Elizabeth Abernathy

Love Food Hate Waste

2012-01-18T10:39:00.000-08:00

For the last year or so, I've really been trying to waste less food. In the US, the average household throws out a pound and a half of food every day (or in a year, almost $600 worth). I'd like to think that my household never reached that level of waste, but I'm not so sure.

Since I've become more conscious of waste, I have seen the amount of food I end up throwing away go down drastically. Here are some things I did which worked for me:

1. I buy less perishable food to begin with and keep my refrigerator about half empty. I can easily see what I have and use it up before it spoils. Is it nice to have 3 kinds of lettuce, 6 fruit choices and 5 kinds of cheese? Sure, but if I'm realistic, I know that much of that is going to go bad before it gets eaten. Instead of having a lot of choices simultaneously, I just vary what I buy from week to week.

2. I shop several times a week instead of once a week (but buy much less each time). This works if you go past a grocery store frequently as part of your regular routine. It's not such a good strategy if you have to make an extra trip into town. Really organized people can accomplish the same thing by careful meal planning. That's not realistic for me, but buying (only what I actually need in the next few days) spontaneously does seem to work in much the same way.

3. I cook smaller portions (and we eat everything up). If we are honest with ourselves, most of us could stand to eat a bit less of even the most healthy foods. Cooking just enough eliminates the very real possibility of leftovers rotting away in the back of the refrigerator. Some people love left-overs and actually eat them, but if you don't, consider cutting down on what you cook up in the first place.

What good does it do to cut down on food waste?

It's good for the environment: Food takes an enormous amount of energy and water to produce, process and transport. Wasted food is wasted water, wasted fossil fuels, and needless pollution.

It saves you a lot of money: Imagine if every household in the US saved $600 a year on food and turned around and donated that amount to their local food bank or to programs promoting food security in impoverished countries. Yes, shipping loads of food over to starving nations has never produced a lasting solution, but there are many organizations working to promote real food security based on a more complex strategy. And, while some people would argue that therapeutic food to save the life of a starving child doesn't accomplish anything in the long run, I'm not one of them. Every life matters.

I watched this very interesting documentary on food waste a few days ago. If you have Netflix streaming, you can find the full version there.

Read more:
Love Food Hate Waste Top Tips
Love Food Hate Waste Campaign
Dive! (the film)
The US Wastes Half its Food

Tips from MyZeroWaste

Charities Promoting Food Security and Providing Emergency Food Assistance:

Your Local Food Bank

ADRA (this is the program I personally support)

UNICEF
Action Against Hunger

Africare

Food for the Hungry

Merry Christmas from Nuno Magazine!

2011-12-08T08:07:00.001-08:00

Free Holiday Mini Edition of Nuno Coming Soon!

2011-12-01T06:41:00.000-08:00

I am putting the finishing touches on a winter holiday themed mini edition of Nuno Magazine. It will include tips for "green" gifting, eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas, handmade cards and a how-to for making your own 2012 pocket diary. I will be releasing this free (!) edition in the next few days. Keep your eyes peeled!

Handmade Holidays: Softies to Sew

2011-11-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

Softie toys are great personalized gifts to make for your youngest friends and family members. Handmade softies are also very green and inexpensive to make, since you can use fabric from your scrap bin. Here's a few of my favorite free patterns and tutorials from around the blogosphere.

Oopsie the Octopus
Pointy Kitty
Scrappy Owl
Lucy Goosey
Mooshy Belly Bunny
Plush Duck
Mermaiden
Felt Goldfish
Puppy Plush
Matryoshka Doll
Hedgehog
Softie Whale
Sheep Softie

Handmade Holidays: Crocheted Hats for Men and Boys

2011-11-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

I'm kicking off my Handmade Holidays with a roundup of my favorite free crochet patterns. Handmade gifts for men and boys are a tricky proposition, but if you crochet or knit, hats may be your best bet.

Most of these patterns are easy enough for beginners and many could be whipped up in an afternoon.

Which patterns would I like to try? The fisherman's style hat for my father, the beanie with horizontal stripes for my nephews and the "Best Guy Hat Ever," for my husband.

Simple Beanie in Single Crochet Stitch
Classic Fisherman's Style Hat
Cap with Vertical Stripes
Best Guy Hat Ever
Large Beanie (with video)
Beanie in Double Crochet Stitch
Visor Cap
Mustache and Beard Hat
Beanie with Horizontal Stripes

Kid's Crafternoon Beading Book

2011-10-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

Look what came in the mail! I was so pleased to get my paws on my contributor copy of the Kid's Crafternoon Beading Book (edited by Kathreen of Whipup). I designed the little macrame button bracelets you can see in the little excerpt photos above. The book's not out until November, but I couldn't resist giving a sneak peak.

A Peak Inside Star Gazing

2011-10-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

I just posted some spreads from inside Star Gazing over at Nuno's Blog. See them here.

Star Gazing Preview

2011-10-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

We just published our latest issue of Nuno Magazine! I'll be posting some spreads from Star Gazing tomorrow. In the meantime, please take a look at the free preview which includes two projects.

Liking...

2011-10-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Shadow Puppet Set by Owly Shadow Puppets

Sweat Shirt by Le Bestiaire

Stoneware Platter by Leili Design

Wood Chopper Gocco Print by Kate P

Spider by Mister Finch

Tutorials I'm Liking:

Book Clutch via Hello Friend
Kirigami Fall Decorations
Paper Paris
Lace Scarf

Also Liking:

Amelia McIssac's Masks via Kickcan and Konkers
Gray and Brown
Paper Animals
Matchbox Structures
Mary Button Durrell
Geninne's Free October Calendar Wallpaper
Fresh Ideas

Kim Welling's Instant Comfort Pocket Boxes

2011-09-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

All photos this post belong to Kim Welling.

Every once in a while I run across something really original. Today I discovered Kim Welling's adorable Instant Comfort Pocket Boxes which instantly appealed to my love of all things tiny. Visit Kim's Etsy shop and her super cute blog.

Papier Mache: Issue 9

2011-09-19T05:28:00.000-07:00

The newest (free!) digital edition of Papier Mache Magazine is out. See it here. My favorite thing from the magazine? Coral and Tusk.

Liking...

2011-09-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

Giclee Art Print by D R Kennedy Jones

Rainbow Braided Rug Made from Recycled T-shirts by Green at Heart

Paper Fox Puppet by Furzschan

Linen Choker by Kjoo

Reclaimed 1960's Silk Ikat Pillow by Material Recovery

Thank you to...
Copy and Paste

Ideas, Tutorials and Patterns I'm Liking...
Chalkboard Book
Skirt Refashion
Dying With Lobelia Blossoms
Dying With Mushrooms and here
Swedish Weaving
Pom Pom Lights

Also Liking...
Beautiful (Free!) Desktop Calendar from Geninne (it's on my computer and is oh, so lovely!)
Interview with Ward Jenkins about his vintage kid's book collection.
Jung Jung (botanical crochet) via Bloesem
Kristine Fornes via A View To

16 Things to Make With Cereal Boxes

2011-09-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

Image by Sample Reality. cc license.

After doing a number of projects utilizing cereal boxes (mostly masks) I am totally sold on the potential of the lowly paperboard box. Below are some interesting ideas I found from around the blogosphere.

Kid Stuff:

Scenery

Grown-up Projects:

More Inspiration:

From Plum Pudding
Chris Kassman

Covet Garden September Issue

2011-09-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More decor

2011-09-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

Mustard Foks by Celapiu.

Lollipop Trees Limited Edition Print by Eloise Renouf.

China Pendant by The Broken Plate.

Reclaimed 1940's Silk Ikat Pillow by Material Recovery.

The Duke of New York (Print) by Matte Stephens.

A big thank you to...

The Underground Crafter

Cassi at The Crafty Crow

Sara of Wool Durham

Tutorials and patterns I'm liking...
Modpodge Suitcase via Grosgrain
Patchwork Pouf
Vintage Crochet Shopping Bag Pattern
Cloche Hat (designed with duct tape head form)

Newly discovered blog...
Denim via At Swim Two Birds

Also liking....
Hass Weiss Dollhouse
Jennifer Collier via Kickcan and Conkers
The Makers via Simple Lovely
Hannah Whitaker

And this...

Sanctuary magazine issue 14 - Reborn from fire - Callignee, VIC green home profile

Forest

2011-08-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

It's almost fall and Rachel and I are working hard on our upcoming Fall issue of Nuno, "Star Gazing." In the mean time, here's a few not-previously-shared spreads from last year's Fall issue. Didn't get a copy of "Forest" the first time around?  It's still available. Just use the "add to cart" button near the bottom of this post. Even if you don't have a spare fiver, be sure and check out the free preview embedded at the bottom of the page; it includes three complete projects. There are more images from inside "Forest" here.    

$5.00 US PDF Download

Preview an excerpt from "Forest":

Seven Compelling Reasons to Thrift

2011-08-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

Image by Lance McCord. cc license.

Reason No. One: Thrifting is very environmentally friendly.

Buying a preowned item saves all the energy consumption and pollution caused by producing that item new all over again. How much energy does thrifting really save? Buy a used t-shirt instead of a brand new one and you just saved the planet at least 570 gallons of water and 11 gallons of fuel (plus eliminating emissions, potentially polluting industrial by products, and the energy used to transport the finished t-shirt to the store).

