Costume Jewelry

 

I have organized the necklaces and bracelets. Now comes earrings and brooches.

While decluttering I had to decide what I would give away and what I would keep. Among the jewelry were some pieces that have sentimental value that I am not ready to let go of even if I rarely wear it or not at all.

After setting the “give away pile” to the side, I focused on how to store the “keepers.”

Instead of dumping it all in a box, I decided I wanted to dump it in an attractive box.

I used a decorative contact paper I had recently bought and covered a hinged shoe box with it. Rummaging through my stash I found Velcro, imitation leather, and a lone blue button.

I set to work covering the outside of the box. I then cut out two pieces of leather in the shape of a strap and glued them together for sturdiness. Measuring carefully, I determined where the Velcro should be on the underside of the lid and attached it. Instead of placing the button at the bottom of the strap, I placed it on top just for color. Later I was able to place a title on the box indicating its contents. 

After sorting the jewelry by colors and sets  I placed them inside the box and stored it on a closet shelf.

FOOTNOTE: 

I came across this receipt during my decluttering. As of 2026 this receipt is thirty-five years old.

The Century Plaza Mallhas gone the route of so many malls of today. 

Century Plaza Mall

It no longer exists and has been replaced by an Amazon Fulfillment  Center.

That's it ***

Recliner Foot Rest Repair

 

Underside of foot rest.
😃Great condition, but I don't use that side.

 

Top side of foot rest. Worn from 

roughness and resting shoes on it .

1. Removed the worn part.

2.Underneath, cambric and thin

wood behind it.

 3. Used Gorilla Glue to glue down the loose vinyl.

1.Glued red felt over the cambric and wood .

2. Sewed a new cushion with extra stuffing.  Vinyl was purchased

from Hobby Lobby. NOTE: The new vinyl is better quality than what's on the chair.

3. Using velcro tabs to attach the new footrest cushion.

 

Open

Closed

Though it isn't professionally upholstered, it suits me just fine. The extra stuffing makes it even more comfortable than it originally was. 

That's it***🪑

I'm On a Purse Making Binge

A friend said she needed a cross body purse to take with her when she goes out walking. She asked me to make her one.

I ran into trouble when trying to sew vinyl . I don't own a teflon foot and if I have a walking foot, I don't know what it is. Using paper would have left behind residue.

Thank goodness for YouTube. The suggestion was to use baby powder where you plan to sew the seam. I didn't have baby powder but I had cornstarch. Eureka! it worked.
The machine wasn't too messed up. (It needed oiling anyway) and I was able to remove the cornstarch from the purse with a paper towel and water.

The crazed purse lady continues.
THAT'S IT ***

FALL CLUTCH

I surf the NET frequently to get ideas and inspiration for crafts. I came upon this clutch purse some time ago and saved it on my thumb drive on my inspiration page. (Not Pinterest) 

 Time ran out for this seasonal purse of dried rose petals and leaves on a white background..



The rose petal and leaves are probably silk.



I decided I'd do a fall clutch purse. I had the fabric in my stash of "projects never finished but won't throw it away." It's a piece of patterned orange linen. Perfect color for fall. I bought two bags of fabric table scatter leaves from the dollar store. 



orange patterned linen,roll of Stitch Witchery, silkish leaves from the Dollar Store



Each bag of leaves has 50 pieces



The leaves were in olive green, yellow and red/orange.




I'm aware that using linen is out of season but since most of it will be
 covered with the leaves and it IS orange I decided  to
use it.

 1.  I cut out two pieces of the orange fabric so that I could line the purse.

2. I put the lining to the side and worked with just the part that would have the leaves.
3. I couldn't decide if I wanted to glue on the leaves with OK To Wash It glue or use Stitch Witchery.
4. I decided on Stitch Witchery.
5. I cut a strip of Stitch Witchery and laid the leaves randomly across the strip. Using a paper bag as a pressing cloth I pressed the leaves onto the strip


It was not my intention to adhere the entire surface of the leaves to the fabric. I wanted it free in areas to add to the look and texture.

6. I sewed wrong sides together of the appliqued fabric and the lining, leaving a small open area to turn it inside out .
7. I folded the strip of decorated fabric in the form of a clutch purse  sewing the finished wrong sides together and boxing it at the bottom.
8. I sewed on a square of velcro also adding a button and elasticized loops on the ends for extra closure security.
FINISHED almost



The clutch purse opened




The clutch purse closed. You probably can't see it but I did
 sew the grid of stitches across the leaves as in the
inspirational purse at the top



AFTER THOUGHTS
*The leaves will be raveling because they didn't have finished edges which will make for a short life for this purse.
*Those leaves that were in the bends and folds of the purse with loose edges, I did use fabric glue to secure.
*I will probably add a strap to hang it on my wrist.
* I failed to mention that I tried to stiffen it some by ironing on interfacing to the lining before putting it all together. I thought about using cardboard but if it got wet that could be disastrous.
*There is a pocket inside. I didn't bother to post the picture because it didn't show up well.
* Lastly, I have got to learn to take better pictures.

THAT'S IT***