a little making...

 I have been enjoying taking special requests for small sewing projects from friends, and other artists. Those tiny camera stamps were created for strap covers for a photographer I know and love.

 I made an assortment on linen (surplus from a local manufacturer) with some soft recycled fabric as the backing.  Clean, simple, and sweet ways to personalize and soften the standard strap that your camera comes with.

Ok, so no one really holds their camera with jute twine, like the picture below... but I had been wanting to make a paper camera with my larger stamp for a while!

 My sewing machine was so happy for a little workout... it's felt quite neglected in the last few months.

As I go through my each room of my home purging and decluttering, I've been avoiding that overstocked studio of mine. I often stand in the doorway overwhelmed. So many good friends have seen me as the perfect recipient for their unwanted, but still loved fabric. It's been a blessing and a curse. This weekend I will finally tackle the piles, and I think the empty spaces left behind will be filled with the inspiration to get making again. Thank goodness garage sale season is beginning in these parts, because I'm going to have a whopper of one in the next few weeks!  Who knows, maybe an etsy de-stashing sale is in order, as well.

Has the spring cleaning bug bitten you yet, after all of my excitement around it?  I'm really enjoying this book, Throw out 50 Things, that was recommended by a helpful reader. It's giving me the courage to keep letting go...

grey trapezoid tote

It seems that I'm on a charcoal bag kick. There was the linen one in the last post, there's some industrial grey wool on my cutting table, and than there's this quickie I whipped up yesterday. I just needed something bigger than my current tote- an easy "toss everything in" bag. Funny how everything is the same color this week. Soft, neutral, put-together, works with everything... charcoal grey.

Yesterday's new project was reinvented from a pair of men's wool trousers. They had been abandoned by my ex-husband, but you can find them at thrift stores by the dozens. I decided to turn it into something useful, rather than toss them or be bitter. But I will admit that I enjoyed the deconstruction immensely. 

First- I cut off one leg and ripped open a seam from ankle to thigh. Next, I sheared off the bottom cuff and opened the leg to get as much usable fabric as possible. That felt good... satisfying, to say the least. Now, I could move on to creating something new. 

Spread out on the table, the seam left in tact was now in the center with the wrong side facing up. When I folded up the bottom, a trapezoid appeared, and the bag's shape took form.  I cut a lining fabric to match. It was some yardage discovered at SewGreen years ago and ties in the contrasting white thread perfectly. Using a feather stitch directly over leg seam reinforces it while adding a sweet detail to an otherwise very minimalistic tote. A thin strip of grey leather makes a delicate, but tough strap. I completed it in less than an hour, and packed it up with afternoon snacks for hungry kids. Now, that's a happy (and useful) reinvention!

And for the underbelly of my week, there's always a little Honoring Hope, if you are so inclined. Have a lovely weekend!

feather chair

 I'm starting this week with a wonderful sense of accomplishment, because I tackled a project that had sat on my diy list for an embarrassingly long time. In fact, I literally sat on it for a long time. Undone. This vintage steel folding chair was thrifted a couple of years ago with the thought of recovering the paint splattered vinyl. At some point, it moved out of the garage and into my studio. It's super comfortable and sturdy even with the cushions detached and just a piece of fabric tossed over it to hide its sad state. But come on- enough of that! I told myself that if I didn't fix it by January- it was returning to Salvation Army. So...

 I chose my favorite combination of white and linen. I never tire of it. Fresh, clean, inspiring.

Feathers are my symbol for this chapter, so putting one over my shoulder seemed just right. I used my very own stencil from my book... another satisfying moment!

 I ironed it directly to the freshly upholstered chair, crossing my fingers that the vinyl beneath wouldn't do something crazy.

 But all was well...

 And here I shall happily sit to stitch some hope and magic... indoors, of course!

It's only Monday, what might you tackle this week?

diy cork peg chalkboard

I've been looking around my house with fresh eyes this month. This little farmhouse is now mine. My nesting urges feel bigger than ever, so does the need for streamlining and organizing for my family. This new cork peg chalkboard is such a satisfying first DIY of 2013. It's also a great way to reuse all of those corks from holiday gatherings. REINVENTION!

 It happened by chance one day. A wine cork and a random screw were sitting on the counter (sounds like the beginning of a bad joke!), along with various other stray items. They called out to one another, and in the blink of an eye,  I had a new landing spot for my bag.

This was mid holiday season, and lots of folks coming in and out admired its clever reuse and function. I sent them home with these easy instructions:

- Insert the screw into the hole made by the corkscrew. You can do most of it by hand, but  a screwdriver will make the job easier.
- Make sure your screws are a bit longer than your cork. Every cork is slightly different. These screws were 2 1/2".

 An older cork may be too dried out. If it cracks, remove the screw and find a fresher one.

Now you're ready to secure it to something. How about an old piece of barn wood? That's what I had done for my bag and it looked great. Anything else will need careful anchoring.  I was determined to make some more cork pegs for my mudroom and since it already had a chalkboard on the wall... I had an idea.

Attaching them to a chalkboard invites monogramming, which makes everything more fun!