Reason No. Two: Thrifting supports good causes.

The vast majority of thrift stores are operated by organizations who use most of the proceeds from sales to support charitable work. If you aren't sure what the charities who run your locale thrift shops do with their money, find out and support the shops whose work is most consist with your own personal values.

Reason No. Three: Thrifting will save you money (lots of it).

The average American woman spends over $600 a year on clothing. Not all your clothing needs can be meet by thrifting, but a regular thrifter will find it challenging to spend $600 on clothes and still be able to get her closet door shut. Other good places to use thrifting to trim your household budget: books and toys, furniture and household items like dishes.

Reason No. Four: Thrifting makes your stuff unique (and nicer).

I have a much nicer wardrobe than I would if I didn't thrift: cashmere sweaters, Italian leather shoes, nice vintage jewelry. Ditto for my library, knick-knacks and furniture. If you thrift regularly and develop a good eye, it's absolutely amazing the things that you can find.

Reason No. Five: Thrifting encourages creativity.

Thrift long enough and you will start looking at objects as things with potential. That battered desk? With a new coat of paint, it could be a sideboard. That ripped silk robe? Cut it apart and it could become a set of cushion covers. Add refashioning clothing to your repertoire of skills and the possibilities really open up.

Reason No. Six: Thrifting makes you a more discriminating consumer (hopefully).

Newbie thrifters tend to over buy. "Everything is so cheap!" they say. Unless you are on a very tight budget, if you want something at a thrift store you can buy it. The question, "Can I afford it?" becomes irrelevant. Instead, you have to ask yourself, "Do I have a genuine need for this?" or in the case of non-utilitarian items, "Will this be a lasting source of pleasure?" Asking these question over and over while thrifting starts to spill over into other areas of your life that relate to the acquisition of "stuff" and results in a more thoughtful and considered way of deciding to accept or reject a new possession.

Reason No. Seven: Thrifting creates a connection between you and the past.

New, shiny, untouched things with the plastic wrapper still on are rarely found at thrift stores. Instead thrifting involves sorting through objects of various ages and conditions that came from the homes of literally thousands of previous owners. Each object has a story (most of which you will never know). Incorporating items from previous eras into your home and wardrobe gives it a certain rootedness and authenticity that a house full of brand-new objects just can't duplicate.

Where Good Ideas Come From.

2011-08-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't read the book yet, but it's gone to the top of my library list...

Liking....

2011-08-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

Paul Klee Puppet Book (image from Kathryn Clark)

Holes by Stonestudionstoo

Notes from the River (detail) by Missouri Bend Studio

Spalted Box Elder Vessel by Makye77

Vintage Japanese Ikat Fabric from Furugi Star

A Big Thank You to:
Sew Mama Sew

Liking...
Biophilia
Vintage Summer Snapshots
Karun Collection (via Adire African Textiles)
What if all your dreams came true?
Malin Bergstom (via Color Collective)

Tutorials I'm liking...

Plastic Bag Light
Doily Print Bowl (via Hello Friend)

Knitted Pom Pom Socks
Rainbow Cake (via Totally Tutorials)
Dying With Black Walnuts

PulpLamp from enrique romero on Vimeo. (via Abundance)

Newspaper Painting

2011-08-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

I was doing a project for the upcoming issue of Nuno that involved painting on newspaper and while I had everything out, I decided to do an abstract painting on a full sheet of newspaper, just for fun. Newspaper holds up surprisingly well under paint. It's a material I'd really like to explore more uses for. More paintings on newspaper: Wang Yin, Wiggle Your Feet, student abstracts, resist paintings, Thierry Jaspart, and Gabriel Vormstein.

Also, in case you missed them, I want to point out two projects (with accompanying tutorials) that I posted last week at the Nuno Magazine blog:

Phone Book Paper Bead Necklace. Here.

Painted Pillow Boxes. Here.

Liking...

2011-08-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Moth by Mister Finch

Jacket by Thaitied

Screen Test Brooch by bRainbowshop

Owl Poster by Box 64 Studios

Painted Stone by Amy Komar

A Big Thank You to:
Mellissa of Storage Geek
Amy of Angry Chicken
Totally Tutorials
Under the Table and Dreaming
Crafting a Green World

Liking...
Pencil Shaving Lions
Sunny Walker's Closet
Rodarte and Opening Ceremony
Intimacy Under the Wires via Junkculture
Babiekins Issue 6 via Kick Can and Conkers

Tutorials I'm Liking...
Scrappy the Snake
Hoodie Laptop Carrier via Outsapop
Princess Pavilion Tent via Grosgrain
Cactus Pin Cushion via Totally Tutorials
Rolled Paper Picture Frame via Dollar Store Crafts

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.
found via Poppytalk

Painted Toilet Paper Tube Chalk Portraits

2011-08-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is a very simple project you could do with kids (or for yourself). There's not much to it, really. Paint toilet paper tubes with acrylic paint and draw faces on with chalk. If you want to preserve the faces, use a spray fixative, but part of the beauty of this project is that the chalk can be wiped off with a damp cloth and you can draw new faces. If you are doing a project with small children, be sure to use non-toxic paints and chalks and skip the fixative.

Random Article

2011-08-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

My sister Rachel (who collaborates with me on Nuno Magazine) has a new blog which I realized I haven't yet pointed out. So I am. Rachel posts about design, vintage and movies (among other interesting bits and pieces). Take a look!

Tutorial: Toilet Tube Pillow Box

2011-08-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

Pillow boxes made from toilet paper roll tubes is an idea that's been floating around out there for a while (here, here and here), but it's such a good idea---so simple, so easy and so useful---that I'm revisiting it.  

How-to:

 #1: Flatten a toilet tube. I used a heavy book to press mine flat on the table top. It will still puff up a bit. That's o.k. Use a bone folder or the edge of a ruler to make the side folds crisp.

#2: Trace around the rim of a drinking glass (mine was 3.5"/8.5cm across) at each end of the tube. Use the point of bone folder (or the "eye" end of a heavy needle) rather than a pen or pencil.

#3: Trim on the line you traced in step #2.

#4: Create fold line on both ends by tracing around the rim of the glass as shown (again, use the tip of the bone folder, rather than a pen or pencil). Flip the tube over and do the other side.

#5: Fold in the ends. You can secure the ends with tape, glue or stickers.  Or you can use a string or ribbon tie.

PS: I took these plain boxes and painted them with a Native American inspired design. See them over at Nuno.  

Chalk and Cheese

2011-08-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

I was very happy to receive a review copy of the latest Action Pack from Kathreen of Whipup. This 5th issue is dedicated to Chalk and Cheese. It's 40 pages packed with activities and projects involving, you guessed it, chalk and cheese. Among other things, your kids can learn how to make several kinds of cheese (I'm not exactly a kid...but several of the cheese recipes really intrigued me), make butter, play traditional sidewalk games (with make-it-yourself chalk playing diagrams, of course), as well as: science experiments, craft projects and more recipes. If you are the parent of a curious and creative kid, check out any of the Action Pack issues. You won't be disappointed.

Twenty+ Things to Make from Cardboard Tubes

2011-08-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Photo by Crafty Goat. cc license.

Things to Make using Recycled Cardboard Tubes: 

Wall Gallery

Wall Art

Seed Starters 

Room Divider  

Chair

Another Chair 

Ceiling Installation

Pavilion

Ornaments

Flowers 

Pin Cushion

Kid's Stuff (with tutorials): 

Owls

Flying Falcon

Rockets

Ladybug Larva Racers 

Pencil Holder

Wild Things

Snake

Giraffe

Hummer

Artists and Craftspeople using Recycled Cardboard Tubes: 

Anastassia Elias

Fritz Junior Jacquet

Yuken Teruya

Box Populi

Larissa Wilson  

Things I've Made (and blogged) using Cardboard Tubes: 

Pop-up Bird Puppets (for Nuno Magazine: Forest) 

Kachina Doll (for Nuno Magazine: Painted Desert...go to page 18 of Preview)

More Inspiration:

Cardboard Tubes Recrafted Flickr Group

Kids' Crafternoon Give-Away Winners!

2011-08-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

We have two winners! The sewing book will go to the Greek blogger who left comment number 13 and the paper craft book will go to Pip. Thanks for all your lovely comments and positive feeback about the books and a big thank you to Hardie Grant for providing the give-away copies!

Note to the winners: Please contact me via email at heathereliza*at*gmail*dot*com with your mailing addresses. If you haven't contacted me within 7 days and I can't find a way to contact you, I will draw a different name from the list of comments.

Liking this week...

2011-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

Yellow Chick Vase by SKTceramics

Cocoon Dress by Design by Nihan.

Cat and Dog Love Print by Juliapott

Not Quite Round Beads by Not Tuesday

Nani IRO fabric from Kikoli

A Big Thank You to:
Kathreen of Whipup
Michele of Michele Made Me
Marisa of Omiyage
Joslyn of Simple Lovely
Angie of Smock, Paper, Scissors

Liking...
The absolutely gorgeous work of Kay Sechimachi
Arimatsu Shibori (via Omiyage)
Dying with Black Beans
Broken Houses
Knitted Necklace
Self-Stitched September (via Flowery Skirt)
My Trip to Denmark in Textiles
Walls Notebook (via Junkculture)

Newly added to my regular blog reads list:
Wikstenmade
Rosa Pomar

Recently Watched:
To Be and To Have

Also...
The Newest Issue of Covet Garden:

This Tiny Animation by Eleonora Arroyo:

Kids' Crafternoon Blog Tour and Give-Away (Closed)!

