Brainstorm: November 2012

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Slippers

There are some really cute and suggly looking slippers out there.. I would love to make a pair of crocheted slippers or knitted woolen bed socks.. Here are a few of the best I've seen..

Slipper sock pattern

How to make crochet slippers- now these I really want to make!

Crocheted Mary-Jane Slippers

Crochet slippers

Crocheted Slingbacks

Crochet slippers- with flip-flop bottom

Elven Slippers

Crochet Ballet Slippers

Crocheted house slippers

Men's crochet slippers

Moon Socks by DROPS Design- Love these!

Spa Slippers- made from old thongs/flip flops and a towel!

Denim Slippers

Slippers from shirt cuffs

Sweater boots- made from pair of flats and an old sweater..

Crocodile stitch booties- the cutest baby booties ever!

Crochet converse slippers

Over the knee slipper sock

Knitted sock slippers with rubber bottom

Granny square boots

Crocheted sneakers

Crochet Ballet Flats

Monday, November 12, 2012

Refashion- 49 Dresses

Forty-nine Dresses is a blog full of op shop finds, refashions and other crafts..

Shorts to skirt

Shirt refashion

Dress refashion

Shirt to skirt refashion

Dress refashion- so much cuter!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Patterned Fabrics! Westminster Fibers

Free Spirit Fabric part of the Westminster Fibers Brand create awesome playful and creative designer fabrics such as these.. I love patterns, especially anything retro, bohemian and geometric..

Wild World Collection:

Sew 4 Home has some great tutorials on how to make products from great fabrics such as Ty Pennington Fabrics also part of the Westminster Fibers Brand. Napkins, table cloths, tissue covers, placemats, bags, pencil cases, aprons, bolsters, baby things, cushions, fashion accessories etc. So much inspiration! I love the Ty Pennington Fabrics fabrics in these two projects!!

Napkins with buttoned pompom rings

Stitched placemats

Rohan Fabric is the last group to make up Westminster Fibers Brand, maker of designer fabrics such as Dancing Paisley below.

Dancing Paisley

Simply Color: another fabric design company with awesome coloured and patterned fabrics!

Textile designer Imogen Heath has some great geometric and floral designs and cushions..

Friday, November 9, 2012

Unconsumption

Unconsumption is a blog with a great philosophy I totally agree with- creative reuse and mindful consumption. Full of upcycled and recycled products and links to DIY instructions or online shops.. Also check out their Pinterest site..

"Consumption is a word used to describe acts of acquisition – generally, the acquisition of things, in exchange for money. Unconsumption is a word used to describe everything that happens after an act of acquisition."

"Unconsumption means the accomplishment of properly recycling your old cellphone, rather than the guilt of letting it sit in a drawer."

"Unconsumption means the thrill of finding a new use for something that you were about to throw away. Unconsumption means the pleasure of using a service like Salvation Army to find a new home for the functioning DVD player you just replaced, rather than throwing it in the garbage."

"Unconsumption means enjoying the things you own to the fullest – not just at the moment of acquisition."

"Unconsumption means the pleasure of using a pair of sneakers until they are truly worn out – as opposed to the nagging feeling of defeat when they simply go out of style."

"Unconsumption means feeling good about the simple act of turning off the lights when you leave the room."

"Unconsumption is an idea, a set of behaviors, a way of thinking about consumption itself from a new perspective."

"Unconsumption is free."

Newspaper pencils

Margherita Marchioni pencil necklace

Crochet bike tube doormat

Bookspine cuffs

Monday, November 5, 2012

Very Hungry Caterpillar Party

Such a cute kids birthday party idea.. The Very Hungry Caterpillar! And a good way to have healthy options at a kids party using fruit.. I like the idea to have a hole cut out of the fruit/food as if the caterpillar has been through it.. and serve all the food he ate in the book..
Games and activity ideas could be finger painting, butterfly prints, making caterpillars out of paper links, crepe paper or egg cartons.. The colours of the book are great inspiration and keep with the dot theme.. Maybe even confetti?
The cake could be made from lots of cupcakes or small round cakes put together. Cake pops would work well too.