I have a shopping bag under my ironing board where I put every single scrap of fabric from my collection. After waiting so long to have it, it is very precious here. Recently, I pulled some of those bits together to make a few small ornaments. A template sketched and cut from an index card, a few scraps of fabrics, some felt and tiny embellishments from the dish on the work table. I stitched parts and glued pieces then snipped some letters (and a few page numbers) from an old book.
Wondering why these very small projects give so much pleasure in the making, I remembered that my first book proposal in 1986 was titled Use It Up, Wear It Out. A little ahead of its time, but very much the words I still live by. Make it do or do without.
Old sheet music, gussied up shipping tags, a little stitching. Red ribbons.
Happy Christmas. xoxo
very fun idea! i love the use it up philosophy....my husband loves to say farmers (him) were "green" before green was "in"....he's right...you should see his work coat....LOTS of patches!
Posted by: sharon from farm and fru fru | December 20, 2011 at 03:15 PM
these are precious! i think part of the joy in "small" creating is the "finished" aspect, maybe? of course, YOUR things are just so beautiful!
Merry Christmas!
:)
Posted by: april | December 20, 2011 at 05:10 PM
Hello Charlotte,
Love these!
Gabriela
Posted by: Gabriela | December 20, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Fun ideas. I'm of the same philosophy. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Charlotte.
Posted by: Lorrie | December 21, 2011 at 12:55 AM
Hi Charlotte!
I wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas...I treasure my heart ornament from you that you gave me years ago so very much. Thank you for all that you share so generously!
Love,
Kim
Posted by: Kim | December 21, 2011 at 06:57 AM
I've been enjoying making gift tags from scraps of paper this year, too. A little ink, some paper punches . . . we're all set in Franklin, Indiana! Merry, Merry Christmas to you!
Posted by: Marti Schrock | December 21, 2011 at 09:11 AM
I think the reason crafting using readily available materials is for me the pleasure of making something that represents my own personality and not that of any one else's. Not that mine is better it's just mine.
Have a blessed Christmas Charlotte. Am enjoying the box of "gold" that I purchased from you.
Posted by: Yvonne Welty | December 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM
oh I love it - and that is pretty much how we work too. Little scraps come in hand for all sorts of projects. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: jerusalem | December 22, 2011 at 12:10 AM
Necessity truely is the mother of invention! May your year be prosperous in love and creativity and minimal in stuff and strife. Merry Christmas Dear Charlotte!
Stitching on your cute girl sampler next.
Posted by: Cherie Wilson | December 22, 2011 at 08:57 PM