Friday, June 17, 2016
In the Beginning
I started crafting when I was about four years old. At that time in history, I was in awe of my big sister's affinity for Barbie and followed her to see what the next project, party or style for Barbie was going to be. I was a plump and smiling four-year old and she was a skinny preteen. We shared the infamous dimple on the right side of our cheeks and, unlike the "middle sister," we were enthralled with all things Barbie.
During the school year, the big kids - there were five (three brothers and two sisters) - would head off to school every day while I was left behind with my Mother. Of the memories I have, they were long boring days as my Mom cleaned house. At first, it was fun to have the toy room all to myself, but eventually, it became old. At age five, I began the pitiful pleas to begin school, so they let me start first grade a little early.
In contrast with the school year, the summer was full of fun and excitement. We spent very little time in the house....I think that was the rule my Mother made! She cleaned so hard she didn't want anyone, especially kids, to mess it up. After all, my Dad was in the military, so cleaning was the number one priority for inspections. Anyway, for the kids, summertime fun was outside in the blistering heat of the mid-Texas town of San Angelo.
My first recollection of doing anything "handy" was when I caught my big sister, Toni, admiring some fabric; probably from old clothing, or maybe a dime-store find. I was only four, so my memory is sketchy (but it's my story, so I'm sticking to it!!) Anyway, she was admiring the blue fabric with white flowers and sewing it into a Barbie blanket. I think she already had a sewing box, some pins, needles, a pin cushion and thread. After bothering her enough, she finally "caved in" to sharing the mystery of her craft.
She set me up on the shady side of the house. We sat with our backs against the wall of our small house and she showed me how to line up two pieces of fabric (right sides together) and pin them. She demonstrated how to thread the needle and insert it with thread through the fabric, carefully explaining the distance from the edge. Once finished, we turned the fabric right side out and stitched the opening shut. Finally, we stitched on top of the piece to quilt it. I remember how she stressed the importance of "perfect" stitches. She made me take out my mistakes each time I messed up! At one time, she ran into the house to get something (maybe it was the seam ripper) and I remember poking my finger with the needle while she was gone and looking at the blood - that's probably why I still remember this day!
Once finished, we had the perfect little blanket for our Barbie house. Of course, she actually had the perfect blanket and I had a blanket. Most importantly though, she planted a seed within me. It was a curiosity of how to make things and yearning to do something with my hands. It was the beginning of the development of patience and an appreciation for something pretty, new and different.
I like to read stories of the beginning of a crafting life because it reminds me of my own story. My crafting start took place in the blistering heat in a Texas town with the small comfort of our house shade. It was about the small prick of a needle that made my finger bleed and the repeated steps of sewing and then taking out the crooked stitches. I messed up, but got unlimited chances to try again. It was about the beginning of many demonstrations from my sister and then my own (sometimes failed) attempts to repeat the steps. This is the beginning of my lifetime of crafting fun.
During the school year, the big kids - there were five (three brothers and two sisters) - would head off to school every day while I was left behind with my Mother. Of the memories I have, they were long boring days as my Mom cleaned house. At first, it was fun to have the toy room all to myself, but eventually, it became old. At age five, I began the pitiful pleas to begin school, so they let me start first grade a little early.
In contrast with the school year, the summer was full of fun and excitement. We spent very little time in the house....I think that was the rule my Mother made! She cleaned so hard she didn't want anyone, especially kids, to mess it up. After all, my Dad was in the military, so cleaning was the number one priority for inspections. Anyway, for the kids, summertime fun was outside in the blistering heat of the mid-Texas town of San Angelo.
My first recollection of doing anything "handy" was when I caught my big sister, Toni, admiring some fabric; probably from old clothing, or maybe a dime-store find. I was only four, so my memory is sketchy (but it's my story, so I'm sticking to it!!) Anyway, she was admiring the blue fabric with white flowers and sewing it into a Barbie blanket. I think she already had a sewing box, some pins, needles, a pin cushion and thread. After bothering her enough, she finally "caved in" to sharing the mystery of her craft.
