Retro - Week 4

Oh my goodness! I just got my first award! Cheryl @ Sew Can Do (which is a fantastic blog btw...check it out) thinks I'm a beautiful blogger. Thank you so much Cheryl!!

So here are the rules that go with this award:
•Thank & link to the person that gave you the award
•Pass this award onto 15 bloggers you’ve recently discovered and think are fantastic
•Contact said Blogs and let them know they’ve won
•State 7 things about yourself

I love to blog hop and here are some Beautiful Bloggers that I've come across:

Trey and Lucy
U Create
Make It and Love It
Sisters Stuff
The Idea Room
V & Co
MADE
The Crafters File Box - I can't get hold of you Valerie, but I love your stuff!!
Simplify
Vintage Fern
Homemade by Jill
Design Gal & Her Handy Man
Be Different...Act Normal
Thrifty Decor Chick
Krafty Mum

And my 7 things about me:
•I almost didn't get my English degree because my adviser didn't record something. I cried...really, I did... to the Dean (I was 8 months pregnant and refused to go another semester) and he waived that class. So I am now the proud holder of a B.S. In English Literature.
•I met my best friend in preschool, stayed friends through school then married brothers. Now she really is my sister!
•I've moved 4 times in the 3.5 years that I've been married. Oh the life of students.
•My husband owes me a Yorkie cuz I sunk a 3point shot wearing 3 inch heels one night (it's
been a few years and he still hasn't paid up).
•I'm the second youngest of 4 kids...2 boys and 2 girls.
•My real name is Melissa, but my wierdo brother is the only person in the world that calls me
that.
•I love all things green.

Now that I've bored you, here's what you really care about...

Sarah rocked it this week with her "Kitchen on the Go" which now has a tutorial in the Tutorial Section.

I'm so sad to day goodbye to Linda this week. She is very inspiring. I'd almost say intimidating if her stuff wasn't so down to earth and awesome for the average crafter! Remember to keep up with her at Craftaholics Anonymous!

The winner of the eWillow giveaway has been announced and is posted here.

There's a new giveaway! Remember DECOmod Walls for session 1? They're giving away another $30 credit to her shop!! Check out the Giveaway section for more details.

Remember, So You Think You Can Decorate will be starting on Sunday. I'm still amazed at the bloggers she's got competing over there. Don't miss it!

And here's this week's theme and crafts. This week we went with "Retro" and I love what they came up with!

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Craft #1 - Toothbrush Rug

I have always loved the look of toothbrush rugs, so I was excited to make one for "retro week."



They add a unique feel to a room and feel wonderful on your feet because they're extra squishy.



I used one of my favorite color combos (aqua and red) to create a fresh version of a traditional craft.



Toothbrush rugs are simple to make and require no sewing machine. One would look great in a kitchen, bathroom, or entry way. Constructing a rug is a super way to use fabric scraps you aren't sure what to do with!





Craft #2 - UFO Lamp

"Retro" can mean different things to different people. For me, it means mid-century modern with a dash of kitsch, and alien space ships are definitely kitsch! This UFO light fixture is perfect for a little boy's room. And the best part is that it's made from simple materials -- plastic lanyard lacing and stainless steel vegetable steamers.


The entire thing was a snap to make. I used a few basic tools to replace the glass shade on a standard halogen pendant with my UFO lampshade. Then I added the lanyard to make the ship look like it was spinning through the air.


And when you turn out the lights, you'll discover that the lamp holds one last surprise. Yes, it glows in the dark! What could be more fun for a kid's room?




Craft #3 - Vinyl in Felt

What's more retro than vinyl records?? Being a music lover, I love vinyl records!! If I could collect them all and play them all the time I would! And what's better than having a bit of vinyl in my favorite fabric...felt! These vinyl record coasters were so fun and easy to make. They'll look so cute and they make great gifts for the music lover!



Just take a look at the detail, textured just like a real record!




Craft #4 - The Gidget Dress

Perfect for friends.....


Perfect for playing.....

Perfect for hugging.....


The Gidget dress is easy enough for a beginner. Made from linen, it lightly flows and is the perfect breathable fabric for spring and summer!

And as long as you are making one dress, you may as well make three so all the friends can match!

Made from a simple a-line dress. I will show you how I designed and made these simple dresses using clothes you own as a pattern OR by cutting up a cheap pattern to re-design your own.

These dresses have coordinating fabric buttons on the front (which I made with the linen from the dress). This dress also has a simple button down back that DOESN'T use button holes...So if you have been intimidated by button holes, there is no excuse to not make your own Gidget dress!


Craft #5 - Record Purse

RETRO means something different for everyone. The items you categorize as RETRO will depend on the era you grew up in. When I think RETRO I think orange, olive green, and brick red, bold prints, shag carpet, records, huge ear phones, one piece jumpsuits, macrame, etc...

I have combined several of the items I consider to be RETRO to create...

a RECORD PURSE.

Not only having a new purse, (which we all LOVE) and helping the environment, (by saving records from the landfill) you can be a conversation starter! Everyone will want to know where you got yours from. And of course they'll want one for themselves.

Up the sides I used a RETRO technique, macrame knots, to hold the records in place and add a pop of print. The fabric I chose combined the colors I consider to be RETRO (gold, brick red, olive green, and rust) and of course the print is Paisley.

I lined the inside of the purse with more brick red fabric. I included two small peek pockets for chap stick, gum, keys, and your cell phone. There is two large pockets for magazines or bills. And then the main pocket for your wallet, pens, and other purse contents. I finished off the strap with the same color and a big decorative macrame knot.

So poof that hair, stuff that purse full, and take the trolley into town...

You never know who you might run into or what might happen when you are carrying a RETRO RECORD PURSE!

Craft #6 - Flower Child Dress

Who knew looking back would look so good. This flower child dress will change the way you think about the 70's.

I raided my grandma's sewing cupboard to find the perfect retro fabric and inspiring dress patterns. Once I got past some of her stuff that is old and outdated I found this floral silk. It's 40 years old but still bold and fresh.

Of course I couldn't stop with just a dress. This flower child needed some new shoes and a wide headband to complete her look.

Now I am just wishing the remnant was big enough to make me one.

Craft #7 - Retro Magnetic Board

I had a lot of fun going all out (or maybe... overboard!?) with the retro theme this week! I used both retro materials and retro techniques to create this magnetic board.

My Retro Materials: The board itself is actually an old tin ceiling tile that was salvaged and spray painted white. My grandmother gave me some old quilting squares that she got in the Florida Keys ages ago, and I've been saving them for the perfect project. Sometimes it's hard to use fabric you love so dearly, but when it turns into something this beautiful it's a little easier!

My Retro Techniques: I'm not much of a quilter, but since this was just a teeny project, I decided to tackle it. After quilting the squares together I used one of the oldest crafting techniques there is... decoupage! This step was a little tricky, but in a winning tutorial I'll share all my secrets!

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The voting will be open until Friday at 8pm MST. I'm trying something new to mix things up a little bit. I'm using a new poll that will keep the poll results secret. Let me know what you think! I'll post all the results and let you know who's crafts were who's on Saturday morning.