Pack Rat 365 Day 9

Yes, after a very very long break - I have picked up where I left off with Pack Rat 365.  Here we go with Day 9!

Take a five minute walk and make something with whatever materials are available - and leave it there.

Wait...what?  This means I can't use my pack rat skills! Still, challenge accepted.
I decided to walk to the local library, since it's about five minutes from my house and make something as I left.

There were plenty of things I could use to create with - but I didn't want to wreck any plants in gardens, or take things that weren't mine.  I'm sure that the author didn't have that in mind with this challenge.

But there were rocks....lots of rocks.  And I actually collect stones, minerals and rocks.  Hey..that works!

So I picked up a handful of stones and created this....

It actually took me some time to configure the stones so it resembled a heart shape and not some crazy blob.  I hope whoever saw this after I created it got a smile from it.  

Side-note - yes that's rain you see.  That's dedication I tell you.  Even after I walked home, the rain didn't get too bad.  It's springtime and I love the rain. And the library. And rocks!  It's all about the love. 

Pack Rat 365 - Day 8!

Today was definitely a challenge....make something out of my breakfast.  For those that know me well, breakfast really isn't part of the norm for me.  I do, however, have a lot of super early morning snacks when I'm working late on crafting.

Today's inspiration (and also a couple snacks I definitely hoard)

Celery and peanut butter! I can't go a couple days without eating this stuff! So, in theory I pack rat these snacks....with the exception that I do eat them before the shelf life expiration...don't worry.

I used the celery and peanut butter as kind of a structure with mortar in this little experiment.  The almonds were more of added embellishment....of what kind, I'm not too sure. So I got to building....and here's what I ended up with:

I think it's a house..of some sort.  The almonds are the hedges, with one at the top for.....the weather vane! Yep, that's it.  And that's about it for this creation...as I finish this blog, I am consuming the remainders of the celery structure. 

Back to Pack Rat 365 - Day 7!

So I had a lot of catching up to do and a long week full of busy.  I made the executive decision to re-start today.  Day 7!

Today's challenge was to transform an old book.  Since I have an overwhelming amount of composition notebooks that I use for various journaling purposes - I decided to transform one into something more fun - and also so I won't have to look inside each one to figure out the one I'm looking for in a sea of black and white marble.

Before:

My tools: scissors, paper trimmer, paper, ribbons, stickers, mod podge and the plain looking notebook just screaming for a makeover.  I cut some paper to fit the front cover, added some accents, and also some ribbon attached to the back so I could tie the book together. 

The finished product:

I love this book now!  

And what did I use that was a pack-rat item?  Well I've had the scrapbook items for about six months now...so I'm glad I started actually using them.  That ribbon you see?  I salvaged it last year from an Ann Taylor shopping bag (that wasn't even mine either...free ribbon is some of the best ribbon!) Again - let's not talk about how many composition notebooks I have floating around the house.  Perhaps I can get them all customized so I can distinguish them from one another and put them to use more often! 

See you tomorrow!

Pack Rat 365 Catch Up - Day 5 & 6!

Days 5 and 6 both done, just took some getting around to post them!

Day 5 - Make something from a collection.
Hah! What don't I collect - this is a pack rat project after all!  I looked all around for one certain collection to inspire something creative, but nothing that would be super easy to create from.   I wanted to challenge myself a little.  Tucked in a little dish on a desk is part of my collection of old coins.  I have all sorts of old change - like wheat pennies and such.  I took up a handful and decided to make something with them.

The old coin rainbow! Why look to the end of it, when the treasure is right there?

Next up - Friday - Day 6.

Make something from a stencil. 

First I had to make myself a stencil.  I have some, but I thought about carving out my own. 

I sketched out a star and carved it out with my x-acto (and managed not to hurt myself in the process - yay!)

But what to do with the stencil?  My mission was clear....

I used my "Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist" to spray through the stencil at random spots on the card. I let the ink fall wherever, and didn't really try to be too precise with it.  Overall, the card came out beautiful I think.  I kind of like the randomness of it.

So that's it for those two days.  Days 7 & 8 will be posted later tonight!

Enjoy!

Pack Rat 365 - Day 4!

I switched the routine a little bit today.  Today's goal or challenge was to walk into the kitchen and use the first fruit or vegetable I saw as a medium or inspiration.

