May 6 2012

Cornhusker Crazy and Jeans RePurposing!!!

I was so excited to have three out of the five things I wanted to accomplish DONE already this weekend…. I just had to show you what has been going on.

Last weekend, there was a random question from a friend about a bachelorette party ‘bride’ sash. She was going to make it herself, but someone around here has a problem and said, “Why don’t you let me do it for you?” She gave me the theme and instantly I had the idea in my head for this unique Nebraska Cornhusker bridal sash…

Completed Bridal Sash – I don’t think anyone will miss this special lady!

Close shot of the ‘emblem’ that holds the ties together. Came out pretty close to what my mind was seeing! Kind of ‘pageant-ee’, don’t ya think?

So that was one Husker project, and I had one more I’d wanted to do, so I got-r-done.

Toddler Size Cornhusker Packpack – Personalized

Not real happy with the total LACK of room inside this one, but it will hold books or an iPad without them getting beat up. If I ever do another one, I will not follow the pattern and used and make it deeper. How’s this kid going to fit his trucks in it? *sigh* Oh, well. One lives and learns, right?

So the third project was just something I needed to prove to myself that I could do, and do it right….. Re-purposing little girl jeans into a cute little handbag. Just big enough for their lip gloss and comb. This project started with a pair of jeans size 12M. I pulled the elastic out of the waistband and cut the inside buttons off. Then I carefully cut the legs off (yeah, sounds painful, doesn’t it) and cut all the thick seams off those leg scraps. Turned the top part of the jeans inside out and sewed along the bottom. This took about 4 shots to do because the butt part of jeans just has different cut to it. But after playing around with it a little, and boxing off the bottom corners… this is what we had…

Base purse and scraps to make lining and a belt.

The handle was made by taking the jean legs and cutting 4 equal pieces and sewing them together. The wider handle should make it easier for a 3 year old to grab, plus it’s not floppy – I liked how that came out. Then sewed the ends of the handle to each side, matching them up with the side seams already in the jeans. The two fun fabrics I found were leftovers from a commissioned job last year. You got it! I don’t throw ANYTHING away! And I’m so glad because there was JUST enough of the paisley to make a belt. Here is the rest of the process….

Lining sewed up, just like the outside (with boxed bottom corners), and stitched around the top of the waistband. That way the lining hides any wear and tear on that inside belt line.

Belt sewn up and tied through belt loops, just like a real sash style belt.

Just another view……..

Complete! Velcro closure on front and back of inside for easy kiddo maneuvering.

And the back shot….. Pretty cute if I say so myself.

This will make a great little gift!! And as my super German glue is setting those velcro tabs on….. I will say adieu for now.

What are you up to this weekend? Recycle something – have a little fun.

Apr 8 2012

Easter Sunday Using The Gift God Gave Me

What a better way to spend an Easter Sunday (when there were no family plans) than using the gift God gave me. So I sewed, and sewed. I completed a special order for two portfolios this afternoon, which could lead to another order of three from this one client. How blessed could anyone be!?! So here is what she picked for her own two professional ‘padfolio’ fabrics – and they really are pretty classy.

Brown/Black Lace Look and Red/Black Lace Look Padfolios

Brown/Black Lace - opened. Hard to see all the pockets on the left hand side, but they are there.

Red/Black lace look padfolio opened out flat.

After those were complete, it was time to list the items that had already been completed. It’s one of my least favorite jobs because I am NO photographer of ‘stuff’. Give me a person or some nature and I can possibly pull it off. But this ‘object’ stuff is rough rough rough for me. But here are the listings for the iPad Clutches on Etsy! Give ‘em a look.

Butterfly Floral iPad Clutch

Olive and Aqua Designer Floral iPad Clutch

Purple and Green with BLING iPad Clutch

Thought I'd throw one in there with it opened and the iPad silicone skin taken off the magnets. These fold up SO nice into a clutch and have a lot more in line to make. (Yep, just got more magnets in so I can continue on)

I think it’s time to maybe cut out another knitting or craft tote. Everything takes time and there’s a little of that left until “The Ten Commandments” is on TV. It’s a must see for us.

Of course, I’ll be working on another special order while watching – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle crocheted hats. Yep, two of them. They MUST be completed tonight before the buyer gives up on my creative ability.

Happy Easter to you all – and hope it was a blessed day for each one of you.

Apr 1 2012

Olives, Purples, and Aqua, OH MY!

It’s been a great Sunday! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus for lunch and sewing all afternoon. Does it really get any better? All the laundry even got completed – THAT’s a miracle!

Just wanted to share two things that were whipped up this afternoon from that marvelous fabric I found yesterday at the Cosmic Cow. True to form, I cut two out and sewed them in Henry Ford fashion. At least that’s what Bill calls it when two or more like items are getting done at one time. LOVE love LOVE the colors of these two iPad clutches…. Take a look!

Purple and Green fabrics with a little jewelry bling secured to the flap.

