Rethink Crafts

Week Six- Valentine's Projects

2012-02-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

I was asked to teach a craft project for my daughter's class for Valentine's Day. Here are the two ideas I came up with.

Valentine Bookmark made from paint chips

(This was my daughters favorite)

Pocket notebook made from recycled cereal box, scrap book paper with a peek-a-boo heart window.

Week Five- Bad Art

2012-02-07T13:46:00.000-08:00

I have in the search for bad art painted on canvas for a repurpose project. I took the piece of bad art, cut a stencil of the deer head out of contact paper and painted over the top of it. Once the contact paper was removed, I was left with something new to hang on my wall.

Here is original painting.

What I learned:

I don't think contact paper is the best option for the stencil, although I did use old contact paper. It did not want to stick to the textured painting very well, so small areas ended up with paint under it.
Choose a painting with bold colors.
Acrylic paint will come off the canvas if you attend to it right away, before it dries. Just use a little water to help "erase" the mistakes.

My next project will be a jackalope for my sister for her birthday... I don't think I need to worry about spoiling the surprise. I don't think she reads my blog. But, if you know her, don't tell!

January Challenge- Used Billboards

2012-02-03T22:09:00.000-08:00

Here is what was made out of January's challenge material, used billboards.

Deer head -

I got this idea from Pinterest and made it my own by covering foam board with billboard material to create this three dimensional deer head.

Tote Bag and Wallets

Butterfly chair-

I found a butterfly chair frame with a ripped cover, so I used the cover as my pattern and made a new one out of billboard material.

I found this step stool at a garage sale.
All it needed was a fresh coat of paint and a new billboard cover.

This was created by a Dual Language Kindergarten class at Mid Valley Elementary School. They each created a picture of themselves or a pet on small pieces of billboard. The piece of billboard their teacher used had writing on it, so she pieced together the letters she found to create yo=me.

Here is our first exhibit of the Repurposing Project during First Friday's Art Walk at the Columbia Art Center in Hood River.

The challenge material for February is cassette tapes and VHS tapes. Let me know if you are interested in joining the Repurposing Challenge! Send pictures of your project or bring them to the art center on the first Thursday of the month, March 1st.

Recycled Art Class at Art Center

2012-01-29T19:06:00.000-08:00

I started the day with teaching a class about recycled crafts to a group of children ages 5- 9 and their parents. We made found paper wallets, the same ones I helped 300 students make this week at Art Week at a local elementary school, and recycled sweater monsters. It is always so rewarding to work with a group of people who are just as excited as I am about creating with recycled materials.

I have a couple more children's recycled craft classes scheduled in The Dalles, Oregon in February and March through WonderWorks Children's Museum.

February 21st- Recycled Wallets

March 8th- Lavender Dolls and Recycled Pocket Notebooks

Week Four- Unmentionables

2012-01-29T12:52:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across a blog called Belle and Burger that showed me how to make panties from recycled t-shirts, so I decided to take a stab at it. After making the first pair, I was hooked. Not only are they fairly easy to make, but I can modify them to fit just the way I like them.

I am now on the hunt for t-shirts or knit clothing to repurpose into this new project. I have already make at least 10 pairs and keep asking if any of my kids want some. So far no takers.

January Challenge- Used Billboards

2012-01-25T22:56:00.000-08:00

Each month I am taking on the challenge of finding a waste material to use as my creative medium. During the month of January, I am creating with used billboards. Meadow Outdoor Advertising, located in The Dalles, Oregon, is where I was able to find the used billboards. Once the billboards are taken down, Meadow passes the used billboards along to people who have contacted them to pick one up. Many farmers use them to cover their crops or hay. My father-in-law is using one to keep his wood pile dry.

Billboards are one of those products that we think little about. We see them on the side of the highway advertising what is to be found at the next exit, but how many of you have stopped to think about what they are are made of and what happens when they are taken down. These large tarps are made from a thick vinyl material, not paper like many of us may assume. This makes sense since they are exposed to the elements for months at a time. They need to be hardy enough to endure the changing weather. When I picked up the three billboards that were saved for me, I so surprised at how heavy they were. Once I took them home and spread them out to see their size, I was also blown away by how enormous they were. I had to unfold them in outside and they took up most of the open space in my backyard.

The idea for the challenge is to create with this the used billboards during the month of January, and post pictures of what I created at the end of the month. The Columbia Art Center in Hood River has offered to host the collection of projects that were made during the First Friday Art Walk each month in Hood River. I am asking friends, artists and my readers to join in this challenge with me each month. You can submit a project by sending me a picture of what you made or bring it to the Columbia Art Center on February 2nd from noon-1pm where you can also pick up the next month's challenge material, used cassette tapes and VCR tapes.

Art Week

2012-01-25T15:43:00.000-08:00

We are right in the middle of Art Week at one of the local elementary schools and I have been lucky enough to be involved in this wonderful project. Art Week was the brain child of a fellow Master Recycler, teacher and artist, Peggy. She wanted to devote an entire week at school to celebrating the arts. After finding funding for her project, she was able to hire 6 artists to come to the school and do a week long residency so that the entire school would collectively be able to have a focus on art. Artists from a variety of disciplines were asked to participate in order to expose the children to a number of art forms. Painting, sculpting, movement, music, recycled arts, cutting, pasting... CREATING!!

The students go to two art sessions a day. The have the opportunity to work with one artist for the entire week where they will focus on one project or medium. During the second session, they rotate through different artist and project each day, one that can be completed in 75 minutes. This way the students have the chance to work on a long-range project and 5 smaller projects. This model was so successful that other area schools have adopted it and are also having Art Week.

This year I am teaching almost 300 students how to make recycled paper wallets .I have 75 minutes with a group of 20 students to complete the project and teach them a little about recycling as well.We are using a variety of found paper to make the wallets such as wrapping paper, wall paper, maps, cards, paint chips, book covers, scrap booking paper, security envelopes.The wallets are covered with discarded overhead transparencies that I rescued from local teachers. There's nothing like creating from materials that I know are headed for the landfill and extending their life.

Week Three- Notebooks

2012-01-18T13:02:00.000-08:00

I found these great cards at Goodwill that showed the definition of common slang words and phrases such as "step off", "sick", "D.L." and "off the hook".

They make "sick" notebooks, as well as a good conversation piece.

Week 2: Profile Collage

2012-01-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

This is an idea I got from a couple of projects I saw on Pinterest.com. As usual, I look at Pinterest and get inspired to create using an idea I saw, but making it my own.

I started by creating a magazine scrap collage that I covered with Mod Podge.

I just cut up a cereal box to use as the background for my collage.

I love looking for different colors and patterns in magazine pictures and advertising.

Then I took a picture of my son in profile. I traced the outline right off the computer. Since the screen is illuminated, I can put a piece of white paper right up to the screen and trace right on the monitor. I know this is probably not the best approach. I have always been told not to touch my screen, let alone trace on it... but it worked for me. I never have good luck trying to trace a shadow projected on a wall.

I cut out the profile, placed it on my dried collage and used black paint to around the cut out pattern of the profile. Just lift the profile off the paper, and you are done!

Monster Making

2012-01-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I got together with a group of Mom's and their 9 and 10 year old daughters to make Monsters from recycled sweaters. They were given very simple instructions and then given full reign of the materials available to make their monsters. They had sweaters, afghans, buttons, funky clothing scraps and embroidery thread. They were all stuffed with my big bag of scraps from projects I had worked on the last couple of months.

Some Mom's made their own, others helped their daughter with her project, but each daughter walked away with a Monster. All of the monsters were unique and showed the personality of the creator.

I will be teaching a recycled arts class at the Columbia Art Center in Hood River during the Trash to Treasures exhibit this month. Join us on January 28th from 9am-noon to make a monster and wallet, all from recycled materials.

Week One- Textile Samples

2012-01-01T23:19:00.000-08:00

A fellow Master Recycler works at Mt. Hood Meadows. She often seeks me out when she comes across something they are getting rid of that needs a new home. I have been given old USA flags, nylon and vinyl banners and textile samples.

Here are a couple of patchwork pillow covers I made with the textile samples.

I also made a cover for a foot stool that will be posted soon.

New Year's Resolution 2012

2012-01-01T22:54:00.001-08:00

(Monsters made by me and my 9 year old daughter using recycled sweaters and blankets)

My crafting goals/resolutions for 2012 are as follows:

1. Create something new each week.

There are so many projects that I have been meaning to make, but have never devoted time to doing. This is the year to see what I am capable of making and try my hand at some new types of crafts. The plan is to post a new project each week this year.

