JunkMonkie N Magnus

Family Tradition

I got this idea from Nie Nie (who's blog I've been following almost a year - Stephanie is a survivor of a horrific plane crash and is now on the road to a miracle recovery - she is such an inspiration of strength)

A family tradition is starting - and will continue for (hopefully) a long time. Family silhouette portraits!
They are so easy to do - take a side view picture of yourself, cut it out carefully and paint it black! It was so easy. Granted - I need to do a better job of profile view picture taking - and tell the subject to SMILE - Justin's looks so much better than me.

I hope we continue with this tradition annually - and marvel in the wonderful growth Lilly has had from year to year, and how we have become a better family.

I already have ideas for next year's pictures - they will be a lot more sassy then these. I decided to go basic black and white for my first go.

To put the Princess's "prettys" in

I re purposed a yard sale find into a beautiful jewelry box for the Princess. Granted, it was a jewelry box to begin with - but it was hideous. It's the perfect size for her play jewelry, and the image can be changed on the lid.

When Lilly was just a wee tiny Princess, her fairy god-Auntie crafty guru, Miss Amy made her a beautiful bracelet. I've kept the bracelet safe and sound until Princess Lilly is old enough to appreciate it's beauty. I show it to her every now and then - and her eyes light up with delight. The beads say "Lilly" and it has a princess crown charm. It's stunning.

Colorful banner for a colorful princess

Thrifty mommy loves the 99 cent store. I saw these laser cut felt spring shapes and thought - wow - I could sure make something out of these!

I wanted to start making some wall art for Lilly's room. I still don't have a "theme" decided yet - but am leaning toward a colorful fairy/woodland theme. I thought the shapes would make some fun banners to hang over her bed, doorway, etc.  I didn't do anything scientific with laying out the shapes other than making sure the same shape/color were not next to each other.

I found same colored thread as the felt shapes and sewed them onto the ribbon with the tiniest of stitches. I think they turned out ok. Down the road I might sew them onto different ribbon (and more of them on each piece of ribbon - but for now - they make a wonderful colorful addition to the Princesses's room!

Dumpster Diving Love

The Goodwill Outlet is one of my favorite shopping places - you pay for everything by the pound - for 50 lbs you pay $.69 a pound. It is also a great place for people watching. For my b-day (yes - last September) - I asked Magnus for my present to be a shopping trip to the Goodwill store. I've always been successful with finding such great craft project finds - vintage clothing, intersting prints and sewing materials. I love it! Well, I talked Magnus into going with me last week. His tolerance for shopping is already low - so I guess I can just say - he won't be going back with me again (and he is happy about that!)

Here are some of my great finds:

Bronco was so excited when I got home and started going through the bags. He patiently waited for his present. He thought the hula girl was for him.

This is a strapless sequin dress (size 4) that I'm going to try to make into a fun mermaid costume for the Kids Dress Up Box.

I won't be doing anything with these awesome fabrics till I move back to Az - but I am sure having fun stocking up on all the goodies!

      

It has been so long.....

I haven't blogged in over a month. Let's call it recovery after the storm! After the wedding we had Thanksgiving at my parents home in Washington. I then turned around and went on a 2 week business trip to Arizona.  Over the last month I've been gathering up discs of pictures from different people's cameras - and WOW - they turned out amazing! More stuff to come on wedding LATER! I will be uploading pictures - be patient. I have them ready - but am waiting for something I ordered to arrive first.......

Onto other stuff - I have been loving tax-free Oregon! Here are some recent finds from Powell Bookstore's newest location in Cedar Hills.:

Zen Monkey magnet. I can change up the messages as my day progresses.

Love it!!!

For those of you that REALLY know me - you know how much I love gnomes, fairies, wizards, witches,etc.  I found this awesome vintage Gnomes Book of Christmas crafts! The cover is actual fabric that you can remove, cut out the gnomes and sew together (of course - I won't be doing that). The book was published in 1980 and has a really cheesy storyline - with a mom, dad, kids - the clothes are hilarious! Some of the craft projects look really fun (gnomes in nut shells....) - and might make their way into my Christmas decorating next year! What I find mod hilarious (remember - this was printed in 1980) are the numerous pages of gnomes to cut out in the back of the book for some of the crafts. Today - I'd just color copy them or scan them into my computer. What 26 years can do to the world! This book is a KEEPER.

