The Sassy Crafter

What's new in 2012

2012-01-18T20:30:00.000-05:00

Where did the last three months go? I can't believe that the last time I posted here was October! I was consumed with getting everything ready for the annual holiday craft show I organize and scheduling classes over at Sew Make Do.

I'm happy to say that GLAM Indie Craft Show was a hit again this year. We moved the show to Villa East, a venue that has a cool NYC loft vibe, and everyone really loved it. It was the first time we've done a mix of indoor and outdoor spots, and that seemed to work out well. Several of the vendors even told me that they had their best sales ever. It makes me so happy that I'm able to help these artists and crafters make money doing what they love to do!

KMS Designs at GLAM 2011

I've also been spending a lot of time at the Sew Make Do teaching beginner sewing classes and hosting Open Sewing. This Saturday I'm holding a grand opening party from 7pm to 10pm. If you've been curious about the studio, it's a great way to come check out the space and learn more about the classes we offer. We'll have beverages and light bites for you to enjoy. Plus we'll be holding a drawing for a sewing class, so there's a chance you could even get to take a class for free. Please feel free to drop on Saturday evening. We'd love to see you!

Teaching class at Sew Make Do (photo by Kristen Bartlett Grace)

Drunken French Toast

2011-10-09T12:30:00.001-04:00

Ever run out of an ingredient in the middle of cooking? Today I realized that we were out of maple syrup AFTER I had already made French toast. My solution? Improvise.

I grabbed a bottle of aged rum, some turbinado sugar, and a few pats of butter. Ten minutes later we were eating what I've now dubbed drunken French toast.

The flavor was divine. It carried the rich oakiness of the Ron del Barrilito rum, but without any of the heat since the alcohol cooked off. Plus the rum was from our summer trip to Puerto Rico, so it made me feel like we were wandering the streets of El Viejo San Juan again.

I may never go back to plain old maple syrup!

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Join me for sewing classes at my new studio!

2011-10-01T00:18:00.000-04:00

I am so freaking excited to announce that I'm opening my own studio! Sew Make Do will be a modern sewing and craft studio right here in Gainesville, FL. I already have a few classes posted and more will be coming.

Get Started with Sewing!
Saturday, Oct. 8 -- 9am to noon -- $35

Learn to Work with Patterns
Saturday, Oct. 8 -- 1 to 5pm -- $50

Sew Your Own Gameday Dress
Saturday, Oct. 15 -- 9am to 5pm -- $85

The studio will also be available for open studio time, so if you're an enthusiastic sewist who has yet to purchase her own machine, then this is the perfect solution! I'll also have my serger available for use, so you'll be able to give the seams of your projects a professional finish.

Sew Make Do is also a great place to host your next girls' night out. Just drop me an email at classes(at)sewmakedo.com and we can brainstorm about projects that might be fun for your group to try. You can even bring your own favorite snacks or drinks to enjoy! (Did someone say bubbly?) Plus, the best part is you don't even have to clean your house.

I'm so excited about this new project and can't wait to share it with everyone! Please feel free to "like" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sewmakedo) and check out our website for more information (http://sewmakedo.com). Hope to see you there!

Calling all North Florida crafters!

2011-09-13T22:46:00.001-04:00

The Sassy Crafter at GLAM 2009, a photo by sassycrafter on Flickr.

I know it seems way too early to start thinking about Christmas, but now is the time to start applying to holiday craft shows. For crafters like me who live in North Florida, that means GLAM Indie Craft Show. Here's a shot of me in my booth at the 2009 show.

Last year GLAM had more than 30 unique vendors from around Florida. This year the event is moving to a new, larger space, so it promises to be even better!

Think you might be interested? Here's the link you need in order to apply:
http://glamcraftshow.com/apply

Don't delay--the application deadline is Sept. 30.

Crimson Tate: Modern Fabrics in Indy

2011-09-03T11:42:00.001-04:00

It's funny sometimes how life works out. I traveled to Indianapolis on a work trip to attend the annual Garden Writers Association conference. I thought about trying to find cool fabric and craft stores to visit, but the conference schedule was pretty full.

But thanks to a serendipitous twist, I found Crimson Tate.

I was walking to dinner Friday night with a dear old friend from college. As we were nearing the restaurant, I glanced to the right and spotted something I hadn't expected to see--Amy Butler fabric!

By some twist of fate, I had managed to stumble across the only modern fabric shop and sewing studio in the downtown area! What are the chances?

Isn't her logo just the cutest? I guess it's not surprising that I like it -- it looks a lot like my own logo! Once we went inside and met Heather, the owner, I could totally see the resemblance! Heather is cute, energetic, and has a definite retro sensibility that I adored. I was seriously envying her modern cateye glasses.

The shop was open and airy, and it included some great vintage pieces like the farmhouse table in the first photo. Heather has done an excellent job of staging a number of beautiful vignettes that seamlessly blend the new fabrics with rich items from the past.

I fell in love with this pattern display. Can you believe it's old snow fencing?

As we talked, I learned that Heather also teaches sewing classes. We talked about all of the younger women who are getting interested in sewing and how exciting it is to see them fall in love with this wonderful tradition. Heather's truly a woman after my own heart!

Her entire shop/studio was fabulous! It's exactly the kind of space that I've always dreamed of opening. Who knows -- maybe before long I will!
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If you're ever visiting Indy, be sure to stop by and see Heather!

Crimson Tate
845 Massachusetts Ave
Downtown Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-426-3300

Store hours:
Tuesday - Friday 11-7
Saturday 11-6
Sunday & Monday Closed

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Sewing Month!

2011-08-30T11:15:00.001-04:00

If you hadn't heard already, September is National Sewing Month. It's a great time to pull out your sewing machine and start a new project. Or if you don't have your own machine, why not take a beginner class and get started with this fun, lifelong hobby?

I still have room in the brand-new beginner course I'm offering on Sept. 25, as well as the patterns class.

I'm hoping to start some fun projects of my own with the fabric I bought on my recent trip to Indianapolis. I stumbled across the cutest little fabric store while walking to dinner one night. Stay tuned for the full update!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Join me for a summer sewing retreat!

2011-07-22T00:56:00.006-04:00

Grab and Go Clutch -- IThinkSew.com

Sorry! Registration for this class is closed. Want to see it offered again? Let me know! Comment here or email me at sassycrafter - at - gmail - dot - com.
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I'm so excited to be offering my first official sewing retreat! We'll have our own private cottage at one of Gainesville's loveliest B&Bs. Interested in joining us? Spaces are limited so be sure to register today to guarantee your spot.

Sewing Retreat: Make a Clutch

Join us for a special afternoon sewing retreat at the Magnolia Bed and Breakfast in downtown Gainesville! We'll use a downloadable pattern from IThinkSew.com to make a Grab and Go Clutch. This little handbag is perfect for carrying all your essentials or for keeping things organized inside a larger purse. The bag gets its roomy shape from a few well-placed darts, so you'll learn helpful tricks for installing darts. Plus you'll also enjoy tasty refreshments, courtesy of Magnolia B&amp;amp;B. Mimosas, anyone? It's the perfect way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon!

Date: Sunday, August 21

Location: Miss Huey's Cottage at Magnolia B&B

Time: 1pm to 6pm

Cost: $75

Number of students: 4 maximum

What to bring:

sewing machine
sharp scissors for cutting fabric
pattern -- purchased and printed from IThinkSew.com
fabric -- 1/4 yard for outside + 1/4 yard for lining (44" wide home decorator fabric, linen, or heavy weight cotton)
interfacing -- 1/4 yard of 44" wide craft weight fusible interfacing
thread
18mm magnetic purse snap closure

Update on classes

2011-06-17T12:00:00.013-04:00

Many of you have been asking about when my next sewing classes will start. Rest assured -- I have a few exciting possibilities up my sleeve that are just waiting to reach their fully baked perfection. To me it's worth it to take a little extra time now to polish the classes so that they'll be smooth and enjoyable experiences for you when you sign up to take them.

Image from Flickr user TillyVanilly

And speaking of classes, I'm actually taking a class right now! I saw on Whipstitch that Deborah Moebes was offering an online class called Beginner Patternmaking. I've created a few easy patterns over the years, mostly for handbags, but have little experience drafting apparel patterns. I thought it would be great to expand my knowledge base so that I could hopefully pass along some of what I learn to my own students.

Plus I had a hunch that taking a class from Deborah -- even online -- would be a real treat. I had the chance to meet her in person a year ago. She is truly one of the most down to earth and friendly people that you'll ever meet. She also has a strong business savvy, which is something I really admire about her. And she's incredibly good at what she does, namely empowering new sewists to conquer their fears and get sewing! In fact, she recently published a few really good blog posts on this very topic (You. Can. Sew. and What You Bring to the Table). If you have an interest in sewing, it's definitely worth checking out her blog.

And while you're exploring, don't forget to swing by her online fabric shop for some amazing fabric. In case you're wondering, I don't earn any kickbacks for sending folks there. It's just that I adore her shop and can't stop raving about all the beautiful fabric she carries. My current obsession is amazing jersey fabric. Maybe I'll buy some to use for the T-shirt we'll be drafting in class. So tempting!

Seaweed wrap knit available at Whipstitch Fabrics

And the winner is...

2011-06-11T14:39:00.000-04:00

I've been out of town for the last week and was amazed to come back and see all of the comments piled up on the sewing machine giveaway post. Thanks everyone for stopping by and commenting! There were so many great stories that it was hard for me to choose, but ultimately I decided that the winner is...

melissa_macaragues

In my heart I really wanted to find someone who was brand new at sewing but who clearly had a passion for it. It was also important for me to find someone who didn't have a machine yet. I remember what a big investment it was to buy my first sewing machine, and I wanted to help remove that hurdle for a new sewist.

Plus, I know that Melissa also has two cute little boys and I couldn't stop thinking about all the fun clothes that she could make for them (tip: check out MADE and Made by Rae for cute sewing projects designed for boys). And we're both Geminis. And we both love Anthropologie. What can I say? We're clearly kindred spirits!

A big thanks to everyone who commented and shared their stories. It was really cool for me to hear how many of you share my love for vintage machines, not just for their durability and beauty but also for all of the dotted line connections to women who have come before us.

My gift to you-- a 1958 Singer sewing machine!

2011-05-29T23:44:00.004-04:00

It's better to give than receive

Note: the contest is closed. You can view the winner here.
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Some of you already know this, but today's my birthday. I've had an absolutely wonderful day doing things I love -- riding my bike, enjoying a delicious meal with my husband, and spending time with our dogs.

I've also spent a good part of my birthday weekend cleaning out my craft room. Things had gotten a bit out of hand, and I decided that a clean and orderly space would be the perfect present that I could give myself.

Hidden in the back of the closet I found this gorgeous old Singer sewing machine that I had almost forgotten about. I've long been a believer that older machines are often a better option than brand-new machines.

This Singer 185K3 is nearly 55 years old, and aside from a few minor scuffs, it's in great condition. The motor still purrs like a kitten and it yields perfectly tensioned stitches.

And the best part about this machine is that it can be YOURS.

Yes, you heard me right! I know that there are plenty of deserving new sewists out there who could put it to better use than I have, so I'm giving it away totally free, no strings attached. Think of it as my way of paying it forward.

Here's the deal: if you live in North Florida and are interested in owning this lovely machine, just leave me a comment here by Friday, June 10 explaining why you want it. That's all! I'll read through the comments, decide who seems the most deserving, and announce the winner that Sunday.

The fine print: the winner must live in the greater Gainesville area or be willing to drive to Gainesville to pick up the machine.

Features:
1958 Singer 185K3 sewing machine
Straight stitch with reverse (sorry, no zig-zag)
Easy-to-use top load bobbin

Mid-century modern blonde wood cabinet and stool

Original instruction manual

And TONS of accessories

A foot for every need!

List of attachments (clockwise from top)

adjustable zipper foot
gathering foot
edge stitcher
ruffler
ruffler (the two appear to be identical)
adjustable hemmer
tucker (for making pintucks)
seam guides
binder (for adding bias tape)
binder (for adding bias tape)
hemmer
hemmer

So what are you waiting for? Tell me your story!

Summer sewing classes in Gainesville

2011-05-09T22:46:00.000-04:00

Honey Girl pattern by Jamie Christina

I'm happy to announce that I'll be teaching three different sewing classes this summer. The first two are great for brand-new beginners or for anyone who feels a little rusty with their sewing. The third class is suitable for anyone who knows their way around a sewing machine and wants to make a cute sundress that's perfect for summer or the first Gator gameday.

Learn to Use a Sewing Machine
Saturday, May 21
9am to noon
This crash course will take the mystery out of sewing and get you comfortable with using a sewing machine. I'll teach the basics of threading a machine, winding a bobbin, straight stitching, back stitching, zig-zag stitching and other key topics. You'll even leave with a finished project! Bring your own sewing machine, manual, and bobbins, as well as a pair of sharp scissors. All students will pay a lab fee of $10 to cover the cost of handouts and use of materials. If you've always wanted to learn to sew, this is your chance!

Learn to Work with Patterns
Saturday, May 21
1pm to 5pm
Know how to use a sewing machine but still want to learn how to work with patterns? This class will teach you the basics of working with commercial patterns, whether you want to make clothes, crafts, or other fun things. I'll guide each student through making a pair of simple drawstring pants (great for casual wear or pajamas). Bring a sewing machine, manual, and an extra bobbin. All students must bring a pair of sharp scissors and pay a lab fee of $25 to cover the cost of pattern, fabric, elastic, and coordinating thread.

Make a Shirred Summer Dress
Thursdays May 19, May 26, and June 2
6pm to 9pm
In this class, we'll use a pattern to make a flirty summer sundress that is suitable for beginners (see photo). During the first class, we'll cut out patterns and discuss materials. Then in the second and third classes, we'll sew the dress. Students should understand the basics of using a sewing machine and bring their sewing machine, extra bobbins and needles, and a pair of sharp scissors to the second and third classes. All students will pay a lab fee of $15 in cash to the instructor to cover the cost of patterns, handouts, elastic thread, and the use of irons in class.

Don't own a sewing machine?
Use one of mine for an additional lab fee of $15. You MUST let me know in advance if you wish to reserve a machine.

Questions?
Please feel free to email me at sassycrafter{at}gmail.com.

Register now!
All three classes are offered through the UF Leisure Course Program and are open to anyone in the community. Visit the UF Leisure Course website to register: https://www.union.ufl.edu/leisure

Zen and the art of making gumbo

2011-05-03T19:41:00.002-04:00

Slaving over a hot stove is probably not how most modern women want to spend an evening, but that's what I have planned for the evening and I couldn't be happier.

That's because tonight I'm making gumbo.

Sure, I have plenty of other things I could be doing tonight, but gumbo is something that I really enjoy--not just eating it, but making it. It's hard to explain in any rational way.

Making the roux alone takes thirty minutes, and it means standing over a medium-high burner and whisking fat and flour until it feels like your arm is going to fall off. The goal is to transform it from a thick, blonde roux to a deep chocolate roux, and the only way to do that is to keep stirring and stirring and stirring.

Blonde roux

Chocolate roux

There are shortcut methods that allow you to make roux without being shackled to the stove. Alton Brown has one that a number of people seem to like.

But I prefer the traditional way. In fact, making the roux is what I like best about making gumbo. Like any repetitive process, it becomes meditative. The busy thoughts of the day empty out of my head and all I'm left with is the beauty of watching the whisk blur underneath my gaze. It's a total zen-like state.

This afternoon I realized that it reminds me a lot of the art of traditional Japanese painting, aka sumi-e. Before the painting actually begins, artists spend five or ten minutes grinding ink using a traditional ink stick and a grinding stone, Visually, the practices are the same -- artists circle the ink stick over and over in a puddle of water on the grinding stone, and cooks deftly navigate the whisk in circles through the ever-darkening roux. The two practices even sound alike.

Well before I ramble on any further, I think it's time I headed off to start my thirty-minute meditation.