She set me up on the shady side of the house. We sat with our backs against the wall of our small house and she showed me how to line up two pieces of fabric (right sides together) and pin them. She demonstrated how to thread the needle and insert it with thread through the fabric, carefully explaining the distance from the edge. Once finished, we turned the fabric right side out and stitched the opening shut. Finally, we stitched on top of the piece to quilt it. I remember how she stressed the importance of "perfect" stitches. She made me take out my mistakes each time I messed up! At one time, she ran into the house to get something (maybe it was the seam ripper) and I remember poking my finger with the needle while she was gone and looking at the blood - that's probably why I still remember this day!
Once finished, we had the perfect little blanket for our Barbie house. Of course, she actually had the perfect blanket and I had a blanket. Most importantly though, she planted a seed within me. It was a curiosity of how to make things and yearning to do something with my hands. It was the beginning of the development of patience and an appreciation for something pretty, new and different.
I like to read stories of the beginning of a crafting life because it reminds me of my own story. My crafting start took place in the blistering heat in a Texas town with the small comfort of our house shade. It was about the small prick of a needle that made my finger bleed and the repeated steps of sewing and then taking out the crooked stitches. I messed up, but got unlimited chances to try again. It was about the beginning of many demonstrations from my sister and then my own (sometimes failed) attempts to repeat the steps. This is the beginning of my lifetime of crafting fun.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
"Frankenfurniture"
My biggest fear with furniture upcycling is making a horrible piece of "Frankenfurniture!" I've seen some pretty scary items on shows, in person and online. I won't post other's epic fails, but when I make one, I'll be sure to share mine - maybe. It will all depend on if I'm laughing or crying!
I found this beauty today online and thought it was skillfully reworked. In Crafting a Green World Co-editors Julie Finn, Bonnie Getchell, and Becky Striepe share tutorials, reviews, and roundups featuring the best in the world of conscious crafting and craftivism.
Of course, the fear of "Frankenfurniture" feeds into my procrastination problem which exacerbates my ability to waste time!
FOCUS!!!! I will overcome the dreaded "Frankenfurniture" fears!
Of course, the fear of "Frankenfurniture" feeds into my procrastination problem which exacerbates my ability to waste time!
FOCUS!!!! I will overcome the dreaded "Frankenfurniture" fears!
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Quick Five! Upcycle
Here's a "Quick Five" from Pinterest. Look how easy upcycling can be! This list has a little bit for all members of the family.
Try these easy dinosaur bookends! A little spray paint transforms them from toys to interesting features in a room. You can find this craft at doodlecraft.blogspot.com. Natalie and her family love experimenting with new ideas. I love that her blogging has become her easy-reference book for future projects! I can just see these in a kids room!
Mom will love this knife block. Transform the most basic item in the kitchen into a focal point! At bigdiyideas.com you'll find an abundance of ideas to make and upcycle.
http://www.bigdiyideas.com/42-craft-project-ideas-that-easy-to-make-and-sell/
What about the man in your life? Yep, there's a project for him...and this one is a real manly one!!! Look at this recycled car hood at Recyclart.org. I just love the natural colors in this piece!
http://www.recyclart.org/2009/03/recycle-car-into-table/
Hometalk.com has some practical ideas that are simple, but smart. This upcycled storage for items that are used all the time is easy and charming. Perfect for the farm kitchen!
http://www.hometalk.com/16382145/five-minute-farmhouse-footed-stool
And finally, I just adore a good recycled jean project. This number can be found at the EllePuls store on Etsy.com. With jeans, I prefer the more intricate projects. Just love this purse with varying shades of jeans and leather bottom and strap. On Pinterest, you can find a number of jean projects...and who doesn't have some old jeans that need to be recycled! What did the "old timers" say? "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." We've created a waste land of items thrown away. Wouldn't it be lovely to use this simple principle in our everyday life!
Try these easy dinosaur bookends! A little spray paint transforms them from toys to interesting features in a room. You can find this craft at doodlecraft.blogspot.com. Natalie and her family love experimenting with new ideas. I love that her blogging has become her easy-reference book for future projects! I can just see these in a kids room!
