Hobby/craft/trash to treasure pics~please share.

[annielinz]

Since we are all getting to know each other I thought it would be fun to show pics of your hobby/craft/trash to treasure you have been working on. I know we have a creative bunch here and it would be a great place to showcase all the talent.

For me my hobby is shopping, I love to shop and look for bargains. Well with the current economy and my new resolve to cut back on this hobby :( I need another outlet :). So I've gone back to my roots of creating and I'm a little rusty on that. So as I was nosing around Michaels I saw this wooden frame for $1, thats a bargain in my book! So here is my rainy weekend craft.
Thats my DD and my niece oh about 17 years ago.

Please share big or small.

[Gigi]

I also LOVE to do crafts~ great find on the frames-and sooo cute all dollied up!

I think I have enough fabric to line the streets of NY city :D I LOVE a bargin and first thing I do in any store is check up the bargain/sale isle. The pictures are of a Billow (I trademarked as a small pillow of comfort)- for children, breast cancer survivors, etc... with a storybook card I wrote, and handmade soaps. What was a hobby for years turned into a very small biz.

I love making crafts- if we lived near eachother- we could do some damage at the local stores ;) :rolleyes:191

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[annielinz]

Gigi, your Billows are so sweet, what a special craft.

You've got some material there girl! :eek: I just bought a new sewing machine since my old kenmore is RIP, so I've been moseying around the local fabric stores looking for inspiration.
That is so cool that your hobby has turned into a job that you enjoy and yes we sure could do some damage together, but it sure would be fun times.

[Lisa S]

Gigi's soap was featured on Martha Stewart's web site last year. She had a very sharp looking picture of her soaps prominently displayed. I've purchased some of Gigi's soap and lotions and think they're wonderful! Beautifully packaged and handmade...

I just bought a Cricut from JoAnn Fabrics. They usually sell for $299, but I got mine for $99. I love, love, love it! I'm not very crafty, but paper goods really speak to me. I love creative tags or messages in a paper box. I hauled out my origami book last weekend and re-learned how to make a few things. When my fundraiser is over, I'm vowing to work on something artistic at least once a week.

Anne ~ I love what you did to that picture frame!

[One Woman]

Sweet frame, Annie! I love the little dots!

Gigi, what a neat idea, your Billow. How fun it would be to shop for fabrics...I don't sew a lick but if I did, I know I would have a huge stash, too! Your soap is divine I'm sure...Martha Stewart - Wow! How exciting!

Lisa, I'm insanely interested in a Cri-cut system, or something similar. Is is easy to use? And if you don't mind my asking, is it expensive to buy the things that go with it, like the cartridges (not sure what the different font sets and patterns are called). I would LOVE to have one one of these days :)

[One Woman]

(Let's try this again...I posted this in the wrong thread at first, ugh!)

I enjoy various types of crafts but what I'm trying to focus on for my future craft business are my faux desserts. I've made a lot, given away or sold a few to family members, and have even given some away on my blog - but I'm still not at the point where I'm ready to make a business of it. I'm still trying to get all my ducks in a row (trying to complete my craft room so that I can be organized at last!). But I do know that this is what I want to do because it's so much fun.

I make faux candy, cookies, and cupcakes. I've dabbled with cakes as well but think I'll focus on the smaller things at first. I took a couple of cake decorating courses at Michaels and that really helped. I may go back and take the last two courses after I lose the weight from the first two!

[One Woman]

Here are a few "pink" things...

[annielinz]

Kim, those indeed look yummy! I would be craving sweets all the time if I was making those. They are so realistic looking!

[Danske]

What a talented group! I shine at copying...unfortunately I have to see something in a magazine or other visual aid before I try to tackle anything crafty!

[Lisa S]

I shine at copying too!

Kim ~ your desserts are beautiful! Yes, the Cricut system is super easy. The different cartridges seem to run between $49 and $69, but you get a lot for that money.

[Gigi]

OneWoman- They look just amazing~ I can't believe they are real! Your photography is very good also.

[One Woman]

Thanks you all! And thanks, Lisa, for the cri cut info!

[Zuzu's Garden]

OMGosh!

Annielinz- your frame is very cute!

Gigi - the Billow is so sweet. I love your choice of fabrics!

One Woman - Those are amazing. No doubt your business will take off when you decide to let it fly!

I started a cottage business in 2004 called Zuzu's Garden (http://www.ren-prod-inc.com/zuzus_garden/). It has been neglected while building the Tiny House, but I hope to get it rolling again this summer. The farm table in the kitchen will be my art table with perfect light streaming in. The armoire holds finished product and materials. All I need now is to finish up my seasonal job with the park, and then I can get back to business. :) Here are a few pics of sold items - tiles, cross stitch, pressed botanicals, and fairy boxes.

[annielinz]

Zuzu you are very talented, such beautiful things. Just think of how much inspiration you will get at your new workspot looking out your windows and creating.

I knew this was a creative bunch, I need to step up my game here :).

[Lisa S]

Zu ~ how beautiful! The cross stitch is especially lovely.

[Gigi]

Zuzu- I have always admired your site~ and wonderful works of art.

[One Woman]

So, so beautiful ZuZu! I know you'll be glad when you can get back to "business"!

[Lynzee]

Annie ~ the frame is adorable!

Gigi ~ the billow is precious!

Kim ~ those sweets look so realistic and yummy!

Zu ~ your work is so beautiful...I love the tiles especially!

We have so many talented, creative folks here!

[Zuzu's Garden]

Thank you. :)

I know of at least two other very creative people who post here. Come on. Don't be shy. Please share what you have been making lately!

Zuzu

[Seattle Cottage Lover]

I saw a shelf unit in a "cottage" store for $279. It was distressed wood with old brackets. I decided I could make my own for far less $.

Here are the photos. The first is the $279 example. The next photo is the one I made for $98.

[hammond39]

You did an awesome job--and it's so much more fun when you know you did it yourself!

[vintage girl]

You did a great Job Seattle:)

[shabbychick]

Well done! It's always amazing to me how much something "shabby" costs when it's new. I kind of think that's not the original intent of shabby chic. Yours is beautiful for a much more reasonable price (not to mention the feeling of accomplishment!).

[RoseMary]

It turned out great!

[yarborough house]

It looks great but for me I'd have to take a sander to all the edges to rough it up a bit and make it look a bit older so it doesn't scream - NEW..

[Breezy]

Wow! Seattle Cottage Lover your shelf is fantastic - well done!

[Seattle Cottage Lover]

Thanks everyone. Yup, I thought about distressing it a bit...after I had it hung on the wall. (of course!)

I'm learning as I go...that's one of the great things about C&B and the forums too!

[chyna]

I actually like yours better so good job.:)