2011-08-03T05:02:00.000-07:00

Winners of the give-away are: Greek blogger who left comment #13 (sewing) and Pip (paper craft). Thanks to all of you for your comments and interest in the books!

I am very pleased to be a stop on the Kids' Crafternoon blog tour. Each of the books in the Kids' Crafternoon series will be dedicated to a specific type of craft. The first two books (released in July) contain papercraft and sewing projects. Each book has 25 projects designed for kids aged 7-12, but I think many of the projects have an even broader age-appeal.

The series is edited by Kathreen Ricketson of Whipup, who kindly invited me to contribute a project to the sewing book (see my little scarf project here). Kathreen drew from a large and diverse pool of crafters around the world to come up with the projects that made their way into the books. I was very excited to see the finished books. They turned out beautifully!

Rather than just talking about the books, I decided to try them out. I invited two of my favorite kids, Anthony and Katia, to look through the books, tell me what they liked and chose a project to do.

Both kids had a hard time choosing which thing they wanted to make. Katia deliberated between the "Pet Pillow" in the sewing book and "Home Sweet Home" in the papercraft book. Anthony initially chose the "Pet Menagerie" from the papercraft book, but settled on the "Cloudy Day Pillow." Both books have a few decidedly feminine projects, but judging by Anthony's reaction, there are still plenty of projects with "boy appeal".

Papercrafting with Katia:

Katia chose the "Home Sweet Home" project by Cate Holst. This project involved customizing a photocopied template of a cute little stand-up house with bunnies and a fence. Katia also made herself a little backdrop and after I took the photo, she added a paper family to live in the house.

Katia is a year younger than the target age for these books, but she enjoyed making this project and although she needed some assistance with cutting out the bunnies and the fence, she was able to do the rest more or less on her own. Isn't her little house adorable? I love the vine-covered roof!

Sewing with Anthony:

Anthony's made Claire Dollan's "Cloudy Day Pillow." Anthony's pillow actually took an afternoon plus a couple of hours the next morning. However, this was mostly because he had recently been introduced to tie-dying and wanted to customize his fabric (and, as it transpired, a pair of tube socks) before we got on to actual business of sewing of the pillow.

After a quick crash course on using the sewing machine, Anthony was able to complete the project on his own with a bit of technical advice from time to time. A kid with previous sewing experience would be able to make this project with very little assistance.

I thought he did a wonderful job with the sewing and the tie-dyed fabric (red, white and blue to match the decor of his bedroom) really makes the pillow unique!

Want know more?

Visit the other stops on the Kids' Crafternoon Blog Tour for more peeks inside the covers:

22 July Poppytalk (some pretty images from inside)
23 July Picklebums (they made "Wall Flowers")
24 July Little Eco Footprints (three little girls make Limbies)
25 July Beaspoke quilts (check out the super cut patchwork version of the "Cloudy Day Pillow"!)
26 July Maya Made (they made "Mini-Monster Pinatas")
27 July Checkout girl (they made "Ipod Creature Cozy")
28 July The red thread (Kathreen shares her top three reasons to encourage kids' creativity)
29 July We Wilsons (they made "Paper Curtains)
30 July Maggie Makes (Maggie made a "Pencil Pouch)
31 July Mmm Crafts (Larissa interviews Kathreen about the books and coffee)
1 August Domesticali (Ali interviews Kathreen)
2 August Floating Ink (Kathreen talks about helping kids make the most of the crafting experience)
3 August Elizabeth Abernathy (that's me!)
4 August Mommy Coddle
5 August The Long Thread
6 August Hannah Fletcher
7 August Between the lines
8 August Go Make Me

Get Your Own!

You can get your very own copy from Amazon:

Give-Away:

Last but not least, Hardie Grant (the publisher) has provided me with a copy of each book to give away. To enter the drawing leave a comment on this post telling me which one you'd like to have (you can say "either one" to be entered in both drawings). I'll announce the winners of the drawings here on my blog on Wednesday, August 10. I'm happy to ship the books anywhere.

Things to Make With Seashells

2011-08-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

Image by Robayre. cc license.

Wondering what to do with all those shells that keep coming home with you from trips to the beach? Here are a few tutorials for simple things to make and more links to some truly beautiful (and a few bizarre) things made from seashells.

Tutorials:
Seashell Wreath
Seashell Mobile
Seashell Candle
Seashell Nightlight
Seashell Printed Fabric
Seashell Garland
Seashell Soap Dish
Seashell Necklace
Seashell Chandelier

Inspiration:
Everything Seashell
Antique Seashell Jewelry
This Little Collection
Painted Fragment
Grottoes and Shell Houses

Retro Inspiration: Handprinting Motifs

2011-07-31T15:34:00.000-07:00

Images selected from Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos

Don't all of these designs seem like perfect candidates for potato printing?

Liking this week...

2011-07-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

Vintage Carved Wooden Bangles from Pinguim

"Orchid on Floating Log" Print by Jeremy Miranda

Small bowl with clear crackle glaze from Claywood Stone

"Light Will Always Find its Way" from The Project Room

Wooden Sugar Bowl from Offcut Studios

Thank you to...
Amy of Things We Make
Elisabeth of Fine Little Day

Liking...
Dyeing with Flower Petals
And Rules to Dye By
Lower Your Standards and Keep Going (found via Gifted Blog )
Safety Pins and Screws
Adding Pockets to a Skirt or Dress
This Porch (found via Simple Lovely)
How to Cyanotype Print on Handknits and Crochet
Fairy Houses
Has Sewing Changed Your Life?
Relax

Tutorial: Macrame Button Ring

2011-07-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

I have a little collection of antique buttons so I decided to combine a few of them with macrame to make a little ring. Here's how I did it:

Cut two pieces of string 14" long. I used #10 bamboo crochet thread. You will also need three shank buttons, one small and two tiny.

Thread one string onto the small button and thread the other onto one of the tiny buttons. Pull through so that the button is at the center of the string.

Thread both tails of the tiny button's string through the hole in the small button.

Choose any tail and thread the remaining tiny button on to it.

When you turn the buttons over, it should look like this.

Check the length as you go along and stop when the buttons and the knotted string are long enough to go all the way around your finger.

Take on of the tails extending from the square knot senet and thread it back through the center button. Pull it tight and knot. Make more knots as needed to make the junction stronger. Clip the tails off and dab the cut ends with clear nail polish. When the nail polish is dry, try the ring on. If the buttons seem a bit "floppy" use a needle and sewing thread through the holes in all of the buttons to draw them closer together and knot securely.

Partner With Nuno

2011-07-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

We will very soon return to regular non-Nuno related crafty stuff (I promise!). This post is aimed at a very specific group: for profit bloggers (or those who wish they were). If this is not your cup of tea, please do come back tomorrow! I'm making something fun with buttons and string.      

Some of us blog for the pure joy of it and find making it even mildly monetary saps the fun. That's wonderful! Some of us (not very many) blog for a living. That's wonderful, too!  Most of us fall somewhere in the I-need-to-justify-all-the-hours-I-spend-to-my-other half-somehow middle and eventually feel the need to earn a little bit from our efforts. 

Would  you like to help spread the word about Nuno and make an extra bit of blog income at  the same time? Ejunkie, the shopping cart service we use, is set up to allow  you to do just that. 

How does it work?

You sign up for Ejunkie's affiliate program (it's free) and copy code provided by Ejunkie into your  blog sidebar or the body of a post to create a link to our blog. This  code will send your reader to our blog, where they can purchase Nuno  from us. You can also use a product specific code provided by Ejunkie  which will not redirect your reader, but allow them to purchase copies  of Nuno directly from your blog by sending them straight to the shopping  cart. 

Either way, you will earn a percentage from each sale. Anyone reaching our blog from your site will have a  cookie stored for 6 months and if they buy something from our site any  time during that period you will still earn the same percentage of the cover price. 

Read the rest of the details (including who can sign up and how) here.

Painted Desert is Done!

2011-07-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Painted Desert is done! It's 116 pages of craft, sewing, knitting and crochet projects made using recycled and repurposed materials. Photos of almost all the projects in this issue can be seen on the "In this issue..." pages in the preview embedded above.

The embedded preview also includes two complete freebie projects; a fabric snake toy with pattern and a printable Kachina doll made with a toilet paper tube.

The full copy can be purchased for $5US from the sidebar of this blog. We hope you enjoy it!

If you are a blogger and would like to help spread the word about Nuno, we've created a little press kit with more information here.

Coming Very Soon!

2011-07-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

"Painted Desert" is almost finished. It will be available on Monday! New (previously unshared) images from inside the magazine over at Nuno.

Kinfolk: A Guide to Small Gatherings

2011-07-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Kinfolk is a lovely new collaboratively produced emagazine devoted to simple and small scale gatherings. Found via Poppytalk.

Liking this week...

2011-07-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

"Hubble Portrait" Art Print by Moonscape. Here.

Folding Fan Dress by Yuan123. Here.

1930's Star Map from Red Truck Vintage. Here.

