Save your wine corks...

I know most of you have already seen these. But, for those of you who haven't, they are super easy to make and I think that the warm brown of the corks adds such warmth to a room. Not to mention the fact that it is useful. Beautiful, Useful, and Upcycled. Three wonderful things.:)

I made this cork board from wine corks (obviously) and a recyced frame. It was a bright silver that was too bright for me, so I toned it down with some stains and paint mixtures. I glued the wine corks to the original cardboard that was in the frame just using tacky glue.

 I got most of these corks from my wonderful brother n law Stuart. He's a wine distributor and he's good about saving them for me. Of course, they didn't all come from him!;)  Always save your wine corks! I have also gotten my favorite restaurants and wine bars to save their corks for me. They are usually more than happy to do it. Just make sure that you are faithful enough to drop by and remove them at least once a week or as often as they would like you to. I've done this also with bottle caps from this Mexican grocery store/restaurant that we used to frequent in Santa Rosa Beach. I have some really great bottle caps that I collected from there just by leaving a tin can labeled bottle caps near their bottle cap opener thingy.;)

I've heard that they can also be useful in the garden...I need to look into this and see what for. I'll get back to you on that. My good friend and permaculture expert, Kat Provincher says that the cork tree is seriously endangered. We may not always have wine corks in our wine bottles....So, hang on to those wine corks!<3

Unfinished Projects.....

I've been wanting to make a gypsy/something that looks like it came from the Weasley's tent type curtain for awhile now. I finally decided last week to get started on it and I am determined to make sure I finish this one! Unlike some of my unfinished projects from the past.;)

I'm using a large canvas painters cloth, my felted wool scraps, and cotton embroidery floss. I cut the canvas cloth in half to save to use for lining the back. Have to have something to cover up the back of my stitching. Not to mention that every southern girl is taught by their mothers that you simply must have a backing to your curtains. Heaven forbid.

Here's a picture of some of what I have so far. I hope it looks kind of boho crazy gyspy carnavalish meets the Borrowers and the Weasleys....because that IS what I'm going for.

  It will hang with the strips going diagonally when it's finished.  I'm determined not to leave it unfinished like my old fashioned hooked wool rug that I started like three years ago...Here's a pic of how far I got on that project.

I made up the pattern myself, and hand dyed and felted all of the wool. I will finish this project too...eventually.  Dangit!

Etsy Treasury Hunter: shroooms!

My mushroom pillow was featured in a mushroom treasury and selected for the Etsy Treasury Hunter blog. Check it out...                                                               Etsy Treasury Hunter: shroooms!H
                                                     
Here is a fun, whimsical, little wall hanging that I made over the weekend. If you click on the bottom photo, you will see the words love, believe, and hope embroidered on it. <3                         

                               I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Monday!


                                             
      


 
             

Florida Etsy Street Team Giveaway

In support of one of my Etsy teams, TEAM FEST (Florida Etsy Street Team) I want to share the give away that we are doing once a month. ....
The FEST Team proudly presents our May Daze BLOG GIVEAWAY selection from Laura of Tierrasolpaz. Laura is an accomplished artist who enjoys creating mixed media art, jewelry, photography, zines, stationary, decoupage pieces, paper crafts - anything that materials may inspire her with. Laura uses recycled materials, or follows an upcycle philosophy whenever possible helping to keep the final cost of her creations affordable to the buyer. She is proud to be part of the etsy community of independent designers, creators, artists, and crafters alike.

Her giveaway is a stunningly beautiful and glorious sunset over water with mountains in the background of Lake Mead in Las Vegas, Nevada. The photograph will be delivered as an 8 x 10 glossy professionally printed picture.

HOW TO ENTER: Visit the team blog post May Daze BLOG GIVEAWAY to enter to win the lovely and colorful photograph by visiting Laura at Tierrasolpaz or any of the FEST Team Members listed in the Member Section. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to leave your email or contact info so we can reach you if you're the lucky winner. The winner will be picked on June 4rd. Simple and Easy!

www.etsy.com/shop/Tierrasolpaz?ref=si_shop

etsyfest.blogspot.com/2011/05/fest-may-daze-blog-giveaway.html

Treasury Thursday

Here's this weeks treasury that I made for my Etsy NonTeam. The inspiration this week was the Mystic Pearl Chalcedony Earrings by Karina Grace. Here's a link to her lovely handmade jewelry shop....http://www.etsy.com/shop/karinagracejewelry?ref=seller_info

PEACE from Scraps...

These are two pillows that I made recently using scraps of wool from my enormous stash of felted wool scraps that are left over after I make other things. I can't ever seem to let myself throw them out.  Kinda like beauty from the ashes, only it's a Peace sign from scraps..;)

I sold the purple on just after I listed it on Etsy to a wonderful cousin of mine who wanted to buy it for her daughter. Thanks Beth.:)

Treasury Thursday

I tried to post this earlier but blogger was being crazy! Looks like it may be working now.

I'm going to make Thursdays....Treasury Thursday!  Yes, I know today is Friday. But, let's just pretend since blogger was being crazy. ;)

So, here's my Thursday Treasury. The fabulous photo in the cafe was the inspiration for our NonTeam Treasury. Her etsy name is trekkerjen http://www.etsy.com/listing/71865220/wake-up-paris-8x10-fine-art-photography?ref=tre-4dcc18f2b7c98eefb512a238-1