Something New

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I love to make my game night coasters and applique, so for ages I've wanted to try the pattern out with fabric.

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I finally got around to doing it the other night, and I just couldn't stop!  I made these four hotpads while watching a movie on TV.

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Each of these is made from a standard size pillowcase.  They measure about 7" across and are about a half inch thick.

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I like that they provide good table protection, yet they are flexible and kind of dainty looking.  They are machine wash and dry, too.  I should have these up in sosorosey before the day is over.  $10 each makes them an easy choice for a hostess gift, and as always, custom orders are welcome!

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What is next on your list of crafts to try or things to make? 

Tuesday's Treat

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I have long been a fan of EKRA- both the artist and the person behind the work.  You may know Emily for her famous rugs, but did you know that she has other serious talents, too? 

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Emily has recently had to put her crochet on hold (read more here), and I have been amazed at the transition she's made to a completely different creative outlet.  Her mosaic frames are amazing, one-of-a-kind treasures.  And, they're eco-friendly!  Emily uses all reclaimed and/or made in USA products in her work.  They come in a range of sizes to fit every style and budget, too.

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You won't find a nicer person to work with, and I know firsthand that EKRA customer service is top notch.  The only problem you'll have when you visit Emily's new line of frames is deciding which one to buy!

Thursday's Treasure

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It seems I took a little impromptu blog vacation.  Sorry about that!  Some days you just can't fit everything in, right? 

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The treasure I'm celebrating today is a special order from a new customer in New york.  She spied this little hanging pod in sosorosey and asked if I could make two larger ones for her.  No problem!

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 This is the first finished bucket measuring in at a whopping 6" by 6".  I wonder what will be contained in this?  The second one will be the same size, done in a complementary pattern.  I'm anxious to get started on that one tonight.  Stay tuned :)



Makeover Monday: 11/19

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 I found this fun paisley tablecloth the other day, and knew the colors and pattern would look lovely as a crocheted *thing*.

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I love it!  This basket is positively bursting with personality.  It's a large one, too- about 10" across and 4" tall.  A perfect fruit bowl for that eco~conscious person on your holiday list.

New Basket

Happy, happy Easter to all who celebrate!

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As promised, there's a new sosorosey basket coming to town.  Arriving just in time for summer, meet the upcycled gathering basket.  Perfect for display in the home, or for actual down and dirty flower or veggie gathering in the garden!

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Here she is close up...

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And here she is lugging a batch of pussy willow branches.

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This one was crocheted from two different sheets, a brushed cotton and an old flannel.  Both had sort of an English garden theme, with red roses, deep green foliage and ecru backgrounds.  Since I won't be having a makeover this week, I hope you can imagine it.  I will be back to blogging regularly within the week... see you soon!

Makeover Monday: 4/18

Sometimes when I am browsing the linen aisles at the thrift store, a pattern or color combination will just jump out at me.  This pillowcase was one of those!

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I cut this one pretty thin- about three quarters of an inch wide- and used a smaller hook than I have been using for these.  It is amazingly sturdy- your average person would probably have a hard time believing that this is *just* crocheted fabric.  As always with sosorosey baskets: no stiffener, no inner stabilizer.  I love the uber round shape- it is just so CUTE.

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Happy Monday, my friends!  It is spring break week here, and we're looking forward to spending time with our Massachusetts family over Easter.  I have a fun announcement coming up tomorrow, and a new sosorosey item that I'll be unveiling soon as well.  I also thought of a fun "Spill-It" topic, so look for that later in the week.  I hope you'll join me in the gossip fest, lol.  Have a super duper week!! 

Makeover Monday 2/7

Since opening sosovintage, I'm very selective about the non-vintage sheets I purchase for sosorosey upcycled projects. I just don't have room for them! When I saw this ultra-soft cotton violet-orchid gingham, though, I knew I had to buy it. A good purple is hard to find!