2. Create using a different repurposed material each month.

I am launching the Repurposing Challenge 2012 to try to find new ways to use materials we generally think of as waste. Each month I will choose a different waste material from local businesses to repurpose and avoid putting in the landfill.

3. Blog more often.

My goal will be to blog at least once a week, so feel free to help my live up to that expectation by posting comments if you see that I am slacking! I also want to take a class about how to use Blogger, so I can make this blog even better than it is now.

Repurposing Challenge 2012

2011-12-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

Year: 2012
Challenge: to find 12 waste products and give them a new life

Once a month I will find a waste product, such as vinyl billboards, or woven malt bags, and create something new out of it. The idea is to look at our waste in a new way and think of it as material to create/repurpose instead of something to throw away.

You are invited to join in the challenge. Contact me by email (rethinkcrafts@gmail.com) or post a comment letting me know you would like to join in the challenge. All I ask is that you send a photo and short description of what you created. If you can not get your hands on some of the "challenge material" on your own, I would be happy to send some your way. Get those creative juices flowing and think outside the box.

Challenge #1- January
Vinyl billboards

Challenge #2- February
cassette tapes

More information will be coming soon. I am talking with some organizations in town that want to be involved in this project. Hopefully we will have a space each month to have a Kick-Off Event to distribute the challenge material and brainstorm ideas together. I am also finding places to display the creative projects that are made each month.

*Update*
The first meeting of the year to kick-off the project will be Tuesday, January 10th at the Columbia Art Center at noon. Materials will be handed out for January's challenge. If you cannot make it to the meeting on Tuesday, stop by the Art Center and pick up material during their regular business hours.

In my "free" time

2011-12-23T23:20:00.000-08:00

When I need a little inspiration I either take a trip to Portland, or start searching online to see what everyone else has been working on. My two new favorite websites are Stumbleupon.com and Pinterest.com. Both are a collection of ideas on a variety of topics; food, travel, crafts, parenting, fashion, diy, science, etc.

On Stumbleupon, when I search my interests, usually crafts, I am taken to site after site of blogs and websites that are dedicated to crafting. They are typically sites that I would not have found otherwise, but have wonderful ideas.

Pinterest shows pins, or images of things found on the web and wanted to share with others. Once again, I usually look at the DIY section and find pictures of projects and ideas others have made. Clicking on an image can bring you to a blog or website and often shows you how to make it too. You can also do a search to find examples of whatever you are interested in. For instance, during Halloween I was looking for costume ideas and found a number of handmade costumes to get the inspiration flowing for my costume.

On each website, you can keep track of your favorite sites or ideas so you can easily go back to them. This has always been the most frustrating part of exploring the internet for me. I constantly wander from what I was originally looking for and want to remember the names and addresses of all the wonderful new sites I discover. Both stumbleupon.com and pinterest.com help me keep organized.

Mollie Makes- A Makers Magazine

2011-12-23T23:18:00.000-08:00

I was recently introduced to a British magazine called Mollie Makes. It is all about the art of making and is filled with ideas that I want to try. I have been entrusted with a friend's precious three issues to look over. When she handed them to me, she looked at me seriously and made sure I understood that they were to be thumbed through lovingly, but returned. Once I had a chance to sit down and really spend some time going through the magazine, I understood how precious this magazine is and why she cherishes it so much. It reminds me a bit of CRAFT Magazine before it stopped being published on paper and went to an online magazine. The added bonus of Mollie Makes it that each issue comes with supplies to make your own craft. I promptly added Mollie Makes to my Christmas list and hope I may also get my hands on the back issues.

Let's hope an issue or two come for Christmas so I can include a picture of the magazine soon!!

Paint Chip Holiday Sign

2011-12-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

Paint chips cut into letter created this holiday sign. I cut pieces of reclaimed card stock for the background. A local food processing company saved their misprinted and discarded card stock for me to use for projects I did last year for Art Week at a local elementary school.

The paint samples cards came from the paint store. I wonder how many of these I can take for free before they notice and say something...

The only thing I had to purchase was the decorative ribbon.

Beer Advent Calendar

2011-12-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

My husband is a beer guy. Not only is he a beer enthusiast, but he has also worked in the brewing industry since he graduated from college. I recently heard about the idea of making a Beer Advent Calendar for the 24 days leading up to Christmas. (Thanks Violet!) What a perfect gift for someone who enjoys trying new beers. I headed to my local beer shop, Volcanic Bottle Shoppe, to find 24 different kinds of beer to wrap up for my husband. The kids each chose a beer or two they thought their dad would like to try. When we got home the kids helped me wrap up the beers and attach a tag to each beer numbered 1 to 24.

I thought wrapping them individually would add to the anticipation of discovering what new beer awaited him each day.

I also included beer notebook made from six-pack packaging so he could critic each beer and take notes... something beer enthusiasts do. The kids and I could not wait until he got home to see his gift. I haven't seen him that excited for a long time! It was a hit!!!

Here's what you missed...

2011-10-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

The season has begun for holiday craft sales. Yesterday was a sale called Boutique in the Barn in North Plains, Oregon. Although it was a little slow, I enjoyed the day talking about crafting with the other vendors and meeting my customers. Here is a little sample of what to expect at my upcoming winter sales.

Winter Craft Sales and Events

2011-10-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

I have been frantically getting ready for the many winter craft sales I have signed up for this year. I will keep updating the list of sales I will be at as the confirmations come in. Here is the list so far:

October 22nd
Relay for Life Kick Off- Craft Bazaar
Elks Lodge
Hood River, OR
9am-1pm

October 29th
Boutique at the Barn
12040 NW Jackson School Rd.
North Plains, OR 97133
10-4pm
http://boutiqueatthebarn.blogspot.com/

November 4th, 5th
Llewellyn Holiday Market
6301 SE 14th Ave.
Portland, Oregon
Friday 2-6pm
Saturday, 10am-4pm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Llewellyn-Holiday-Market/162190073809671?sk=wall*-`

November 5th
York Elementary School Holiday Bazaar
9301 NE 152nd Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98682
9am-3pm

November 6th
Abernethy Craft Fair
2124 SE Orange Ave
Portland, Oregon
11-4pm
http://www.facebook.com/events/create/?eid=201629876575347#!/event.php?eid=201629876575347

November 12th
Check 'Em off Green Holiday Sale
Marshall Community Center
1009 E McLoughlin Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
10am-3pm
http://reusing.blogspot.com/p/green-your-holiday.html

November 19th
St. Mary's Bazaar
1112 Cherry Heights Rd.
The Dalles, OR
10am-4pm

November 27th
Hood River Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
Best Western
Hood River, Oregon
10-4pm

November 29th
OHSU Heart Research 2011 Holiday Bazaar!
Center for Health and Healing- OHSU S. Waterfont District
3303 SE Bond Ave
Portland, OR
10am-5:30pm
http://www.handmadenw.com/events/#39

December 1st
Mid-Columbia Medical Center Holiday Market
1700 East 19th Street
The Dalles, OR
9am-4pm

December 3rd
Hope for the Holidays
Hood River Fairgrounds
Odell, OR
10am-3pm

December 4th
Laurelhurst School Winter Artisan Bazaar
840 NE 41st Avenue Portland, Oregon
9am-5pm
https://www.facebook.com/laurelhurstbazaar

December 4th
Cornelius Pass Roadhouse 4th Annual Holiday Sale
McMenamins- Cornelius Passroadhouse
4045 N.W. Cornelius Pass Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
noon-5pm
http://www.mcmenamins.com/events/95566-3rd-Annual-Holiday-Market

December 16th-18th
Hood River Alternative Artisans Market
111 3rd St. Hood River, OR

the old Candyland space across from Flow Yoga
Friday, 5-7pm

Saturday, 11am-7pm

Sunday, 11am-7pm

December 18th
Formal Artisans Fair
The Acadian Ballroom
1829 Northeast Alberta Street
Portland, OR 97211
11am-5pm

Mittens

2011-09-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

One of may favorite projects to make is mittens from recycled sweaters and afghans. Since all of the sweaters are different, it is hard to make two pairs the same.

They are all lined with super soft minty fleece. I love watching people try them on to see their expression when they realize how cozy they are.

Some mittens are made using wool sweaters, but some are made with thinner cotton sweaters. Both kinds are surprisingly warm.

I love finding old afghans that look like they were lovingly made by my grandmother, but washed wrong and shrunk. These are always the mittens that are talked about the most. I love seeing who is drawn to the crocheted chevron or granny square afghan mittens.

