Oh goodness.  Where have I been?  I certainly haven't been to London to visit the Queen.  

It's time to get back on track!

Today I'll share an interesting little secret about me.  I'm weird.  At least what's what some people have thought about me in the past - but unsure if it's true now.

Weird :  When somebody looks at you and / or your mind and either doesn't agree with you or doesn't 'get it' simply because they are closed minded and lack imagination.  It could even be that the person is jealous.

Usually people like that are stuck in a closed box and unable to punch out of it because they can't see a bigger picture.  They lack empathy, are judgmental and unaccepting of most things and people around them.  It's heartbreaking, isn't it?

I mean... heartbreaking because of how much time they are wasting thinking like that, when they could be enjoying somebody else's creativity or different thinking.  Boo to them.

But life is too short to believe that your ways are the only right ways!  Shame on all of us for thinking like that!   On the flip-side, I've learned to be more accepting of people in the past few years.  I think to myself 'oh whatever, who cares, they are who they are and as long as they are happy, my judgment won't matter to them and SHOULD'NT matter to them.'   And after all, they are the ones that live happily without worrying about what other people think.

Now, there are the big weirdo's and there are the little weirdo's.  I like to believe that I fall under the little weirdo's category.  Here's an example;

Back in the early eighties when I had some kind of sense of humour and adventure, I loved to make things out of Fimo.  For those who don't know what it is, go have a look, then come back: FIMO

Now that you know....

It was all the rage back then and I loved making cute things, and some not so cute things.  I came up with an idea after I was rolling some little coloured balls out of the stuff.  How and why the idea came to my head, I do not know.  But gosh I thought I was clever at the time:

I ended up calling it ' Pick Me's '.  Weird, right?  And why did I call it Pick Me's?  Simply because I could imagine all of them looking up at me and calling out pick me!, pick me! (to pick them up).  Notice how grotty and dirty it is?  Please don't forget that this is from the early 80's and it's been knocked around in various places and amongst various stuff in boxes.

Now you understand my mind little more, aren't I simply fascinating??  I hope I haven't frightened anybody off with my interestingly odd mind.

Well, crafty me!

What's an Op Shop?

 The definition of 'Op Shop' straight from the wikipedia;

A charity shop, thrift shop, thrift store, hospice shop (U.S., Canada), resale shop (when not meaning consignment shop [U.S.]) or op shop (Australia/N.Z.) (from "opportunity shop") is a retail establishment run by a charitable organization to raise money.

Charity shops are a type of social enterprise. They usually sell mainly second-hand goods donated by members of the public, and are often staffed by volunteers. Because the items for sale were obtained for free, and business costs are low, the items can be sold at competitive prices. After costs are paid, all remaining income from the sales is used in accord with the organization's stated charitable purpose. Costs include purchase and/or depreciation of fixtures (clothing racks, bookshelves, counters, etc.), operating costs (maintenance, municipal service fees, electricity, telephone, limited advertising) and the building lease or mortgage.

Who can find cheap yarn these days? 

Even the op shop prices go up and up each year (or less!), knowing fully well that they've been underpricing it these past few years, or at least some of them know this fact.  So who told them?  I want to slap them across the back of the head!  Well not really, but I would love to shake them a little.

The truth is that I'm at the right place and at the right time AND with the right circumstances, because I can still get it cheap.  I'm about to tell you some good tips for getting some great(er) prices at the op shop.  I hope this does not come back to haunt me!!  But then again, I think I'm doing the world good by sharing how people can save a little more money if they are doing it tough.  ;)

Op shop Discounting 101;

1.  Try to find out when they are having up to 50% off store-wide.  I find this to be a rarity in my neck of the woods, but I've come across it a couple of times, and surprisingly not the shops that I thought it would happen at.  Scour your local newspaper or shopping centre information boards for any information.  A lot of them don't advertise this so it will take a little homework!