Had to throw in one more shot of it with Leslie Nielson in the background. Pretty handsome guy, wasn't he!

Clutch opened out showing the silicone skin that uses magnets to stay put. Pretty ingenious if I say so myself.

A little olive with splashes of aqua on this iPad clutch. This is a Michael Miller cotton, and his stuff is FANTASTIC!

And a shot of this one opened up, just like the last one.

Can you tell I love Netflix? And Murder She Wrote? Had to watch an episode of ‘Bones‘ first, but decided Sunday needed to be a little more simple. Yes, when it all comes right down to it, I’m pretty spoiled when I sew.

Who knows when I’ll get these listed on Etsy, so if anyone of you reading this would like one, drop me a line or a comment.

Mar 31 2012

Cosmic Cow, Lincoln, Nebraska

I’ve been told on MANY occasions to visit the Cosmic Cow over in Havelock here in Lincoln. Why I never stopped before is way beyond me! What an incredible little shop that offers quality quilting cottons. No, I don’t quilt. Nor will I EVER quilt. But the fabrics just go on and on…. and the colors and designs were almost overwhelming. But so much fun.

The Cosmic Cow, Lincoln, NE

It is in one of the oldest neighborhoods in town, and its building is old and eclectic – just the perfect style. Wooden floors and high ceilings. And the older couple that was working in there today were outstanding and very helpful. I’ll bet they never have a dull moment at that little shop.

After rolling through the shelves and aisles of beautiful colors and prints, I realized that these people had made fat quarters available stacked on top of the rows of fabrics, matching up what with what was below. What an idea! When you don’t want yards and yards, it’s the perfect way to shop for high end cottons. WOWZERS! I couldn’t help myself, and spent a little cash – see what I got!

7 Sets of coordinating prints (2 each)

I can’t wait to dig in and make some iPad clutches – and SOON! Realized there isn’t any blue in that grouping. Hmmm. Must mean I really don’t dabble in blue too awful much.

So stay tuned for some exciting clutches – can’t wait to show them off.

Happy creating and have a wonderful weekend!

Mar 20 2012

Leather With a Side of Insomnia

Do you ever have one of those nights where thoughts much jump in your head and it wakes you up? Then you lay there thinking about how this and this, and that with a side of this and how it could work into a design? I woke up thinking LEATHER. What a goofy thought! So I lay there trying to get to sleep, but images and ideas kept invading my space. Sometimes it’s easier to just give up and let the thoughts roll on through.

I shared this beautiful stack of leather scraps we located at some point with you all. I checked the date on my original photo and it’s really been almost a whole year without using these pieces. So I figure there must have been a reason, and my insomnia may have come up with the perfect idea. Trust me, the leather hasn’t sat dormant really, we do get it out on occasion and mess with the colors and textures.

Awesome leather scraps! Love the colors.

Didn’t think there would be time to blog this week, but this way it stands out as one of those “So let it be written, so let it be done” projects. Yeah, that’s one of our favorite lines from “The Ten Commandments” movie with Charlton Heston.

What’s on your crafty agenda today? Have a creative and fun day!!

Mar 18 2012

iPad Clutch

Totally switched directions this afternoon after looking through the old scrapbooking stuff. Didn’t feel like cutting another bag out today, so something smaller with a lot LESS detail looked rather good. I had some awesome fabric left from another project and there was JUST ENOUGH (do you believe it?) to complete this project. There was not hardly one inch of anything left over. That’s what I’m talking about! LOL

That cute button there on the bottom left of the flap? It’s not a button! It’s a jewelry bead I found somewhere and that good old German glue is doing its work on it as we speak. That baby isn’t going anywhere! I really like the tight fit these clutch’s give the iPad. No room for a notepad, just loose papers maybe in a pocket on the inside. And one day I will figure out how to SIMPLY put the magnets on that silicone skin inside. Those things are ruthless to these hands! Any suggestion, I’m all ears.

OK, that’s probably the last blog for the week! It’s a six-day work week for me this time around, so if anything gets done in the craft room, it will be a miracle.

Happy crafting and thanks again for stopping by!

Mar 11 2012

I Knit, I Sew, I iPad….

The idea today was to get another unique knitting tote sewn before I ship out the original to my sister. So a pic got taken of the fabrics and colors, but I noticed my stack of knitted swatches off on the side of my sewing cabinet. They were just waiting to be paid attention to, so I picked one up and decided to fly with it. Here’s the story of the “I Knit, I Sew, I iPad” unique cover.

Great cotton fabric getting ready to apply those awesome mini magnets we got from China. The black thing is the silicone skin the iPad will fit into.

Those darned magnets are KILLER on my hands to attach, but they're on there for GOOD.

The felted knit swatch that's been cut down and rounded for the front flap of the cover. Since it's felted, it can be cut and sewn just like regular fabric.

Time to put the magnets on to the silicone skin. As no glue on this earth sticks to these skins, hence the idea for mini mags. They are finally attached in this photo.