What about for a bathroom? When guests come, wouldn't it be nice to to label whose towel is whose? I love this idea!

Since this one is actually at our front door, it's currently our new hat rack. Hats are necessity this time of year... and are known to disappear. Having such a specific home is super effective.

This particular chalkboard was made by mom by painting a piece of masonite with chalkboard paint. I nailed it to the wall, but please use your own favorite method for installing if you don't want to go for my "get 'er done" method. The pegs went directly through the masonite and into the wall. They could hold a bag or heavy coat if need be. They're that tough! And slip-proof too! The cork grips whatever is hanging on like a good friend!

TIPS:
- I have a new chalkboard marker that writes like a dream. I got it at Michaels with one of their 40% off coupons that you can send directly to your phone.
 -I use this eraser.

NOTES: That light switch below the board is non-functioning so hanging stuff above it isn't a problem.  Obviously, don't install one above a functioning light switch... that would be a nuisance!

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january bouquet

I need my home to be filled with flowers even in the coldest months. Perhaps even more in the depth of winter. I plant them, and I also make them. I made a paper bouquet that I thought you might enjoy. It's super easy, just in case you want to make one yourself. They grow faster than my paper whites and last forever.

-First, make a handful of recycled paper flowers* following these instructions.
-Then, head outside and gather some delicate bare branches to stick in a vase.
-Finally, stick the end of the branches into the center of the flowers.

* This batch of flowers has been around the block and back... they're the originals that were featured in magazines and have decorated my table at craft fairs. Your own fresh batch will be bouncier, but you know me... I like the story these ones hold. Not like you ever heard me say that before! wink*wink*

Swift sew!

There's always the quick and happy making of Tyvek pouches- instructions are in my book.  I made several yesterday!

Metallic paint was used for this one, and it has a slight bronzy shimmer that doesn't translate in this photo, but is subtly sophisticated. I love how I can match colors and prints with personalities/tastes of the recipients. Super personal. And yes, my triangles are ever so slightly slanted, but she'll still love me... maybe more!

Sharpies also work wonderfully on Tyvek, so these pouches can become a great canvas for child-made illustrations. Still working on those!
Back to making I go...

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green handmade holiday round-up

Incorporating handmade into your home and gifts always adds more meaning to the holidays, and the benefits are vast. It ensures that there's less rushing about. And if you create with friends and family, traditions are formed and memories made. There's still time...

So let's revisit some projects and roundups from past winters to serve as visual reminders for you (and me!). A good idea is a wonderful thing to recycle. Below are some of my favorites from the last two years... all are simple and don't take much time! 

diy yule log candle tray here

herb gift toppers found here

wrapping suggestions here

recipe found here

tutorial found here

oat floats: how to found here

diy frilled pencils (great stocking stuffers!)

And here are a plethora of good ones from deeper in the archives!

Above are some well-loved decoration ideas. Links are from left to right.
Row 1: burlap forest, snow covered pine cones, cranberry wreath
Row 2: rag wreath, newspaper snowflake garland, batting scrap wreath ornament

The following are links for simple gifts that whip up quickly. Once again from left to right.
Row 1:  elf slippers, card holders, milk carton cookie houses
Row 2:  napkin rings and other security paper ideas, gift bag/boxes, leather leaf cuff
Row 3:  wrapping ideas, child's travel pillow, paper whites
Row 4:  love letter pillow, travel felt board, envelope purses
Row 5: quick personalized stationery, memory game, last minute treat bags

Happy Making!

reinvented cuff

 

 I'm having so much fun with those bike inner tubes. Plenty of folks before me have found inspiration in this rescued material, but I'm having a blast putting my own twist on it. I'm listening to what it wants to be... I'm experimenting with what it can do. I'll be showing you what I've come up with soon, but here's my very first attempt at introducing it to my sewing machine. They fell in love instantly! This is a stitch sampler cuff that has just the right amount of stretch to slip over my wrist but feel secure. It's lightweight and soft, but totally rugged and ready for anything. I wash a ton of dishes (no dishwasher here) and work with my hands constantly... from country chores to diy projects. Jewelry doesn't usually fit in, with the exception of that moonstone ring I've had since college. But this cuff? It hasn't come off the entire weekend. And it feels like me: urban country. Yup, that's my new name for my style... which I never thought of as a style until recently. I'm planning on making some more for my shop come the holidays... what a great little gift, right? Perfect for bike lovers or any other urban country folk out there!

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SCRAP* SF

On my first day with Creative Bug... really my first hour, I was taken on a surprise field trip. We headed to SCRAP. Every time I had read about it online, I felt like it was crazy that I had never gone. And now I was on my way, with my sweet new friend, Ava. We drove down Army st. (now called Cesar Chavez Blvd.) under the freeway over passes and beyond my old neighborhood of Precita Park to go to the more industrial part of town I remembered fetching lumber from as a girl. We parked down a small street, next to a huge warehouse surrounded by chain link fences that had been decorated and embellished with junk and trash in the most inspiring way. SCRAP! I only have my phone pics, but that will give you a taste. I stepped into the cavernous depths and looked up at shelves and shelves of rescued materials organized to the last little washer and wire. Each aisle reached up to the old wooden rafters and was devoted to its own specialty: paper, textiles, wood, glass, toys... amazing!

