Trunk Transformation

I think I was about 14 or so when my Grandma gave me this trunk for my birthday:

I think she was the only person who believed me at the time when I said I was going to travel the world.

For a long time, I basically lived out of a suitcase while I travelled.  So, my trunk stayed behind at my parents house.  And, over time, it took a bit of a beating. 

When I finally started to settle down and needed some furniture I rescued my trunk.

I just used some MDF type board that I had cut at the hardware store to size. 

I added a nice super thick layer of foam, wrapped it in quilt batting, and then wrapped the whole thing with some microfiber type fabric.

Added some home made cushions and now it's a bench!

I've picked the lock many times, but now
I just don't lock it.  If I ever remember the special
secret hiding place I put the key, then I'll lock it again~

But it still holds my treasures...

Yes, I was a bit of a Barbie fanatic when I was a kid.  I couldn't possibly let go of them so I keep them in my trunk.  I've also got a bag of Glamour Gals that I can't get rid of either.  They were like miniature Barbies...sort of.  Anyone else out there remember them?

Do you have any of your childhood toys kept in a special place?  Leave a comment!

Easy Eyelet Collar

Another super fast quickie craft for today.  I've been on the road ALL week this week, in fact, I'm probably still on the road as you're reading this.  But I still make time for crafting~

Here's what you need to make your own pretty collar:

 Materials:
-eyelet or lace pre-made collar
-standard sewing kit (thread, scissors, machine, pins, etc.)
-double wide, double fold bias tape
-snaps

Steps
1) Cut a piece of bias tape the length of one collar times two plus an extra 4-6" depending on how low or high you want it to sit on your collarbone.  Press it flat and lay it down.  Notice how one side is just slightly narrower than the other?  Centre it onto the back side of your collar and stitch down.

Line up the raw edge and sew inside the first creased fold.

2) Now just fold the bias tape over to the front along it's fold lines.  See how it naturally hugs the edge?  and because the slightly wider side is on the front you won't see any edge of the bias tape.  Just stitch along the edge making sure to catch both side of your bias tape.

3) Figure out where you want your closure to be by trying on your  necklace and marking the overlap of the tape with a two pins.  Apply your snaps as per the package directions.  My snaps are super old school.  I picked up a whole bag of them at the thrift store.  They work great though!

4) Once you've secured both sides of your snap just snip the ends of the bias tape off.

There you go!  All done!  Wasn't that easy?  And now my necklace dilemma from Wednesday is solved!

I pick up these kinds of collars at the fabric store once in awhile.  They usually have a basket with different kinds for $1 each or less.  They come in handy for all kinds of things so it doesn't hurt to have a few on hand

I have no travel for work scheduled next week so I hope to get back into full on crafty mode again soon.  Have a crafty week everyone!  Don't by shy to leave a comment~

The Great British Sewing Bee

A great BIG huge thank you to Gertie over at Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing!   Last week she told all of her readers about a great new show airing on BBC right now and I'm completely addicted after watching only half an episode!

8 home sewers compete to win the title of the Britain's best home sewer.  Some of them have decades of experience and some only started sewing a few years ago.

Contestants and Judges

It's the funnest, least catty, and most educational reality show that I think I've ever seen.

Participants are judged by Mary Martin, "the best sewing teacher in the world", and Patrick Grant from Savile Row.

There are only 4 episodes (boohoo) but each episode is jampacked with sewing and great tips as well as one easy to make project with instructions for viewers.

       

This show will appeal to sewers of all levels of experience...including all of you out there who keep telling me that you've been thinking about taking up sewing but are feeling intimidated.

Would you compete on a reality show?  What kind of show do you think you could win?  I'm pretty sure there's now way I could beat out Ann on The Great British Sewing Bee but I think I could do pretty well on the Amazing Race.  What about you?  Leave a comment below~

Another Little Black Dress

Because you just can't have too many!

Here's the pattern I used:

You can see a print version of the same dress here~

I love the idea of this simple dress because you can dress it up or down with a change of shoes and jewellery easily.  But now I can't decide which necklace to wear with it.  I'm planning on wearing my new dress to facilitate a meeting at work.  Which necklace do you like best?

Leave a comment and let me know!  Owl, 60's turquoise beads, gold chain, emerald chain, or gypsy tassle?

Lady O

This has has very little to do with sewing and crafting but I have to share something with you.....the Oprah experience!!!!  Yes!  I got to see Oprah, live, in person!

Attending her show was on my bucket list, and when it ended, I just figured that was one thing I'd never get to do.  So, when it was announced that she was coming to Saskatchewan of all places, I knew I'd be there.

My sister and I went in on a ticket for my mom too as an early birthday present.  I put the ticket in this envelope:

My hands were so shaky from excitement
I had to get someone else to take our picture~

It was a great show.  Even though she was just up there on that stage, in front of more than 13,000 people, talking, she was entertaining.  She told all of the Oprah stories that we know and love but you could hear a pin drop.  Everyone was riveted to every word.

Could you talk in front of
13,000 people?!?!?

At the end, George Strombolopolous (Strombo for short) came out and did a little one on one chat with her. He's a Canadian radio host that now has his own late afternoon talk show.

I find myself very contemplative after the experience.  She talked a lot about finding your purpose and finding the stillness to let it come to you.  This is something I've been after for a long time, and hearing about her experiences really pushes me to focus a little more to figure it all out.

If you ever get the chance to stand in the light of Lady O....go for it!  You won't regret it~

She looks amazing!

Have any of you out there seen Oprah in person?  Did you have the thrill of seeing a taping of the show when it was still on?  Leave a comment, I want to hear all about it!!!!

My First Painting!

Because I don't have my hand in enough craft pots (or enough craft supplies stuffed into my closet) I decided to take up another hobby....watercolour painting~

It's something I've always wanted to learn, but I've never considered myself to be artistic.  I'm crafty sure, but artistic, not so much.

I've studied Art History though and have a great love an appreciation for painting, so I figured it's about time I just get over my fear of creating something horribly ugly, and dive in.

Here's my first painting.

It's just a bunch of blobs of colour but I kind of like it~

I really like this corner for some reason.

I've only had one class so far, but I'm having fun learning something new.  If you have any tips for me, leave a comment below.

My tip for you is...whatever it is you've always wanted to do but haven't, DO IT!  There's no such thing as failure as long as you're trying.