New Button Necklace

Been busy with my new job the last two weeks. I am working at Value Village also known as Savers in the States.  I love it, second hand treasures all day long and I get a handsome discount!  I did have time however to finish this button necklace the other day.  Not much else new, Thanksgiving is coming up this weekend here in Canada so I am looking forward to Turkey and Stuffing! 

Culture Days Here at Kniterary

Martina, Owner Kniterary

This past Weekend was Culture Days here in Canada. http://www.culturedays.ca/en There were advertised events all over the country and I participated in a local project at my friend Martina's wool shop, Kniterary.http://www.kniterary.com/


There was also a Jewelry artist, Tara of Soul Xpression doing beading work with the participants.  http://www.soulxpression.com/

Tara of Soul Xpression

Martina had a vintage wool blanket that we were embellishing with knitted blocks, beading and pennies.  This art piece when finished will be stitched to a tree behind the shop and be left for all to enjoy come rain or shine.  It was a great experience to sit and stitch and chat with fellow art enthusiasts!

Something New

I just finished this little bag, thought I'd try something new.  I had been using reycycled sweaters and experimenting with crocheting rag rugs.

I have hand sewn in a lining in gold moire.  I think it turned out cute.  Adding some felted sweater circles and buttons funked it up a bit.  It fits nicely into my hand.  Yep....... I like it!

Artfire Collection and Garage Sale Fundraiser Weekend

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=2363

Link for a new Artfire collection that my work has been featured in...Thanks for taking a look!

Well, I'm pooped.  It has been a busy weekend but a successful one!  We put on a Garage Sale this weekend that raised funds for a benefit dance to be held this coming December in honor of our late friend and loved one Brianne....she was mentioned in an earlier post of mine this year when we unexpectedly lost her.  To help move through the loss, my Daughter and her friends are working to make as large a donation as possible to the Kids Help Phone service here in Canada.  The proceeds with help pay for the hall rental, printing, and other expenses in the run up to the big night.  http://www.briannesbenefit.webs.com/
We had a beautiful day and a great turnout.  A very fulfilling way to spend a Saturday...a lot of my junk walked away, Yesssss! 

Featured in an Artfire Collection-Now THAT is Art!

Woke up this morning to find I am featured in an Artfire collection put together by another member.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=2101


Thanks to Artfire member OSebastion for including my work in their collection.  A very nice way to start the day!

Stumble and Bark Cloth

I am not sure why or how I decided but I made a decision the other day to give Artfire a try.  The listings in my Etsy shop expired and I felt frustrated.  I had been featured in 3 Treasuries this summer so I knew that I was getting views on my items but I had only made one sale to date.  I checked out the Artfire site and set up an account.  That is when I came across Stumble.  I saw the icon on my home page and clicked on it....what a cool find.  I have been Stumbling around ever since.  What a great way to come across webpages that you resonate with...some not so much but easy to just skip to the next one.  I recommend it if you haven't tried it yet.
                                                    http://www.stumbleupon.com/

 So I started listing my items on Artfire and decided that I could also let go of some of my Vintage "treasures" too.  That is where the Bark Cloth comes in.  When I am second hand shopping I just can't pass up some finds....whether or not I need them or will use them.  I have just listed some funky pieces of Bark Cloth that I found over this past year.  I have had my time with them, held them, caressed them, enjoyed them and now I can let them go.

Check out my Artfire page if you love Bark Cloth too!
http://www.artfire.com/users/pennyheaven

Started my day with a Rainbow today....

I just saw this Rainbow less than an hour ago.  I needed this Rainbow this morning!  I think somebody up there is trying to send me a message...it's all good, don't worry, that kind of thing.  My middle daughter came home yesterday from her first day at a new college program and announced that it was a requirement that she have a Mac computer....and I need it yesterday!  Typical kid, she did not realize that there was information online with these requirements, there were other kids too Mom who didn't know....that always makes it legit when others had a brain fart too.  Well I don't know about everybody else out there but I can't just crochet up a Mac laptop for a couple of bucks!  I went into "Thrift" mode and hit Kijiji immediately!  As fate would have it there was an ad for a used Mac already loaded with almost all of the programs that she needs.  I called right away and the seller was kind enough to come over last night with the computer.  I got in first so I had first dibs...apparently there were 7 or 8 other people in line for the thing if we said no,  The man was very kind and was selling because he bought the latest version of the computer to better suit his needs.  We bought the computer and he gave us a more than fair price, a third of what I would have to spend if I walked into a retail store.....this morning she went off to school with her new acquisition tucked into her back pack.....and I was rewarded with this lovely Rainbow!

