Southwest style

I have a very old Pendleton wool navajo jacket that I got at a thrift store years ago.  It has plenty of moth damage.

And I had an even older vest - probably had it at least 20 years.  I love Pendleton wool.  Can't get rid of it no matter what condition it's in.

The very last thing Kerry bought me was a Pendleton Wool blanket in Bend, OR.  It had denim hues to it and we both thought it would look great in our denim-themed art pod.  When I sold the r-pod, I had to keep the blanket.  The pattern is called "star watchers".  Kind of appropriate as we would sit outside and watch the stars at night on that last trip.

I started out with the tan jacket at the top.  When I took the lining out, the inside was primarily black.  I had enough to make an entire pillow and an insert to put on a denim pillow sham.  There was absolutely no moth damage on the inside and you cannot tell that it wasn't the outside.  One of the things I love about Pendleton wool.

And I was able to make a pillow insert from the vest.  I think they turned out perfect.  You can see the front side of the original jacket on the left, the inside is the black pillow and the pillow on the right is the vest.  I've had the bear for years.

I'm trying the bed out as a "daybed" in the event I move into a studio apartment

Think I have enough pillows? Those tan "wedges" in the back also allow me to convert the bed into a recliner or lounge.   They each have 4 possible positions.  We had them in the art-pod as well.

The rug is hand woven - we bought it in Hualtuco Mexico on our last trip there in 2009.  That's the year Kerry had his first heart attack.  I am surrounding myself with memories of places we've been and things we've done.  I really like the pendleton pillows.  Never throw anything out!!

The chair for the workbox3.0

It has been quite some time since I've been office chair shopping.  I decided on this one as it was half off and the arms will lift up.  Bonus - it rocks!  LOL!

But get a load of the back of it!  That is just beyond wierd!

Brand new....but I recovered the arms and seat in denim and made a slip cover to go over the back.  Look closely and you will see a cord coming out the right hand side.  That huge pocket across the front has a heating pad stuck down in it!  There are slits on either side, so I can use an outlet no matter which side it's on.   Added bonus, the heating is in the perfect spot for my back.  Second bonus - the arms flip up so it fits under any height table.

The back side has 2 pockets that hold the controller and the rest of the cord.  It tucks down behind that weird back frame.  I've been trying it out and I really like it.  Comfy enough to work from.....reclines enough to make it great for watching TV.

I also have a couple Walmart student chairs that I recovered in denim.   My sisters need chairs when they come to play.

One of them has it's own heating pad cover just like the top one.  But it also  a "saddle bag" on the seat and I can keep a tape runner down in one of the gigantic pockets and my ATG gun on the other side.

It is so much fun customizing things to make them work better for what you need!  What have you altered lately to meet your needs?

The Scrapmabob Plus

While I'm on the topic of theoriginalscrapbox.com's workbox3.0, let's talk about their Scrapmabob Plus.

It's cute, it's clever, it works great.....but it's NOT denim!  LOL!!!  So, of course, I made my own!

Out of the leg of a pair of jeans.  And used the rear pocket to store all my goodies.  Made it a bit longer than theirs.  But I did use theirs as a pattern.

It will velcro on and off very easily so I can wash it whenever it gets dirty.

 I can rotate it so the pocket shows, or so it's plain:

For a liner, I slip a trash bag over the velcro strips:

I like it because it keeps my glass securely off my workspace and makes the trash at my fingertips.  And - bonus....flip it up and the door behind opens easily!  I just closed it so the photos would look better.

Next up - the matching chair!

Custom appliques to match any decor!

I bought some dishes for our new travel trailer.  I wanted to make an apron to "match".  First, I took a photo, resized it and made a couple of copies.

Then  I cut it apart and traced each part on the appropriate color of fabric.  Cut it out and ironed it onto some adhesive backed quilting - about 1/4" thick.

Next I used the satin stitch on the sewing machine to go around all the edges.  The door, window and tire are made from the back side of denim.  

I've never tried this before and for my first effort, I'm pretty happy with the results!

 I really think you could take any image as long as it's not too detailed and do the very same thing to make a custom appliqué.  The iron-on quilt backing certainly helped keep the fabric in place while doing the sating stitches.  I have some old quilt pieces that I might try this with next.

Denim and Leather

Grandpa Moore was a leather crafter.  I remember running my fingers over the mountains and valleys of a piece that he had tooled.  He made gun holsters and rifle bags, purses and so much more.  He tooled the old fashioned way.....taking hours to make a single piece.  I loved watching him work and asked him a hundred questions each time I went to visit.  Years later, when he died, I purchased all of his leather supplies from his widow.  One of the best investments ever......always buy tools!!!

My sis and I have been playing with leather this week.  Imagine combining sewing (yesterday's project), scrapbooking and everything you need to do leather crafting?  Oh!  What a MESS!!!

I decided I wanted to create a denim and leather journal.  So I started by cutting, then stitching a frame in the denim.

 Next I hemmed a piece of denim to cover the back of the journal - it's a 5x7 "visual" journal from Hobby Lobby.  This one has watercolor paper inside but you can also get the mixed media version.

Then I decided to experiment embossing leather using embossing folders.  I just didn't feel like taking the time to tool leather today.  I've been having some trouble with my right hand and it decided to flare up again today.  Sigh.

Then I did a little experimenting with waterstain (a fairly new product at Tandy Leather) and sand paper.  I sort of like the effects.  It goes on more distressed that the old dyes.

Embossed another piece and this time I experimented with distress inks.  Watered them down and painted them on.  Sort of like this as well.  I think the fun for me is really in experimenting and playing with products.

