SYTYC: Week 5

Hey Up-Cyclers!

Don't get confused but I ran out of time to post this So You Think You're Crafty submission when I actually made it. And it is my favorite project of my crafts in the competition! I've been wearing it since the second it was done! I AM STILL VOTED OFF. Stay tuned though, I've got some really interesting projects up my sleeves for the summer....

On So You Think You're Crafty, I made the Up-Cycled Skirt -to-Purse! I've had this skirt for a year now; donated by a friend who thought I'd be able to do something with it. I have been looking for a new sack purse to carry all my summer goodies and just couldn't find anything that was quite right. Plus I've been looking to down size all my craft stock for a move so this theme came at just the right time.

This skirt has a ruched top and three different patterns on the fabric (floral, striped and asian-y). I immediately cut off the ruching, made a quick pattern out of a magazine page for my bag, and cut the floral section lengthwise into strips for the strap (no pattern). I have been using this purse since I made it and have been getting compliments all over the place. I really like the way the horizontal strap accentuates my waist.

Can you tell I was having issues with my camera? Not the most flattering camera work I've ever done but, everyone has battery issues/off weeks. I'm pretty sure my pictures for Week 6: Sunshine on So You Think You're Crafty make up for it.

BK

SYTYC: Week 6

Hey all you Summer Sandies!

The theme of  So You Think You're Crafty's Week 6 was Sunshine! What better way to enjoy a sunny day but to have a picnic! I made a picnic blanket backed with a Twister board! The Twister board keeps your blanket from getting damp should the ground not be it's driest AND you can flip it over to play the fun group game. There is a sewn pocket between the comforter and plastic that holds the Twister spinner and a Frisbee (which was, by far, the best thrift buy of the project at .09 cents!)!

 

On So You Think You're Crafty, I was asked if my Twister board was actually attached or just laying on top. Even though I thought "Where is the craft in just laying the plastic on top?!" I can see why she would ask. I had tacked it down at the corners and a few places in the middle to give it stability but also the flexibility it might need as people start twisting around on it.

Since I sent in my post for Week 6 I have learned a few tweaks need to be made to the project. The plastic of the Twister board is too thin to stay sewn to the comforter and started to rip off. I am going to try sewing the plastic to another, sturdier fabric and then sewing that to the comforter along the S curve already sew into the comforter and tacking the corners.

BK

SYTYC: Out But Not Down

Hey Everyone!

Weeks have come and gone and I have a spot of bad news; I was the loser on last week's So You Think You're Crafty. My Twisted Picnic Blanket (shown by my lovely model, Boyfriend John) just didn't make the cut but it is something I've had on the craft docket for a year now so I was glad to take a stab at it. By the end of the week I am going to blog about my process for the Twisted Picnic Blanket because I learned quite a few improvements that I can make to it post-SYTYC submission.

Don't cry for me, Argentina. I'm glad to have gone this far in the competition! But I am also very glad to get out when I am because I am moving to Wisconsin this week for my summer job! You can imagine how glad I was to see that I didn't have to make a craft last week and this week as I packed up all my craft supplies.

Missy the host at So You Think You're Crafty has done a really wonderful job at giving craft bloggers all over the internet a chance to gather and chat with bloggers with the same interests ad drive. All thanks to Missy!

BK

Retro "Kitsch"en

Hey all you Retro Babes!

Spoonflower has some really great looking entries in their Retro-Kitchen Fabric Contest (open until May 17th). Spoonflower imposed a limited pallet. Very cool work, artists!

by rocket_and_bear

If you'd like to see my votes, check out my Pinterest board Spoonflower, under Retro-Kitchen Contest Entry.

BK

SYTYC: Week Four

I made the Kanzashi for So You Think You're Crafty's Week Four: Scraps!


Kanzashi is the Japanese art of folding fabric usually for hair ornaments. These flowers are made of several 1, 2, and 3 inch squares of fabric folded into petal shaped and glued together into brooches. Because of the small size of the squares, it is a great way to use the scraps that are left over from cutting out patterns. I chose the fabric scraps and buttons from my stash. (The green squares are an example of what each petal looks like before folding. I jumped head first into this project so I missed my chance to take pictures of these)

Don't forget to vote on Week Five's Up-Cycle! We're halfway to to gold!

BK