That's it. Good old butternut squash sitting on the counter.  But how would I incorporate my pack rat tendencies and make something out of it?  What collection could I go to?

I chose the ribbon and button collections I have sitting in the studio. Sure, I've used them in lots of projects, but I still so much that hasn't been used!

I'm not sure what to call her.  She's somewhere between classic burlesque squash and tutu-sporting roller derby squash.  

Now that I made this, I have come to the realization that her destruction is imminent.  I haven't eaten butternut squash in a while - but her memory will live on in my blog! Back tomorrow with more!

Pack Rat 365 - Day 3!

I'll admit - so far this hasn't been too tough.  The guidelines have been easy enough to follow...until today.

Make something from paper - no glue, scissors or writing anything on it.  Part one - easy! I love all sorts of paper crafts....but what?? No glue! No scissors! No writing!

I picked out a small piece of handmade paper first to think of something creative I could make with it.  But what about the pack rat part? Then a little idea crept in.

I collect pens.  Not the nice pens you buy as a souvenir (well I have those too).  I somehow carry pens off from everywhere - work, stores, you name it!  I chose to spruce one up a little bit with this piece of paper.

First I rolled up the paper and put it inside the top end of the pen.  I left about two inches of paper sticking out and ripped strips of the paper down to the end of the pen.  After that process was finished, I curled a few by rolling them around a pencil.  

Now there's a less boring looking pen in my collection!  Just imagine what I could do with some glue and scissors! More on the way tomorrow! 

Pack Rat 365 - Day 2!

Day Two!

Today's project - transform yet another collected item into something that I will actually use!

The goal for this project was to make something inspired by my favorite animal.  Anyone will tell you that I really have no favorite animal.  Too many to mention.  But there is one that I have a certain liking to, enough to even use it in my roller derby moniker.  I chose to make a spider-y project!

But what did I have sitting around to re-purpose? My goal was clear. In fact, it has been sitting on the side of my craft desk since this summer at the mercy of my cats.

A cork board that has definitely seen better days.  Scratches abound on this item I snagged at a garage sale for a mere twenty-five cents.  I had to save it!  Enter some tacky glue, a foam brush and some spider print fabric that has also been sitting around for a while. 

I liberally applied glue all over the board, especially in spots where the scratches were deep. Then I placed the fabric on the board, smoothed it out and trimmed the sides with fabric scissors.  To add a little pop, I brushed some silver glitter glue around the wood frame! 

Voila! Brand new bulletin board, ready to hang up in my craft studio! I'll be back tomorrow!

Treasure of the Week!

Resuming with the Treasure of the Week, I go back to the first time I ever bought something on Etsy.

 I had heard of the website, but never felt the need to check it out - let alone buy something.  I always found what I needed in (gasp) retail stores and rarely bought anything from crafters or even small businesses.  Sure there were a few places I frequented, but I often opted for the cheaper places in lieu of buying local and/or handmade.

Fast forward to when I decided to buy an e-reader tablet.  I prefer the standard paper version of books, but I figured this would be fun for travel and taking as many books as I wanted on a trip.  I bought one as a gift to myself and loved it. But then the problem hit....I needed a cover.

Not just any cover mind you, I had to have one that looked neat and kept the e-reader safe - as I have a nasty habit of dropping things that are easily broken.  I looked in all kinds of stores.  Most covers either didn't catch my eye or carried a price tag too close to that of the e-reader. Yikes!

I looked around on Etsy.  There were tons! All handmade, with reasonable prices that didn't make me regret buying the e-reader in the first place! Then, I found it!

I love anything with owls. I messaged the seller to ask if it could be customized for the e-reader I had bought - no problem! I clicked on buy and couldn't wait to get the cover! The package arrived soon and I couldn't be happier! And, yes, I have dropped it on more than one occasion - the e-reader lives!

So, need an e-reader cover? Or perhaps something else? I suggest you check out Arelel Designs on Etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArelelDesigns

And please give a like on Facebook here! 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ArelelDesigns

Enjoy! See you next week!

New Project!

Today at Ok, Millie - actually this weekend - I decided to start the 365 Project.  Sometimes, and lately more than not, I've been in a creative rut.  Here's hoping this challenge pulls me out of it and perhaps you will try it too!

