New Crafty...New Cuffs!

Vintage Wallpaper Craft ONE:

Okay, so I haven't been posting my own crafts, bad fruitcake. I have been making them though, I assure you. I don't feel like my pictures ever do me justice, but I try.

I recently found more vintage wallpaper in my attic stash ( its a magic stash, ha ha) and have decided on number of projects for them. The first one is more domino cuffs, cause they are so adorable! The paper is from the fifties ( maybe more?) and looks like it was meant for a child's room. I have made a dozen so far. They take more time than they look like - you have to find a good spot to cut,paste and varnish on....but, they were fun! Some have animals, some have just flowers.

***I am putting a few in the ETSY shop today, probably about 6 or so. I have to say though, they do better in person, because people ( okay women) like to play with them! I promise they are as comfy as they are cute. You should see how many end up in my room!

Limited Edition, and will be going to shows with me, get em while their fresh!

Black and White is IN

I came across several rolls of vintage (err,probably 60-70's) vinyl wallpaper. I have had it for years and it only just recently occurred to me to try sewing with it! It sews up fabulously, and is pretty darn durable, but still a bit thin. I mad some whole bags out of it and they came out great.
My only concern is how long it would last - I mean I know how rough I am on bags, and I have to imagine most gals on the go throw theirs around quite a bit too.

It has so many different ladies and types of styles on it, the projects one could do seem endless...

So, I decided to hunt out some nice light weight black canvas and make summer totes. I put a big rectangle of the vinyl on each side, and added pre-made white cotton straps. I like them! I am considering adding a simple bit of trim or a flower or something, as I cannot help myself in that department. This first one is in the Etsy shop today. Its only $20.00. Say you saw it on my blog and you can have it for $15.00!!!! Fruitcake thyself right now....

New project...Sassy Headbands!

For Spring and Summer I will be bringing something new to my shows. This project is great because it uses all the smaller and odd pieces laying around the studio; plus it gives my yo yo madness a place to be. I even took the time to make a matching little fabric sleeve over the elastic in the back so as not to snag your hair. yay! They look really cute on, but I didn't take any pics of them being worn just yet. I am also happy, because I found the right sized tall clear bags for them and I ordered some new logo stickers to seal the deal. They will look Sweet and Sassy indeed!

I think I will try putting some in my Etsy shop too. Email me if your interested!

Inspiration and getting your craft on...

I was sewing up a storm for a new project ( not to be revealed yet!) when the husband wanted to get out of the house and go to the book store. I had to be bribed with a coffee of course.... It is nice to sit int he big comfy chairs and read the books and not have to buy them. I checked out the new Craftivity, and this book by by Sally Jean Alexander. I was not all that in love with the first, but the second one was very inspiring. It probably only highly appeals to those who love vintagey ephemera and such, and that would be me! Maybe it was just the quiet mood the recent snowstorm instilled.

I immediately went home and dug out my findings tins and made this pretty little thing for myself. I should get things I make once in a while, right?

Inspiration and getting your craft on...

I love when inspiration hits at odd moments, it is like its own special cousin of deja vu. It could be a bizarre feeling that leads to a memory that leads to sensing something in the present that you can't figure out why...it never struck you before? I get a little crazy with the self conversation when this happenes and ask my self "why didn't you think of this before, huh?. " My answer is, uninterestingly enough the same every time I get into a personal semantics kinda thing: "well, you just did!" hmmmmm, self discoveries are way to deep to every make sense anyway - right? At least, to anyone you might try and explain them too. Take for instance my little project last night. I need more stock for cuffs to take to craft shows. I was tooling around the studio and had an odd remembrance ( now this will strike anyone who knows me as funny, cause I am renowned for having a terrible memory!) of being in elementary school and being in the art supply closet. ( yes, alone) It was in the hall, out of the classroom, and I just loved going in there! The odd thing I was reminiscing about was all the bits of Chinese newspaper that things came wrapped in in there, or were in there for some reason. I was so fascinated by it. I have no idea why, but I think it was an early clue to my aesthetics.
Anyway, all of a sudden I remembered that I had bought a vintage ( 40's!) dictionary and encyclopedia ( I may not cut this up, cause it's a hoot to peruse!!) ...and the pictures are so awesome! Tiny little drawings, prints really - mini artwork when you think about it. Someones job was to draw out various animals,machine parts, plant life and such for the world at large. The kicker is that was graphic designing int he 40's. You probably had a cool job? Ugh, digressing again....You have guessed already that I ripped and glued and fruitcaked them to make new Domino cuffs, eh? Did you? I had a good time, and that's all that really matters here. I think they are pretty cool and they stay true to my vintage inspired vision.
I especially liked Mr. Chimp. Ta-da! All done.

Time to go back to the studio and string the rest.

New project...Sniffle in Style!

Aaaaaacchoooo! These will NOT be added to my Etsy site, but taken to craft shows and for little giftys instead. I am using up all sorts of bits of vinatge fabrics and trims to make these cute little tissue holders. My first thought was that they were a bit silly, but they are sooooo fun to make. ( uh, cause thier easy, I may be crafty gal extrroidinare,but I am kinda lazy at heart,ha!)
I am trying to make lots of color combos and keep thier price to a nice low little item. I intend to get tissues all ready to go with them.
Bonus! yay!

I am going to run a little Happy Holidays Contest. Email me your name, ( fruitcakedesigns@ charter.net) and on December 8th, I will pick a name ( out of ye old traditional hat) to send one to.( I will email the winner for thier address) A small piece of happy fruitcakey goodness to get in the mail. Joy!

Purple Bunny sold yesterday. He was my favorite, the only other one I am keeping. It only appeals to a select few, I imagine anyway! I made matching earings as a treat. I am going to start making sets of cuffs with earrings for gifts. Want some?