Crescent Moon Necklace by Istanbul Designs. Here.

"View From an Attic" Print by Sumua. Here.

Thank you to:
Storage Geek

Tutorials I'm liking...
Lace Trimmed Shorts
Simple Crocheted Slippers (via Whipup)
Hanging Tin Can Planters (via Poppytalk)
Shorts to Tulip Skirt Refashion

Also liking...
Three Bears
15 Summer Projects for Home and Family
Photocopied Family Photo Posters
Carlota Espinosa's Closet

Reading:
Healing Night
The Charming Quirks of Others

Recently Watched:
Happily Ever After (unsubtitaled trailer)
Casi Divas

Look What the Mailman Brought!

2011-07-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Today I got copies of the brand-new-hot-off-the-press inaugural volumes from the Kids Crafternoon Series. The first two volumes are focused on paper craft and sewing. The series (edited by the lovely and talented Kathreen of Whipup) is meant for tweens and includes a diverse range of projects that kids can do in a single afternoon.

I contributed to the volume on sewing. That's my patchwork scarf in the second photo.

In early August, I'll be participating in the official blog tour by doing a much longer post about the books, trying out a project from each one and hosting a give-away, but in the meantime, it was so much fun seeing my project in print that I couldn't resist sharing.

And while we are on the subject of sneak peeks, if you haven't seen the photos from the upcoming issue of Nuno, pop over and take a look. I'm hoping to have the new issue out by the end of next week.

Liking this week...

2011-07-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

Detail of Print by Sarah Giannobile. Here.

Vintage Carpet Bag from Purple Deer Vintage. Here.

Unicorn Cloud by Gri0tte. Here.

Rainbow Crystal Ring by Brianarose. Here.

Stick Sticker Set from Ginette Pomette. Here.

Thank you to:
Celebrate the Big and Small
Brie at DIY Life
Kristen at Craft Gossip

Tutorials and Patterns I'm liking...
Printing with foam trays by Smooth Pebble (via Crafty Crow)
Thea and Sami upholster a chair (via Kimono Reincarnate)
This very ambitious dress refashion by Charity Shop Chic (via Refashion Coop)
8 Groovy Bracelets to Make

Also liking...
Miquel Aparici
Jesse Chorley
Everybody is Different (via Kickcan and Conkers)
This lookout cabin (via Miss Moss)

Recently Read:
At Home by Bill Bryson
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
Cocktail Time by P.G. Wodehouse

Recently Watched:
16 to Life
Look Both Ways
Seaside

Summer Kid Craft: Ric Rac and Button Bracelet

2011-07-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

If you sew at all, chances are you have bits of ric rac and odd buttons sticking in your sewing basket that you'd be more than willing to put to good use. This bracelet is a quick and easy project suitable for kids that lends itself to being replicated over and over. Here's how to make a ric rac and button bracelet:

You will need: A needle and thread, 1 inch strip of elastic roughly twice as wide as your ric rac, two strips of ric rac approx. 8 inches long (smaller kid's wrists can use less) and a large button.

Twist the ric rac together so it looks like this.

Sew one end of the ric rac to the strip of elastic. Check to make sure that the bracelet is going to fit. Trim off some ric rac if it seems too big. Sew the other end of the ric rac to the elastic. Sew the button to the middle of the elastic to cover it up.

Liking this week....

2011-07-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

Iowa Landscape Quilt by Kimem

Necklace by Feltik

Vintage Cast Iron Owl Lantern from Bellalulu.

"Night Swimmer" Painting by TastesOrangey.

Thank you to all the bloggers who have linked to my tutorials or done features on Nuno Magazine over the past few months! I had been in the habit of acknowledging these by name, but since I have been too busy to do these "Liking this week..." posts, I am hopelessly behind. If you are one of those lovely bloggers, thank you so much! I will resume individual recognitions for this coming week.

Tutorials and Patterns I'm Liking:
Recycled Wool Tangram Magnets from Resweater
DIY Camping Stool (via Oh, Hello Friend)
Tiered Skirt Pattern from By Night (keep scrolling down for instructions in English)

Also liking:

balloon from Angus Dick on Vimeo.

(found via Kickcan and Conkers)

Who knew the bottoms of worn frying pans could be so beautiful? (here via Junkculture)
Kumihimo
This super cute dress refashion.
Write an essay, win a tiny house. (via Handmade Charlotte)
Victoria Haven (via Paper and Things)
Picnic Season

Tutorial: Thread Wrapped Bangle

2011-06-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

A while back, my sister handed down a lovely agate bangle to me that had a crack in it. Although this project could be made with any sort of bangle, it is an excellent way to revamp a damaged bracelet.

Here's how I did it:

Important Note: Before you start, take a strip of double faced tape and carefully adhere it to the inside of the section of bangle you intend to wrap. This step is not shown in the illustrations, but is necessary to keep the thread from unwinding itself, particularly if the bangle is of a slippery polished material.

Cut a length of thread or string approximately 6 feet long. Tie it tightly around the bangle. Move the knot to the inside. Stretch the tail out flat and stick it to the double faced tape. You will be wrapping over the tail in the next step.

Wrap the thread tightly around the bangle, making sure the wrapping is neat, that the threads lie tightly next to each other, but do not over lap.

When you have about 6" of string left, thread the tail onto a heavy needle and stitch back through a few threads (on the inside of the bangle). Make a knot.

Using the needle, draw the remaining tail under about 1/2 inch of wrapped threads, pull the tail through and clip of the end flush with the wrapped threads.

If the threads still feel loose and in danger of unwrapping, you could spread a light layer of clear drying glue across the wrapped threads on the inside of the bangle.

Art Deco Trees

2011-06-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Clips from Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (Pacific Press, 1923).

Tutorial and Pattern: Tea Towel Hat

2011-06-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

I made a new hat pattern and created this version out of a super cute vintage tea towel with various songbirds on it. Obviously, there is no need to use a tea towel, any old fabric will do, but the pattern does cut out with very little waste from a standard sized tea towel and if you use a medium to heavy weight linen one it has just enough stiffness to make the hat hold it's shape well.

Here's how to make your own:

Cut out the pieces using the pattern embedded at the bottom of this post. Use a fabric that is a bit lighter weight for the lining. Seam allowance for all seams is the width of the presser foot.

Place the two brim pieces right sides together and sew up the side seams. Place the two crown pieces right sides together and sew up the side seams. Press seams flat and turn. Repeat the process with the lining pieces.

Insert the crown inside the brim as shown in the illustration. Pin and sew together with one continuous seam. Repeat process with lining pieces.

Pin the top of the hat to the crown. Sew together. Repeat with the lining, except leave a 3 inch gap in the seam (be sure to back stitch at beginning and end because you will be turning the whole hat through this opening which will cause the seam to unravel if you don't back stitch).

Placing the right sides together (lining should be inside out and the hat right side out) fit the hat inside the lining. Pin all the way around the brim. Sew the lining brim to the hat brim with one continuous seam.

Turn the hat right side out through the gap you left in the lining. Stuff the lining inside the hat. Press carefully. If you want, you can top stitch around the brim to give it extra stiffness and to keep the edge neat. I didn't do that, but you may find that the fabric you use needs it.

Tea Towel Hat Pattern

Retro Craft: Stencils

2011-06-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Clips from Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (Pacific Press, 1923).

Tutorial: Bathtowel Beach Bag

2011-06-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

Click to view any image larger.

I made this beach bag out of a cute vintage bath towel and some vintage woven macrame cord. This is a super quick and easy project and when you return from the beach, you can just throw the whole thing in the washer instead of trying to shake/wipe sand out of the bottom of your beach bag (never a task I've enjoyed very much).

Retro Craft: Block Printed Fabrics

2011-06-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

From Applied Art by Pedro J. Lamos (Pacific Press, 1923).

My Trip to the American Southwest

2011-06-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

These photos and video are from Cathedral Gorge, Nevada. We stumbled upon this place completely by chance while en route to Tucson. See more pictures of Cathedral Gorge here. Read more about it here.

I spent almost a week in Tucson while my husband was doing some training for his job. While I was there I visited the San Xavier Mission which dates from 1767 (for North America, that's really old) and is filled with primitive carved wood iconography and murals. It's a working church that sees as many praying pilgrims as tourists, so I didn't take any pictures inside, but you can see inside photos here.

While in Tucson, I also visited Tohono Chul Park (where the two photos above were taken). I also took a day trip to Bisbee (which I loved and would recommend visiting if you are anywhere in the region). I also visited Tombstone which was having it's annual Wyatt Eerp days and had the main street roped off and lots of men wondering around in cowboy/old west sheriff costumes and women dressed as turn of the century prostitutes. I didn't hang around (no pun intended) for any mock hangings (apparently if you get "mock hung" you are presented with a "miniature commemorative tombstone").

Montezuma's Castle (which has nothing to do with the actual Montezuma) built over 1,000

years ago by native Americans.

We traveled through Sedona area (where I would have loved to have stayed longer). It's really beautiful and I highly recommend putting it on one's "places to visit" list. More photos of Sedona here.

We visited the Grand Canyon. I had been there as a child and it's still as impressive to me now as it was then. On the south rim is the definitely-not-to-be-missed circa 1920's watchtower with central staircase and walls covered with murals by Hopi artist, Fred Kabotie.

