Thrifting fun!

This week I decided to take some snaps of one of my favourite thrift shop haunts.
Just some random images of some of the shops (it has different shops for different items).
I often buy stuff here to use in my creations and costuming! Love that I give new purpose to old things and the money goes to helping out the local animals.

Enjoy:)

Hope this inspired you to go and have a re-look at some of your old things,and see if they may have some new purpose you hadn't thought of before!

much love and shimmies

Commission- Vintage themed bridal shower gifts

Hi all.

This week  finally get to show you something which I worked on recently.

I was commissioned by the Mother-in-law to make little thank-you favors for the bride-to-be's bridal shower. Since the theme of the wedding is vintage and the colour scheme includes pinks and creams she felt little fabric hearts would go perfectly with the whole concept.

Having seen what I do she left it up to me to use my creativity and imagination. A wonderful customer she even provided a few beads, and some vintage lace for me to use.

I had fun searching through all my fabrics to find ones that would say "vintage" , "pretty", "floral" etc. I also raided my stash of vintage and retro buttons for pale pinks, greens and pearly tones.

Each heart had a button and another heart handsewn onto it, the rest was creative beading and decorating. a little ribbon tag allows it to be hung from anything. The original idea was that each guest could choose a heart and a scent to sprinkle onto it, and take away a lovely smelling favor!

This is the final product:

I love how they turned out. All the hearts were made from scratch and hand-sewn and beaded. Each one is unique and varying in size and shape.

I was lucky to be allowed to come and photograph the set-up for the shower before it began, and what a pretty set-up it was! Flowers everywhere, such cute details (even the cutlery and tea-cups had little ribbons tied on them). Lovely embroidered table clothes, scrumptious eats, a beautiful spring day all made for a really sweet bridal shower! I hope the bride-to-be appreciated all the hard work that went into it!

I had a lot of fun making these and am planning to make some to sell as decorations at the Christmas markets. Would do them in golds,silvers, reds, greens, etc.  These would also make great wedding favors as they could be matched colour and fabric wise to any theme.

Love when new ideas from customers inspire more ventures and creations!

much love and shimmies

D.I.Y Inspiration- Washi tape

Today I am showing a nifty product and how to use it to make pretty things.

I have been lucky this year that I have received a few different washi tapes as freebies from various events.  I had heard of and seen loads of pinterest pins showing designs and uses, but had never used it myself.

Originally designed and made in Japan , there are now companies all over the world who manufacture their own designs. It has a masking tape type of texture and is made from paper, it is however extremely durable and strong. Because there are not many chemicals used in the manufacturing process the tape is generally safe to use on most things and does not leave a residue when removed. They are acid free and have become indispensable  for scrapbookers and crafters.

 Locally Washi-Bug is a manufacturer(and the one my tape come from). They even have decor ready versions that are wide enough to use on walls and furniture.

Today I decided to break out my tapes and show some very simple uses and applications of this fantastic stuff.

It can be used on just about any surface, and if you make a mistake or want to reuse, most of the time you can lift and restick.

To me the simplest application is for gifting- use it on tags and wrapping paper or gift boxes to make a special statement, you can be as creative as you want, or have time for.

I think one of the biggest ways it can be useful is for events and decor. Can't find candle holders that match your colours?

washi tape them!

 

Want to make plain (and cheaper) vases, plates etc look a bit more colourful or cohesive?

Washi tape them!

 

Party favors stumping you? Or a simple present with a personal touch?

Washi tape them!

Even cutlery can be made more stylish and fun.

Washi tape them!

Imagine a wedding using washi tape? Invites and thank-you cards instantly linked. Place cards and orders of service brightened without spendy colour printing. Picture frames decorated without messy paint. Vases, candle holders and napkin rings all brought instantly into theme by simply using this tape.

Seriously just search "washi tape" on pinterest and see the multitude of uses people have come up with for this product! Amazes me!

Generally craft, scrap-book and stationary stores will stock washi-tape, but also search online for SA manufacturers and stockists.

Hope you have been inspired and decide to try some washi-tape D.I.Y for yourselves. Link to pics of your tries in the comments if you do!

much love and shimmies

Commission- Feather fun!

Hellloooo

After last week's post I thought we needed a fun one to make you smile!

Recently I was commissioned by a local Primary school to make a feather hair accessory for their school play. The brief was: The dress is bright cerise pink, the wig is a tall beehive and it is for a character that is a fancy lady in a play that involves pirates! OK, so I decided bigger is better, it is for stage after all, and with that colour dress this "lady" obviously is no wallflower, so bright colour was necessary!

This is my finished product!

 

Very bright, colourful and fancy;)

Here it is sewn onto the wig-

 

Now I don't know about you, but I am the type of person who when given a wig, with some fancy clip attached, I cannot just let it sit on the display head- it needs a real one (Just to make sure it is sitting right;)).

Sooooo I decided to have some fun with it- and here is the evidence;)

 

Ok those are still Fairly sedate- wait, there is more...

Crazy I know! I just couldn't resist! hehe.

Hope you ended this post with a smile on your face!

love and shimmies\