2013 - Party Project #2 - Ready to Recycle

We are taking a break from recycling felted wool sweaters this year - but don't freak out.....this is still a recycling/salvage project.





INSTEAD-------
Think Anthropologie-esque.  (that's a store, it's not misspelled ;)

My friend, Dede, started it by asking "What can I make out of this damaged quilt my grandmother made?"

So old, beat up, damaged quilts it is!!!!!!! I finally located and purchased two.  This one on ebay (complete with vintage staining :) is old, old, old.

this snow white one that's unraveling- thanks to Amy B.

Remember now - think Anthropologie- esque

We are cutting them up - a little bit of embroidery stitching, a nice button, a little kitchen twine and

VOILA!

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black thread, vintage button, interesting intersection of fabrics

rips and tears with vintage buttons

green thread on left, red thread on right

very  pale blue on top, tiny red dots on bottom, red thread and old button

medium blue on top, pale blue to right bottom and white with pale red pattern on left bottom, blue thread and old button

Tree shapes so far, maybe mittens, stocking, and/or heart shapes are in our future too?  Or make a bunch and string together for a garland?  As long as we cut carefully, these quilts will provide a large number of ornaments.


So what to bring for project #2:

• sharp scissors (cutting through layers of fabric here)
• your own sharp embroidery needle if you have it (needle threader, thimble - whatever you like to use)
• only if you have them:  buttons or an old damaged quilt would look good cut up and turned into ornaments

 

That's all for now - I will probably do one more summary post before the party.  Can't wait to see you all there!!!!

Project #1 more Pics!!!!!

Okay - I can't stop myself!  there are so many possibilities for these bell jar ornaments!!!!!

Here are a couple with no snow:

Tree with seed bead ornaments (I had to use tweezers) some presents under the tree and cutey red polka dots even on the rickrack.

So elegant - silver bead ornaments on the bottle brush tree, tiny silver glittered pine cones and Joyeux Noel spelled out in the letter beads and threaded on jute twine with some baby silver rickrack.  I have plenty of tiny pine cones and a big bag of letter beads.

How about something a little more modern and minimalist?  

Remember our cone trees from last year?  I used my shrink ray and how cute are these mini ones?  The words on the wire spell "winter hush" and the colors are green and aqua.  No need for vintage shopping on this one.  

Tiny house made from winter village greeting card with a sprinkle of flaky glitter on the roof, tiny bottle brush tree also with flaky glitter, a sprinkle of snow and baby white rick rack- so simple

This house had birch tree themed designed I embellished with some diamond dust accents on the roof, tiny white tree ---- lovely.

Now for something completely different.......

T-Rex with a Santa hat getting ready for a bummer of an ice age.

Stegosaurus has his Santa hat and some glittery foliage to eat - she is bringing the bling with red glitter.

Ha Ha - the ideas just keep coming!!!! I can't wait to see what you all make!!

Craft Party 2013 - Project #1

Party on craft peeps!  December 2013 is almost upon us .......... so that means it's time to get your crafty on!

This first project I have chosen for the craft party seriously needs a drum roll.

Ashlee at My So Called Crafty Life IS.....(wait for it)..........a genius....

Of course I found this on Pinterest a while ago and it was love at first site.  This project immediately reminded me of some ornaments Grandma Frances had on her tree that I swear she made out of empty clear pill bottles (she worked in a doctor's office).  If you are veteran of the craft party - then you know I love kitsch and I love little scenes (like the box dioramas, little cardboard houses, and little matchbox hidden compartment ornaments - all from craft parties past).

In fact as I finished assembling the first of these beta tester sample ornaments with my good friend, Gretchen, we could hardly stand it ........BECAUSE THEY ARE SO STINKING CUTE!!!!!!

And the best part is you can customize it to what YOU like.  These samples below are very retro and kitschy but I am also working on some more modern clean lines and more traditional vintage.  I'm officially addicted.

So without further ado,  here you have it-
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Vintage Inspired Bell Jar Ornaments 
- from Ashlee's DIY instructions at My So Called Crafty Life (click on that link to see her original versions)

so I am busy collecting cute little stuff for you to use - but remember if you really want something really specific...........bring it.  Etsy is a great place to check for specific vintage miniatures.  Lots of these are vintage cupcake picks.  And if you have extra to share, we will have a sharing table.

I had my mom over last week to beta test this project and check out this cute little carousel inspired ornament with tiny  little carousel animals she had.  Don't you just love the red and white stripes and polka dots!

But fear not on the supply front, there will be all kinds of options from new materials as well as the vintage stuff we can scrounge up.  This is also a great way to showcase a small special ornament or random piece that you may already have.  Check the bottom of the kid's toy bins for little stuff that might work - you can always bling it up with some glitter (like that year we glittered the plastic animals a la Martha!!!!).  Also think small stuff here - 1-2 inches small.  Like little green army man small...

So, what to bring for this ornament?  Glad you asked.   

• Your own good pair of scissors and because we will be working with little stuff if you have a pair of tweezers that might come in handy.
• a shoe box to put your finished crafts in so they can dry undisturbed and you can easily cart them around

Optional:

• specific stuff  - only if you want - we will have stuff here too - for miniatures think small like 1-2 in.
• if you have anything to share or donate- like miniatures to go inside (totally not required)
• I like to bring my own caddy of tools -like multiple sized scissors, wire cutters, needle nosed pliers, tweezers, bone folder, straight edge, small paint brush, and random stuff.  That's just how I roll.

I just made another batch of more traditional, elegant, modern ones - waiting for the glue to dry and I will take some pictures and post.  Until then...