Here's the stuff I sent Brushfirefaeries- it'll be easier just to post the letter I sent her to explain what I made. This has been my favorite swap so far!
Would anyone be up for more recycling swaps throughout the year? Maybe every 2 months or so?Dear Kristen,
Thanks for being my swap partner!
Here's a breakdown of what I made:
1-Amish dustcatcher rug-made from 8+ recycled tshirts. You may notice a few "bare" spots in the latch hook part. The rug was getting so heavy that I was afraid it would start falling apart if I added any more pieces-LOL. I would suggest this NOT be machine washed-either just beat the dust out periodically or spray outside with the garden hose and air dry. I made this as a comfy place for Piper to lay:). I hope she doesn't think it's a dog toy instead! LOL
2-reconned T-shirt-I bought this shirt for myself at the thrift shop but it was a too small. I thought the panther was cool in a "redneck" sort of way-LOL.(I'm a part time redneck-LOL.) I hope it fits-if not I thought you could wear it over a tank or your swimsuit at the beach. If nothing else put it on, some heavy metal music and wash your car for your BF-LOL! I got the design from my Generation T book-the shoulders are supposed to be worn off the shoulder a bit and the taggie things in the back. I'd love to see what it looks like on.
3-button "rustic" cuff-The blue part is a collar off one of the polo shirts I used in the rug! I left the stitching on top to give it an edgy look. Buttons are from my enormous vintage button collection:).
4-"treasure stones"- I thought these "rocks" would look good on a desk, in a potted plant or garden or as a surprise decor item tucked in a corner or windowsill. These "rocks" are made from recycled coffee grounds! The unpainted one is what they look like and you can smell the coffee a little in that one too. They are made up of a clay recipe of flour, salt, coffee grounds and water!
5-3 denim tote bags-these were made from a denim jumper dress that I bought at the thrift store years ago to recycle. It was not my size but I liked the embroidery on it. The lining that looks like leopard is also recycled clothes and the others are scraps.
6-cordoroy mini throw blanket-this is made from 3 pairs of cords that my son grew out of this year, and two floral cordoroy dresses I bought at the Thrift store years ago to recycle. They were not my size and very "Little House on the Prairie"-LOL. I think they make a much better throw:). The squares aren't even so just call it folk art-LOL.
7-"raggy scrappy place mats"-these are made from small scraps I've been saving up, old jeans that Colin outgrew and the pockets from the cords used above! Let nothing go to waste:). My washing suggestion-wash/dry these separately as long as they "shed", once they stop shedding then you can wash with other stuff. They will get fringier with each wash and just trim any stray strings. These are also "folksy"-ie- uneven. LOL. You put your napkin/silverware in the pockets:)
7-half dozen paper roses-as per the instructions on a craftster tutorial-these are made from used coffee filters! These are super fun to make. I love the brown color and variation-very vintagey- old looking.
8-dog wind chime-didn't make this just thought you might like it .
9-loteria card bookmark
10-Finally, what I like the best:)-collage art piece entitled Art is Love. The base was a cheesy 70's plaque I picked up months ago in the TS, and I used recycled items in the collage like newspaper, lace scrap, sour cream lid, and the silvery circles are punched recycled food packets (like the inside of a hot coccoa mix packet). I hope you like this as I'm really proud on how it turned out:)
Well, that's it. Thanks for being my partner. Happy Earth Day!!!
Laura
retro-redux
denim dress before:
now three tote bags:
Thrift shop plaque before:
After-collage "love art":
cuff:
placemats:
Coffee ground stones:
coffee filter roses:
reconned panther t shirt:
back-hard to see be it has ties up the back:
Cordoroy couch throw:
Amish dustcatcher rug being modeled by my big kitty Ron:
