Living Green as Fall turns Gold

I am a member of Going Green Crafters Blog, and I infrequently post over there.  I enjoy some of the wonderful crafting ideas that combine creating with recycling.  To me, the real joy is in giving stuff new life!  Saving from landfills is done one small craft at a time. Consider stopping by, and maybe contributing!  My recent post is here: 

Well if you are a facebook friend, you would have seen my goofy attempt at dressing in the 1800's.  No, that is not my hubby, some random guy walking by, I think he was part of the civil war encampment. I will explain the interesting apron, further down.

Our little town celebrated it's Bi-centennial last weekend, and I had a wonderful day sharing booth space with my good friend Crystal, and enjoying demonstrating, hawking our wares and eating our way around the fair!  This one doesn't even hold a candle to the Country Living Fair in Columbus, (last post) but it was so nice outside, the views of the sparkly lake, the breeze bringing a recent fish kill smell to the nose, mingling with the vendor foods, and the smiles of the crowds, a memorable day!  I even broke my record for selling my stuff!



yes that is a trundle machine!  So much fun in lace up boots!





The historical society ladies, portarying our founding spinster sisters, the Cahoons

It seems my weekends are these glorious fairs and soirees, but truth be told we crafters work hard during the week so we can enjoy being out and feeling the fun.

Which brings me to the apron tutorial, and Doily Jewelry Holder Tut

If you notice the stunning apron I am wearing, you'll detect a flower bouquet upside down on my chest, with a matching one towards the bottom.  Yes, this was formerly a dresser scarf, one in decent condition, but way oversized for my general use.  It fit my body pretty good, so I decided to make up an apron with it, by adding interfacing behind the bib part, and adding a waist band, ties and neck strap.  Pretty straightforward, the only addition was to add an underskirt behind the apron to visually widen it and create more coverage. 
Here are the steps in pictures:



a touch of elastic behind, cinched the bodice a bit for contour





Even Kitty likes my new apron!

And another redo of a doily, is my own design.  I dreamt about this jewelry holder one night and I couldn't wait to make it.  I actually sold it already last weekend, so I think I might have to make more! 

Again follow the steps in pictures: Begin by making pockets, edge in hem lace.

Reinforce the back of the doily with fusible pellon.  Then after edging the pockets with lace, sew onto the front, add a calico fabric casing on top.  Clean finish edges, fold over to make the casing for the wooden dowel.  Not much to do, since the doily is finished, and the clear pockets make it useful, but don't cover up the beautiful handiwork.  I made a matching pillow to this little lady, and still have it.  Watch for it in my etsy shop soon.



See the jewelry holder hanging proudly in the breeze, it sold to a nice lady who sold me a lemon bread!  Yum!

Enjoy my "living with vintage ideas",  I am sure you have a few dresser scarves laying around, so try and give them a new life, be green and enjoy the golden leaves by getting outside!



Country Living Wrap Up

I can't believe 2 weeks have passed since I posted about the great weekend in Columbus at the Country Living Fair! I started on a long term sub assignment teaching Foods and Sewing at the highschool I sub alot at.  The young teacher had her baby, over last weekend, and I was called to step in on Monday.  My world now consists of teaching, planning, grocery shopping, grading, and even had a parent teacher meeting already this past week!  Whew!  And yesterday I sat all day at my booth at our local park where our little town is celebrating it's Bicentennial!  I dressed in costume and sold my wares.  Today, all I want to do is stare at my computer, type and drink fluids!  Well,  I want to put up some more pics here as a continuation from last post,so you can enjoy the Fair from your desk chair.  Stick through the pics, and next post will see my latest "Living with Vintage" tutorial, Jewelry Organizer. ( I actually sold one yesterday already, so maybe I found a new hit...time will tell)


Karen, Donna and myself at the entrance, look how eager we are!





This lady sold painted naugehide, or vinyl, that was sculpted into baskets or flat as placemats!





This vendor was amazing, lots of great furniture, cabinets and chandeliers!





Artgoodies, was interviewed on a recent CrafSanity podcast!  So excited to meet her in person!





 

loved this display!

Well if this hasn't been a commercial for the best fair I have ever been to, I don't know what else is!  Hope you enjoyed the visit, I have a stack of cards with the vendors names, if you see something here, and want more info, post your question.  I'll try to match cards with what I saw.  Have a great week, watch for tutorials next.