I no longer look at sweater the same way. Whenever I see a beautiful sweater, I wonder what it will look like made into a pair of mittens.

Pillows

2011-09-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

Any easy way to make something new and practice a new skill is to make a pillow cover. I used recycled t-shirts to make the pink and orange flowers.

The Oregon pillow cover is made from the scraps of fabric I can't bear to part with. I was also practicing my hand-embroidery.

The multi-colored flowered pillow was my attempt to make a flower garden using hand-embroidery and recycled t-shirts. Not my favorite pillow...

The yellow and red flowers are made using wools scraps that were intended to be a jacket. I bought a whole bag of wool scraps already cut into jacket pieces then abandoned as a jacket.

Getting Ready for Holiday Sales

2011-09-08T11:31:00.001-07:00

It feels like life should be slowing down a bit now that school has started the the kids are away from home most of the day. I have realized that means life for me is about to get really crazy. I have been focusing on applying for all of my winter shows and creating every chance I get. I have been looking through pictures of my crafts I have taken the last 3 years in order to focus on what I want to make this year. So much work to be done!

Recycled Billboard wallets

Brewery Banner Bags

Vintage Embroidered Ties

Recycled Sweater and Afghan Mittens

Beer Notebooks

Recycled Magazine Gift Bows

Found Paper Wallets

Windsurf Sail Bags

Recycled T-shirt and Wool Flower pillows

Relay for Life- Greenest Team Contest

2011-09-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

As you may have been able to tell by reading my blog, I am passionate about recycling. When my husband and I formed a Relay for Life team to raise money for the American Caner Society 5 years ago, I noticed the lack of recycling at the event. This made me want to do something about it, so I asked if I could be part of their recycling committee the following year. Of course I assumed there was such a committee, but learned that I created a new position. Now 4 years later, I am still the chair and only member of the recycling committee.

For the past two years, I have hosted a "Greenest Team Contest" awarded to the team that makes the best sustainable choices leading up to the Relay for Life during their team meetings and fundraising events as well as at the event itself. At the monthly team captain meetings, I do be best to remind the teams of our sustainable focus and give tips on how to be more green at meetings and events such as; email agendas, print on both sides of the paper, shop locally, bring your own water bottle and coffee mugs to the event, etc. The prize package the team wins includes local currency called Riverhours, gift certificate to an organic farm at the local farmers market, ChicoBags, reusable sandwich wraps and bags, windsurf sail bags, home composting system, Fair Trade chocolate, Direct Trade coffee from a local coffee shop, as well as anything else I can find to support our local businesses and promote sustainability.

All our work has been paying off! Have you ever talked in front of a group of people and wondered if anyone was actually listening? At all of the team captain meetings I went to, I kind of felt this way. I was getting a little discouraged going into the event this year wondering if all of my efforts would be for nothing. I had made note of how much waste we generated the year before to compare and chart our progress. We borrowed 10 Clearstream containers from Tri-County Hazardous Waste and Recycling to collect cans and bottles. I also set up a compost station at our lunch site. Finally, I arranged for the Survivor Lunch to use reusable plates, cups and silverware from a grant I received from Tri-County Hazardous Waste and Recycling. Throughout the day, as teams had the job of emptying the trash cans, I has people coming up to me to let me know that the cans weren't anywhere near full, therefore they could not empty the trash! Yay!!! It worked! Teams were making an effort to think about their waste and make better choices than bring and throw away disposable goods. At the end of the event, all of the cans were given to a team whose mission is to collect money from the bottle deposit to donate to the American Cancer Society.

Local Hero of Recycling

2011-09-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

Time to toot my own horn. Thanks to a friend nominating me, I am one of the 10 Local Hero of Recycling from Preserve: Gimme 5. I had applied for a grant through Tri-County Hazardous Waste and Recycling for Reusable Party Packs for classrooms in my community to help reduce the amount of waste during class parties. This sparked Tri-County Hazardous Waste and Recycling to do the same for the community by buying and having available reusable plates, cups, silverware for community events. We ordered the supplies through Preserve which makes reusable dinnerware from 100% post consumer plastic. They have started a program to recycle the #5 plastic from items such as yogurt cups and hummus tubs.

Receiving this grant allowed me to purchase enough supplies of 10 classrooms. When I delivered the items, I went into the classes and taught a short lesson on durable vs. disposable goods and facilitated an art project with the classes. Each class made a reusable classroom decoration, a banner that says "celebrate", from recycled materials. I also brought in my serger and made reusable cloth napkins with each of the kids to include in their classroom party pack. After receiving this grant, I was contacted by Preserveware telling me that I was a winner of their Local Hero's of Recycling contest! They sent me a great gift package and I had a great time opening the box and sharing it's contents with my family. Thanks Preserve, Stonyfield, Tom's of Maine, Brita and Seventh Generation.

Now that this dinnerware is available for use, it has been used at the Made for Mosier event as well as the Survivor Lunch at the Columbia Gorge Relay for Life, reducing the amount of waste in our landfill!

Recycled Arts Festival

2011-06-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Vancouver's Recycled Arts Festival is just around the corner, June 25th and 26th. This is one of my favorite events of the year. It is located at Ester Short Park in downtown Vancouver, Washington, adjacent to their thriving Saturday Market. 100 artists will present their creations made from recycled materials.

My tent is conveniently located across from the Tossed and Found tent. All year items that were rescued from the landfill are collected and put on display in the tent. Then on Sunday, raffle tickets are handed out and is your number is drawn, you have won an item from the Tossed and Found tent. Last year my mom walked away with an entire wicker furniture set! It is absolutely amazing what people throw out.

I will be debuting my new bags made from recycled windsurf sails.

For more information about the event, checkout their website

http://recycledartsfestival.com/
Hope to see you there!

Scrappy USA

2011-06-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

While I was wasting time on pinterest.com, I came across this project made by fellow blogger at seekatesew.blogspot.com and had to make one of my own.

What a great way to use up fabric scraps and as a former 5th grade teacher and lover of USA maps, this was the perfect project for me.

I misjudged the placement of the continental USA on the piece of fabric I had, so I did not have enough room to include Alaska and Hawaii.

I had fun making this project, but it was time consuming and got a bit tedious. A friend of mine has asked me to make another one to hang in her new house, and I keep telling her that if I ever get inspired to make another one, she will be the first one on my list.

Front Entry DIY

2011-06-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

I have finally decided to tackle decorating my front entryway. Since we have moved in I have been looking for a great bench or some sort of shoe storage that was not going to cost me very much money. I have seen many wonderful storage benches and solutions, but have not wanted to fork out a hundred dollars or more to have it.

I recently found about 3 yards of IKEA fabric at Goodwill that were the right colors for my entryway. I decided to make my own upholstered bench to sit on while putting on shoes.

I found everything I would need at my local Re-Build It center and garage sales. Along with a handy husband, some spray paint and a staple gun, my bench was completed for less than $20.

Spray Paint

2011-06-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

Spray paint... I never realized what a great invention

that was! I have been finding items to spray paint and give a new life, so now my house if filled with color that has been quick and easy to add. I look for items like frames for pictures and mirrors that have interesting details. Many of the retro plastic frames become a new being with new color. Something that was once boring is now a focal point in a room. Now that garage sale season is in full swing, I look forward to Friday mornings when I can go on the hunt for a new project to spray paint.

Spring

2011-06-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

There has been an aire of inspiration floating around our home lately. Everyone is creating! My kids are constantly working on collages, sewing projects, outdoor water parks, wildflower arrangements, drawing, just to name a few. I have been scouring yard sales and thrift stores for items to make over or make into something new. The mantle in my living rooms is constantly being added to when a new project gets finished.

Faux Mosaic

2011-01-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

Once again I was challenged with finding a use for obsolete materials. My husband came home with a box full of advertising fliers from work, so I got to work coming up with a new project. I am also scheduled to teach at Art Week at a local elementary school and needed one more project to add to the week, so the faux mosaic frames with portraits was born.

The frames are made out of cardboard, painted with acrylic paint. I cut the advertising into 1/2 inch squares and had my kids patiently glue the squares onto the frame to look like a mosaic. Once the pieces were glued in place we covered the frames with glossy Mod Podge. I took a profile picture of each of the kids with my digital camera, then traced their profiles directly from the computer screen. Since the profile pictures were pretty small, I chose to cut them out instead of asking the kids to do this. It takes a pretty steady hand to cut the profiles out so that they look like the child you photographed.

