The Junk
I love wrapping presents! Whenever I go to garage sales and thrift stores I’m always on the look-out for ribbons, embellishments, and other little treasures that would make for perfect additions to my gift wrap, and make my gifts look truly special.
So, when I saw this messenger bag I instantly thought it would make great reusable gift packaging for a gift I was working on for a dear friend.
I took the opportunity to use some of her favorite things: Cashmere, the colors brown and gray, and sewing-related treasures—in this case, some pins, a button and a zipper.
I removed the weird plastic grass and strap, and tucked them both away for possible inclusion in future projects.
I felted a couple of cashmere sweaters (more thrift store find) and cut out various flower shapes from the felt with my die cut machine, though they could easily have been cut by hand. The flower center is about 2 1/2” diameter, and the flower petals are about 4” from point to point.
Using crochet cotton and a large tapestry needle, I blanket stitched around each piece to make them more decorative and finished-looking.
I cut up a black metal zipper into 7 qty 2” pieces and sewed them by hand to the wrong side of the flower center.
I arranged my flower parts on the bag in a way I liked and then sparingly glued them in place. I sewed a gold ring to the bag flap under one of the flower petals so I had a place to secure my ribbons. Then I added some pins, tied a bow, and made a tag.
Finally, I glued a large velvet fabric covered button just off-center of the flower center for the finishing touch.
The Jewel
I know my dear friend will enjoy the warm gift packaging…I just hope she enjoys her gift too!!
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Next months’s junk: Swing frame
What will she make out of that?
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Junk to Jewel is a series where, once a month, C&T author and editorial team member Sue Astroth chronicles her upcycling adventures with thrift store finds.
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17 Comments
Sue, you never cease to amaze me.
Sue is just uber clever!!! I love her creations! Keep em coming!
This is fabulous–what a transformation! (I’m intrigued to learn if you ever find a use for that plastic grass . . . .)
You are so talented and imaginative, it’s mind-boggling!
Fabulous! I can’t wait to see next month’s post!
What a wonderful transformation! I have to admit, I was a little frightened until I scrolled down. I thought you added the plastic grass to make it special for your friend. Next time I’ll read all the way through before I panic.
Sue, you are insane, but so am I……It’s amazing what you can do with “found stuff”……You go girl! Joyce
This is my first ever blog post.
The gift wrap was a nice look and a sweet gift.
What is a swing frame used for?
Loved your oversized pincushion.
I NEED HELP.
Does anyone use a CriCut Machine? I want to make iron on cloth letters but there is not a clear instruction on what fabrics could be used with the machine. And how to get them ready to cut.
PLEASE HELP
Sue! I love to see what you’ll come up with next. Keep it coming! With such a great wrapper, I wonder what the present was . . . . . .
Love this.
Love
A great change and more useable! Next month’s will be interesting to see.
I like this blog of Junk to Jewel !
I like this blog of Junk to J
Judy, the below link will take you to a discussion about using the Cricut on fabric… good luck!
http://www.cricut.com/%28S%28mtufql55qbyy1y55a3kpva55%29%29/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=3212305
I loved the whole project. Your zipper inspiration was unusual and unique. What fun.
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