Sign Remade

Earlier this summer, I found a great frame at a garage sale and did a quick post on my "remake". I made it into a little sign for The Lavendar Tree.

Well, I decided that I needed a sign for my sale last weekend (since I'm not in the "official" business world and have a credit card machine) stating that I could only accept cash or checks.

Here's what I came up with using just rub-on's and scrapbooking stickers. I think it turned out kind of cute and I'll probably use it again. I even had compliments on it at the expo!

T-Shirt Scarf Cut-Out

Here's a project I did awhile back and was always meaning to get the tutorial posted. Guess I got busy and didn't get it done until now.

This project was inspired by Alabama Chanin, who does the most incredible work! My little "trial" project is nothing compared to what she can create - but we have to start somewhere, right?

Start with old t-shirts you no longer want.

Cut two strips of background fabric the preferred length and width of your scarf. Using a simple stencil/template, trace where you would like your stencil design to be.

Take a piece of contrasting t-shirt and place it behind your drawn on stencil pattern. Using your machine (or you can sew by hand) stitch around on your drawn lines. Then carefully cut out your top fabric only just inside your stitched lines.

You'll repeat this process as many times as necessary for the design you have chosen. (This is how goofy it will look on back while working on it.)

As you can see, I chose to sew around many openings without cutting the thread. Then you can clean-up by cutting the strands close to the fabric. (I actually like this part - oddly enough, it's kind of relaxing for me.)

You will also want to trim away excess fabric on the back side of the scarf to clean-up as well as avoid bunching and bulking.

Sew together (right sides facing) your two pieces of completed scarf fabrics and turn right-side out. Hand stitch together your turning hole. I added some extra fabric on the ends to create fringe. Simply cut strips about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide almost to the top of your piece of fabric. Then carefully stretch out each of the strips to create a fun and sassy fringe on each end.

Up close of one design.

Up close of another part of the design. Fun project. Quick and easy. The more you practice, the more detailed work a person can do with this art. Have fun!

One Show Down

I had my first fall sale on Saturday. It went good. Not great. But good.

I had incredibly great comments and feedback from people. Made a few sales. Handed out a ton of business cards.  Saw some people I haven't seen in a long time. Had a fun day.

But the one very cool thing that happened was I met a wonderfully nice gal who opened a shop called Lark this past spring in the historic downtown LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She said she would be very interested in having some of my items in her shop. How exciting! I'll be contacting her this week to talk about it further.

What a wonderful connection to make - makes me smile just thinking about it.  My only regret is that I wasn't able to get to her shop this weekend before heading back home!  You can be sure I'll do on my next visit there.

$1200

Last week I reported that it was Wool Week. Wool Week is part of the Campaign for Wool which was created in part by the Prince of Wales. So, of course, all the fun Wool Week activities were being held in England.

I asked a very simple question at the end of the post:  Hmmm, I wonder what the airfare would be from Wisconsin...

One of my dear friends informed me. $1200. I didn't go.

 

Whatta Rooster

I created a Treasury on Etsy today. I've done several now - and I think they are a hoot to do.

However, to my dismay I didn't properly do my first couple treasuries. I unknowingly included one of my items in each collection (I thought this was a way that people did a little self-promotion of some favorite items). I didn't know I wasn't supposed to do that. Well - you can - but they prefer you don't. So after I found that out, I went back and removed my items and added other artist's items in place of mine. (You know...follow the rules.) Turns out that it's really almost more fun if you don't have to worry about getting your own item in there - because it's just so delightful to scan through all the newly posted items on Etsy and see the incredibly great work that people are doing. Just a click, click, click, and you've got yourself a fun Treasury!

The theme of my most recent Treasury is roosters. It's called  "Cock A Doodle Doo".

I loved all the items that I posted (obviously - or I wouldn't have chosen them) - but one that just bubbled out some joy and giggles in my heart was this cute rooster created by Julie Marie Sink. The first two photos are of the little bugger that I featured in the Treasury, but I couldn't resist sharing another one from her Etsy site as well.

This is GURDI. I think he's a stud. (Photo taken from http://www.etsy.com/shop/JulieMarieSink.)



Here is GURDI in what must be one of his "softer" moments. It brings giggle-tears to my eyes seeing the look on his face! (Photo taken from http://www.etsy.com/shop/JulieMarieSink.)



This is HANNO the HAIR HAPPY HEN. If he doesn't add a little playful happiness to your day, I don't know what would! My guess would be that he's a cousin of GURDI's. But I would assume that GURDI would say "distant" cousin. :-)  (Photo taken from http://www.etsy.com/shop/JulieMarieSink.)