I am looking forward to trying this project with 60 kids next month during Art Week. I asked two neighbor kids to come and try this project with my kids so that I could get a feel for how long it would take them to complete the project and I wanted to see the results from a range of ages. The photos I have posted are from a kindergartner, 2nd and 3rd grader.

Jess Caudill- Caudill Glassworks

2010-12-23T10:25:00.000-08:00

I wanted to highlight an artist who has tremendous talent and also happens to be my husband. Jess has been working with glass as a glass fuser for the past 11 years, but has recently tried his hand at glass mosaics. He has boxes full of scrap glass from his fusing projects and decided to use the scraps to create these beautiful mosaics. Jess finds old windows with the glass still intact and covers them with his scrap glass to make colorful pictures. We have them placed on our window sills and with the sun shining through them, they are breathtaking.

Wyeast Bag

2010-12-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

My husband challenged me with the task of making a bag for his boss using their company's packaging as a Christmas gift. At first I was excited by the idea of using a new material to create a bag. I had seen a similar bag and had an idea of how I wanted to make it. I don't know how many times I have thanked my lucky stars for buying my industrial machine this year! I can sew through anything! Little did I realize how difficult this project was going to be when I agreed to it. I should remind you that I am a self-taught sewer and that I rarely know what I am doing when I begin a project. Once again I found myself in the situation of not thinking through the project and wishing I had sewed the straps on before constructing the bag. This was also the first time I had finished off a bag with nylon cording. The liquid yeast bags are not very flexible, compared to traditional fabric, and working with inflexible corners was difficult. After 3 or more hours and 2 attempts, I completed the bag.
I am very proud of completing this bag because there were many times that I was ready to call it quits. I think my husband's boss will love the bag... I just hope it doesn't fall apart!!!

Coffee Sleeves

2010-12-23T09:44:00.000-08:00

My local coffee shop, Ten-Speed Coffee, roasts their own coffee. The coffee comes to them from around the world in large burlap bags. Of course, I wanted to make something out of the bags and coffee sleeves seemed like a logical choice. I am now making reversible coffee sleeves using the coffee sacks, cotton batting and scrap fabric. This serves the purpose of re-using the coffee sacks and dwindling down my extremely large stash of scrap fabric.

New Last Minute Holiday Sales

2010-12-13T09:03:00.001-08:00

I just added two more holiday sales to my agenda this year.

December 17th-18th
Local Artists Holiday Sale
Downtown Hood River.... in the old "Frolic" store space between "Parts and Labour" and "Hood River Stationers"
12-7pm Friday
10-7pm Saturday

December 17th
Artisan Holiday Sale
3 Rivers Grill
5-8pm

I am looking forward to these two sales since I will be surrounded by other Gorge artists. Hood River and the Columbia Gorge is full of creative individuals who have a similar passion to create as I do.

Recycled Sweater Mittens

2010-11-10T15:19:00.000-08:00

These mittens are made from reclaimed sweaters. I find coordinating sweaters to cut up, then resew. They are lined with super-soft minky fleece which makes them extra warm and cozy. My minky fleece can be scraps from my friends business, SwaddleKeeper, or since I know my winters are filled with making mittens, I look for remnents and sales throughout the year. The mittens are probably one of my favorite items to make since they each turn out differently.

Reusable Celebrations

2010-10-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

I have been working in my daughter's school as the resident Master Recycler teaching classes about recycling. One lesson I will teach will be about durable vs. disposable goods and help the class put together a reusable party pack. This pack will be a tote filled with reusable plates, cups, utensils, cloth napkins and a reusable celebration banner. The idea is that the classes will use durable goods for their class celebrations instead of disposable items that will go to the landfill. Imagine how much waste will be diverted if all classes used durable goods for all of their parties!

I love the idea of presenting the classes with these Reusable Party Packs, but I wanted the kids to take more ownership in the project than just being the recipient of a tote full of items. I arranged for an afternoon in my daughter's 2nd grade class to teach a lesson and work with the students to create a reusable celebration banner that could be used at all parties. I wanted it made from recycled materials and be versatile enough to use throughout the year, so I can up with this mosaic banner made from cereal boxes and magazine scraps. The students worked in small groups and had the task of creating a letter for the banner. While the class was working hard ripping out colorful magazine pages for their mosaics, student came to me 2 at a time to work on making a cloth napkin. I brought my serger into the classroom along with fabric donated by the students. Each student picked out a piece of fabric and traced a 12"x12" square, then handed it to me to serge the edges. The kids were fascinated by the serger and I had fun teaching them how the machine worked. They were all excited about the professional looking cloth napkin that was created and took ownership in the specific napkin they made. Many students wanted to make more than one and were pleased to be asked to help with more napkins for the students that were absent or guests that may come to the party.

We have also made a happy birthday banner that hangs in the dining room during each family birthday we celebrate in our home.

Halloween Decorations

2010-10-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

I can't belive this is the first time I have really decorated for Halloween. I am starting small, but next year I should have even more decorations to use. Here are a couple of examples of the decorations I made this year. I had fun searching blogs for fun ideas and then making the projects for just a couple dollars each. I even used some of the wool scraps to cut out make fall leaves.

When I made the spooky wreath with moss and spiders, I was standing at my craft table gluing spanish moss on a foam wreath when my kids gathered around and wanted to know what I was doing. We decided to make a game of it and I became "Cynthia, ReThink Craft Guru" with my own tv show. My kids sat in front of me pretending to be my tv audience while I talked my way through my crafts, explaining how to use the glue gun and how to make spooky holiday crafts. We even had a guest appearance by my 3 year old who interrupted my show by wanting some attention. The other kids thought it was hilarious that he appeared on "tv" in the middle of our pretend craft show.

Recycled Notebooks

2010-10-18T10:50:00.001-07:00

For my birthday my wonderful husband gave me a comb binder. What made the gift so special was that I had been wanting one, but had not mentioned it for months. I was surprised to see such a perfect gift! I tend to hint heavily about what I would like for my birthday, but not this time. Thanks Jess!!!
With my new comb binder, I have been making notebooks using recycled materials. I start by using any recycled cardstock I can find. My recycling bin is typically full of boxes from cereal, granola bars, cake mix, crackers, etc. Once the sides, top and bottom are cut off, I use the back sides of the them which offers a clean background to create. I love using paint chips which provide vivid colors to work with. After cutting and gluing them to the cardstock, I wrap the covers in packing tape to ensure the paint chips will stay in place. I tend to do many of my projects with kids and you can never tell if they will use enough glue (or too much glue). The tape is just there to make sure they don't fall off.
I have now done this project with about 50 kids and I am always amazed to see what they come up with for their designs. My favorite idea was to cut out the names of all the paint colors and make a collage with them. There are such creative names given to many of the colors that not only does it make a beautiful design, but it is fun to read too.
Once the cover is completed, I use scrap paper to fill the notebook. We keep a box full of scrap paper at my house. A lot of the scrap paper comes from misprinted pages from my printer, or fliers and announcements sent from school. My kids have learned to use both sides of their paper and typically use scrap paper whenever creating new projects. I am also amazed at how much perfectly good paper people are willing to throw away or recycle. My husband came home with 4 reams of goldenrod colored paper that his boss didn't want and was ready to throw away. Thanks to him for rescuing it. It filled the notebooks that over 50 kids made. My mom also gave me 2 boxes filled will all sorts of paper that her school was ready to throw away.

Holiday Craft Shows

2010-10-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

It's time to post the craft shows of the 2010 holiday season. I am excited to add some new sales to the line-up this year too. Make sure you check back to see my updated list as the holidays grow nearer. I am waiting to hear if I have been accepted into a handful of shows that I hope to add to my list. I am sure I will try and squeeze a couple more sales into the agenda if possible.

October 16-17th
Gorge Fruit and Craft Fair
Hood River Fairgrounds, Odell, Oregon
10am- 5pm
www.hoodriverfair.com/events.htm

November 7th
Pre-Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
Hood River Best Western Holiday Inn
Gorge Room
10am-4pm

November 13th
Oregon City High School Holiday Bazaar
19761 Beavercreek Rd
Oregon City, OR 97045
9am-4pm

November 13th
Check 'Em Off Green Holiday Event
Marshall Community Center,
1009 E Mcloughlin Blvd,
Vancouver, WA‎
12pm-5pm
http://reusing.blogspot.com/p/green-your-holiday.html

November 20th
St. Mary's Academy Bazaar
1112 Cherry Heights Rd.
The Dalles, OR
10am-5pm
(I am not sure if I have the times right. I will update when I know for sure)

November 21st
SCRAP Annual Holiday Bazaar
2915 NE MLK Jr. Blvd
Portland, OR
10-6pm
(This is a two day event, Saturday and Sunday, but I will only be there on Sunday)

November 31-December 1
OHSU Heart Research 2010 Holiday Bazaar
Center for Health & Healing at OHSU's South Waterfront District
3303 SW Bond Ave
Portland, OR 97239
10am to 6pm
www.handmadenw.com/events/index.php

December 4th
New Seasons, Concordia
5320 Northeast 33rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97211
10am-4pm

December 4th
Laurelhurst School Winter Artisan Bazaar
840 NE 41st Avenue in Northeast Portland
9am-5pm

Decemebr 5th
McMenamins Corenelius Pass RoadHouse
2nd Annual Holiday Market
Imbrie Hall
4045 N.W. Cornelius Pass Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
12 noon 'til 5 p.m.

