Wooden Spools


A love of vintage wooden spools has driven me a tad bit batty over the last few years.... you see I can't ever seem able to justify the soaring prices that their labels express.
I have watched ebay auction after auction and scoured many antique shops etc. (which resulted in a few purchases of smaller wooden spools)  So I finally set about to make myself some....

At spotlight I purchased round coasters by Kaiserwood. Then over time I accumulated a stash of these cardboard rolls that are found at the end of the roll of bin liner bags. They are a lot stronger and a skinnier than toilet rolls, and I really didn't want to roll all my pretties up on a toilet roll anyways   :)

I have oodles of PVA glue left over from all the kids projects over the years, so I put it to good use and glued the rolls between 2 of the coasters and.....

voilà!!

I love my wooden spools, they cost me about $1 each to make, considering the rolls are usually rubbish and the glue is left over. They take about 5 mins to make, while the glue dries and then wind up all the pretties. And now all my trim is easy to see, stored safely and neatly and they look great in the craft room. I guess if I was a patient person I would've painted them up all nice and shabby chic-ley... maybe one day.

Now to make some order in the rest of the craft room!!  :)

I FINALLY found my password for my blog!!!! I just registered to have it sms'd to me next time that happens. Let's hope it never happens again anyway!

I've been quite busy since my last post, I have a whole heap of this I want to post but will pace them out for now.

I have done 'Marie Antoinette' earlier and have now created another one, I normally would never make the same doll twice but with all of the wigs and dresses that she wore, I could make heaps more......

This one is off to the ball! She is going into the doll show case in November that I mentioned in September, I'm still trying to work out how much to put on her, I was thinking $80? What do you think?


I had another doll that was to go into it as well, but she sold already - a lady saw her and just fell in love with her, and... well I'm not very good at saying no - so she has gone to a new home.

'Livvy'

I miss the girls when they are gone, might have to make one to keep soon!

Well that'll do for today, hope you are all well   -  XOXO

Shabby Pumpkins

I have been so busy again, feels like that a lot these days! But I am loving that the days are warming up and I can open up the house again for fresh air. My face book page http://www.facebook.com/ShabbyAnnies is coming along quite well, I have 88 fans so far and have sold a few of my dolls. I have also gotten a few orders which I have been managing with more ease than before. I am taking part in a doll showcase in November and have to design and create 2 dolls to enter under the theme of Nostalgia Love. I have 5 dolls heading off to the local markets in 2 weeks with a friend. I don't have enough to hold my own stall. So I'm a bit excited about all things at the moment. I have 2 more orders to get done before Xmas and have been very busy designing new patterns, which I can'ts seem to find time to get around making yet.

My little girl, Hayley, has also been busy designing and sewing her own little chain of dolls and clothes for her teddies. It is lovely to see her taking such a keen interest in sewing and craft with me! I have cleared a space for her in my craft room, and she sits across from me. (although it is a bit hard to share some of my fave fabrics, trims and buttons!!!  but I'm learning  :)

I love these shabby pumpkins, no machine sewing required.

Some find from the 2nd hand shop last week....

Some of my goodies from the Craft and Sew Show I attended a few weeks ago...

Can't wait to try the stamp on some fabric or hessian!!

Hope you all have a lovely day  xx

Bracelets

I'd been up late one night stuck on Pinterest ( I'm sure a few of you are familiar with this scenario) and saw a braided bracelet, forgot to save the link for it so when I googled this one is the one that came up

http://mmscrapshoppe.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/eclectic-braided-bracelet.html

But I love love love it so much - I had to make one. But being the thrifty girl I am was determined not to buy any thing for it and just use my stash of goodies

The pearls - that were sourced at an op shop were obviously not up to the task and snapped when I was nearly finished the braid - I was a bit short of time at the time so have still to unwrap - restring the pearls and rebraid  -  I will finish this but wanted to share with you, I thought it was looking great, especially the piece of denim bit I got out of my bin.

Yours craftly