Tag Archive | thrift store finds

Tips and Tea on Tuesdays

May2

On Tips and Tea on Tuesdays, I will cover a topic and hopefully provide you with some tips that will be helpful! And just as an afterthought, tea may occasionally be a cup of Joe!

Tea today is Celestial Seasoning’s Lemon Zinger! Flavorful with a bit of a zap! A bit like the color explosion in the photo. I love to shop thrift stores, and find wonderful bits of colorful pottery like the examples above. I have a collection of wooden boxes that I painted, and stacked into a shelving unit. I use these to store my collection of “kitchen” finds, and hand-me-down utensils.

Tip: Thrift Store Shopping

  • When you first start out, look for colors that you like, or colors that match some of the pieces that you already have on display.
  • Make sure that the pieces you are going to buy are in good condition, and don’t have any noticeable chips or big cracks!
  • When you get your treasures home, give them a good cleaning, preferably in the dishwasher.
  • When you are shopping, set yourself a price limit, that way you will still have money left over for a cup of tea or coffee!

Happy tea drinking and stitching to you! ~Christen

PS: If you have any questions or thoughts, just leave a comment! See Tips, Tricks, the Basics, for more helpful ideas.

Upcycle it With Embellishments

Mar25

I am happy to say that I am now a teacher for C&T Publishing online learning platform, Creative Spark! I have a new lecture, Upcycle it with Embellishments.

Upcycle Pre-Loved Clothing and Accessories

With trends like “thrift flipping,” where people find unique ways to repurpose secondhand goods, learning to add embroidery and embellishments to fabric is a key skill in transforming dull or out-of-style finds into unique wardrobe staples. In this online course, I will show you how to give your current wardrobe or thrift store finds a unique look with hand or machine-stitched trims, embroidery, and vintage treasures. I hope to inspire all of you makers to reimagine your preloved and current stash.

Download the handout and follow along with the video and demos. I show you how to take an old tie to create a rose corsage; create new embellishments with unused jewelry parts; add lace, yo-yos, buttons, and pins; and cut a doily to make a lace appliqué. In each demo, you’ll learn essential embroidery and ribbonwork tips and techniques, such as knowing what dyes and glues to use and when to use them.

What you will learn

  • Add embroidery stitches to enhance a design or repair damage.
  • Sew on a collection of buttons or use vintage jewelry to add interest or a theme.
  • Turn an unused item like a tie or lace table runner into something wearable.
  • Hand or machine stitch lace or ribbons to the bottom edge of a vest or jacket to extend the length or to add interest.
  • Hand stitch ribbonwork flowers, doilies, and lace to add a feminine touch, hide a hole or a stain, or add design interest.
  • Your Course includes access to videos, downloads, the Creative Spark private community, and discussion with your instructor. Your course content does not expire.

Bonus

+ This course includes a 9-page handout to refer to throughout the course. The handout includes instructions for a few projects as well.

Sign up for Upcycle it with Embellishments!

Happy Stitching and Thrifting to you! ~Christen