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With spring {hopefully} right around the corner, I decided it was time to brush up on my tutu bowl making skills. I'll be Easter basket making before you know it, and the ruffles are the most important part! I love how full this one's "skirt" came out. Look for her in sosorosey soon!

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Happy Monday! Are you Americans dragging after last night's big football game? How about that cute little beaver commercial? I was so happy when today dawned bright and sunny; I'm hoping for a full week of school and the chance to complete lots of projects that are in the final phases. Come back tomorrow for a sneak peek of new vintage fabrics coming to sosovintage soon. And on Wednesday I'll unveil the finished rag rug and have a little contest, too. Here's hoping you have a wonderful week. Especially you, Donna- I'll be thinking about you tomorrow!

Makeover Monday 1/10

When I went thrifting at Yesterday's Rose last week, I wasn't looking for t-shirts. When I got there, however, I discovered that t-shirts were on sale: 4 for $1. I decided it would be a good time to look for tie-dyed tees to repurpose. I only found two, but how exciting that they were both red and white! Perfect for the upcoming month of love.
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I cut and crocheted the extra large shirt last night. This is a really nice sized bowl, and I even had enough fabric to give it a fancy rim. I think she looks like a plus size peppermint :)

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Happy Monday! The forecast is calling for snow along the east coast tomorrow, so there is a decent chance that Sophie may finally get to use her new Christmas sled! I'm looking forward to a week of finishing up a couple of custom orders and crossing some items off of my to-do list for this month. What do you have going on these days?

Eco-friendly Fruit Basket

Not sure what to give your child's teacher for the holidays? Maybe an upcycled apple is the way to go! These two are heading off to Connecticut as Christmas gifts, but I'd be happy to whip one or some up for you- just ask! The leaf lid comes off to provide a nice little storage place for all of the teacher-y things that tend to accumulate and sprawl over his or her desk. Just $15, and sure to be a standout from the usual mugs and candy.

Making Ready

Some of you may remember part of a black, raspberry and white rug that was featured on a makeover Monday awhile back. That rug was never born; my customer changed her color scheme before I got too far. Since the customer is my mom, I couldn't be too upset!

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So now I have her request for a set of matched rugs in blues and browns. These are to be two decent sized rugs, and you can't even imagine how much fabric and planning goes into this kind of order. I know I can hardly imagine it, and I'm the one doing it.

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I decided to start with the smaller of the two rugs, so I chose 10 of the 18 fabrics I have gathered for this project. I cut those in half- putting one set aside to be incorporated into the bigger rug, and cutting the other set into quarters.

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These are the fabrics that will make up the first rug. What do you think, Mom? Fingers are crossed that you like the colors. If so, I'll get started this weekend and have some progress to show you all for Makeover Monday!!

Makeover Monday: 8/30

I've begun to gravitate toward brightly colored fabrics for a more contemporary vibe. I knew this sheet would work up to be bold and fun.

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Yep! Bold, fun .... and shapely. Since there are a few others selling basic upcycled pencil pots on Etsy now, I figured I'd go ahead and make mine a little different. This beaker-ish shape is juuuuust what I was hoping for.

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Happy Monday to you! What's on your agenda for this week? Me, I have a doctor's appointment on Monday, a house cleaning scheduled for Tuesday, a playdate on Friday and a wedding to get ready for this coming weekend. And in between? There's tae kwon do to attend and fun to be had with my Sophie, a custom order for business card carriers to work on, and still loads of things to photograph and list in both shops. Whew!

Coasting

That's what you call the act of making coasters, right? Coasting? When I made my first set of upcycled coasters several weeks ago, I was so excited with them. Then they sat on my shop shelf, garnering a little love here and there, but sitting there nonetheless. So, I thought maybe they weren't as exciting as I had hoped.

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Yesterday they got snatched up, and I sent them off to a new home today. I just love it when the right person comes along to appreciate something that I made! In celebration, I made this set last night. I heart coasting :)

Mug Rugs

I've made upcycled coasters as a custom request before, but have never had a set for sale in my shop. The lemon-lime colors of these make me really happy, and I'm pleased with the way my bow came out on top. The little things in life can make all the difference.

