I'm a Craft Hoarder

Hello, my name is Marla...and I'm a craft hoarder.

I recently cleaned up my crafting table and all the piles surrounding it.Holy cheese and crackers, how did I end up with so much stuff?? It took me all day to get that area presentable and I didn't even touch the stuff in my hall closet (also filled with craft supplies). You name it, I've probably got it.
Here's the crazy part...I buy like 90% of my supplies at thrift stores or yard sales(meaning most of my stuff has left someone else's hoard and gone to mine). I see this stuff and have great ideas, so I bring it home anndd...that's it. I forget about it or move onto something else.
Well No More!! I'm determined to lower the amount of my craft hoard by actually getting some stuff made.The holiday season is here and I'd like to get some decorations made as well as Christmas gifts for friends and family.I think if I create something every day, I can a) reduce my craft hoard and b)be ready for Christmas ahead of time (imagine that).I'm also not going to bring any more supplies home...unless I need it for a project...or it's a fantastic price...or it's really cool. Arrgh-it's a sickness I tell you.
Of course, I'm not selfish...I'll share the stuff  I create.Prepare to be amazed! Well, amazed in the sense that you'll probably think to yourself, 'How can one person have so many supplies?'

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who squirrels away craft supplies.

Snow People

The piles around and on my craft table were at a natural disaster level for quite a while.It was so messy that I didn't even feel creative. I finally couldn't take it anymore and spent all Saturday cleaning,purging, and organizing my space. It's amazing what a good clean-up will do for your creativity! I made this after I had everything tidy.
I had gotten a set of round knitting looms several months and tried to make a scarf.
Knitting loom + Only one skein of white fuzzy yarn= a tube scarf that's too short to tie around my neck.
So when I found my yarn tube under a pile of fabric,I knew what I wanted to make.

                                                                   Mr. & Mrs. Snow
First,I got six styrofoam balls and covered four of them with various scraps of batting. Then I tied off the middle of the tube with two rubber bands and cut the tube in half.Secure each ball in the tube with rubber bands.

At this point,I realized my snow people were not going to stand up on their own-too floppy.So I took two dowel rods and jammed them down the centers.Ahh,much better.

I cut two circles of cardboard out for the bottoms.I wanted them to have some weight so they'd stand up so I glued several metal washers to the cardboard before I attached the tube around it.
Add scarves and hats made from a stained sweater,flowers,snoflakes,and buttons for the face and body.
I tried to use branches from the tree in the front yard,but it didn't look right so I cut pieces off of a grapevine wreath and they're perfect little arms.

The best part about this project was that I used stuff  I already had in my stash, so basically it's FREE.

I love how they turned out.Can't wait to use them in my Christmas decorating.

Pin Cushion

I found this awesome mug at Goodwill for .59 cents a few weeks ago.I love the colors and the way it feels in my hands.My problem? I don't drink coffee or hot tea.Maybe once or twice a year,I'll drink hot apple cider or cocoa.I just didn't want to have it sit in my cabinet, collecting dust, when I could make something out of it and enjoy it every day.

                                                          I feel like saying, "Ta Dah!!"

I needed a new pincushion because the little tomato I had was just not working for me anymore.Apparently,to a four year old boy, it looks just like a ball that needs to be thrown.How'd you like for one of those suckers to be beaned at you by surprise?
This project took less than two minutes to make and most of that involves plugging in the glue gun and gathering materials.I cut a piece of floral foam and shoved it in the mug.Then I took a scrap of fabric,placed a scrap of batting inside, gathered it together, and tied it with a rubber band.Then just hot glue the fabric to the mug and foam.Easy peasy.
Loving the way it turned out.I might have to make another for my mom who is an avid sewer.
The best part? I can change it back to a mug if I want.I'd just stick it in the freezer for a couple of minutes and pop out the glue.
Ta Dah!!