My Creative Space

 

This week I've been working on additional stock for my last market of the year (Piccadilly Market, November 25th, Geelong Waterfront). I like to have something new on the stall for each market. I certainly have enough ideas in my head, just wish I had enough time!

I experimented earlier this year with using remanents from tea towels (I use them to make cushion covers) to make a few things, including zipper pouches and passport holders. I love how they turned out, so when I was accepted for Piccadilly Market, I decided they would be one of the new things I would have available on my stall.

Only one more week to go. Then I've got some serious Christmas crafting to do!

Hope you are getting lots done in your creative space this week. To see what others have been up to be sure to visit My Creative Space. Cyndy

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Making Something New

This weekend I made something new, a potholder. Not an earth shattering craft project by any stretch of the imagination, but I had never made one before. I made them because someone asked me to. A friend who is traveling overseas this week called me Thursday and said "I need something for my Aunt, she has an organic bakery, can you make some pot holders from vintage tea towels with Australiana on them?"

I said "yes" and I did. Now, I don't know about you, but whenever I make something specific for someone I am always a tad nervous about whether they will like it. Fortunately, she did, even deciding to give one of them to her mother in law instead:)

It also got me thinking about how I come up with new ideas of things to make. Clearly being asked is one way. I am not sure I would have come up with pot holders on my own accord. Sometimes I am inspired by things that others have made (online, magazines, at markets), like a skirt. Other times I am inspired by necessity, like headbands and hair ties (for my girls). And still other times I am inspired by the raw materials themselves (fabric, children's books) and think what can I make that will best utilize or showcase the materials, like bunting or cushion covers.

 

Regardless of how I come up with new ideas, one thing is for sure, I have more ideas than I can implement. I don't know about you, but I keep a notebook, where I write down all my ideas, and as I implement them, I fill in the details, like measurements, materials/colours used, costs for me to make etc... Why all the details? That's in case I want to make something more than once. I'm a make by the seat of my pants kinda crafter, so its usually documenting after the fact rather than before:) But documenting none the less.

So, hope you like my newest idea. My friend thinks I should make more of them for markets. I'm not convinced yet, but glad I made them at least once. So what's your newest idea and how did you come up with it? Cyndy Pin It

Op Shop Finds

Sometimes your lucky and sometimes your not, that's the nature of op shopping. This weekend I was lucky:)

I've been looking for some vintage pot holders and  I found two, both in yellow my kitchen colour. Love this little lidded jar too:)

I also managed to find a few things for my girls: a sweet pillow case with embroidered flowers, a sleeping beauty puzzle and a crown cookie cutter.

But my favorite find of the weekend? This wool blanket found in the dog blanket bin! The colours are fabulous.

It has been cut in half (so it's two pieces). I am assuming this is because there are some damaged areas (holes from moths it looks like), but I think I can selvage enough to create a throw blanket for my lounge room and use the remaining bits as background for some of my wool embroidery.

Speaking of, here's a piece I finished this week featuring gum flowers on another op shopped blanket background:)

In case my finds aren't enough for you, be sure to check out Flea Market Finds over at Her Library Adventures:) Cyndy Pin It

Op Shop Find - Vintage Embroidered Linens

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you would have seen a peek of my latest op shop finds - beautiful vintage embroidered linens! I love vintage linens of all kinds, doilies, tableclothes, tea towels, hankerchiefs, pillow cases, sheets etc... Depending on their condition they can fabulous on their own, or they can be re-purposed to create something else.

I saw one of these gorgeous luncheon napkins (there were four total) and fell in love. They are so sweet and delicate looking. Littlest wants a princess party later this year for her birthday with a few of her friends and I am thinking these would be perfect at a princess tea party:)

I also found this gorgeous cross stitch table cloth. It's the standard square tablecloth size (52 inches). This rose motif is in each corner with a fuller version in the center. It was marked $3.99 but I only paid a $1 for it! Can you believe it? Clearly a great deal of time and care went into making it. It's in lovely condition so I could use it on its own, or maybe someday as part of a quilt?

And then there was this little hankerchief with a basket of flowers in the corner. My first thought was to make a dress for Miss Polly (the doll I made for littlest for Christmas this year) from it.

Oh the possibilities, now just to find the time:) Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

A new school year is underway in our household. Middle and oldest started school mid last week, and littlest started kinder. I was thinking I would have more time for crafting, but I am still waiting for that to materialise. Littlest phases into her regular kinder schedule over the next couple of weeks, so still not much child free time. And I forgot with school also comes all the children's other activities (swimming, ballet, netball) plus all of my related volunteer work (toy library duty, school council, parent's association).

That's all to say I didn't get too creative this week. I made a wonky pencil case for middle (to her credit, she wanted to keep it even though I wanted to start again), sorted two containers of fabric, did some fabric cutting and started thinking through a new crafty project using a vintage tablecloth with Australian flora on it that has lots of stains (but it's still more of an idea than an actual project). I guess I need to be more patient with the transition to our new school year routine and lower my crafting expectations just a little:)

You can find lots more creative spaces over at Our Creative Spaces this week. Cyndy Pin It

Op Shop Finds - Vintage Vegetable Themed Table Cloth

Do you have something that when you see it in an op makes your heart beat a little faster? Your eyes dart from side to side? Your palms start to sweat? Do you have some you so covet that you hope no one else notices your excitement, for fear they will swoop in and grab the item from you?

I do, it's vintage vegetable themed kitchen items of any sort. I love vegetables on anything; cookware, serving ware, table cloths, tea towels, art work, rugs. Yes, on anything.

About a week ago on my way to Spotlight I stopped in one of my favourite little op shops and when going through the table linens found this fabulous vegetable themed table cloth. A little wrinkly I know, but it did need a wash. I've ironed it and am already using it on the children's computer table in the kitchen. I paid $2. Sigh...doesn't that just warm your heart? Cyndy Pin It