We drove from the south rim to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The road passes through the Navajo Nation Lands and the Vermillian Cliffs National Monument. It also passes over the Colorado River (photo above) and past the fascinatingly bizarre ruins of the Depression Era Cliff Dwellers Roadhouse (not to be confused with the present-day Cliff Dwellers Lodge just down the road). More photos here and more about the ruined Cliff Dwellers here.

We went to Zion National Park (very beautiful but came away with not-so-beautiful photos) and Bryce Canyon National Park (two photos above).

The three photos above were taken in the highly under-rated Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Utah).

Arches National Park (three photos above).

Canyon Lands National Park (photo above).

Thrifting Finds: Antique Readers

2011-06-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

These lovely little books were not actually my find. A thoughtful friend of mine came across them at a yard sale and bought them for me because she knew I "liked old things". I think the engravings in them are really beautiful!

They are both from 1878 and are both collections of short stories for beginning readers. There are almost identical handwritten inscription in each: "Mabel Rowe, December 25th 1881, From Ma" and "Millie Rowe, December 25th 1881, From Ma".

It makes me a little sad that someone offloaded these at a yard sale. It's also a bit weird to think that, were little Millie and Mabel alive today, they would be at least 136 years old.

Retro Craft: Stick Printing

2011-05-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

From Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (Pacific Press, 1923).

Interview with Ildiko and Flavia of Harem6

2011-05-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

All images this post belong to Harem6 and are used by permission.

This week I'm very happy to be interviewing Ildiko and Flavia of Harem6. They create in a variety of mediums: art dolls, jewelry, sculptures, drawing and photography. They have an Etsy shop, a blog, a website and a Flickrstream.

You went to art school together and have been creating art together since 2003, but when I first saw your work, I didn’t even realize that it was the product of a partnership. Do you both work on the same pieces or do you each have a specialty?

We both went to art school but we only met three months before I (Ildiko) finished the studies of Art University and Flavia still had one year to study. Flavia's specialties are photography, painting and drawing and mine was and will be for ever drawing, we only later discovered molding and sculpture.

We usually discuss everything we make, we love working together, there are always amazing surprises to discover in the other one's mind. There are collections proposed by one of us but we create together, each of us has a part to make on the art object.

Flavia usually creates the bodies of the dolls and I create the animals. I am the one who draws the faces and little stories that appear on the objects, but there are a few animals and doll faces that Flavia drew, she makes their dresses too. It's a long process but it's such a tremendous joy that we cannot describe it in words. People who create, artists, can better understand this "travel to an other universe".

Did you always have such a similar aesthetic or have your respective styles merged over the years?

Yes, we have similar aesthetic, but we reached being on the same line regarding style and preferences by working a lot together, it's a sort of fusion of two minds having the same goal. Each one looking for the same thing but having also different keys of searching and also different personalities. These differencies somehow united our work thanks to the similar aesthetic we had.

At first we made digital works combining drawing with photography and then we realized we'd love to make something else. As artists we like exploring a lot, taking chances in trying different medias.

What do you think is the secret of successful creative partnership?

We think that the most important thing is to know to listen to the other one, to know that you are not alone, to be aware of the fact that in order to have something better than before, to evolve with the person you're creating with you must be ONE, when you already have the ingredients we've just told you about.

I really admire your art dolls. Can you tell us a little about how they are made?

It's a mixed media. A combination of fabric with different ingredients, our own formula.

Can you tell us a little about the images and ideas that inspire your work?

Inspiration could come from anywhere, from a sound, a situation we saw, a color, a story told by someone, a book we read. There are also artists we admire: Helnwein, Saudek, Walton Ford, Durer, Bacon, Chagall. We also watch many, many movies and there are directors who inpire us, Lynch, Haneke or Almodovar.

What projects are you currently working on? Do you have upcoming shows you are preparing for?

We are working on a really exciting series of works, different from what we've been making till now, so we don't want to uncover anything yet in order to keep the surprise for later. It's been going a bit slow due to Flavia's work on her PhD about dolls. All we can say is that they still involve dolls, as they are and shall ALWAYS be the favorites for us. We'll have upcoming shows: one in Bucharest and the other one in Austria this year.

You are both from Romania (which I have never visited). Can you tell us a little about your favorite places in Romania and uniquely Romanian things you miss when living or traveling away from home?

Our country has an amazing variety of places to go to : the Danube Delta which is a unique place in Europe due to the fauna and plants existing in that area, there are also castles you shouldn't miss: Peles, Bran, Castelul Huniazilor, Cetatea Brasovului and the villages and monasteries in Moldova, the wood churches in Maramures.

We miss the most when we are away from home, our friends and dogs. : )

You both love animals and have adopted street dogs. Can you tell us a little more about them?

Yeees ! We are great animal lovers! We had three street dogs, unfortunately Bilet died so have only two now.They are both girls and their names are Leska and Veracruz. We'd love to have many more if we lived in a house with a yard, but when living in an apartment it would be really crowdy to have more than two. Unfortuantely, in Romania street dogs are a big issue and we'd love to offer all of them a shelter. Maybe somewhere in the future we'll have a huge yard full of dogs.: )

Thank you Ildiko and Flavia!

Perfect Tiny Apartment

2011-05-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

For years, I've had the (decidedly odd) hobby of drawing up various floor plans for tiny living spaces, but this one (the 258 square foot/24 square meter apartment of Barcelona based photographer Christian Schallert) is more perfectly designed than anything I've ever come up with.

Difficult as it is to come up with a tiny living space suitable for a single person, abbreviated living spaces for a couple or family with children are an even greater challenge.

I haven't figured out how to make a space for two (with slight pack rat tendencies and the need for a bit of open floor space) work really well in under 500 square feet. Maybe some day. In the meantime, I'm inspired to dig out my rulers and graph paper and have another go at the problem.

If you've seen a great tiny living space for a couple or family, please link to it in the comments. I'd love to see it!

Thrifting Finds: Carved Bone Antique Crochet Hooks

2011-05-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

When my sister came to visit a few weeks ago, we, of course went thrifting and I found these lovely antique carved bone crochet hooks at my local senior citizen center thrift store. I had never run across anything like them, but I think they are probably from the early 1900's. I am rather taken with the carving on them. They do feel very nice to hold, although I'm a bit worried about them breaking.

More about antique crochet hooks here and a shop on etsy is selling similar hooks here.

Why We're so Bad at Predicting How Long a Task Should Take

2011-05-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by Macwagon. cc license.

I ran across an article about "why we're so bad at predicting how long a task should take." It's a problem I have frequently (in addition to my rather high level of distractability). If you too suffer from the out-of-control-to-do-list and a seemingly endless cycle of adding half of today's unfinished tasks onto tomorrow's already out-sized list, you may find this article helpful, or at least interesting. I did.

Birds in Design

2011-05-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Clips from Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (Pacific Press, 1923).

Interview with Suzanne of Sushipot

2011-05-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

This week I am so happy to be interviewing Suzanne of Sushipot. I've admired Suzanne's work for years. If you'd like to see more, she has two Etsy shops: Sushipot and Sushipot Parts. Suzanne also has a Flickrstream and a blog. 

You originally trained and worked a stone sculptor. What influenced you to switch to collage and assemblage art? 

Looking back I’d have to say my initial desire to start working in materials other than stone began while living in Mobile, Alabama in 2005. At that time I was employed as an artist for a company that built Mardi Gras floats. We worked with various odds and ends of materials such as paper mache, wire and wood and we had to dismantle and re-assemble parts and pieces from floats used the year before. It was a challenging job both physically, artistically and ultimately very liberating. I began to scavenge tactile bits of ephemera from the float barns and in my spare time started creating small assemblages out of wood scraps, old toys, Mardi Gras beads, bits of metal, paper and paint.

You are a stay-at-home mother of a young daughter, as well as, a prolific artist who works from home. How do you balance the two?  

It can definitely get tricky at times but I liken the ideal of “balance” to more of an “ebb and flow” or a “give and take”. What works and lends “balance” during one season doesn’t always work for the next. There’s a constant juggling act going on during periods of transition in both work and family life where we have to “go with the flow” or fall off that proverbial tightrope. If it weren’t for my wonderful husband Patrick, being my voice of reason when the going gets tough, I’d have fallen off a long time ago! He keeps me sane and supports my work as an artist 110%.

You’ve been successfully selling your art on Etsy for years now. What are some of the things you believe a crafter/artist needs to do to “make a go of it” on Etsy?

Aside from every artisans’ ideal of a unique product and decent photos--to succeed on Etsy you definitely need to invest in a dependable coffeepot, as much technology as your fledgling business can afford (ie, the iPhone has changed my world!) and a close support network of like-minded entrepreneurs whom you trust to bounce ideas with and share advice. That said—at the end of the day—you need to be willing to work harder than you’ve ever worked before.   

I am especially taken with your new series of curated collections. How did you come up with the idea? Where do you find all those fascinating objects?   

The curated collections emerged from the obsession I have with collecting little objects. I find them all over the place—thrift shops, antique dives, estate sales, junk yards, online venues, yard sales in the summertime and family members tend to send treasures my way too. I either had to stop thrifting ‘n antiquing, or move into a larger studio! By putting together the collections of vintage goodies I can continue to enjoy the thrill of the hunt while financing my habit and desire to work from home. It’s always fun to know that someone, somewhere in the world, is enjoying the collection that I’ve put together.

