A few of you might have seen this photo on Instagram earlier this week? If you did, you’ll also know that I’m on a mission to fix a cardigan.
Tag: upcycling
Upcycled Woollies
I’ve been on a bit of a tidying up kick of late, so my black bin bag purchases have increased at an alarming rate and I’ve made several trips to the charity shop and rubbish tip so far.
Refurbishments
As most of you already know we were closed for most of August whilst we refurbished the shop. I know from talking to a lot of people the general consensus was that the shop was fine and dandy the way it was. However, for me when we moved into the new premises 2 years ago I didn’t have time to get it just how I wanted it and it had been really bugging me, hence the August break.
Whilst many of you will have seen the transformation in the flesh, there are a good few of you that are unable to get into us regularly or purchase from us via mail-order.
So let me take you on a little tour…….
On entering the shop you’ll happen first upon our new knitwear display area. My super talented hubby has gone bonkers with copper pipe (he’s a plumber) and made me this beautiful display rack, which compliments the mannequins perfectly.
Behind the mannequins there’s my upcycled vintage suitcase and my now gold painted hat stand.
Looking down the shop there are shelves running down most of the left hand side to meet the counter, which we have moved in order to open up the shop floor completely. The shelves are packed with weights from 1ply to dk and we’ve managed to do away with the pattern stand by slotting the folders and books in between the yarn.
For those of you that were colour spotting on Facebook you’ll probably have noticed the ribbon stand has received a lick of aqua paint or two.
To the right or the ribbon stand there’s the basic acrylic corner (part 1)
Part 2
We’ve moved the buttons to the other side of the acrylic stand and the haberdashery supplies seem to fit in just nicely next to them.
Next comes the aran weight unit. Complete with gaps for some of the new yarns due in.
Where the counter was previously and some might even say the piece de resistance, are the vintage cinema seats and upcycled tyre coffee table.
Last but not least is the chunky/super chunky stand – I haven’t completely worked out where all of the new yarn that’s on order is going to squeeze in there yet though.
So far the response from everyone has been extremely positive ‘the shop seems bigger’, ‘there’s lots more light’, ‘it’s easier to see everything’ and everyone loves the upcycling with my hubbys copper pipe work receiving the most praise.
Have I tempted you to come and visit? It’s a bit of a work in progress as there’s still things I’d like to get done so I’ll keep you posted.
Hope to see you soon.
Happy Knitting!
New Magazine – Prima Makes
I spied this little number smiling at me from the shelves of Eason in Dungarvan yesterday and was won over instantly. Containing a hefty 162 pages of things to make, knit, sew, crochet and bake what’s not to like?
Like many of the other ‘lifestyle’ magazines that are available at the moment it is a very photography heavy publication, leading you to aspire to all things quirky, vintage and floral. In addition to the numerous projects there are ‘Ideas & Inspirations’ and ‘Spring into Shopping’ sections. There’s also a great feature on craft courses and workshops and if that wasn’t enough the good people at Prima Makes have also thrown in a couple of sheets of fancy printed paper.
So I imagine you’d like to have a little look at some of my favourite little projects?
These 3 beauties are called High Flyers, Heaven Scent and Time for Tea. Soooooo pretty.
The very appropriately hat a Picture is so fantastic I’d actually like one please. The funky, patchwork laptop case ould make a great gift and Kitchen Stichin’ is for those of us that like a bit of crochet.
The pretty Tunic Top knitted in cotton has sizes from 6-12 months to 5 years and it would be hard to resist the little pairs of Baby’s First Shoes. Bobtail Bunny is a pocket sized pal worked in 4ply crochet.
Still more …..
For the bakers amongst us my 3 favourites are the Coconut Doughnuts, Shortbread Flowers and the Peppermint Marshmallows, yummy.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise to those of you that know me but Daisy Chain is my absolute favourite, isn’t it beautiful? I hope my crochet is up to it.
If you’re still in need of a little convincing, then the icing on the cake has to be that the magazine comes complete a free kit to make this little mousey pincushion.
Happy Knitting! (maybe that should be crafting?)
