recycled+revamped featured in etsy treasury!

'Sepia, Rose, and Teal' by EccentricitySupplyCo

All a Flutter Charm Dan... dandyapple $13.00	Jewels Stackable Bracel... loveheylola $12.00	Three Wishes - 8x10 Bok... xenya $30.00	Garden of Eden Headband... SchickiMickis $50.00
recycled patchwork tote... victoriaveltin... $85.00	Global Photograph 5x5 -... alicebgardens $14.00	Shabby Pink and Aqua Bl... EnglishTransfe... $8.99	Lilian Vintage Inspired... 4TasteofShabby... $48.00
Departure 8x8" Pri... LolasRoom $20.00	Crochet Earring with Tu... tripleKcrochet $15.00	Cherry Blossom 8x8 Vint... WorldofWonder $20.00	30% Off sale - Paris Ph... honeytree $21.00
Carnival Ride - Signed ... urbandesign $28.00	Beaded crochet necklace... slashKnots $37.00	Secretary Blouse with B... CertainSomethi... $24.00	Blue Coral series Origi... NewEarthGaller... $250.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

our new handpainted screen door

The story begins a few years ago at an art fair in Frankfort. We met a wonderful woman named Cathy Newstead who had a door like this in her booth. I love it the minute I saw it. While I knew it was out of my price range, I boldly approached and asked if she might be interested in a trade. In return, I offered anything from my booth or my sewing skills for some custom project. She chose both.

Now the interesting thing about trades is this: they always come at just the right time. When Cathy had the door finished, she called to say she had an opportunity to sell it. I was happy to wait for the next one. It took a  bit of time and patience. Once the door arrived here at our house, we realized there were some construction issues with our current door frame. You might be able to tell the door is propped in place here. The door frame needed replacing as it had rotted on the bottom and would not hold a hinge!

So we headed off to Odom with some old doorknobs and other reusable building supplies that I cleaned out of the shed. The door frame we found was just the right size and painted white already! Not only that, but we left with some credit for our next project. Very cool.

We decided to have some friends over for a bonfire that weekend. In another conversation about trading some blackberries from our patch in the backyard, the door project came up. The next day, our friend arrived and helped to install it. It turned out so much better than we ever imagined, with a great story too!

Thank you so much Cathy and John! We love our new door and are very satisfied when we hear that summery sound of a screen door snapping closed. It has transformed the appearance of our home, and we hope it will impart peace both inside and out.

cool kid's clothes made from upcycled t-shirts and such

It was this jacket that first drew me to lilygiggle. I was searching for recycled boy clothes. Time passed and I found the site again, with a similar search. Destiny? Must be. Beth makes all kinds of great clothing patterns, and has the cutest little models! Want to stay in the loop? Check out lilygiggle's facebook page and a FREE pattern when you "like" her page.

And right now for you, my faithful blog readers, she is offering a 25% discount in her etsy shop, just use the code REVAMPED until August 13th.

Turns out that Beth is friends with Jay from chickenhill! Wouldn't be great to sew with these girls?

Thanks to Beth for taking time to answer a few of my questions.

How did you learn/who taught you to sew?
Originally I was a self-taught fashion design wanna-be teenager. I had grown up around very talented seamstresses, both grandmas were amazing at it as well as my own mama so there were always sewing machines around. My grandma would take my goofy 8 year old "fashion illustrations" and create the garment just by looking at a child's sketch. One day I just decided I was going to figure out how to sew and made myself pants that I wore all the time even though they were technically sewn completely incorrectly. Maybe that's why I don't mind sewing a bit "out of the box". It's great fun to experiment. Later I was taught to be a proper seamstress at Savannah College of Art & Design while I was completing my major in Fashion Design.

What was your first sewing machine?
An old Kenmore...good machine...wouldn't mind if I still had it.

How did you start upcycling/recycling?
I would love to say it was because I am so sensitive to the environment (which I do try to be) but, honestly, it was out of being desperately in need of a creative outlet after leaving my job and being home with my children. With one income there were just not enough funds to keep myself in lovely fabrics. The local "by the pound" thrift store became my fabric store of choice. I find that much of my creativity has been sparked first by necessity. I think that people who don't think they are creative probably just never really had to be.

Thank you so much, Beth, for sharing your thoughts with us!

Such sweet flowers and a gorgeous photos too.

This serendipity dress is so cool! It is named with one of my favorite words, so how could I resist? I really want it in my size, but maybe I'll have to settle for making one for my niece... The detail on the waistband is so nice and I love the bows, especially since they are purely decorative, so they can be sewn down once tied.

And this is the perfect gardening skirt! You might already know that I adore pockets. All shapes, sizes and in many places. The buttons on top are like the icing on the cake.

Hope you are inspired to do more sewing!

recycled tape measure goods!