As I looked through the boxes of of wooden scraps, there was a section separated from the rest and labeled "free of nails and safe for children's projects". I started to cry. Ava didn't question my tears... my goodness, this place would bring any one with my passion for recycled ingredients to their knees. But it was something deeper that had been stirred... a memory. A piece of me. A coming home. Ok, I know I'm all drama these days... but 2012 has been nothing short of dramatic for me.

I called my mom later that day, and I told her I went to SCRAP. Synchronicty is my middle name, as you know. She was currently on the opposite coast in Atlanta presenting at the National Association for the Education of Young Children's annual conference. Her workshop was titled: Re.Cycle, Re.Purpose, Re.Use: Incorporating Found Materials for Creative Expression into the Early Childhood Curriculum. I come from good stock, eh?  She confirmed the recognition I had felt, and then some.

So here's some San Francisco history for you. SCRAP was founded in 1976 "to breathe new life into old objects and reduce waste". It currently diverts about 200 tons of materials that would be heading to the landfill and makes it accessible to artists, tinkerers and educators. The 70's were the beginning of a cultural consciousness about the environment and San Francisco was at the forefront. My mother, an artist and educator, took me to Scrap frequently when she worked at The Toy Center (thus the familiarity even though it was housed in a new location). In 1977, with a Ford Foundation Grant and funding from the Rosenburg Foundation, my mother and a close friend founded The Toy Center- which provided an innovative and much needed service to low income families and parent playgroups. With the help from the SF Childcare Switchboard (now the Children's Council) they rented an old double storefront on 24th street near Mission St. It had been an old pharmacy with gorgeous glass cabinets and oak counters. They transformed it into a community space to teach workshops on how to make educational toys out of recycled materials.  The supplies came from none other than SCRAP. There were recycled cardboard ice cream bins filled with odds and ends to reinvent, including those little scraps of wood I recognized at the current SCRAP. I remember spending hours tinkering at the Toy Center when my sister was a baby. My mother carried her around in a Snuggly when she wasn't teaching other mothers how to use a dremel jigsaw to create their own wooden puzzles from photographs.  It was my job to care for her when my mother had to demonstrate the power tools. I still have one of those puzzles somewhere in my attic. I love that puzzle.

It's not like I didn't remember that The Toy Center was a part of my childhood... of course, I did. It was always part of my family's lore... but last week when I returned to San Francisco to film workshops on how to make something out of nothing...

I felt the full circle of a family legacy falling into place

... something akin to putting all of the pieces together in one of my mother's puzzles. Sometimes the road we follow is filled with unchartered territory and other times it's the continuation of your heritage. I think this path I'm on is a bit of both.  I'm so proud to be my mother's daughter!

But that's enough story time and lofty talk for this Friday, the bike inner tubes I brought home are calling out for some experimentation! Do you think my sewing machine can handle them? I bet you'll be making something this weekend, too...

*photo taken by my son who's quite interested in those tubes!

squam tool banner

What you see (although a slightly blurred) is my heart on a string- literally! Making something... anything at all is always a perfect way to feed our creative drive. But when you work on something that is deeply connected to your core, well that is magic and medicine all rolled up into one. My contribution to the Squam Holiday Bazarr was made with that spirit. Michelle and I brainstormed a kit that would encompass the feeling and essence of Squam... that I could present as my part of a collaboration with you. This banner celebrates four familiar tools, each with their transformative powers and three simple, yet expansive, words that tie everything together. I've lovingly printed each linen flag with one of my hand carved stampsIt all comes minimally packaged with the instructions printed directly onto the stitched loon envelope. Can you tell how much I enjoyed designing each aspect of this kit?!

This would be complete and lovely just as it is... but I see them as an invitation for you to make your mark. I had so much fun embellishing my own and am thrilled thinking of how each one will become a representation of the skills and passions of the maker. They beckon for fabric paint, embroidery floss, ribbons, buttons and more. Maybe some will add their own flags or words and the gathering, and the loving, and the light will grow!

 This week, if life had gone according to plan, I would have been by the shore teaching at Squam by the Sea. Before I had even come up with a permission ship, I realized that I would need to be home for this month, in particular. Much is unfolding that needs my presence right now.  The fact that I will be cutting and printing something so directly connected to Squam all week is not lost on me. It feels just right and utterly beautiful. I will continue to gather my love and light wherever I am. And I'm so fortunate  that I get to share it!

Please go see these banners and all of the thoughtful and gorgeous offerings at the Squam Holiday Bazarr! What a perfect way to begin the gifting season.

From what a little shore bird has told me... these banners are flying off of the shelves. The numbers are limited, simply because there is just so much oatmeal linen that I can rescue at one time!

And if you are one of the beauties reading this post from the Outer Banks... may your cup runneth over with a phenomenal week of discovery!

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