Trash to somewhat useful treasure

Everyone knows the saying that one person's trash is another's treasure.  Well, I feel like I've hit the jackpot!  Last summer my local library sent out an email to community organizations to tell them that they were purging their backdated magazines.  Everything had to go.  They listed all of their titles and said that if you wanted what they had you had to take it all.  So, you couldn't just say you wanted the 2008 Vogues, you had to take everything from 2002 to 2010 if that's what they had.

I responded with a short list of titles that I would be willing to take once they had fulfilled any requests from community groups.  I didn't hear anything for ages so I figured my request had just been binned or something.  Then, in about November, I got an email asking me to come pick up the 8 boxes of magazines that they had for me!!!! 

There's a load of Elle Decor in there somewhere too!

 If you've been following me for awhile you will know that I love to create Inspiration boards and books.  My initial plan was to use the magazines for that kind of thing, along with using the valuable info inside of them.  Obviously, I have far more than I know what to do with so now I'm thinking of all kinds of other fun crafts I can use this huge resource for.

This week my head has really been in the travel zone so I figured that's where I'd start...luggage tags for everyone!

I sort of made this up as I went along so I don't have the usual supplies photo for you.  But basically here's what you need:

• inspirational images
• travel quotes
• regular paper
• glue (optional)
• access to a computer
• access to a laminator and laminating sleeves
• hole punch
• ribbon or plastic ties

Steps
1) Use Google to find some fun travel quotes.

2) Gather some travel images from magazines or travel brochures. ( You could also just use wallpaper samples or scrap booking paper, anything you like)

3) On your computer use a word processing program to create business card size labels.  You don't have to use label paper, regular printer paper will do.  Each label should have enough info to identify your luggage as yours but not enough to give a stranger the inside track to your life.

Mine have my first initial, last name, originating city, and phone number, with my quote at the bottom.

If you're really not comfortable having any personal information on your bag, that's OK.  Just put the quote.  Having anything on your bag that's unique and identifiable will distinguish it from the rest, and that's the whole point here.

4) Cut out your images to the same size as your labels.  Put a little dab of glue on the back and affix to one of your labels just to stabilize the two together.

5)  Now make a sandwich inside your laminating sleeve (laminating paper/picture face down/label face up/laminating paper).  Make sure to leave at least 1/4 inch space all the way around each piece to ensure the plastic will seal itself.  Run it through the laminator.  (If you don't have access to a laminator try using sticky back mack tack paper and just stick everything together.)

6) Cut all the way around each tag staying at least 1/4 inch from all of the edges.

7) Punch a hole in one end and add a strong ribbon or plastic twist tie.

 

8) Attach it to your luggage and never worry about picking up the wrong bag again!  Or if the airline somehow manages to displace it, your info will safely identify it as yours...wherever it is~

Now, when my oh so unique black bag comes rolling onto the luggage carousel with all of the other black bags, I'll instantly know which one is mine!

 Happy Travels~

Make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!  I'll be posting at the linky parties through out the week so make sure to check out the Linky Party tab up top for more great ideas.

Inspiration Shot: Caribbean Blue

Just a reminder that the sun is shining somewhere and there is still hope that I will feel it on my skin again someday~


Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands



Show and Tell: Resort wear

I made a big decision this week:  I am going to fight back and not let the winter blues get to me this year.  It happens every year from about Dec/Jan until the spring.  I just feel blah, feel like I look blah, and generally have a very blah outlook on life.  Well not this year!

The first step was to get my mojo back by going to the hairdresser for a proper cut and colour.  I've been trying to save money by doing it myself but that was not really going very well (which is why I had to cut my head off in last week's Show and Tell).

The next step was to turn on the Travel Channel and start dreaming about getaways.  After my trip to India last year I promised myself that my next voyage would be someplace much, much easier.  I say that after every crazy overseas adventure that has me hiking through jungles and mountains at 6 am, but this time I really mean it.  Right now I'm dreaming of Bora Bora.  I was planning on making it happen in the spring after the rainy season there but my sister asked me to go to Vegas in March, which isn't my usual type of trip but I'm actually really excited to go.  So, I think Bora Bora will wait until the fall with Vegas up first.
                             

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The next step was to start thinking about a wardrobe!  These images are what I used as my inspiration.  Keep in mind that I wasn't trying to copy the pieces, only trying to capture the vibe.


