Back in Action

OK, so took a long break from blogging and now I am back to finally tell you about the cashmere hand warmers I have been making as of late. Here you will see photos of two pairs. One pair is a darker blue cashmere and they are long, go half way up your arm, and can be worn over or under a shirt or jacket. The other pair is a lighter blue cashmere that already had this gorgeous shell button detail that I took advantage of. They are shorter but you will notice that I used the same vintage blue velvet trim on both pairs. To make these I simply felt down a cashmere sweater and seam rip a hole in the side seam where it seems like I would want my thumb to stick out. Then to reinforce the hole, I zigzag stitch with my machine, or hand stitch with embroidery thread, depending on the look I am going for. I made two other pairs for friends and used vintage ribbon around the open end near the fingers for a decorative detail. I will try to post pictures of those when I can get photos taken. Really, the possibilities are endless. I have yet to find a better use for felted cashmere sleeves! Try some yourself and let me know how it goes!

Cashmere Schmazmere

I dont know about you but I have a storage tub full of cashmere sweaters that have been awaiting my attention. I'd say half of them have been felted down and half are begging to be washing machine felting. The ones that have been felted have been a great source of amusement for making fun hand/wrist warmers and some funky sweaters. Amazingly, one of the the thickest, most gorgeous vintage sweaters, felted perfectly down to the size of my rather big-for-his-age 6 year old. He is delighted beyond what I can express in words and is always asking, "Mom, can I wear 'the sweater'?" As if its the only swaeter he has. But if you could feel how soft and warm this little sweater is, you would want to wear it every day too. And to make it even more desirable, it has ended up with the sweetest woodland scene on it! I LOVE wool and cashmere! So versatile to use and design with since once felted you can cut to your hearts content and no unraveling occurs. Love it! So with the rest of the scraps from those other felted cashmere sweaters in the tub, I came up with this woodland scene that is so darn tootin cute, I can't stand it, and I want one for me! I tend to make myself the more deconstructed looking, slap it together, and call it a sweater, kind of sweaters. I'll post some pictures of those too as I wade thru all the completed and half finished projects I have goin' on around here. So here, for eye candy and hopefully inspiration, are a couple photos of "the sweater." Most of the appliqued pieces were machine stitched on and then a few of the pieces I added embroidery to give them more definition. There is the big tree, a bird nest with eggs, a bird, a mushroom and a yellow bunny! J wanted a gnome but we couldnt figure out where to squeeze him in so he will be on the next one, probably a vest, that I do for him. The bigger the applique, the easier it is to maneuver and manipulate. The mushroom is layered and machine stitced and also hand stitched. Just depends on how intense and time consuming you want your objects to be that determines which process you use to get there. I will try to post soon on some of the handwarmers and other sweaters I have done or are working on currently. Enjoy! And spend some time felting and sewing for yourself or someone you love. It will make you happy!

Here we go....

Welcome and beware! You have entered the strange but wonderful world of Smashing Rubbish, an outlandish place where I can assure you will get to look in on random acts of collecting, altering, creating and displaying that are sure to astonish and amaze if not totally freak you out! The common layer of dust and cob webs alone might throw you into a tizzy! Come along and join me on this never ending journey of discovery as I blah, blah, blah your ear off with all that I have scored, found, bought, altered, tweaked, picked up off the ground, been given, thrifted, traded, and created. Interspersed you may find rusty yet shiny pearls of wisdom on subjects ranging from mothering two boys ages 14 and 6, to traveling and surfing, to what food I am obsessed with, to what music I have currently set on constant repeat, to how my sweet honey bees are doing, to what I am doing in the garden, to what herb I am using to cure my ills and to what book I can not put down. I will wax on till the cows come home and then some, marvelling all the while!

Smashing Rubbish is the poison I pick, my vice, if you will. Smashing = anything I deem extraordinary, impressive, wonderful, excellent, awesome, cool, badass, the bomb, sweet, groovy, hot, sexy or amazing. You get the idea. Rubbish = any old junk, treasure, trash, crap or garbage that I see potential in and is often not quite junk at all. Rubbish can include antiques, fabric, furniture, stuff other people throw away, bits and pieces of this and that, fixin's, findin's and all the whatchyamacallits I have scattered around here and discover at every turn. Some of my excellent junk, or smashing rubbish, I use to create other stuff. As stated, I will post on what I find, what I do with it, what I love, how I display all the smashing rubbish I acquire, what I have for sale, and anything I deconstruct, sew, alter, create, glue, bead, plant, Dremel, wire, and otherwise transform, which is much of the smashing rubbish I score.

Curious? Then come along and take a peek once in a while. Along the way, and for your benefit, I will attempt to amuse and inform, often gratefully rejoicing and bitterly complaining all in one breathe while sharing my latest projects, blabbering on stuff I don't know enough about, staying calm and freaking out, and hoping to help you realize that if I can do this stuff, so can you, if you choose! You are sure to, at the very least, get a good laugh and come away with a smile. In fact, beware of belly aches and your face hurting. Onward ho!