Making Something New

This weekend I made something new, a potholder. Not an earth shattering craft project by any stretch of the imagination, but I had never made one before. I made them because someone asked me to. A friend who is traveling overseas this week called me Thursday and said "I need something for my Aunt, she has an organic bakery, can you make some pot holders from vintage tea towels with Australiana on them?"

I said "yes" and I did. Now, I don't know about you, but whenever I make something specific for someone I am always a tad nervous about whether they will like it. Fortunately, she did, even deciding to give one of them to her mother in law instead:)

It also got me thinking about how I come up with new ideas of things to make. Clearly being asked is one way. I am not sure I would have come up with pot holders on my own accord. Sometimes I am inspired by things that others have made (online, magazines, at markets), like a skirt. Other times I am inspired by necessity, like headbands and hair ties (for my girls). And still other times I am inspired by the raw materials themselves (fabric, children's books) and think what can I make that will best utilize or showcase the materials, like bunting or cushion covers.

 

Regardless of how I come up with new ideas, one thing is for sure, I have more ideas than I can implement. I don't know about you, but I keep a notebook, where I write down all my ideas, and as I implement them, I fill in the details, like measurements, materials/colours used, costs for me to make etc... Why all the details? That's in case I want to make something more than once. I'm a make by the seat of my pants kinda crafter, so its usually documenting after the fact rather than before:) But documenting none the less.

So, hope you like my newest idea. My friend thinks I should make more of them for markets. I'm not convinced yet, but glad I made them at least once. So what's your newest idea and how did you come up with it? Cyndy Pin It

Op Shop Finds

Sometimes your lucky and sometimes your not, that's the nature of op shopping. This weekend I was lucky:)

I've been looking for some vintage pot holders and  I found two, both in yellow my kitchen colour. Love this little lidded jar too:)

I also managed to find a few things for my girls: a sweet pillow case with embroidered flowers, a sleeping beauty puzzle and a crown cookie cutter.

But my favorite find of the weekend? This wool blanket found in the dog blanket bin! The colours are fabulous.

It has been cut in half (so it's two pieces). I am assuming this is because there are some damaged areas (holes from moths it looks like), but I think I can selvage enough to create a throw blanket for my lounge room and use the remaining bits as background for some of my wool embroidery.

Speaking of, here's a piece I finished this week featuring gum flowers on another op shopped blanket background:)

In case my finds aren't enough for you, be sure to check out Flea Market Finds over at Her Library Adventures:) Cyndy Pin It