(I pulled these images ages ago and totally forget the sources...oops~)

And here are some things that I made over the weekend:

Just a cute easy top with some pretty shimmer in it for a casual dinner out.

I had originally planned on making this for my shop but I fell in love with it as I was sewing, so it's mine now~

Again, this fabric was intended for something in the shop, but I wanted a fun and easy caftanesque piece and this fabric was the perfect fit.

And this last one I made last summer but since it's the same idea I'll share it with you.


(This is actually my version of the white Halston dress Carrie
wears at the beginning of Sex and the City 2)

Leave a comment and let me know what you do to keep the winter blues away. Today was a balmy -24 degrees (Celsius, and yes that is a minus sign in front), but I think as long as my head is in Bora Bora I'll be OK.

I'll be posting at the linky parties so make sure to check out the party tab up top. 

And don't forget to join the Spool Party if you've made a Spooling project!

Hidden Treasures: Pretty as a Peach

If you're not part of the Etsy community (yet), you're missing out on an incredible place that is totally committed to the art of the handmade.  It's a wonderful place to find everything you need, or just want, while supporting fellow crafters and artists.  It's also just a treasure trove of  great ideas and inspiration.

For something new this year I thought I'd post a treasury of various Etsy sellers each week.  Click on the thumbnail to visit the shops and see what else you can find.  And while you're hanging out at Etsy you can feel free to visit me at the Etcetorize etsy shop~

If an item doesn't have a selling amount below it just means that it's already sold.  Check out the seller's store for similar items, you never know what you'll find!

'Pretty as a Peach' by Etcetorize

Ancient Roses, Czech glass n... karmelidesigns $	Cat Collar with Pearl / Adju... AmandaBrewerTe... $	6 TRIO GUM PASTE FLOWER ROSE... MissErikas $29.97
Morning Dew - 8x8 flower pho... elgarboart $30.00	Lace Tunic In Light Peach Lirola $	The Secret of Secrets - 8x10... JenMurray $25.00
Peach Full flower and filigr... HauteHouseFlow... $10.00	PANDORA STYLE CZ PEACH CATS ... MYASJEWELS $13.99	Flower Hair Pins Fall Bridal... hotpinkchick $
Peach Rose Flower 30 seeds $	Peach Bellini - Pure and Kno... whimsypie $33.00	Discounted One-Off PEACH Col... orrkiki $16.50

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Check it out: Blog Guidebook

While I was linking up to Krafty Kat's linky party this week I came across an interesting post of hers talking about the The Blog Guidebook .  I had seen their icon on other pages but I had no idea what a cool space they have.

                                                        

The Blog Guidebook is an excellent resource for new bloggers.  They post all kinds of tricks and tips to help you have the best blog out there.  They also have great tutorials and lists of other resources as well as freebies, who doesn't like a freebie!  And I haven't even told you about their awesome list of blogs that you can add your site to for FREE.  And right now, if you do a post on their site telling your readers about them you can add your button to your blog listing for FREE too!  What a great way to spread the word about a cool resource and to get your name out there to all kinds of people you might not normally reach.

This is a limited offer and I'm not sure when it ends, so check out the Blog Guidebook and get in on the list ~

A New Year, A New Stitch

I promised to share another spool knitting stitch with you so here it is!  If you're new to spool knitting make sure the check out my post on how to make your own Spool Knitter and you can go here to learn the basics of casting on and off and the beginner stitch.

I'll try to do some screen grabs below for those of you who aren't able to watch the videos, buy trust me, it makes much more sense in the video...

                        

                        


Steps:
1) Cast on as usual.

2) On your second section, loop your wool under and up through the wool on the front of the section.

3) Bring the whole section of wool up and off of the knitter.

4) Place the loop down on the knitter, it is now at the front of the section.

That's it, that's the stitch.  Just repeat that over and over on every section and you'll end up with a nice texture to your piece:

I made mine into a short tube and made a toque out of it, but there are so many other fun projects you can make with this.  Let your imagination run wild!



Dreaming of a day when I don't have to wear a toque!

I'm leaving the Spool Party tab open for one more month so that you can share your projects.  I can't wait to see what you come up with!

I'll be posting this at all the linky parties throughout the week
so make sure to check out all of the fun links on the linky party tab up top.

Did you notice???  I've harnessed the power of the linky and have reorganized all of my pages up top so that you can find projects and other posts easily.  Let me know if you like this new format.