For information on the "Make Something 365" Project - check out this blog.
http://makesomething365.blogspot.com/

The premise is to make something every day for a year, using a consistent medium or subject.
In the grand tradition of my grandparents and how I inherited this tendency - I am going to call my project....
"Pack Rat 365".

I, like my grandparents, like to collect things.  The things that you would say "oh someday this might be useful" or "I could use this in a craft....someday....".  The sad thing is that they never seem to get used.  So, I decided that my medium would be the things I collect that would otherwise be thrown out in the trash (or recycled).

Today begins the project.  Day one.....

Today I picked out an old Kat Von D eyeshadow box I had saved.  I really liked the designs on the front and figured I could use them as an embellishment in my crafting at some point. I already had the glass cabochon.

I punched a circle out of the box, and glued it to the cabochon using some Diamond Glaze.  I cut and sanded around the edges so there wasn't any cardboard poking out.  Super easy.  To finish up, I used some E-6000 to glue a bail on the back to make a pendant.  Here's the finished product! 

Day One - complete.  Pack Rat pendant! 

Treasure of the Week!

Let's talk about roller derby today.  I have played roller derby for a combined total of about three years now and I love it.  The hits, the camaraderie and of course, who doesn't love a stockpile of knee socks.   This year I wanted to invest in a really neat pair of derby shorts.  I went to Etsy in search of such a pair, and believe me there is no shortage of these.  My derby name is Spooky SpiteHer, so of course I wanted something a little Halloween-ish and spidery.  I found exactly what I needed, and they are beyond awesome looking!  This week we highlight ScutiePie Hot Pants as the Ok, Millie Treasure of the Week!

ScutiePie has the most amazing variety of derby hot pants.  Custom orders are available, and the patterns are crazy awesome!  Check out the pair I bought!  

These shorts are probably my favorite that I own! I can't wait to wear them in a bout! Thanks ScutiePie!

Please check out ScutiePie for your derby (or heck, fun to work out in) short needs!
At Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScutiePie
And Give a like on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ScutiePie

Tell them Spooky sent you! Enjoy!

Treasure of the Week

I will admit, I really try to eat healthy. Really I do.  But sometimes a late night crafty session calls for something sweet. Chocolate, candy, fruit slices, what have you... and there is one place where I love to shop for these...necessities.

Candy Corner is owned and operated by some of my favorite people - the Orilio's.  I can't really stop in the New Hartford area without a trip.  Besides, it's a small local business - which I love to support - so the candy helps fuel my little business too! Win!

They have more than just candy here too! Popcorn, Slush Puppies, and all sorts of goodies (did I mention chocolate and fruit slices?)

Candy Corner is located in the New Hartford Shopping Center, right near Center Court.  Be sure to check them out whenever there is an event happening here - they have been known to serve up hot dogs, chips and all sorts of other fun things!  Please stop by and tell them Jenn sent you!

P.S. Valentine's Day is fast approaching... I'm sure they can help you out.

Check out their website here:
http://www.candycornernh.com/

And.....like them on Facebook here - you will get all sorts of updates on new items and events!
https://www.facebook.com/candy.corner

Now that I've written this post...I need to stop by myself and stock up.  Lots of crafting to be done! Enjoy!

Ok, Millie Treasure of the Week!

Treasure of the Week is back!

A belated Happy New Year to all!  It's already busy here at Ok, Millie.  Creating, cleaning, and new goals across the board!

There will be many new Treasures of the Week to be featured here - and to begin the new year, I want to start with a treasure that has been indispensable!

Starting in December, I began a new workout routine to help with my performance in roller derby (you read that right...I'm a derby girl).  Within the first week my arm muscles were hating me, but I already had an appointment scheduled as a reward at Balance!
                                                           
Balance is a massage therapy studio owned by my good friend Maeve.  The environment was so peaceful and relaxing, and you can choose to add on aromatherapy (which I did).  Those magic hands worked out the pain in my shoulders and arms from that first week of working muscles.  I made a return appointment before I left the studio, and couldn't wait to get back!

Please like Maeve's  Balance Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/balanceyinyang

or on the Internet:
http://www.balanceyinyang.com/

I highly recommend Balance for massage! And yes, my next appointment is quickly approaching!