Craftivity Anyone?

  I don't always connect with craft books. Some are too complicated and have far too much written word. Others have crafts that are too alternative for the eco chic in me, are too fancy or are just too plain ugly. This book on the other hand fits into my middle-of-the-road craft needs perfectly. When I arrived home from the Farm Chicks Show, I found this book Felicia from Collins sent to me sitting in my mail box. Since I came home sick and with little energy I started reading it right away. I didn't need much more of an excuse to cozy up in my duvets with a cup of Gypsy Cold tea and a little Craftivity.

I had stumbled upon Tsia Carson's site Supernatural.com a month ago and loved her site.  I felt a connection to her book immediately as she continuously mentioned thrift stores and recycling within the first few pages. There's nothing like throwing out the word "thrift" to get my attention quicker.  As an avid thrifter, I prefer using existing craft supplies rather than buying new ones.  Tsia's attitude throughout the book is so laid back and easy going. I didn't feel an air of superiority of "I'm craftier than thou" in any part of this book. In fact I felt that the contributors to Craftivity were real people doing something they love and are passionate about. This includes our favorite Jenny Hart from Sublime Stitching who many bloggers know and love.

The sentence that stood out to me was "Don't wear your craft on your sleeve". Tsia goes on to say that we don't have to make everything around us. "Thoughtfully choose the things you are going to make" she says. And she makes me proud to read that she suggest first going to a Thrift Store and says so eloquently " Before you make anything stop, drop and thrift; maybe you can get it second hand." If only we heard those words more often.  When I need something I write it down in my notebook that I keep in my handbag and I comb through the thrift stores until I find it. It may take me a couple months or even a year in some cases but inevitably I find it. Tsia suggest making only things that "come out in sudden spasms of inspiration. Leave the rest alone." By this time on page 2, I had fallen in love with this book and the principles behind it. It is complete with 40 projects with many of them offering different ways to get supplies, especially 2nd hand or using what you already have.

My favorite craft came from page 46 and is a Flower Brooch.  I never used to be a flower-brooch-wearing-girl until I popped into Jackie's etsy store and found this for sale. I wear it on my Autumn coat (I only have a few Coats despite living in the pacific northwest so I'm not taking part in the coat fashion show until I have a few more) and I love it. I now want more. Or should I say, I need more. I need to be covered in flowers to sling shot me through our bleak winter over to spring. The unique things about the flower brooch are its mix of crocheting and felting. You crochet a flower,  and throw it in your washer to felt it.  Most of my wool yarn is thrifted which fits in with most of Tsia's suggestions on the 2nd hand front.

Other crafts include a pom-pom rug, crocheted skull (which a certain 4 year old of mine would love me to make), undies from t-shirts (Now I can take my favorite David Boreanaz shirt from the tv show Angel and make a pair of knicks from it) and even Jenny Hart's embroidered screen door. Now I just need to get a screen door. I'll add it to my thrift list

Who wouldn't want to lie on this in front of a warm fire this winter. Anyone for a pom-pom making party?

Not all of the crafts had me running for the basement in search of supplies. Some of them are still outside of my comfort zone. I love the idea of making a ceramic mold but I doubt I would ever venture down that crafty avenue. But I'll say I would try enough of these crafts to make the book worth while. The tips on felting, recycling yarn from an old sweater and making a bag from used plastic grocery store bags has certainly inspired me to get into the craft room, cold or no cold. Now where did I leave my crochet hook?                               

Comments

[mo]

I love the pom pom rug. Such amazing colors and the texture in front of a nice fire would be amazing. I will have to look into this book. Thank goodness thrifting is now living in the light that it should have been in all along.

[Kelli]

I am all for recycling and using recycled goods. Bravo for thrifting!

[weirdbunny]

That pompom rug is just the best - I love and want it now in my living room !!!

[kathy]

stop, drop and thrift. I LOVE that line.

[Amber]

Love Love Love the Pom Pom Rug!!! It makes me want to take a nap!

[Anna]

I LOVE that pompom rug! Thank you for introducing me to The Farm Chicks. I never heard of them before. What kind of products do they have?

[Pam]

Yes if only we were all close enough for a pompom party. Looks like fun!

[rebecca]

Oh! Sign me up for a pompom party! We just retired our living room rug (to be reincarnated as a buried weed barrier in the garden) and a pompom rug is just what we need.

[Eren]

Oh, that book sounds like it is calling my name and Im in on the Pompom Party...do I hear a craft along brewing?!?!?! Im in!

[TracyAnn]

That's a cozy looking rug! I still want to make some kind of a rug one day. Is it pretty straightforward? Gotta keep it simple for me!!

[Beth]

Hi Selena! I sent an e-mail about the swap you were interested in, but I'm not sure you got it. Could you send me an e-mail to handmadegiftswap [at] aol [dot] com? Thanks!

I like the "stop, drop, and thrift" motto. Right now my favorite things to thrift are wool sweaters. They are very versatile!

I really enjoy your blog and am looking forward to reading more of it.

[Dannielle]

ok, that rug is cool!

I've been on a craft book bender lately. And now I think I need another one!

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[FLower Girl]

oh hello every buddy...wow such a nice blog....;)I really enjoy your blog and am looking forward to reading more of it.....

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[Elizabeth Yule]

That sounds a fantastic book, I wonder if it'll be published in the UK too. I love the look of that pom pom rug - so cosy.

[Stan]

heyy i relle LOVE fashion..and when i say fashion, i do NOT mean Hollister and A&F, even though some of that stuff can be cute.
No, when i say fashion, i love mixing patterns, and def vintageee! i love edgy stuff.
can anyone find me a site that has fashion collages of fashion magazine cut-out pics.. or a site with anything to do with fashion? i dont want a shopping site, i want a site that will inspire me with designs and stuff.

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I felt a connection to her book immediately as she continuously mentioned thrift stores and recycling within the first few pages.

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Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

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i love this blog...

[vintage pendants]

I Love the Pom Pom Rug. Thank you for introducing it to us. I love the fashion especially wearing different type of jewelry matching dresses.

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I was very pleased to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

[Cindy (Silk Bouquets)]

Nice book review, I'll definitely check this book out. Oh by the way the pom pom rug is gorgeous, I love it.