Thursday, October 23, 2008

recycling: good, clean fun!


I missed playing "on my desk" yesterday, but my little napper has suddenly given up napping. My Wednesday blogging window just got a little more challenging. My making window didn't seem to disappear, though. She and I whipped up a little storm together. I'm going to confide in you: I'm having a little love affair with coffee sacks, and it looks like I'm not alone...my inspiration board turned up all over the place this week: Design*Sponge, Craft, whip up!, Apartment Therapy's unplugged and re-nest, one pretty thing...maybe more. Thank you soooo much! I really enjoy working with burlap, playing with the graphics, and most of all... giving new life to a resource that would have otherwise gone unused. The above bag is my daughter's new tote: a lunch sack, snack bag, nature collector, and anything else she might decide. Here she is waiting to go to nursery school... Miss Upcycle, herself. She sits upon my re-done chair, with her Mama Goose shirt and her handmade (from thrifted fabric) skirt. She wears it all with pride, that's my girl!


Back to the bag. Don't you love the shape? It's a soft and drapey (yes, burlap is not as itchy as you might think), but has structure even when empty!

I made a quick and simple lining in linen, and the straps work over her shoulder or as a handle. A friend dropped buy today, and now she wants one too...for her knitting. I'm going to make several in different sizes and style... I need a couple!

I hate wasting. I had to use the scraps, of course. This is my new favorite pin cushion.


It reminds me of a little sack of coffee. The loop means I can hang it on the wall above my sewing machine, and always know where it is. I have a habit of misplacing my pin cushions, so this is GOOD.

In other making news:
I had a special request for some more stone dolls. I spent a beautiful fall afternoon collecting more stones at the lake, and here they are:


I also stitched up a couple of these birds from Spool after seeing this gorgeous interpretation of their project by Molly.

I have big holiday plans for these sweet little birds. They can take on so many different personalities depending on your fabric choices. Here's my simple, rustic one in linen and ticking (one of my favorite combos). I added some quilting details to the tail that I'm really enjoying. Might play with the pattern a bit to make it my own...I love tweaking.


I also made one for that little girl at my side... with her fabric choices. She loves it more than any softie I've ever made for her. I've made quite a few in the past year, but this one feels just right in her hands, and she hasn't let it go for 24 hours!

Maybe we all need a little someone to hold onto... Pin It

31 comments:

  1. i adore the stitching on the tail - fabulous pairing of simple fabrics too.

    really, really??? a burlap bag? you are not going to believe it, but i'm in the process of making a burlap bag of my own. i'll be sure to finish it up soon and share. there is definitely a special connection here.

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  2. What a delicious selection of crafty items. I can't choose a favourite, they're all too fabulous. I'll stop drooling soon ;-)
    I made my first bag lining today - it worked, but I'm a way from "quick and simple". Lol.

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  3. Another wow!! post! Your birds are beautiful!! I love the bag and the pincushion, too! That's a lotta useful product from an empty coffee sack--I can just imagine you as a pioneer on the frontier making a fabulous life from next to nothing.

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  4. I love the bag and the birds. Where do you get the burlap???? Stop by and check out my fall giveaway!http://www.three-peas.com/2008/10/celebrate-fall-extravaganza-fall-crafts.html

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  5. How cute!
    I have been making birds like that for a long time and my little ones just LOVE them!

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  6. I LOVE that bag - I'd buy one right now! What a beauty!

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  7. I come here via Mrs. French's blog, and I am so happy that I did! Your work is lovely! The bag is terrific and I am digging that pin cushion. What a lucky little girl to have such a loving mommy that makes her sweet things, and and what a lucky woman you are to have such a sweet little girl!

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  8. I love that bag!!! I would love to have one. I need to get in touch with my crafty side and try making one! :)

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  9. Visiting from the lovely Mrs. French's blog today and so happy that she introduced us to you(those of us that were still in the dark, I mean! :) Your blog is absolutely beautiful, I adore your coffee sack and tiny birds. So very lovely and so very sweet.....Thank you for your gorgeous photography and all the best!
    xo
    Melissa

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  10. I've been making a little something inspired by you! send me your addy, will you?