Oh, and if any of you are interested in learning to make gumbo, let me know and I'll post the full recipe. I know I was pretty scared to try it the first time because I'd heard horror stories about making roux. But once you get over any initial fear, you realize that it's actually not so hard. And a great thing about making gumbo is that it's like lasagna -- you can make a big batch and have tons of planned-overs to freeze and enjoy later. So just let me know -- I'm happy to post the recipe!

Why I love roasting chicken

2011-04-21T23:27:00.003-04:00

I have a confession to make. I've discovered that I love roasting chickens.

Tonight we ate out at my favorite pizza place, and it was delicious as always. But I still came home and roasted a chicken.

Part of it is because I'm ~~cheap~~ frugal. I bought this bird on Monday, so I knew it was about time I either cooked it or froze it.

But another thing I love about roasting chickens is the tradition. I think of all the women before me who have roasted chickens for their families. It may sound kind of silly, but it gives me goosebumps.

Last time I used a Martha Stewart recipe. This time I decided to try a new recipe by Wolfgang Puck.

We won't enjoy the full experience until tomorrow when we dig into our lunches, but I can safely say that the meat was juicy as promised and the skin was perfectly crispy.

Yes, of course I sampled it--but only in the interest of quality control! I wouldn't want my dear husband to starve tomorrow at lunch. That wouldn't be good, now would it?

I plan to use this recipe again, and would definitely recommend it. I even got to learn a new trick--how to butterfly a whole chicken. I don't have poultry shears (at least not yet), so I just used a sharp knife to cut out the backbone and lay the chicken flat. It was one of those thing that sounded hard but that really wasn't that bad.

So what are you waiting for? Maybe it's time for you to roast a chicken and join the generations of women before you!

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Poppytalk!

2011-03-28T10:48:00.002-04:00

Poppytalk Handmade -- Eco and Spring Market 2011, a photo by sassycrafter on Flickr.

I'm so excited that I was selected to be a part of Poppytalk Handmade Market this month! This month's theme is "Eco and Spring," and there are so many other lovely artists that I'm sharing space with.

For anyone who doesn't know, Poppytalk is kind of like an online juried craft show. Think of it as Etsy, only more tightly focused and without the items that inevitably end up on Regretsy.

So if you' have time, I'd love for you to swing by. Here's the link to my table:
poppytalkhandmade.com/table101

Botany, bling, bias, and babies, or my trip to Washington, D.C.

2011-03-27T11:16:00.025-04:00

The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off this weekend in Washington, D.C. My sister tells me that it's absolutely amazing because the entire Tidal Basin area is enshrouded with cherry blossoms. We were up there visiting a few weeks ago and managed to see a few early birds unfurling their delicate petals, but nothing like the full-on display that's probably going on now.

We also had a chance to poke around and see some of the wonderful (and free!) sights around the National Mall. In my mind, any visit to the Mall isn't complete with a quick loop through the First Ladies collection. I adored this gown from Mamie Eisenhower, both for its mid-century cut and its lush color. Sorry it's out of focus -- it was a little dark in there.

And check out the detail on this gown that Pat Nixon wore. Talk about bling!

While my hubby was didn't object to coming with me to see the pretty dresses, he much preferred our visit to the National Air and Space Museum. And surprisingly, I found some lovely creative inspiration there, like the dreamy background color and interesting font on this Russian rocket.

I adored this collage board of World War II era ephemera collected from soldiers who served in the Pacific Theater. Isn't that pin-up girl just so cute and sassy?

And looky here -- who knew that there would be sewing terms hidden inside such a techie museum! Apparently the wings of the Wright brothers' glider were covered with a single layer of French sateen fabric stretched on the bias.

Aside from seeing my adorable one-year-old twin nephews, the best part of the weekend was definitely getting to go up inside the Washington Monument. I'd never been before and we lucked into tickets while we were on our way to have lunch with my friend Sarah.

Holy moly -- you can see forever from up there! Here's the view looking down the Mall toward the Capitol.

This shot is looking toward the WWII Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Lincoln Monument.

And do you recognize the building in the center of this one? It's the White House!

Fiber art

2011-03-25T22:49:00.000-04:00

Tonight my hubby and I stopped by Satchel's, our favorite pizza joint, to pick up a pie for dinner. We got there before the pizza was ready so we headed to Lightnin' Salvage, a curious amalgamation of music hall, five and dime, and junk museum. If you're ever in Gainesville, the whole place is definitely worth a visit. Satchel even installed a bocce court in the back forty.

Lightnin' Salvage always has a few interesting collections on display and tonight was no exception. Check out this unique fiber art piece.

Can you tell what it's made of? Here's another look.

Did you guess it? It's an entire mass of dryer lint! Too crazy! Here's the crazy explanation behind how it ended up on display at Lightnin' Salvage (click on the photo to see it bigger).

This 3D lint sculpture reminded me of the crazy amount of lint that piles up in my own dryer vent when I'm felting sweaters, though it's nothing compared to this.

And now that I'm rattling on about dryer lint, I'm reminded of an artist I once saw on an HGTV show who made "paintings" out of dryer lint. Seriously. Did anyone else see that episode on "Crafters Coast to Coast" aka "That's Clever"?

Image: HGTV.com

At any rate, I thought this might make y'all smile. Hope you all have fun and creative weekends!

Why I grow veggies in the front yard

2011-03-14T23:12:00.002-04:00

This fall I planted a six-pack of 'Red Rocket' mustard greens in the bed along the street. I needed something cold-tolerant to provide some color and interest through the winter, and these had the added bonus of being edible.

I watered and fertilized them a few times, but otherwise hardly touched them. Despite my lack of care, they grew waist high.

Tonight my hubby and I picked our second bunch and I cooked them up for dinner along with some pork chops and baked potatoes. They were quite peppery and oh-so delicious, balancing perfectly with the creaminess of the white wine and butter sauce I made.

Growing vegetables in the front yard is so satisfying!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Zippy post

2011-02-21T23:26:00.002-05:00

I'm getting ready for the sewing class I'm teaching on Wednesday evening: "Make a Zippered Bag."

I keep a stash of supplies on hand, so I have most of what I need. But this time I have seven people registered, so I may need to run to Jo-Ann tomorrow for a few final things.

My hubby was kind enough to let me use his iPad as I was cutting the fabric for the kits. I loaded the project sheet on it so that I'd have all the measurements at my fingertips. So handy!

And speaking of cutting, I was super duper careful working with my rotary cutter after hearing what happened to a friend of mine this weekend. She dropped her rotary cutter on her foot and had to go to the hospital for stitches. Can you imagine? Ouch! I've always had a fear of sewing over my finger, but I'd never so much as thought about this potential horror. She's doing okay now, so that's good.

Well, I'd better get all these bits and pieces cleared off the dining room table before it's time for bed. Take care!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thrill of the hunt

2011-02-19T22:56:00.002-05:00

What a fun day! My hubby and I went down to the final antique extravaganza of the season in Mt. Dora. I head to this event whenever I can to pick up the perfect vintage supplies for my crafting. Today I scored a few trays to turn into clocks, a couple planters to transform into pin cushions, and a handful of sewing notions.

Of course, it's also fun to scout for treasures that have nothing to do with crafting. You just never know what you'll find at these shows! Check out these cool sign letters that we found. It was fun that they spelled out our last name, but we just couldn't see hanging them anywhere in our house so we passed on them.

I fell in love with this metal and glass table and seriously considered buying it to replace our entryway table, but the price was a little high for us and the curve at the base of the legs would've kept it from sitting flush against the wall.

I'm always drawn to library card catalogs and apothecary chests, even though I'd probably never have a good use for one. I think they're more suited for dedicated scrapbookers or jewelry designers. But I had to take a picture of this one because I loved the tags on the drawers. When was the last time you saw the words "marabou" and "grizzly" used in such proximity? (To see a large version of the photo and read the other tags, click here.)

This old quilt was so lovely. I just loved the color combination because it was so different from most other vintage quilts that I've seen.

Pretty early in the day we saw a dealer who was selling chicken nesting boxes, and I kept thinking about them throughout the day. I was fantasizing about hanging one on the wall of my craft room and using it to store supplies. Of course in my mind, my entire craft room would then be magically transformed into one of those beautiful artsy studios in "Where Women Create," never mind the fact that I barely have a clear path in there right now. Oh, and there's the small detail that chickens were probably doing all sorts of unhygenic things in these boxes and that they'd need a thorough cleaning. But for whatever reason, I was inexplicably drawn to them. What can I say? I have a weakness for rusty-crusty things, especially those in galvanized zinc.

I've seen a lot of Singer Featherweight sewing machines for sale, but never one that had its own portable table. It was very cool, but the price was something like $300 or $400. Plus I already have half a dozen sewing machines, so I'm probably good for now.

And of course, a day at the flea market wouldn't be complete without a painting of dogs playing poker--or in this case, pool. This was one of those velvet rugs, which is even better in my book.

Well, that's the end of my highlight wrap-up. If you want to see the other pictures I took, feel free to swing over to my Flickr site.

Here's to love!

2011-02-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Photo by Dawn McKinstry

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Since this holiday is all about love, I figured now was as good a time as any to spill the beans about my big news.

I got married. Yup. That's right. Married!

You didn't hear me talking about planning a big wedding here on the blog, because we decided to have a teeny tiny wedding with just the two of us.

It's funny -- as someone who loves to make things, you'd think that I would've wanted to have a big handmade wedding, going to great lengths to make everything from scratch -- crafting each invitation from whimsical and unexpected materials, agonizing over exactly what DIY decorations to have, insisting on sewing my own dress, making memorable favors for the guests... the list goes on and on.

There are certainly plenty of publications out there to help feed the frenzy over planning the perfect wedding. Have you ever looked at the magazine section at your local bookstore? The wedding magazines have their own devoted shelf that's practically overflowing.

And let's not forget the Handmade Weddings that Etsy spotlights on a regular basis. This blog series is chock full of mouth-wateringly beautiful weddings. The more you read and the more blogs you look at, the more overwhelming it can all seen. And I've seen it firsthand -- several girlfriends of mine have planned their own weddings and it's a crazy amount of work.

The thing is, we just wanted to be married. And we wanted our wedding to feel like a reflection of us, which I believe is what most couples strive for in today's modern weddings--handmade or not.

We knew that having a just-us wedding would be just right. We feel like we found a lovely spot on the spectrum between a cliched elopement to Vegas and an expensive traditional wedding, much like this couple did.

I did decide that there were a few creative touches that were really important to me, and thankfully my groom was on board with them.

I had always swooned over letterpress wedding invitations, so I hired a local artist to design custom announcements that we could mail to our loved ones to help commemorate the momentous occasion. A big thanks to Ellen of Crooked Letter Press for understanding my vision and making it happen!

The one thing that both my groom and I felt really strongly about was our rings. We wanted to have a matched set of wedding bands that would be ours and ours alone. We scoured Etsy and ended up deciding on a set of custom damascus steel rings from StonebrookJewelry, and we couldn't be happier with how they turned out. They almost look like they have a woodgrain pattern, and when you look at them from the top down they each look like they're marked with a fingerprint--truly one of a kind.

I had hoped to order a vintage pattern from my friend and fellow Etsy seller ProjectH and make a lovely dress. Ever since I learned to sew in middle school, I dreamed of making my own wedding dress. But our window of time ended up being too tight, so I opted to buy a lovely off-the-rack dress instead. The best part is that I tried it on at a local upscale boutique but then scored the exact dress on Overstock.com for less than half the price!

We also decided that it was really important to us to hire a photographer so that we would have lovely photos to mark our special day. Dawn McKinstry met us at a local state park and really worked with us to get a number of beautiful shots. We tucked a copy of the photo above in with the announcements when we sent them out to our friends and families.

After the wedding, we headed to Tybee Island off the coast of Savannah to celebrate. It was so lovely to be there at that time of year. We took a number of walks on the beach, including two sunrise walks.

It pretty much felt like we had the place to ourselves -- though we kept running into these cannonball jellyfish along the beach.

One day we wandered over to nearby Fort Pulaski, which was really cool to see. We both took oodles of photos of the fort. The crazy thing is that are still cannonballs in the walls!

It was an awesome trip and so much fun. And the best part is that we're still having fun, long after the official honeymoon ended. That's the amazing thing. We just feel like we're perfect for each other and that being together brings us so much joy, peace, and happiness.

I haven't felt this wonderful in years, though I must say that it hasn't been without a few side effects. I've found that I have these uncontrollable urges to do cartwheels. But hey, if that's the only downside to getting married then I think I can live with that!

Well I hope all of YOU have a wonderful Valentine's Day, whether you spend it having a nice dinner with your sweetie or just sitting on your couch in your comfies and watching your favorite movie for the umpteenth time. Do whatever brings joy, peace, and inner love, and it's sure to be a lovely day!

Heartfelt Fortune Cookies

2011-02-03T23:56:00.008-05:00

Felted fortune cookies

Next week I'm teaching a free Valentine's themed craft workshop at my local library. We'll be making these darling fortune cookies out of felted sweaters.

Shhh... don't tell, but I'm going to give you the inside scoop on how to make them, just in case you can't be there!

Martha has a similar tutorial, but I'm partial to my method because it provides almost instant gratification with no drying time. Seriously. These things take no more than five minutes to make, but they're oh so cute.

You can download my written tutorial here, or you can just check out this video. (You can view it larger by heading over to YouTube)

Once you're done making your cookies, don't forget to stop by your local Chinese restaurant for a take-out box to put them in. And if you do make your own, I'd love to hear about it, especially if you have a sweet fortune that you wrote yourself!

Focusing

2011-01-26T18:31:00.002-05:00

It rained yesterday. Hard. We haven't had a storm like that since last summer.

On the way home, I was mesmerized by the interplay of patterns between the glistening raindrops on the windshield and the constantly changing background. (Don't worry, mom -- I wasn't the one driving.)

I really wanted to get a picture of this but my camera was having the hardest time focusing. When we got stuck at a stoplight, I was finally able to snap this shot. At first, I was frustrated at the camera for being so slow. But the truth is, I often have a hard time focusing too.

Funny, eh?

I guess the truth here is that it can sometimes take awhile to get focused, but once you do, the final picture will be that much clearer.

Get focused. Figure out what really matters to you in life and then chase it down. You may run across storms that cloud your view, but do your best to dance between the raindrops and keep your mind locked in on that final picture that you know is possible.

Spring craft and sewing classes in Gainesville

2011-01-26T00:11:00.001-05:00

Felted fortune cookies

*** NOTE: If you're looking for sewing classes in Gainesville and found this post through an Internet search, please check out my new studio, Sew Make Do, for the latest details on current classes that I'm teaching. Thanks! Kim ***

I'm excited to announce that I have several craft and sewing classes that I'll be teaching this spring in Gainesville. Here they are in order of when they happen. Just click on the links for a full description of each class.

Heartfelt Fortune Cookies -- FREE workshop
Millhopper Branch Library
Tuesday, Feb. 8 -- 6pm to 7:30pm

Sewing: Learn to Use a Sewing Machine
UF Leisure Course Program -- Reitz Union
Saturday, Feb. 5 -- 9am to noon
only one spot left! register now if you're interested!

Sewing: Learn to Work with Patterns
UF Leisure Course Program -- Reitz Union
Saturday, Feb. 12 -- 1pm to 5pm
Sorry--this class is already full. Watch for it again in the summer.

Sewing: Make a Zippered Bag
UF Leisure Course Program -- Reitz Union
Wednesday, Feb. 23 -- 6pm to 9pm

Anyone is welcome at any of the classes, but be sure to register in advance for the sewing classes through the UF Leisure Course website.

New Year's intentions

2011-01-11T23:59:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! It isn't the first of the year, but it is the 11th -- 1/11/11 -- which I think has an equally nice ring to it. I figured now was as good a time as any to lay out my New Year's intentions.

I don't like the word "resolutions." For some reason that just feels too stodgy for me. Another option would be to pick guide words, like Danielle LaPorte did recently (if you don't know her site, definitely check it out -- she's very inspiring).

