Sunday 26 June 2011

Vintage Recyling

Recently my Mum's been having a clearout and she came across this skirt.
She had been keeping it for many (many!) years to recycle into a patchwork project. Unfortunately it never materialised so she reluctantly passed it to me. I had scecretly hoped that maybe one day she would get bored with moving it from one place to another and donate it to me.

Although it was a long time ago I do remember my Mum wearing this skirt, so what to do with something that to me is precious. At first I didn't want to take the first snip but as I've got over the whole ripping, sticking, cutting books thing it wasn't too hard to overcome. Once I'd taken the frill off I realised that it could be the perfect size for making a scrappy cushion. There is enough that I could make one for my Mum too. But what about the rest?

Well if any of you follow the wonderful Effie at EfemeraInk you'll have seen the beautiful shoes she made recently. Perfect. But how could I display them? Then I remembered the 12x12 box frame I'd bought but it turned out to be not nearly deep enough so I had to think of something else. What about mounting them to a canvas? So I did.
So what else do I make? I really need to try and find a photo of my Mum wearing the skirt so I can scrap it. I'm also thinking of making my Mum a crafty tote for her new craft room which prompted the big clear out. What about a journal, memories to hold new memories?

So if you have a piece of clothing, fabric or children's outground clothes that hold memories for you think about turning them in something else you can treasure and use rather than being hidden away.

I just hope my Mum approves

9 comments:

Sian said...

The shoes are gorgeous! Something about the skirt makes me think the fabric is really soft and worn in (in a really nice way): I think it would make a lovely journal

debs14 said...

Those shoes are a work of art! What an amazing variety of things you have found to use that fabric.

Effie said...

Absolutely stunning!... thank you for giving me the opportunity to see them!( mine are still in a brown paper bag on the floor!)

Sandra said...

You made those,!!!!! Oh wow. Stunning.

alexa said...

Oh my goodness, these are amazing! Amanda, you need to start a craft mag ...

Alana said...

I loved what you made out of your mums skirt and I am all for recycling. I personally liked it and would of worn it......although i may possibly be getting all misty eyesd about the era it came from.

ForgedinPaper said...

Best shoes ever! The cushions sound ace as well. The IPad is back and I can comment on blogs again yippee!

Sarah H said...

You MADE those shoes? Amazing, Amanda! The pattern on the fabric goes with the bookpage flowers so perfectly

Glen said...

WOW Amanda. I LOVE your shoe canvas. *Ü* Very creative. TFS. ~Glen~