Triforce Tote - First Attempt!

So lately I've been playing a lot of retro games. Okay, I mostly play retro games...but one of my more recent plays has been 'The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past'. I never really played video games growing up, so I'm late to this party but I'm starting to become quite fond of the series!

Another thing I'm starting to experiment with is painting fabric. It is so much fun and such a great way to personalize bags, clutches, shirts, etc. You get the picture. This was one of my first attempts at a painted tote! I picked the Triforce because it's iconic and fairly simple for a first attempt. Although I will admit that drawing an equilateral triangle was embarrassing difficult for me.
 

I'm not really a fan of the basic totes that you can buy in bulk. They never seem to be the right size or shape, so I decided to make my own base. I used a heavyweight cotton duck fabric and lined the bag with a green cotton fabric. Cotton webbing was used for the handles.

For the paint, I used a mixture of a basic metallic craft paint and a fabric medium from Martha Stewart's line of craft products. After it sat for 24 hours, I heat set the design and now it can be thrown in the washing machine with (hopefully) fantastic results. 

I can't wait to make more!

Etsy Favorites - October

 Here's a selection from my Etsy favorites this month! Fall themed, handmade goodies!

This incredibly cute Red Riding Hood doll pattern is just amazing. The amount of detail is great and it's great for adults or kids.

This teal suede bracelet is so simple, but I like that it doesn't look cheap. I think there's a tutorial for this somewhere on pinterest, but in case you're not crafty this is a great option!

This Alice in Wonderland journal is so great. It's perfect for having something in your purse to write quick notes.

This cute stitched mushroom pendant is so whimsical.

Thrift Finds - 10/25/12

Today was a great thrifting day. Like...super great. Here's what I found!

 

This neat 70s Lord of the Rings framed puzzle was $3. It might be a little sun faded, but I mean...something LOTR for cheap-o? Yes.

 In a little dish of Christmas tree brooches and such, there were these two cuties! If any two pins sum me up as a person, that would be these two. Amazing. And a quarter each. 

 Cute animal decals from 1981! So great!

A lot of Disney/Sesame Street records from the late 60s to late 70s. I'm going to frame the Alice in Wonderland one as well as Bambi for some cute decor. 

Back to Hogwarts Swap - Packages

If you like to sew, crochet, draw, bead, etc, etc, etc and you have not visited Craftster.org....you need to go there right now. Like now. Not only can you share the wonderful things that you make, you can participate in themed swaps. I've been involved in these for years, and they're the best. Okay, so sometimes you get some duds or you get flaked on...but other times you get great handmade things that are made especially for YOU. Like I said, the best.

My most recent swap was the 'Back to Hogwarts' swap, where you made things that were, you guessed it, themed around Harry Potter. 

This is what I sent to my partner.

That Ravenclaw embroidery took forever and a day. I can't even say how many episodes of Dirty Jobs went into the making of that. Apart from that, I made two ornaments (a potion bottle & a snitch), and a canvas pouch with the name of her favorite wizard book shop.

This is what I received. 

Three glow in the dark hooplas with constellations, a Ravenclaw hoodie, and a dishrag with a Chocolate Frog in the stitches. So great!

This was a really great swap and I enjoyed the heck out of it. :)

Starlight Castle

I'm a BIG toy lover. I'm constantly rummaging through bins at flea markets and thrift shops for colorful plastic and vinyl and my shelves show it. I have a very special place in my heart for any toys from the 80s and 90s, especially toys that I grew up with.

This Polly Pocket Starlight Castle was my favorite when I was in Elementary school! Actually, I don't remember if it was mine or my sisters, but either way it was in constant rotation with my other favorites. I was browsing on Ebay the other night and found one in near perfect condition and with all the little characters (even the swan!) for 30 bucks. That may seem like a lot, but honestly it's not a bad price for the condition that it's in.

Oh, it also lights up. Just the coolest.

Zapped.

Fall is really starting to show itself here in the mountains! Which is great. Obviously. Also, the weather is pretty amazing. Which should also be obvious. 

Naturally this means a mini photo op with a Nintendo Zapper.