At any rate, here are my big three:

1. Focus.
2. Live from the heart.
3. Make healthy choices.

Focus is first and foremost, because I find that it's all too easy for me to get my mind spinning on new projects when I need to wrap up the things I've already committed to. I intend to make creativity (and hopefully blogging too!) a more regular part of my life. And I think that by staying focused on the things I'm really passionate about, I'll end up with greater overall peace and happiness.

It's also important to me to continue living from the heart and believe in the good in life. At times I let fear cloud my judgement, but that never feels good or accomplishes anything positive. So I'm going to stick with love. And speaking of which, I have another post coming up that relates to love. Stay tuned!

Finally, I want to make more healthy choices in my life. I want and need exercise to be a regular part of my life again. I want to eat food that makes me feel healthy and that tastes good. And I want to feel good about the choices I'm making. This includes carving out a little white space in each week just for me, so that I can unwind for thirty minutes or so and recharge by reading a book, listening to music, or just sitting and watching life unfold before me. Those quiet times are what help recharge my batteries, and heaven knows I need a full charge with all of the things that I allow to get added to my to-do list!

Speaking of which, I'm off to finish a little project for a friend. He bought his daughter a special bag for her birthday and I promised to embroider her name on it. Should be fun!

Holiday shopping shortcut -- and FREE craft workshop in Gainesville!

2010-12-14T11:32:00.003-05:00

Gift card holder
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Running out of time to shop this holiday season? Take a shortcut by buying gift cards and tucking them in cute little mini-stockings that you create out of recycled sweaters and scrap bits of trim.

Next year, the recipient can use the stocking as a Christmas ornament, or re-gift it to someone else with a fresh gift card inside. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Want to make your own? Join me for a FREE craft workshop at the Tower Road branch library this Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. I'll bring all the supplies that you need, but feel free to bring any scrap bits of trim that you might be saving for a special project.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page for the workshop.

Here come the holidays!

2010-11-03T07:24:00.030-04:00

I'll bet most people are still nursing their Halloween candy hangovers right about now, but I'm ready to start thinking about the holidays -- namely holiday craft shows!

Atomic Holiday Bazaar 2009

First up is GLAM Indie Craft Show, taking place Sunday, Dec. 5 from 1-5pm right here in downtown Gainesville.

Each year, GLAM serves up a veritable smorgasbord of handmade gifts just in time for the holidays. We'll even have a few delicious sides for you -- a DJ spinning tunes, tasty treats for sale, and a few surprise guests to entertain you. Think of it as the crafty version of a meat-and-three.

Head on over to the GLAM website to check out the full vendor list, which was announced this week. If you happen to look closely, you may notice that yours truly isn't listed. That's because I'm going to be busy busy busy running around behind the scenes helping make sure that everything goes smoothly for all of the crafters and shoppers. Putting on a craft show is takes a lot of work, and this year I figured I'd be better off focused just on the show and not on selling things in my own booth.

But never fear -- I haven't retired my scissors and sewing machine yet. A week later, I'll be selling my own creations at Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota. For those of you who don't know, Atomic is the mother of all craft shows here in Florida. It's in its fifth year (wowza!) and has morphed into two whole days of crazy craftiness, music, and all-around fun.

I'll be set up during the day show on Saturday, Dec. 11 (11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), which my dear friend and Atomic producer Adrien describes as the "dysfunctional to well-adjusted family-friendly show." Then my man and I plan to stick around for the night show on Saturday (6 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.), which includes a few live bands, edgy crafters, and even a burlesque show. It's funny to me that the show is scheduled to end at 11:45 -- I guess the place must turn into a pumpkin at midnight or something! Actually, the Sarasota Regional Auditorium looks more like a spaceship than a pumpkin, but I digress.

So anyhow, I hope to see you at one or both of these great events this holiday season!

And if you live farther afield and want to find craft shows in your area, check out the brand spankin' new website Indicative Indie, which includes a listing of craft shows from across the country. It was put together by one of the gals who'll be at GLAM -- Stephanie of Chirping Bird Press. I'm tellin' you, the craft community NEEDS a centralized resource like this. Thanks, Stephanie!

Autumn deliciousness

2010-10-20T08:19:00.002-04:00

Here in the Deep South, it's finally feeling like fall. The nighttime temperatures have dropped into the 50s, the trees are showing a hint of color (just a teeny bit), and I'm craving savory foods.

Like this Hubbard squash I roasted for dinner the other night and filled with brown rice and lentils. It was so easy and so delicious!

Here's what I did:

Split the squash in half with a sharp knife, scooped out the seeds, and placed the halves face up in a baking dish with 1/2" of water.
Dusted the squash with salt and pepper and then added a pat of butter to the centers. Covered the pan with foil and cooked it in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes.
Used the pressure cooker to make brown rice and French lentils cooked in chicken broth and seasoned with onion, thyme, pepper, a dash of cinnamon, and a little Bragg's liquid aminos. (Never used a pressure cooker? They seem scary but they're great once you get used to them!)
When the squash was done, I scooped the filling into the squash halves and topped with toasted slivered almonds.

So what do you like to make once it starts getting cold out?

Sewing: A chicken and egg situation

2010-10-12T22:04:00.003-04:00

I'm super excited right now because I decided to make a baby sling for my best friend from college. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl just a few weeks ago.

But the thing about sewing something from scratch is that the prep work always seems to take more time than the actual sewing. And it never seems like as much fun as the actual sewing. My beginner students in my patterns class are always amazed at how much work we do before we ever start sewing.

In this case, the ironing seemed to take forever. The reversible sling tutorial I'm using called for two and a half yards of two fabrics.

I decided to use this great cotton duvet cover that I had been saving because I loved the fabrics in it. I washed it, and then of course I had to iron it.

Have you ever tried ironing a duvet cover? At least this one was just a twin size and not a queen or a king!

Then I had to cut down the fabric so that it would be the right size. I don't know about you, but I don't have one of those fabulous oversized cutting tables like they do on Project Runway.

My solution is always to move the coffee table, roll back the area rug, vacuum the floor, and then lay out my fabric on the living room floor. Not exactly perfect, but it works.

And my favorite trick is to use canned goods as pattern weights to keep the fabric from shifting while I'm cutting. It's a simple and inexpensive solution--both good things in my book.

I'll let you know how the whole thing turns out. If I'm lucky, maybe my friend will send me a few pictures of the sling in action!

Be a vendor at GLAM Indie Craft Show in Gainesville!

2010-09-20T12:30:00.001-04:00

The Sassy Crafter at GLAM 2009

I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's already time to start thinking about the holidays -- holiday craft shows, that is! I know what you're saying -- you haven't even had a chance to overdose on Halloween candy yet, so why should you think about Christmas? It's because now is the time to apply for craft shows, including Gainesville's very own GLAM Indie Craft Show.

GLAM Indie Craft Show will take place on Sunday, Dec. 5 at the historic Thelma Boltin Center in the heart of downtown Gainesville. Last year’s event featured more than 30 local vendors selling upcycled wallets, handmade jewelry and accessories, men’s and ladies’ silk-screened T-shirts, funky home decor, hand-spun yarns, reflective cycling apparel, baby bibs, fitness hoops, amigurumi, and more.

If you make fresh and unique handmade items that are along these lines, we want to hear from you! You can apply online through the GLAM website. Just be sure to submit your application lickety split. Spaces fill quickly, and the application deadline is Saturday, Sept. 25.

So now you see why I was talking about Christmas? I just wanted to make sure that you wouldn't miss out on the fun of being a vendor at GLAM. So what are you waiting for? Go submit your application!

Selecting a sewing machine

2010-09-02T01:00:00.001-04:00

Sooner or later, any gal who gets excited about sewing will have a big decision to make: what kind of sewing machine should she buy? Since I teach sewing classes, I get asked this question a lot. And let me tell you, it's a tough question to answer without getting long-winded. But here's my response, in as few words as I could muster.

New or Used?

First, do you want a new or a used machine? Many sewing machine shops will carry gently used machines that customers trade in. These machines have been recently serviced and may come with a 30-day warranty. In many cases, older machines that were well-built in the first place will be more reliable and more affordable in the long run than an entry-level machine from your local big-box store.

You can also watch Craigslist, yard sales, and thrift stores for used machines, though you should be aware that some may require a little professional help if they're not performing at their best. A tune-up will typically set you back about $50-$100. I have several used machines that I let students use in class -- a modern entry-level Janome, a Brother from the 1980s, and Brother, Singer and Elna machines from the 1950s. I picked up all but one of them at yard sales and thrift stores. And yes, all of them still sew like a dream.

As for new machines, I'm not a big fan of the ones that cost around $100 at Wal-Mart, Jo-Ann, or other big box stores. Most of the time, they're pretty clunky in how they operate, which makes for a less-than-enjoyable sewing experience. And a huge part of sewing is that we don't want to be stressed out while we're doing it, right? We sew because we want a fun, creative break from all of the other obligations in our lives. These machines are usually made with plastic parts inside, meaning that they generally will not hold up well over time. Of course if you're on a tight budget, they're definitely better than nothing.

But if you're able to spend a little more now, chances are that you'll end up with a machine that will last for years and years with minimal upkeep. For example, I'm still using the sewing machine I bought in 1994 for $450 and it still runs great. It's a Husqvarna Viking and I have absolutely loved it. Other people I know swear by Bernina machines. And Janome definitely seems to be an up and coming brand that has some good quality, affordable machines.

Features

It can be tempting to buy fancy machines with lots of stitches. However, I have to tell you that as much as I sew, I primarily use only two stitches -- the straight stitch and the zig-zag stitch. It's kind of like how car dealers always brag about how many cupholders a car has, but after you buy the car you realize that you only use one of them. If you think that you'll want to use your machine to hem pants or skirts, then a blind hemming stitch would also be helpful for you. And many machines offer special stretch stitches that work well with knit fabrics like lycra and cotton jersey.

Need more info?

I hope that this post has answered at least some of your questions about buying your first sewing machine. If you're looking for other opinions, plenty of other sites have covered this topic, including Sew, Mama, Sew, Prudent Baby, and CraftStylish, among others.

And if you're an experienced sewist, feel free to leave a comment if you feel I left anything out or if you have any other advice for budding sewers.

Happy sewing!

--------------------

Addendum: I didn't mention it in the original post, but visiting a local sewing machine dealer can be incredibly helpful. The sales staff can help guide you to a machine that will suit both your needs and your budget, and you can test-drive any machine to see how it feels for you personally. If you buy a machine from a dealer, the machine will come with a warranty and you also typically get a free lesson on how to use it. And your dealer will be able to help you down the road if you ever decide to buy additional accessories like a ruffler or rolled hem foot (both of which can be helpful for some projects).

Vintage find

2010-08-31T01:16:00.000-04:00

1959 Elna sewing machine

It's no secret that I have a weakness for vintage sewing machines. I already own several, including a 1958 Brother that bears the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. So did I need this 1959 Elna that I stumbled on at a yard sale last weekend?

At $15, the price was right. But did I really need it? Perhaps not. But this one was special, and I decided I had to have it.

Know why?

Look carefully to see what's different about this machine, namely what's missing. That's right! There's no foot pedal! Instead, it has a handy knee lever that you nudge to the right when you want to sew. I've heard these are great for preventing foot fatigue and that they're standard on many professional machines. My friend Jen says that they're also great for teaching kids to sew, since kids usually don't have feet that can reach the floor.

It even has a handy carrying case! And I'm happy to report that it sews beautifully. It's so wonderful to me that something that's 50 years old is still in such good condition and is so amazingly functional.

The scallop stitch was one of my favorites. And here's a close-up of the area where you insert the cartridges to get the different decorative stitches. Kinda cool, eh?

So did anyone in your family ever have a machine like this?

Jewelry organization

2010-08-02T22:33:00.000-04:00

I've been searching for a good way to organize my jewelry. Not surprisingly, I'm on the hunt for something that's a little unconventional.

In the past I used this tiered tray that I created out of some upcycled plates and glasses, but last year I decided I needed it for my booth displays at GLAM and Atomic Holiday Bazaar.

Since then, I've been using a silverware organizer. It's not bad, but my necklaces keep getting tangled.

I'm thinking this nuts and bolts organizer that was featured on Apartment Therapy would be just the ticket. Everything would still be relatively visible and easy to get to, but it would still be tidy.

What about you? Do you have a unique solution for keeping your jewelry organized?

How to truss a chicken, MacGyver style

2010-07-28T23:11:00.001-04:00

Roasted paprika chicken

Every year, I like to add at least one new cooking technique to my repertoire. A few years ago I attempted my first gumbo and have been perfecting the art of making roux ever since. Last year, I went on a deep frying kick. I tried my hand at frying a whole chicken from scratch, and made homemade oyster po-boys.

Last week I decided to roast a whole chicken. I hadn't really planned on it. But when I went grocery shopping, I somehow ended up with a whole chicken in my shopping cart. Mainly, it was because I was disgusted that chicken breasts were something like $7 per pound, while whole chickens were only $2 or so per pound.

Once I got the bird home, I looked to the trusty interwebs for help. I remembered seeing a clip of Jacques Pepin trussing and roasting a whole chicken on an episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. I couldn't find that exact clip, but I did find this one. And then I found this recipe for roasted paprika chicken, courtesy of Martha Stewart. (Bonus: It calls for a cast-iron skillet!)

But there was one problem. I didn't have any cotton butcher's twine for the trussing. So what did I use? I'll give you a hint--it's normally found in the first aid cabinet.

That's right! I used a roll of cotton gauze. Not bad for a little Martha meets MacGyver, eh? I can't take full credit though, since my boyfriend's the one who came up with the idea.

As for the chicken, it turned out delicious and was super easy. I even whipped up some homemade stock using the giblets and then made gravy from scratch. Yum! We had enough chicken for dinner that night, lunch the next day, and a few additional nibbles. Not bad considering that the whole chicken cost less than I would've spent on two chicken breasts.

Note: If you don't like the idea of the chicken sitting in its own grease while it cooks, my friend Jen of Scurrilous Tosh offers this tip--just put a few stalks of celery or carrot under the bird to act as a roasting rack. Thanks, Jen!

DIY bobbin organizer

2010-07-15T17:38:00.003-04:00

Tidy bobbins

Don't you just hate it when your sewing machine bobbins end up in a tangled mess? I have a bobbin organizer that I love (the grey one in the photo), but I felt like it was a little pricey. Rather than buying more, I decided to craft my own.

By using tubing from the hardware store, I was able to create a similar organizer for a fraction of the cost. The only essential tool is a sharp utility knife, though a pipe cutter is helpful for making uniform cuts at the ends. It's also a good idea to work on a self-healing cutting mat or other surface that won't be damaged by the utility knife in case it slips.

Here's how to make your own:

Head to the plumbing section of the hardware store and purchase some clear vinyl tubing that is marked 1" OD (outer diameter) x 3/4" ID (inner diameter). Usually this tubing costs $1-2 per foot.
I bought a three-foot section and then we cut it into 6-inch sections. This way I ended up with six compact bobbin organizers that would easily fit in my thread storage box. We used a ratcheting pipe cutter to get an even cut on the end of the tubing, but you can also use a utility knife.
You'll need to create an opening where you can insert the bobbins. By doing so, you'll also get rid of the ugly writing that comes pre-printed on the tubing. Start by using a permanent marker to draw two guide lines lengthwise down the tubing, about 1/4" apart and on either sides of the text.
Use a utility knife to cut all the way through the tubing along one of the lines you drew. Be certain that that you have a secure grip on the tubing and that your fingers aren't in the path of the blade. Safety first!
Next, cut through the tubing along the second line. You'll end up with a long, skinny piece of tubing that you can discard.
That's it! All you need to do now is insert your bobbins and enjoy a blissful, tanglefree collection of bobbins.

One of the best things about this project is that it will work with any size bobbin. The sidewalls of this particular tubing seem to have just the right amount of give. And because the tubing is transparent, it's easy to see what color bobbins you already have wound. But best of all, you can put an end to those annoying bird nests of jumbled bobbins rattling around in your sewing box.

