Makeover Monday: 6/27

I've been seeing aLOT of red, white and blue front pages on Etsy lately.  Last year I made a couple sets of Independence Day stars in the more primitive, rustic tones.  This time, I decided to try a more modern take by using a bright red gingham and a turquoise blue.

~*~

Very festive!  Here's hoping they still have a chance to brighten up someone else's home for the 4th!

~*~

Happy Monday!  This week I am looking forward to finishing a snuggler for a returning customer- she had a boy over 2 years ago, and is expecting a girl next month.  Sophie has Construction Camp at her old school this week for 3 hours a day, and we have a fun play date set up for Wednesday.  Great Italian food may be in my future, too, as I have a potential dinner date with a college girlfriend on Thursday night.  Next week Sophie has no camp, so we are preparing the fishing poles for some ladies days at the river.  I'll take photos if, I mean when, we catch the big ones.  What's on your agenda this last week of June?

Feet Upon Feet

Ta da da da da daaaaaaaaaaaah! This newly finished rug just seems to go on and on and on!

~*~

It was super hard to get a good picture of the whole thing!

~*~

Here she is all rolled up and ready to travel to her new home to be with her little sister. She was born last night at about 9:45 PM. She is 60 inches long and 24 inches wide. BUT, can you guess how much she weighs? Leave a comment with your best estimate, and I'll be back to reveal her "birth weight" later this evening :)

Mug Rugs

I've made upcycled coasters as a custom request before, but have never had a set for sale in my shop. The lemon-lime colors of these make me really happy, and I'm pleased with the way my bow came out on top. The little things in life can make all the difference.

~*~

Happy Saturday! What little thing has made you happy lately?

Easter Basket

Happy Easter! What a perfect day to share this new basket with you!

~*~

Before I left for my trip, a lovely customer wrote to ask if I could make a basket for her like the one I shared on my blog... you know, the ruffly one. I did not have the same fabric I used before, but I found this sweet "impressionist" floral that we thought would look wonderful.

~*~ I think we were right! The muted tones blend together so nicely, and the ruffle lets the colors have some pop.

~*~

I hope the Easter bunny is good to you today. See you tomorrow for Makeover Monday!

Makeover Monday Revisited

I combined the striped rainbow fabric from Monday with some complimentary white/rainbow mix to produce this totally unique bowl for a new customer in Canada.

~*~ I'm calling it the "reversi-bowl" because it can be turned inside out for a different look!

~*~


A third option, and my favorite, can be created just by folding the sides down.

~*~


Can you guess what she will be using this bowl for??? Leave your answer in the comments- I promise to come back and tell you later today!

Egg Bowl

You know me, sometimes I'm just late to the party. I probably should have made an egg shaped bowl *prior* to Easter season, so that people could actually have them in their homes for the holiday. Ah well, the good news is that the new shaped bowl will work in any season! It's especially useful on a desk, to hold post-it notes, favorite pens or tape- all the things I just can't find when I need them. TGIF, friends- I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Wholesale Stars: Check!

This little celestial rainbow is ready to fly off to Pennsylvania tomorrow- just in time for the grand opening of Wildcard! I hope they will be a *star* attraction at the party on November 7th ... sorry, I couldn't resist :)

Oh Baby!

Introducing the upcycled snuggle nest™!!

I've had this baby under wraps (pun intended, hehe) for quite awhile, and thanks to Nicole at Nicole Everson Photography I have finally gotten to see it in action.

~*~

I worked up the idea and design for this photography prop on my own, and I'd love to see it take the newborn photo world by storm! It is super soft, sturdy, and versatile; it stretches to fit larger babies, and *scrunches* for the smaller peanuts. It can be used inside out for a different look, and the ends can easily be smoothed in for a more rounded look.

~*~

I have a stash of fabric ready to crochet- beautiful greens, and pinks, and blues, and neutrals... This made to order item will be available in my shop soon ($75)! In the meantime, if you are a photographer looking to be one of the first to own one of these one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly props, contact me here, and I'll be happy to help you be on the cutting edge of baby photo fashion!

I Heart Custom Orders

Every new custom request gives me a chance to explore with colors, textures, and designs that I may not otherwise try. I finished this custom lidded project keeper last night, and I am SO happy with the way it turned out. You can view more photos of this one HERE if you'd like.

Have you had any new or different custom project requests lately?

Please leave a comment and share!

Earth Day Challenge: Part 3

~*~
I've often wondered how large an item I would have if I crocheted an entire sheet. This lovely vintage Vera sheet by Burlington measured 72 x 104 (inches) before hemming; the round rag rug you see in the photos measures almost 18" across!

~*~

~*~

I considered leaving it as is for my team challenge project, and marketing it as a large table coaster/rug or even a pet food bowl mat. That just isn't special enough, though, so I'm going bigger. I've had a brainstorm (look out!), and plan to make this a "message mat" for a totally unique and ultracool "green minded" rag rug. Stay tuned for updates! Tree huggers unite!

~*~

~*~

Do you have a favorite eco-friendly project or product to share?

All tips and comments are welcome!

Teacher Appreciation

I made two of these little heart bowls this week- one for each of my daughter's teachers. They used to be pajamas, but now they are the base of two little baskets of goodies...all filled up with red hots and conversation hearts and Valentine pencils! Every day is a good day to tell a teacher how much you appreciate what they do :)

Love Is In The Air

I love all of the decorations that go with Valentine's Day: hearts and lace and pink and red and ribbons...yum! So, when one of my favorite customers asked if I could make some ornaments for her Valentine tree, I think I swooned a little.

I had so much fun picking out fabrics that were just right for this job! I made her a set of 24 adorable upcycled ornaments out of baby blankets, sheets, bandannas, scarves, pajamas, a child's dress, and a men's shirt. Each one has a little pink flannel heart patch on the back, and is hung with a coordinating ribbon. I had never considered decorating a tree for this holiday, but I just might now that I see what a sweet tradition it can be!

All Wrapped Up

I had a request in my Etsy shop yesterday to make 3 brightly colored upcycled magnets. My customer asked that they be wrapped separately, and that I include a note about what they "used to be".

They came out so cute that I just had to share the wrap job! Wouldn't these be adorable as party favors? I could make all of the magnets out of baby blankets for a baby shower! Or all out of a particular color for a bridal theme! Or all red and pink for a Valentine party! I wonder if I am the only one who gets so excited over possibilities and cute little things? Say it's not so :)