Makeover Monday

About a year and a half ago, a lovely woman came to me to have her grandmother's wedding slip made into a bowl. A piece of it was also used to make a pin for her daughter to wear on her wedding day. Well, that daughter sent me a message the other day! She loved her wedding pin, and wanted to know if I could make something special for her sister-in-law who will be getting married soon.

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She sent me her sister-in-law's grandmother's doily, and a wooden Scrabble tile.  Grandma was an avid Scrabble player.  She wanted me to use the thread from the doily to make a heart... beyond that, the design was pretty much up to me.

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After double checking to be sure it was really OK to take the doily apart, I set out to undo stitches that have been in place for decades.  It did NOT want to be taken apart.  The thread was fine to begin with, and brittle with age on top of that.  Every few inches or so, the thread would just break as I took it apart.  After the first couple of rows, though, I came into stronger material. 

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I took out just enough to work with, and was left with a curly little pile.  I took out my teeny tiny crochet hook and made a teeny tiny heart.  Too small.  I took apart my teeny tiny heart and doubled up the thread.  Still small, but the best I could do.  I decided to use the inner portion of the original doily as the base, so I unraveled until I got to a good stopping point and then finished off.

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I arranged and arranged until I got it just right...

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... and I'm really pleased with the result!

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It measures 2.5" in diameter, and is light as a feather.  The bride will be able to attach it to her garter or bouquet, and have a bit of her grandmother with her as she walks down the aisle.  Something old AND something new.

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Though there were a few tense moments when the thread wasn't cooperating, I thoroughly enjoyed this project.  If I could do this every day, I'd be one happy lady.  Oh, Martha?  Send me your throngs of customers looking for that little something special for their wedding day ;)

Squealllllll!!!!!!

Remember the colossal bowlee from THIS post? Look what that creative customer did with it!! See more of Sarah's beautiful newborn photography at her website or on facebook.

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Are you a photographer seeking your own unique prop?

Contact me HERE with your request or idea!

Makeover Monday: 2/28

I started this week's special project with a thrifted springy floral cotton twin flat sheet, and quickly realized it wouldn't be enough for what I had in mind.

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So, I raided Sophie's closet and found this polka dot twin flat sheet that perfectly matches the flowers.

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I used the floral for the beginning and end of this basket,

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... and the dots in the center. I used both fabrics for the side bow!

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Before you wag your finger at me for swiping my daughter's sheet, let me explain that this is to be her very own Easter basket. Last year I got so caught up in making baskets for the shop and other people that my own babe didn't have one of these beauties. (Bad, bad mom. Though I'll admit that all along I've been banking on the idea that kids ultimately don't remember anything from before they are 5 years old) In any case, now she can be the princess of the egg hunt!

And What We Have Here Are...

... napkin rings!

(ding ding ding to Shabby Vintage Threads for her correct guess!)

Posie Patch Napkin Rings, to be precise.

{Make every day a garden party}

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Look for these in sosorosey soon, sweetly packaged in sets of 4 for $30.

Makeover Saturday: Special Edition

There is just no better advertising than word of mouth. One of my recent custom order customers was so pleased with her purchase that she recommended my work to a friend- what an honor!

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My new customer was hoping to have a bowl (or two) made out of her grandmother's nightgown, pictured above. Having never worked with a nylon/spandex mix, my main concern was that the fabric would compress so much that I'd have trouble getting a bowl of any size at all.

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Though the gown was a size small, and not small by today's standards, it thankfully had a very full skirt. While cutting the slippery, slinky fabric was a bit of a challenge, I was able to have enough to make two bowls after all. The one on top is 4" wide by 3" tall, and the other is about 3" by 3". I cut the strips about 2.5" thick to account for shrinkage.

(hehe ...you're thinking about George Costanza aren't you?)

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And look, the bowls can nest together, too! I had a teeny bit of fabric leftover- enough to crochet a chain about 6 inches long. I twirled it into a "rose", added some lace from the bodice and a pinback, and created a special treat to add to the package. Shhhh- that part is a secret!

Favor

Many moons ago, before the idea of crocheting for a "living" ever entered my mind, I had a fantasy about starting a business devoted to designing and creating favors for weddings and other events. It was going to be called "Do Me A Favor".

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Where did I come up with this idea? Well, after making the favors (and lots of other goodies) for my own wedding, I really came to appreciate the intricacies of infusing meaning and true gratitude within that one small item. The favor is your chance to send your guest off with a final "feel good" about the entire event.

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After attending many weddings and baby showers, I realized that all too often the favor comes across as an afterthought. A throw away token of thanks. I will never get that! For about the same price, wouldn't people rather give something that shows they really are grateful? Guests put their real lives on hold and spend tons of money on travel, clothing, gifts and accommodations to attend a wedding. This deserves more than candy stuffed in a flimsy little box! imo.

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Fast forward to today.

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A potential opportunity to create unique wedding favors has come my way. The couple is having a beach themed wedding in New Jersey. The wedding colors are shades of aqua and blue.
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I chose to make the heart out of a cotton twine for a more nautical feel. For interest, I added an aqua shell and bead combo to one of the hanging strings. The ties are ribbon, embroidery thread, and a pearly opalescent crochet floss. The name/date tag in aqua cardstock caps it off.

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Perhaps my favorite detail is the quote I found to put on the back of the card. How perfect is that???

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I have my fingers crossed that the couple falls in love with my design. Not only would these add a fun and special something to their tables, their guests would be certain that their presence was appreciated. And then, knowing that these hearts are hanging somewhere in the homes of all the people who witnessed and celebrated their union? That's got to bring extra super duper good mojo to the couple long after their special day!

Beyond Busy

What a whirlwind the last 3 weeks have been! I've been on vacation, battled a nasty cold, fulfilled several new orders, and received two new and exciting large custom orders!

Back at home now, with my health getting back in check, I am so excited to take a minute to share sneak peeks of the new projects in the works.

First, have a looksee at the first 22 inches of what will be a 7 foot wide round rag rug! This baby will be heading all the way to London when she is finished...via Missouri. She has a long road ahead of her, as do I!

Next, have a look at what will be an 18" wide, 6" tall lidded project keeper in neutrals. Ah, the simple, clean, natural beauty! This is about 13" wide so far.

I'll post more about these projects in days to come. What have you been up to? Please post a comment- I've missed you :)

Drum Roll, Please!

I am pleased to introduce the first quarter of my big ole custom rag rug! Making this has been such a pleasure. It is kind of intense to switch fabrics so often and still maintain the balance of color, shading, and texture. When I am working on this, I am in a "zone"; hubby knows that when he enters the room and sees me surrounded by my mountain of fabrics he should just back slowly away.

Adding to the excitement of this project is the enjoyment my customer gets from seeing her rug evolve. Each time I post photos to the listing in my shop (you can see the current ones HERE), I get a sweet message from her oohing and ahhing over the work I have done. For a crochet artist, it does not get any better than that!

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 :)