A big thanks goes out to my boyfriend -- he did all the manual labor on this project while I stood next to him making sure that the pictures were framed the way I wanted them to be. Thanks, Babe!

Inspiration everywhere

2010-07-14T20:58:00.002-04:00

Okra
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Tonight I decided to make a chicken curry with okra from our garden at the office. While I was slicing the okra, I was struck by how beautiful it is. I just loved the elegant geometry between the different sections of the pod. It reminded me a little bit of how quilled paper sculptures look, and it also seemed like an interesting pattern to mimic with a few narrow pieces of felt. I might have to try that as an embellishment on one of my felted sweater purses!

Retooled table

2010-07-13T18:50:00.002-04:00

I just discovered a new site called The CSI Project: create...show...inspire. Every week they feature a challenge to get your creative juices flowing. This week's challenge is Yard Sale Makeovers, so naturally I felt like I had to post a makeover of my own!

This is a boring old end table that I bought at a flea market and transformed into the colorful table you see here. I had always wanted to create a table that incorporated a game board. Amazingly, the vintage Chinese checkers board that I had was a perfect fit on the top of the table! I decided not to attach the board permanently to the table, because I wanted to have the option of flipping it over and enjoying both sides of the board. I did have a piece of glass cut to fit the inside of the wooden frame so that the board would be protected.

And can I just tell you how much I love the way the finish turned out? It looks a lot like milk paint, even though I used regular acrylic housepaint. I put on a base coat of yellow followed by a coat of red, with a little bit of sanding to grunge it up. I think the magic happened when I rubbed some brown and black shoepolish over the whole thing to give it that aged look. Vintage perfection!

I don't have any before photos of the table, but trust me when I say that the table was pretty blah. A previous owner had stripped it completely, and it had obviously been sitting around naked for awhile at the flea market (never a proper thing to do) and had turned a dull gray as the wood cracked and dried out.

If you're thinking that you've got a great yard sale transformation to share, be stop by The CSI Project website before noon on Thursday to learn how YOU can join in the fun!

Finding time, revisited

2010-06-03T12:47:00.002-04:00

Atomic eggbeater clock
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

So it's finally summer. Back when I was in school, this meant there would be months of uninterrupted time to do things like devour books, make mud pies down by the creek, and chase lightning bugs at dusk. It was a blissful time that seemed boundless, save the eventual return to school in September. I'm not sure I realized then what a good deal I had!

These days it seems like it's harder and harder to find time for all of the things I want to do, including blog. Apparently I'm not alone. Sarah over at Makery wrote about this topic recently. She had some good tips about the usual obstacles that seem to prevent us from finding the time, so be sure to stop by and read them .

She nailed my main problem: "Trying to write a quality post and publish it on the same day is draining." For little posts like this one, it's not such a big deal. But for posts like tutorials that require a little more thought, this is huge. Right now I've got a big post in the works and I'm trying to use the strategy of pecking away at it bit by bit. Sure, it doesn't give the same kind of instant gratification of knowing I cranked out a post in a day, but in the long run I know that both me and the final product will be in a better state. So I'll continue pecking.

On a happy note, I celebrated a birthday this weekend! My boyfriend was such a sweetie and got me a beautiful old vintage quilt and several art books that I can't wait to dive into . . . once I find the time of course! One is Printing by Hand by Lena Corwin, which I think will be incredibly inspirational. Has anyone else read this one or used any of the techniques she describes?

Okay, back to the pecking!

Summer sewing and craft classes in Gainesville

2010-05-11T22:27:00.007-04:00

Reversible apron

I finally have the full schedule of sewing and craft workshops that I'll be teaching this summer in Gainesville. I'm excited to say that I'm offering several brand new classes, including a few with a special summer twist. Scroll down for all of the details.

Sewing classes
These classes are offered through UF but anyone in the community can register for them. If you're interested in a class, you'll need to register in advance via the UF Leisure Course website.

Sewing: Learn to Use a Sewing Machine
one three-hour class; offered twice this semester
Reitz Union, Room 283
Saturday, June 5 from 9am-noon (Course #8750)
OR
Saturday, July 10 from 9am-noon (Course #8752)
This crash course will take the mystery out of sewing and get you comfortable with using a sewing machine. I'll teach you the basics of threading a machine, winding a bobbin, straight stitching, back stitching, zig-zag stitching and other key topics. You'll even leave with a finished project! Bring your own sewing machine, manual, and bobbins, as well as a pair of sharp scissors. Don’t own a sewing machine? Use one of mine for an additional lab fee of $15. You MUST email me in advance if you wish to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students will pay a lab fee of $10 in cash to cover the cost of handouts and materials. For information about additional course fees or to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site.

Sewing: Learn to Work with Patterns
one 4-hour class; offered twice this semester
Reitz Union, Room 283
Saturday, June 5 from 1-5pm (Course #8751)
OR
Saturday, July 10 from 1-5pm (Course #8753)
Know how to use a sewing machine but still want to learn how to work with patterns? This class will teach you the basics of working with commercial patterns, whether you want to make clothes, crafts, or other fun things. I'll guide you through making a pair of simple pajama pants. Bring a sewing machine, manual, and an extra bobbin. Or if you don’t own a machine, use one mine for an additional lab fee of $15. You MUST email me in advance if you wish to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students must bring a pair of sharp scissors and pay a lab fee of $25 in cash to the instructor (cost of pattern, fabric, elastic, and coordinating thread). For information about course fees or to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site. Can be taken back-to-back with "Sewing: Learn to Use a Sewing Machine."

Sewing: Make a Zippered Bag
one 3-hour course
Reitz Union, Room 283
Saturday, June 12, 9am-noon (Course #8755)
In this class, we'll learn how to use a zipper foot to create a zippered bag that's perfect for holding pencils, makeup, sewing supplies, or other small items. These bags also make great gifts! Students should understand the basics of using a sewing machine and bring their sewing machine, manual, zipper foot, and bobbins, as well as a pair of sharp scissors. All students will pay a lab fee of $10 in cash to the instructor to cover the cost of handouts, all materials, and the use of irons in class. For information about course fees or to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site.

Sewing: Refashion Your Wardrobe
one 3-hour class
Reitz Union, Room 283
Saturday, June 12, 1-4pm (Course #8756)
Tired of what’s in your closet? In this class, we’ll take a basic top from your existing wardrobe and transform it using fabric paint, trim, embroidery, beadwork, and other effects (example: http://bit.ly/4zIEbt). The final product will make you look like you stepped out of the pages of a designer fashion catalog! Students must bring a top (long or short-sleeved, preferably a knit pullover style) and $10 lab fee payable in cash to the instructor to cover the cost of materials. For information about course fees or to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site.

Sewing: Make an Apron new!
two 3-hour classes
Reitz Union, Room 283
Saturday, July 17 and Saturday, July 24 from 9am-noon (Course #8757)

In this class, we'll sew a reversible apron that will flatter any figure, thanks to its gathered bodice and fit-to-flare skirt. We'll be using the "Pretty Ditty Apron" pattern from Jamie Christina (example: http://bit.ly/aZPhRo). All students will pay a lab fee of $15 in cash to the instructor at the first class to cover the cost of patterns, elastic thread, handouts, and the use of irons. In the first class, we'll cut out patterns and discuss materials, so all you need to bring is a pair of scissors suitable for cutting paper. Then in the second class, we'll sew the aprons. Students must bring their own fabric, thread, and sewing machine to the second class. All students should already understand how to use a sewing machine. For information on course fees or to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site.

Sewing: Make a Shirred Summer Dress new!
three 3-hour classes
Reitz Union, Room 283
Saturday, July 17, Saturday, July 24, and Saturday, July 31 from 1pm-4pm (Course #8756)
In this class, we'll make a shirred, A-line sundress that's perfect for the beach or the first Gator gameday. We'll be working with the "Honey Girl Dress" pattern from Jamie Christina (example: http://bit.ly/b9KQBj) and will learn how to use elastic thread to create a shirred elastic bodice that will fit any body type. All students will pay a lab fee of $15 in cash to the instructor at the first class to cover the cost of patterns, elastic thread, handouts, and the use of irons. In the first class, we'll cut out patterns, discuss materials, and wind elastic thread onto bobbins. Students should bring a pair of paper-cutting scissors and three empty bobbins to the first class. Then in the second and third classes, we'll construct the dress. Students must bring their own sewing machine, fabric, and thread to the second and third classes. All students should already understand the basics of using a sewing machine. For information on fees or to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site.

Craft workshops
I offer these workshops through the Alachua County Library District, and they're all free and open to the public. Usually we have plenty of space for everyone who shows up, but occasionally workshops are limited to a certain number of people. If there's a particular workshop you want to attend, you can call the library for more information or just show up a little early to guarantee yourself a spot.

Make a Splash!: Flotsam Bottle Cap Pendants
one 1-hour class
Tower Road Branch Library
Saturday, June 26 from 11am-noon
Don't throw away those metal bottle caps, repurpose them! First we'll create mini-collages in the bottle caps using seashells, paper, foil, glitter, yarn, and small 3D elements. Then I'll take the bottle caps home and fill them with clear resin to seal the collages and add a dimensional effect. All materials will be provided, but you may also want to bring your own beachcombed objects. The finished bottle caps will be ready to pick up at the library a few days after the program is over. Examples: http://bit.ly/9nGQOZ

Making Mini-Notebooks Using Recycled Materials
Millhopper Branch Library on Tuesday, June 22 from 6:30-8:30pm
OR
Micanopy Branch Library on Sunday, July 25 from 2pm-3pm
In this workshop, we'll use discarded product packaging and recycled paper to create fun mini-notebooks (example: http://bit.ly/bDS1L2. These notebooks are the perfect place to write down your favorite memories from a summer trip to the beach. Or just use them to keep track of what's next on your to-do list. I'll provide all materials, though it would be helpful to bring your own pair of scissors and any favorite collage papers.

The Decorated Page
one 2-hour class
Tower Road Branch Library, Thursday, August 5 from 6:30-8:30pm
In this program, we'll recycle old books and make something new. Refurbish pages and covers with cool artwork and paper to make a journal, scrapbook, or day planner of your choice. I'll bring scissors, glue, old books and collage paper, but feel free to bring your own collage papers and old books for altering.

ART in ATL

2010-05-10T14:19:00.002-04:00

Public art in the Atlanta airport
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

We're on our way back from a trip to the Pacific Northwest. We saw lots of cool gardens, and I also made a few creative detours that I'll blog about soon. For now, I wanted to share a few photos of the great art that we stumbled across on our outbound layover in the Atlanta airport.

This shadowbox is the one that first caught my eye. It had a definite Joseph Cornell feel and incorporated two of my favorite materials -- maps and bowling trophies. So cool.

As I looked around, I realized that gate had a number of other pieces by the same artist. I didn't see any information on the artist at the gate, but a Google search revealed that it was the work of Vicki Ragan.

Executive chef apron tutorial

2010-05-02T12:43:00.000-04:00

The executive chef apron that I sent off last July is now appearing in the Summer 2010 issue of Altered Couture magazine. Here are the details on how to make your own.

Start with an old men's dress shirt, either from a thrift store or from the back of the closet. Make sure it is clean and freshly pressed. Also choose two neckties that coordinate with the shirt, which you'll use later as the waistband and apron strings.
Slip the shirt onto a dress form and begin shaping the apron bodice. Use a dissappearing ink marker to outline the edge of the bodice and back yoke. If you'd like a tailored fit, also mark two bust darts. Also draw a line to represent where you would like the waistline to fall. Cut out the bodice, leaving a ¼-inch seam allowance along the sides and back yoke and a ½-inch seam allowance along the waist.
Sew the bust darts first. Then use bias tape to finish the raw edges along the sides and back of the bodice. Stay-stitch the waistband using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Take the bottom half of the original shirt and cut it open along the center back. Run a long basting stitch along the top edge of this piece and gather it to form the apron skirt. Top-stitch to secure the gathers. Then use double-fold bias tape to attach the bodice to the skirt.
Whipstitch the two neckties together at their widest points and hand then sew them along the waistline of the apron. Tuck a monogrammed handkerchief in the boday and you're set!

Now I'm off for a vacation in the Pacific Northwest. I'm excited because we'll be visiting a number of beautiful gardens, but I'm also going to carve out some time for some crafty adventures. Should be fun!

Craft fail

2010-04-27T00:27:00.003-04:00

Ever have those craft projects that just don't turn out the way you planned? You know, the kind of project that you might feel like posting over at Craft Fail?

I recently spent two days trying my damnedest to fuse plastic bags together. I had seen the technique featured on countless blogs and websites, and it seemed like a great eco-friendly project that I could use in a workshop this summer. Plus it sounded so easy.

But for the life of me, I just couldn't get the technique to work reliably. I tried different irons and different iron temperatures. Fail. I tried keeping the iron in one place instead of moving it around. Fail. I tried ten seconds, twenty seconds, and then thirty seconds. Fail. No matter how methodical I was, nothing produced reliable results.

It was hard for me to give up on the idea, in part because I had really wanted to use this technique in the workshop. But I also had a hard time because I felt like I had personally failed.

Maybe I need to take the advice of Kim Werker and Sadie Stein and stop judging myself. Apparently I'm not the only one guilty of this, which is both comforting and sad. Why do we do this to ourselves? I mean, I'm certainly not a failure just because I couldn't get a certain technique to work for me. But that's not how I felt when I was standing over the thirty-seventh plastic bag eviscerated on my ironing board.

Thankfully, I finally decided to put down the iron and come up with a new theme for the workshop. I think it will end up being a good one. And speaking of new workshops, I'll be posting all of my summer workshops soon, so be sure to check back here or over on Facebook.

Soft focus

2010-04-06T07:52:00.001-04:00

Sunrise on Paynes Prairie
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I spent some time a few weeks back thinking about artistic vision. In 200 words or less, I needed to convey my own vision and convince the folks at Alabama Chanin that I was worthy of a scholarship for their weekend workshop in May. I ultimately wasn't awarded a scholarship, but I feel like I gained some helpful insight in the process.

What I began to realize is that one of the gifts that artists share is that they see the world in soft focus. We can look at an item and see it not for what it is, but for what it can become. For example, I see the hidden beauty in old things. I look at old sweaters and see them not as moth-riddled garments, but as the perfect fabric for creating sculptural handbags and accessories.

I think that it's also important for we artists to use our soft focus throughout the creative process, and not just during the inspiration phase. Sometimes we start a project with the best of intentions, feeling that we have a clear vision for the final product. But then for some reason, we get stuck and the project stalls. Before we know it, months have passed and the project is still sitting there unfinished on our studio work table (or our dining room table, as the case may be).

Try applying your soft focus to a stuck project. Squint at it. Turn it upside down. Cut it up and turn it into something entirely different. The important thing is to do whatever it takes to see it in a new light. Then you'll be able to see it not for what it is (a stuck project), but for what it can become.

Etsy Virtual Labs

2010-04-02T01:30:00.001-04:00

I tuned in tonight for a panel discussion in the Etsy Virtual Labs that featured Kari Chapin, author of the new book "The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online." The other panelists were Jen Judd-McGee of Swallowfield, Betsy from BetsyAndIya, Liz Smith of MadeInLowell, and the eponymous Kim Werker.

The panelists raised a ton of good points over the course of the 1.5-hour session. I was frantically trying to soak it all in, which wasn't easy since the audio was a bit flaky at times. My notes say things like:

+ be authentic
+ don't underprice
+ value your time
+ have clear policies
+ give a glimpse into your process

I've heard a number of these ideas before from craft business blogs like CraftyPod. But I have to say that hearing these dynamic women deliver the message firsthand somehow made a much deeper impression on me. I loved hearing them tell their personal stories of mistakes made along to way because it made me feel like maybe I'm not doing so bad after all.

And can I just say how awesome they all were? I want them all to be my new crafty BFFs! I was particularly in love with Kim, who urged us to stop beating ourselves up over our unfinished projects, something that I know I do all the damn time. And Kari was so amazingly put together and really seemed to understand the ideas and best practices behind crafting as a business. I wish I had as much strength of conviction as she does! Interestingly, I found out she's from Northampton, MA, and am now wondering if she might have also gone to Smith. I might have to do some sleuthing.

