Funky Jewelry

Alright, I finally got something done on this vacation!  About 3 months ago I bought these really fun enamel flowers from Sleepingdogstudio on Etsy.  I was so excited when I got them but couldn’t focus on what to do with them.

And then I’m afraid I put them in a box…  out of sight out of mind, so they’ve been waiting for me.

When I packed my craft emergency bag (living with only one suitcase of crafts has made me a little overly dramatic) they made the cut along with some of my thrift store jewelry.  I’m so excited to wear my new necklace this weekend! 

 

Blogging Etiquette?

I’m still in the middle of my move so I’ve been struggling with what to write about lately.  It’s been really nice to be on vacation before we get to our next post, we are moving to Brasilia, Brazil on May 15th.  We’ve been living in Virginia while my husband completed some language training and we are very excited to be headed out to a new embassy.

Anyway, in this little dry spell that always happens when I have all my crafty stuff taken away (well most of it, I do pack one suitcase of stuff) I was hopping to profile a few of the really cool folks I’ve found on Etsy*.  Since I’ve found that a few people have taken my photos and articles without permission I ask before posting photos and info about someone else’s work.  I thought that this is the way things should be done…

The thing is, I’m a little in the grey about what is and what isn’t ok here on a blog… is it generally acceptable to use someone else’s info if you give them credit and link back to them… should you ask before using any info, do you link or ask for permission at all?  What is the etiquette here?

*Etsy is a marketplace for handmade merchandise.

Happy Earth Day!

I wanted to thank all those who entered the give away, we’ll definitely keep this little tradition for next year as well!

Finished Doll

Ingredients:  remnants of swimwear, high-count cotton fabric, my old fat jeans, a ribbon from an Amazon present, fabric swap from upholstery book, a few mother-of-pearl buttons, and a little boiled wool.

She’s done!!! Yeehaw!

I’ve finished the fairy doll I showed you a few weeks ago.  She’s been a great learning experience for me.  I’ve learned some new painting techniques and constructed a new pattern for her arms and body.  The legs are my new favorite type, but they started with the tweed doll.

I liked the way this one came together, I’m planning on doing a few more in this same vein.

Earthday Give-away!

Just one week left until Earth Day. I think it’s a good time for another Give-Away! So, here’s the nitty-gritty:

-All entries will need to be IN before midnight this coming Monday (before 12 pm on 4/21) , that’s next week, the day before Earth Day. The winner will be announced on Earth Day, April 22nd in the morning.

-To enter you’ll need to submit a comment to this entry or send me an e-mail at thisrecycledlife@gmail.com. Don’t worry I won’t sell or give away your e-mail for any reason. I’ll get in touch with the winner and ask for all of your info at that time so I can arrange shipping.

-The give-away - well it’s a surprise, but I’ll let you know that it’ll be some recycled upholstery jewelry. Have a look through the site for some examples. Sorry but, U.S. entries only, cause the shipping will be on me.

-Visit the Earthday website and check out what other events are happening in your neck of the woods.

Best of Luck!

New Skirt Journal Part 1

I’m working on a skirt based on my last book purchase, 49 Sensational Skirts. Check out the book review from this week. To try it out for myself I decided to modify a dress I bought at the thrift store. You can find some great things at the local Savers or Goodwill, especially if you are like me and visit once a week. Be sure to take a donation as well, most thrift stores offer discounts or vouchers for your next purchase.

I don’t like the top of the dress at all, it’s just not me. But I’m pretty excited about the idea that I might wear this little thrift store find if it was a cute little skirt. I’m hoping to save myself some work because the dress is fully lined so when I cut it up I won’t have to come up with facing pieces.

My first step was to cut the skirt into pieces. I was careful to cut the skirt and the lining seperatly so I don’t end up with lining that I can’t use because it isn’t cut straight. I also cut the back zipper and decided that I’d keep it as part of the skirt.

First I sewed together the right sides of the skirt and lining, making a new waist for the skirt. I put the zipper back together by hand and later I’ll add a hook and eye for added security.

After pressing the new waist I did some hand sewing to make sure that things can’t roll up when I am wearing it. The next installment will hopefully have some fun additions to the skirt.

Book Review: 49 Sensational Skirts

I bought 49 Sensational Skirts last week after two weeks of ‘thinking’ about it. I do a lot of thinking on Amazon… it’s good they have that feature that let’s you review the purchase about 4 times before any sales are final. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to step 3 and then decided that I just wasn’t ready.

I love it, I think the author is my kinda gal. She does some amazing things with thrift store clothing and has some great and fun ideas for making your own kind of skirt out of a ‘find’. Her ideas are really fun, some very sophisticated some that are very costume-y

The pictures are wonderful, I am so drawn to a book with great pics. Inspiration happens as you thumb through this one. She has great ideas with found items, fabric strips, some basic stitching. It’s wonderful. There is a simple pattern included in the back envelope as well.

Cutting t-shirt flowers

My everyday bag has breathed it’s last. I have a bag that is just the right size for a few diapers, wipes, some assorted snacks, a few squares of chocolate, my wallet, a bink, and house keys. It’s my basic around the town kit, with just enough stuff for me and the girls to get out of the house.

Well I’ve had the bag for 5 years and two babies now, and it’s been washed a few times, the straps have been repaired and I’ve done my best to get the mystery spots out. Somehow we’ve managed to get some new stuff on it that the usual washing and spotting just isn’t working. We’ve also got two torn pockets now, I love scrambling around the insides of my bag trying to put a finger on my keys.

It’s time for a new bag and in that spirit I’ve made three new bags, waiting for the right combo to appear. This is it! I made this bag from some scraps of jean, one of grandma’s old bag straps, white and green t-shirts and some really fun blue and white fabric, I think it came from one of my fabric store grab bags.

I’m really pleased with the way the t-shirt flowers and stems worked out, I can’t wait until a little wear loosens up the petals a little more.

I’ll be working on a pattern for my Etsy shop, look for it if you want one of your own! In the mean time, hold on to your scraps and don’t throw out anything…

Learning New Skills

I haven’t been writing much lately, sorry about that, I’ve been using the time to learn some new skills with a paint brush. I grew up with a mom who paints very well and until very recently I’ve never painted very much or been very satisfied with my attempts. If you’ve been here on This Recycled Life a few times you’ve seen a few of my dolls. Generally I’m happy with my big-eye girls but never very satisfied with the noses, I hate noses.

I’ve been known to clean or sand off the noses many, many times when I am trying to get a doll’s face right. Even then, sometimes I put them in a box and a month or more later I take them out and try the nose again. Well - I’ve made a little progress lately and I’ve been learning to shade, so on with the Show-and-Tell - here is my newest face. I’ve still got to finish her off and give her some reclaimed or recycled little outfit but I don’t plan to mess with the nose.

Recycling T-shirts, Happy Birthday to Me

This is me in my birthday suit… ha! did you really think this was that kind of blog?… yeah, it just isn’t. My birthday suit featured a new hat, courtesy of a recycled pink t-shirt. I cut the shirt down to 2″ wide ribbons and then ran a stitch up the tiers to make a hat cylinder. I closed it up and ta-dah it’s a hat. I think the little upholstery badge is very fetching.

In case you were wondering, yes… I am turning 25, again *wink*