December 16th
3 Rivers Grill
Hood River, Oregon
We are not sure of the time yet, but this will be an evening event

December 19th
Formal Holiday Artisans Fair 2010
The Acadian Ballroom
1829 Northeast Alberta Street
Portland, OR 97211
11am-5pm
www.handmadenw.com/events/index.php

Kids Craft Class at Small Planet Trading

2010-10-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Small Planet Trading, Hood River's only Fair Trade store, I was able to have my second Kids Craft Class. The class was held at Small Planet Trading and while kids we doing crafts, parents and customers shopped. Today we had three tables set up for our three crafts. The kids made Magic Duct Tape Wallets, Bottle cap Magnets and holiday garland. About eleven kids ages 5-12 attended and were all successful at creating their individual projects. I learned that kids just like to create. Plain and simple. Once many of them finished the projects I had provided, they used the materials to make something new.

Hood River Hops Fest and my Billboard Wallets

2010-10-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite times of year. The mornings are crisp, the apples and pears are ready to harvest, the holiday craft season is about to begin and Hood River hosts it's annual Hops Fest. This will be my second year being a craft vendor at the Hops Fest, but I have been to the event many times. Since my husband works in the brewing industry, it is a wonderful combination of beer drinking for him and crafts for me. The Hood River Hops Fest is located in the parking lot across from Full Sail, where the weekly Saturday Markets are normally held. The weather is supposed to be sunny and warm, which will make the noon- 9pm event pleasant.

I will be debuting my newest item, billboard wallets. My dad came up with the design and handed it to me with a protype he made, aksing me if I wanted to make more. The design is so great, and I have so much billboard material, that I thought I would try it out. I am excited to hear feedback about the wallets, one of the few Man items I make. I am having so much fun making them and using the yards and yards of billboard material I still have.

Recycled Arts Festival

2010-06-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Recycled Arts Festival at Ester Short Park in Vancouver, Washington. The festival runs June 26th and 27th from 9am-4pm. This is one of my favorite events of the year. Each of the artists uses recycled materials to make wonderful arts and crafts.
One of my favorite booths is the "Tossed and Found" booth. For the past 3 months, Waste Connections Inc. has been rescuing items that were heading to the landfill and collecting them for the Recycled Festival. The items are on display on Saturday for the public to see and be amazed at the perfectly good items some people threw away. Everyone is welcome to get a ticket and on Sunday there is a lottery. Tickets are drawn and if your number is called, you can go and find an item to take home. I walked away with a nice camping chair last year, but I have my eye on a comfy office chair this year.

My DIY Light Box

2010-06-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

At the Summit of Awesome one class I was especially interested in was how to improve my photographs using my own camera. I have a Nikon Coolpix P60 with 8.1 megapixels amd 5v Zoom, not that I know what any of that means. I am not someone who usually reads the instruction manual when I get something new, so it is no surprise that I didn't really know how to use my camera. After my class, I feel that I am a little better versed at taking pictures, but there is a whole ocean of knowledge to learn to really be a good photographer.

One helpful thing I learned was how to make my own light box. My kids were intrigued, but didn't understand what it was used for. To the best of my limited knowledge, it helps create better light and a seamless background for the items I am trying to photograph. My first attempt at a light box is a bit tipsy, but it will do for now.

To make your own light box and get some tips on photographing your own work, check out
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/fortys-foto-tips-2-make-a-light-box-244 found on Etsy's Blog, the Storque.

Summit of Awesome

2010-06-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

The names says it all. Summit of Awesome! I have spent the past two days at the Summit of Awesome in Portland learning all about the business of craft. It is being held at McMenamin's Kennedy School, an awesome place in itself. Along with a couple hundred other crafters, I am learning how to be a better craft business person. I have attended classes such as "Craft Show Set-up", "Craft Show Applications" and "Photographing Your Work with Your Own Camera". We started the show with a walking tour of Alberta Street. Then came back to the Kennedy School to make a couple of crafts while we waited for your first sessions to begin. Imagine a room with tables of craft supplies at your disposal for the times you just need to make something... and it is open all day long! We ended the day with a White Elephant Gift Exchange where many of us brought in our handmade items to exchange. I walked away with a cute needle felted coin purse.

Today was Day two of this three day event. I joined up with my new friends and spent a jam packed day attending sessions and being torn between wanting to learn more and wanting to get started everything I learned. We were entertained by our craftnote speakers, Pat and Aaron, the owners on BuyOlympia.com and the new shop "Land" on Mississippi Ave in NE Portland. They were the pioneers of handmade craft shops on the internet, blazing a path for other crafts to sell online. They started Buyolympia.com before there was even an online shopping cart! After more sessions, (I sadly missed the Craft Throwdown where crafters competed to make crafts from given materials within a certain amount of time), we ended the day at "Land" where we took a tour of the shop and warehouse.

Tomorrow promises to be another wonderful day at the Summit of Awesome!! ... don't you just love that name?!

Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale

2010-04-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

Crafty Wonderland is almost here! I hope to see you at the Convention Center in Portland on May 1st and 2nd from 11am- 5pm.

Brewery Banner Bags

2010-04-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to find local businesses that have vinyl banners that they are ready to get rid and find a new use for them. Full Sail Brewing found 4 banners that they were able to send my way to make into bags. At Hood River's Earth Day Celebration, I had a great response to these new bags. I am now pursuing other businesses to send me their old banners to do the same thing. What a great way to collaborate and promote your business while recycling your waste.

Come see the bags at Crafty Wonderland (craftywonderland.com) at the Convention Center in Portland this weekend, May 1st and 2nd from 11am-5pm. After that, I will try and put them on my website, rethinkcrafts.esty.com.

Placemat purses

2010-04-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying, my family is in the process of moving and I am frantically trying to prepare for two more spring sales coming up the next two weekends. The last thing I need is to begin any new projects, or buy any new materials. While at a local thrift store I can across a stack on wonderful place mats made out of Naugahyde. Of course I thought, what can I make these into? I got all 8 for a dollar each and went home to create. I came up with these fun recycled place mat purses. What I love most is that they look like I have great sewing skills with the expertly sewn circles on the front of the purse.

What else can I make out of billboards?

2010-04-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

Now that I have so much billboard vinyl to use, I have been trying to come up with other ideas besides just tote bags. I have found two ideas that I like that also serve another purpose.

1. Luggage Tags
Crafty Wonderland is quickly approaching and vendors were asked to contribute items for the goodie bag giveaway each day of the sale. The first 200 people each day will get a bag full of handmade goodies from various vendors (so if you are coming, get there EARLY to take advantage of the giveaway). I came up with a luggage tag made from the billboard material. I am really pleased how these turned out. Not only was I able to use the scraps of vinyl from the tote bags, but I also got to highlight my latest venture, used billboards. I included a business card with each luggage tag for the giveway, so now I need to update my Etsy shop to include more that just diaper covers. My billboard bags and crafts will soon debut on rethinkcrafts.etsy.com.

2. Stadium Seats or Garden Kneelers
I have been spending more time at my daughters school working with recycling. During a conversation with the principal, I found out that three boxes of foam padding was donated to the school by a woman in the community that gets her medication sent in boxes packed with this foam padding. The principal asked if I had any ideas of what to do with this non- recyclable material. I went home and came up with this simple stadium seat covered with the used billboard. When I brought in the prototype to show the principal, someone else thought they were garden kneelers. I realized both are great ideas! I used mine while weeding my flower beds over the weekend as well as sitting on it while at my Earth Day Celebration.

The possibilities are endless!

Billboard Bags and Earth Day

2010-04-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

I have been busily working on my billboard bags for two upcoming Earth Day events. The first will be held in Hood River on April 17th in the parking lot across from Full Sail. I loved this event last year and am looking forward to spending the day show everyone my crafts made from recycled materials and being surrounded by people wanting to know more about caring for our Earth!!

