Weaved Purses

I got a used copy of Craft Magazine at my local used book store. It was the weaving issue. I decided it was high time to add weaving to my "jack of all trades" list.

In this issue, they highlight Travis Meinolf, weaver extraordinaire.



And for anyone interested, he has a blog Action Weaver.

Now for my project.
A month before my sister's birthday, I decided to try it out. I gave myself a month to figure it out.
I got some precut plywood and a box of nails and built my own loom.



It's a good thing I gave myself a month to learn because my first try wasn't quite right. I really liked the pattern, but I didn't do the tension right. It turned out a little loose and way skinnier at one end than at the other.



The next one I did turned at a little better. The weave was a little tighter. It still tapered a little but it was usable. I ended up making a clutch for my mom for Mother's Day.





Next, I started on my sister's present. It was initially going to be another clutch, but I decided I didn't think I'd ever seen my sister with a clutch. So, I made a bag instead.

My Patio: Before and After

So it all started with a chair that was a hand me down of my boyfriends. A friend of a friend of a friend painted it, so we didn't want to just trash it. But it was definitely unusable.



So I put my crafty brain to work. The legs were still good.



And the slats of wood in the seat were still good.



So, my brother and I went to work and fit the stool top to the legs and reupholstered it.







We used the slats from the seat and made a frame.



Then, I figured while I'm at it, I may as well keep going on the patio furniture. I decided to give another chair and a bench an update.

Before.





After.





The last thing to do was use the last of the vinyl from the stool to make a throw pillow and update the table.

The end result:



It really is amazing what a little paint will do.

Christmas 2008

My family is pretty creative. So, for christmas, we draw names. One person you buy for and the other you make for.
This year my brother in law, kenny, got my name for his make. He made me a sewing center to hold all my little nicnaks that clutter my sewing desk. He even etched and painted the back of it.
I love it.



I drew my sister in law, stefani, for my make. She hardly ever sits down on her couch without a blanket around her. So, I made her a quilt that will hopefully match the chairs in her living room.

Baby Bird Mobile

Another bird mobile custom order.



This little one had the best time playing with the birds.



She was so curious.

Quilts

I just realized that I never posted anything about the past quilts I've made. So, here we go.

First two quilts ever: A baby quilt for my friend Danita and her twin boys, Wyatt and Cameron. Now when I made these I didn't know if they were going to be boys or girls.





I ended up making her another one (which I apparently didn't take any pictures of) and sold the floral one.

Then I made one for my brother-in-law, Kenny. He is a huge fan of Led Zeppelin.



The front of it is all recycled fabrics: black denim jeans, fleece vest, corduroy pants, satin skirt, leather skirt, t-shirt. I used pieces of the fabrics that had pockets in it. So, the fleece zipped pockets and the back pockets of the demin and corduroy pants are also used.



I also made him some pillows from a pair of t-shirts.

I'm in Ready-Made

I mentioned a few blogs ago that I was going to be in an issue of ready-made. Well folks, it has arrived.







Thanks Ready-Made!

Austin City Limits Festival 2008

This is the little bit of ACL that I got to experience. I was only there on Friday but it was enough for me. I got to meet a few people. I got to see a few shows. And I got really dirty.
Here is ACL through my eyes.

First I worked for a few hours at the Waterloo Records tent.






I met Jamie Lidell.


I met Donavon Frankenreiter.


And I met Patty Griffin.


Then I hoofed it over to watch G Love and Special Sauce. Turns out Donavon Frankenreiter is a fan. He came out and watched a few songs.



Most of the good pics I got of G Love were pictures of the jumbo screen. I was just too far away to get good ones otherwise.





Then I walked over to watch Donavon Frankenreiter.



This is how much dirt was flying around. I think most of it landed on my feet. I was filthy by the time I left.


All in all, beer was consumed and good times were had.