In the making

This post is a little late as I was making some final touches last night... Here is the result...

This pink plushie uses my love of crochet which is transformed to make a 'blobby monster' toy. I love making granny squares, however, in this case I made a granny circle. The eyes are also crochet circles with sewn on embellishment. The crochet items are stitched onto the toy. This guy is made predominantly with materials that are reclaimed... turning craft materials that others no longer want, into something cute.

I have plans for this little creature...

I also made this card during the week. I have a few more cards to make this week...

Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the making

I am loving up-cycling. I think it is because I love checking out various sources to find goodies to up-cycle. It is now getting to a stage (much to Mr T's delight) that I am visiting my sources every weekend to find out if there is something new. I also love that each item I find is unique... I go often, because there is a chance that it won't be there for long. I rejoice when I have little 'finds'. I then love the creative process - working out the character of the piece and developing it into a new item...

It has definitely been the case with these items. I found the scarf quite a while ago and used pieces of it to make fabric flowers. I then found the blue/green flower brooch. Immediately, I thought of an idea to merge the scarf and the brooch together. This is the result... a knotty, short necklace. Both of these items lent themselves to a thicker, short necklace, maybe to jazz up a plain outfit (eg. a little, black dress). I wanted the feature brooch to be slightly to one side. I also wanted to create a stranded, distressed, shabby chic look with the scarf, to add texture. This item is ready to be listed in my store... a little nervous as this is something entirely different from the items that I have made...

Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the making

It was one of those weekends where I had a number of design ideas and I didn't know where to start. To begin with, I wanted to create a simple card set, complete with matching gift tags. I wanted to use parts of an old atlas that I purchased. I made up the set, but I thought the card faces needed something more. I played around with some painted images, however, I ended up adding quotes. This is the result...

 

As the images are black and white, I have used a neutral toned paper as a backing paper for both the cards and tags. I have added a splash of colour with a bright green insert to match the foliage feel of the images.

As for the other ideas, more to be shown soon...

Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the making

It has been quite a productive week... Firstly, I finished making two items for a charity auction that I participated in...

I made a cherry red, up-cycled t-shirt necklace with five weeping roses. I used a mixture of embellishments to decorate the roses - beads, crystals and buttons.

I also tried a new item...

I made up a canvas using up-cycled t-shirt material and reclaimed fabric. All decorative elements were stitched on.

I also added a set of gift tags to the store (to view, click here). This set uses pages out of a book and depicts a variety of animals.

I still have plenty of crochet and paper mache to finish during the week. I hope to show you more items next week.

Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the making

August is a busy month... Our family has a number of birthdays (as well as a few friends of ours) in August. This year I am determined to make handmade gifts for friends and family for such celebrations, hence August is proving to be a very busy month!

Besides that, I decided to make a spontaneous gift for a work colleague who has been going through a tough time. I had some inspiration for this headband a little while ago, but I decided to put my plans into action and make this for a gift. This is the result...

I wanted to create a stranded, crochet headband, embellished with a crochet flower. I am playing around with correct sizing, as this headband is designed for an adult head, however, I think this style of headband would also look sweet on a child. Something to work out...

I love the look of the three strands, coupled with the simplicity of the flower and bead. I was tempted to use a blend of colours, but quite like the whole headband in the same colour. I can't wait to try out more ideas...

On the list:

• More gifts :)
• Father's Day ideas
• Playing around with these crochet ideas

Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the making

Flower hair accessories have been quite popular in the store lately and I needed to add a bit more stock. Instead of adding one, solitary flower to a clip or headband, I decided to make a 'posy'. This is the result...

I have also been busy designing and creating a crochet headband that can be used as an ear warmer as well as a wide headband...

I love the colour and I love the style, however, I need to get the sizing right. I have had to adjust this band a couple of times and it still is slightly too big. I think I need to take into account the stretchiness of the yarn. I will keep experimenting and show my progress. I want to make one as a gift, so I need to do some perfecting. Mr T wanted me to post a photo of me wearing my ear warmer... well...ok...but I am no model...

On the list:

• A couple of gifts and cards to make
• Flower clips
• Bibs (I would love to spend time on these as they have been on the list for a while)
• Necklaces
• Just had another idea...

Have a great week!

Monday in the making

I dabbled in a craft that I hadn't participated in for a long time...

...it was scrap booking.

