Flea market transformations: painted bookends

This month I'm going to share a few of my projects... all recent flea market finds that I bought knowing they would be undergoing some sort of transformation! I'm starting off with an easy, and affordable, paint project. These little bookends were already super cute, we're just giving them a little refresh ;D

Beach stone art

So I've been seeing this all over pinterest, and it's one of those things on my "to do" board... (OK I might be a little behind).  But it's been speaking to me lately: (1)  because it's one of those quick and versatile projects and (2) I can do it with things I have on hand (no cost)! Of course, there are lots of options for both making and using this project. In this post I'll show you a few of the techniques and tools I used, so you can create your own masterpiece ;D

Antique extravaganza in Adamstown PA

Adamstown PA (or Atown for short) has been a hot spot for vintage goods for over 30 years; but I made my first trip this weekend for their "extravaganza". This means more vendors, great deals, and even bbq! Unlike many of the other large antique/flea markets I've been to over the years, Atown is literally a town full of markets! If you've never been, let me tell you it is worth the trip... 

Deck chair makeover

So you might remember that I was on vacation a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to be able to take a beautiful cruise to Bermuda! This particular cruise gave us about 3 days at sea, which (for me) means finding a quiet corner (away from all the families swimming, partying, and generally obnoxious crowds). This week I'm recreating the lounge that became my private little nook for reading, knitting, and overall relaxing. In this post I'll explain it all; including shopping, finding, and creating everything that went into my new favorite summer spot ;D

Yard sale season

You already know about my love for flea markets, antique shops, and estate sales... so it should be no surprise that I also brake for yard sales! But yard sale shopping is not the same as any of these other venues; from locating the sales, to planning your shopping list, and negotiating prices. If you want to be a successful yard sale shopper, it pays to prepare and plan your trip. This is my approach to getting what I want, at a great price, without wasting my entire weekend in the car ;D

Mother's day: free knitting pattern

For Mother's day, I usually try to think of something I can give to my Mom that will be meaningful... not just another object to clutter up her space. The last time I was over at her house, as we hung out in the kitchen drinking coffee, she held up an old looking dishcloth and said "hey, do you think you can make these?" What she was actually holding was a hand knit dish towel that my Grandmother made years ago, before she passed away. This was exactly the gift I was hoping to give her this year!

the creative process

Since I've been away for a while, I thought it was only fair to share what I've been up to... some of it anyway ;D
So as I work through my latest project, I'm going to bring you along. This project is a valentines bunny that I've envisioned in a classic, vintage, and even a little french inspired look. Rather than waiting until it's done, I thought I'd provide updates as I go... so let's get started!

1/22/2013: Sometimes I begin with a sketch, but this time I began with the wool. I had recently purchased a lot of random wool, and so I got in there to investigate. When I saw all the variation in color and texture I thought about a soft bunny, and the special nature of hand spun wool. What I always loved about hand spun is not when it's perfect, but when you can really tell that it's hand spun. The thicks and thin, and silky mixed with fluffy, what would make a better bunny. So I pull out the mix I think will embody those characteristics, weigh it up, and get carding. 

1/26/2013: Next step is spinning. I have a ladybug spinning wheel, and I have been known to lose myself spending a few hours spinning. But don't get me wrong, the repetitive motion can take it's toll and I've had to declare self imposed bans on spinning (and sometimes knitting and crocheting too) from time to time. In this case, I needed to spend a few hours to spin the single ply. And since I want to create a strong, quality item, I've decided to spin my singles thin and ply them together for a 2 ply wool. Once it's plied, I'll soak the yarn so it can bloom, and set the twist.

1/26/2013: While waiting for the yarn to dry, I can work on other things; like choosing fabrics and working out the dress pattern on paper. I usually work out as much as I can from existing or estimated measurements, and then make adjustments once the final doll is done. For this one I'm choosing some french prints in florals and toile, and rich rose and olive tones.

2/3/2013: With the yarn plied and set, it's time to get the hook out. I start by crocheting the ears and arms of my bunnies so that they're ready to attach when I need them. I'm really enjoying the way the variation in the yarn is working out, both in the color and the texture. 

2/7/2013: With the exception of the foot bottom, my bunny's all pieced together and ready for stuffing. I use a combination of bamboo and polyfil stuffing, and whatever yarn and fabric scraps I happen to have around. The polyfil gives the spongy quality, while the bamboo and scraps give the firmer texture you want in the bottom and feet. The stuffing tool is great for this type of work since I work the doll in one piece and stuff the entire body through the legs!

2/9/2013: And with my bunny stuffed, I'm ready to complete her feet. Usually I like to cap off the feet with a coordinated fabric to match the dress; but I'm loving the wool so much that I've decided to wet felt 2 small pieces and use them to create the soles of her feet. It's not too difficult, if you have some roving or carded fiber, just layer the fiber out in thin perpendicular layers. Use a spray bottle to wet it down with warm soapy water, then message it into a flat sheet of felt with a gloved hand or another smooth item (I sometimes use a smooth river rock). In the detail phase, I'll most likely embroider in some toes since her feet are a little bare.

2/14/2013: So from fluff to finished, here she is! I pieced the skirt together from 2 inch strips of that awesome moda fabric you saw in the beginning of the post, and then decided to make a dark burgundy ruffle trim to set it off. Serging and stitching all the edges as I went, I used the same burgundy for straps and the waist band that ties the back together in a bow. Then I picked out some gorgeous glass eyes in a rose tint, and set them over a camel colored felt. I embroidered her nose and freckles in a dark brown, and her knees and toes in the cream colored hand spun I used for the rest of her body.

You can check out some more pics in my etsy shop where she'll be listed for sale, so stop by and let me know what you think!

Thanks for following along ;D
Dawn.

September CAL: Hermione the unicorn

Well, it's been a little while but we're back together for this adorable crochet along requested specifically by our ravelry group! This little unicorn is a fantastic way to feature some of those "must have" custom or specialty yarns that you have lurking in your stash, even if you only have a few yards ;D

For this CAL I definitely suggest joining the ravelry group (if you haven't already) because I will not be around much this month. The group has some experienced crocheters and they have always been great at supporting each other!

I can't wait to see the herds of unicorns come to life ;D

Download the pattern from my website now!

February CAL???

Well, now that the holiday hustle is over... I'm thinking about our next CAL ;D
Of course February means Valentines day (at least it does in my house) so I automatically started thinking of love birds, puppy love, and all that stuff. But maybe your not into Valentine's mushiness? So I want to hear from you! What do you want to see in our next CAL?

BTW: I've opened it up on the ravelry group too... join us over there for more about our next CAL!