And a closeup...
Everything's better with embellishments
I didn't have a fabric that matched the shades of pink in my French Market Bag, so a couple of my knitting friends suggested a knitted/felted flower. I found a freebie pattern online today and whipped this one up. Easy-peasy. Of course, when I was done and had it sewn onto the bag, I thought, "Hmm, maybe some beads." I added silver-lined sz 8 seed beads to the center. NOW I'm groovin' the little bag.
In the bag
After a long crafting hiatus due to an attempt at a fulltime job, my first week back at home has been SO nice. I'm enjoying the stress-free creativity that has been hibernating.
I worked on this bag for almost a month when I had time, and finally finished it up Saturday. Got it felted, and voila. I'm going to do some embellishing, but at least the bag itself is finished.
The pattern is from Knitty.com Winter '03 issue. French Market Bag
I also knocked out this number for Breeze. It's big enough for a book bag, but doesn't scream "Backpack". We found the fabric at Hancock's up in Charleston. I had it envisioned in my head, so I didn't bother with a pattern.
The printed fabric is fashions through the years, and I added three black buttons as an accent and a zipper so she can close it up. I gave the sides and bottom some stability with plastic canvas between the outside and the lining.
I also made a needle case for a girlfriend, but dingbat here forgot to take a pic of it before I gave it to her. I did a beaded dolphin on it with a beaded rope trim. I'll be making myself one later on, so I'll be sure to post it.
I worked on this bag for almost a month when I had time, and finally finished it up Saturday. Got it felted, and voila. I'm going to do some embellishing, but at least the bag itself is finished.
The pattern is from Knitty.com Winter '03 issue. French Market Bag
I also knocked out this number for Breeze. It's big enough for a book bag, but doesn't scream "Backpack". We found the fabric at Hancock's up in Charleston. I had it envisioned in my head, so I didn't bother with a pattern.
The printed fabric is fashions through the years, and I added three black buttons as an accent and a zipper so she can close it up. I gave the sides and bottom some stability with plastic canvas between the outside and the lining.I also made a needle case for a girlfriend, but dingbat here forgot to take a pic of it before I gave it to her. I did a beaded dolphin on it with a beaded rope trim. I'll be making myself one later on, so I'll be sure to post it.
Merry Christmas to all
During the hustle and bustle of the season (which has arrived WAY too quickly), I hope you all take a moment to treasure your blessings. We all tend to get bogged down with stress, wants, and wishes. Take time to enjoy what you do have.
This year, despite a lot of stressful caca, we have so much to be thankful for.
The Hub is with us instead of halfway around the world.
Breeze is loving life and doing great in school and is friends with some good kids.
Kat is healthy and safe and doing great in school.
We have a beautiful home that we've created as a family.
We have each other.
We have so many wonderful friends.
This is just a small list of what I've been blessed with. I hope you all remember yours, too.
This year, despite a lot of stressful caca, we have so much to be thankful for.
The Hub is with us instead of halfway around the world.
Breeze is loving life and doing great in school and is friends with some good kids.
Kat is healthy and safe and doing great in school.
We have a beautiful home that we've created as a family.
We have each other.
We have so many wonderful friends.
This is just a small list of what I've been blessed with. I hope you all remember yours, too.
Lots going on on the other side
I haven't posted much here lately b/c we've been remodeling again. I'm so proud of the work we've done. Check it all out over at !
DD#1's bedroom is at the top, but if you scroll past the totalled Durango post, you can see our new kitchen/dining room.
Hopefully things can get back to normal soon, and I'll be able to actually *craft* and will have things to post here.
DD#1's bedroom is at the top, but if you scroll past the totalled Durango post, you can see our new kitchen/dining room.
Hopefully things can get back to normal soon, and I'll be able to actually *craft* and will have things to post here.
Something new out of something old
Most of my time the past couple of weeks has been spent on another remodel, so there hasn't been a lot of crafting going on here. I did take my old spice cabinet out of my kitchen and recon it, though. I picked it up at the Habitat Restore last year, and it was just a basic white cabinet with adjustable shelves. It was great for holding all those little spice jars, but I needed it for a better purpose...a new home for my GWTW figurines and musicboxes.
