February Crafts

I desperately wish I had more time to craft. And more money to craft. :) I would without a doubt do it all the time. I don't even have that many original ideas. I just love making things, whether it's my idea or someone else's creative genius. Some of you know that I have been taking sewing lessons. It has been crazy to try to put it in my already harried schedule, but totally worth it. I have been the girl who walks in late, spends the first twenty minutes playing catch-up, and can barely keep her eyes open by the end of class. My first class I called to see if they had an open spot two days before the class. I got the last spot. That day I worked 7-5, had sewing class from 6:30-9:30, got home at 10, packed and showered, and woke up at five the next morning to drive to Chattanooga for (graduate school) class all weekend. That week I had had a bad cold and an even worse reaction to the meds I was taking for my cold. I was a walking zombie, but now I can present to you my first sewing project that I did myself. My mom might take offense to that because we made pajama pants together, but I couldn't do it again without her because she helped so much. Even though the picture doesn't do much to show off my workmanship, it really looks great. It is what they call a sausage pillowcase with French seams. It's called a sausage, because you roll it up to sew it. Pretty cool technique. And I love French seams. They are my favorite. It is amazing how much I have learned these couple of months.

The next project was the four hour project I made mention of a little while ago. I had this cute printout from Monika Wright of i love it all when she reached 200 followers on her blog, and have been waiting for the perfect thing to do with it. Lately, I have had a real passion for upcycling, using things we throw away or recycle and repurposing them. I have about ten different projects I want to make from old magazines, and I decided to start with this one. The page where I got the instructions for this is no longer available, so if you are interested in making a frame like this just ask me. I kind of made it my own way anyhow. Again, the picture doesn't do it much justice. It is very colorful and really brightens my crafting space. I took these pictures really fast before leaving ATL to come home for spring break. I knew I would have time to blog while home and was antsy to get out of town. So sorry for poor picture quality.

And this picture shows the size of it next to my crafting desk. Love it!

Does anyone know of any more great upcycled crafts to add to my list? I love when I don't have to go to the store to buy the items I need to craft, because they're already around my house being used for other purposes, or even better, headed to the garbage! Are you worried? Do you envision my house full of trash? Or worse, me dumpster diving for crafting materials? It could become a problem. :)