Wednesday 7 July 2010

So my desk this week, well as you can see I was able to get near my desk, thats because I had a good tidy up of the floor lol This photo was taken a couple of days ago, it is a huge pile of jeans.

Right now I have a pile of legs, a pile of pockets, a pile of waistbands and zips, and a pile of seams and discarded bits...




and why am I cutting up jeans? to make bags of course, silly question really!

Those that have read my blog for the past couple of years will know that the previous 2 years I have made toys from socks to send on a convoy of aid to Eastern Europe, to deprived children, one parent families and orphanages.

My good friend Pete is going again this year, and I didn't fancy making a ton of toys I decided to make bags instead. It is not just a case of asking for donations, though Pete does have to do this, he also has to raise money for the trip. He is solely responsible for filling his van with aid, as as I type this he is doing a 170 mile walk to raise money.

This is Pete's JustGiving page if you can spare a couple of pounds, it would really help. The convoy goes in September, so I have till then to make bags.....aside if anybody wants to send me their old jeans to make bags that would be great too..(sorry I cannot offer postage) I plan to line the bags with various oddments of fabric, if you have anycotton or poly cotton fabric in colours suitable for boys/girls in pieces no smaller than 14inches x 14inches then be assured they will go to a good home.

The other day I was having a discussion with my friend Sue, about how we bookmark favourite websites of things we would like to make...and then promptly forget to ever look at them again, she suggested making a creative board and printing out pics from websites....so here is mine. It is a huge cork board, not very pretty butiti does the job. I gave it this title as all the things on it are from websites. On most of the pics i also stuck the website.



what's the bet it will get totally filled with pictures but i won't actually get around to making any of them???

At the moment it is propped up behind my cricut, as there really is nowhere else for it lol


On Saturday we went for an ice cream and a wander on the beach. My friend Effie is always on about her beach game that she plays with a friend...

The Rules:
1.find a bit of string
2.find a stone with a hole in, tie it on the string, this is now the weight that hangs down
3.find as many interesting things as you can, they must all have holes in to be able to tie them on
best/most interesting wins...

Ian wouldn't join in, can't imagine why....actually he picked up a bit of wool, discarded it then gave up in favour of taking photos. So I went off collecting on my own. As you can see i wandered quite a long way, it does look like I am taking a small dog for a walk, but it was in fact a kettle!



I got a babies dummy/pacifier, a shoe,a metal ring, some plastic rings,a cup,an iron and a kettle!

I also saw a printer,some washing up gloves,a bin and a couple of camping gas bottles, all you could need to set up home lol

Needless to say I wasn't allowed to bring my treasure home, had i done so it would now be a wonderous piece of art....ah well, c'est la vie!

39 comments:

  1. That board is a really good idea. Have just had a sort out of my pre-pregnancy clothes (being realistic about what I will never fit back into) and am sure there were some jeans there so will be quite happy to send them too you. x

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  2. I love all your ideas and I will have a look around for jeans and material - if I find enough stuff that will be worth sending you will get a package from Slovenia!
    Hugs,
    Cardarian

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  3. Sorry Darcy, just had a clear out and it all went in the rag bag for school!! Fab idea tho..

    Have just bought one of the kits from 3D Jean to make one of those gorgeous bags you did the other week... Can't wait for it to come!!

    Kirsti xx

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  4. Men!... they just have no sense of adventure!

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  5. What a shame that all that junk was on the beach in the first place though - but what a great game!!

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  6. What fab idea to make bags from the denim just sent all ours to air ambulance or could have sent to you!Love your friends game for beach ,just shows what people discard on the sand and in the see.
    have agood day
    hugs judex

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  7. great beach game! and love your idea re the cork board!

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  8. Hi Darcy
    oh i have a bag made from a pair of jeans, luv the beach piccies, what a fun idea with the string, have good day, sue,x

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  9. I really like the idea of a cork board for web sites. I think we all probably do that. What a clever way to keep ideas fresh and at hand.

    Sorry, dear, but I haven't worn jeans for about 10 years. Sweats in the winter, biker shorts in the summer, and nightgowns in the house. Besides, the postage would eat me alive to send from the States. But I sure applaud your efforts and I'm sure your friend does, too.

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  10. the idea's board is a great one ! ..might have to give this a try x

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  11. that's a very clever board, great idea. And I laughed at your string of treasures =)

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  12. Hiya

    that board is a fantastic idea! I love how you are using up all those jeans! its fabulous what your friend is doing

    Joey.xxx

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  13. I have just spotted a great pair of jeans that will make a fab bag ... problem is ... he is wearing them today :0)

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  14. What a great game - I will add this to the list for our holiday!