How nice, A new Etsy Treasury including my Work!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c800ff9d98e6d9182f1f735/could-this-befelt

This piece is featured in the Treasury.  I love that people are finding my work, I am crazy about what I make and I love to see other peoples work in these Treasuries.  I am going to try to figure out how they are done so I can make an Etsy Treasury too!

This week I am still working on rag rug crochet projects.  I have figured out how to make a rag bag.

This first little bag is 12" x 12" and would make a cute lunch bag or small tote bag.  I just wanted to test out my method of making handles and it went pretty well.  I am now working on bag no. 2.  Making a bigger bag and mixing up the material more in a random pattern.  I am envisioning large totes for carrying projects around in.  My Daughter Morgan has mentioned that a bigger tote would be great to carry her books to and from College.....I'll have to get right on that!

Featured in another Etsy Treasury!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c7cffa5a5948eef8d718c29/wool-penny-rugs?index=18

Follow the link to an Etsy treasury featuring Penny Rugs!  Obviously someone is looking at my work but sadly I have only made one sale so far on Etsy....bummer. 

The featured piece was an early work of mine....I wanted to cram as much colour in as I could!

Another visit to Kniterary.

I dropped in to Kniterary again today.  My Friend Martina is the owner of this lovely little wool shop in Whitby, Ontario.  I had a few more things ready to be placed on consignment.  I was very happy to hear that one of the Rag Rugs that had been recently offered for sale had found a new home! 

Martina was gracious enough to model a Rag Bowl I had brought in that was made from Sari Fabric.  Too Cute!!!

My newest item item is a small doormat that I crocheted using recycled Wool sweaters.   This rug took 3 sweaters cut into strips approx. 3/4" wide.  It is very soft underfoot and measures approx. 22"x32".  The dark colour palette should hide the dirt and it can be hand washed and laid flat to dry.  I love how it turned out and it has inspired me to try another one next time, bigger!

Rag Rugs....just can't stop making them!

I went to drop some Rag Rugs off today at my friend Martina's Shop.  She has a cute little wool shop nearby in Whitby, Ontario and she has been selling some of my work on consignment over the last couple of years.

   I have been obsessed with making these things
this summer, so easy to sit and crochet while listening
to internet radio programs!  Hunting for the fabric has
been great fun, found some awesome deals at my
favorite thrift shops...more fun ripping the fabric up piece by piece while my dogs look on thinking I am a crazy lady! 
I have heard that these old fashioned rag rugs are coming back into vogue, must have something to do with becoming thrifty during hard economic times.  For me, any time is a great time to appreciate old time crafts and re purposing old materials.           Waste not, Want not!

Etsy Treasury etc.

Just got an e-mail that a piece I made has been added to an Etsy Treasury. Here is the link,
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c658b218bf46d9120311c1e/if-i-must-welcome-fall

Been Busy re-painting my Dining room, it was a deep Red, always wanted to try a red room but it was not working for me, I gave it two years but in the end decided it had to go!

I have some pretty trim for the shades on the chandelier if I can ever find my glue gun!  I wanted to paint half the house this summer but this room is all that I managed to get done so far...summer's not over yet is it?  I better "get my skates on" if I want to get anything else done before the fall!  This is a big improvement I can assure you.  I had been using my dining room as a studio and had it jam packed with felted sweaters, my sewing machine, bookshelves, all my odds and ends and believe me I was too embarrassed to take a picture of it in that state.  Everything has been moved to a spare bedroom and I am hoping one day to have a studio build for me in the basement with lots of space and good lighting.  It is a dream of mine!

Bunny Rabbit Cloud...

Hey , I saw a Bunny Rabbit Cloud....I took a picture.

Another crafty thing added to my life!