Have A Crafty Christmas
The latest edition of Reloved magazine was just winking at me from the shelf in Eason yesterday so I just couldn’t resist – and the robin on the cover promised lots of upcycling fun – 34 projects to be precise.
One of the things to note this time round is that the magazine will be out monthly from now on. Let’s hope this doesn’t mean Reloved’s standards will slip.
Back to our crafty Christmas – there are sooooo many lovely things to tempt your creativity. There’s also Kirstie Allsopp’s Diary and the Creative Hub with its news and ideas for upcyclers.
Of the 34 projects I have to say I love the little robin on the cover and there’s also instructions to create a little nest for him too. The Peacock Bag made from a pair of curtains is super cute too. Sadly, there isn’t a pattern for the crochet flower but there are loads on Ravelry you could use instead.
I also love the Pallet Coffee Table – I had one in England complete with fairy lights and a glass top (who knew I was already an upcycler? Thought I was just frugal).
Not just for Christmas in my opinion, the Paper Christmas Baubles are lovely and easy to make and could be used for loads of occasions. Change the paper and make them in different sizes to decorate rooms for weddings, communions or hang them in the garden for those summer barbecues (here’s hoping).
The same can be said for the Fabric Fairy Lights. I think they’d also make a great gift for Christmas. I know of at least one boy who’d probably overlook the ‘fairy light’ aspect if they were wrapped in comic pages or material with Minecraft Creepers on them.
My number 5 favourite project, because it wouldn’t be fair to count the coffee table, is the Bauble Wreath. Very cool, very shiny and very, very, very CHRISTMAS!
I have a dear friend who’d love one of these, if I have the time to make one. That will only happen if I get through my long list of gift knitting starting with said friend’s husband’s second size 11 sock. I’ve turned the heel so I’m nearing the finishing line……..
Happy Knitting!
(or Christmas crafting)
New Magazine – Reloved
It seems we’ve finally got a hold of ourselves and tightened our belts (not sure mine was ever loose), we’ve seen the error of our ways and realised that everything isn’t disposable. There’s a whole upsurge in people learning how to remake, reupholster, upcycle and transform.
Hopefully there were very few of us that simply threw away a blouse if the buttons had fallen off but how many of us have given a dress away because we no longer like the style? Perhaps you cast away a piece of furniture because it didn’t fit in with your new contemporary styled living room? Can you see the charm in everyday objects from charity shops and house clearance stores if given a little love?
Reloved is a new quarterly magazine dedicated to restyling, transforming and revamping your world. In the first issue ‘Spring 2013’ there are 26 projects covering everything from transforming your clothes to upcycling your furniture. There is a masterclass on reupholstering a drop in seat pad chair and quick makes to create in an evening. There are several features including one on the original ‘Make Do & Mend’ series from the wartime upcyclers. Last but not least, there’s a guide to upcycling and knitting (ahem… of course).
The magazine welcomes you to a shabby chic lifestyle, full of colour and a renewed love for all things eclectic, mismatched and homely. Of all the projects some of my favourites are Changing Sleeves (above) and the Lacy Doily Lampshade which are really cool. In my house they’d have to be stained or painted though as the dust would turn them grey in a matter of minutes.
On page 16 and 17 there’s how to create the Vintage Cake Stand, all the rage at the moment and much cheaper than some of those to buy in the shops. I think they’d look really good made out of old mismatched plates and full of naughty teatime treats.
Loving all things knitted it goes without saying that the knitted Vase Covers on page 32 – 35 get my creative juices flowing and there’s also a lovely knitted footstool in the magazine. It’s cream and would again be a dirt magnet here, better to be done with it and make it in a tweedy grey for my home.
Last but not least and my absolute favourite item in this issue is the ‘All Wrapped Up Chair’ which has actually been taken from the book Granny Chic. If I ever get the time expect to see very similar looking chairs in the shop one day.
The magazine has been extremely popular and you may find it difficult to get hold of a copy however the digital edition will be available soon on Apple Newsstand, Google Play and Pocketmags.com. You can get further information on the Reloved website http://www.relovedmag.co.uk/
Happy Knitting!
(or should that be creating?)
Confessions of a Fibre Strumpet 