The second event is the following week in Portland at the Laurelhurst Whole Foods store from 2-7pm. This is the first time I will be attending this event, but am excited to see other handmade recycled crafts.

To get my billboard bags ready, I spread out one in my backyard. I was amazed at it's size! The girls had a great time playing tag on the billboard before I started cutting it up for my bags. Just imagine, if this was not rescued for reuse, it could have ended up in the landfill. Every billboard you see in town or as you are driving down the highway has to end up somewhere!

Sandwich Wrap

2010-03-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

I am now making a new type of reusable sandwich wrap. Using PUL fabric as a waterproof layer, sandwiches are kept fresh when wrapped up in these new reusable wraps. They are fastened with velcro and can fit sandwiches and snacks of all sizes. The PUL wipes clean after each use or the wraps can be thrown in the wash when they get really dirty. Still another way to deduce your ecological footprint.

New machine = new crafts

2010-03-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

Finally, I splurged and bought an industrial sewing machine. I have been wanting to get one for a long time now. The stars aligned and I now have my machine. I can sew through almost anything I want... Multiple layers of canvas, vinyl, leather, cardboard. The possibilities are endless. I am sure my old machine is breathing a sigh of relief.

With my new machine, comes new projects. I have been wanting to try sewing with a recycled billboard. Last week I was having a conversation with a bunch of friends and my new project ideas came up. One of the ladies got excited and told me her husband works for an outdoor billboard company and they are always happy to give the used billboards to interested parties instead of throwing them in the landfill! Yesterday, right after getting my industrial machine, I drove to the billboard company and picked up 3 used billboards!! I have been spending the day sewing billboards into bags! I love how they are turning out! I hope to have them ready for my next big sale... Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Spring Sale on May 1st and 2nd.

My new favorite blog

2010-01-11T20:59:00.000-08:00

There are times when I am wasting time on the computer and I stumble across some wonderful blogs with fabulous ideas. www.purlbee.com is one of those websites.
It is full of luscious fabrics and patterns for sewing, knitting, embroidering. I have to admit that I own a number of the books she has highlighted, but owning a book and actually making the projects in it are something entirely different. It is always me intention at make the wonderful ideas out of a my humongous stash of vintage fabrics. I just need more uninterrupted hours in a day. Check out her blog and tell me what you think!

Handmade NW Portland Arts Bazaar

2009-12-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

I was a vendor at the Portland Arts Bazaar at Pioneer Courthouse Square on November 29th in the heart of downtown Portland. What a fun event! It was a cold but, sunny winter's day for this outdoor sale. My recycled sweater mittens were a hit for the holiday shoppers who were looking for holiday gifts or to stay warm. I got to spend the day with Betsy and her husband of Betsy & Iya Jewelry (betsyandiya.com) who were my tent mates for the day. We both had a successful day of sharing our handmade items with the shoppers of Portland. The highlight of the day was the 75' Christmas Tree that created a wonderful centerpiece to the cold night.

Recycled Magazine Gift Bows

2009-12-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays. I discovered how to make my own gift bows from magazine pages. What I love about these, it that they are so easy to make and they are all different colors and designs. Hopefully I will be able to create my first tutorial, but unfortunately, that will have to wait until after the holidays. Life is a little too hectic with the holiday quickly approaching.

Parents.com

2009-11-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Yeah! My diaper cover can be found on Parents.com in their holiday collection of "Our Favorite Etsy Gifts for Baby" Below is the link to get to the items that are featured. Mine is number #15 in a list of 24 items.

http://www.parents.com/fun/toys/baby-toys/our-favorite-etsy-gifts-for-baby/?page=23

Master Recycler

2009-11-08T09:28:00.001-08:00

I am proud to announce that I am now a certified Master Recycler. I recently graduated with the first class in the Columbia Gorge in the Master Recycler program. We are a group of 13 who are passionate about recycling and who will do our best to educate the community and make healthy changes in our communities. We are each required to give back 30 hours in our community and I am hoping to spend much of my time in my daughter's school, helping it become an Oregon Green School.

As you may have been able to tell, I am also passionate about diverting waste and finding a new purpose for materials that may otherwise be at the end of it's life. I love using recycled sweaters to make new items and an currently working on a hat pattern that will hopefully soon be perfected.

With my craft business, I am also doing my best to be a no-waste business. I make my diaper covers with new materials, but use every bit of those materials so that none of it is thrown away. The scraps from the PUL (poly urethane laminate), used as the waterproof layer of the diaper covers, is used to make reusable sandwich bags. I also use scrap fabric along with fabric from my extensive stash in the reusable sandwich bags. The cotton scraps from the diaper covers are used to make a variety of crafts; headbands, stuffed animals, a quilt... whatever I can make! The small scraps from all of my projects are given to a friend who uses them as stuffing for pillows.

My wonderful family surprised me with this great sign of congratulations made from what they could find in our home recycling bin. Aren't they creative!

Holiday Sales

2009-11-08T09:19:00.000-08:00

Come see me in Oregon for a number of holiday sales:

November 14th, Saturday
Oregon City High School Bazaar
Oregon City, OR

November 21st, Saturday
St. Peter's Altar Society Bazaar
St. Mary's Academy
The Dalles, Oregon

November 29th, Sunday
Handmade NW Portland Arts Bazaar
Pioneer Courthouse Square
701 SW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
11-6pm

December 4th, Thursday
3 Rivers Holiday Sale
Hood River, Oregon

December 6th, Sunday
Handmade NW Formal Holiday Sale
Chelsea Ballroom
1510 SE 9th (SE Hawthorne at 9th)
Portland, Oregon
11-6pm

December 12th, Saturday
Hip Happening Holiday Sale
Sellwood Masonic Lodge
Portland, Oregon
11-6pm

Blogs

2009-10-07T08:37:00.001-07:00

I have fortunate to be included in many blog featuring my cloth diaper covers or as a give away for the cloth diaper covers. Check out some of these great blogs.

Carlson News:
My blue and green dots diaper cover is modeled by her daughter Leah.
http://cavanjenleah.blogspot.com/2009/10/prefolds.html

Confessions of a First Time Mom:
In December she is going to host a Ditching Disposable Diaper Event and one of my covers will be included in the giveaway.
http://myconfessionsasafirsttimemom.blogspot.com/

Sweet CuddleCakes:
Check out her "un-be-LEAVE-ably cute" entry to find my organic cotton/bamboo diaper cover.
http://www.sweetcuddlecakes.blogspot.com

The Penny Pinching Mama
My diaper cover will be featured as a giveaway in the near future. Keep checking back. She hosts great give-aways often.
http://thepennypinchingmama.blogspot.com/

SproutStyle
Check out the blog entry from April 13, 2009 for cute pictures and a review of the diaper cover.
http://www.sproutstyleblog.com

Our Life Upstate
There is a review on ther April 2, 2009 post with a picture of the Lemons diaper cover and a reusable snack/sandwich bag.
http://ourlifeupstate.com

Oregon Pillow

2009-09-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

First of all, I LOVE Oregon. I was born and raised here, minus the 4 years in Idaho for college, and would not trade Oregon for anything! I am a proud Oregonian and love to let everyone know it!
My new found love for hand embroidering and my love for Oregon were combined to make this throw pillow. I have a scrap box filled with scraps from diaper covers as well as other projects so I used them to make the Oregon applique. I used one of my favorite shades of green embroider Oregon's motto "She flies with her own wings". This is now my favorite pillow to cuddle up to when I am watching a late night movie with my husband or reading a bedtime story to my kids.

New Fabrics

2009-09-14T11:14:00.001-07:00

I just took a trip to Fabric Depot, one of the biggest and best fabric stores in Portland, Oregon. I was only looking for a yard of two specific fabrics and came home with over 20 yards of 10 new fabrics to make into diaper covers! I just can't help it when I am surrounded by such beautiful fabrics that offer endless opportunities. Here are the diaper covers I have recently debuted as my new line of diaper covers in my Etsy shop www.rethinkcrafts.etsy.com.

September's First Thursday Art Walk

2009-09-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

Come see in at Portland's First Thursday Art walk.
September 3, 2009
Chow Cafe
505 NW 14th Ave
5-10 pm

Rose Festival Craft Village

2009-05-26T20:56:00.001-07:00

Come visit me at the first Rose Festival Craft Village, hosted by Handmade NW. I will be there on Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st from 11am-11pm. The Craft Village is located at Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, Oregon. Just look for all the rides as you get near the river into downtown. Hope to see you there!