Next I tried out copic markers.  OK, I really like how this turned out.  But it just didn't look so great next to the denim...and it wasn't the look I was going for.

I cut, stained and sanded a piece for the spine and this is the base of the journal that I came up with.  But of course....one has to embellish...can't leave it this plain....although I do love this look!

This is the journal finished and I simply LOVE how it came out.  It says so much about the things I love.  Denim.   Leather.  Living in Colorado with our pine trees in the mountains around us.  

There's an Indian Head nickel concho on the top corner holding the ribbons and leather together.

Sliced antlers from my dear friend, Shelly, who lives over in Nebraska and I don't get to see her nearly enough these days......

And silk beads with swarovski beads on silk ribbons.  

A couple of days ago, I added a new shelf in my bedroom - just to keep all the journals I've been making.  

Tandy Leather in Colorado Springs is offering a beginning leather class on 1/13 at 10 am.  2 hours.  $20.  You don't have to take a thing.  Call the store if you want to take it.  I'll be there with 3 others.  No, I'm not a beginner....but I thought it might be fun to take this class and see what's changed since I took my first class back in 1983. 

A denim paint bucket for painting class!

Do you ever have one of those moments when you look at something that's been sitting around forever....and the lights go off in your head?  This was originally a green and black 1 gallon bucket cover....used for gardening.  And in my head - I saw it in denim!  Sorry that I didn't take a photo of the original....I took it apart and used it as the pattern for this one.

When you have something that you can use as a pattern, it's pretty quick and easy to re-make it.  And I already had the denim edging which helped.  Can you see the pockets down inside?  It's a sleeve that slips around the bucket and folds down inside.  So it will come off and can be tossed into the washer and dryer when it gets dirty.

And the bucket just happens to have a lazy suzan on the bottom so it will spin around for easy access to every side/pocket.   I've filled this up with paint supplies as I have a new watercolor class starting in a few weeks.  A paint bucket for painting!!  LOL!!   I'm always looking for lighter weight, smaller ways to transport stuff to class.  And I won't have to unpack a thing when I want to use this at home.

I'm almost afraid to look at anything else around here as it might just get turned into denim.  LOL!!!  I could recover the kitchen chairs, the keyboard bench, the patio furniture out back?  I do need a new sewing machine cover!  I'm pondering a design for a leather and denim journal cover as my sis and I have been working with leather the last couple of days.  

What would you re-make in denim???

Denim country journal at The Abbey Scrapbooking Retreat

First, I have to tell you about the food at this retreat.  WAY TOO MUCH!!!  A complete 20' long candy bar that they kept stocked the entire weekend!  I will not eat anything with sugar in it for a whole week!!!  The meals are included in the price and they are amazing.  I understand they are prepared on site by the Abbey's kitchen.  Well....you'd think we were at a 5-star restaurant the whole time!  The Chocolate Lasagne may have been my favorite, but I really liked those sandwiches we had.  The stuffed waffles were amazing - I will have to take photos next time!

I started out the weekend making this journal.  I had finished my denim towels last week and had pockets leftover.  Then I went to a garage sale and picked up some little kids denim shorts for 50 cents each and just wanted to play!

Sizzix dressform diecut and the flowers are another Sizzix die.

Bo Bunny paper - with loads of stickles all over it.  Made pockets that things can go down it.  Used my white pen to outline some of the items on the paper.

If you want to do this - you'll be cutting out a lot of the elements in the papers and putting them on other papers - something I truly enjoy doing.  But I know there are those who don't like to cut things out!

But when you take the time to cut the elements out - you can create whole new looks.

Lots of distress inking with faded jeans and vintage photo...

This one will go for sale in our new space in the Marketplace Shops.  It's ready for you to simply add photos and words!

The page on the right is actual denim.  On the left, I did a lot of doodling with my white pen.

and my favorite page - the chocolate page!  I may have to do this page in every journal I make - simply because you need a little chocolate in every day!

I had fun putting this together the first afternoon - it was an easy way to get into a creative weekend!  And easy to do while chatting with all the other gals.  Thanks to everyone for making this such a fun weekend!

If you want to order this paper, you can do so by calling Design U'R Memories at 719-275-2526.  We are truly blessed to have both a scrapbook store and a stamp store in this little town!!!

White Lace & Promises

Remember the old "Carpenter's" song?

We've only just begun to live......so much of life ahead.......

We'll find a place where there's room to grow.....

So many roads to choose......


HA!  Now you'll be humming the tune over and over, won't you?  :o)

Back in the 70s, my friends called me "Blue jean Jenny" because I wore blue jeans to work every day.  I loved denim.  And I've decided to play with denim for awhile now.  My last trip to Hobby Lobby I found this little gal half off.  Could not resist!

Brought her home and took her arms off.  Of course, nothing ever works.  The screws stuck out and I found out they were a steel cross form in her body.  So I used my trusty dremel and a cut-off disk and got them right off, then puttied the holes.

Took the hot pink off, cut it apart, and made a brand new cover out of denim.

Then I did some silk ribbon embroidery on the bodice.  Click the image to find swarovsky crystals and glass beads stitched into the design.  White, pale blue and blue silk.....white lace and

promises.....the promise of a new home.  Perhaps I'll go back to the 70s and decorate the house in denim.  It's comfortable.  Wears great.  Goes with anything.  Could be fun!  

The only thing I had to paint was this top piece - it was hot pink.  Gotta love Krylon's paint and primer spray paint - in a single can and covers everything with a single coat.  Best stuff ever!

Hard to believe it's the same dress form. Maybe I should give lessons!  All in a day, too!  Hope you managed to be creative today!