2013 in review

January 4, 2014January 4, 2014 / Andrea / Leave a comment

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Finally Back in the Craft Room

February 11, 2013 / Andrea / 2 Comments

I am finally back in the craft room with more ideas and actually bringing them into being.
This 8″ flex frame, cross the body shoulder bag was a special order from a family friend Leah.

It is made with black and shadow 4mm cord.
Leah asked for a 60 total inch shoulder strap (30 inches from shoulder to the top of the purse opening. This hangs great across the body and settles at the hip.

The body of the purse measures 9″ across and 9.5″ under the frame and 10″ from the purse top to bottom. It is a great size for quick trip out and back or bringing just what you need for going out with friends.

The inside liner is a creamy gray with black stitching. There is a pocket on either side.

The silver pattern runs down one side and up the back. There is plenty of room for a large wallet, phone and keys.
A flex frame is a strong sturdy frame to build the purse around. There are heavy duty rivets on either side.
The purse is easy to clean. If you have a front loading washer; wrap in a light towel to protect the inside of the washer from the rivets, place in a garment bag and toss into the machine. Let the purse air dry open.

Otherwise, hand wash in a sink, rinse and spin in a regular washer, then air dry. The only maintenance the purse will require is a little WD40 if it starts to squeak when you open and close the purse. This may happen after washing.

The most wonderful feature of a flex frame purse is the freedom of the purse staying open while you look inside and staying shut when you are finished. You can even rummage while it is on your shoulder.
These frames are available in 8″, 10″, 12″ and 14″.

I am in the process of making a book/computer bag using a 14″ flex frame.
Stop by and see how it goes.

Be Creative.

Macrame With Parachute Cord

January 14, 2013April 30, 2016 / Andrea / 8 Comments

Once in a while a person needs to be able to complete something in a shorter time but with the same amount of satisfaction. Here is definitely something fun and easy.

These are parachute cord bracelets. They are great for any age group. The neat thing is that the colors are reversed on the other side. There are two widths and many fun color combinations to choose from. You can make bracelets or necklaces with many different knot patterns and lengths.

I plan on making quite a bit of these, wait and see.

What would be your favorite color or two-tone color combinations.

2012 in review

December 31, 2012 / Andrea / 1 Comment

Thanks for a great 2012!

Looking forward to the next 12 months!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 10,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 17 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

Macrame Milestone

December 26, 2012December 26, 2012 / Andrea / 1 Comment

Thank you for a great year.

I understand that Macrame is not the highest priority topic and I appreciate those who took the time to see what was happening here in my small world of creativity. Looking forward to the next 12 months.

I would like to take this moment to wish everyone a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Craft News

November 19, 2012November 19, 2012 / Andrea / Leave a comment

Please help me welcome – Inspired For You – to WordPress.

Inspired For You is a multi business establishment that has over 40 local artists under one roof in our city. They now all come together under one WordPress roof.

This site is still a bit under construction, but it has a good start in showcasing all the different Blog sites, Facebook pages, individual websites and Etsy pages each artist belongs too. For those who do not have a site of their own, they will have their own feature page .

Now after the store’s first Open House last week, we are gearing up for the holidays.

So stop in from time to time and visit our artist family. Sign up for blog updates, view and Like the artist Facebook pages located in the horizontal menu at Inspired For You. Click on the Products tab and see a small sample of products sold in the store. Also visit Inspired For You – Facebook page and see the newest artist or featured sale.

Last of The Rings

November 11, 2012 / Andrea / 2 Comments

Here is the last of my 5″ plastic rings put to good use.

I decided to make this one whimsical and for a little girl or a woman young at heart.

The bunny comes off if you wish and you can use it in your hair.

The inside has a small pink liner without a pocket.

I left the back of the purse plain for decorating anyway the owner wishes.

It measures about the same (7″ wide x 6.5″ long) as the other Mini’s made earlier.

Macrame Mini’s

October 18, 2012 / Andrea / 1 Comment

Here is the newest littest macrame purses.

I had a few rings laying around the craft room and decided to put them to good use. These are made with 5″ plastic rings. The rings are a couple of different colors, some with a marble look to them. You can see each one individually and up close in the Gallery.

We have brown/tan, plum/ivory, cactus/ivory, jade/ivory, black/shadow, almond/pearl, smokey/forest and brownie in the color choices. Each one is lined and measures approximately 7″ wide x 6-7″ long.

What do you think? Would you use something this small for a cocktail party, casual or are they better used for a child?

Until the next brainstorm,

Be Creative!

Macrame iPad Tote

October 13, 2012 / Andrea / 1 Comment

What will these two flat pieces of macrame become? Why an iPad tote of course.
Mary at mestamp2 asked if I would put together a tote for her business iPad and accessories.
Once the tote size is established and made, the liner compartments need to be created.

Mary also uses the Square reader for her scrapbook sales.

This is the first time that I have made a divided liner and there were a few extra items that needed special attention.

The inside has two pockets, one on each outside wall. One is divided into a possible 5 compartments. Any of the four will each hold a wide pen or maker in place, but the one on the right has stitching the full height of the pocket.

The second, third and fourth slot only has stitching on the bottom half of the pocket. This will accommodate a Square reader in the bottom of each slot if necessary and still leaving room for the blue box over the top.
The blue box area can be used for items the size of business cards, driver license, credit card or small cell phone.

This macrame tote measures twelve inches across the top, three inches deep and eleven inches long. The shoulder straps measure 11 inches from shoulder to the top of the purse opening.

Mary will be able to fit her iPad on one side of the divider and her wireless keyboard on the other side of the divider. The middle section itself has extra padding so the two pieces will not bump each other.
There will still be enough room for cell phone in the undivided pocket, a wallet and iPad charger in the body of the tote.
I can’t wait to see this is action.
Stop in at mestamp2 and see the different things Mary is setting up for holiday season. She has ideas for Halloween decorations and I took a peek at a cute Christmas card. Tell her how much you like her new tote.
Until next time,
Be creative!