Retro Christmas Finds and Creations

Shaan fell in love with this moose.  So had to decorate him with a flocked bell and ribbon from the Scrapyard.  I then used a jar of my Dad's old marbles to hold flocked amarylis (Pier I Imports) and a kaleidoscope I purchased at Value Village.  This will give Shaan a flavor of the holidays when she returns from South Africa before New Years.

My collection of vintage glass balls.

A cute little elf that I found at an estate sale.  I remember having a couple of these as a kid.Some handmade felt treasures from an estate sale.

My collections of vintage glass balls.

Happy Holidays

So am back from Montana and winding down.  Had a great trip! Was able to find lots of vintage christmas carol music and a vintage table cloth.  I used the sheet music to make banners and wrap fruitcake.  I then found these wonderful retro glass and chenille picks at a antique market.

Busy...

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the Sustainable Gift giving workshop last week.  I took some time to poke around Cochrane this weekend, as well as the Art Market at the Telus convention Centre.  Loved the preloved furs at the Enchanted booth, as well as Natalie Gerber's creations, especially the vest.  Then got busy making some Tea Towel Totes, Small Tie Rose pins and barrettes, reused some photo envelopes to create CD covers, and made some Tie Pocket pouches, perfect for your phone or other small items.  The new crop of creations will be at Green Calgary tomorrow afternoon.  Have a great week.

Fun with Paper

This week was about creating with paper.  First I made a bunch of medallions from old security envelopes for holiday packages.  This idea came from the scissor variations blog.  I then made some bows from magazines before they hit the recycling bin. I saw the instructions for these on How about Orange.

It was a fairly busy week with the last Shabby Chic class, soccer and First Night at Art Central.  This week end home to get to Make it show and sale at the Chinese Cultural Centre. Then hope to get some pj's and sandwich wraps cut out.  Cheers!!!

green calgary ECOSTORE

I am so pleased to be selling my creations at the ECOSTORE.  These are the new tea towel totes that I dropped off this week.

These are the new recycled burlap clutches.

These are the newest Tie Rose barrettes and pins.  Remember 50% of the proceeds go to supporting green calgary's worthwhile initiatives.

Till Next time !

Sustainable Gift Giving Workshop

I am happy to announce that I will be facilitating a Sustainable Gift Giving Workshop with Green Calgary on November 16th. Green Calgary's Ecostore will also be selling the burlap clutches, tea towel tote bags and tie rose pins and barrettes that I have been making.  50% of the proceeds go to supporting Green Calgary so I am very happy to support this organization.  If any of you are interested, Green Calgary offers a great Healthy Homes program to help you analyze and reduce resources water, electricity etc. in your home. Check our their website for many other awesome tips.  It is their fall fundraiser so if you donate $150 or more you will be entered to win an  oak rain barrel.  Good Luck! www.greencalgary.org/ecostore

Things I made this week

True to my creative recycling self... these are my creations these last few weeks.  Burlap clutch (basmati rice bag), recycled paper notebooks, shabby roses (reused ties, thanks indygo junction!) altered CD photo ornament (memoriesbylynn), halloween tags (wine crate inserts).  My plan this week is to tackle some eco friendly lunch wraps, tea towel totes and children's pillowcase dresses from my stash of vintage fabrics.

New String Bed

I have always wanted a string bed since I visited India.  I wanted to bring the frame and string home, but thought the wood would be too heavy and cumbersome to ship.  Solution... make a string bed here!  So my husband and nephew finally got to work this summer and made the frame.  Then to find someone who new how to weave the jute in the traditional way... luckily my nephew's mother in law new how!  Great job

Pillowcase Dresses and Tea Towel Totes