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  11. You are amazing. I love the tote. I'm going to keep my eye out for anything like your burlap coffee bags so I can do the same. Love the bird's tail too. Thanks for bringing some pretty into my day :)

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  12. Oh, I know se7en who would love these bags! I wish I knew how!

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  13. My favorite thing with the burlap was the pin cushion. I'm not sure why, but I think it is just because of the big numbers on the little pillow.
    I'm sorry that your nap time craft window is disappearing. It's been a long time since I had parental duties that consumed my quiet time. I can hardly imagine not having that time....but I do so much miss having a little one around. Lucky you!

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  14. That last picture is absolutely adorable. Super cuddly sweetness.

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  15. I also found your blog through the delightful feature Mrs. French did about you today over on Bliss. Your work is stunning...and I love, love, love that pincushion! I'll definitely be stopping back in to see what you come up with next.

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  16. oh mrs. french sent me here and now I can blame her for me loving you, those burlap coffee maya*made goodies along with everything else you touch.
    blogging brings goodness everyday to me.
    e-ternally grateful.

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  17. I love Patricia's pioneer comment. You are a pioneer of sorts, etching your way through this new blog land with amazing stamina , talent and loads of fun hard work. Thanks for pushing through into the new frontiers you share so willingly and lovingly with us. The picture of your sweet daughter embracing the bird melted the snow right off my porch. Thanks, Maya .

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  18. um..i would like to place an order miss for that wonderful bag...you are so talented! (but i'm serious...)

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  19. I am LOVING your coffee sack ideas! That little number pin cushion, as simple as it is, is my favorite.

    Congratulations on your Design Sponge feature!!

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  20. had to stop by thanks to Mrs. French!
    I LOVE, Love, love the pin cushion!!!
    If you want to make more, i will hapily carry them in my shop:))))
    k-

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  21. Wonderful creativity...love all your ideas and creations...beautiful little girl too. Love her boots.

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  22. You deserve the attention. Personally, I think you should win that Martha Stewart link.

    This post was wonderful. And it just got wonderfuller and woderfuller.

    You make me want to craft, although I am lame with needle and thread. Those birdie lovies are great, and I adore the way your girl hugs it and loves it. I could see my two adopting those in the same way.

    Just the wonderfullest, Maya.

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  23. I always know when I get the time to come over here it's going to be filled with incredible things - the coffee sacks, you are awesome! There is a local roaster here that Melinda and I are going to have to make contact with for their bags! My favorite is your pin cushion!
    Happy, Happy belated birthday to your mom too!

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  24. It has been SO cool to see these bags travel all over the internet!

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  25. LOVE IT! (and you : ))

    Now I am thoroughly obsessed with NEEDING that bag, the fact that it stands so the yarn can easily come out of it while I knit is perfect! Maybe we'll have to thrown a grommet into the top for the yarn to feed through. I have a whole box of brass ones here!

    your greatest admirer, lola

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  26. i love the fabrics she chose! she has an eye, that one...looking for your last email, can't find it. my dad's from bernal heights! that's where i was, every sunday+, & we were on the other side of the freeway by san bruno ave. we're going to make some of molly's little birds this afternoon...

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  27. The bag & the darling little bird look wonderful Maya - but the little pincushion has won my heart.

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  28. I just have to share with you what I just spotted in the latest CB2 catalog!

    http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=595&f=4735&viewall=1

    http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=595&f=4737&viewall=1

    How about that?! :)

    P.S. That pincushion is SUPER cute!

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  29. I absolutely LOVE what you are creating with the burlap....the bag is such a great simplistic design and yet so stylish and hip...dare I say very "french":)...and the pin cushion is adorable!! The birds are so precious and evoke a feeling of peace and tranquility...what a lovely childhood keepsake.

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  30. *love* the bag. you're giving me such great ideas for some old feed sacks i have saved and never used. :^)

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