Wednesday 18 January 2012

Pretty, Crafty Home

Over the last year I've really caught the thrifting bug.

Thrifted find
 
Necessity demands it, but I must say, it's an enjoyable way of living; I love having a root around the charity shops in search of a new find or project and since the recent up-cycling of the Mister's jumper, feel more confident to have a try at altering things a bit.

Anyhoo, at the weekend I managed to haul 5 jumpers for 11 quid! (most bargainous of me, I thought).

This one (alas, too small for me to wear) was crying out for a make-over.

More Sweater up-cycling!

I chopped the arms. Naturally, these will be leg-warmers in their next life. But what to do with the rest? 

More Sweater up-cycling!

A cushion?

Maybe. 
But no. 

Instead?

More Sweater up-cycling!

...a bag!

I used an old belt for the strap and some fabric from my stash for the lining.

More Sweater up-cycling!

Infact, this bag is reversible too.

 More sweater up-cycling2

I prettied up the edges with blanket stitch and added some little crochet flowers and buttons to the front.

More sweater up-cycling2

Most pleased, I am. 
 
And the Mister's old cashmere jumper?
I was originally planning to make it into a cushion and decorate it, but it seemed too good not to wear. So I took it in a bit at the sides and used the same decorative stitching as the leg warmers for the sleeves.

More sweater up-cycling2
 
Definitely a bit prettier.
I need to do something about the neck though, it's still a bit blokey for my liking.

If you, like me love a bit of thrifty, crafty, pretty, then come and join in over at Cherry Heart (click the button in my sidebar to link).


Hope to see you there.

Xx


 

37 comments:

  1. Gorgeous, you clever girl! What fabric have you lined the bag with? I am in LOVE with it... xx

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  2. Beautiful bag. I love that it looks good which ever way you look at it.

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  3. Gorgeous bag...you really are a clever bugger!

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  4. Fabulous remakes well done I just love that bag! I've repurposed jumpers into cushions and they always get lots of compliments, I'll try a bag next time!
    Kandi x

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  5. What a clever girl you are..... Love the way you have used your skills of recycling........xx

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  6. You clever girl! That is so pretty and I'm green with envy! I do look for thrifted bargains but I never see anything nice in the charity shops. You have finished it beautifully - super little flowers and the belt as the strap. Yes... me likey very much!
    Becky x

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  7. Your bag is absolutely gorgeous! All the little details are just perfect - I love the blanket stitching and the little crochet flowers. Soon you'll be able to wear a completely homemade ensemble - altered cashmere jumper, legwarmers, bag...!
    I've never really got into the thrifting thing - there never seems to be much good stuff when I try charity shops - but you've inspired me to give it another go!

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  8. wow! I'm so impressed! I too love a good hake around a charity shop, although I have noticed of late prices for certain thinks creeping up! tsk!

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  9. Wonderful and beautiful... thanks for sharing with us!

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  10. I too have, in the past year, become a thrifter and it is a fab way to live!!

    Love the jumper bag, it's fabulous!!

    S x

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  11. Ah you clever thing! Bloody brilliant....love your bag & how you've decorated it :D

    Jo x x x

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  12. Inspired! The bag is so covetable :D

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  13. You must be some kind of genius - I don't know how you come up with these ideas - that bag is gorgeous!!! You make me slightly angry with your obscene amount of talent - hehehe (I mean that in a nice way!!)
    Maria x

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  14. I love your bag, it's gorgeous and..... it's REVERSIBLE. How clever are you!! Thanks for sharing.
    Anne xx

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  15. The jumper bag is such a good idea and you have really made something very lovely out of an un-exciting jumper. I may have to rummage in the charity shops now x

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  16. Love your bag !! such a clever idea :0)
    Jacquie x

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  17. Thrifty and very, very talented. You amaze me with your fabulous ideas. Great job!
    Meredith

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  18. Great idea!!The bag looks super cute!!

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  19. Oh my, they are fabulous ideas. Love the jumper most of all. Maybe some lace on the neck? Very inspiring, you are. I'm not yet brave enough to cut up things!! Liz xx

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  20. That's brilliant and so pretty. At first I was disappointed it wasn't going to be a cushion but then I saw the bag! It's so cute, how clever of you!

    Thanks for the shout out too :)

    S x

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  21. Oh my goodness you made me go all weak at the knees... how do you come up with all this loveliness? The Jumpercushionbag is one of the best things I have seen on a blog this year! What about a line of little tiny white/cream buttons sewn around the neckline of the jumper? Have a good weekend my bloggy hero! :)x

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  22. Love.... love.... love the bag! Those flowers and buttons make it so pretty and the blanket stitch is a cute touch.
    £11 for five jumpers is most bargainous indeed, I do love a rummage in the charity shops you never know what treasure is lurking there! :-)

    Have a great week sweetie! xxx

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  23. Oh my goodness, there's no end to your crafty genius! I don't know which I love more, they're both so dang clever. I think a few turns with your hook around the neck of the cashmere would make it perfectly girly, and I would wear that out the door right this minute. Well done, sister!

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  24. You clever chook - what wonderful projects!!! I love a good op shop bargain and plan on finding myself some treasure tomorrow on my jaunt around the local op shops. You've totally inspired me to be confident in cutting things up!!!

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  25. I've sad it before and I'll say it again. Your blooming clever aren't you? That bag looks amazing! What an ingenious idea and so beautifully done. Love the hubby's jumper too it looks great and will look even better when your finished with it I am sure.
    Love
    Tickety-boo
    xxx

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  26. You are one clever, clever lady!!! What a fabulous bag! I especially love that it's reversible - and the little flowers, of course!
    Carly
    x

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  27. Stunning bag Sarah, really love it
    Karen x

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  28. Loved it as a pillow, think it's awesome as a bag. Great job!

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  29. Well, I think that your bags are better than Cath Kidson's. Amazing, you have totally inspired me- you clever thing x

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  30. brilliant and so pretty both of them.

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  31. wow you clever thing!Love that bag,so pretty,well done,xxx

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  32. The bag really does it for me!!! How creative you are. And to make it reversible even. Three cheers for you! And love the Mister's repurposed jumper.

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  33. Wow. Blimey. How could we EVER meet up? You are way too crafty for me!!! Love the new life you've created.
    Actually, maybe we can go cherry tree shopping together and see what we can come up with.
    But I don't sew and my crochet is shite. Like, REALLY shite. I do try, but my mind doesn't work well to learning such crafts.
    LOVING West Sussex. Been to sea every day so far!!!!

    x x x x x x

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  34. Neat! Just found your blog... so gorgeous!! Thank you for the mushroom pattern.. So cute as I see are quite a lot of things on your blog ;0) Pleased to have found you :))

    I love looking through the various charity shops we have here. It's a favourite past time after going out for lunch with DD or one of my friends. But 11 quid for 5 jumpers is a good buy!! Elly

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  35. You never cease to amaze me! Love what you did to create this cute purse!

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Have a fab day.
Sarah Xx