I came up with an idea for a present for a very special, little person. They had recently celebrated a special, milestone occasion and I decided that I would make up an album for them to provide them with some special memories of that occasion. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and I can't wait to give it to them. I hope they enjoy it, too.

This in turn sparked a bit of a paper craft urge. Hence, another design for some cards...

I produced a large, typed letter on an up cycled book page.

I added an antique look to the edge of the page and placed it on a border before I adhered it to the card.

I added some lace and type - a word to match the highlighted letter. 

I have created a small range to take with me to the market that I am attending on Saturday (Bubs 2 Teens market in Hamilton, Victoria). I have so many more words and letters that I can use as features on these cards. They were so much fun to make...

On the list:

• market preparation

Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the making

It has been a long weekend here in my little space of the world. This weekend has meant a chance to go for a bike ride, in the fresh air and glimpses of sunshine. It has also given us a spontaneous chance to catch up with family and experience a country festival. Finally, it has also given me the opportunity to sink my teeth into some craft. Here are a few photos of the results...

I finally finished off this bag that I started making last weekend. It is made out of a t-shirt that had a groovy domino pattern. I had just the right coloured buttons to decorate the top with. It has an insert that has been made out of a red t-shirt, the inner part has a pocket and the bag is closed with a zip. This bag was lots of fun to make and I have other groovy t-shirts that are just waiting to be made into bags...

I have had this idea for a while and I managed to find some time to create this 'flower' clip, made out of up-cycled denim that has been frayed and distressed. It is embellished with a yo yo made out of an up-cycled scarf, a blue button and a diamonte. This flower has been stitched onto a clip.

These two pendants have been experiments of mine. I want to also experiment with cork and the antique pendant plates. I also want to make up some more cork necklaces, similar to the design that I have previously shown. These two pendants have been made up-cycled book pages.

On the list:

• Continue my gifts that I have been creating.
• Hair ties
• Cork necklaces
• Start another bag?

 Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the Making

Last week I had a lot of fun creating with paper...this week, I had lots of fun making necklaces!

I had so much fun creating this style of necklace again. This time, I created this multi-strand up-cycled t-shirt necklace using a pastel lemon shade of material. I couldn't help but name this colour 'Lemon Sherbet'. At first I was a little unsure how this colour would work as a necklace, but I simply love it!

I have had a stash of corks that I have been wanting to use to make a new creation. I was inspired to use a chunk of cork as the base of a pendant. Once again, I used a piece of text from an old novel and I decided to add an initial. A sparkly diamante adds a little bling. I can't wait to make some more...

On the list:

• Bags
• Cards
• Bibs
• A special gift (just need to source the materials that I need first)
• Continue my crochet project

Thanks for looking!

Monday in the Making

Over the week I had fun creating with paper...

I made some gift tags using cream coloured card with circles of up-cycled map in the middle. I also added a vintage tinge to the edges and threaded through some gold cord. Each tag is unique!

I was then inspired to make some tags using an old novel - using cream coloured card for the tags with a circle of page in the middle, then embellished with a black card star. Once again I added a vintage tinge to the edge, however this time, I used jute twine as the cord.

I love the combination of pink and green! I whipped up this card for my Mum for Mother's Day...{yeah, a little late...oops}.

On the list:

• A few presents to whip up.
• Another bib or two
• I would love to start another bag...

Thanks for looking!

Monday in the Making

Over the past week I have enjoyed hand crafting gifts and trying out new designs ...

Firstly, designing and making these bibs have been a lot of fun. I particularly like this design with the denim flower and I also like the 'Talk to me' message bibs (click here to view this bib and find out about the current giveaway). Created out of up-cycled denim, these bibs are sturdy, but retain a vintage style. I am looking forward to making more of these soon.

I have also enjoyed making this particular set of gift tags. These tags use segments of an old atlas. I have added a 'vintage look' to the edge of the tags. They are topped off with a gold string, ready to be threaded onto a ribbon.

I can't wait to make more of these to add to the store.

On the list:

• cards (yes...still catching up! I get distracted by new designs)
• tag sets (to add to my Madeit store)
• bibs

Have a great week!

'Talk to me' bib message and giveaway

I have enjoyed using up-cycled denim in my creations. My latest (and most favourite) items at the moment are...bibs! Here are a sample:

I love this design in particular. I call it my 'Talk to Me' bib design...

This bib states 'Feed Me Please...' but I would love to know what other messages I could place on future bibs. I am running a giveaway in order to find out...