At any rate, don't forget to check out the upcoming sessions in the Etsy Virtual Labs. They're offering a "Quit Your Day Job" segment, a shop critique, and even a session for newbies!

UFO Lamp

2010-03-26T09:34:00.002-04:00

UFO Lamp
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

A little while back I made this UFO lamp for the "Retro" challenge at "So You Think You're Crafty." Now it's featured on Apartment Therapy's site OhDeeDoh.com. Yay!

I think it would be perfect for a little boy's room. And the best part is that it's made from simple materials -- plastic lanyard lacing and stainless steel vegetable steamers.

The clock is listed in my Etsy shop, so feel free to swing by if you'd like to see more pictures or get more information about it.

Etsy finds -- goodbye gray!

2010-03-24T08:21:00.000-04:00

No matter how you spell it -- gray or grey -- I think most of us are tired of the gray of winter. Thankfully, spring seems to be arriving here in my neck of the woods, so I thought a "goodbye gray" theme would work well for this week's Etsy finds. But even if we're tired of winter, we ought to remember that gray is a lovely color for fashion. I especially love contrasting it with raspberry colored items. So yummy!

First, let's look at this romantic wrap top from Lirola. I've been on a cotton jersey kick recently, so this one's a natural pick. I just adore the ruffles -- so feminine. Speaking of ruffles, the neckline on her secret garden dress is decked out with beautiful ruffles. And if gray isn't your thing, she offers all her items in a range of other fabric colors.

I liked this strap wrap chameleon shrug from malam for its deep, steel gray and for its versatility. If you click through to the listing, you can see that the model is wearing it several different ways. Very cute.

And here's another versatile top, the tattoo inspired Kiku flower wrap from namu. It can be worn as a wrap top or as an open cardigan with the longer sides hanging down.

And finally, here's a unique wrap skirt that's made out of a sweatshirt by RebeccasArtCloset. She uses felted sweaters for a lot of her applique work (like in this top), so naturally I wanted to feature her.

That's all for this week!

Etsy finds -- Anthropologie-inspired items

2010-03-16T17:01:00.005-04:00

It's no secret that I am in love with Anthropologie -- their products, their catalog layouts, and their stores. Any time I'm within a 100-mile radius of an Anthropologie store, I'm like a moth to a flame. So it's not probably surprising that I'm electing to do an Anthropologie-inspired Etsy Finds Wednesday. The best part is that the items I'm featuring are easier on the wallet than a trip to Anthro, and they're all made by independent crafters!

This red robin embellished tee is from LizzyBrookes. I love the way she pieced together the bits of fabric and appliqued them to the top -- to me, they're reminiscent of an old Victorian crazy quilt. She has a number of darling tops in her Etsy shop, as well as some rosette bib necklaces. Is anyone else noticing how popular roses are these days? Seems like they're everywhere!

This flea market knit tunic by gardenhouseboutique is what prompted this entire post. I found her photo on Flickr in the I Love Anthropologie group. I'm a fan of deep V-necks and textural embellishment on clothing, so naturally I clicked through to her blog and Etsy shop to learn more. I discovered that she has some really cute embellished hoodies, too.

And what was I saying about roses? This Join the Navy Necklace by All Things Tinsel has beautiful blue rosettes alongside gold chain, giving it a distinct nautical look. And, it looks like it's straight off of the Anthropologie jewelry racks.

P.S. For more inspiring photos direct from the folks at Anthropologie, visit them on Flickr.

Let the ideas spring forth

2010-03-11T00:42:00.006-05:00

Pillowcase skirt
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Spring has finally arrived. I could feel a hint of it in the air yesterday, and when I let the dogs out this morning I knew that it was here. The light had that soft springtime glow, the birds were singing, and it was ever so slightly warmer.

I don't know about you, but I've always loved spring. When I was up north for college, spring was my favorite season because it marked an end to the long and gray winter. As soon as the mercury crept above 50°, my friends and I would put on our shorts and head outside to "study" on the lawn. More often than not, our books got set aside and we'd just lay there daydreaming about what life might have in store for us after we graduated.

Spring here in Florida isn't as dramatic, but it's still really beautiful. I celebrated today by pulling out my new springtime skirt that I made for the under $5 challenge in "So You Think You're Crafty." And I also spent a little time reflecting on what might grow and bloom in my world this spring.

Along these lines, I've been making a committed effort to be a better blogger. What does that mean? I've definitely been posting more regularly, which I think is a good start. But I know that quantity isn't everything. Quality matters. Connecting with readers matters. But what else should I be thinking about?

It just so happened that Sister Diane was offering a related (and free!) online class today called "The Crucial Element of a Strong Online Personality." I stopped by, read as much as I could, and realized a few things.

Blog mistake #1: Head over heart
I've probably been putting too much emphasis on trying to be informative and haven't been allowing enough of "me" to come through in my posts. Yes, providing useful information can help your blog be "high value," as Diane puts it. But I definitely think my posts need more passion. It's funny because I'm actually very passionate about the crafty stuff that I do. I mean, why else would I do things like spend 7+ hours hand sewing a necklace? There's gotta be passion in there somewhere! I just need it to come out in my posts like it does when I'm crafting at home or out teaching workshops.

Blog mistake #2: Thinking too hard
Several people in the class commented that one of the hard parts of blogging is that you constantly have to come up with blog topics. I have to say, this isn't something I've ever experienced. In fact, I have the opposite problem. I feel like I have a ton of great ideas but they all just seem to tumble around in my head instead of finding their way into posts. I think that rather than figure out what might be the "best" topic to blog about at any given point, I need to just go with what I'm feeling for that day. And along those lines, I need to realize that it's okay to post something that might still be a little rough around the edges, or to post something short and sweet. They certainly don't all have to be as long as this post is shaping up to be! The bottom line is that I just need to keep posting.

Blog mistake #3: Skip topics that other bloggers already covered
Let's say you really like to make things out of recycled wool sweaters. But over the past few years, a number of bloggers have been posting tutorials on how to work with felted sweaters. Does this mean that you shouldn't put up your own felted sweater tutorial? Absolutely not. Sister Diane reminded us that each of us has a unique voice, and our voices will connect with unique individuals out there in the blogosphere who want to hear what we have to say. It made me realize that I need to finish that coptic binding tutorial that I put on the back burner a few weeks ago. I really believe that it has a good shot at being the kind of high-value tutorial that Diane encourages, because there's nothing out there right now that's like what I want to do.

So what about you? If you write your own blog, what sort of roadblocks and opportunities for growth have you encountered? How have you gotten past them? And if you're reading other people's blogs, what sorts of things do you savor?

And getting back to the topic of spring, don't miss Scoutie Girl's blog post that includes a roundup of how different craft bloggers see spring. It's especially fun for the Northern gals to get a glimpse of what's already blooming here in the South!

New Etsy listings and workshops

2010-03-01T11:50:00.012-05:00

Bib necklace inspired by Alabama Chanin
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I have a few updates to share with everyone. First, I'm no longer a contestant in "So You Think You're Crafty." Sadly, my UFO lamp didn't garner enough votes for me to make it through the "Retro" challenge.

It's been a lot of fun though. If you have the time, please keep tuning in and voting for your favorites. I know that the remaining crafters would definitely appreciate it. And speaking of appreciation, thanks so very much to all of YOU who voted for ME in the past few weeks!

As an eternal optimist, I'm trying to look at my elimination as a good thing. After all, not being in the contest any longer means that I have more time on my hands for other things. The first thing I tackled was taking some photos and adding new items to my Etsy shop. I added a few souvenir clocks, and I even listed the bib necklace that I created for the "Alabama Studio Style" contest (pictured here). It was a tough call because I literally spent hours sewing this thing. Here's a shot of me getting started on the project on the flight up to see my sister. (You might recognize that pin cushion from my audition round at SYTYC.)

I received such a positive response from people on Facebook and Flickr (thanks, y'all!), that I figured I'd offer it for sale and see what happens with it.

Speaking of the "Alabama Studio Style" contest, if you're a BurdaStyle member then please consider voting for my project. I'd really appreciate it! The winners receive a host of cool prizes, including a weekend workshop at Natalie Chanin's studio. You can vote for it here. Thanks!

This week I'm also going to come up with some new workshop ideas to pitch to the Alachua County Library system. I try to do workshops that use cheap or free materials and that are suited for a range of age groups. Any suggestions for new workshops?

And speaking of workshops, I'm offering two free ones next week:

"Sewing Hip Accessories from Recycled Sweaters," Micanopy Branch Library on Sunday, March 7 from 2pm to 4pm
"Creating Cool Pendants from Recycled Bottle Caps," Millhopper Branch Library on Tuesday, March 9 from 6pm to 8pm

Hope to see you there!

Etsy finds -- burp cloths

2010-02-24T08:29:00.005-05:00

I've spent the last several days visiting with my beautiful new nephews. I helped out with a number of feedings and diaper changes. Even though I got peed on, thrown up on, and wailed at, I completely fell in love with them. They are absolute angels! My sister and her husband are so very blessed. I found that I could sit for hours just watching their little faces -- they have so many different expressions already. And it seemed like every day they looked a little different. I swear that the smaller twin put on a little weight in the short time I was there. It really is amazing how quickly they seem to change.

Given the week's activities, I couldn't resist picking burp cloths for this week's Etsy finds Wednesday. As someone who ended up with spit-up all down her back after a burping session, I can't stress enough how important a good burp cloth can be!

My sister had a few burp cloths from Orange Peel Baby, much like these burp cloths. They are made from super absorbent cloth diapers with a stripe of cute fabric running down the middle. These cloths have stripes of minky and Amy Butler fabrics. If you want to look good while burping babies, this is the way to do it!

But maybe you prefer silly over sophisticated. If that's the case, check out this darling sock monkey baby set from doodlesprouts. It includes three burp cloths, a lap blanket, and a little hat. Too cute! And I really like that she encourages folks to find a good use for her products after baby outgrows them.

Did I mention that sets make great shower gifts? This rocket ship set from More Cookies Please would be a great gift for a little boy. I also love the cute soft blocks that she has in her shop. The little ribbon tags are perfect for little hands to grab.

As I quickly found out this week, it's important for burp cloths to be absorbent. This cotton chenille burp cloth from DancingKat definitely fits the bill. And the brightly colored zoo animals are just darling.

Finally, any post of mine wouldn't be complete without a repurposed item. TotRags makes terry cloth burp rags out of repurposed hand towels. So clever! She also donates $1 from every sale to cancer research. How can you not love an Etsy seller who does that?

SYTYC Week 4 -- "Retro"

2010-02-22T23:26:00.005-05:00

Today marked the start of Week 3 over at So You Think You're Crafty. I was excited that the theme this week is "Retro," and am super pleased with what I came up with. It's also really cool to see how everyone came up with their own interpretation of the theme. Don't forget to cast your vote by Friday!

Week 3 wrapped up strong with Sarah's reusable lunch sandwich and snack bags garnering the most votes in the "Kitchen" challenge. You can check out her tutorial here. And did you guess which project was mine? I hope I didn't throw too many of you off with the description I wrote. I just thought that the towel would be great for folks with kids, even though I don't have kids of my own.

And speaking of both tutorials and kids, there's a good reason that I have yet to post my coptic binding tutorial. It's because I'm spending time visiting my sister, her husband, and my brand new twin nephews! They are incredibly adorable and I feel so lucky that I get to spend this time with them. And it's also nice to know that I'm able to help out my sister and her husband, since it sure is a lot of work raising twins!

I promise to post the tutorial soon, and in the meantime encourage you to head over to So You Think You're Crafty and check out the fabulous retro projects. See you soon!

Etsy finds -- Fleur de lis

2010-02-17T12:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all! Okay, so I'm a day late, but that's only because my Etsy finds posts always happen on Wednesdays. But that little technicality isn't going to stop me from bringing you a bevy of items that feature the fleur de lis.

In case you didn't know, the fleur de lis is a traditional symbol of New Orleans (which the NFL finally figured out after its recent trademark infringement witch hunt). I've rounded up some traditional and not-so traditional items for this week's Etsy roundup.

Fleur de lis T-shirts are pretty popular around New Orleans. It seems like every independent T-shirt designer has their own version. HappyFamily sells this oneon Etsy and also at Metro Three, a brick and mortar store in New Orleans.

(Speaking of T-shirt shops in New Orleans, don't miss Storyville Designs. They're not on Etsy, but they make great shirts. They're also one of the small businesses that the NFL threatened with a cease and desist letter, but don't get me started on that topic again.)

Here's something I wouldn't have initially associated with the fleur de lis, but this baby sling from Babyette looks very cool. I've heard that D-ring slings are great for moms who need to tote around babies or even toddlers. Anyone have any experience with these?

Paper wreaths made out of old books have recently surged in popularity in both the craft and design worlds. Here's a lovely fleur de lis inspired wreath, courtesy of White Serenade.

And finally, no second line parade on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans would be complete without a parasol. New Orleans Umbrella Company offers this ivory and gold parasol to suit your second line needs.

ICE Resin Blog Hop

2010-02-15T00:42:00.008-05:00

Today I'm taking part in a blog hop organized by the folks who produce ICE Resin. As you may recall, ICE Resin is my favorite resin product and it's the one I use in my bottle cap workshops. I thought I'd post a few images of the samples that I bring with me when I teach the workshops.

Keychain featuring vintage map and Kreinik metallic threads

Wine glass charm using found image and vintage seed beads

Pet tag featuring Kreinik metallic threads

Florida key chains I had at Atomic Holiday Bazaar

If you want more ICE Resin inspiration, don't miss the rest of the artists participating in the blog hop:

Molly Alexander http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com/

Ro Bhrun http://robruhn.blogspot.com/

Karen Burns http://web.me.com/vintagefindings/Vintage_Findings/Blog/Blog.html

Keecia Frazee Deveney http://www.lemoncholys.blogspot.com/

Mary Jane Dodd -- Mary Jane http://mairedodd.blogspot.com/

Melanie Earthenwood http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com

Shea Fragoso http://www.whathappensnext.typepad.com/

Kerin Gale http://remnantsofolde.com/posts/

Vickie Hallmark http://fiberartglass.blogspot.com/

Jess Italia Lincoln http://www.vintaj.com/wpblog/

Jill Liles http://livngoodjewelry.blogspot.com/

Heather Powers http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com/ and http://www.artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

Amy Purdes http://www.spritecreations.blogspot.com/

Jenny Barnett Rohrs http://www.crafttestdummies.com/

Stephanie Rubiano http://www.soigathered.typepad.com/

Lisa Sommerville http://www.lisasomerville.com

The Objects and Elements Design Team and the one and only Susan Lenart Kazmer are also taking part:

Jen cushman http://www.objectsandelements.typepad.com/jencushman/

Deryn Mentock http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/

Kristen Robinson http://kristenrobinson.typepad.com/

(In the interest of full disclosure, I did not receive any compensation or free product in exchange for this post. I'm just in love with the product and am happy to sing its praises for free!)

SYTYC -- Week 1 wrap-up and Week 2 "Under $5"

2010-02-08T09:53:00.008-05:00

What a busy weekend! The first week of "So You Think You're Crafty" wrapped up on Friday. The winner was Kalleen with her "Tag Wallet." You can read her tutorial here. I have to say, if I didn't vote for my own project I totally would have voted for hers. It reminded me of another project I'd seen made from old labels --this amazing smoking jacket that appeared on an episode of Antiques Roadshow.

Getting back to SYTYC, did you guess which project was mine? It was a little bit retro and a little bit modern, just like a lot of my projects. Did you guess yet? It was the creative journal made with aluminum covers and a coptic stitch binding. If you haven't ever had a coptic stitch journal, you're missing out. They're great because they lie totally flat when you open them, which is perfect for artsy types.

