project:






Ok, and I also have these new socks on my needles:


All that to say, I need to get to the sewing machine and sew some stuff for revive!!! Although, this new "make stuff for yourself" thing has been awfully fun.

Later!