Reader Made

Happiness is getting an email that says: "Dear Michele, you inspired me to make this swell whichama-whoozit. Thanks so much!" I get a real kick out of that. It puts a spring in my step and a twinkle in my eye. Here's a little hodge podge of crafts that people have made based on some of my tutorials.

If you haven't yet had the pleasure of visiting Homework, you are missing out! Carolyn is SO talented; her work is consistently beautiful and remarkable. Case in point, she made these little greenhouses after seeing my greenhouse ornaments. I think they're brilliant, don't you?

Inspired by my denim disc tree ornaments, these festive little paper trees were Made By Mums Boven. They're so cute. I love the fact that she re-used perfectly colourful magazine pages to make her versions. It gives them a real collage-like flair. Your little trees make me happy Mums. My hero!

Jessica of Jessica Flores Design made her very own heart house ornaments because, obviously, one can never have too many Christmas ornaments, right? Nope, not even smack-dab in the heart of this raging summer we're having. To the left there is one of Jessica's sweet heart houses in all its greeting card glory.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the pretty denim pouf made by my friend Jill of Creating My Way to Success. Hers is a variation on this tutorial, one of my most popular posts. It looks sublimely comfy, doesn't it? As any good pouf should be, I dare say. Makes me want to put these ol' dogs up ASAP.

I was ever so surprised to see Mia Creates' bowl and plate show up in the old inbox because this tutorial is quite a new thing. But as you can see, some people are as efficient as they are proficient. Such a pretty palette you've chosen Mia!






Thanks to you all for sending in these lovelies. As I've mentioned, it tickles me no end to see my work put to such fine use. Do continue to dazzle me with your photos! You never know when they might appear right here...

Send them over to:

michelemademe (AT) gmail (DOT) com

♥M

It's Been My Pleather.

I've had this same black pleather purse for gotta be 15 years now if not longer. Probably longer but basically forever. In fact, I have no recollection of choosing it, nor the vaguest memory of buying it... Nothing. Like, nothing. The thing refuses to die, okay? I'm fast becoming convinced that whoever made my purse soaked the finished bag in liquid titanium-kryptonite alloy before sticking a 4-sale sign on it. It's still in pristine condition. Like, it is absolutely PERFECT. It's like I bought it yesterday and yesterday was 1992. It's a little disturbing now that I think about it... Hmph. I simply cannot explain its utterly unaltered state because I lugged that thing everywhere and I abused the pea soup out of it. And I feel really bad saying this because that purse is great and has served me so well - like a dependable old friend actually... But I think... sigh... I think it's time for an upgrade.

Does this make me a bad person?... I wonder.

So I've been skulking behind shrubbery, spying on people and their bags, cruising the ether in hopes of catching sight of something very like my next purse. It's gotta be good. It's gotta be fan-freakin-tastic. It's got a lot to live up to. And I'm making it see? With my own two hands. Jah.

Here are some pretties that I've come upon here and there:

Wonderful links:

1. I Still Love You Tote
2. Very Purple Person Reversible Bag
3. Caliti Convertible Clutch at Sew Sweetness
4. Patchwork Clutch by Pippa Patchwork
5. Convertible Clutch by LBG Studio
6. Amelie Purse at Romanian Quilt Studio
7. Blossom Handbag by Amy Butler
8. Bow Clutch Tutorial at Elm Street Life
9. Little Betty Bag at The Mother Huddle

But just so you know, I'm not getting rid of my old purse. Don't even suggest it. I COULDN'T! It is just too dependable, and I do love it still... I've decided to put it in storage. I'll keep it for when the end of world comes and we have to escape to higher ground. That old purse will be right at home under those brutal, post-apocalyptic, nuclear winter-like conditions. She won't even bat an eyelet.

If you have any suggestions for my next purse, for the love of Pete, please share your link in the comments.

♥M

Michele Made Me: An Ornament Overview

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Since I'm so obviously in the mode and blind to anything but ornaments right now, I thought I'd gather, in one handy catch-all post, every Christmas ornament I've created since the beginning of this blog. There are one or two... Here they are:

MICHELE MADE ME's CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS 2010-2011

✲ Free Christmas Ornament Tutorials ✲

1.  Egg Carton Snowflake Ornament
2.  Juice Container Gift Box Ornament
3.  Denim Disc Tree Ornament
4.  TP Roll Wreath Ornament
5.  Spiral Notebook Binding Wreath Ornament
6.  Plastic Bottle Ornament
7.  Twiggy Christmas Tree Ornament
8.  Plastic Greenhouse Ornament
9.  Twig 'n Bead Tree Ornament
10. TP Roll Flower Ornament
11. Twiggy Skate Ornament

✲ Christmas Ornament Tutorials in The Shop ✲

12. TP Roll Thistle Ornament
13. A Dozen Egg Carton Folk Ornaments
14. Juice Cap Ornament

Edited to Add #15. Heart House Ornament

Edited to Add #16. Petite Purse Ornament

Edited to Add: ✲ Christmas Ornaments 2012 ✲
#17. Dusty Miller Snowflake Ornament
#18. Puzzle Piece Angel Ornament
#19. Twiggy Snowman Ornament
#20. The Boy's Tree (Kid Craft) Ornament
#21. Hexagon Junkmail Snowflake Ornament

As I make more - stranger things have happened - I will add them to my little inventory here. Also, I'll soon add a swank button link to this post in the sidebar. That'd be helpful, eh?

You have yourself a fine day. Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!

♥M