Fabric covered shelf

This shelf was picked up from a garage sale and I recovered it with fabric and clear vanish to protect it. I chose fabrics that co-ordinated and painted the edges of the shelf to match.

Shelf before...

Adding the fabric

The completed shelf

Couch Buddy - Patch and Recycled Materials

 

This cute teddy doubles as a decorative cushion. Pattern developed from a  Spotlight magazine pattern. The patches are made from a recycled grain bag, onion bag, a bonded supermarket bag, scraps of fabric, button and bonded applique.

Scrap Metal Art - Owl

This was a technology project that was undertaken at a school. Students were asked to collect scrap metal and design their own garden metal art. I decided to follow the process and created my own! I researched my idea of creating an owl. The design is largely created on what I could source and I had to adapt and change it to create my final outcome.
 I sourced springs, nails, cogs from a bike, a hinge, and a chimney flue cap. The fine springs at the top represent the feathers and have wire inside to shape them. The wings are shaped wire covered in chicken wire. It is mostly welded together. I popped riveted the springs at the top.

Bonded Clear Sheet Protector with Net

Materials/tools:

• clear sheet protector A4
• net or lace material
• optional sequins 
• baking paper
• iron
• bread board or firm surface to place on iron board

Method: 

1. Place the net material (optional: sequins randomly placed) inside the clear sheet protector sleeve.
2. Set iron to cotton setting and non-steam.
3. Sandwich the clear protector between baking paper - a piece either side.
4. Place on board and iron slowly, so heat bonds plastic together.
5. Turn over ensuring baking paper is still covering the plastic and iron again.
6. Check and if necessary re-iron to ensure all is bonded together. 

 Now Create:

Use the bonded waterproof material to create mini purses for taking to the pool, on holiday, and for storage. They are 'transparent' as well! I made a simple purse that has a zip at the top and mitred corners at the bottom to create shape.  

Bonding completed.

A cute lip gloss purse!

Recycled plastic bag brooches

I found this idea in a book: Alchemy Arts Recycling is Chic, by Kate Mackay.

I thought it would be fun to give it a go. I made the brooches from magazine wrappers or you can use bread bags. It needs to be the soft kind of plastic. I cut the bags into 5cm strips and wound beading wire around them creating a kind of braiding. I rolled it up, stitching as I went, using a contrasting colour thread. To finish I added sequins, beads & buttons. A brooch back was sewn on the back or a magnet could be glued for an alternative.

Plastic bag and wire, starting the coiling process.

Onion bag applique

A technology teacher gave me the inspiration to use onion bags in design. It creates an interesting result.

Original onion bag

Onion bag pocket

Leaves cut from bag and flower made by cutting a strip and gathering.   

Heart shape top stitched on tie dyed fabric.

Letter cut out and top stitched.