Recycled Story Book Bunting ...

For nearly a year now I have been making bunting from books that have been damaged or badly treated. It took me quite a lot to make that first cut, and still sometimes a piece of my heart aches when I start to rip or cut.
But the end result is a beautiful repurposed item ready to be loved by someone new.

They have been used as bedroom decorations, party decoration, and early reading tools.

These are for sale in my Etsy store Kitty Boo Boo Design. They haven't been lasting long though! I am currently in the process of stitching up about 40 new ones ... take a peek below ... send me a message if you're looking for something in particular!

Alice in Wonderland

Beauty and The Beast

Jack and The Beanstalk

Little Red Riding Hood

Adventures in Space

Snow White

BrisStyle Indie ECO Markets wrap ...

What a great day. Instead of having my own stall I was a part of the co-op stall and had a wee little table with all my newly created ECO items.

I purchased a new brooch from Rebecca at Edward and Lilly, a monster shirt for my boy and a wooden guitar magnet from Sam at Jetta's Nest, a gorgeous cuff from Nel at Feybles Nel, a beautiful hand dyed skein of silk thread from Trish at TrishAlan Designs and lastly as I had helped out Mel from Kimono Reincarnate she packed me a little takeaway bag full of gorgeous vintage Kimono fabrics.

It was a gorgeously warm mid winter day and my favourite part was when this lovely lady popped by. I asked her if I could take her photo and post it on my blog as her cardigan was to die for - red AND with flamingo's. *sigh* sure is hard to beat that.

 
I had a very yummy vegan hot dog and some really yummy coffee ... not a bad day at all for a birthday :)
 There's plenty more markets to catch me at this month ... just have a glance at the top right of the blog to see where!

Story Book Bunting ...

I have yet to go through my stock to see what is left after the BrisStyle Indie ECO Market but once I do so I will be listing some in my Etsy store, my MadeIt store and my Ethikl store.

They are all salvaged from old books which have been damaged and defaced.
They are a fantastic way for early readers to begin the process of the narrative whilst not confining them to the words. The kids are free to hang them in their rooms and make up stories that they feel are right for the images.

You can also play "Spotto" games with them too.

Journal cover from a pair of Jeans

It was my brothers birthday on Tuesday and after thinking about something he'd like I thought a journal for drawing and writing would be cool ... he likes to do both and is good too.
2 weeks ago my sister gave me some of her old clothes as I had requested some from my family for repurposing etc. After receiving 4 or 5 pairs of jeans I made my sister a wall hanger - but forgot to take pics so I'm waiting for her to! - and  with some of the leftovers decided to make a journal cover and pencil case for my bro ...

If you'd like me to post a tutorial leave a comment ... if there are enough requests I will.

Thanks for looking!

BrisStyle Indie Eco Markets ... reuse, repurpose, recycle

On Saturday July 10th (which also happens to be my birthday) BrisStyle will be having our first ever ECO market with special guest stall holders Reverse Garbage and sponsor Peppermint Magazine and foodie stallholder Hellhound (vegan) Hotdogs.

For these markets I wanted to really challenge myself.

I have always tried to utilise as much of my offcuts and scrap fabric pieces as much as possible, however in the last few months I have been saving more and more of my smaller pieces after making garments in the hope that I can utilise these and create something beautiful instead of more landfill.

I have been making baby bootees for a few years, and over the last year wrist cuffs for adults and kids from the larger pieces of remnants after making clothes.

 But to add to my hair accessories and use up all those little fiddly bits this is what I have managed to create so far from the strips of excess cut from the straps of my sundresses and braided together with silk petals and repurposed buttons ...

plus I am also making some beautiful wrist corsages and chokers ...

and also some wee gorgeous brooches ...

and still to finish and photograph are some bracelets and bangles from repurposed household cast-aways and some gorgeous dresses from Men's shirts ...

On the paper side of things I have been cleaning out the kids books (the damaged and sadly beyond repair) to make some bunting and cards ...

So that's a little taste of what I'll be bringing with me to the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market on Sat July 10th. I'll be in the communal co-op area with a table of my own so stop by to have a look and maybe buy something! Or just come and say Hi!

Re-fashion ... recycle ... renew ... refresh ...

Recipe for refashioned skirt

Take some lace, an old tablecloth, a few old doilies, some dye and a full slip.

Chop, dye, wash, sew, chop, sew.