Me-cycling

What do you call it when you take one of your own crafts and change it up into something new? I'm calling it mecycling. Remember when I made my own version of Mark Montano's Urban Corsage project? These were so fun to make -- the perfect combination of sewing and crafting. I got a little carried away and made five of them. Well, fun to make, but not really my style to wear.

I've been doing a lot of blog surfing lately, and I loved what Lisa made for teacher gifts this year. Check out her bog -- she makes beautiful polymer clay buttons and much more.

It got me thinking that if I shifted the velcro just a bit, I'd have something similar.

Hers are much cuter and more functional without the extra embellishments, but my version works for me. Now I've got to stash one in the car so I can use it next time I hit Stone Creek.

I Heart Mondays

Welcome to 2009! Between it being January, it being about 10 ice-coated degrees outside in Wisconsin, and the economy in the state it’s in, I thought it was time do my small part to spread some happiness. Here’s my pledge to you – a new heart to start each week for the next year. I think it’s time to stop calling Mondays manic, and even if it’s raining, let’s not let them get us down. So here’s the first of 52, from me to you:

This heart is a patch I made for the Moody T & Tote project in Altered You! It's a snap-on, snap-off mood barometer inspired by my friend Sandra. Here's a picture of the tote bag:

Altered You project

While I love all the projects in Altered You!, I am particularly fond of the little bonus projects that accompany most of the main projects. This project was designed as a book bag or band instrument tag, but wouldn't it be fun to make them as gift tags for the kids on your list? Fill in their names and they can re-use them on their backpacks. Directions and a pattern are in the book. Remember, if you order online, send me an email and I'll mail you a bookplate.

Altered You! What’s not in the book

You’d think I’d be telling you about the big projects in Altered You!, but I’m just as proud of the little ones. You’ll find lots of little bonus projects that you can make out of left over scraps from the bigger projects. I got a little carried away when I was writing the book and made a few too many samples. So, here’s a sneak peak of three little bracelets that didn’t fit in the book:

(Meredith has adopted the black one and wears it daily – I had to snag it back for the photo). You’ll find their big-sister bracelet, along with the easy directions, on page 85.

Wouldn’t these be a cute present topper for a birthday gift? I always think the wrapping should be almost as fun as the present itself!