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
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
ONLINE AUCTIONS!
Wow! I'm totally addicted to an online auction site! It's like constantly being at an auction ALL the time! The great part about this concept is that I can be a seller AND a buyer at any time of the day or night!
Here's one of the items I'm selling today. It's a tapestry pillow cover in almost perfect condition. There's one teeny-tiny loose thread that can be worked back into the piece. The back is Muslin and it has a zipper to open and close the case for a 27" pillow!
I don't see any surrounding towns doing this for their area. There are many Online Garage Sales, but only one auction in my area. The problem with those sale groups is I'm always too late to get an item. You have to luck into grabbing anything up. ...I need time to think about how much I'll pay and if I really need the item.
For the local Online Auction site, if the participants can't meet up for "the trade" on their own, they can meet at the park on Sunday. All buyers and sellers are encouraged to private message each other to make arrangements. I personally love for people to swing by my house to pick up their items since I live in a very visible place in town.
It's exhilarating for money to walk into the house with such little effort! All I have to do is take the photos and post the item from my arm chair. Then when the deadline comes up, I mark the item sold and make arrangements for pick up! Simple! If something doesn't sell, I can save it and repost it later. No fees...no postage...no packing!
This is a perfect job for me while I'm at home taking care of my Mother. God has a plan...all I have to do is pick up on his clues and follow up! This verse comes to mind when I think about the position I'm currently in and the worries I've had in the past.
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:28-34 NIV
What a great peace of mind I get from these passages! ...and there are so many more passages for me to lean on. How great is that!
Here's one of the items I'm selling today. It's a tapestry pillow cover in almost perfect condition. There's one teeny-tiny loose thread that can be worked back into the piece. The back is Muslin and it has a zipper to open and close the case for a 27" pillow!I don't see any surrounding towns doing this for their area. There are many Online Garage Sales, but only one auction in my area. The problem with those sale groups is I'm always too late to get an item. You have to luck into grabbing anything up. ...I need time to think about how much I'll pay and if I really need the item.
For the local Online Auction site, if the participants can't meet up for "the trade" on their own, they can meet at the park on Sunday. All buyers and sellers are encouraged to private message each other to make arrangements. I personally love for people to swing by my house to pick up their items since I live in a very visible place in town.
It's exhilarating for money to walk into the house with such little effort! All I have to do is take the photos and post the item from my arm chair. Then when the deadline comes up, I mark the item sold and make arrangements for pick up! Simple! If something doesn't sell, I can save it and repost it later. No fees...no postage...no packing!
This is a perfect job for me while I'm at home taking care of my Mother. God has a plan...all I have to do is pick up on his clues and follow up! This verse comes to mind when I think about the position I'm currently in and the worries I've had in the past.
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:28-34 NIV
What a great peace of mind I get from these passages! ...and there are so many more passages for me to lean on. How great is that!
Sunday, May 29, 2016
INDECISIVENESS
Have you ever wanted to do a project and got "stuck" in the decision process of what you are actually going to do? What color? What style? What arrangement? This has got to be my illness!
Thank God for Pinterest.com! Pinterest is my source for new ideas and inspiration. If I just can't decide on a color or technique, I go there. Many times I see what I don't want first, and then, when I see what I do want, I know it right away! I understand my project won't turn out the exact same as the picture I've chosen, but I can get an idea of what I can do based on the idea I see.
If Pinterest just so happens to not have what I'm thinking about, I Google the description of my idea and see what turns up there. I love asking for pictures of the item so I can view them all together instead of on individual blogs.
Either way (Pinterest or Google), I enjoy finding an item that does refer me to a Blog. I can read all about the process and see what others have experienced in their trial and error phase. Many times there will be suggestions and referrals to products I just otherwise wouldn't have known about.
It's amazing how many ideas are floating about out there! It's also reassuring to find some confirmation on good/bad ideas! Yes, there's some of those bad ideas out there too! Stay away from the bad ideas....now that's a good decision!!
Thank God for Pinterest.com! Pinterest is my source for new ideas and inspiration. If I just can't decide on a color or technique, I go there. Many times I see what I don't want first, and then, when I see what I do want, I know it right away! I understand my project won't turn out the exact same as the picture I've chosen, but I can get an idea of what I can do based on the idea I see.
If Pinterest just so happens to not have what I'm thinking about, I Google the description of my idea and see what turns up there. I love asking for pictures of the item so I can view them all together instead of on individual blogs.
Either way (Pinterest or Google), I enjoy finding an item that does refer me to a Blog. I can read all about the process and see what others have experienced in their trial and error phase. Many times there will be suggestions and referrals to products I just otherwise wouldn't have known about.
It's amazing how many ideas are floating about out there! It's also reassuring to find some confirmation on good/bad ideas! Yes, there's some of those bad ideas out there too! Stay away from the bad ideas....now that's a good decision!!
Friday, May 13, 2016
I love Frames!
One of our latest creations at Valera Grace is this lovely turquoise and white frame set. It's heavy, but so nice looking on the wall! All pieces are distressed to let the natural wood shine through. It's a perfect piece to display children's photos! 