What cuties! I am so in love with this world's talent and creativity!

Working Wool

It was a busy day in my living and dining room today!

Two of my sweet friends came over and helped me work on some wool. I have to say, I've never accepted help with my wool - just always figured that "I should do it myself" (not to mention that it's hard for me to ask and accept help).

Well, it was awesome! They cut and pinned scarf rectangles and Lavendar Ray bodies. I stitched them together and they stuffed Ray bodies. They also cut and tied "fringe" for my business cards among other things.

Wow - what a good, productive day!  Thanks gals!

Oh...were you wondering who Lavendar Ray is?  He's my newest friend and he comes in many shades and facial features. Here's a picture of a few newly born Ray's.

THIO: The Heat Is On!

The excitement builds! I'm heading straight into fall/early winter shows and sales.

My first one is October 23 at a one-day Women's Expo in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Check it out HERE!

I will also be selling at an event in Atlanta, Georgia. It's called Whimsical Wares and will be held November 10-14.

Along with these, I also have other activities coming this fall. Can anyone say busy...busy...busy?

Ordinary Courage

Remember the Perfect Protest that our friend, Brene Brown started?

Well, here's a fun look at just some of the "PROTESTS" she received.  My little chalkboard protest is even in there!

It's WOOL WEEK

Wow! Who knew? I just found out it was Wool Week!

The Campaign for Wool (created in part by the Prince of Wales in January 2010) is presenting this week as Wool Week. It is just part of their efforts to help promote wool in it's many forms and uses.

The fairly new (but very cool) campaign supports sheep farming and the many textile communities and industries as it encourages people all over the world to LIVE NATURALLY...CHOOSE WOOL.

Me?  I LOVE it! Love wool. Love the campaign. I'm glad I happened across the information and could share it with you.

Now, if only I lived closer to the Prince, I would most definately attend some of the events happening this week in England!  Hmmm, I wonder what the airfare would be from Wisconsin...

Purple Beauty

When on my recent trip to California, we were able to take an afternoon from work and took a cab for a quick 15 minute ride to La Jolla.

Thought I'd share some of the fun photos of the day.

Beautiful flower. Perhaps in the Status family?

Our walk along the water.

Waves, rocks, and birds.

A gentleman playing violin in a little shelter.

Beautiful flowers.

And more flowers. I think these are Bougainvillea. Loved them!

A peaceful view.

This gal is going to start painting. Would have loved to have sat and watched her for a couple hours!



A few swimmers!

Keeping an eye on....everything!  :-)



Staying, Sleeping, and Stitching

I recently traveled to San Diego for a work conference. Of course I took some wool-work with me. Normally I would. But especially right now, I really would - because I have such big commitments to sale/shows/stores this fall. Right now I feel like there's absolutely no time to waste. It's wool-work, wool-work, wool-work!

While in my hotel room, I wondered to myself if anyone else staying there had their extra bed filled with projects like I did. I even put out the "do not disturb" sign for two days so the housekeeping staff wouldn't accidentally disrupt my perfectly planned wool layout. Sick, I know. But it made sense to me. After all, I didn't think I needed my sheets changed that badly!

Recycled Bottle Caps

I love to reuse things. Now, I can't go on and on about what a perfect recycler I am - because sometimes I really stink at day-to-day recycling. But I do enjoy including newly recycled items in with my wool creations to add just a little more umph to my goodies.

I recently created a flower pillow that included a recycled bottle cap. I smashed the dickins out of the bottle cap on my front-yard cement steps (also where I do my grommet work), created two holes with a large nail, coated it on both sides with spray primer, applied a couple coats of lilac spray paint, and finished off with a couple coats of poly spray. WaaLaa....a metal button!

I liked how they turned out - and would also like to try some decorative rub-ons on my next batch.  My only problem is I don't drink anything out of bottles that have metal twist caps. But I've asked a few of my friends to keep their eyes open for any!

Oh....funny story - recently when I was in San Diego for a work conference, I was waiting in line in the hotel gift shop when a gal opened a bottle of soda that had a twist cap. She was kind of looking around for a waste basket and I offered to take her bottle cap. She looked at me with this quizzical look and I briefly explained about my new "button" adventure. She laughed, offered me her bottle cap, and then proceeded to ask me specifics about my process because she said her husband would love to try it himself! I wonder how many he's made by now??   :-)

Store Shopping

Fun news! (Well, for ME anyway!)

I've just put some of my wool items in a shop smack-dab-in-the-middle of the cozy little downtown of White Bear Lake, Minnesota.  It's called Truly and has some really fun stuff. It's quite a small shop - but packed with goodness!

Stop on in and browse if you're in the area!