I also really like your new Bricolage series. Can you tell us a little about those pieces?

The Bricolage series are like the curated collections in a way. They are basically 2 dimensional collections of ephemeral snippets that have been carefully collaged and quilted in a grid-like arrangement. The process of creating these pieces is very cathartic.

Who are a few of your fellow collage and assemblage artists whose work you admire?

Three mixed media artists I’ve admired during my time on Etsy and have enjoyed watching their works’ progression over the last few years are Dolan Geiman, Hollie Chastain and Vivienne Strauss. 

I’m sure at this point, your life is full to the point of bursting, but thinking ahead a decade or two, what new creative pursuits or skills would you like to take up?

There are so many things I would like to try some day. One thing I would like to spend more time doing in the future is blogging. I finally started a blog for my business a little over a year ago and wish I’d started sooner. I find myself wanting to spend more time on it but I just don’t have the time these days! 

Thrifting Finds

2011-05-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Interesting little things found on various thrifting trips over the last month or so: Tiny thrown pottery vases (permanently stuck together), eel skin makeup case, stretchy stone bracelet (I've been wearing it practically non-stop since I bought it), little carved stone replica Mayan pendant (it's probably a bit kitschy, but I still like it), chunky 80's bead necklace (bone, wood and brass).

Art Deco Butterflies and Insects

2011-05-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Clips from Applied Arts by Pedro J. Lemos (Pacific Press, 1923).

Interview with Angelica Paez of Scrapatorium

2011-05-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

All images this post belong to Angelica Paez and are used here by permission.

This week I am so pleased to be interviewing Angelica Paez of Scrapatorium. Angelica has a blog, an Etsy shop and a fascinating Flickr stream. Angelica is also one of the brains behind Scrapateria and Snapatorium.

What draws you to collage work over other mediums?

I've studied other mediums, but collage comes naturally to me and I have loved it ever since I was a kid. Since I am a paper fanatic, it also allows me to work with the types of materials that I am most interested in like old catalogs, photographs, ephemera, and vintage books, stamps, magazines.

Where do you find the raw materials for your collages?

When I am out shopping for vintage photos and ephemera for my collection, I also look for material for my collage work. I prefer old material over new, so I frequent estate and garage sales, flea markets, library and book sales, and thrift stores. I never destroy good material. I always look for things that are damaged or commonplace for my art.

Who are some other collage artists whose work you admire?

Masters such as Kurt Schwitters, Hannah Hoch, Max Erst, Romare Bearden, Alexander Rodchenko, Ray Johnson, John Evans and Peter Blake. There are also so many great collagists working today whose work I admire and who have inspired me. I'd hate to leave someone out, so I'll refrain from naming any, but many of them can be found on Flickr.

Can you advise us a little about the process of creating a great collage?

I wish I had the formula because if I did, I'd be using it myself! That said, I think the most important thing is to be original. I also like to experiment and am always trying something different. I think this attitude is what has helped me stay interested in collage all these years. Although some artists aspire to have a defined style, I shy away from that because I don't ever want my work to feel or look monotonous.

In addition to making collage art, you have an online business called the Scrapiteria. Can you tell us a little about that?

Scrapiteria isn't a business, but a collage collaboration blog I started in 2005. We have a weekly theme and members post their work. It started with three members, but has grown over the years.

Note: After I got the answers to my questions back from you, I realized that I had intended to refer to Snapatorium, your online store specializing in vintage photographs...so, I hope my readers will check them both out!

If you had to live in any other era, what historical period would you choose?

Without hesitation, I would say the 1920s. I love the music, clothing, design, and the optimism of the era. It was also an important time for women who started coming out of their restrictive roles. Of course, who was to know that the Great Depression was just around the corner.

In my experience, collage artists are almost always collectors of interesting objects. What have you collected in the past and what kinds of objects currently most interest you?

My main collection is vintage photos, but I also collect old toys and trinkets, mid-century modern design, advertising pencils, figural purses, Bakelite and lucite jewelry, 3D viewers, carnival and sideshow items, Popsie dolls, art books, old packaging, ephemera, Halloween stuff, antique medical objects, and much more. I find that my taste has changed very little since I was young. I was always collecting something or another and I find that once I truly like something, I very rarely ever lose interest in it.

Thank you Angelica, for sharing a bit about your work and your life with us!

Paper Monkies

2011-05-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

These paper monkies are a design I found in an antique children's art and craft instruction book. I drew out the pattern (which is embedded below), should you wish to make your very own troupe of paper monkies. I printed my monkies directly onto a piece of out-dated map that I cut to 8 1/2" by 11" and ran through the printer. The fold lines are not printed on the pattern, but you can see where to fold the monkies on the original illustration below.

paper monkies

Crocheted String Bracelet

2011-05-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

I used a stiff surveyor's string (you can find this type of string at a hardware store) and a Size 6 or G hook. Most any type of string will work, although you may need to adjust the hook size.

How-to:

Chain to desired length plus 3 chains. Leave a long tail (you will need it for one of the ties later).

Insert hook into 4th chain from the hook. Triple crochet in each stitch. After making a triple crochet stitch in the last chain, chain 3 and single crochet into that same last stitch.

Turn and single crochet in each stitch. Stop when you are 3 stitches shy of original foundation chain.

Tie off. Clip, leaving an extra long tail.

You now have 2 tails, but they won't be centered on the ends of the bracelet. Use the hook to draw the tails up through a suitable stitch in the center edge of each end to form symmetrically positioned ties.

Interview with K of Fog and Swell

2011-05-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

All images this post belong to K.V. Pederson and are used by permission.

This week I'm very pleased to be interviewing K of Fog and Swell. I first discovered K's beautiful whales on Etsy and then discovered her blog. There are also more images of  her work on her flickr account and her Facebook. If you are a knitter, K has designed a couple of lovely hat patterns which are linked in the right sidebar of her blog.

Elizabeth: You live on Vancouver Island (which I visited last summer and have to say is now on my list of favorite places). Can you tell us about the island and some of your favorite places on it?

K: Vancouver Island can sort of be divided into sections, with the south and east parts of the island being the most developed and populated, while the north and west sides are where it gets a bit wilder, more isolated, in large part due to the increasingly rugged landscape and difficulty of access. Those wild parts are my favourite: the wave-scoured open beaches of the west coast areas such as Tofino and Cape Scott, and the maze of islands and turbulent tidal waters that make up the Johnstone Strait area. When I feel the lure of the mountains, Strathcona Provincial Park has many trails to explore. Once you get outside the larger centres, there are lots of neat small towns too.

I live in the Comox Valley on the east side, which has a nice balance of arts and culture (and let's be honest, more amenities and work), but also offers easy access to to wilderness areas for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, boating and more.

Elizabeth: Sea life is obviously a big inspiration for your work. How and when did you start sewing sea creatures?

K: I started making the sea creatures last summer. I was already making art quilts showing west coast landscapes, and I started thinking about bringing some of those coastal elements to life in a three-dimensional way. There are many amazing soft sculpture artists out there, but I thought maybe I could bring a unique perspective to the animals of the coast that I call home. My first one was a humpback whale, which is somewhat my signature creature and definitely the one people seem to respond to the most. I hadn't seen anything like it, so I thought I would see where it would go.

Elizabeth: You seem to work within a fairly disciplined color palette. What draws you to the color blue?

K: The many shades between blue and grey kind of capture how I view the exposed and weathered coast that inspires me. I am also inspired by traditional Japanese boro textiles, the layers of indigo fabric blended together through the intensive stitching. I think this is partly what got me started using old jeans in my work - the myriad of blues reminds me of the traditional indigo, and I love the feel and look of the well-loved fabric.

Recently I have been trying to branch out a bit more with colour - what looks like a wash of grey-blue when looking at the larger coastal landscape reveals a bright rainbow of colour when peering into tide pools and under rocks.

Elizabeth: You use a lot of recycled textiles in your pieces. How do you choose your raw materials and where do you find them? 

K: Boro is also in line with my desire to use what i have. Over the years I have accumulated lots of little treasured scraps, and I start there first. I might go to the thrift store with starfish in mind and luck out with a purple wool skirt, or get leftover silk or linen scraps from another maker. I love natural fibres - linen, cotton, wool, silk - and while I try to use repurposed textiles or scraps that might otherwise be thrown away, I will also buy new if there is something that jumps out at me.

Elizabeth: Can you tell us a little about the process of designing your three dimensional pieces (they look so realistic!)? 

K: Thanks! I am lucky enough to have seen a lot of the animals I make in real life, but I find my stack of reference books to be infinitely helpful in getting a good idea of a creature and its particular characteristics. I also use Google images to see different views and variations. After that I usually sketch out a rough profile, and determine how best to break it into pattern pieces to create a three dimensional item. With something like my barnacles, I just had a really clear mental picture of what I wanted and so I started cutting and sewing with no pattern at all. But others take a bit more time; a recent dolphin I made has three failed prototypes preceding it - it took a while to get a shape I was happy with.

Elizabeth: Other than textile art, what other art or craft mediums do you enjoy?

