My Alien-Pod-Yarn Project

Alien-Pod-Yarn Project

Another fun piece to hunt for at thrift/vintage shops are craft materials.  Many hobbyists donate unwanted fabrics, buttons, beads, etc. While they're not always less expensive than purchasing from your chain craft store you may find materials that are unique or reminiscent of another era.

For this project I opted to purchase my craft material at a chain (in this case it was cheaper and you all know I’m on a budget these days!).  After the use of 40% of a full priced item coupon the project total cost was around $4.00.

I originally found the idea on the blog of one of my favorite clothing lines, Free People. I suggest visiting their site since it provides detailed instructions. Below I’ve added more materials than their directions suggest but also lessons learned for anyone who may want to try this:

Materials Needed:

·         Yarn

·         Elmer’s Glue or similar

·         Balloons (I suggest a color that matches the yarn so when pieces stick it’s not so bad)

·         Thumbtacks to hang from ceiling

·         VASELINE (I did not follow this step and regret it!)

·         Plastic cup with lid (just save your next soda cup from your favorite fast food restaurant)

·         A tarp (or other object you don’t mind getting glue all over, I covered a counter top with an old towel)

·         Fishing line or other clear string to hang when complete

Lesson 1: Despite my best efforts the yarn always got tangled following the provided instructions. What I did instead was placed my yarn in the cup, topped the cup and put glue on the lid.  Then as I pulled yarn out of the straw hole I ran it through the glue and my used to my fingers to thoroughly coat each strand.

Lesson 2: Trying to wrap the balloon while it hung was impossible. It’s a balloon; it’s not a 20lb medicine ball that stays in place as you paw all over it. I opted to just grab on to the dang thing and use the hanging technique for it to dry. This made it messy and gave the effect of peeling skin anywhere the glue touched my body (i.e. everywhere my skin my exposed).

 

Lesson 3: They do not pop into pretty shapes right away.  I had to gently pull apart the yarn so that it reshaped into the pear-like shape desired. I think this may be were Vaseline helps!

Overall I think it came out pretty. I do regret using white only because Evan said it looks like I hung alien pods from the ceiling. I do look forward to trying it with a different color in the future to create a collection of these in a bare corner of our bedroom.

Follow up on the Freedom to Choose Your Reaction

Although it was too hot to wear the wool hats while riding they still made for good pictures! Yes, that's the horses backside in my view while Aunt Lisa at least had a body shot in the background.

I would say that this was a $1.00 well spent.

Shop for a Cause

Shop for a Cause

You may or may not have known this, but many thrift stores give back to the community.  Not just your big names like Goodwill or the Salvation Army either.

One of the requests my aunt had during her visit was consignment store shopping.  You can imagine my excitment! While I’ve lived in the area for over four years I only have a handful of “go-to” antique/thrift shops.  Her request prompted me to search the web for new shops to suite her vintage preference- clothing.

In sifting through the search results I began to notice a trend; many of the thrift/consignment shops were linked to a non-profit organization.  From homeless humans to homeless pets we had the opportunity to shop for any number of good causes.  Trying to stay in the same region we narrowed down a few stores to visit.

An organization, The Good Shepard Alliance, was the first of these stores to visit. The 100% leather satchel (below) that I scooped for $5.00 will go towards assisting the homeless or those in transition within our county.  Aunt Lisa left the store with a silk blouse and picture frame also spending under $10.00.  A subsequent trip to another Good Shepard location had her packing with a silk dress, embellished tank top and faux pearl beaded necklace.

 

As we ventured into historic Leesburg to browse some of my trusty antique shops we also wandered into The Resourceful Woman. While this store did not offer my usual beloved vintage style we were pleasantly surprised with what it did offer.  Many of the local boutiques and even big name department stores donate to the local shop where 100% of the proceeds benefit the Loudoun Abused Woman’s Shelter.  Alright, so we did not get ANYTHING vintage, rather, we got merchandise that still had the tags on it!  I left with originally priced $168.00, Stiches brand, green, corduroy pants for $10.00 and Aunt Lisa a Coach purse for $50.00.  Let’s not forget, all of those dollars are going straight back to community non-profits. 

 

So with a mix of vintage, and just really great finds, I discovered a another benefit to looking for vintage- it can benefit those in need. Now that is a good reason to shop, a good reason indeed.

The freedom to choose your reaction

While I hate to be “one of those people” that goes around reciting the cliff notes from every clique business/self-improvement/help book that was ever written I am going to do that today.



Earlier in the summer I participated in a leadership course based on Steven Covey’s 7 Habits for Highly Effective People. Habit 1: Be Proactive, “Proactive people pause and allow themselves the freedom to choose their response based on principles and desired results”. Ironically, I had to use that space in-between-the-response wisely when my former employer delivered the news that I did not get the job I recently interviewed for.



During that space I could have: been angry/bitter/desperate/sad….or a whole bunch of other socially acceptable responses for someone in my situation. Rather, I used that space to reaction with the decision to shop. Vintage of course.

I used that pause to decide I was not going to take myself so seriously. Most of the world doesn’t so why should we? Sometimes people respect you more when you just grab the reins and make the most of the ride!



Knowing my aunt was coming into town and desired a day horseback riding I went out seeking “proper” tacky equestrian entire. I succeeded. With 3 for $1.00 hats and $1.50 scarf we will not only look our best on those horses but the photos are sure to be priceless. I am also confident that no one will be taking me serious with that on my head!

Teaser...

What could I be up to now that required real power tools?

Beat any Tuesday "Bluesdays" with a little thrift

Not that I'm counting, but although I've only been under-employed for 11 business days the budget crunch is beginning (yuck, gross, blah). To relieve some pent up lack-of-shopping-frustrations I allowed myself $10 to splurge at The Closet in Herndon today.

As you may recall, this is the same store I snagged my cherished lamps not so many weeks ago for $5.50/set so I knew $10 had potential to go far!

I left exuberant with a bag filled to the brim!

Antique replica bacon press to be used as kitchen decor ($1.50), painted wood frame for future project ($4.00), single-flower-sized vase ($.50), knit dollie ($.25), yellow lace handkerchief ($1.00), and paisley scarf ($2.00).

No major life lesson here today just a reminder that lightening can strike twice ! The Closet is sure to remain a favorite hunting spot in future vintage to come!

A project is never really finished....

One thing I've had to train myself to do is STOP. Sometimes I get carried away with ________(fill in blank with any embellishment, glitter, stickers, paint, etc). Thus, the constant advice that less is more. But pulling away from a project can also allow you to come back later to add just a pinch more _______ (full in blank with any embellishment ).

Today was my refinished tv stand. About 5 weeks ago I sanded until I bled, replaced drawers with an open unit for our record player, painted a super awesome antiques finish and had sewn a burlap curtain. I left it alone until being inspired by all the cool industrial signs at an antique emporium. So here's the quick instructions:

Materials:
Spray paint
Cardboard
Razor blade or exacta knife

Instructions:
1. Trace or draw pattern into cardboard
2. Carefully cut pattern out
3. Place stencil on material
4. Spray paint about 6 inches away in short bursts
5. Let dry as per spray paint instructions
*enjoy!

I chose the number 7 because that was Evans jersey number his whole soccer life. So in five minutes I made it personally perfect with a personal, sentimental touch.