If you're interested in making your own coptic stitch journal, check back later for the tutorial I'll be posting. I had hoped to have it up by this morning but I was too wrapped up in the Super Bowl last night. I'm still pinching myself that the Saints won! Who Dat?!

In the meantime, swing on by the SYTYC site to check out the fun projects for Round 2 -- "Under $5." There are some pretty creative projects up there, and all of them are cheaper than a venti latte. I like that! As usual, you can vote using the poll in the right sidebar.

And the most exciting news of all is that my sister is delivering her babies today! Her official due date is next week but they decided to schedule her for a C-section for today. I guess the twins were ready to come out! On Saturday they got 24" of snow at their house, which is on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. She called the hospital yesterday and they said the roads are clear, so it sounds like everything's on track. So exciting! I'm still giddy that I'm going to be an aunt. I guess this gives me an excuse to get started on some cute baby crafts.

Etsy finds -- neck warmers

2010-02-03T12:00:00.004-05:00

It's still winter, and you know what that means -- it's still cold. I blogged about wrist warmers last week, and this week I'll be featuring neck warmers. I'm partial to these mini-scarves because they're enough to take the chill off on a brisk Florida morning (yes, it drops below freezing here!), but they're small enough to tuck in your bag if it warms up by afternoon.

Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to feature pink and red neck warmers. Keep in mind that if you're doing your own search on Etsy, you can also try searching for the term "scarflette."

This rolled rose scarflette from Cherished Vintage is right up my alley because it's made out of an upcycled felted sweater. I'm not normally a roses kind of gal, but I just love the sculptural look of these roses as they wrap around the neck.

The color on this New Orleans French berry scarf by Crochet Couture is so yummy that I could just about eat it! Plus it's cleverly designed -- you can wear it several ways.

And this vintage inspired ascot necktie by YarnCoture is sooooo classic. Can't you just see it with a belted trench coat and a cute pair of pumps? And yes, YarnCoture was also featured last week. Can I help it if she has so many cute things?

For a more modern look, try this tentacle wool knit cowl from bridget7187. I really dig the architectural shape of it, and it would easily dress up a simple knit top. I think I also like it because it reminds me of a fabulous cowl-neck sweater that my used to wear when I was a kid. I remember it being her special date-night sweater, and she always looked so pretty in it.

How darling is this felted wool owl scarflette by Rachel Herzog of TickleWorm? Of course I'm in love with it because: A) it's made out of an old sweater; and B) it has an owl on it. Sheesh. Am I that predictable? Don't miss the other cute items made from recycled sweaters that Rachel has for sale in her Etsy shop.

And finally, this "Love in Your Hands" scarf is made by Tatiana Agapcheva of TianaChe. She uses a wet felting technique to turn wool roving into amazing creations. I just love her peacock feather and strawberry fields neck warmers. Tatiana's work has been featured a number of times on Etsy's front page -- something I know I strive for!

Tune in next week for a quick how-to on making your own scarflette from -- what else -- an upcycled felted sweater!

SYTYC Week 1 -- "For You"

2010-02-02T00:05:00.005-05:00

The competition is underway! Ten fun and inspiring craft projects are now posted on "So You Think You're Crafty." And they're all sitting there waiting patiently for you. Yes, you! It's up to you to vote for your favorite projects. The results will determine which nine lucky crafters can move on to Round 2.

As you may recall, I was so excited to be selected as one of the competitors in Round 2 of SYTYC. I thought long and hard about what project would best fit the "For You" theme and would best represent me as a crafter. I'm hoping it's strong enough that you can pick it out of a lineup and vote for it. I'm dying to make it Week 2, since I already have a fabulous project cooked up.

So please, be sure to go vote! Just look for the "For You" poll in the right sidebar. Thanks!

Easy fingerless gloves tutorial

2010-02-01T07:00:00.005-05:00

As I said last week, I'm a big fan of fingerless gloves, sometimes called wrist warmers. They keep my hands nice and toasty even when it's freezing in my office.

There are a ton of great fingerless gloves for sale on Etsy, but I chose to make my own. I decide against knitting a pair since I'm a poor knitter -- I drop so many stitches it always looks like moths have already eaten holes in my pieces. Instead, opted to make a pair of fingerless gloves out of -- you guessed it -- an old wool sweater.

Old wool sweaters are a great raw material for crafters who are interested in making fun and unique accessories for themselves and their homes. Once felted, wool sweaters can be cut without the risk of unraveling.

(P.S. Sorry for the wonky color in the photos. Apparently the auto white balance on my camera wasn't cooperating.)

What you need:

wool or wool-blend sweater
washing machine
laundry detergent
scissors

What to do:

Stop by your favorite thrift store and pick up a sweater. You'll have best results with sweaters that are 100% natural fibers—100% wool, 100% merino, 100% cashmere, or blends of wool and other natural fibers like angora or alpaca. Sweaters that have nylon in them can pill during felting, although they don't always. Do not use sweaters that say they are machine washable. The yarn in these sweaters has been treated so that they can be machine washed, but the treatment prevents them from being feltable.
Fill your machine with enough hot water and leave room for the sweater to agitate. Add laundry detergent-—a little less than the recommended amount.—and an old towel or pair of jeans to help with the agitation. The hot water and detergent allow the kinky fibers of the wool to rub together and eventually interlock. Technically, this process is called fulling but many crafters use the term felting instead. Dry the sweaters in the dryer on medium or high.
Cut the sleeves off of the sweater.
Try on the cuffs and use a pin to mark where you would like the thumb holes to be. You don't have to cut thumb holes, but I've found that the gloves stay in place better with them.
Cut a dime-sized opening for each thumb hole. The openings will stretch a little as you wear the gloves, and you can always enlarge the openings later if you need to.
That's all! Now you can type to your heart's content without your fingers going numb.

Don't forget -- this is the first regular week of projects over at So You Think You're Crafty. I feel like I put together a project that really represents who I am as a crafter. I can't tell you which project is mine, but you might be able to guess. So please, stop by and vote!

Etsy finds -- fingerless gloves

2010-01-27T12:00:00.005-05:00

Do you ever have those Goldilocks moments when you're too hot or too cold? No, I'm not talking about THOSE hot/cold moments! I'm talking about the peril of working in an office where you're at the mercy of an out-of-control heating and cooling system.

I've found that the secret to surviving cold days is fingerless gloves. They keep my hands warm but still leave my fingers free to type. They're also great because many of my "long-sleeved" tops are actually 3/4-sleeve tops--too many years living in Florida, I guess!

Apparently, fingerless gloves are pretty popular right now--Nordstrom, Macy's, and Urban Outfitters are offering a few different styles. But why buy mass-produced goods from a department store when you can buy handmade? Here are a few of the styles that I fell in love with on Etsy. If you're doing your own search, you can also try using the terms "wrist warmers" or "arm warmers."

These ruffled beauties are from Rumstadt. I like them because they're brown (my favorite color), they're made from a buttery fleece, and they have a thumb section that helps hold them in place and keeps your thumbs warm.

Speaking of buttery, these olive green arm warmers from JohnLoz Design are knitted out of from merino wool and silk yarn. Heavenly! And I just love the contrasting trim.

Yarncoture offers a set of wrist warmers with even more frills. Check out their Victorian knit cuffs.

For a classic look, these cable-knit fingerless gloves from RainyDaye can't be beat.

Or if you prefer a little whimsy, why not try these little owl fingerless gloves from Homelab. I'm in love with these because they remind me of the owl potholders that my Grandma used to knit.

Has all this talk of fingerless gloves made you want to make your own pair? Check back here on Monday -- I'll be posting a quick and easy technique for making no-sew fingerless gloves!

Record journal tutorial

2010-01-25T00:01:00.005-05:00

Record journal
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

As promised, here's the tutorial for the record album journal that I made for the WGOT benefit concert. Remember, you can always click on the photos if you want to see larger images.

What you need:
+ Two old record album covers (save the records and make record bowls)
+ Craft knife
+ Paste
+ Old credit card
+ Straight edge
+ Aluminum duct tape
+ Scrap paper
+ Permanent marker
+ Japanese screw punch
+ Scrapbook paper stack
+ Needle
+ Ribbon

What to do:
1. Pick out two album covers. Cut open three sides of each album with the craft knife. Using an old credit card, spread paste evenly along the inside of each album cover. Then put a few heavy books on top until the paste dries.

2. Use a straight edge and a craft knife to cut the front cover into two pieces, with the smaller piece being 1 inch wide. Then use two pieces of aluminum duct tape (one front, one back) to join the two pieces into a hinged cover.

3. Use a piece of scrap paper to plot the layout of the holes, and then mark the holes on the cover using a marker. Drill the holes using the screw punch. Repeat with the back cover.

4. Use the template and the screw punch to drill through the scrapbook paper. I recommend using just 1/3 or 1/2 of the stack--otherwise you'll never get all the layers drilled. The gummed edge should be sufficient to hold all of the pages together while you're drilling.

5. Assemble the top cover, pages, and bottom cover and hold in place with two binder clips. Then thread the eye of a needle with ribbon and then lace through the holes. When finished, tie off.

6. That's all! Start jotting down your creative ideas in this unique journal.

It's official -- I'm crafty!

2010-01-22T12:00:00.007-05:00

Wow, it's been a busy week. First, I'm so excited to announce that I was selected as one of the crafters for Round 2 of So You Think You're Crafty!

What this means is that I'll hopefully be creating an entirely new project each week from now through the month of April. I say "hopefully" because it's all in the hands of the voters -- if my projects tally enough votes each week, then I'll advance to the next week's challenge. So please, don't forget to drop in at So You Think You're Crafty starting on Monday, February 1 to cast your vote.

As you can guess, I'll be crafting like crazy this week to get my project ready. But I'm also going to carve out some time to put together a tutorial for a record album journal/scrapbook (see photo). I'm donating this one for tomorrow night's WGOT 2nd Anniversary Party. They're going to have some great bands playing and they'll be giving away my journal/scrapbook as a raffle prize, along with other goodies from Boca Fiesta, Satchel's Pizza, No Idea Records, and The Atlantic. If you're in Gainesville, don't miss it.

And finally, today is the last day to vote in "So You Think You're Crafty" Round 1 finale between Dana and Ashley! They've both made some amazing projects throughout the competition, and this week is no exception. Stop on by and vote using the sidebar on the right side of the page.

Etsy finds -- men's wallet

2010-01-20T23:30:00.001-05:00

Before Christmas, I was on the hunt for the perfect wallet for my boyfriend. I had hoped to make one from scratch, but I was running out of time. I figured if I couldn't make one myself, the next best thing was to find a handmade wallet on Etsy. After sorting through a number of wallets that were schlock, I found RAGGEDedge Gear.

RAGGEDedge Gear is a mother and daughter team that makes wallets, bags, and other items out of sailcloth. I really liked their products because they seem both rugged and sophisticated at the same time. And the sailcloth was perfect because it evokes the feel of fiberglass and carbon fiber--two of those geeky materials that guys always like.

I ended up selecting a graphite-colored wallet for my boyfriend since I thought it would work in all settings. He loved it and immediately transferred the items from his old wallet. Yay! It seemed a wee bit stiff, but he's been carrying it for almost a month now and it's breaking in beautifully.

They also have neon orange, neon yellow, bright blue, and hot pink wallets available, if you prefer a livelier look. The wallets are available in both bifold and trifold styles and are super durable. And if they get dirty, just throw them in the dishwasher. Seriously.

RAGGEDedge Gear also makes cool padded laptop sleeves that are both waterproof and TSA-approved. I might need to send them the dimensions for my 17" PowerBook and have one custom made. They're way cooler than the sleeve I'm using now.

Suitcase coffee table

2010-01-17T22:37:00.002-05:00

Suitcase table
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Anyone can stack a few suitcases on top of each other to create an end table, but why not take a fresh approach that's both modern and utilitarian. By incorporating casters, you'll have a coffee table that can glide out of the way when you vacuum or can slide closer when you’re noshing on the couch. And hey, who couldn’t use the extra storage hidden inside the coffee table?

What you need:

Suitcase
Casters**
Wood scraps
Spray paint
Level
Heavy duty adhesive
Drill or screwdriver
Screws and washers

What to do:

Thrift stores often have lots of vintage suitcases. For this project, you’ll want one that’s hard-sided, large and boxy. You’ve seen ‘em – they’re the ones that you’d never be able to lift if they were packed full of stuff. If you can find a case that’s completely rectangular, you’re in great shape. Otherwise, you’ll have to make a few adjustments using the wood scraps.
Do a dry fit with the wood scraps, which serve a dual purpose of reinforcing the suitcase and making it horizontally level. I ended up using scraps from a 2x4 and a 1x4, but you’ll have to see what your particular suitcase needs. Ultimately, the blocks only need be 4” to 6” long to provide enough space to mount the casters.
Spray paint the scraps silver to match the casters.
Use screws and washers to attach the casters to the wood scraps. Be sure to select screws that won’t pierce through the back side of the wood.
Using a construction-type adhesive like Liquid Nails, glue the wood-caster combo to the bottom of the suitcase about 1.5” in from the sides. (I recommend glue, rather than screws, for attaching the wood-caster combo to the suitcase -- most old suitcases are made of some funky yet flimsy particleboard and the screws can compromise the strength of the particleboard.)

**Note: I suggest using casters that are at least 4” in diameter in order to get that modern, industrial-chic look. You can buy large casters at your local home store, but they’re usually pretty pricey. I recommend trolling the web instead (thank you eBay!). You’ll want to search for swivel caseters, keeping in mind that at least two should have brakes. That way you won’t constantly be chasing your new coffee table across the living room.

Etsy finds -- calendars

2010-01-13T11:56:00.010-05:00

I don't know about you, but I'm constantly finding cool things on Etsy. As part of my New Year's resolution to blog more often, I'm going to start featuring Etsy items every Wednesday. I picked a weekday so that you'll have something fun to look at while you're scanning blogs during your lunch hour at work (which is what I like to do).

Since it's now a new year, I've been looking at calendars. I've always loved picking out new calendars. The process gives me that same fresh feeling I used to get when I would stock up on school supplies each fall.

Here's the calendar I'm getting for my office, offered by VintageRescueSquad. It's called the "Dreaming of Junking" calendar. I picked it so that I'd have a little bit of creative inspiration while I'm at my day job. My co-workers there already know how much I like junking and thrifting!

And here's the one I'm planning to get for the kitchen, offered by YeeHaw Industries. I better get on it though -- the one I originally wanted is already gone! I picked a calendar from YeeHaw Industries because, to me, their work reflects the quirky things I love about living in the Deep South. And yes, the part of Florida where I live is culturally a part of the South, unlike South Florida which is pretty much filled with transplanted Yankees.

Swing by the YeeHaw Industries Etsy shop for some of their other fabulous pieces. I love the cowgirl contortionist!

Cast your vote!

2010-01-12T01:29:00.009-05:00

I'm currently auditioning for a craft competition called "So You Think You're Crafty." If you haven't heard about it before, it' s sort of like an online "Project Runway" for crafters -- "10 Weeks, 10 Crafters, 10 Challenges. Who's the craftiest? You decide." Very fun!

I've wanted to be a part of SYTYC ever since I heard about the first round. Now Missy is coordinating round two, and I'm one of the hopefuls. Stop by the site and cast your vote!

Of course I'd love to have you vote for me, but I can't tell you which piece is mine until after the voting ends. Just vote for whichever project you like best using the box in the right sidebar: http://soyouthinkyourecrafty-current.blogspot.com/.

And in other good news, my storage box tutorial was featured on Craftzine.com today. What an exciting day! Craftzine.com is one of my all-time favorite sites (though I do still miss their print version, Craft Magazine *sniff*). I guess this goes to show that my friend Emily was right -- I really should put more tutorials on my blog, especially if it means they'll get picked up by great sites like Craftzine.com!

Class registration open

2010-01-11T10:00:00.002-05:00

Registration is now open for the spring classes that I'm teaching through the UF Leisure Course Program. Spaces are limited, so sign up today!

I'll also be teaching a free workshop at the Micanopy Branch Library on Sunday, January 24 from 2-4 p.m.