    Recycling is great and I'm sure your bags will go down really well!

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  15. I am glad I am not the only one to bookmark and then not be able to find when I want it. Love the board idea

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  16. Wow you are going to be busy making all those bags so good luck.
    Elaine

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  17. I have folders like that too, Mo's, Bugaboos Dustin Pikes, ohoooh it's nice to know!! Sorry about the clown, I had that feeling when I did her/him (does it matter?) that there are people out there that are very scared of clowns, so...just for that you can choose something for me to draw for next week!! A worm?? a gnome, a fairy?? (these have already been requested!!)
    (Lyn)

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  18. Hi darcy - I give to amnesty interntional monthly as my chosen charity - and give generously to all my local friend that do wonderful charitable works, so I will give a pound or two, but can regretfully not make any kind of ongoing supprt, however, I do have a basket full of sutton bunnie sock pets if you want them to go off with your bags?

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  19. Well done with the bags project. Can we see some pics when they are made?

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  20. I love beach combing too :-)
    Good luck with the jean bags and the money raising.
    A x

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  21. Fab beach game... I've just dismantled a pair of jeans yesterday too :)
    C
    xx

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  22. What a great thing your friend is doing, hope the bags all turn out ok.

    Hugs
    Brenda

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  23. Love the beach game! Good luck with the bags too!

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  24. That board iea is great - I might do something similar with pics I cut out from magazines which go in a folder/drawer never to be seen again..good luck wiht the bags and raising oney, am gonna pop over the site when I've done browsing desks!! Happy WOYWW Esther x

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  25. Hi Darcy - have a look here: http://donnarodgers.blogspot.com/2010/06/woyww.html

    I can mail you one for physical inspection for you to check they are 'safe' then if you want them you are welcome to have them as a donation to your cause...

    they are hypoallergic stuffing and the hand sewing with the button is so that you can tell that nothing is loose, there are no sharp bits and they are fairly robust - i wouldn't give them to an under three incase the button came off - but you could take off the buttons if you wanted...

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  26. Great board - good luck with the bag making!

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  27. The jeans bags sound amazing ...maybe you should sell us some too ...you have so much work in front of you.

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  28. Hey Darcy! Thanks for checking out my Paper Trail project that I did. Your blog is fun, such creative stuff out here between this cool charity thing you are doing, the art & oh those cupcakes - especially those with raspberries! Sandi

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  29. Bags from jeans! What a great idea :)
    *hugs* Heather x

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  30. Great game. We're always at the beach and that would be nice to do, especially as it will help in the cleaning up too! I've always planned to make bags out of jeans I buy at what we call ukay-ukay here in the Philippines! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  31. Good luck with the bags and love the board idea too - I print things off and shove them in a folder never to be looked at again (have no idea why I do it but I do!).

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  32. I shall have to give the beach game a try.. thats if i can get my OH to take me to the beach in the first place!!! great corkboard, i have a little book i fill with ideas but as of yet it hasn't seen any making action lol

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  33. What a huge philanthropic gesture your friend Pete makes - I wll visit his ghiving page at a more lesiurely mo. Love the idea of the jeans bags...you will show and tell, huh!

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  34. Good luck with making the bags and good luck to your friend Pete too. What a wonderful thing to do.

    Lesley Xx

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  35. Love the idea of the ideas board and the beach game will be a future must have a go. I'd love to see the bags you make. Great idea but also could be a great fundraiser to sell them here.

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  36. Ok, girlfriend, gotta be in the know...how did you do the two pages, home and recipes on your blog? I want to do that too lol...also, Laura Denison has a facebook fan page listed by Laura Denison designs...I think you can go to it from my Facebook page, Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs. Hugs, thanks and can't wait to follow your blogs...

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  37. Enjoyed reading this post...what a special man Pete is and you too for making all those bags...great idea.. and so worhwhile..Well done to you and Petexxx Love the beach artwork and the pinboard of inspirations.
    Karenxxx

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  38. Hi Darcy! Cant wait too see what you come up with on the bag front with all that denim!! I love bags, been looking for a casual across body style bag but to no avail so if your in the market for selling any when your done making let me know ok!! Cheers for the Pro Marker tip's. I did get a couple of fine liner's with them so will have a go at drawing something soon!
    Lavinia
    x

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