While browsing on etsy, I happened upon these fun accessories made from tape measures! David from HomeMade Karma is making earrings, bracelets and wallets in all colors. We share a love of recycling and making something from what other might see as nothing. Here are my favorites:

I love the classic yellow tape measure on these earrings and the pink on the rocker chic bracelet! Check out the shop for more...

What inspired you to start recycling?

I had always been collecting old things, broken machines and other useless items from the streets, trashcans and flea markets. When I was 15, I made a lamp out of a 50´s hairdryer and other stuff like that. But I really started making handycrafts during a travel in South America where I learned macrame and other traditional techniques from a group of artisans. Back in Europe, I continued to make things on a small scale but bit by bit changed to using other materials and techniques. I see making recycled handicrafts as a statement. Recycling & reusage is the future.


Yes! I love how you put it. What are your other hobbies?

Running, reading, mountain & water related sports, festivals, making impossible plans, spontaneous adventures, bingeing on life, too much too name...
Thank you so much David! We look forward to seeing more recycled goods in the future. In the meantime, check out these cool bags for wine or baguettes that he makes with a friend!

Gorgeous recycled bird wings and a giveaway!

Check out these great wings! After some conversations with my sewing friends, we determined that making wings was a big challenge. I ended up buying a pair from another crafty etsian for little f's dragon costume (he wore that vest for 2 years!). My friend, Colleen came up with an easier solution for her seagull made of recycled sweaters. But this design is brilliant! I want to make these! I can see a gorgeous butterfly using this same concept. What will little f want to be for halloween this year?

So I read her etsy profile and sent out a request to learn more about the domestic goddess behind these folksy upcycled pretties and patterns. Jay responded right away, and it turns out that she is smart, creative and quick with a background in fashion design. With three kids to homeschool, she still finds time to create these awesome patterns and take great photos! I bought the Every Which Way reversible coat pattern and have some ideas for making it more boyish. Wood grain fabric, maybe? This skirt is on my list too, but I think I want to make one for myself...

How did you learn to sew and what inspires you?
I come from several generations of Sewists. One of most treasured pieces is a hand-sewn quilt from my great-grandmother! To study the consistency of her stitches and detailed embroidery is absolutely amazing to me. 

I was initially given some sewing basics from my mother but then really developed my skills later as an adult. After purchasing a new home, I was suddenly inspired to create curtains and slipcovers to decorate until my heart's content. 

Then along came my peeps and I realized that I just couldn't find and/or shop for the type of clothes I desired for them to wear....soooooo, I broke out the ol' sewing machine and got crafty. (sound familiar?)

When wearing their one-of-a-kind outfits about, I got a tremendous amount of compliments and requests of where my kiddos got their clothing. This really transitioned me into the direction I'm into now with pattern making.

Creating clothes on my own and tweaking existing patterns, I began to study and polish my pattern making skills. After many experimental years of bloopers and happy accidents, I would say now, that I am a pleasantly confident Sewist. :)

I have a sweet little working set-up / studio of 3 sewing machines and 2 sergers. I'm in sewing heaven!



Oh, if only I could teleport. I would love to visit that studio! Since we can't all visit her studio, Jay is willing to offer a FREE pattern to one lucky reader and to offer 20% off any pattern in her shop for everyone! The code backtoschool will be valid through midnight on July 31. How cool is that?

Here are all the ways you can enter the giveaway, just leave a comment here for each one before midnight on July 31. Winners will be posted here the first week in August.
1. Visit Chickenhill on etsy and tell us your favorite pattern.
2. Become a follower of recycled+revamped
3. Be a fan of recycled+revamped on facebook
4. Tweet about it
5. Post on your blog about this giveaway
6. Invite your friends to comment and or follow!


Happy sewing!

a handmade birthday gift surprise!

While shopping at the local co-op last week, stocking up on supplies for another holiday weekend away from home, I bumped into one of my crafty blogging friends, Amylynn McDevitt from little farm studios. She handed me this sweet little package for my birthday. I enjoyed so many things about it, starting with the kraft bag, box and washi tape. Inside was a tiny envelope with a card, and there was stitching on the earring card. The earrings are just the right style and color for me. I wore them all weekend!

Thank you very much, Amylynn! You are a kind and thoughtful friend!

Holiday Art Market review - Boneshaker Bags

Did you know that a bike used to be called a boneshaker? Joan was working hard next to me, selling her bike bags. They strap onto your handlebars instead of a basket. She does some cool embroidery too. Check out her shop for more bags and backpacks!

a package from starlitnest.etsy.com!

What wonderful goodies! People often ask me where I get my fabric. A bigger question is when am I not looking for or buying fabric in my thrifting adventures? But this was just the new inspiration that I needed to get me going again! Here's a sampling of the gorgeous fabrics that came in my scrap pack from starlitnest. She was great about handling my many requests and meeting my needs. Thank you very much!

