Latest Crafty Haul

I'm not trying to make you all jealous, but check out the awesome goodies I managed to score during the Grand Opening celebration of the new Sellwood location of Collage here in Portland! I love that we have so many local art and craft supply stores here, and I try to patronize as many of them as I can as often as I can!

I'm not sure what all of these cute supplies are going to become, but all those cute stickers just made me smile! I definitely have two mega themes going on in this purchase: sea creatures and adorable stuff from Japan.

I super love this sheet of paper, I think I might Mod Podge some onto some cute storage tins? Maybe cover up an unsightly corkboard? I might also just sit here admiring it all day. You know, whatever works. I believe my new octopus stamp is going to be gracing some stationery here in the near future as well.

I'm sure some of these stickers will be finding their way to my little nieces in Wisconsin, and I have a mind to share the felt Kawaii kitty love with my Bestie in Atlanta.

Also, believe it or not, that washi tape you see pictured above is the first roll I've purchased. Ever. I'm afraid it won't be the last. Anyone have any particularly great projects they've done with washi tape? I'm seeking inspiration.


Anyone in Portland (or visiting in the near future), I'd highly recommend this shop. So so cute and in such a great neighborhood (not that the Alberta Street location isn't also in one of my fave neighborhoods here!). Plus, if you go to this location you can stop and have lunch or dinner at the super yummy Jade Teahouse (get a slice of Vietnamese wedding cake for me if you do!) right across the street!

Portlandia Inspired Pot Holders

My husband and I had a good chuckle at these as I was making them last night. I wanted to make some cute pot holders, complete with felt appliques. Since I am always being asked "where are the crafts for guys?" I thought now would be a great time to show some off. After all, guys gotta get their cook on in the kitchen too, am I right? I started with some old suiting fabric I had in my stash, a pleasant blue and gold plaid. What to add? Mustache! Not gonna lie, it definitely has some of that hipster flair to it. However, it is just so awesome I couldn't help myself.

Second, for the ladies, I made a black & white flowered pot holder (the back has hot pink eco-fi felt), and I "put a bird on it" a la Portlandia, the new IFC show I love to hate. Gotta admit, it's also pretty cute (though I'm not calling it art).

I used eco-fi felt for all of the appliques, as it is made from recycled bottles and can be washed, as opposed to traditional wool felt which gets all yucky when washed. A tip for anyone wanting to do their own appliques: I use a heat and bond adhesive on all of mine. The glue heats up with an iron, and has a paper backing (great for drawing your own designs on) and then you peel the back off, iron it to whatever is getting the applique and it won't budge while you are sewing it on.