Scrappy Headbands, Summer Camps and More!

"Scrappy" Upcycled Headbands (Adult and Infant)

Upcycled Upholstery Trim with Button and Sequin Embellishment-Hair Clip

We've been having way too much fun at Crafters Co-op!  It is so rewarding to create beautiful accessories from what would normally be a "throw-away" item(s).

So, we are announcing our first monthly "Make Somethin' Out of Nothin'" night for next Saturday (June 2nd) from 7-9 p.m.  Here are the details:

Location:  910 Pioneer, Oak Harbor, at Crafters Co-op
Cost: $10 and a snack to share (BYOB optional)
Details:  No supply cost, as we will be creating hair accessories, pins/brooches (and anything else you choose) from our "scrap" baskets of fabrics and trims.  You can create as many as you choose in the two hour period and may add one embellishment (i.e. button, feather or bling) to each item.  At the end of the evening, all in attendance will vote, and the winner of the cutest/most creative will not have to pay the $10 for the evening.  :)

Register in the shop or 632--4200 or www.facebook.com/whidbeycrafts.

Also, our June class schedule will be out on Tuesday.  We'll have our normal offering of fiber arts, sewing and papercraft classes, but will also have a beginning quilting class meeting one evening a week for the entire month of June.  This will fill up quickly, so sign up soon!

Don't forget to sign up for our SUMMER CRAFT CAMPS for youth!  Grades 1-5 in the mornings (9-11:30) and Grades 6 and up from 1-3:30 pm.  $125 for all week and includes all supplies for fun, yet practical projects completed each day!  All instructors background checked.

Crafters Co-op, where EVERY day is Earth Day!  Open 11-8 Mon-Sat and sometimes on Sunday
Craft store, studio, boutique, supplies and classes.
910 Pioneer, Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, WA  98277
royalalpacas@aol.com
360 632 4200

Our FB page at www.facebook.com/whidbeycrafts provides the most up to date list of classes and events.

Crafters Co-op Retail Store Update!

Crafter's Co-op will be opening on Monday, April 2nd at 10 a.m. at 910 Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA. This 1100 foot retail space, in an 100 year old building with a water view is the perfect place for crafting classes/workshops, craft supplies, studio time and a boutique for handcrafted crafted art items.

Crafter's Co-op is a unique craft store concept in that >50% of all supplies sold will be reclaimed, recycled or vintage! Everything we carry will keep eco-friendly and "green" in mind. Also, you may buy just what you need for a project, i.e. one tapestry needle, not being forced to purchase more than you need in lots of plastic packaging!

Our super reasonable studio fee of $3 for children and $5 for adults (middle and high school youth included) will include access to the following:

All of our studio tools, including sewing machines, die cut machine, wool/fabric cutters, stamps, yarn winders, drum carder, all sorts of fiber arts tools, rotary cutters and mats...and more!

Our 150+ craft book library. You can peruse these books to your heart's content and trace patterns/templates. No purchasing of expensive craft books for a simple pattern or template. We'll have comfy chairs and a cuppa tea for you while you browse. :)

For the little ones, there will be lots of markers, crayons, glitter, scrap yarns, stamps/stamp pads available for them to create cards for a loved one on deployment, an upcoming birthday, etc. Just purchase a sheet of cardstock for 10 cents and you'll have all you need!

We will also have co-op members scheduling and teaching classes in the following craft genres:
Fiber arts (all kinds, including spinning, weaving, rug making, kumihimo, felting of all types, knitting, crocheting)
Sewing
Scrapbooking and papercrafts
Recycled wool projects
Jewelry/Beading
2D (painting of acrylic and watercolors)

Please "like" our Facebook page of Crafters Co-op Oak Harbor to get daily updates!

We're so excited and can't wait to see you there!

Crafters Co-op: An Upcycle Craft Store/Shop Opening!

PLEASE HELP FUND THE DREAM! Crafters Co-op is going to be an awesome, innovative craft store, combining classes, a craft library, studio space, supplies, and OOAK completed projects. It will uniquely FOCUS on reclaimed and vintage supplies of high quality at a reasonable price. (Cotton fabrics for $3/yd, NOT $10/yd and up.) Just need a needle, or a thimble, or a classy vintage button? Come in and just buy ONE.

The shop will be located in Oak Harbor (Whidbey Island, WA) at 910 Pioneer Way, with an unobstructed water view, 1100 sq. feet of studio, boutique and library space...and the tea kettle will always be on!

However, I need YOUR help. I'll be honest. I have planned this for two years, have spent 1000s of my own money and 1000s of hours of time in getting ready. Yet, I don't have a rich uncle (lol). We're going to go for "crowd funding" via PayPal. A secure, safe way to help Crafters Co-op get ready for it's April 1st opening! You will receive a gift certificate (available at the store as of April 1st) for 100% of your donation amount. So, you will be prepaying for wonderful classes, supplies, and service ALWAYS with a smile in a GREEN business on Whidbey Island. Not in the immediate area? We would still love your help in creating this upcycle store and will list your name in the store as one of the founders! Please be a part of "Outta the landfill, into your heart."

Donations accepted at Paypal, payable to: royalalpacas@aol.com (Dena Royal.) Have questions? Email me at that same address or message me on my personal FB page.