Hand Embroidered Neck Tie

2009-05-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have fallen in love with hand embroidery! What a fun way to spice up a men's work shirt, jacket or vintage tie!! I love the patterns on retro men's ties, but had not found a project that allowed me to use them... until now!! I take old neckties and add a little flava by hand embroidered fun images. So far I have tried a robot, a map of Oregon (my favorite state), a gnome and a sugar skull. I ask my husband for his opinion on each design since he is a guy and lets me know honestly whether he thinks a guy would wear one or not. (Apparently a sock monkey would not be manly enough, unless he was holding a beer... Who knew!)

Recycled Sweater Rug

2009-05-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

This recycled sweater rug is my latest project. I have been wanting to make something with recycled sweaters again. They make great mittens, but those are so seasonal that I wanted to try a new project. I really enjoyed making this rug and so much was learned. I will have to experiment using different types of sweaters that are in different stages of felting. When I sewed the two pieces together, then tended to pucker up. Possibly using a longer stitch and not pulling the fabric will help solve this problem. I added a piece of a non slip pad to the back (like what you would use under a rug or in your dish cabinet), so that it would not slip on a smooth surface. The piece of non-slip pad I used was not wide enough, so I had to piece together two pieces. Not the best solution, but it works for my first attempt. I think my next rug will be larger using long strips of sweater to make a striped pattern. The possibilities are endless!

Check out these blogs

2009-04-13T20:16:00.001-07:00

ReThink Crafts has been featured in a handful of blogs lately featuring my cloth diaper covers. Check them out when you get a chance.

www.sproutstyleblog.com
www.homespunoasis.com/2009/03/rethink-crafts.html
www.ourgreatgreenglobe.com/2008/10/20/rethink-crafts/
www.ourlifeupstate.com

Craft Group

2009-03-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

I had the idea to start a craft group with some friends that have my passion for crafting. The idea is that we get together once a month at someone's house and work on our latest projects, share ideas and teach each other what we know. Our first Craft Night was small, but productive. I had a birthday present to make for my husband and a friend worked on a small scrapbook for her mother that highlighted her daughter's year. It was just as I had hoped. A couple of hours away from the responsibilities of being Mom, and time to be with friends and work on a project.

My friend embroidered a shirt for her husband for Christmas and I knew that would be the prefect gift to make for my husband for his birthday. She introduced me to SublimeSticthing.com , a website with patterns that are right up my alley. With patterns called Dia de las Muertos, Roller Derby, Rock n' Roll, Lucha Libre, and Tattoo Your Towels... I was in heaven. This is what I have been looking for. Crafting with an edge. The shirt I decided to make was a whiskey jug with flames coming out the top. I couldn't find a whiskey jug at Sublime Stitching, so I used clip art as my pattern... with a little modification. The shirt ended up looking like a working man's shirt, with a little something extra. That was exactly what I had in mind.

Embroidery

2009-03-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

My newest passion is embroidery. I stumbled across the book Doodle-Stitching: Fresh & Fun Embroidery for Beginners by Aimee Ray and entered the world of embroidery. I never knew it would be so fun or easy. I always enjoy finding a new craft that keeps my hands busy, but relaxes my mind.
My first real project was one of Aimee's owls. I enjoyed making it so much, I made 2 more and gave them as gifts. I am already thinking of some alterations that I can make to "make it my own".

Stores

2009-02-16T02:27:00.000-08:00

I have been selling my diaper covers at a couple of Portland/ Vancouver stores and they have been very successful. I am needing to make more since I keep being asked to send more. You can find the diaper covers at:

Milagros
5433 NE 30th Avenue
Portland, OR 97211
503-493-4141
milagros@milagrosboutique.com

Boomba Toomba
Boomba Toomba Is located @ 1705 Broadway Street
In Downtown Vancouver, WA
---
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm
Saturday 11am-3pm

Contact us:
360-607-4552
BoombaToomba@gmail.com

New fun fabrics are always being added so check out one of the stores or my Etsy shop to see what is new. www.rethinkcrafts.etsy.com

Reusable Sandwich Bags

2009-02-16T02:16:00.001-08:00

Once again, I am using my scrap fabric. In an effort to find something to make with the scraps from the PUL fabric I use to make diaper covers, I came up with this reusable sandwich bag. Now instead of throwing away the plastic one-use sandwich bags I tend to pack lunch for my kids in, we can reuse these new reusable bags. Since the PUL is waterproof, it can withstand holding things like fruits and veggies that are full of moisture. I can either wipe the bags down after use or when they get really messy, throw them in the wash.
I spend a number of hours one day doing research to determine the food safety of using the PUL for this purpose. Although PUL is not food grade, most of the information I was able to find determined that using PUL for these bags was similar to putting your food in plastic bags. I feel comfortable using these for my family and I feel like I am doing my part to reuse, reduce, recycle.

fabric basket

2009-01-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

I love spending time searching the web for tutorials to learn how to make more projects. I stumbled across this tutorial on how to make a fabric basket. The tutorial is for a smaller basket and after making one, I decided it was time to increase the size. (auymills.blogspot.com/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-baskets.html) I wanted a basket to hold my phone books and magazines. As usual, I didn't think it through, wasted a bit of fabric, but also didn't think about the structure of a cloth basket. Where is it going to get it's form? I made a wonderful basket, but it turned out more like a tote than a basket. Back to the drawing board to figure out how to make the sides more stiff so that it can hold books and keep it's form.
I also didn't have enough interfacing for a larger basket, so I substituted a quilted mattress cover for the interfacing. (I always try and figure out a way to use recycled materials in everything I make... and I don't always make sure I have all of the materials before starting projects late at night) If I can find another quilted mattress cover at a garage sale, I think it will come in handy for projects like this.
I love this number fabric. I bought it on sale at JoAnn's Fabric. It was on the sale rack for $4 a yard and I bought it during a half off sale! When I bought it I didn't have any idea what I was going to use it for. I was happy to find this great project to use it for.

What to do with all those Scraps

2009-01-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

This winter, after making so many mittens from recycled sweaters for the numerous craft sales I went to, I ended up bags of scraps. I hate throwing those away in the garbage because they do not decompose... or at least not for hundreds of years. I always try and think about what I can make with those scraps. This scrappy wreath was what I came up with. I was able to use a variety of colors and had fun tying all those strips of scraps onto the foam base. My kids even joined in the fun. I think if I trimmed it a little more, it would look even better. Less sad and droopy. I am thinking of making more in different color schemes for different seasons. Making this wreath also allowed my to stop and think about all of the other projects I was working so frantically to finish this winter. Each scrap tells a story!

Tutorials

2008-12-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

One of my new favorite past time (besides searching Etsy for amazing items) is searching the web for wonderful tutorials. There are so many creative people out there that have created things that I want to learn how to make. I am always looking for new ways to use recycled sweaters and can easily find free patterns on the internet. I am thinking about making slipper using recycled sweaters!
One tutorial I found was how to refashion a t-shirt into a new style. I LOVE this. Here is my first attempt at refashioning a t-shirt. Hopefully this will just be the first of many I will make. The possibilties of patterns and colors are endless... I am also looking for a great tutorial or pattern to make undies out of recycled t-shirts. I made one pair so far and they are pretty fun! (Sorry, I'm not including a picture of those)

Check out my list of tutorials running along side this blog entry. Let me know how your creations turn out if you make anything! I am always interested in other tutorails too if you find something you want to share.

Holiday Season Approaching

2008-11-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

This year I have taken the "Handmade Pledge". I pledge to give only handmade gifts this year... possibly with one small exception. My daughter has been hoping for an American Girl Doll... If you have not yet discovered Etsy, please take a trip to www.etsy.com and think about supporting these crafters/artists when gathering gifts to give this season. There are also a number of great craft sales coming up where you can find a great gift for the person who has everything. I was just at the Hood River Saturday Market Holdiday sale and found some great handmade wooden cooking utensils and cutting boards. You never know what you will find from all of the creative people around.

Here are a couple of sales I will be at this winter.

Outlaw Crafters Sale
Hazel Dell Grange Hall
7509 NE Hazel Dell
Saturday,November 29th
10am-5pm

Handmade NW Downtown Holiday Fair
World Trade Center in Downtown Portland
Tuesday, December 2nd
10am-6pm

2 Hand Revolution
August Moon Community Center
Vancouver, Washington
Saturday, December 6th
11am-5pm

Handmade NW Formal Holiday Artisans Fair
The Chelsea Ballroom
1510 SE 9th
Portland, Oregon
Sunday, December 7th
11am-6pm

Hip Happening Sale
Sellwood Masonic Lodge
Portland, Oregon
Saturday, December 13th
11am-6pm

Hope to see you there!

