I love t0 repurpose things, such fun to make something from something else and give it a new lease of life.
To that end here is my latest repurposed craft item.
I had some books of large fabric samples from a furnishing shop. Very heavy good quality fabric. I decided to make some unique shopping totes that would be eco-friendly, hard wearing, washable and look good too.
...and after: The first of my new shopping totes.
I made five of them and put them up for grabs on our freecycle site www.jumbletown.ieand within two hours they were gone! So I did my bit for the planet. One fabric bag can replace many thousands of plastic shopping bags in its lifetime.
What else have I made in these last few weeks?
Well I covered another box with the blue CK fabric in my stash. I think it goes really well with the vintage wallpaper covered ones and all of them trimmed with Kimme's vintage lace.
Below: This is where I store my crafting supplies. I wish I had a whole room to myself...ah, someday. For now I have a bookshelf.
Also here you can see my black flocked display hand that doubles up for holding my collection of embroidery hoops.
Collection?
Two?
That's not a collection....Ebay here I come!
What else have I made that I have not shown you yet....oh, yeah, this lavendar heart sachet made from some Crimpelene fabric. Do you remember Crimpelene? Everything was made from it for a while.
And I have finished my blue scarf. I LOVE how it turned out and wear it a lot. I added a broken vintage beaded ring in the centre to finish it off. My mam saw it and wanted one so I started one for her using Aran pure Irish wool, for her birthdaynext weekend. Pattern for this is available on Berreco website and is called Rose and is VERY easy to knit.
And a simple cushion also from CK fabric.
What are these pretty things?
They are two small jars I use to store some old buttons. Doilies make pretty lid covers for an ordinary jar.
Still on the subject of repurposing....I can't throw out a pretty box. I have a bit of a box obsession. But how could you throw out this beauty?
What came in a box like this?
Well - these did....they are lovely too ...and a nice usable box as a bonus!
Now here is a tin box I found in a charity shop recently. It is not vintage or even attractive but because "Crawford" was my maiden name I was drawn to this large biscuit tin.
I lifted it up and it was heavy...with rattling thingies inside. I dared not hope so I asked "Does this contain buttons by any chance?"
"Yes" she said
"Four euro for the lot - I just want to shift it - no one sews on buttons anymore"
I bought it there and then without even looking. When I got it home I was delighted to find.... it was bursting with oodles of vintage buttons all sorted into colours. Button motherlode! I need never buy another vintage button again...but do you think that will stop me? Naw. Noh ar all!
Here they are in their jars...actually I ran out of jars and had to use some glasses. They look so pretty lined up there on top of my bookshelf/craft area.
Have you got a box obsession? A button obsession? I don't believe I am alone in this.
For all my love of 'junk'. do you know I don't actually collect anything in particular! Anything & everything catches my eye though. Finding that tin is button heaven...it's fantastic! XXX
Posted by: Tracey | November 26, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Blimey you have been busy. Some lovely makes there lady. I too have a button obsession, I just like to open my big Quality Street tin and mess about with them!!
Hope you're all well.
Twiggy x
Posted by: Twiggy | November 27, 2009 at 02:16 AM
I like the tote bags, lovely fabric and I know what you mean about boxes! The buttons look great especially in the glasses
Josie x
Posted by: Josie | November 27, 2009 at 02:52 AM
Well I was nearly sick with jealousy at those buttons you, you, you good-for-nothing lucky pigeon you! But seriously. That's button porn. Love the bags, how generous of you giving them away on freecycle. No wonder they were snapped up!
Posted by: Catherine | November 27, 2009 at 12:05 PM
yes I will recycle pretty packaging to make a simple present quite special.
I took a tip from you & turned three lemonade bottles with ceramic stoppers into pretty bubble bath presents
I have my mum's button tin - filled with treasures !
Posted by: Penny | November 28, 2009 at 01:13 AM
Oh so pretty and wonderful!! All the things i love.... buttons, lace, cups, boxes. :)
hugs~kimme
Posted by: kimme | November 29, 2009 at 12:33 AM
I love finding surprises in old tins. I once found a tartan tin with a wonderful graphic on top and it was filled with old mother of pearl buttons. It was such a bonus!! I also like to put buttons in jars. They look so wonderful and simple and elegant at the same time that way.
Amy
Posted by: amy | November 29, 2009 at 06:53 AM
Hmm, me button obsession, no never ;-) oops, that was rather a white lie!
Lovely makes Pam, you have been a busy bee. Fantastic find those buttons.
Posted by: Serenata | November 30, 2009 at 03:01 AM
It sounds like you've been very busy. Lots of lovely things.
Posted by: Val | November 30, 2009 at 01:58 PM
I came here via a google link about cake stands, but found buttons and tins and all kinds of lovely things! I'm subscribing to your feed.
Posted by: Lorraine | December 01, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Oooo, pretty things everywhere! Love your blue scarf -- especially love it with the red beret -- something so charming about blue and red together, isn't there?
Blessings,
G
Posted by: Georganna | December 05, 2009 at 07:33 AM
This website is to I too have to help. Very good.
Posted by: Microsoft Office | January 01, 2012 at 07:09 PM