Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Autumn Craft Supplies

Growing up in New England, I loved creating autumn decorations with my mother.  Her craft supply closet had almost everything we needed for primitive leaf garlands, pumpkin pot holders, and wee festive critters.  What we didn't have on hand we could find in nature or dye to meet our color needs.  Today's Etsy up-cycle artists are still employing time-tested techniques to produce top quality supplies hot fall trends.

Cooler autumn evenings lend themselves to working with warm wool.  3BagsFulled is busy turning last year's sweaters into this fall's craft supplies.  Perfect for penny wool, wool applique, and small sewing patterns. 

Vintage ephemera adds instant whimsy to any project!  These orange and white transportation tickets are available at ZoeAmaris, where the shelves are well stocked with paper supplies for every season and so much more! 

Gourds galore are waiting for creative souls at ridgetopcottage. This Etsy up-cycle artist works with Mother Nature to perfect the canvas straight from the earth.  

Vintage buttons are the icing on the creative cake!  From pillow accents to changing the look of a favorite jacket to breath-taking jewelry, the versatile button stands center stage!  Pick up these brassy beauties at AddVintage.

Wrap it up!  Don't forget the ribbon.  The final touch for every autumn masterpiece.  Howsewears crafts vintage inspired ribbons by hand-dying seam binding in colors that inspire!

For more fabulous supplies search recycled craft supply on Etsy.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

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Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: A Silver Lining

I can't resist old silver.  Be it a silver plate tray, sterling flatware, or random serving pieces, the patina of vintage silver is enchanting.  But what does one do with silver aside from sticking it in the drawer, dooming it to darkness?  How can over-looked silver become a renewed treasure? These fabulous Etsy up-cyclers can help!

Leave A Message Designs made this beautiful message board using chalkboard paint. View more beautiful up-cycled items from Leave A Message Designs here.

 

 

Memory Art By Lisa took the silver lining chalkboard to a more romantic level with this trio.  Browse her talents here.

Silver flatware is an easy find but repurposing the delicate art ware can be intimidating. These Etsy artists have the knack and are very affordable!

Sycamore Hill returns silver to heirloom status with personalized up-cycling.  Be prepared to spend awhile in this Etsy store! Talk about unique gift giving!!

The Door Yard makes drool-worthy everyday helpers from old tableware.

The intricate elegance of silver patterns naturally lends itself to jewelry.  Rings by Revisions are attractive in both style and price!

Need a gift for your eclectic friend? House of Phlegethon makes whimsical sculptures from cast off silverware

Whether you want an expert's input or help in up-cycling your silver, or love to buy the look from fellow artisans, these featured sellers are a great place to start!

 

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

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Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: A Time To Dye

When new needlework projects require the sumptuous tones of over-dyed threads, spare the expense of buying all new skeins and make your own! 

Any crafter who uses embroidery floss knows how quickly skeins multiply in plastic bins- often resulting in an overload of same colors and tangles of so-slightly-used threads.  These poor neglected bundles usually end up in the trash or charity bin.

The OH-SO-CHEAP Supply List:

*Rit dye *embroidery floss *table salt *small plastic bins from the recycle bucket  *gloves

 *drying rack

This is a perfect outside craft for the summer! Throw on some rubber gloves and get down and dirty in the grass! Dye will stain hands and clothes so wear an old tee shirt or apron and don't skip the gloves.

Fill  small plastic bins with water, Rit dye, and salt.  As a general rule I use one teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water.  I also like to create shades by adding different amounts of dye to the bowls.  Mix dyes to create signature colors.

Go solar and let the sun heat the water!

When the water is hot from the summer sun:

- Prepare the floss by twisting each skein into a small, loose knot. 

-Dip one end into color

-Dip opposite end into color

-Dunk center knot into color

Dip quickly for light shading.  Soak longer for a dark saturation. 

Update those off-beat shades by experimenting with color and techniques.

Unknot the skein and rinse with cold water until water runs clean.  Dry on a rack (or tree branch) in the sun.

It is wise to re-rinse the thread once the dye has dried- just to be sure the floss is colorfast.

Once the floss is dry examine the color.  Threads can be re-dyed for extra variegation or dipped into a secondary color for added depth. 



The thread used the anchor below was created by putting light gray DMC floss into light blue dye.  Once the thread dried it was re-knotted and dipped into navy blue dye to create a wide color tone range.

 In this colonial piece the color variegations are more subtle to give the work a period feel.

After each skein has achieved just the right color I rework the skein and attach a label.  The final step involves the fun of naming the new colors.  I usually choose colors akin to the current season.  For this summer batch I chose names like summer grape, ocean waves, lichen and iris.

Bundle up and give as a sweet gift for your stitching friends or keep for those fab new summer projects of your own!

 

LOVE & UP-CYCLE NATION!