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Happy Saturday! What little thing has made you happy lately?

Makeover Monday: 4/5

One of my Etsy teams is hosting a big giveaway at the end of this month. Lots of members are donating items to put in a large basket, and I decided I'd better create my contribution while I had the time. The theme of the event is "spring", so I began by choosing this vintage floral fabric.

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I wanted to make something that would be useful to the winner. So, at the risk of being boring, I went with a bowl.

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Special note: I have not forgotten about the craft room makeover. I got sidetracked from my progress with our trip preparations (and life), but I'll be getting back to work on it soon enough. After long consideration, I have grouped the tasks necessary by order of importance. See, it isn't just a matter of creating a crafty space- would that it were! First I need to create actual space by cleaning out 2 large storage closets before I can even tackle the room. I won't bore you with the details- just wanted you to know where I am with the *big dig*.

Makeover Monday: 3/15

For today's makeover, you chose the jersey knit cotton butterfly fabric.

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Though the butterflies disappeared once the fabric was cut and crocheted, their colors live on!

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I've wanted to make a hanging basket for a long time, and decided to try to make one in the general style of an antique fisherman's carrier. While this one can serve many purposes, I love the idea of hanging it in your office area or by the front door to hold mail. Anything that keeps clutter off of the workspace is a good thing, right?

Makeover Monday: 1/25

Last week was a little bit stressful for me. I had some major PMS, a customer I couldn't please, a to-do list a mile long that seemed to grow longer with each passing day. You know those weeks. So, for today's makeover, I pulled out a pillowcase that I knew would soothe my frazzled self!

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Whenever there is discord and strife, there are always roses. Soft, pink, flannel Waverly roses- to be exact!

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This fabric didn't want to be anything but a coaster. And guess what? I have the entire queen sized set!! Do you know what that means? Yep... I'm thinking rug. Want to get me moving on it? Just send me a message and say, "I want that rug!!!"

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Happy, happy Monday... May your week be bright and sunny

(and rosey and pink)!

Gettin' Fleeced

No fabric or potentially *crochetable* item is safe around me. I found a super colorful, well- worn fleece baby blanket the other day, and decided to see what it would look like as a bowl. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the result.

This bowl is even softer than it looks, and it is super sturdy, too. Coolest thing of all? It weighs just over 2 ounces. Expect to see many more of these in my shop this winter, in all shapes and sizes!

Baby Girl's First...

...Ecofriendly Christmas Ornament: 2009 edition

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Can you think of a more fabulous way to recycle/upcycle an infant receiving blanket? I did a round version of these last year, and they were a big hit. I like the *star is born* theme of this one. Boy and "gender neutral" versions are on the way :)

Exciting Earth Day

I had a very special surprise today! My super friend Angela from aandboriginals sent me the screenshot above... That's my orange tray down on the bottom, and this was an Etsy front page this morning.

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I am particularly flattered by this as it was a collection chosen by Etsy admin, found using the word "upcycled"...I am so humbled and excited to have my "eco-friendliness" honored this way on Earth Day.

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And this gorgeous purple and mustard collection was on the front page yesterday! What a rush! Thank you to 3dots for including my bowl set, and thank you Amy from ThePeachTree for sending me a message to let me know!

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PSSSSSSSST......

There is still time to vote in the Etsyfriends Earth Day Challenge! There are prizes for 10 people who take the time to vote, and all you have to do is leave a comment with your choice! This is my "Love Your Mother" rag rug entry...click on the photo to get to the voting spot. Entries will be taken through midnight tonight!

Easter Preview

It's not too early to be dreaming of spring, is it? Here is my latest creation ~

the upcycled Easter basket!

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I'd love to make more of these for my shop, but I need some input...

what size should I make them?

Please do leave a comment with your input!