This is our first try - both Mr. Amazing (our pet name for Jim) and I worked on this together. It was a lot of fun trying to figure out the dimensions and how the thing operates best! He ended up cutting squares out of the pallets (behind the frames) and we left the backs off of the frames so it's easy to slide the photo down!
This lovely set of frames was recently sold on the Coalgate Online Auction, but more will be coming! Be sure to check us out at Valera Grace on etsy.com.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Abundance in Upcycling
My Mother grew up in the Great Depression and as with many people from that era, she has her own idiosyncrasies about saving, recycling....maybe hoarding. In her house, I grew up happy with what I had and never knew we really didn't have much. Everyone I grew up with was pretty much in the same boat (as far as I knew).
Mom kept us busy creating things (after housework, of course). She never believed a person should be bored because there were so many things to learn and do. If anything, we would look at Good Housekeeping magazines to see what the world was doing in their homes.
Grandma Grace, of course, was highly influential in this area as well. She was doing most of the upcycling techniques we see today back in the 1950's and 60's. She lived right behind us in a second house and I could always count on finding her busy with a project.
In this day and age, I'm coming full circle when it comes to reusing daily items. After a wasteful time in the 80's and 90's, I'm backtracking to my childhood where everything has value. Through the years, people have developed the techniques the "old timers" used to create some amazing products. I've picked five of my favorites finds from the Internet.
1) Newspaper Wreath: Cut and rolled into roses, this wreath is attractive AND affordable! You can find it at www.lovelycraftyhome.com.
2) Shirt bibs: With second-hand stores busting at the seams with clothing, why not try something totally free and useful! A tutorial on shirt bibs can be found at www.alittletipsy.com.
3) Jewelry Redo: I love the new combinations of costume jewelry from yesteryear! I know I have a box of these things of my own. Andrea at www.velvetstrawberries.typepad.com has perfected her upcycled-jewelry designs!
4) Newspaper sack: Who doesn't need a newspaper sack? When you don't have time to run to the store, just pull one of these out for that special gift you need fast! I like having a few gifts in reserve anyway, so why not have the sacks already prepared as well. You can learn about these sacks at www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com.
5) Found Plastic Chandelier: Now isn't this interesting? I found this on www.Flicker.com. I had to blow it up to see what was in it and wow....just wow! I can't believe all that trash has made such an interesting and unique item. I would use this in a party room/gathering place.
I love finding new ideas. Perhaps that's my latest addiction, second to creatively storing free supplies (possibly hoarding, but I won't admit that). The most amazing part of all of this is that we are living in an abundance of free supplies. Businesses send me mail everyday that I'm not interested in, but I love to look at and save the materials they use to advertise! All the products I buy from the grocery stores are packaged in some sort of plastic or cardboard - useful supplies!
 |
| Upcycled Newspapers |
Grandma Grace, of course, was highly influential in this area as well. She was doing most of the upcycling techniques we see today back in the 1950's and 60's. She lived right behind us in a second house and I could always count on finding her busy with a project.
In this day and age, I'm coming full circle when it comes to reusing daily items. After a wasteful time in the 80's and 90's, I'm backtracking to my childhood where everything has value. Through the years, people have developed the techniques the "old timers" used to create some amazing products. I've picked five of my favorites finds from the Internet.
1) Newspaper Wreath: Cut and rolled into roses, this wreath is attractive AND affordable! You can find it at www.lovelycraftyhome.com.
2) Shirt bibs: With second-hand stores busting at the seams with clothing, why not try something totally free and useful! A tutorial on shirt bibs can be found at www.alittletipsy.com.
3) Jewelry Redo: I love the new combinations of costume jewelry from yesteryear! I know I have a box of these things of my own. Andrea at www.velvetstrawberries.typepad.com has perfected her upcycled-jewelry designs!
4) Newspaper sack: Who doesn't need a newspaper sack? When you don't have time to run to the store, just pull one of these out for that special gift you need fast! I like having a few gifts in reserve anyway, so why not have the sacks already prepared as well. You can learn about these sacks at www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com.
5) Found Plastic Chandelier: Now isn't this interesting? I found this on www.Flicker.com. I had to blow it up to see what was in it and wow....just wow! I can't believe all that trash has made such an interesting and unique item. I would use this in a party room/gathering place.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Pinkalicious!
Oh what fun! Jewelry boxes are beautiful in pink! This medium-size box is Shabby Chic with its distressed paint. This is the latest project at Valera Grace! Done! (I can't say that about every project!) I just love this finished product!
I used a soft pink acrylic paint and distressed it with sand paper. I covered the knobs before painting, but hinges and any other hardware were painted and distressed. All the paint was then coated with clear coat acrylic spray to give it a sheen The knobs pop and the glass was backed up with craft paper for that romantic edge. Behind the door is a rotating necklace holder. Even though this is a used (vintage) item, the box itself was hardly used, so the gray lining was a cinch to clean and it looks brand new! 
You can find this item at our Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ValeraGrace Look for us and all of our new products this season!
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