Trash to Treasure

I decided to finish off my felt purse for tomorrow's Trash-to-Treasure contest at the Oregon State Fair. If I had more time, I'd love to embellish more and more, especially decorative stitching.





The purse and handles are made of wool sweaters from the thrift store which was felted in the wash. The handles are braided strips of the two felts with funky yarns braided with them. I added a found credit card case for an outside pocket and embellished with other found objects.



I wanted a more rustic closure, so used a chunky button and hand stitched button hole. The lining is made from a thrift store shirt.




I added a few buttons from my stash on the back










I made tags and hung them with funky yarns on one handle. One is a London vacation ad made into a transparency and words all from a 1952 National Geographic magazine. There is a recycle symbol on the back of the "Bargain and/or Priceless" tag. Both these tags were made in 1.5" square slides. I also made a metal tag from a pop can - the part that says "please recycle." There are also a few old dog tags.

Quick Note

I've been busy the past few days with a visit from my stepmother. Both my daughters plus my granddaughter joined us. Friday we spent the day at the Oregon Coast and yesterday we went to Uwajimaya in Beaverton, Oregon, for their Polynesian festival. This dancer was part of a Praise and Worship group. Just beautiful! (Even in the 100 degree heat!)

Shirt 2

Kady and I painted another shirt. (Love those $1 store shirts! No worries if they don't turn out well.)

I used my tempered glass cutting board, which is reserved for crafting. I taped off a square with painters' tape and let Kady drizzle some squeezy paint into it. I then removed the tape to make more crisp edges and printed onto the shirt. The shirt was stretched lightly over a box to ensure a smooth, flat surface.

Because the paint was "globby" it smooshed over the lines, so after all was dry I added a painted frame (what did we do before painters' tape?) and added her name and date.

I'm so thrilled she likes to craft at 3. Now, as soon as my kitchen is finished (been painting and rearranging) I have to start her with cooking!

She's Back!

After 2 weeks in Burkina Faso (more on this later), my daughter is back. She is wearing the outfit the tailor made for her from fabric she had purchased. The tailor came to the house, took measurements and came back with the garments (and bags and other orders). She brought me back some wonderful fabric and also had a skirt and messenger bag made. She only spent about $45 for all that fabric and the tailoring.

She is holding the drum she bought for her sister, which was engraved with her sister's nickname, "Rain."

Good to have her home! (even though with flight delays and some lost luggage made it about 3 am when we got home!) PS: the luggage (with more goodies went to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida instead of Portland, Oregon. Go figure!