I have so many things that I wanted to get done this summer.  Painting walls, gardening, getting ready for a big garage sale to downsize the clutter....instead I have been making crochet baskets......I really want to get things done but I can't resist the urge to pick up a crochet hook and start another rag bowl.  I have made three in the last 3 days.  The crochet thing is a new thing that I figured out by watching Youtube videos...I started with rugs and now I'm doing bowls.  I need to figure out how to make handles, that would be cool.  If I keep this up, everybody will be getting a rag bowl for Christmas!

Upcycled t-shirt fabric used to make a nifty bowl.

My Daughter Morgan models a rag bowl for the camera!

Air Conditioning and a Button Necklace

We're having a bit of a heatwave here in my part of Ontario.  It makes it hard to want to be outside.  I walk the dogs early before 9am and the dogs and I are glad to be home for a drink of water and the A/C when we are done!  So in between shifts working my part time job I have been sitting quietly making this button necklace.  I am loving it, Green is my favorite colour and the greens in these buttons remind me of old Jadeite dishes.  I love how green and brown look together, very natural.  I had been inspired by seeing other button necklaces on Flickr and have wanted to try to put one together for a while with my own little twist.  I inserted black ribbon at each end in order to be able to tie it up and I added a couple of funky beads that dangle down the nape of your neck......Great fun, and knowing me as I do, I will probably knock out a few more while I am obsessed with them before the urge winds down and I am on to something else.

One Hot day.....

Wow, Thursday was hot around here.  I had gone to visit my Mom and we decided to go to St. Jacob's for the day to check out some Antiques.  Mom is still recovering from a knee replacement that was done 8 weeks ago.  She is doing beautifully and beat me to quite a few booths at the market.  St. Jacob's is a town not far from Kitchener, Ontario.  It is in an area of Mennonite settlements and Farms and they have a big influence on the food and flavour of the area.

This was a pretty doll sitting in an old high chair, cloth painted face.  I had an eye out for textiles but I gotta say, there just wasn't much to see.  No penny rugs at all.  I asked the market manager if she had seen any penny rugs lately and she told me she hardly ever sees one any more.  Years ago she said she saw then now and then but not any more.  I really enjoyed getting out for the day but it was killer hot.  The A/C in my car is not really working well, think I need a re-charge.  So Mum and me looked quite wind blown by the time we got home!  We did make a pit stop for lunch at my Mom's favorite restaurant, Swiss Chalet.  Only in Canada and the best Chicken place ever!

This quilt was backed in flour sack cloth and was very primitive.  Don't know if I'd want to snuggle up with it, the cloth was pretty rough, but it was a beautiful thing to behold.  The Needlepoint pillow cover pictured here was very bright and colourful and I was tempted to purchase it but the picture will have to suffice.  My Mom spotted a booth with jars of vintage buttons so I did manage to pick up 4 jam jars of buttons.  I was a happy girl with those tucked under my arm!
We needed more time....St. Jacob's has an amazing Farmer's Market the we didn't even get to that day.  Mom scolded me and told me that I needed to stay longer.  Wish I could have, had to work the next day.

Next time I promise, I'll stay longer!

Been working on a Wall Hanging.

I have been working on this wall hanging.  It's been pinned to the board right in front of me for months without saying much to me and I think it may be time to decide what to do about it.  It is measuring approx. 19in x 32in.  I am stumped as to whether I should make it bigger, add a border, add buttons, or just sew some rings on it and slide a support across the back of it for hanging.  Just don't know what to do.......does that mean do nothing an just wait??? Talk to me you silly thing.......

Kindred Spirits....

A good friend of mine owns an adorable Wool Shop in the town of Whitby, Ontario.  She has been very supportive of my work and has always been eager to carry my goods on consignment.  Yesterday I dropped of a few more things.

 

                                         Here is a link to her shop,    http://www.kniterary.com/
I have made and sold quite a few things at her shop.  Her buyers especially like to see the tote bags I make from old sweaters that are large enough to carry a knitting project around in.

It's nice to have someone who believes in you and who you can also stop by to see for a cup of tea and a good gab!

Happy Canada Day!

I like Cuffs!

Another quick little project that I enjoy making is a cuff.  A cuff can take an hour to a couple of hours to put together while watching TV or listening to an internet radio program.  I love these little things, they give me an excuse to use buttons and beads and in turn that gives me permission to hunt for and buy these items at my favorite thrift shops.  It's a vicious circle but I love it!