Tree of Life.

I came across a couple of wooden hoops at Frenchy's for 10 cents a while ago, and immediately decided I'd try using them to make a hanging for the window modeled after hand-made Tree of Life jewelry pendants I've been seeing all over the Internets. So I gave it a whirl today, and ended up with this!

I'm happy with how it turned out, considering I had no frickin clue what I was doing! The wire I used was pretty heavy and hard to twist, so I plan on getting some lighter weight stuff and making some more... maybe I'll get brave and try it on a smaller scale as a pendant. The sky's the limit!

To braid a rug.

I've always wanted to try making a braided rug. So this week, that's exactly what I did. Here it is!

I used 2 pillowcases I picked up at a thrift store for 50 cents a piece, an old pair of brown corduroys, and some fabric from my stash. The entire process was definitely a big learning experience for me... it takes quite a bit of fabric to make one of these puppies! Sewing the braids together is kinda tedious. And it works best if the strips of fabric are at least 2 inches wide... you'll notice my inner braids are foolishly tiny; the outer braids are nice and fat and definitely the way to go next time.


Being a practice run 'n all, I didn't make it very big. For now, it's found a place in my living room, beneath a white wicker stand.


All in all, I'm pretty pleased with this little learning experience of mine, and plan on gathering some rags together and making something larger sometime soon! Yeah!

I was cleaning the bedroom yesterday and came across a little sewing needle I was sure was lost and gone forever. Here's a tip: the bed isn't the best place to do some sewing. The needle had caught on a blanket and flew right out of my hand. A needle isn't really something you want floating around in the bed or on the floor and I searched high and low. Couldn't find it anywhere and boy was I savage.

This happened a month or so ago, and I'd pretty much forgotten all about it. Imagine my surprise yesterday when I finally found the thing all the way across the room underneath the register. How the heck did it get all the way over there?

I picked the little bugger up and thought to myself, I'm gonna make a felt needle book and never search for this needle again!

So this afternoon, I whipped one up.

There. That'll learn 'em.

Penny rug for your thoughts.

Well, wow. Been a while, eh?

Let's see if I can't get back into this thing. We'll start out nice and easy: my latest craft project.

Penny rugs.

What's a penny rug? A penny rug is a decorative mat made from stacked felt circles sewn together with a blanket stitch. They were most popular in the Victorian era as thrifty homemakers would save scraps of wool and create something new. Coins were used as templates, which is where the penny rug gets its name. They were used to adorn tables, stands, and mantles - they never touched the floor.

I learned about penny rugs from a crafty lady while visiting my parents last week. I think they're the bee's knees and immediately set my mind on making one. Here's the result!

And here it is in action on the coffee table!

I had so much fun I decided to make another one this weekend. Haven't decided where it'll end up yet, though!

This is such a great craft project. It's easy, cheap, and fun. What else can a Smelanie ask for?

And there you have it. My latest craftings. I've got lots more stuff from the past few months to share... now to get my butt in gear and actually post them. Stay tuned!