2.  Ask the sales person for a small discount and make sure it's a male serving you.  I find that the women are more likely to say no, and the males are more likely to say yes.  And make sure you say 'small' discount to sound like you really aren't asking for a lot - any amount of $$$ off is good!  Some op shops might have a sign saying 'please do not ask for discounts etc.' but don't let that stop you.  Try to find a fault on the item and show them (very dirty, a chip, something torn or broken), then ask for the discount.  If the sales assistant is more clever than you and says, 'well that's why it's cheap at the op shop!' then just refrain with dignity and think to yourself 'good effort for trying'.

If you don't want to stop trying for that discount on another day and at a different store, try saying something like 'is it really this price, can I double check that with you?' and put on a sour expression as if you're a little disgusted.  If they say yes it really is that price, then put on a woeful kind of expression and ask 'any chance of a small discount then?'

3.  Some ops shops have pensioner discount days and they can be up to 20% off store-wide (depending on what suburb, country, etc.)  You will obviously need a pensioner (Social Security) card, seniors card or a student concession card.  All these should give you automatic discounts on the discount days (find out which day by asking!) provided you show them your card at the counter before buying, but of course it pays to ask before hand if they do.  If you don't have any of those cards take somebody that has one, get them to buy what you want then pay them back outside.  Too easy! 

4.  This last point is purely for satisfaction and if you do not get that discount;

If you saw something broken in the store, such as a glass object - tell the store assistant that somebody can cut themselves if they pick it up.  Also say 'I don't think you are supposed to be selling dangerous goods!  At least this will make you feel better when leaving the store AND you'll be saving somebody from cutting themselves.  I've lost count with how many times I've seen broken glasses, vases and so on!

And there you have the tricks of the trade.  Happy hunting.  :)

 

Well, crafty me!

Vintage Dresses

Who are the lucky ones out there that get old clothes passed down to them?  I'm not talking about just a few years old... I'm talking 80's, 70's and even 60's!  My dear mother passed a few onto me recently and some a couple of years back.  Most of them need a lot of taking in and a little fixing here and there, but overall they are great.

You may notice that my mum had a not so slim figure but that's good because it gives me more material to play with when reconstructing.  :)

The first three are either late 1970's or early 1980's... and the last is 1970's.

She used to make most of her own dresses, but I'm not sure if all of these actually hand made.  I think the last one is though.  In any case, I will have fun making these into something more wearable; that is, if I don't completely stuff them up!

Well, crafty me!

Little Plate Stand

Do you collect little decorative plates? Have you ever gone looking for little plate stands at the shop?  They are virtually impossible to find.  So I thought I'd make a temporary one with the help of one that I already had and it works just fine!  Please note; I don't recommend making large ones for large plates because they'd be much too flimsy.  These little ones that I made are sturdy enough for smallish plates, no more than about 10cm - 12cm wide.

Let's begin the tutorial.

What you'll need is; 

-A small plate stand measuring approximately 11 cm tall and 9 cm wide at the bottom.  If you don't have one, you'll have to design your own on paper.

-Paper and pencil or pen.

-Paper hole punch.

-Thin string, about 5 inches or so.

-A tough and flexible sheet of plastic, anything that's sturdy and flat that can be cut with scissors or a utility knife.  

Hints: Think ice cream or yogurt container.  If you have something that's a little thinner than this type of plastic, you can always stick two pieces together with super glue.

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Grab you paper and fold it in half.  If you have a plate holder, close it (as shown below) and place the longest edge of the plate holder exactly on the folded line.  If you look at my photo below, it doesn't actually show this - I used this photo to show what the shape looks like.  

Completely trace around it, then cut it out.  If you don't have a plate holder, draw your own freehand and make sure it is roughly the same shape as mine and is approximately 11 cm tall & 9 cm wide at the bottom.  

Now that you've cut out your paper template, open it up.

Grab your plastic sheet and place your template on it, then trace all the way around it with a pencil / pen, then cut it out.  Mine is black, so I had to trace it with a light coloured chalk pencil.

Now fold it in half, making sure that you press as firmly as possible.

Place it under a heavy book for a day if you have to.  ;)

While it's standing you might find that after a short while, it will open up and can't wait to be flat again - and you really don't want it to do that.  So what you can do is fold it in half again, mark the center of the longest edge and punch a hole in it as near as possible to the edge.  Pop your thin string into it while it's still folded and tie a knot, making sure you don't tie too tightly because you want to leave a some slack so it can at least open up again to hold your plate.

