The wide world of Cross Stitch?

Good Morning all! I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. Mine was relaxing and after such a busy holiday season I really really needed a slow weekend.

I also have found myself at a loss of what to do next. After being extremely busy for the last 3 months I find it hard to stay "not busy" if that makes any sense... So I started searching the web for things to keep me busy that are crafty and different. Low and behold I stumble on an old favorite of mine! Cross stitching has come a long way since I was a kiddy. I remember hours of sitting indoors on a hott day and just loosing myself in x patterns while my sister and brother fought and my mom slowly went insane! Haha!

I am amazed at how fun the patterns are on etsy! I just want to try them all! I've added some of my favorite here. You be the judge.

Found HERE

I love the repeat use of a single pattern or design. I find it both comforting and beautiful. Both simple and elegant. The colors here are soothing and feel very mod to me. At least the orange and green. The blue is a bit more ocean than mod.





Found HERE

How very CUTE is this!?!? I really want to make this one! The pattern is priced right too. It says everything I feel and does it with color and beauty!

 

Found HERE

This is actually a kit! The seller mails you everything you need to make this and it's priced well. I LOVE robots! These little guys would look wonderful in my 6 year olds bedroom! I love how innocent they look and the colors are perfect for each! They go together quite well and it looks very easy to stitch. Even a beginner can do this one.

Found HERE

My husband and I tied the knot this past October and I think this would be perfect in a double frame with one of our wedding day pictures. It's such a simple project but the details and the time put into making it will make it a special family treasure for my kids.

Found HERE

What an amazing idea!! A cross stitched earring holder! Very cute saying as well! I am loving this! The colors are so cheerful I just have to smile when I look at it!

Found HERE

This is one of my favorites. A single birdy with a heart. Reflecting on love in a whole new way. Another simple and artful example of cross stitching. These are only a few of the wonderful patterns I found on etsy. They have over thirty thousand!! I couldn't look at them all just yet but will go back soon. lol.

Have a great day and smile!

Tabatha

Vintage Books Repurposed!

I've always loved vintage books. The smell of years and years of readers and the feel of craftsmanship from an era when books were an investment and not an inconvenience is something I'm drawn to. I usually buy way too many vintage books and now I have a 1960's library in my guest room! Oh what to do?

I went online to see if any of the books I currently own are 1st editions or rare. I put those aside and have over 100 that are in varying states of aging. Next I went through those and found the ones that were either unique or in poor condition and decided that it was time to find a new use for what has now become my clutter.

I surfed the net and found a lot of really unique ideas for re purposing old books! What a surprise it was to see so many people being really original and reusing everything! Below are my favorite reuse ideas and the ones I'm most likely to try! Enjoy!

First is my favorite by far! A book purse! I have admired these from afar but today I made one! Click HERE to see mine! Here is one of the cutest book purses I found online today. Caitlin Phillips does a wonderful job with the colors she chooses for these unique purses and has wonderful feedback in her etsy store for the quality as well!



By Caitlin Phillips at Rebound Designs

Here is another unique idea for some old books that have lots of damage anyway. I believe the creator had to have added a sealant to the pages to keep them from getting water damage from watering the plants. Unfortunately, SeeSaw is no longer adding new post. They have decided to "go our separate ways and explore new opportunities" so I wish them all the best!

I'm not sure I'd try this one as a DIY but it is a very interesting reuse!


Found on SeeSaw.

After making a purse out of your book you need to find a use for the pages. Here is a fantastic project that you can do with the kids or just during some down time! It makes great decoration for both Halloween and Thanksgiving and best of all, you are reusing something that may have otherwise been thrown out. The creator of this neat little pumpkin has a DIY tutorial for making one of these HERE! Hope you enjoy!

Found at Creations by Kara

How many of us have needed more shelving for our book? I know I could use a few extra for my collection! Here is a very cool way to reuse books that may be unreadable or damaged beyond repair. I was amazed by the artful look of this book book shelf. It can be used as a shelf or as art. Being able to re-purpose one type of item to do two different jobs is not only resourceful but creative. I'd be hard pressed not to try this one!



By Trey Farmer/inhabitat.com

Now this next one makes me wish I was a great painter!! What a artistic way to add new meaning to an old book! I want one of these for my kids room! Artist Mike Stilkey uses acrylics and colored pencil to create these beautiful "book sculptures". He is located Los Angeles, CA. You can visit his website HERE.























With the holidays right around the corner and with the lack of really amazing decorations for sale at big department stores I've decided that looking on etsy may be just what I need to get me into the holiday decorating mood. I was absolutely right in my assumption! I found this one of a kind Christmas wreath by SimpleJoysPaperie on etsy.com . I am loving the vintage feel of this piece!



Another holiday find! Paper crafts are fun and can be calming as well. Here are origami folding Christmas flowers called  Japanese Kusudama flower created by Tia Bennett at Two Peas in a Bucket ! She has instructions and a story on how she make these really beautifully crafted paper flowers.



Welp folks... This is it for my first post! I must get up and cook lunch for my 2 year old who is standing beside me and looking all sad and left out. Poor little guy. lol. I will be back soon! Enjoy and have a great day!