a big idea: art for inspiration

It's no secret that I love doing applique.  Here's some inspiration for applique designs from the art world.  These images are all from Laura Nugent's website.

This would be a simple design to applique...all straight lines!  Use two shades of green fabric to give the illusion of hills.

A beautiful blue bird on a gold patterned background.  I love the bold colors.

These trees are so pretty.  I think my fabric version would be fabric circles appliqued with hand embroidered leaf designs.

I think I will have to raid my fabric stash and give some of these a try in fabric form.

a big idea: more things to do with yarn poms

Wow.  This pom pom garland puts my garland to shame.  So pretty.  I love the colors.

I love these pom flowers from creative jewish mom.  P.S. She has a great linky party on Sundays, a great source for new ideas.

I really want to touch this wreath.  It looks so soft and squishy.

These pom place card holders are really cute.  Of course at my family parties they might become play toys...which actually sounds kinda fun.

This might be my favorite pom idea.  I just love wrapping gifts and these poms are so adorable as gift wrap embellishments.

a big idea: recycling t-shirts

I have one t-shirt that doesn't spend much time in my dresser drawer.  It's the first t-shirt I reach for on the weekend as soon as it comes out of the laundry.  It's gray and goes with all my comfy weekend yoga pants and it is totally broken in.  I love it.

But when I put my shirt on this morning it had a hole (in a very conspicuous and immodest place).  Now I have to put my favorite t-shirt into retirement.  

I know.  I know.  I'll be OK.

Here are some really cute t-shirt recycling ideas if you also have a favorite t-shirt that you can't wear.

T-shirt scarf from A Diamond in the Stuff

Jersey knit bracelet from V and Co.

a big idea: embroidery hoop collage

Problem #1:  My upstairs hallway walls are white and bare.  Blah blah blah...

Problem #2:  I'm not sure what to do with my vintage camera embroideries and shift key sampler.  They are all shut away in drawers.

Solution = an embroidery collage!!!

I love it when two problems present a really creative solution.  Of course now I have to work on some more embroideries.  Four hoops do not a collage make!

While I'm working on stitching up some more, here is a collection of my favorite collages.

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a big idea: more bean bags

Here are some more bean bag ideas that I love:

I want to make these triangle bean bags.  They seem like the perfect shape to hold in your hand (and maybe even to throw across the room at an unsuspecting husband?  Not that I would ever do that!)

What a great idea to use bean bags as paper weights.

Bean bags shaped like actual beans?  So cool.

a big idea: pen and ink drawings

Last post I showed you one of my inspiration pen and ink drawings and my fancy lady interpretation.  Here are some other pen and inks that I love.

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I love this repeating pattern.  It feels very seventies inspired.

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The detail in this hair is so pretty.

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I love all the detail in this feather.

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Can I ever get sick of vintage cameras?

a big idea: yellow pages

Phone books intrigue me.  Remember how important they once were?  Remember looking up phone numbers?

Like most people I use the Internet to find phone numbers now and our lonely phone book is tucked away in a high kitchen cabinet.  So I had a thought, why not use the yellow pages for crafts?  Origami, specifically.

So I searched the Internet and found instructions to make this lovely flower.

Unfortunately I have never been gifted at what seems like it should be a simple task; folding paper into shapes.  So I ended up with this:

Sigh.

Oh well, here are some more successful yellow page flowers I found online.

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I'd love to hear your ideas for crafty uses for the yellow pages.  Hint, hint...

a big idea: things to do with scraps

Fabric scraps remind me of my favorite projects from the past.  I love new projects that use up old scraps.

Here are some great ideas...

A very scrappy lamp shade.  You need to go check out this tutorial to see the pretty shadows this light creates.

There's no tutorial at the link for this curtain, but I think I could figure it out.  I love the way the light looks through the seams of this curtain.

Don't fabric scraps look beautiful as high art?  Check out this tutorial to make this canvas.

OK...this one is well beyond my skill level, but isn't it totally cool?  There are more amazing scrap upholsterys at this link.

What do you like to do with your scraps?

a big idea: laptop case inspiration

These laptop cases are definitely more successful than my craft fail.

Isn't this etch a sketch case so clever?

I love the simple grey of this laptop case with the pretty scallop detail.

A recycled sweater laptop case is such an easy idea.  Probably as simple to execute as a cardigan pillow.

I pined this case awhile ago.  Go to this etsy shop and it can be yours.

a big idea: polymer clay creations

I'm starting to really love polymer clay.  It's like play-doh for adults!

Here are some inspiring creations and tutorials with polymer clay.

Here's a great idea to use polymer charms as gift tags.  I can't wait to do this at Christmas time!

Check out this tutorial for making polymer clay bangles.  I love wearing an armful of bangle bracelets.  Such a cool idea.

This acorn is so sweet and this tutorial makes it look so easy.  These are on my "to-try" list for sure.

Check out this awe inspiring bracelet.  I'm speechless.

a big idea: paint sample inspiration

So many things you can do with paint samples!  Here are a few of my favorites...

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a big idea: feed sack furniture

Here are some more feed sack ideas in addition to my feed sack messenger bag.

My parents ran a grain elevator and feed mill when I was growing up, so feed sacks are close to my heart.  Of course in my time sacks were made of paper (bummer).

Here are some other cool feed sack creations found via Pinterest:

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These all seem a little beyond my DIY abilities, but still fun to look at...

a big idea: inspired by flowers

I got some "just because" flowers from my hubby at work the other day and I couldn't help but photograph them.  I've never gotten "just because" flowers before.  Sometimes I get "special occasion" flowers and they are usually red roses.  I love this mixed bouquet so much more.

Feeling inspired by flowers, I rounded up some flower related craft projects...

This pillow just proves once again that I must give crochet another try.

This is an Anthropologie inspired pillow.  I love projects that use up pretty scraps.  I always forget to look to this store for inspiration until I see yet another funky knock off.

Check out these very pretty flower paper balls.  I love the muted purple.