 

Simply email me or place a comment below, stating what message could be sewn onto a bib. I will choose the winning bib message next Friday. The winning comment will receive this up-cycled denim jean keyring. I am no longer making this keyring design, so this is a unique prize.

Conditions of entry:

• Entries must be received by me before 6pm on Friday (17/5/13). Entries can be made via email or blog comment.
• Messages must be no longer than five words in length.
• Giveaway only open to Australian residents.
• You will also be required to 'Like' Tupsy Turvy Designs Facebook page.

The judges decision is final (and will be made at 6.15pm) and winners will be notified via Tupsy Turvy Designs Facebook page and on this blog. The winner will win an 'Up-cycled denim jean keyring' valued at $10. The winner will need to provide me with their email address and I will contact them for postage details.

Please also note that the messages that are given in this competition (winning or otherwise) may be used in future designs and will become the property of Tupsy Turvy Designs. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook.

All the best!

Monday in the Making

After a couple of busy weeks, it was wonderful to spend the weekend focusing on some craft. I have quite a list of crafty goodies (re my handmade challenge) to make and it was great to spend large chunks of time working on them. Denim has been my material of focus lately. Here is the result...

I finished making up the keyring 'jeans' that I am giving as thank you gifts. I am still undecided at the moment about whether to make them as a regular product. I have one available at the moment...

This notebook is going to be another gift. It has seperate denim coverings for the front and back with denim ties down the centre . I have created a fabric and denim flower to brighten up the cover with a couple of embroidered flowers. This book cover took longer than I expected it to make, maybe because I was working out exactly how it was going to fit. I have one more notebook cover to make, although this one is a little smaller. Once again I am trying a few ideas out..

On the list:

• Still catching up on a few gifts (once again new ideas that I am excited about) and cards.

Thanks for viewing :)

Monday in the Making

Despite the busy-ness towards the end of last term and an overseas trip, I managed to squeeze in bit of creativity.

Firstly,

...a hand crocheted, hand felted, pure wool table runner. Crocheted in a chevron pattern in white and red wine coloured wool with a felt, heart motif embroidered in the middle and wine coloured tassles at each end. This made a wedding present for a special couple.

I've been loving making fabric yo-yos lately and have been turning up-cycled t-shirts into hair ties. I hope to make a bunch of pairs for an up coming market.

Finally,

I wanted to make a couple of little gifts for some lovely people that looked after our animals while we were away overseas. I have been inspired by up-cycled denim and designed and created this groovy jean keyring. I have made a few pairs of 'jeans' and because they are hand made and hand embroidered, each pair has its own style.

On the list:

• Another crochet project (with a looming due date)
• Cards
• Denim items
• T-Bags

Have a super week :)

Market Day

Tomorrow, we are attending another market...hence things have been busy in the studio! Some of the items that we will be bringing along...

Cushions...

Headbands...

Necklaces...

...in fact, a whole range of items! Plus, some new items (I always seem to have ideas for new designs, right before markets)...

Have a lovely weekend!

Monday in the making

Things have been a little busier over the weekend, as I have been trying to replenish my stock of items in preparation for a market on the weekend. Over the course of the week I have made up...

... some pop up cards. My most favourite one is a design that would be ideal for a wedding - cream coloured with little cream flowers (of course, it is the one that I didn't photograph). I will add a little note on the back of the cards, so that greetings and best wishes can be added to the card for the recipient.

I also made up some brooches...

...these are also fast becoming a favourite of mine. So far, I have teamed these up-cycled t-shirt flowers with similar coloured buttons, with the aim not to detract from the simple, round flower. I also tried out an Easter egg gift idea - that is still a work in progress...

On the list:

• brooches
• cards
• headbands

Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the Making

I have had a few new ideas lately. I probably need to make up more stock of my existing items, however, I couldn't resist this new idea...

These little, embroidered items are mini pin cushions. They have a soft elastic band that to allow it to be worn as a ring - ideal for the busy sewer! True to my up-cycling tendencies, these mini pin cushions use a drink bottle lid as the foundation of this design. Embellished with beads and embroidery, this little item is pretty as well as practical. Maybe next time, I could try up-cycled t-shirt material as the main material, rather than felt.

I have a much larger pin cushion in the making - once again a trial. I will post it up on the blog if all goes to plan.

On the list:

• Pop up cards
• Cushions
• Pin cushions
• Brooches
• My crochet project

Thanks for looking :)