Mom will love this knife block. Transform the most basic item in the kitchen into a focal point! At bigdiyideas.com you'll find an abundance of ideas to make and upcycle. http://www.bigdiyideas.com/42-craft-project-ideas-that-easy-to-make-and-sell/
What about the man in your life? Yep, there's a project for him...and this one is a real manly one!!! Look at this recycled car hood at Recyclart.org. I just love the natural colors in this piece!http://www.recyclart.org/2009/03/recycle-car-into-table/
Hometalk.com has some practical ideas that are simple, but smart. This upcycled storage for items that are used all the time is easy and charming. Perfect for the farm kitchen!http://www.hometalk.com/16382145/five-minute-farmhouse-footed-stool
And finally, I just adore a good recycled jean project. This number can be found at the EllePuls store on Etsy.com. With jeans, I prefer the more intricate projects. Just love this purse with varying shades of jeans and leather bottom and strap. On Pinterest, you can find a number of jean projects...and who doesn't have some old jeans that need to be recycled! What did the "old timers" say? "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." We've created a waste land of items thrown away. Wouldn't it be lovely to use this simple principle in our everyday life!
Hope you liked the "Quick Five!" today. Now, let's get busy creating some of these fabulous projects!
Friday, June 3, 2016
Welcome to the Valera Grace blog, home of the gently repurposed and unique items you will want for yourself or as a gift for that special person! Here you can find a collection of our items as well as tips and tricks of the trade - and occasionally an "off the wall" post or two. Besides some of our products and ideas, the name Valera Grace has been recycled! Here’s a little history behind the name.
Born in Drop, Texas in 1896, our Grandmother came into this world with her own unique brand of style and “Grace.” She loved the outdoors, dancing, cooking, crafting and gardening. She could hunt, fish, play basketball and….crochet, sew and make ceramics! In fact, she had a love for life like no one else we have ever seen! When she died, I looked in her refrigerator and found a fresh cherry pie!
Valera Grace was upcycling before upcycling was cool! As with many from her generation, Grandma used everything she had. She "reused, reduced and recycled" before our younger society embraced it. Fabric from clothing became doll clothing, she crocheted around plastic that came off of six packs of drinks and she had a lovely foot stool made out of coffee cans and a used bedspread. I think I even saw her stuff pillows with scrap fabric from old clothes. That was before Fiberfil.
Enjoy this blog in the comfort of your home as you see her progenies exhibit variations of her eccentric style as we infuse our modern and eclectic twists. We make wearable pieces of art, home décor and gifts from “off the beaten path.” We upcycle, recycle, repurpose and reuse a wide variety of materials to make our unconventional articles. Our dream is to bring new life, like the life our Grandmother had, into objects otherwise destined for neglect.
Yes, Valera Grace (the shop) is the legacy of one human soul brought to this world to show us how to do it! How to love life and appreciate all that surrounds us! Thank you Grandma Grace.
You can find us on Etsy.com
Born in Drop, Texas in 1896, our Grandmother came into this world with her own unique brand of style and “Grace.” She loved the outdoors, dancing, cooking, crafting and gardening. She could hunt, fish, play basketball and….crochet, sew and make ceramics! In fact, she had a love for life like no one else we have ever seen! When she died, I looked in her refrigerator and found a fresh cherry pie!
Valera Grace was upcycling before upcycling was cool! As with many from her generation, Grandma used everything she had. She "reused, reduced and recycled" before our younger society embraced it. Fabric from clothing became doll clothing, she crocheted around plastic that came off of six packs of drinks and she had a lovely foot stool made out of coffee cans and a used bedspread. I think I even saw her stuff pillows with scrap fabric from old clothes. That was before Fiberfil.
Enjoy this blog in the comfort of your home as you see her progenies exhibit variations of her eccentric style as we infuse our modern and eclectic twists. We make wearable pieces of art, home décor and gifts from “off the beaten path.” We upcycle, recycle, repurpose and reuse a wide variety of materials to make our unconventional articles. Our dream is to bring new life, like the life our Grandmother had, into objects otherwise destined for neglect.
Yes, Valera Grace (the shop) is the legacy of one human soul brought to this world to show us how to do it! How to love life and appreciate all that surrounds us! Thank you Grandma Grace.
You can find us on Etsy.com
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