"Creating Cool Pendants from Recycled Bottlecaps"

We'll transform recycled bottle caps using paper, foil, glitter, and small 3D elements, then seal them with non-toxic resin. The finished products can be used as necklaces, pet tags, zipper pulls, or whatever. I'll provide all materials, though it would be helpful for you to bring your own pair of scissors, and any favorite papers or small charms. You'll need to return to the library four days later to pick up your final piece, since the resin needs several days to cure.

New Year's Resolution: Get Organized!

2010-01-11T01:04:00.004-05:00

Aside from losing weight, it seems like the next most common New Year's Resolution is to get organized. Need a little help?

The current trend is to buy coordinated boxes to hide the clutter, but these can be expensive and may not come in colors you like. This project uses a common office waste product—boxes that hold pre-printed letterhead—to help you bring elegant and affordable order to your home.

These instructions include measurements for a standard-sized stationery box. If you choose a different box, you’ll need to measure its dimensions and do the math yourself.

What you need:

Stationery box
Wrapping paper
Ruler
Pencil
Paste
Waxed paper

What to do:

Cut two pieces of wrapping paper—26 11/16” across by 29 3/16” tall for the base, and 15 11/16” across by 18 1/4” tall for the top--either from the same roll or from coordinating rolls. Be sure to use a straight edge, and if necessary a T-square, to keep your cuts square.
On the larger sheet, draw a line 8 1/2” in from each margin. The center rectangle marks where the box bottom will go. Cut along the lines to remove the square from each corner.
Apply a thin and even coat of Yes! brand paste to the center square of the larger piece of paper. (Tip: An old credit card works great as an applicator.) Position the box on the glued area and smooth the paper to remove air bubbles.
Lay down a drop cloth of waxed paper and apply paste to one of the short flaps. Press the paper firmly against the outside of the box, and then fold the remaining paper to the inside of the box. Burnish again to remove air bubbles. Repeat with the remaining flaps, being sure to change out the waxed paper each time. (Note: If you’re worried about exposed corners, cut your shorter flaps 1” wider and glue these wings in place underneath the longer flaps.)
Now finish the box top. On the remaining sheet, draw lines 2 7/8” from each margin. Cut out the corner sections and follow the steps three and four to adhere the paper to the lid.

(It's no secret that I love recycling, and this post is no exception. I originally posted it in November 2007, but I wanted to share it again since I felt it was especially timely.)

Featured on FunkyFinds.com

2010-01-05T15:25:00.003-05:00

Featured on FunkyFinds.com
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I'm featured this week on Funky Finds. Yay! To celebrate, I'm doing a giveaway from my Etsy shop. For details on how to enter, visit Funky Finds.

And since this is my first blog post of the year, here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I know that I've got lots of well-intentioned resolutions:

1) Reorganize my crafting space. My old craft space was pretty messy and late last year I got the idea to switch my studio into a different bedroom. As if the holiday craft spree wasn't enough to create chaos! Anyhow, the mess is definitely out of hand, but I'm feeling at least a little better knowing that I'm not alone. Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club is vowing to clean up her studio by June, and Kristin Roach of Craft Leftovers offered some insight into how to make space for crafting.

2) Make healthy choices. I'll be following the age-old formula of exercising more and eating less. Maybe the Wii that I got for Christmas can help me get back into a regular exercise habit. I know that the hula hooping game always kicks my butt.

3) Blog every week. I was blogging regularly for awhile, but then I slipped into being a blogging slacker. This year I'll post every week, and plan to include many more tutorials.

4) Craft every week. This will not only help keep me happy since I need a regular creative outlet, but it will also mean that I'll have plenty of inventory to stock my Etsy shop and for the holiday craft shows that I do. And of course, it means I'll have more to blog about, which is a win-win situation.

What about you? Any exciting resolutions for the new year?

Refashion Your Wardrobe

2009-12-22T11:13:00.004-05:00

Re-purposed top
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I'm offering yet another new class this spring through the UF Leisure Course Program. This one's a low- or no-sew class, so it's great for anyone who want to freshen up her wardrobe using a few crafty tricks.

Refashion Your Wardrobe
Wednesday, March 31 -- 6-9pm
Tired of what’s in your closet? In this class, we’ll take a basic top from your existing wardrobe and transform it using fabric paint, trim, embroidery, beadwork, and other effects (example: http://bit.ly/4zIEbt). The final product will make you look like you stepped out of the pages of a designer fashion catalog! The class is taught by Kim Taylor, aka “The Sassy Crafter” (http://sassycrafter.blogspot.com). Students must bring a top (long or short-sleeved, preferably a knit pullover style) and $10 lab fee payable in cash to the instructor to cover the cost of materials.

Registration opens on January 11, and you can register online through the UF Leisure Course site.

And on a related note, this top appears in the Jan/Feb issue of "Belle Armoire" magazine. Yay! That means that I met one of my crafty goals for the year, which was to have my work published in a national magazine. Okay, so technically the issue appears in 2010 but they mailed me my courtesy copy this week, so I feel like that's close enough.

Atomic Holiday Bazaar 2009

2009-12-19T00:04:00.005-05:00

Atomic Holiday Bazaar 2009
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Last weekend was Atomic Holiday Bazaar, and as usual, it certainly did not disappoint. Tons of amazing indie crafters were there selling their wares, including one of my personal favorites, Jessi of Our Lady of Perpetual Pickles. Isn't the name alone enough to make you smile? Since I love her pickles so much I picked up five, yes FIVE, jars of her amazing Dilly Beans. If any of you follow me on Twitter, you may recall the "Dill Beany Martini" recipe that I concocted last December. Yum! I showed a little restraint and only bought two jars of Sweet Heats.

I also finally bought something from Jordan of Opulent Oddities. I've been drooling over her refashioned vintage jewelry for far too long now. I picked out an amazing pair of dangly earrings that she made from some vintage brass beads, rhinestone chain, and a few other interesting bits. If you haven't visited Jordan's Etsy shop, it's definitely worth the trip for the descriptions alone. She creates amazing imaginary (or are they real?) stories for each and every one of her pieces. For example:

"They excused themselves from the women after dinner for a cigar and for brandy. But really all they were creating was an upper hand. A ritual to keep the women with the dishes and the men in luxury in big leather easy chairs and an air of smoke. But little did they know, the women they kept would not have this for long. They could have their smokes and their sauce for now, but soon they'd see just who had the upper hand..."

Sadly, I didn't get photos of either Jessi or Jordan's booths, but thanks to my ever-lovin' boyfriend, I do have photos of my own booth. Thanks, hon! Click on the photo at the top of this post to see my booth in all its chocked-to-the-gills glory. I even have little links on the photo so you can see the items up close and personal.

I did manage to sneak out of my booth a few times throughout the day and on one of my trips, I snapped a few shots of one of the cutest displays I saw. Tina of Working Girl used vintage metal file drawers to display her handmade pendants. Her attention to detail was impeccable -- she even had little tabs on the top of the manilla dividers that listed the prices and described the pendants (e.g., "monkeys"). It was just perfect!

And speaking of Working Girl, if you're in the South Florida area then don't miss the great craft show that she's putting on along with When Bunnies Fly and the Hollywood Craft Mafia. It's called the Odd Duck Bazaar and it takes place March 27 in Davie, FL.

Sewing classes in Gainesville -- new listings!

2009-12-15T23:49:00.005-05:00

Pressing the seams open
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I've ironed out the details for the sewing classes I'll be teaching this spring in Gainesville, and the good news is that I've added two new ones to the mix!

As usual, I'm offering the classes through the UF Leisure Course program. Here are the details on the two repeat classes:

Sewing: Learn to Use a Sewing Machine
One three-hour class
Saturday, Jan. 16 from 9am to noon or Saturday, April 3 from 9am to noon
This crash course will take the mystery out of sewing and get you comfortable with using a sewing machine. You'll learn the basics of threading a machine, winding a bobbin, straight stitching, back stitching, zig-zag stitching and other key topics. You'll even leave with a finished project! Bring your own sewing machine, manual, and bobbins, as well as a pair of sharp scissors. Don't own a sewing machine? Use one of mine for an additional lab fee of $15. Just be sure to email me in advance if you wish to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students will pay a lab fee of $10 in cash to cover the cost of handouts and materials.

Sewing: Learn to Work with Patterns
One three-hour class (may be taken back-to-back with "Learn to Use a Sewing Machine")
Saturday, Jan. 16 from 1-5pm or Saturday, April 3 from 1-5pm
Know how to use a sewing machine but still want to learn how to work with patterns? This class will teach you the basics of working with commercial patterns, whether you want to make clothes, crafts, or other fun things. I'll guide you through making a pair of simple drawstring pants (great for casual wear or pajamas). Bring a sewing machine, manual, and an extra bobbin. Or if you don't own a machine, you may use one of mine for an additional lab fee of $15. Just be sure to email me in advance if you wish to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students must bring a pair of sharp scissors and pay a lab fee of $25 in cash to cover the cost of the pattern, fabric, elastic, and coordinating thread.

And here are the two new classes:

Sewing: Make Reusable Cloth Napkins
One three-hour class
Monday, Feb. 15 from 6-9pm
Many people are switching to cloth napkins in an effort to "go green." In this class we'll make a customized set of four napkins that you can keep for yourself or give as a gift. I'll give you tips for making napkins with crisp hems and neat corners. You should already understand the basics of using a sewing machine and must bring a sewing machine, manual, bobbins, sharp scissors, pins, thread, and 1.5 yards of 100% cotton or linen woven fabric that has been washed and ironed. Students who do not have their own machine can use one of my machines for an additional fee of $15--just contact me in advance to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students will pay a lab fee of $5 to cover the cost of handouts, additional embellishments for napkins, and use of irons in class.

Sewing: Make a Zippered Bag
One three-hour class
Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 6-9pm
In this class, we'll learn how to use a zipper foot to create a zippered bag that's perfect for holding pencils, makeup, sewing supplies, or other small items. These bags also make great gifts! You should understand the basics of using a sewing machine and bring a sewing machine, manual, zipper foot, and bobbins, as well as a pair of sharp scissors. Don't own a sewing machine? Use one of my machines for an additional lab fee of $15. Just be sure to email me in advance if you wish to reserve a machine (sassycrafter@gmail.com). All students will pay a lab fee of $10 in cash to cover the cost of handouts, all materials, and the use of irons in class.

You can register for all of these classes through the UF Leisure Course site. Registration opens on January 11. And if you have any questions about what class might be right for you, feel free to email me (sassycrafter@gmail.com).

Later this week I'll put up a post about Atomic Holiday Bazaar, the awesome craft show that I participated in last weekend.

5-minute Anthroplogie inspired necklace

2009-12-04T16:32:00.005-05:00

It's no secret that I love pretty much everything that Anthropologie comes up with. Earlier this fall, I got a promotional email that featured a beautiful necklace that caught my eye.

I decided that I could probably get the same look by repurposing a necklace that has been collecting dust in my jewelry box. So this morning before work that's exactly what I did. Yes, I'm an impulsive crafter. But hey, I was still on time for work and I had the perfect necklace to complete my outfit.

If you want to get the same look, here's what to do. Sorry I don't have step-by-step photos like I usually include in my tutorials, but I didn't want to be late to work!

1) Start with a three-strand, graduated, choker-style necklace.

2) Use jewelry pliers to remove the original clasp parts from both ends of the necklace.

3) Add a jump ring to each end of the necklace.

4) Thread a piece of vintage blanket binding through one of the jump rings, fold the ends under, and secure with Fabri-Tac glue. Repeat with the other end.

5) Pick a piece of vintage sewing trim that complements the look of your necklace and tie it onto one of the jump rings. Then loop it around the blanket binding several times and tie it off on the other jump ring.

6) Since I like assymetrical looks, I tied an additional length of trim to one of the jump rings and then pinned a vintage brooch just above the jump ring.

So, here's a shot of the original inspiration piece. Not bad, eh? Especially for just five minutes and $0 invested. I love repurposing.

(Please forgive the grayness in my own photo. I snapped it with my iPhone, which doesn't always take the best pictures. Plus, it was really overcast today.)

The Crafty Chica comes to Gainesville!

2009-12-03T23:46:00.002-05:00

The Crafty Chica comes to Gainesville!
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Okay, so the goddess herself isn't coming to town, but our local Michael's is finally carrying some of her products.

Sadly, they didn't have any of the glitters available. I asked one of the employees about this and he told me they should be coming in another shipment. But they did have the skull and chihuahua flocked iron-on transfers -- so cute!

The products are at the end of aisle 8 near the other fabric decorating products. Go check 'em out! Or if you're not able to find her products at your local Michael's, try ordering them through Amazon.com. They have a bunch of her products!

It's a wrap!

2009-11-24T10:25:00.008-05:00

GLAM took place on Sunday and was a huge success. Thanks again to all the vendors!

Also, thanks to the Original Pizza Palace for the food and the musicians for the tunes -- DJ Phred, Terrazzo Four, Dirty Fists, and Hoit.

And of course, thanks to all the shoppers! And when I say all I mean ALL -- we had nearly 500 shoppers pass through the doors of the Boltin Center. Not bad. You can catch a glimpse of them here in this time-lapse video we shot.

If you want to check out the still photos, they're available on my Flickr site.

Meet the stars of GLAM!

2009-11-13T19:11:00.012-05:00

We've got an all-star cast lined up for GLAM -- Gainesville Local Art Mart -- which will take place on Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Thelma Boltin Center in Gainesville. Let's hope that it becomes Gainesville's most talked-about holiday shopping source.

We'll also have tunes from The Terrazzo Four and DJ Phred, and The Original Pizza Palace will be serving up tasty treats.

Want to RSVP or see photos from vendors? Stop by the GLAM Facebook event page.

Be there or be square!

So it's your first craft show...

2009-11-12T23:48:00.013-05:00

The holiday craft show season is upon us! While some crafters are seasoned veterans on the craft show circuit, others are gearing up for their first shows. The picture on the right is from my own craft show debut. I've learned a lot since then so I figured it might be nice to share some tips. You can also find a great post full of craft show tips from the folks at Etsy.com.

1. Bring a tool kit
Okay, so you may not need a screwdriver or hammer, but it does help to pack a few tools of the trade. My tool kit is a vintage train case that includes receipt books, pens, Sharpies, scissors, safety pins, a glue stick, extra price tags, clothespins (great for attaching informational signs to products), business cards, and a bank to make change from.

Some people like to wear an apron that has pockets and stash their cash there. The OCD part of me can't stand all of those loose bills getting jumbled up. Instead, I use a coupon organizer to keep all of my ones, fives, tens, and twenties organized so that I can make change quickly. Speaking of which, be sure to come prepared with plenty of $1 and $5 bills, since people typically arrive with a stack of $20 bills fresh from the ATM.

You'll also need to bring some sort of bags for your happy customers to put their purchases in. I use plain brown bags with handles and then tie on a few pieces of vintage ricrac or hem tape in advance to give them a personal touch. And of course, always include a business card with every purchase. That way if people like your products, they'll know how to contact you for more. If you have an Etsy shop, consider adding a coupon that offers a percentage off of any sale within the next month. This can be a great way to drive new people to your Etsy site.

2. Sell the sizzle

You'll no doubt be surrounded by other talented crafters, so it's important to make your table/booth stand out. The goal is to make people want to cross a crowded aisle just so that they can scope out the amazing things that might be tucked into your booth.

I can still remember the first craft show booth that blew me away. It belonged to Christie Dickens, aka "Evon's Muse." You may recall that I blogged about her back in April. Christie incorporates vintage linens, books, and other items to give her booth a comfortable feel, making it seem like you just stepped into some funky granny's living room. You don't have to use vintage items, but try to use fabric and other elements to give your booth its own cohesive feel.

Christie also elevates some of her items using old wooden crates. This is great because people appreciate not having to stoop over to look at items that are laid flat on a table. And again, giving your booth some height can help it stand out from the others.