What's In My Sewing Basket Today: Tie Rug

I'm using a hand tie technique for this rug and while it is quite laborious, I actually enjoy the sensory contact with the handspun yarn yummi-ness!

This rug is being created for the MoNA (Museum of Northwest Art, LaConnor, WA) show/sale on March 17th. This is a fun way to use up many of my small skeins of handspun and hand dyed wool skeins.

What are YOU working on today? :)

EnJOY!

Please "like" our Everything But The Oink and our Crafters Co-op pages on Facebook.

Make It Mondays! Scrappy Scarf Tutorial

From this......

...to this........

in a few simple hours!

Use your small (even teensy) recycled lambswool, angora, alpaca, mohair and cashmere soft scraps to make this yummi-liscious infinity scarf. Great for yourself or for a beautiful Valentine's Day gift. Outta the landfill and into someone's heart. :)

Materials Needed:

Recycled natural fiber scraps
Yarn
Large eyed needle

Steps:

1. Thread your large eye needle with a complimentary colored thin yarn (or embroidery floss.)

2. Overlap your scraps and start sewing them together with a running stitch on your threaded yarn. I also call this the "inchworm" stitch...just up and down.

3. As you sew, pull your yarn a bit tight so that the fiber scraps scrunch up. This will add a lot of texture to your scarf.

4. I encourage you to leave the pointy edges off to the side of the scarf as you sew. In other words, don't make a perfect line. This is also a way to use odd shaped scraps...scraps aren't too narrow to use unless you can't stitch through it!

5. Don't be afraid to use all different colors. One of the neat things about recycled wool/other natural fibers is that all colors seem to go together well! When you wear this scarf with different outfits, it will highlight the different colors in your scarf!

6. Continue sewing until your length is long enough to loop around your neck three to four times.

When you're happy with the length, stitch the beginning to the end, making an "infinity loop."

7. Out of a larger scrap or two, freehand cut a flower, sew a button through the middle of the flower, and secure it to one part of your scarf. This step is optional but adds a lot of pizzazz to your scarf. :)

Like this tutorial? Then please "like" our Facebook page Everything But The Oink and subscribe to this blog. Bloggers like to feel the love! ;)

EnJOY!

p.s. Thanks to Reyna for taking our class yesterday and agreeing to model her completed creation!

New Fiber Arts 4H Project: Scrappy Scarves (tm)

We had to reschedule our Fiber Arts 4H meeting for two consecutive weekends due to crazy weather (snow, tidal surge flooding.) But, it was worth the wait as we met today and all nine of the members made my version of the ever so popular "infinity" scarves. True to Everything But The Oink's name, we used all of those long, narrow scraps which most people would toss into the trash.

The 4Hers used thin yarns and a running stitch (working on those needlework skills!) to artfully sew together the scraps. The running stitch allowed the kids to "scrunch" up the scraps, thereby incorporating a lot of texture into their creations.

It is always challenging to find project which are simple enough for our 3rd grade 4Hers,
yet appealing enough to our high school members. All of the kids were excited about wearing their scarves tomorrow, so Scrappy Scarves were a success!

What's In My Sewing Basket Wednesday: Cashmere Baby Blanket

Our snow and sub-freezing temperatures continue here in the Pacific Northwest. I've been "cabin bound" since Saturday morning, so yesterday I decided to start on a larger scale project. I'm handstitching, with hand dyed thin silk yarn (almost like thread) recycled cashmere sweater pieces into a heirloom baby blanket. I decided to go with brighter, gender neutral colors, so this blankie can be used for many siblings in a family.

Here is a photo of the work "in progress"....

It's the perfect project for sitting by the fire with a cuppa tea and watching it snow, snow, snow.

EnJOY!

Make It Mondays! Cashmere HandWarmer Tutorial

Everything But The Oink means we use everything.....I mean everything of our recycled sweaters and other natural fiber items. It's eco friendly, frugal, responsible and fun to find ways to use every last piece. We even cut up the teensy scraps and use them to "stuff" our Mini Mice, Alien and Monster Buddies and our Bird Ornaments.

When we have a precious cashmere sweater find, we don't want to waste any teensy weensy piece of this luxurious upcycled fabric. So, we created Cashmere HandWarmers, filled with organic lavender and (uncooked) rice for a special treat to keep your hands warm during these cold winter months.

Here's all you need for this simple, easy-peasy project:
A small rectangle of cashmere felted "fabric"
Coordinating length of natural fiber yarn, threaded onto a large eye needle (chenille works well)
uncooked rice and organic lavender buds (optional)

STEPS:
1. Fold your rectangle of cashmere in half so that is square shaped.
2. Sew up all but one side of the square with a whip stitch.
3. Fill the cashmere "pocket" with uncooked rice and lavender buds.
4. Finish sewing up the last side of the square.
5. Heat in microwave for 30 to 60 seconds and then put it in your glove, your coat or pant pocket to keep your fingers warm and your body relaxed from the yummy lavender. :)

This can be reheated and re-used, over and over, and over again...for many years. These would make wonderful Valentine's Day gifts and your children can even sew these up for their teachers and favorite aunts.

Of course, you can make these out of other natural fiber scraps, but the cashmere handwarmer is...well.....just extra special.

EnJOY!