...but magnets can scratch the electronics case, so sticky felt squares were put on them. Ahhh, that's much better.

The folder is all spread out in this picture. Skin is held now by the magnets directly IN the folder.

And you all know me well enough that a little bling or shine must be put on - somewhere. I had picked up this gold flower somewhere in a jewelry making section of a craft store. And German glue is KEY!

Just a different angle.

Really wish that the stitching wasn’t necessary around that flap. Not sure how to get around that one – it may just have to be this way.

Thanks for stopping by and now it’s time to get working on the green and pink knitting tote.

Mar 4 2012

Roots Design Nook/iPad/Clutch Prototype Complete

After taking over a month off from blogging, and basically two months off from crafting anything to completion, here we go.

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen some knitted ‘swatches’ that were to hopefully turn into iPad covers or something along that order. So yesterday I forced myself to go to the sewing machine and try and complete at least one of them. I should never have picked my favorite swatch to start out with on a prototype, but there are days I don’t think all that straight. So I picked up my ‘roots’ piece and found a great cotton fabric for the lining in my stash. Measured a gazillion times on how the Timtex lining should be cut and took off with it. I learned MANY lessons on trying to make this TOO sturdy and cushy for holding electronics. OK, I’ll back off on the next one.

Folded with Timtex lining inserted and magnet placed. Actual knitted piece was made using a bulky acrylic yarn in a splendid mossy color.

A poor photo of the other side of previous picture. Shows the back and flap that will be shaped by Timtex.

One of my favorite fabrics EVER - happy to have enough left in my stash for this prototype. Iron-on fleece has been applied for cushion.

Peak of flap, on the inside and attached to knitted swatch.

Completed showing other side of magnetic snap on flap. One fatal flaw that cannot be fixed - placement of that darned snap - it's 1/2" off and totally is disgusting to me. The stitching around the flap is off, too, and ripping would have been a nightmare, so it stays.

Sometimes, me being a perfectionist when it comes to my products, it’s hard to get past all the flaws I see and continue on. I must have been thinking this thing was going to go through WWIII on the battlefield the way it’s constructed. There isn’t an iPad or Nook out there that needs this kind of protection. It’s overkill. So now that the lessons have been learned, the red, purple and gray swatches can be constructed with more ease…. let’s hope.

I have a project coming up next that is ready to cut out of black and white print fabric with red accents. It will be a special gift to someone who more than deserves it – she knows who she is……. and I’ve decided to blog the process of the unique design bag she’s going to receive. Plus, Bill keeps asking me if I’ve started this project yet – so I know he is as anxious as I am to see it completed. So keep tuned in – I’ll try and do better at keeping the blog rolling, and not just throw stuff up on Facebook.

Happy crafting and may you all have a blessed rest of the weekend and relaxing Sunday!

Jan 16 2012

Professional Duo Complete from Repurposed Ladies Jacket

The recycling and redesigning the women’s tapestry jacket was rather difficult, if I were to tell the truth. Even though things look one way in your head, accomplishing that goal can be a whole different chore. But the jacket has now been completely disassembled and reassembled into two useful items. Here is the tapestry jacket’s photo history…….

Sleeves cut away from jacket and splayed for cutting (in previous post)

The completed iPad cover made completely from the sleeves of jacket (in previous post)

Jacket body formed into a tote - items to complete are only laying on body. Handles, magnetic closure, black belting....

Professional tote/iPad cover set - not sure how to set this up to photograph decent.

Complete tote from tapestry jacket showing off its true color outdoors.

I lined it with a gray embroidered satin lining and couldn’t resist to put a final little touch to its closure – a silver leaf. As soon as that went on, it truly had my name on it. Not sure what will happen with this yet as Bill thinks I should be the one to enjoy this one. He’s one of my biggest supporters, but if this could sell and make a couple of bucks, then that’s what we have to do.

Thank you for stopping by and giving this a final look over! One day it may make it into the Etsy store, but until then I’ll enjoy looking at it and thinking of ways to improve on the upcycling and repurposing of the great thrift store finds we have in our possession. Yep, there is a whole tote full of beautiful sweaters, jackets and suit coats to re-fashion.

Happy Monday and happy crafting everyone!

Jan 9 2012

Improvised iPad Cover

Recycle and reuse – I’ve done this in the past, but this may be a good year to dig in a little deeper with the idea. Saturday I completed the iPad cover that came from the sleeves of a beautiful ladies jacket. The tote bag to go along with this, will be done at some time from the body of the jacket – it’s just waiting to be completed.

So I just wanted to share what the end result looks like with the silicone skin attached to the interior……

iPad cover closed

iPad cover open showing pocket and closure

The corduroy used for the inside lining really picked up all the little red pieces of ‘lint’ from when cutting the tapestry fabric, but hopefully the picture shows it cleaned up a bit.

Happy crafting! It’s Monday, so off to work I go…….