There you have it!  Your little temporary plate stand to show off your gorgeous little plate.  :)

Well, crafty me!

Framed Crochet

My mother used to crochet (and knit) a lot, until she got arthritis in her hands.  Now I enjoy what she's given me in the last 20 years in the ways of doilies, or better known as dust collectors.  Now and then she would start something but never finished it, so in a bag and into the cupboard it went and never to be seen again - until recently.  She gave me a bunch of old and unfinished doily pieces that she had intended to sew together but just didn't get around to doing so.  So what can I do with these sweet little things?  Frame them, of course!

Let's begin the tutorial.

You'll need your crochet piece / pieces, some dark fabric (ironed) for the backing and a picture frame with glass.

First cut out your fabric exactly the same width and length as the inside of your frame.  To make this easy, just carefully take out the glass from the frame, place it on top of your ironed fabric, trace around it with white chalk then cut it out - make sure you have sharp scissors because you don't want yukky edges.

Now make sure your glass is nice and clean - especially the side that you'll be placing your doilies onto, then place it back into the frame and arrange your little doilies how you'd like them on top; meaning the inside of the frame that is facing you.  Don't forget to place the good side of the doilies downwards, so the bad side is facing you when you are arranging them on the glass.

When you're happy with your design, place the ironed fabric on top as carefully as possible and try your best not move your doilies, then place the frame backing on.  Before securing the frame backing, pick up the frame securely and have a look at what the front looks like, then if you're happy with what you see, pop the frame backing on.

Tip;  My doilies and fabric kept sliding a little which meant I had to place a thick layer of cardboard between the fabric and frame backing.

And there you go - one cute way of preserving your mother's (or aunt's, or sister's, or yours, or whom evers!) lovely doilies!

Well, crafty me!

Fimo Earrings

When I was in my teens in the 80's *cough, cough*, I thought I was very clever and crafty.  There were times when I couldn't believe just how darn crafty I really was, and then there were times when I just horrified myself.  Yet, the later never stopped me from having fun.

I had discovered 'Fimo' (or polymere clay) back then and I really went to town with the stuff... I just couldn't get enough of it and made all sorts of things which I won't go into, but my favorite thing to do with it was make earrings.  Lot's were destroyed as the years passed, so I don't have a lot to show you today unfortunately - and maybe that's a very good thing.

But I can show you these;

Not the prettiest things as you can see AND I had passed them onto my mother back then.  She pass them back just recently and I was horrified - not because she gave them back, but because I had forgotten just how unattractive they were.  Did I blame her for not wearing them?  Not one bit!

Ok, they are not totally horrifying, but they aren't pretty either.  :(

Well, crafty me!

Idea : Yarn Cone Holder

 I was almost thumping my head on the wall out frustration last year when I was using a cone of yarn to knit with.  It was terribly annoying and also time consuming having to unwind the yarn from the cone every so often.  Knitting is supposed to be fun and certainly not a chore.  

So, what did I end up finding tucked away in the kitchen cupboard recently?  A wooden mug holder.  Yes, I thought!  Screw off the six mug holders and stick a cone on it, then hey presto!  Pure genius.  All you have to do for it to work is pop it on the floor next to you when you're on the sofa knitting.... because it won't work while it's elevated on the sofa next to you. (logic, yes??) 

Of course it helps if you have one that actually comes apart, but unfortunately some don't.  So next time you're shopping at the op shop (second hand store), don't forget to keep an eye out for one that comes apart.  If you find one that doesn't come apart, well all you'll have to do saw off the six mug holders - too easy!  Knitting with a yarn cone on a mug holder never felt so good....

 

Well, crafty me!

Shower Cap Basket Covers

Today I'm posting about my very first crafty project!  Not only is it a recycling project which is fantastic, but it's also functional - and who doesn't like that? 

Best of all, it's simple and can be made in under half an hour assuming that your sewing skills are up to scratch.

So how many times have we bought disposable things, used them and then thought gee, what a waste of money?  Must I throw it out? Then you think of little ways you can salvage/reused/remake etc. But nothing cute and functional comes to mind. Well do I have a cool idea for you! 

