Don't forget your sewing machine...

Forgot to add this to the post for tonight's craft, but if you have a sewing machine please bring it. I only have one and depending on who shows, we will all be sharing that. Everyone shares nicely, thankfully, but it's still nice to have multiples to use if possible. Thank you so much and see you this evening!

this week we're taking it up a notch...

summer sewing spectacular project #3: an adorable little bag
a little more challenging than last week's... but i know you can do it!

craftacular tuesdays is so great. each week it gives me the chance to hang out with a diverse group of ladies AND gentlemen. it also forces me to try a new project and challenge myself each week. some weeks, i will admit, i may not give it 100% and the project doesn't turn out as i'd like. and yes, some weeks are better than others, but it's always something different and equally fun! last week's project was a hit! 15 people of all ages and skill levels came out to tackle sewing his/her own reusable sandwich wrapper!

since we're doing our summer sewing series, this week i thought we'd tackle a bag. it's a really simple pattern with a total of 3 pieces: a lining, outer fabric and braided handle. i fashioned it out of vintage fabric (of course!) and then added a fabric flower at the end to jazz mine up a but. we will be focusing more on the construction of the bag, but i had time to jazz mine up a bit with a vintage flower made out of the bag scraps. the options are endless as to the adornments you could add to give your purse more personality! this is the part where you can let your creativity run wild. and don't say you don't have any, i don't buy it.


it's hard to get a good visual of size in the image above, however i made it small. the actual purse pouch measures a little larger than 4x6 and a dainty ribbon (i used vintage lace. i'm in love vintage lace.) closure ties at the top to keep all your items tucked safely inside. this is the perfect size for just an evening with just a few necessities.


i know say this without it ever coming to fruition, but i am really hoping to get a tutorial together for this project. i took all the step by step pictures while i was putting the bag together AND they are already uploaded to my computer so here's hoping it will happen!


as always, craftacular tuesday is from 6:30-8:30. BYOB. 5 bucks*. i supply everything you need to make something super sweet!

looking forward to an evening with friends!

xxoo.
emily

*just had to mention that we are doing an amazing craft that my friend torrey told me about in a couple of weeks... her friend did it at a craft night in NYC... it was $65 for the class and $25 for supplies. i was floored! don't worry, you will never find those kind of prices at anomaly!

summer sewing spectacular project #2: sew a reusable sandwich wrapper

this tuesday we're stitching up some cuteness in the form of a ultra stylish yet practical wrapper to take a sandwich on the go, while being waste free at the same time! check out the impact you can have on making your lunch waste free here. just think how much trash is created every day during lunch time!

the pattern for this is very simple and perfect for sewing 101! we will be using vintage fabric for the outer layer and lining it with oilcloth or vinyl (i will have an assortment of choices!) of your choice. you will love this handy little thing! it will not only keep your bread fresh and be easy to wash/wipe off, but it's also great because when it opens up it turns into the perfect placemat. i already have one of these wraps for my son but am excited to have a second to put to use. i take my son to the zoo and beach weekly and we always take a picnic lunch. (jacksonville zoo = great, jacksonville zoo food choices for vegetarians = sucky) this will be perfect for our sandwiches or to stash the pita wedges for our hummus!

check out the finished product:

unbutton it, open the flap...

and behold, your tasty sandwich inside!
(in mine you'd find peanut butter and honey... yummm!)


as always, the craft is $5 and BYOB!

hope to see you tuesday, 6:30-8:30p.

*** if you have a sewing machine you can bring to share with the group, that would be great! thanks so much!

see you tuesday!
xxoo.
emily

**postscript... i will be ending craft night this week promptly at 8:30pm because i've got to rush out to a concert (JENNY LEWIS!!! yay!!!) at the beach. thanks for your understanding. feel free to caravan out with us. it's going to be a great show, i'm sure!

crafty owls are a hoot!

tonight is the first project in our summer sewing spectacular series!!! join us tonight to make a super adorable mini owl pillow. sorry for no picture, as my computer is still jacked up so I'm having to write this from my iPod. I wish I did have an image though because these are the cutest. hope to see you this evening...

as always we will be craftin' from 6:30-8:30! if you have a sewing machine and would like to bring it to hare that would be fabulous!

xxoo.
emily

the big winner, rosette earrings, technical difficulties and a special field trip

sadly my computer is officially out of commission. it really sucks because I have no extra funds right now to purchase a new one. i'm so sad about my computer and it doubley sucks because I'm posting this from my iPod touch so I have no way to post new pictures or link to anything. boohoo.

as promised the big winner of last weeks button contest is... Sarah, with the guesstimate of 497!!! the jar held a whopping 566 buttons and Brittany happened to be closest with the guess of 600, but submitted an answer after deadline. oops! so, congrats sarah!!!! I
please swing by anomaly anytime to claim your prize!

this week for craftacular Tuesdays we are mixing things up a bit! the craft of the night is short but sweet. we are making painted rosette earrings. then while our project is drying, we are going to take a short 10 minute walk to the cummer museum (its FREE on tuesday nights!) to check out an exhibit that any good crafter won't want to miss... the gee's bend quilt exhibit. these quilts are all handsewn by women of gee's bend, Alabama, dating back to slave times. they were pieced together with scraps and recycled fabrics and ijust can't wait to see them on display!

hope you can make it tomorrow night and stay tuned for a summer sewing spectacular announcement... our 4 week sewing series starts next tuesday night!!!

xoxo.
em

buttons buttons who's got the buttons?

wanna win some cool craft stuff? who doesn't live a little crafty competition?

all you have to do is guess (or be the closest to) how many buttons are in this mason jar and win a bag o' crafty goodies, including some of these vintage buttons! your cool prize will be a hodge podge of cool supplies we've used in past crafts at craftacular tuesday, all packed in a plain, natural colored tote ready to be printed on sewed on, etc...

so pull out those elementary math estimating skills because you've got till this sunday at noon to post in the comments section. the winner will be announced when i post the next crafty project.

happy counting and good luck!

make a rad rag wreath!

for the past few months as i walk in my front door and look at the 4.99 target clearance wreath hanging in my face, it doesn't make me happy. i'm not saying there is anything wrong with the wreath... it was good during it's prime. it's just lost it's luster and been worn by the elements. i was ready for something fresh, new and colorful to take it's place on my front porch.

today i decided to tackle this project. i had a bunch of scraps hanging around my craft cave, as well as some cool vintage trims i've picked up in my adventures in thrifting. voila... a bright and happy wreath perfect to cheer a dreary day.

you too can make a lovely wreath, this tuesday night at craftacular tuesdays at anomaly!

when? this tuesday (6/9) from 6:30-8:30

where? 1021 park street.

what to bring? $5 and yourself (friends and beers, optional)

questions? 904.354.7002

i've also been inspired over the past few weeks with some ideas to make the blog more fun! stay tuned because in two days i'll be posting a friendly little crafty contest.

i'm also going to be launching a SUMMER SEWING SPECTACULAR. i've got a few sewing projects i want to teach you crafty folk, so i've lined up 4 ideas that will run consecutive weeks at the store. get excited. i know i am. it's going to be fun.

in the meantime, get your creative juices flowing for tomorrow (almost today, as the current time is 11:55pm...). feel free to bring your own fabric scraps and/or trims if you have something specific you'd like to use. but as always, you don't have to bring a thing except yourself, i'll have plenty of supplies!

really looking forward to getting crafty!

xoxo.

emily