Make sure you bring something to cover your table(s) with. I typically spread a cute vintage table cloth over a larger, basic white tablecloth. The vintage cloth adds personality while the white cloth allows me to hide extra junk under the table. Bed sheets work great, too.

And before you leave the house, do a test run. I cannot stress this enough. Try setting up your stuff on your dining room table. Play with the placement of things. In some cases you may not have much time to set up your booth before shoppers arrive, and if you've practiced at home then you'll be able to set up your booth lickety-split and still have it look fabulous.

For more inspiration, visit the SHOW ME YOUR BOOTHS group on the photo sharing site Flickr.com.

3. Think big (and small)

It's a good strategy to have items available at different price points. If you're a mixed media artist whose specialty is large-scale collages, chances are they may be beyond the budget for some shoppers. An easy way to create lower-ticket items would be to scan or photograph the collages and print them onto greeting cards, magnets, or journal covers. Less expensive items also provide shoppers with a comfortable entry point to your work. They may buy something small this year, decide they like it, and then buy a more substantial piece down the road.

4. Tell your story

As a general rule, people who come to craft shows do so because they prefer to buy things that are made with love by real-life people. They often enjoy hearing about your creative process and inspirations. For example, I make most of my items out of recycled materials and typically use small signs to tell the story behind the final product. I love seeing the look on a shopper's face when he or she learns that the jewelry box they're looking at was made from an old waffle iron. I have found that these little signs can help shift people from window shoppers to true customers.

5. Make friends

This is important for several reasons. (1) Your booth neighbor might be willing to keep an eye on your booth when you head to the loo, which is bound to happen at some point in the day. (2) Crafters like selling their wares, but they also love checking out what other crafters make. This means that your fellow crafters are also your potential customers. (3) The connections you build with other crafters can lead to future business opportunities. As a result of conversations I've had with fellow crafters, I've booked workshops and found new stores that are interested in carrying my items.

So now that you've learned the inside secrets, what are you waiting for? Get on out there! And above all remember to have fun.

Big show, small details

2009-10-19T21:54:00.005-04:00

So who's been watching Project Runway season six? I'm pretty much hooked on the show and enjoy seeing what the designers come up with every episode. Sure, they don't make many things that I'd actually make/wear, but occasionally I see a few ideas I could use -- like this one from episode nine in which the designers were supposed to come up with an extravagant stage look for Christina Aguilera.

I absolutely loved the way that Christopher used a piece of tulle to add depth and interest to a simple white button. I'm thinking I might have to try this on one of the felted flower pins that I make. I'm hoping that it will give me better results than it did for him, since he was the runner-up for being auf'ed this week.

What about you? What are your favorite design details from Project Runway?

Be a part of GLAM -- Gainesville Local Art Mart!

2009-10-01T00:01:00.006-04:00

Be a part of GLAM -- Gainesville Local Art Mart!
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Some of you may remember the Handmade Holiday Bazaar that I helped organize last holiday season here in Gainesville. Well it's back (albeit with a facelift) and we're looking for artists / crafters / creative types who want to be vendors!

Last year's event was such a success that we're expanding and offering spaces for 30 vendors at a cool new venue. We also gave it a fresh new name that we hope will better reflect the cool factor of the event.

Here are the deets:

Event: GLAM -- Gainesville Local Art Mart

Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Thelma Boltin Center
Street: 516 NE 2nd Ave
City/Town: Gainesville, FL

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171190742463&ref=mf

Applications can be downloaded online and should be emailed to me (sassycrafter@gmail.com) or dropped off at Loop de Loop (205 NE 16th Avenue).

Once we receive your application, we'll let you know within a few days whether or not you're in. If you're in, you'll need to send the $35 registration fee via PayPal to sassycrafter@gmail.com by ~~November 9~~ Monday, November 2. If we don't receive your payment by the due date, we reserve the right to give your spot to someone on the waiting list.

So what are you waiting for? Apply today!

Going to the dogs (not really)

2009-09-26T20:51:00.002-04:00

Dogbone pattern
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I've been seeing this dogbone pattern a lot recently. First it was on HGTV's Design Star in a backsplash. Did anyone else see that episode? Now it's here at the Raleigh Convention Center where I'm attending the annual Garden Writers Symposium. It reminds me a little of the Heywood Wakefield dogbone dining chairs that I've always loved. It's definitely good design in my book

Tick-tock: Time to get moving!

2009-09-18T09:44:00.003-04:00

Atomic Eggbeater Clock featured on TheKitchn.com
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

What a week! I'm so excited to say that my atomic eggbeater clock was featured on TheKitchn.com, a sister site of ApartmentTherapy.com. Woo-hoo! A million thanks to Sarah, the editor who contacted me, for spotting the clock on Flickr and deciding to feature it. Here's the direct link.

It's awesome to have exposure on such a well known national site, and my mind was reeling with the possibilities of what could come from this. I made sure to list the clock for sale in my Etsy shop, just in case anyone saw the blog post and decided right away that their life wouldn't be complete without one.

And adding the clock to Etsy brought it some additional attention. It was also featured in a Treasury page last week titled "Retro Kitchen."

I have another exciting venue for the clock up my sleeve, but I can't say anything else about it right now. Just keep your fingers crossed for me that it all works out!

In the meantime, I need to find a reliable source of affordable beaters so that I can produce plenty of clocks, both to sell on Etsy and at craft shows and possibly to wholesale to boutiques. I normally buy the beaters at thrift stores and on eBay, but the supply can be somewhat unpredictable. Brand new replacement beaters are easy to find, but they sell for about $15 bucks a pair. Ouch.

My clever boyfriend suggested that I contact the companies that make the electric mixers and see if they'll tell me where they get their beaters. Surely there must be some factory seconds that I could snap up for a song. My guess is it will take more than a few calls, but hopefully it will be worth it.

Get your junk on!

2009-09-10T16:30:00.002-04:00

JunkMarketStyle
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

If you haven't visited JunkMarketStyle.com yet, go now. It's a great site that's packed full of creative ideas for repurposing old junk.

And lucky me -- my trophy coat rack was featured in their e-newsletter this week! Thanks to Ki and Sue for featuring me and for always being such inspirations.

Sing!

2009-09-04T10:34:00.003-04:00

Resin bottlecap pendants
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I couldn't resist "singing" to you about how well the workshop went last week. We had a good crowd, including a few kids (always fun!) and a gal who attended the felted sweaters workshop and came back for more.

Everyone's bottlecaps turned out amazing. It was hard for me to give them back and not want to keep them for myself, especially this cute little birdie.

At any rate, I wanted to show them off to you. It's always so much fun to put the same pile of basic materials in front of people and see the unique things they each come up with.

Lauren's bottle caps

Luna and Inti's bottle caps

Nicole's bottle caps (your name was Nicole, right?)

I'll be offering new workshops through the Alachua County Library District in the spring. In the meantime, check out my sewing workshops through the UF Leisure Course Program.

Rrrowr! Who knew a T-shirt could look so good?

2009-08-31T22:55:00.006-04:00

Recycled T-shirt corset
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Some people are coming back from summer vacation, but I'm apparently returning from a blogging vacation. I feel bad that I've only posted a few times this summer. What can I say? That people in my family died? That my house is falling apart? That my job ramped up in intensity? Sure, but that's not the point. The point is to bring you fun, fresh ideas from the crafty corners of the world. So without further ado...

I visited my friend Jen at Saturday's Mamaw Menagerie and saw her cool cycling-related creations. I had seen her reflective ankle cuffs/garters before (and proudly sport one on my evening rides), but this was the first time that I had seen her amazing corset tops made out of recycled T-shirts (see picture). They're inspired by the T-shirt corsets that Natalie Chanin features in her fabulous book "Alabama Stitch," but they include a few unexpected twists.

Jen specializes in unique apparel and accessories for cyclists, and the corsets feature reflective trim both front and back and handy jersey pockets in the rear (cleverly made from the old T-shirt sleeves). As Jen says, "Be safe. Be seen. Be sexy."

For more information, visit Jen's website: http://www.cotterindustries.com.

On a fun note, the card table in this photo is one of my past projects. I sold it to Jen at the inaugural Mamaw Menagerie in 2007.

Sewing classes this fall in Gainesville

2009-08-22T17:23:00.002-04:00

Sewing class
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I'll be teaching two sewing classes this fall through the UF Leisure Course Program. The classes are ideal for anyone who wants to learn to sew or who would like a basic refresher course.

Sewing: Learn to Use a Sewing Machine
Saturday, Oct. 24 -- 9 a.m. to noon
Take the mystery out of sewing and learn how to use a sewing machine. Course is taught by Kim Taylor, aka “The Sassy Crafter” (http://sassycrafter.blogspot.com), who will teach the basics of threading the machine, winding a bobbin, straight stitching, back stitching, zig-zag stitching and other key topics. You'll even leave with a finished project!

Sewing: Learn to Work with Patterns
Saturday, Oct. 24 -- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a great class for anyone who already knows how to use a sewing machine but doesn’t know how to work with patterns. The class is taught by Kim Taylor, aka “The Sassy Crafter” (http://sassycrafter.blogspot.com), who will teach you the basics of working with commercial patterns, whether you want to make clothes, crafts, or other fun things. The instructor will guide each student through making a pair of simple drawstring pants (great for casual wear or pajamas).

If you don't have your own sewing machine, I have three sewing machines that can be reserved for an additional fee of $15 per class. You must email me to reserve a machine in advance. (Email: sassycrafter-at-gmail-dot-com.)

The classes are offered on the same day and can be taken back to back if you're interested in both.

For full details and to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site.

Summer craft workshops in Gainesville

2009-07-06T23:15:00.004-04:00

Finished resin bottlecap pendants
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Join me for a second round of free craft workshops with the Alachua County Library District!

This time we'll work with recycled bottle caps and resin to create 3D mini-collages that can be used as necklaces, magnets, keychains, pet ID tags, zipper pulls, wine glass charms, or whatever else you can think of.

First we'll create mini-collages in the bottle caps using paper, foil, glitter, yarn, and small 3D elements. Then we'll fill the bottle caps with clear resin to seal the collages and add a dimensional effect.

I'll provide materials, though it would be helpful for you to bring a pair of scissors and any favorite collage papers or small charms, beads, or 3D elements.

You must be able to return to the library a few days after the workshop to pick up your finished pieces, since the resin needs several days to cure.

Hawthorne Branch
Saturday, July 11
2-4 p.m.
more details

Micanopy Branch
Sunday, July 26
2-4 p.m.
more details

Headquarters Branch
Tuesday, August 25
6-8 p.m
more details

Free craft workshop Sunday at Downtown Library

2009-05-13T13:56:00.004-04:00

Felt workshop at Tower Road Library
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

This Sunday I'll be teaching the last felted sweater workshop through the library district. We'll transform felted sweaters and cool metallic threads from Kreinik into one of a kind flower pins that you can wear. Or if you're not into flower pins, then you can make a java jacket to keep your coffee hot and your hands cool.

As I said, the workshop is free. All you need to bring is your crafty self and a pair of sharp scissors.

Headquarters Library
Sunday, May 17 @ 1:30 p.m.

All of the photos in this post are from the workshop that I taught a few weeks back at the Tower Road branch.

(More) Sewing Classes in Gainesville!

2009-05-08T13:40:00.002-04:00

Sewing on my Vintage 1958 Brother sewing machine
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Yet again, I'm offering sewing classes. I'll be teaching two introductory sewing classes this June through the UF Leisure Course Program. The classes are open to anyone and are scheduled so that you can take them back to back, if you're interested. Here are the details:

Sewing: Learn to Use a Sewing Machine
Saturday, June 6 -- 9 a.m. to noon
Take the mystery out of sewing and learn how to use a sewing machine. Course is taught by Kim Taylor, aka “The Sassy Crafter” (http://sassycrafter.blogspot.com), who will teach the basics of threading the machine, winding a bobbin, straight stitching, back stitching, zig-zag stitching and other key topics. You'll even leave with a finished project!

Sewing: Learn to Work with Patterns
Saturday, June 6 -- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a great class for anyone who already knows how to use a sewing machine but doesn’t know how to work with patterns. The class is taught by Kim Taylor, aka “The Sassy Crafter” (http://sassycrafter.blogspot.com), who will teach you the basics of working with commercial patterns, whether you want to make clothes, crafts, or other fun things. The instructor will guide each student through making a pair of simple drawstring pants (great for casual wear or pajamas).

If you don't have your own sewing machine, I have three sewing machines that can be reserved for an additional fee of $15. You must email me to reserve a machine in advance. (Email: sassycrafter-at-gmail-dot-com.)

For full details and to register, visit the UF Leisure Course site.

Felted catnip mice for Operation Catnip

2009-04-18T22:24:00.001-04:00

Felted catnip mice
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I made these cute little mice for Operation Catnip, a non-profit organization that spays and neuters feral cats here in Gainesville. The mice will be in one of the great baskets that they're offering in a raffle tomorrow. Raffle tickets are just $1 each or 6 for $5 and proceeds support their ongoing efforts to reduce the number of homeless pets in Gainesville. For more information on the raffle, visit their website.

Last-minute Easter crafts

2009-04-11T19:55:00.003-04:00

Easter basket and pillow
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

Well, I've be meaning to make this pillow project for a month now but time apparently slipped away from me. Now that it's Easter weekend, I figured I'd better post it!

The little Easter basket is a snap to make. Here's what you need:

+ empty strawberry basket
+ felted sweaters
+ pipe cleaner

What to do:

1) Pick two Easter colored sweaters and felt them (for felting tips, see my earlier blog post). Then cut three strips of felt that are 1" wide and about 22" long.

2) Weave the strips in and out of the spokes of the basket. You may need to adjust your weaving pattern (e.g., over one, under two) for everything to come out evenly. Tuck in the loose ends.

3) Cut two more strips that are about 8" long -- one should be 1.75" wide and one should be 0.5" wide. Lay the narrow strip on top of the wide strip, and then lay a pipe cleaner on top of both. Use a sewing machine and run a zig-zag stitch over the pipe cleaner, joining the whole sandwich together.

4) Use the free ends of the pipe cleaner to attach the handle to the basket.

5) Add Easter grass and candy and you're done. Dark chocolate is of course preferable.

The pillow isn't as easy to make, since it requires sewing vinyl together. However, it can be worth the effort give then end result. Here's a close-up of the pillow showing the little chicks that I sewed inside.

Why would I want to sew fluffy little Easter chicks inside in a vinyl pillow? I guess it started when I saw the stuffed animal couch on "Small Space Big Style." I thought that was one of the coolest ideas I'd ever seen for functional repurposing (and still do). Then last month I saw bags of Easter grass in the stores and decided that Easter grass could work well as pillow stuffing.

After a mash-up of those two concepts, I ended up with this wacky Easter chick pillow. And of course, I couldn't resist trimming the whole thing off with chenille pom-poms. Hope you get as big a kick out of it as I did. Here's another shot.

Weekend surprises

2009-03-24T22:36:00.003-04:00

Christie Adams, jewelry designer extraordinaire!
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I went to the Kanapaha Garden Festival this weekend and ran into another artist I know, Christie Adams. I had totally forgotten that she normally has a booth at that show.

As usual, I was blown away by her booth -- both by the display itself with all of its retro accents, and of course by her individual creations, which are always so unique. I took a few photos that offer a glimpse of her crafty goodness.

Just look at all the great rickrack projects! Be still my heart. I do have such a weakness for rickrack. Who knew that you could make such fun accessories out of old rickrack?

Perhaps surprisingly, I didn't buy one of her rickrack pieces. Instead, I just couldn't resist the pincushion corsage. It reminded me a lot of the big felted flowers I make, but at the same time totally unique. Gotta love Christie and the things she comes up with!

If you want to see Christie's creations firsthand in Gainesville, you can also catch her at the O'Connell Center craft show in December. And she usually has a few pieces at Beads by Avalon in the Millhopper Shopping Center. Or if you're in the Jacksonville area, check out her booth at Fans and Stoves antique mall in the Five Points neighborhood. And of course, you can always email her at evonsmuse1@yahoo.com.