Ohh, I have SO many ideas! what to do first?

christmas comes at the same time every year...

And this year, I'm determined to be somewhat prepared. It really should not be a surprise a week before the big day. Seriously. Last year I made some stockings, but they were not like this. These are a sweet patchwork personalized with the names of your family members and pets (if you are so inclined). What should I get for our new puppy and two kitties? You can get your own from handmade pretties

You'll find all kinds of other recycled goods there too, skirts, ponchos, balls, etc...

Snazztastic! How could I resist a name like that? These snazztastic pants used to be a sweater. I love the striped waistband which looks like it's made from a ribbed cotton sweater. Brilliant idea!

This is for that tiny part of me that wishes to be pregnant again (incidently, the rest of me is not so sure that another baby is going to help me get more creative time!) It's a skirt, no wait, it's a poncho. Multi-purpose clothing is genius. And it would go with everything because it's patchwork! From what I gather, custom options for sizing and colors are also available. It would be great in jersey (t-shirt fabric) too!

Very pretty, indeed.

cute recycled t-shirt wear for kids

Wow, after being at the cottage, it's tough to get back in the groove here in front of the computer. But...

Look what I found on etsy today! dressme uses t-shirts and other recycled fabrics to make these wonderful combinations. The boy t-shirts are really cool and different. I love that they look good with everything. That's what got me started, but I love the dresses here too, and the little model is so sweet!

What are your favorite sources for handmade, recycled clothes?

introducing katwise, a crafty recycling gypsy!

While browsing on etsy one day, I discovered some gypsy jackets that are amazing! They are made from recycled sweaters and the serged edges are part of her design. If you are going to a festival, it's an important thing to bring along, to keep warm and create your persona. Katwise has a website too, with more photos and other stuff to check out. She is quite a gypsy herself, it seems.

My first gypsy jackets were made from recycled fabric scraps, so they are heavy, warm and almost royal looking, fit for a sorcerer or wizard. The next round were made from recycled beach towels, one of which is still in my etsy shop.

April and August recycled pattern collages

While searching for the ultimate summer dress, I found some cool studio artwork here on etsy. It's made with vintage sewing patterns. Some on on canvas and some on wood. The colors are great, and I love the compositions, with parts of shapes on each one. There's a sweet little card you can frame yourself too...

Helen works in the paper industry, so she must see a lot of paper. Sewing patterns do come on the most interesting stock. It's a bit like tissue paper, but sturdy. Ironing it is fun because it gets so smooth. The kraft color has always appealed to me, along with the mechanical quality of the markings. And it's so much better when it's all smooth than when the pattern pieces are all refolded to try to fit into the tiny envelopes!

recycled denim jean skirt - flirty!

Just posted these in my etsy shop, I have several made from old pairs of jeans, and want to figure out how to post the sizing. Any thoughts? They ride really low on the hips. Measurements are about 3-4" smaller than your actual hip measurement. This weekend I wore them with leggings and a long shirt, tucked in, so it was quite cozy. And the pockets! I could go on and on about how I adore pockets for holding things like camera, phone, hankie, paper bits, lip balm, cash, keys, etc.  It's nice to have belt loops for a cool belt or scarf.

And this outtake from our photo shoot is a perfect glimpse into my reality.

The sleeveless turtleneck is a very large black cashmere sweater with the sleeves removed and side seams taken in a bit. It's exactly what I had in mind when I started the project. That makes me so happy!



When I was teaching in GR at the UICA for Artworks, one of my students wore a skirt like this one day, and I loved it and was inspired. It's been through a year or two of R&D and it's still at the front of my closet.

Armour sans Anguish recycled doily dress and more...

This is an ethereal, modern application of old, handmade doilies and lace. There are several versions of this custom dress in Armour sans Anguish's etsy shop. Here's the front:

The photos are great and even the shoes are fun! While perusing the shop, I discovered that Tawny Holt, the creative genius behind Armour sans Anguish, was featured in the gallery of Sweater Surgery, a great little book that keeps coming up into this realm. It's worth checking out. The cashmere tank is sublime and now I am dreaming of a tutorial, so I can make one of my own in hot pink (of course) cashmere. Thanks to Kris at Resweater for turning me on to the book, and my local library for procuring it for me to borrow!

Here's another sweet combination of recycled goods on this little tank called snowblink:

I think it's the sequins that give it just the right bit of WOW and make it seem new and modern. And the names, how fun!

Now for some olive green cargo pocket shorts and my newly thrifted robin's egg blue Born wedges, I could be dressed for a sweet lunch date in the city on a hot summer day. If only the city wasn't so darn far away... So for now I'll dream of a trip to Tawny's studio out west and a week-long crafty camp of sewing recycled clothing! Anyone else want to go to such a camp?