Thrift Thursday - Hip Home Goodies for $20 & under!

Today on Thrift Thursday I am featuring work by three Austin Artisans! These items are Thrifty because they're either made with recycled items, or they're just too darn cute to be that cheap! Look no further for a Summer Gift or Personal Decor Pick Me Up!

*annemarie* just likes to Use Capital Letters!

Cookbook Safe by PommesFrites
$20.00

Although the storage area is cut to fit your precious recipe cards (hiding them from your evil sister, Becky Sue) I think it's a great place to stash Rhinestone Jewelry & Belgium Chocolate!

Coaster Set by ::tasty jewelry::
$12.00

Coasters are not just cool - they're necessary! Why not get some uber hip ones with original graphic designs by Diane Petkoff?

Recycled Vintage Glass Soy Candle by DixieDIY
$11.00

This just makes me think of Grandmother MaryAnn - her rad South Austin apartment off of Oltorf with the green shag carpeting, red velvet furniture and awesome toys for us kids. Unleash your inner Grandma and freshen up your home!

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DANG! Austin has some talented artisans (that we knew) - with amazingly affordable stuff!

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Find more work by Austin Artisans!

xo, Anne Marie

New Bags: Tiny Trash = Creative Juice

What is it about small bits of fabric and yarn and beads that make a crafty queen's heart go thump?

There is just this insatiable pull towards using someone ELSE'S cast offs that excites me (and many others) to the core!



My mom has a group of ladies that she sews with, and they love to give her little scraps of fabric. They all share little scraps, but my mom is typically the one who actually does something with them.



So a few weeks ago she got a bunch of scraps of vintage fabric from one of her dear friends, Maxine. Like a true crazy crafter, she took them home and immediately made 40 crazy quilt pieced basket blocks. FORTY in just a few hours.



She also made me an adorable wall hanging decked out with vintage buttons sashed in a gorgeous brown linen. So I wanted to see all the other blocks she made, and I started drooling. I asked if I could have a few - and the generous lady that my Mom is, she gave me almost all of them!



Back to the beginning - this circle of small bits of trash = love. I took her blocks and made some bags. I have been playing with Yarn applique on bags lately, and trying to "free craft" - make bags without a plan. Just make and design as you go.



I am pretty pleased with the result! But the best part is the history behind the bags. The lucky lady who gets one will have the result of many generations and families of women hanging from her arm. Maxine's stash included fabrics from HER mother's stash; fabrics saved from dresses, quilts, aprons and all kinds of crafts. Two families, four generations, tiny bits of fabric = love, art, craft - the true beauty behind sewing.

xo, Ambie
Etsy
AnneMarieBeard
TheBeardedLadiesPresent

Treasure Tuesday: Reusable Produce Bags

Ok friends, it's really rare that I see something totally *new* when it comes to sewn bags. Everyone and their pet chicken is making or buying reusable grocery totes these days - and the variety, quality and prices of them is all over the map.





Today I spent a fair amount of time browsing on Etsy. They have this cool "Pounce" feature where you can check out what other people have just bought. I am normally drawn to brightly colored items, but today I was really drawn to the text description.







Esty Shop owner LisaAlso has come up with a GENIUS idea - she makes reusable PRODUCE BAGS! Her bags are made from tulle net, and won't add to the weight of your produce when you go to check out. They're even washable!






For some time now, I haven't used the plastic produce bags. Mostly because I am single, and I am only buying one or two apples or bananas at a time. I just toss the fruit/veggies into my basket, and go on my way. However, I would so use these! Especially for grapes or lots of small items like lemons.



One thing I think is really cool is that you could keep your produce in the bag and rinse it out inside there. So many options, such a genius idea! Go Lisa!

Lisa has been happily surprised with the success of this new product - and I hope you will go purchase some and add to that success. She charges just $8.00 for a set of 3 bags, and you can message her on Etsy to order larger quantities.

xo, Ambie

*annemarie* launches Eco Chic Home Decor Line!

That's right, folks. Starting this week, my new line of Eco Chic Home Decor is available online. I am calling the line Eco Chic, and putting a spin on my tagline to be "Style for the Home."

Since 2002 I have been making bags out of vintage and recycled fabric. I just LOVE to use old fabric and give it a new life.






I recently decided to get rid of all paper napkins in my house, and use cloth ones instead. They feel so much better, and I can use them over and over again.

Now, you can replace all of your paper napkins with cloth ones too! They are sold in sets of four, and are reversible! Did I mention that they're made out of vintage fabric?




In addition to the napkins, I make coaster sets. The fabric coaster sets are cushy and absorbent - sure, the tile ones are cute, but they just leave pools of liquid lying around.

These sets of napkins and coasters are very limited edition - check back soon for more colors! Looking for a great Mother's Day Gift? How about some napkins!

xo,
Anne Marie