K: It's been speculated that my camera is permanently attached to my hand, especially when out exploring, so photography is probably my biggest interest. I also knit a lot, quilt, sew clothing, weave, draw...unfortunately I'm never short of hobbies and ideas, just time! maybe someday I'll be able to do handmade art full time, but for now I also work full time as a graphic designer.

Elizabeth: What is your idea of a perfect day?

K: Camping on a beach in the middle of nowhere with my boy, listening to the waves crash, exploring a remote stretch of shoreline with camera in hand and shells jingling in my pockets, watching a bear and cubs explore the beach or looking for whale spouts on the horizon, listening for the calls of ravens and eagles in the treetops...

Thank you, K!

Paper Donkey

2011-05-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

This paper donkey is a design I found in an antique children's art and craft instruction book (you can see the original page below). I drew out the pattern (which is embedded below), should you wish to make your very own paper donkey. I made several prototypes and found that a fairly heavy card stock worked best. Mine is decorated with ink pen and Sharpie markers.

Cut on the solid lines and score/fold on the dashed.
Paper Donkey

Thrifting Finds: Vintage Button Collection

2011-05-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

The same day I found the big bag of sewing trims and notions at the Salvation Army, I also bought a small button collection (which I suspect belonged to the same person). It was also in a sealed up bag and when I started spreading the buttons out at home, they exceeded my expectations. As you can see from the photographs they are quite old (a very good thing) and quite dirty (not such a good thing...but if one is turned off too much by dirty one shouldn't be shopping at Salvation Army). Anyway, there are a lot of glass buttons and carved shell buttons and quite a few in a distinctly Art Deco style. There are also some large coat buttons, which I really like.

I have a question, if there are any button collectors out there: In the fourth photo down, just to the lower left of the military buttons, there is a dull pewter colored thing. It's quite crudely done and I'm not sure if it's a very old button or some piece of hardware and not a button at all. Does anyone know? I also wouldn't mind knowing the origins of the military buttons, should anyone be a military buff.

Interview: Carla Madrigal of Madrigal Embroidery

2011-05-02T08:01:00.000-07:00

All images this post belong to Carla Madrigal and are used by permission.

This week I'm very happy to be interviewing Carla Madrigal of Madrigal embroidery. I first discovered Carla's beautiful work in her Etsy shop where she takes scraps of fabric, vintage ties and other textile bits and pieces and transforms them into "many a splendid adornment".

How did you develop an interest in embroidery? How did that interest transition into making embroidered jewelry?

During the 60’s, the real heyday of embroidery, I happened upon a shop in Sausalito, California which sold Scandinavian products and embroidery thread. There were drawers and drawers of spools in seemingly endless colors; my mind reeled and I salivated at the possibilities. Being a “child” of the times I embellished Levis (501’s) and blue work shirts with the collar altered and a slew of other items. Creating was in my blood, embroidery floss neither cost much nor took up much space so it was a natural fit.

Years passed and embroidery flitted in and out of my life. Two and half years ago I quit my day job (geologic/environmental illustrator) to explore the unexplored. The pull of embroidery came flooding back. It began with neck ties for both men and women and graduated to the cuffs and necklaces, items I thought people might actually wear.

You use lots of recycled and upcycled components for your pieces. What are some of the items you typically end up recycling? What is the most unusual thing you’ve ever turned into something else?

Gently used neckties, fabric samples, and scrapes of cloth are my main stays. Some supplies are purchased from Goodwill and SCRAP, a recycling center here in San Francisco and I also use bits of fabric which I have collected over the years.

Plastic netting and a set of miniature castanets are a couple of examples of found objects I have incorporated in my decorative work. Buttons are an important component to my cuffs and if not vintage are interesting.

How do you develop your embroidered jewelry designs? Do you envision a finished design at the outset or do your pieces evolve as you go along?

Maybe there is loose idea of what I will do but for the most part it’s ad lib, taking advantage of the particular piece of fabric pattern and texture. I may draw an elemental feature and work out from that. I have a huge collection of floss, maybe a couple of hundred spools and they are the equivalent of tubes or jars of paint and I lay them out and pick and choose.

What craft medium that you've never worked in would you most like to explore?

Not quite sure how answer that. I have worked in a variety of mediums and rotate through them. I draw and knit (crochet a little -just enough to add dimension) and worked in clay. I have made cards, painted on fabric and shoes. Just a lot of this and that.

You live in San Francisco. Can you tell us a little about your favorite places around the city?

My top places to shop are the
1. S.F. Friends of the Library. They have a wonderful selection of books and an equally wonderful coffee shop and are located in one of the most spectacular places on this planet - Ft Mason which is on S.F Bay and looks North to Marin County,
2. New People in Japan Town. Fabulous Fun place for toys, books, clothing, Japanese this and that.
3. Satin Moon Fabrics is the best fabric shop in San Francisco. They sell unusual fabric and have a small but wonderful selection of domestic and imported buttons.
4. SCRAP where “ you’ll always find an abundance of “art parts,” “. SCRAP is a recycling center with an ever changing selection and is loads of fun for kids and adults.
5. Haight Street Market, a family owned market which sells anything your body or soul could want.
and
6. The Ferry Building Farmers Market. I have been buying my fresh foods from this market since it’s lowly inception (many years ago) on a bit grass across from Pier 39. It’s a community.

San Francisco is a walking city with a number of parks worth visiting and exploring: Chrisy Field, The Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Buena Vista Park, Sutro Heights Park to name a few. S.F. has a rich architectural and cultural history also worth investigating.

Can you tell us a little about Jack and Vincent (great names!)?

Jack is a seven year old polydactyl cat with stripes. He was found at a dog park in Brooklyn, New York by my daughter and Jet Blued to San Francisco when he was approximately 2 months old. He invents games and then teaches Ben and I how to play. He loves loves toy mice. He throws them up in the air and hides them under rugs. I can not imagine how he ended up in a dog park!

Vincent is a fluffy Tuxedo cat who is very cuddly and a bit reserved as his furry outfit suggests. If you speak sweet words to him he purrs as if he were being petted. He is about 14 years old and we rescued him from the SF SPCA 8 or 9 years ago. He had been languishing in a small cell for 10.5 months. I can not imagine why he was relinquished. I could very easily be a crazy cat lady.

You like to read (me, too!). What are the best books you've read lately?

Currently I am reading Plastics - A Toxic Love Story by Susan Freinkel. Ms Freinkel offers a fascinating and captivating story of the history of plastic and how it has slowly invaded our lives for better and worse. One of those hard to put down books I love to find.

Last week I finished The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. This is the history of black migration from the Southern U.S. to the North and West. Ms Wilkerson follows three individuals and their families through their geographic and emotional journeys. This book holds a massive amount of enlightening and fascinating information about this amazing migration which took place over 7 decades, beginning during WW I. Great read.

Thank you Carla, for sharing a bit of your work and life with us!

Thrifting Finds: Vintage Trims and Sewing Notions

2011-04-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

I found a bag of sewing trims and notions at Salvation Army for $5.99. It was a sealed bag and I couldn't tell exactly what I was getting. When I got it home and spread it all out, I couldn't believe how much stuff they had crammed in there.

Any one know any clever uses for bias tape? I have tons of it now.

Paper Rooster

2011-04-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

This paper rooster is a design I found in an antique children's art and craft instruction book (you can see the original page below). I drew out the pattern (which is embedded below), should you wish to make your very own paper chicken. I made several prototypes and found that a fairly heavy card stock worked best. Mine is decorated with ink pen and Sharpie markers.

I'm sure any self-respecting 5 year old would be quick to point out that the wattles are supposed to be red. For some reason, when I colored this, I was thinking of it as a hen (although, why I thought a hen would have weird growths hanging off her chin, I haven't the foggiest). Anyway, I'm sure someone out there has their very own resident 5 year old who can correct my lack of barn yard animal literacy.

Cut on the solid lines. Score/fold on the dotted lines.
Paper Chicken

Spiral Crochet Bookmarks

2011-04-26T05:00:00.001-07:00

I used a size 2 or C hook and a combination of several lightweight crochet cottons and salvaged cotton multi-ply sweater yarn. Any fine weight string or yarn would be suitable. Adjust the hook size to be suitable for the yarn.

How-to:

Chain 20. Work 2 double crochet into the 4th chain from hook. * 3 double crochet in next chain, rep * to end of chain. Continue chaining until you reach the length you want. Tie off.

T-Shirt Scrap Macrame Bracelet

2011-04-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

I made this simple little macrame bangle bracelet using scraps left over from this t-shirt refashion.

How-to:

Begin by preparing the strips of t-shirt fabric. Mine were approximately 1 inch wide. The center two strands can be just a few inches longer than you need to wrap around your wrist. The longer knotting strands should be about 4 times longer than the center strands. If you need to sew several strips of t-shirt fabric together, lay them end to end with approximately 1 inch overlapping and machine sew using a zig zag stitch.

Stack the strips on top of each other with the two shorter center strands at the bottom of the stack and the two longer knotting on top and extending about 1/2 inch beyond the top of the center strands and shown. Fold that 1/2 inch extra over and hand stitch down to create a neat starting point.

Make a series of square knots until the bracelet is long enough. If you don't know how to make a series of square knots, look here. As you make the knots turn the folded side of the strip down to maintain a neat appearance.

Keep knotting until the bracelet is long enough. Keep in mind that this is a bangle style and it must be able to fit over your hand, as well.