 

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

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Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Vintage Plate Redo

This week I have a quickie trash to treasure project that transforms an outdated decorator plate into a sweet sentiment for less than the cost of a greeting card. 

This pretty little plate features delicate edging but the center painting is a bit dated- delegating it to the no-man's-land cupboard high above the refrigerator.

Using scrap papers, gift tags, and simple embellishments, this plate will enjoy the spotlight again.

Everything needed to transform this cutie is probably already in your craft closet:

Scrap paper

twine or ribbon

Mod-podge

Scissors & paintbrush

small embellishments

Using the bottom of the plate as a template, trace a circle onto the right side of scrap paper.  Cut out the circle cutting about 1/4 inch in from your pencil line as the bottom of the plate is usually a bit larger than the front.

Another trimming option is to place the circle cutout over the front indented space of the plate.  Using your thumb, press along the inside edge to create a pie crust effect that will give an accurate measure for snipping.

Use traditional scissors or create a decorative edge with scrapbook scissors. 

Once the paper is trimmed to the right size, apply a thin coat of Mod-podge to the back of the paper, and adhere paper to the center of the plate.  Allow to dry.  Apply a light top coat of Mod-podge and allow this layer to dry.  (Mod-podge dries quickly so wait time is minimal.)

Add embellishments as desired. 

 I am going with simple graphics- a combination of My Mind's Eye paper and a Papaya gift tag I saved from a recent gift. The key is to Mod-podge in layers.  Don't rush to add everything at once.

 Once the basic layers are down, attach twine or ribbon for easy display of the finished project.   (Adhesive hangers work well for plates without cut work.)

 At this point I want to finish with a ribbon and some small embellishments.  I pulled out some vintage bias tape, spare buttons, and a random rhinestone from the broken jewelry bin.

The ribbon has been weaved through the cutwork to hide the hanging twine and I stitched the button through the ribbon's knot.  Just a dab of Mod-podge secures the rhinestone to hide the original hole at the tag center.

These little treasures take less than 30 minutes from start to finish and give an old decorator plate an instant face lift.

A perfect shabby chic treat for yourself or someone you treasure.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

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Jacquie's Upcycle Nation: Jello Mold Pin Cushions

This week's trash to treasure is a quick and simple pin keep made from items most likely in the back crevices of every home: an outdated sweater and a vintage tin Jello mold.

As winter woolies are packed away for another year there is always an odd wool sweater, blanket or scarf that hasn't seen the light of day for more than a few seasons.  No need to be embarrassed by that 1990's cute theme sweater that never seems to disappear!  Now is the time to up-cycle it to new glory!

 Next dig to the back of the kitchen cupboard, behind the cookie cutters and under the mismatched random Tupperware lids to pull out those old vintage metal molds. The smaller single serve size works best for this project.

If not already at home, these tidbits can also be found in abundance at local thrift stores. Just be sure to use items of 100% wool. 

 Machine wash and dry on high heat to "felt" the sweater.  This compacts the fibers to create a stretchy but firm fabric.

After a wooly is chosen and felted, you will also need the following:

*Sharpie marker  *Wood glue  *Scissors

*thread or embroidery floss

*fiberfill* embellishments

With a Sharpie marker, trace 1/2 inch out from the mold onto the folded fabric, right sides together. 

 Don't worry if the circle isn't perfect.  The stretch of the fibers is very forgiving.

Cut the circles out and pin at center, leaving right sides together.

Machine stitch 1/4 - 1/2 inch from circle's edge.

Cut 2 inch slit on bottom side of circle. No need to clip around the outside. (All hail stretchy fabric!)

 Turn right side out and firmly stuff with fiberfill.

 When you think you can't stuff it any fuller, stuff a little bit more! Place the ball inside the mold to test the shape, firmness, and roundness.  Once you are satisfied with the appearance, slip stitch the opening closed.  These stitches should not be pulled tight but left loose like a toothy grin.

Fill the mold with wood glue.  Don't be shy- go ahead and slather it in, leaving the interior top inch clean.  This will prevent any oozing over the outside edge. Once the wool ball is inserted in the tin, place the pin cushion (right side up) under a large book to apply constant pressure as the glue dries. Let it remain drying under pressure for at least 6 hours.

 Wallah!!!  Your Jello mold pin cushion is ready!

 Now you can admire the fabric in its simple state or go hog wild with the embellishments!

 Here are a few examples of pin cushions I have made in the past.  I adore needle felting and find these wee canvases irresistible! 

Theme sweaters offer instant embellishment that turn a fashion faux pas into an heirloom keeper!

Experiment with your own style!  Mix up the molds- any shape and size can be used applying the same steps. These sweet keeps make perfect gifts for the stitcher in your life!

HAPPY UP-CYCLING!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

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