Plush - o - Rama: This is a totally fun sewing book - for stuffed animals for kids of all ages. Not your usual Teddy Bear or Bunny Rabbit. Try 1/2 eaten Gingerbread men, a Duck-Pig looking thing and lots of monsters! This is a really fun book with some great idea on how to just be a kid again.







And the piece-de-resistance (whatever): Magnus and I went to lunch in downtown Portland last week and came across this Goonies lunchbox. I've always wanted one - and someone was feeling in the christmas spirit!! I don't know what I'll use this for - but will enjoy using it! Goonies is one of the greatest movies of all times!!! HEY YOU GUYS!!! Do the Truffle Shuffle!

Flashback to the 70s

Wow - are there times you are shopping and you come across something where you think - OMG - who would have ever wore this thing?!?! Well, I say that to myself quite often when I shop at the Good Will "Last Chance" Store (this is what I call it - I think it's called the Goodwill Outlet Store). Anyway - shopping at this place is a pretty good time (and allows for good people watching). At this place you pay for stuff by the pound - the more you buy the cheaper it is by the pound. I've been able to find some amazing fabrics - everything from great sheets to clothing - all for crafting time. And then - I came across this..... I knew in a heartbeat this wonderful piece of clothing would have to become a part of my ever growing kids dress-up wardrobe (no - for those of your hopeful individuals - I am not preggers ---- YET!!)

My wonderful model is Miss Anie - my cousin - whom I call my niece (long story). She is a wonderful kid growing into a wonderful teen.

Click to enlarge

First knitted hat

So..... I'm sure this would be considered cheating - but I bought (and love) the Knifty Knitter. My first go-at-it was a scarf - I want to get a hat done in the same yarn - so I'll show that later.

The next project I worked on was this hat.  It took about 2 hours. I used 2 different threads: 1 was verigated and the other was a nice blue.

Bronco decided to try his hand at modeling, so I have pictures of the hat with both my full-time model, and my new model.  I like the hat  - I'll probably make it a little longer next time - this one fits very close to my head and goes about to my ears.

I had just woke Bronco from his eternal nap, so he's yawning in these pics. I thought they looked extra cute!

Project 3 - Scarf

I crocheted this scarf about 3 times before I said to "Heck" with it and double stitched the entire thing. It turned out ok. I wish it was a little longer. Maybe next time.

Ingredients:
1 skein verigated yarn - from a yarn puchase I made years ago.

Time: about 5 hours (not counting the time spent taking out old stiches and starting over).

Model: Ruffus the Dog

Stars and Stripes Jean Purse for Anie

My 12 year old cousin, Anie, who is the size of a beanpole tried to squeeze herself into a size 8 (girls) pair of jean shorts.  When she had them on they looked like hot pants. She "REALLY LOVES" these shorts and asked if I could sew her a purse so she could keep them. I told her I'd wing it.

Ingredients:
1 pair Jean shorts (with fringe)
Lining and inside pocket: Star and Stripe happy faces (Wal-Mart)
Nylon rope for handles
Velcro - for pockets
Iron on heart patch for back pocket
Time to complete: 3 hours (would have gone faster if I knew what I was doing!)

I was going to add more "flair" but Magnus thought she'd like it as is. Hope she likes it! :-)

Pics are pre - mid - and post production.  I made the pattern for the lining by drawing around the jean shorts itself and "figuring" it out.

My first "real" bag

I just completed this today. I've been working on it a few hours a night for the past couple of nights.  Creativity is overwhelming! I wanted to add much more, but thought I better tone it down for this first one.

Ingredients:
Denim striped "kinda" stretch fabric (clearance)
Hot pink fabric from a man's xxl shirt I bought on clearance at Dillard's ($80 shirt for $4 bucks)
Pink Trim (clearance)
Butterfly Patch

I think it turned out pretty good. At the very least I'll use it to store craft projects in. I think I'll use it though.