The Hub and I took turns working on it. We took the door off, sanded, stripped it, and sanded again trying to get down to the wood. To our surprise when we got there, it had a solid oak facing that was absolutely beautiful. Because the shelves and box part of it weren't solid wood, we had to come up with something to accent the oak. The Hub made a wider, curved bottom shelf for my biggest Scarlett to sit on.
I repainted the dining room and kitchen in this last remodel, and while I was in Big Lots one day, I saw this beautiful fabric for $5. I picked it up, thinking I'd make a tablecloth or a runner for my buffet with it. Change of plans, and with a pair of scissors, spray adhesive, a putty knife, and a brayer, it became the lining for my Gone With The Wind shadowbox. Each shelf is lined separately. Whaddya think? I don't have a before pic of the cabinet, but just picture solid white and nothing special.
The Hub and I took turns working on it. We took the door off, sanded, stripped it, and sanded again trying to get down to the wood. To our surprise when we got there, it had a solid oak facing that was absolutely beautiful. Because the shelves and box part of it weren't solid wood, we had to come up with something to accent the oak. The Hub made a wider, curved bottom shelf for my biggest Scarlett to sit on.
I repainted the dining room and kitchen in this last remodel, and while I was in Big Lots one day, I saw this beautiful fabric for $5. I picked it up, thinking I'd make a tablecloth or a runner for my buffet with it. Change of plans, and with a pair of scissors, spray adhesive, a putty knife, and a brayer, it became the lining for my Gone With The Wind shadowbox. Each shelf is lined separately. Whaddya think? I don't have a before pic of the cabinet, but just picture solid white and nothing special.
Yeah, I know my ceiling stills needs the trim put up. Here's a closeup of the bottom shelf.
And I did finally get a lining put in that garter purse. I made some little accents for the outside, as well. Thanks for teaching me how, Tess!
Pointy sticks and dull hooks
That's been the tools of frequency lately. Yep, knitting and crochet projects this time.
This one's still an agonizing work in progress. I have a TON left to do, and I'm not enjoying it. If I weren't making it for my mom, it would've already gone back to the "frog pond".
This one's still an agonizing work in progress. I have a TON left to do, and I'm not enjoying it. If I weren't making it for my mom, it would've already gone back to the "frog pond".
Yeah, that left side is all jacked up, but I'm not frogging it and restarting.
Here's an up-close of the stitch pattern. It's so tedious! I know it'll be gorgeous when I'm done, but who knows when that'll be.
To take a break from that, I whipped up a mindless garter stitch project with a couple of different yarns knitted together. I still need to sew a lining to put in it, put a closure on it, and dress it up a bit. I LOVE how soft it is!
My knitting and crochet teaching days are coming to a close, I think. I'm thinking of taking some time off from teaching all together starting in August, but even when I go back to it, I don't think I'll add these to the schedule again.
Wire wrapping
Remember up until a few months ago, I was one of those, "I don't make jewelry. I don't like it" people? Well, I'll have my crow served warm, please.
I took a class from Michelle, my sister at heart, last Thursday. After a couple of broken wires and a broken pendant, I finally succeeded. The pic doesn't do this piece justice, and I'm so proud of it! I'm so glad I took the class, even though she did squawk at me for *paying* for her to teach me something. Now I know more of what the hell I'm doing when it comes to working with wire.
Thank you, Michelle! Love ya, Hon!
The pendant is a black and white stone, and I used jet, smoke, and crystal Swarovski crystals, silver beads, black glass cubes, and pearls. The necklace is strands of black leather.
Here's a couple of close-ups of the pendant.
I took a class from Michelle, my sister at heart, last Thursday. After a couple of broken wires and a broken pendant, I finally succeeded. The pic doesn't do this piece justice, and I'm so proud of it! I'm so glad I took the class, even though she did squawk at me for *paying* for her to teach me something. Now I know more of what the hell I'm doing when it comes to working with wire.
Thank you, Michelle! Love ya, Hon!
The pendant is a black and white stone, and I used jet, smoke, and crystal Swarovski crystals, silver beads, black glass cubes, and pearls. The necklace is strands of black leather. Here's a couple of close-ups of the pendant.
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