Pull the last knot as tight as you can and clip off all but one of the knotting cords about 1/2 inch from the end. Clip the remaining strand off to 1 inch in length. Fold the longest strand over the other strands to create a neat end similar in appearance to the beginning of the bracelet. Hand stitch down. Without breaking the thread stitch the ends together to form a bangle.

Liking this week...

2011-04-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Mr. Rabbit Paper Dolls from Minifanfan.

Floral Flock Backpack from Specks and Keepings.

"Some Trees" Giclee Print by Inaluxe.

1960's Pea Coat from Storybook Vintage.

Hand Embroidery by Merriweather Council.

Thank you to:
Whipup
Maya of Little Treasures

Easter Things:
This super clever Easter egg bunting made from cereal boxes and fabric scraps.
13 Stitched and Sewn Easter Crafts
How to Dye Eggs with Turmeric
More Creative Egg Decoration Ideas (found via Kick Can and Conkers)
Egg Hats

Tutorials and Patterns:
DIY Succulent Table (found via Poppytalk)
Granny Stripe Crochet Blanket Pattern from Purl Bee (also, Joelle stands up for the aforementioned Granny)
Silk Shirt Refashion

Also Liking:
Karen Margolis (found via Of Paper and Things)

Refashion Tutorial: Man's long sleeved T-shirt to Loopy and Skinny T

2011-04-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

I made this skinny t-shirt out of an old boxy men's long sleeved t-shirt that had seen better days and was in my husbands "things to send to Goodwill" bag. I'm not sure that Goodwill would have been too pleased to receive it, but after cutting it down and adding strips cut from the sleeves strategically placed to hid the holes and the stains, I'm pretty pleased with it.

Here's the How-to:

This is what I started with.

Cut of the sleeves and the ribbing at the neck. Even if you think you want a deeper neckline, wait to trim any extra until later.

Use a t-shirt with a fit you like as a pattern. Allow a little extra for the seam allowance. Note to those with curvy figures: If your pattern t-shirt is shorter than the t-shirt you are refashioning, make sure that you leave adequate room to accommodate your hips. I didn't think of that, and mine is a bit tight.

Cut down the seam of each sleeve so that you have two flat pieces. Trim off the seam area. Make a clip every 2 inches and tear into strips. Make sure to tear strips across the former sleeve (as shown) NOT down the sleeve.

You will have a pile of strips like this.

Firmly stretch each strip to make it curl towards the middle, like this.

Arrange your strips in a pleasing pattern. You build the design as you go, or pin each strip in place before you start sewing.

Use a running stitch to sew the strips to the shirt. When you've finished with your design, gently press the strips.

Put the right sides together, mark the location of the underarm, pin and stitch up both sides to complete the shirt. Use a zig zag stitch and be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of each seam. Try the shirt on and make adjustments as needed by trimming the "sleeves" or the neckline.

Paper Ram

2011-04-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

This paper ram is a design I found in an antique children's art and craft instruction book (you can see the original page below). I drew out the pattern (which is embedded below), should you wish to make your very own paper ram. I made several prototypes and found that a fairly heavy card stock worked best. Mine is decorated with ink pen and Sharpie markers.

After I was done with my ram and already had taken it's portrait, I realized that it would have looked more ram-like with the horns folded up (as they were in the original illustration). My animal more closely reassembles a water buffalo, so I guess you have two choices: ram or water buffalo.

Cut on the solid lines. Score/fold on the dotted lines.

paper ram

Inspired By: Margaret Oomen's Crocheted Stones

2011-04-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

Long before I learned to crochet, Margaret Oomen's crocheted stones fascinated me. Now that my crochet skills are improving, I've finally made one for myself.

Margaret generously did a tutorial at Purl Bee on how to crochet your own stone, although, I actually more or less winged it. You can see her (much prettier than mine) little urchin crochet covered sea stone tutorial here.

Interview: Victoria Whincup

2011-04-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

All images this post are by Victoria Whincup and are used by permission.

This week I'm very happy to be interviewing Victoria Whincup, a Hull, UK based artist and illustrator who recently graduated from Cambridge School of Art. I discovered Victoria's work not so long ago and was very taken with her humorous paintings and sewn creatures. You can see pieces she has currently available for sale by visiting her Etsy Shop. See lots more of her work on her blog, her Facebook, and her Flickr.

_________________________________________________

Elizabeth: I’m always interested in an artist’s childhood influences. What made you want to be an artist when you “grew up”? What people or environments in your childhood or teen years shaped your choice?

Victoria: I spent a lot of time drawing and creating as a child. I had a 'making cupboard' in the kitchen where I used to hoard bits and bobs that I found and liked the look of. It was the only messy cupboard in the house. (I didn't inherit the tidy and organised gene.) I also kept paints, crayons and pencils in there.

I still hoard things now, even more so I think. I have a bit of a problem when it comes to throwing things away; especially bits of nice-coloured paper.

I remember drawing a lot on my own in my bedroom, listening to records.

I used to read a lot of Enid Blyton books when I was very young. My favourite book is the
The Folk of the Faraway Tree. I honestly believe it still influences my work now.... You may notice a lot of little creatures popping up here and there in my images, or people in animal costumes.

My grandma taught me how to knit and sew. I used to make costumes for my soft toys and sew patterns around my grandad's handkerchiefs. I have her button collection and sewing box and they are my most treasured possessions.

Elizabeth: So many of your pieces make me giggle. Do you come up with funny ideas and then execute them or do your ideas evolve during the process of creating?

Victoria: I am pleased that my work makes you giggle. It makes me laugh too sometimes. It's not something I really think about. I don't sit down and think, 'now I am going to make a funny drawing.' They just kind of evolve whilst I'm doing them.

I am influenced by what's going on around me. Whether it be music or what I can see. I carry a sketch book with me wherever I go. I enjoy drawing from life, as well as, from my imagination and I feel that the two compliment each other. My sketchbooks feed my work. They are full of drawings, quotes from overheard conversations, signs, lyrics....all sorts really. A while ago, I got really frustrated that I couldn't draw hands all that well, so I filled two sketchbooks with drawings of people's hands. (Mostly my own, strangers tend to think it rather odd when you draw their hands.)

Elizabeth: I love your “Portraits" series, which you photographed and collected into a little book. What inspired you to start drawing (and sewing) people with improbable things on their heads? What was the very first piece you made for this series?

Victoria: A for the people with things on improbable things on their heads... It started with an alphabet book I made about things you could wear on your head. Obviously some of the letters proved quite a challenge. This then evolved into animal costumes. I can't really explain this, but I'm still enjoying it.

The idea of sewing creatures came from a book about old fashioned dolls my friend borrowed from the library. I liked their painted fabric faces and decided to make one. The first one I made was a lady wearing stripy pyjamas. She also had cows udders. I was doing a project about circus people at the time, which evolved into hybrids, naturally.

Elizabeth: If you could move anywhere in the world and do anything you wanted once you got there; where would you go and what would you do?

Victoria: After I graduated, I had planned to move to London once I had finished dancing for a year. (That's another part of my life.) I'm now going off the idea. I don't think I could cope with all the people rushing around, and the miserable faces on the tube. I like being where there are trees and water. I like swimming in rivers and discovering waterfalls. I don't think I'd like London all that much. I'm not really ready to settle down anywhere in particular. I'm planning to travel again soon...I want to see as much of the world as I can, and I'd like to live on a boat for a little while.

Thank you, Victoria!

Liking...

2011-04-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Amazing carved goose egg by Cai. cc license.

See lots more of his carved eggs here.

Easter Tree by Craft Junior. Tutorial here.

Painted Eggs by Neu4Bauer. Tutorial here.

Thank you to:
Angela Osborn
Little Treasures
Amanda Grace
Annekata
Crafty Crow

Also liking...
Grete Prytz Kittelsen's House (found via iiiinspired)
Sewn by Hand
This Refashion
This Funeral for Stick Insects
These Eggs

And this interesting concept:

Reading:
Bold Spirit
Why We Make Mistakes

Recently Watched:
Make Mine Mink (quite funny)
Only Human (hilarious, but probably only if you possess a slightly macabre sense of humor)

Refashion Tutorial: Pillowcase Tote Bag

2011-04-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

I made this tote bag from a vintage pillowcase and some scraps of fabric. Here's how I did it:

You will need a standard size pillow case, two 4" x 28"strips of cloth, 6 buttons (optional) and two 6" lengths of rope or heavy felt.

#1: Fold and press the pillowcase as illustrated in the photos. Pin to hold folds in place. Sew a button (or simply hand tack) at the top point of each folded up corner on the front and the back of the bag.

#2: Sew each strip of fabric into a tube. Turn and press. Center a 6" scrap of rope, cord or heavy felt on each handle. Fold the handle over the rope/cord/felt so that the rope/cord/felt is completely covered. Hand stitch the edges of the fabric handle together as illustrated to completely contain the rope/cord/felt. Hand tack at either end of the rope/cord/felt to keep it from slipping out the tube formed by the hand stitching you just made.

#3: Hand tack the handles (positioned as shown) into the side folds of the bag. Stitch through one layer only. Hand stitch down the side of the folded edges until you reach the bottom of original hem of the pillowcase. Hand tack the two sides of the pillow case together on the opposite side of the handles (as shown). Add decorative buttons (optional)