Feedsack Bag

This is another one of those projects I've been meaning to get to for months.

I'm not sure what this sack was from, but the texture and weight of the fabric was perfect for making a purse.

It's lined with french ticking fabric.

And has a handmade wooden button.

I think I'll save this for Spring use.

Karen



Learning New Crochet Techniques

Over the weekend the weather here was awful.

Nonstop rain and even some snow mixed in.

I jokingly told my husband that I was taking a snow day on Sunday and spent the day playing with a new crochet technique. This is the first thing that I made.

I've made crocheted pod containers before, but not like this one.

This one is wool over rope.

I used the technique from the book "unexpected CROCHET for the HOME", by LENA MAIKON.

I also made a flower using this awesome technique.

The book is filled with really cool, unconventional crochet patterns.

I highly recommend it if you are bored with all the usual crochet ideas out there.

I bought this one at my local craft store (Michael's), but you can order it from Amazon as well.

Here is a close up of another pod that I have started.

Although my items are similar to some of those in the book, I did not use the patterns, only the technique.

I did notice that the author also has an Etsy shop where she sells some of the items from the book already made. I'm sorry I don't have a link for you.

Have you tried anything new lately?

Karen



Candy Corn

Sweet candy corn, but not for eating.

These cute little plushies were crocheted with cotton and stuffed with polyfill.

They're about 3 inches tall and the perfect addition to my whimsical Fall decor.

Happy Fall!

Karen



Gathering & Making Supplies

All summer long I've been gathering supplies for creating and decorating.

Winter seems to last forever here and I wanted to make sure I have enough things to keep myself busy without having to venture out into the cold and snow.

I'm always inspired by antique lace and happened to find a real bargain on this bunch while in New England last week.

I'm always looking for unique buttons and beads for my projects and handmade ones are my favorite.

My brother had given me a box of antlers a few months ago and my sweet son-in-law was kind enough to turn them into buttons and beads for me. Some of them were made into handles for my jute baskets as well.

I've been crocheting flowers to use in some projects too.

These ones are quite large and are made from cotton and jute.

In the upcoming weeks you will see these supplies again in finished projects.

I am so inspired by the blogs I visit and I'm always searching for more.

I hope some of my ideas will inspire you as well.

Have a wonderful day.

Karen

Creating Space In My Creating Space

I need all this stuff!

It inspires me.

And then there are all the supplies.

You've got to have them or you can't create.

It's so difficult to fit it all into one room...okay, impossible.

I'm working on at least knowing where everything is.

These are all empty so I can use them for more storage.

This is an awesome display unit that we found on vacation.

It's a great place for storing small odds and ends.

U is for UMELECKY

I just had to throw that in there: )

Storing the small objects in old glass jars makes it easier to find things.

 I picked up this shelf for just $2 at a garage sale.

This is part of the sewing area.

The armoire is filled with  vintage linen and lace.

A large jar with a rusty lid holds old wooden thread spools.

And the ladder which came from a barn not far from here, keeps my grain sacks organized.

This salvaged door with a chicken wire insert is a good place for drying herbs and flowers.

The white enamel pot is more storage space.

Random drawers make great organizers.

Closets with shelves are key.

I can't show you the other closets.

They aren't ready for public viewing at this time: )

Those are my daughters eyes.

She gave them to me years ago.

She enlarged a photo of her eyes and put one in each picture frame then connected them with a piece of thick wire.

All of my stamping supplies are going into a big wooden blueprint cabinet.

It's not ready for public viewing yet either : )

Right now all the stamping stuff is in boxes in the middle of the floor.

Then of course there's the nonsense that you need just for inspiration.

You know, the stuff you need just because.

Stuff that you've had forever and you just can't part with.

I bought this old typewriter in a thrift shop about 25 years ago.

It doesn't do anything but take up space, but I can't imagine my space without it.

Then there are the current projects.

These are the beginning of some fabulous pin cushions that I will be carrying in my shop soon.

I picked up some antique velvet, vintage linen and lace, silver plated spoons and antique hat pins at the flea market today and can't wait to get these started.

If you're wondering what this all has to do with making space in my space, well...I took a truckload of stuff to goodwill and have only gotten started. More on creating space in my creating space next week, providing there are no crisis or unexpected distractions.

Does anyone else out there have trouble staying organized?

How do you keep your space under control?

I'd love to hear your ideas.

Thanks!

Karen

Junk Art

As you probably already know...

I love collecting old stuff (junk).

It inspires me to create.

I guess you could call it eco friendly, since everything is repurposed.

These are some new pincushions I've made for my studio.

Made of all repurposed materials and scraps.

I borrowed the idea for these from the spoon pin cushion, made by Debbie Burkey.

This is some wall art that I created from some found objects and gifts from friends and family.

Now I just need to organize my studio, so these things will fit in there.

Happy Tuesday to you!

Karen



Jute Hanging Cone

New in my shop.

Crocheted, jute, hanging, cone basket.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen



A Box Full Of Nature

This started out as one of those little unfinished boxes that you buy at the craft store. I removed the hardware, added wooden drawer pulls for legs, painted it white, then sanded it to remove some of the paint.

Next, I added the collage to the top and sealed it.

I replaced all the hardware and filled the box with little things from nature.

I like the way it turned out. It's another little thing for my home that makes me think of Spring.

I'm still playing around with ideas for my Umelecky shop on Etsy.

I needed to make a fresh start, but can't decide on a product.

I've been thinking of a shop where everything is made from recycled materials. That would give me a broader selection of things to make and would give me the choice of creating several types of items as opposed to just one. I get so bored making the same things over and over again.

Anyway, that's just one idea. I'm not going to get in a hurry to decide right now. I'm having fun with my vintage shop and will continue to think about ideas for my handmade shop for a while.

I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has been following my blog and thanks for all your kind comments as well. I love reading about the things you're up to and the projects you are working on and it feels good to know that you also read mine.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'll be stopping in to visit you too.

Have a beautiful day everyone!

Texture

Burlap has such a wonderful texture.

These are the centers for some crocheted flowers I'm making.

White burlap that I tinted blue and did a blanket stitch around them.

Petals or ruffles will be added later.

Thanks for looking.

Have a beautiful Sunday.