• Blog

    I’m still here…

    November 10, 2013 - By 

    Just had to get that out there.  I haven’t been around to visit hardly any of my regular haunts online. I was gone quite a bit this week though so we’ll go with that. 🙂point of viewWhen I’m home, this seems to be my point of view. Not that I’m complaining. I’ve got orders for many of my sewn items which is fantastic!

    Late last evening I got a phone call from a friend asking if I’d be a part of a boutique style show right after Thanksgiving. Oh yeah…I’m in! production line

    Today I’m really stepping up my production line. I hate to call it that since each item is one of a kind but I do work on several at the same time…production line style. Mr. G likes to tease me when I’m ironing seams…since I almost never iron our clothing. scraps

    I feel like I’m honestly making a good dent in my fabric stash. I’m sure “Grandma” Livingston would be happy to know her fabrics are continuing to be put to good even 30 years later.  I love mixing the old with the new for completely unique patchwork.

  • Blog

    Upcycling linens

    November 2, 2013 - By 

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    It has taken me quite some time to bring myself to cut into these beautifully stitched linens even though they were all either stained, ripped or tattered in some way. When I finally decided what they could become, I held my breath and took the first slice.

    The process was very similar to the first time I ripped into a book or tore a photograph. Once you get the first one over with…the next come easier.

    Now I have a few beautiful tissue cases all ready to go for gifts or my etsy store.

    Of course, I still love patchwork…  I think I could stitch patchwork all day and never get sick of it…as long as there is no pattern I have to follow. I hate patterns. Saying that makes me wonder why I bought a pattern for a shirt the other day. Yeah, I know…what was I thinking?
    I blame Pinterest. I saw this really cool make-over of a regular t-shirt into something stylish and girlie. We’ll see if I follow through on that one. Wish me luck!

  • Blog

    Upcycling projects

    October 6, 2013 - By 

    We all know how to recycle and I’m sure most do it daily. Newspapers, cardboard, glass and plastic are all readily recyclable in most cities, at least across the USA.

    This is wonderful! But I’ve been really focused on upcycling lately.  Finding a new use for something that would ordinarily be tossed out.  Wine corks, bottle caps, worn out clothing, stained linens, broken plates…you get the idea.treesI showed a sneak peek of these a while ago. I made a wine cork tree last year but this time I decided to change things a bit. I used a Champagne cork cut in half for the trunk.  I think they turned out really cute.

    sewing

    I’ve also been using some scraps from previous projects such as the denim remaining after completing a quilt or two.  As well as the remainder of the dress shirts that I made wine bottle gift bags from.

    cards

    In addition I’ve been making a bunch more cards. I’ll show more of these last two projects at a later date. The cards have much less upcycling in it’s truest sense but I am still attempting to include elements that might otherwise be considered unusable such as tiny scraps of fabric and yarn. As well as photo trimmings. I have a cigar box full of photo trimmings…they have such vibrant colors that it’s a shame to toss them out.

    It doesn’t have to be Earth Day to be a little “green”. Do a little more every day to be kind to our planet. Last time I checked…it’s the only one we have. 🙂