R & R

Took a little time in the past couple of weeks for some R & R. I know I haven't been posting, but that sure doesn't mean that I haven't been crafting!

I invited all of my AmeriCorps members to join Adrienne and I for a crafternoon. It was lovely! Miranda did some mending, Camille was crocheting, Adrienne was prepping for the Indie Arts Fest, and Kate tried her hand at making a flower headband.

Cute!

Where does she get all those wonderful toys?

(Answer: Harbor Freight and Tools.)

I was feeling a little uninspired to start, so I emptied out the new buttons I acquired from the recycling center, and realized that I've outgrown my button box! I organized them in glass jars by color. A little OCD, I know, but if you have piles of craft supplies in your house, you might as well find a way to make them decorations instead of piles of crap!

Here are some of the more unique new ones. Lots of metal and vintage-y clear ones!

After the sorting, I got around to creating a travel jewelry case for my Mom. I love this fabric - also from the recycling center. It's so soft and it looks like henna!

Here is the inside - lots of compartments for earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, pins...whatever! And of course one of my new tags: "Made especially for you by Carole Ann." I went home for a week to Vermont, and gave it to her for her birthday - she loved it!

While I was home, she and I worked on more of those fabric bead necklaces. I love making them in bright patterns and colors!

And I made a prototype of a fancy clutch for a special someone who I know is getting married. I found the tutorial at Burdastyle. I think I can make some improvements, and maybe the finished product will be in silk...

Finally, on a silly note, I stayed up all hours of the night to make my very own superhero cape for Superhero Day at work. At the Museum, we take these things very seriously. I took on the identity of the nickname my AmeriCorps members gave me: Carole Answer!

I believe the tag-line was..."No Questions - Only Answers!"

Led a workshop last night on making coin purses for Hive O'Clock - Happy Hour Workshops. Will hopefully have some pictures of that posted soon!

And hopefully I'll get back in the mode of posting in general. Happy crafting!

Clutch clutches

Looking back, I had an incredibly crafty week this week. And yet, I don't feel crafted out at all!

First up, a fabric necklace. I've been meaning to try this out for a while. I found a tutorial from Martha. It was super quick and easy. I'm not much for necklaces, but I think this is really fun.

I got a surprise package from Mom this week with some personalized tags inside! Now everyone I've given gifts to has to bring them back so I can add a tag to them! I stole the apron I made for Christina back before she got back from Europe yesterday. Look how cute!

We went to Merideth and Jesse's house for a 4th of July BBQ. I happened to have some very patriotic fabric laying around, and had no particular plan for it. So I made her a cute string of flags to hang up by her pool.

Loved having an excuse to break out my new ruffle tube top. And of course, I had to craft a dessert to match! (My stellar assistant shown here.)

MMmmmmmMmm cupcakes!

The ruffle top inspired me to explore my box of t-shirts a bit more. I made this sling bag from a cute pink polka-dot tee. Not sure if I'll actually use it, but I think it's cute. Anyone want it?

On Wednesday night I went to Kreatelier on Hope Street for a "Fancy Clutch" sewing workshop. This was one of the things I promised myself I would do with the proceeds from my booth at the art festival. The class was taught by Lisa from Pink Lemonade Boutique, and it was super fun. Choosing the fabric might have been the hardest part, but I settled on this green & brown combo to match the new brown dress I bought. Kate at work told me it was a "clutch clutch."

Lisa had other stuff for sale in the Kreatelier shop, including wristlets with darling little pleats. I asked Lisa about how she goes about making them, and she gave me some tips. I fiddled around today and....

Tah Dah!! I totally created a pleated wristlet! I didn't have any interfacing, so I used an old pair of wool pants to give the bag some heft. I'm so glad that I got a chance to use these lovely vintage fabrics on such a summery, delightful project!

Here's to another crafty week....happy crafting!