Stores

2008-10-30T11:48:00.001-07:00

I have been busily working to get my crafts done to sell at the numerous holiday sales I have applied for. Not only am I busy creating for the sales, but I have also added my wares to a couple of shops in Portland, Vancouver, and Hood River.

Bowl of Thistle is located in Sellwood, Oregon and is a great shop filled with locally made items. I am officially the artisan from farthest east. I am selling my mittens at this location.

8036 Se 13th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97202

Phone: 503-477-8750

Email: BowlofThistles@gmail.com

www.bowlofthistles.com

Boomba Toomba is located in downtown Vancouver, Washington. It is a store that sells wonderful baby items, many made by crafty moms like me. I am selling my cloth diaper covers there.

Boomba Toomba Is located @ 1705 Broadway Street
In Downtown Vancouver, WA

Contact us:
360-607-4552
BoombaToomba@gmail.com
www.boombatoomba.com

Cutie Pie Consignment located in Hood River, OR at Mall 202, just a block off Oak Street. This is where I have a number of items including tag blankets, recieving blankets, tooth pillows and cloth diapers

Small Planet Trading is located in Hood River, OR in Mall 202... the same mall as above. Small Planet Trading is a shop that sells fair trade items from all over the world. They sell items that are made to give the artisan fair livable wage. I have mittens, purses and vinyl wallets at this location.

My First Show

2008-10-15T11:32:00.001-07:00

I had my first show yesterday and although it was a slow day, it was a success! I got some excellent feedback and my mittens were a hit.

The show was called Handmade NW 2008 Fall Artisans Fair at Montgomery Park in Portland. There were about 20 vendors and we were set up in the atrium of the building.

We had all applied to be in the Crafty Wonderland Colossal Holiday Sale and are anxiously awaiting the email that tells us if we are in or not. I guess that is the motherload of all indi holiday sales in the area. I'm crossing my fingers that I will get a favorable email soon!!!

Fall/Winter Portland Craft Shows

2008-09-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

So I am trying to break into the craft market in Portland and have found some great shows. Now it is just a matter of getting my work selected to be a vendor. If you are in the Portland, Oregon area and want to check out some great urban crafting here are a couple to see.

Crafty Wonderland
The 2nd Sunday of Every Month
at Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside, Portland, OR
11am-4pm * All Ages * Free Admission

Portland Craft Mafia

Date: Saturday September 27, 2008

Time: 5-10 PM

Location; Secret Society Ballroom/ 116 NE Russell St/ Portland Oregon (www.secretsociety.net)

Cost: $2 at the door, kids 12 and under are free

Features: 25 local crafters, door prizes, free swag bags for the first 30 adults in the door, open bar

For more information check out http://www.portlandoregoncraftmafia.com/

Crafty Wonderland
Super Colossal Holiday Sale - 2008!
Featuring art and handmade goods from over 125 amazing vendors!!
Sunday, December 14th
from 11am-7pm
at The Oregon Convention Center - Exhibit Hall E
777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232

Fall Artisans Fair at Montgomery Park!

Handmade NW at Montgomery Park - October 2008; Flier designed by Sweet Bonny :: www.mailen00.etsy.com

When

Date(s): October 14th and 15th, 2008
Time(s): 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days

Location

Montgomery Park
2701 NW Vaughn Street
Portland, OR 97210

More Handmade NW

Tuesday, December 2nd - Handmade NW Downtown Holiday Artisans Fair at The World Trade Center!
Sunday, December 7th - Handmade NW Formal Holiday Artisans Fair at Chelsea Ballroom!
Saturday, December 20th - Handmade NW Farmers Market Holiday Artisans Fair at The PSU Ballroom!
Sunday, December 21st - Handmade NW Solstice Holiday Artisans Fair at The Bossanova!

DIY Holiday Craft Show and sale

2Hand Revolution

December 6, 2008
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
August Moon Community Center
111 W. 39th St., Vancouver

Vendors, arts, music, food, drinks and sweet, sweet craftiness.

Vinyl wallets

2008-09-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

I like to try and reuse items to make into something new. I came up with vinyl covered wallets that are made from found objects. I started with using scrapbooking paper since it comes in such wonderful patterns. Once I got my technique down, I started experimenting with other types of paper too. I found that making wallets with paint chips... you know the ones you can get for free at the paint stores... made wonderfully colorful wallets. I went crazy gathering up paint chips each time I was near the paint section! How many of those can you take as free samples before it becomes a problem? I guess I will be the first to find out.

When making these wallets I ran into two problems. Finding a sewing machine that wanted to sew through two layers of vinyl and two pieces of paper. My firs sewing machine was too whimpy and once I got a new (used) machine, it found that sewing through such thick material was no problem. I also learned that I needed to use thread with polyester blend or the thread was keep breaking on me... My other problem was finding a snap that was heavy enough to go through all of the layers, but not too big and bulky that it was overwhelming for the wallets. I finally settled on "colored snaps". These worked better than the fun pearl snaps that I loved so much.

I have started experimenting with other fun "paper" to make wallets from such as Bingo cards, flash cards, vintage book pages, vintage wallpaper. I am having so much fun with these. I can't wait to see what else will become my latest wallet.

Reversible Headband from Scraps

2008-09-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

What do you do with all of the scraps from your craft projects? I hate to throw them away to end up in a landfill, so instead I tend to keep them hoping for a future project. This is what I came up with. Reversible headbands made from scraps. I can make the headbands wide or thin depending on the size of scraps I have. I can mismatch the fabrics or pick a color or pattern theme. This headband is made from scraps of recycled bed sheets I had been using for a number of other projects.
The neighbor girls have been my testers to make sure I am getting the size right. Making crafts for others is always so much more rewarding. Seeing my neighbor wearing her headband on our walk the school puts a smile on my face.

Cloth Diaper Covers

2008-09-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

My latest venture has been diaper wraps for cloth diapers. Since my son is still in cloth diapers, I learned how to make them in fun prints. I was tired of the same old white covers, so I started using my stash of fabric to create fun covers for him to wear.

After experimenting with many types of fabric to use as a waterproof layer, I broke down and ordered some PUL fabric. This stands for Polyurethane Laminate which is used for hospital sheets and pillow cases, waterproof outdoor clothing, etc. It is not sold in any store near me..not even in Portland. I tried using other fabrics like iron-on vinyl (which worked, but was stiff and crinkly) and Gortex (this worked also, but the waterproofing would breakdown through many washes and we all know how often we wash diapers!). I found a great laminated fabric as a reminent at the Mill End Store in Portland in the home decor section. This fabric was used for curtains and was pretty dated fabric. When I went back to get some more, they said they no longer carried that fabric... So I felt my only option was to order fabric online. I like to be able to see and try a small piece of fabric before ordering it, but I was out of luck. When the 5 yards of PUL came, I was happy to find that this was exactly what I needed!

I have been making diaper covers galore to try and make the perfect cover for my son's needs. I think I have it down. I even asked a couple of friends to test them out, used their feedback and modified the covers. Now the next step is to get them into a couple of shops to try and sell a couple. I want to use my vast supply of fabric to make the covers, so they will each be unique without the capability of making too many in one print. Check them out at my Etsy shop www.alvablue.etsy.com

First Day of Blogging

2008-09-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my first attempt at blogging. I thought this would be a good avenue for documenting my creative thoughts. I have been trying to break into the craft business by making items from recycled/upcycled materials, but I am having a hard time focusing. Maybe this will help!

I have an Etsy shop www.alvablue.etsy.com that shows the crafts I have been making recently. Last night my husband also opened a shop at www.littleredshed.etsy.com We will see how these shops do! What a great place to see handmade goods. I could spend hours searching through shops seeing all of the wonderful and creative ideas people have. It inspires me to create too.

One of my latest projects are mittens made from recycled sweaters. I love a huge stash of old sweaters that I cut up and have tried making all sorts of projects. The mittens are by far my favorite. I can mismatch the sweaters and combine fun colors and patterns. I have also been lucky to have a friend who makes SwaddleKeepers (www.swaddlekeeper.com) and has large amounts of scrap fabric. She has been happy to give me her scraps so they can be used and not end up in a landfill... (She said she did a research project in college and found out the 40% of what ends up in landfills is textiles, cloth, clothes, fabric, etc.!!!) With her scrap fabric, I line the mittens with super soft miky button fleece. This makes the mittens extra soft and warm.