Simple Handmade

As some of you may have noticed…I can't decide what to do with the header on my blog, but I'll get it figured out eventually. Anyway…I've been working on a few simple projects this week. I finally got around to making my tote bag from the old bark cloth that I've been collecting. 

For the past year or so I've been finding small pieces of vintage bark cloth at flea markets and the button is one that I bought from an Etsy shop a couple of years ago. I think the shop was Button Boy. Okay I just checked and it's called something else now, but they are still selling the buttons. Just click on www.buttonboy.etsy.com and it will get you there.

 I used some pretty floral linen fabric for the lining that was once a couch slip cover. It's nice and light and has tons of room. I gave my new leather bag to my daughter and I'm using my handmade, BOHO tote now every day.

Yesterday I stopped in at the Dollar Tree and picked up a few things.

I'm not crazy about dollar stores, but sometimes I find crafty type things there and yesterday was one of those times.

I purchased some of their simple tall jar candles and did a little upcycling to them.

 I just used scrap book paper and some Elmer's glue to give them a whole new look.

 I already had the paper and glue, so it cost just $3 to make 3 candles.

They look like the expensive ones that I saw in the gift shop a few weeks ago.

I'll be back soon with some more crafty ideas using Dollar Tree finds.

karen

Making Yarn

I had a kind of free day yesterday.

Nobody here but the dog and me.

I used the time for making yarn.

 As you can see, I need a lot more practice.

I'm spinning from my own carded batts, which is a little more difficult than spinning from roving.

Even though my yarn is far from perfect, I like the way it looks in a finished piece.

Thick and thin.

This yarn was made from all the little bits and pieces of wool that were left over from lots of past projects.

Finished bag.

I took some time to finish up a couple of crochet projects that were nearly done as well.

Here is a simple neck piece that was done with store bought yarn.

 This cowl was also crocheted using yarn that was machine made.

 I think over all I like the more imperfect look of my hand spun over the mass produced machine made.

I plan to keep on trying to master my spinning wheel in the days and weeks ahead.

Okay...maybe years.

It's not as easy as I thought it would be.

My goal is to become even half as good as Jacey Boggs.

Her art spun yarn is too cool to even use.

Maybe some day.............

Thanks for listening to me babble on.

karen

Handmade Market Bag

Doing a little sewing lately and made myself a market bag from some scraps of batik fabric.

I couldn't make up my mind which fabric to use...

so I pieced together a little of everything.

I used a handmade ceramic button and beads...

and lined it with some gold linen.

Love the way it turned out.

Karen Ann



Handmade Flea Market Bag

You know how once you get your sewing  area all clean and organized...

 you just want to dive right in and make something....

well...

That's just what I did.

With the FLEA MARKET season upon us......

I decided a new bag was in order.

Inspired by Magnolia Pearl's creations...

I put together this random type bag, made from last season's flea market finds.

The base for this bag is a heavy, antique, feed sack...

Just like the ones from Grandma's farm.

 

Brimfield, MA...here I come!

Is anyone else going to the Brimfield Flea Market in May?

Maybe I'll see you there.

If you are here visiting, I am very happy that you stopped by!

It would make my day if you could take a moment to say hello!

Thanks so much!

Karen Ann

Feedsack Bag

This is another one of those projects I've been meaning to get to for months.

I'm not sure what this sack was from, but the texture and weight of the fabric was perfect for making a purse.

It's lined with french ticking fabric.

And has a handmade wooden button.

I think I'll save this for Spring use.

Karen