Crafty ideas...

Living in a cycling town, recycled bike tube projects are nothing new.  Tho very awesome, the fact is the wallet's been done, the mini tool pouch has been done...

But I have a different idea!  I loaded up on heavy duty machine needles today in anticipation of breaking more than a few while trying to make my idea a recycled, rubber reality. 

Only problem is, I have a graduation to craft for first (and wish I had seen this before I started cutting out tons of fabric for my own gift), then a wedding gift, THEN I can try and put my brainstorm to work.

I'll keep you posted.

New dress project...?

So, I watched A&E's production of Jane Austen's "Emma" with my Mom recently, which I think we both enjoyed, and I totally fell in love with the yellow on yellow damask wallpaper in this room in their stately old manor house where Emma was always hanging out with her Dad, or entertaining friends. So I bought this pretty fabric that reminded me of it (looks a bit wrinkled in this pic, but, be assured, it is very pretty!)...

...and I just decided to try to make a dress out of it. I am a beginning sewer, and I've only made one thing so far that I actually wear regularly (a super simple, elastic waist, A-line skirt), but I'm going to give it a go! I really love yellow and gray together, so I made this fancy paper doll of myself wearing the dress as I envision it...

Wish me luck :)

Just to start things off...

A very pretty and excellently functional pincushion, crafted by my sister (based on this set of easy instructions from http://www.purlbee.com/very-easy-pincushions/). I think she said it was filled with bamboo...? And it has matching pins!