Take the humble plastic shower cap. They come in so many lovely designs (or at least they do where I live) and I find it difficult to throw them out. The idea hit me like a brick and I do not know why or how. I just had to make a small basket cover. 

Note: You'll see a 3 different shower cap styles in the photos, just for kicks!

Let's begin the tutorial. 

 Choose a pretty design, because you'll have to look at it often.  If you are one of those people prone to making sewing mistakes, then of course choose one that you won't mind ruining.  It's always a good idea to experiment first anyway.
It will also be a good idea to wash it first, seeing that it probably have a soap residue on it.  I popped mine in a little water with about half a teaspoon of bleach and it did the trick at removing the soap scum.

 

Now you'll cut the elastic on the inside.  Don't sit there and cut for hours... just every inch or so will do.  Be very careful not to accidentally cut through the plastic and don't pull out the elastic too roughly causing the plastic to rip.  I did this once and I wasn't too pleased with myself.  :(

 

Now that you've pulled off the elastic successfully, neatly cut off the yukky edge.  The neater the better, so take your time here.

 

Here she is all nice, neat and flat.

Go grab your basket.  Does it look small enough for the plastic to cover?  My basket seen in the last 2 photos is about 12 inches long and 3 inches high.

 To check, place your plastic on top and as centered as possible on the basket.

 Then while holding the plastic firmly in the center of the basket with one hand, flip it over to see how much overlap you have.  Mine was a little too long for this particular basket; you really don't need that much covering because you still want to see your pretty basket.  Although if you have an ugly basket, then go right ahead and leave it at that length.  But in my case, I want it reaching about half way down the side of the basket.  With a pen or pin, mark where you'd like to cut the plastic.

So as mine was too long for that green basket, I folded the plastic in half, then in half again, then again until it resembled what you see in the photo below.

The basket in the last two photos was the perfect size so I didn't end up cutting anything on that shower cap.

 Assuming you have a smaller basket, cut nice and neatly where you've marked it and cut with a very slight curve so when you unfold it, it's still nice and round when you unfold it.  After you unfold it and see that you haven't quite cut round enough and have little pointy ends here and there, just cut them off nice and round.

 You'll now pin the entire edge down for a neat finish and please make sure you pin down on the wrong side!  If you think you can get away with not doing this step (and the step below) if you are experienced in sewing, then go right ahead.   Pinning down about 2cm should be enough, depending on how thin or thick your elastic is.

 I'm a somewhat perfectionist, so I actually tacked it down with cotton and thread as well just to be safe.  I think it's some kind of phobia.... lol.

You'll now sew the edge down with the sewing machine.  I used a cotton thread and my longest stitch on the machine because there really isn't much of a point or need for a small stitch for this.  Before you reach the end of your circle, remember to leave about an inch for an opening for sliding in your elastic.

You will find that because the edge isn't straight, you'll need to overlap the plastic a teeny bit once in a while, as you can see in the photo above.  Don't worry too much about neatness here, because it will be on the inside of your work and won't show on the outside.

 As you guessed, next comes the sliding in of the elastic.  ;)   Grab a safety pin and thread it through the elastic and most importantly, close your safety.  That tip was obviously for the sewing newbies out there!  You'll notice my elastic is fairly thin, but feel free to use something thicker.

 Thread the elastic through the seam but keep an eye on the other loose end of the elastic every so often, otherwise you might find that the whole thing will thread through because of the constant pulling with the safety pin and then you'll need to start again.  You don't want to create more work for yourself so just to be safe before you start threading, wrap the end of the elastic around your pinky holding it as securely as possible.  When you've completely thread it through, either tie a knot or if it's thick elastic you'll have to hand (or machine) sew the elastic edges together, making sure that it's not twisted.  Your aim is to keep the elastic nice and flat so there aren't any obvious small bumps in the seam.  Lastly, sew down your opening with your sewing machine.

 And here we have the final product!  Cute, yes?  Functional, right?

Pop in some goodies like chips, nuts, fruit, sewing supplies, your knitting, bits and bobs, whatever tickles your fancy.  :)

 

 Well, crafty me!