Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Old School

August in Texas signals the slow end to summer- that gleeful time of year where parents celebrate the return of the kiddos to the classroom. As store shelves fill with fresh school supplies parents and grandparents can be overheard reminiscing about their own school days.  Fond memories of beloved teachers, playground rituals and of course- treasured supplies!

These Etsy sellers are ready to greet the nostalgic and keep the flames of yesteryear burning bright.

Nothing screams "back to school" more than vibrant black and yellow! Pick up an iconic school sign for home décor at VintageRoundUp. Looks great over the fish tank.

Who doesn't have a favorite school lunchbox in the memory bank? This space themed box can be scored at becaruns where youthful vintage fills the shop!

 Perfect up-cycle idea from 30one!  Vintage student chalkboards used as modern props for photo shoots or everyday "old school" text messages. Favorite this shop for back to school cool ideas for all ages.

The clock!  Perhaps the most stared-at object in all of school lore! Grab this vintage classroom gem

from LookatthisHoney. 

Vintage text books are perfect for up-cycled mixed media projects or nostalgic reading.  These Modern Illustrating books, available at bestellevintage, contain helpful  instruction and kitschy images.

Head over to thriftypyg for educational paper chasing.  From  gummed labels to vintage flash cards, this store has it all!

For more retro school finds search vintage school on Etsy.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BelaPeckHome

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Sunday Blog Party - Show Us Your Handmade Items

Welcome to our Sunday Blog Party. We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg">, </a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Video Tutorial - Customized Bulletin Board

This is a great idea for back to school... pin up your child's art projects, homework, test and more.

This basic pinup board is easy to make and can be made with any fabric to perfectly fit in with your home's decor.

Thanks for joining us today!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com
www.ewenmeprintables.blogspot.com

Today's Featured Shop - SJ Country Crafts

Today's featured shop is SJ Country Crafts.

At SJ Country Crafts you'll find a mix of handcrafted items, such as soaps,  bowl fillers, keychains, and vintage jewelry. SJ Country Crafts also has an array of punch needle and hooked rug items.

Below are a few featured items, but be sure to visit SJ Country Crafts to get a good look at everything.


Hooked Sheep Mat...

Punchneedle Tin...

Chamomile Tea Tree Oil Soap...

Vintage Style Bottlecap Keychains...

Thank you for joining us today!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com
www.ewenmeprintables.com

Witches Stitches – Fabric Acorns

I wanted some fun fabric acorns to use as bowl fillers and with the dolls I make. So here is what it did. I collected a bunch of acorns and removed their caps. Now you have the empty cap ready for you to make a bottom for it. All you have to do is cut a circle, (I don’t measure. I just look at the size acorn and then cut a circle I think will work.

After I have cut the circle, I do a running stitch around the edge of whatever fabric you have chosen. Pull your stitch a little bit and your fabric will pull into what looks like a little cup. Now put some fibber fill in this, (stuff it tight). When it is filled pull your thread tight and knot it off. Now put some white glue in the top of the acorn cap and stick the little ball of stuffed fabric open side up, into your acorn cap. Let the glue set and now you have a little fabric acorn with a real cap. If you have any questions, please give me a shout.

I have included a picture of a doll where I used one of the fabric acorns as a necklace.