About six weeks ago, I received a special package in the mail from Westminster Fabrics — a happy little pile of Denyse Schmidt’s legacy re-launch of Flea Market Fancy. Now I was seriously tempted to hoard, er stash it like Gollum and start muttering “My Precious,” but my Good Shoulder Angel told me I should share at least a little bit of it. Bad Shoulder Angel was none too cool with this, because I never really got Flea Market Fever the first time, and only had a little bit of it tucked away by the time I knew it was worth 30 times its original price on eBay.
So here’s what I did. I sent bundles of it out to four friends (still keeping plenty for myself, thanks to Bad Shoulder Angel) who have been so generous with me in the past. With the fabric, I sent a note inviting them to make something from the bits and share with us here at GenQ. I told everyone that this was not a mere ploy to pressure them into making something for us, but if they had the time and wanted to, that would be grand. If they did not have the time, they were to simply enjoy the fabric.
So far, two friends have said “Yes!” And today we bring you Melissa Peda’s project called Hang Ups.
Here’s what Melissa had to say about her project:
“Having fabric around 24/7 means overhearing a lot of conversations. You know that fabric speaks, right? Most of the time, at least in my house, it’s clamoring for attention. “Pick me! Pick me! No, pick me!!” You have to tune it out or you’d never hear yourself think. There are times when the fabric doesn’t seem to be speaking your language, but you forge ahead anyway. That’s when you realize something got lost in translation. But for the most part, the fabric speaks clearly and explains just what to do.
That’s what happened with this little bunch of Flea Market Fancy scraps. A small wooden craft hanger was waiting in the “Someday I’m Gonna Sit Down And Craft My Heart Out” bin. A bit lonely, not too happy. Until the Flea Market Fancy started whispering. I listened and agreed. This was a good combination. This could work. A few cuts with the rotary cutter, some simple sewing and voila! A purposeful little hanging pocket that will store letters, bills, receipts, notes, coupons, etc.
You don’t have to worry about listening to your stash. A simple guide will get you through the project in no time. All you have to do is pick one of the clamoring bunch.”
Melissa is definitely from our crowd. You know, the crowd that listens to whispering fabric and goes out looking for more whispering fabric friends often. In fact if you want to see more of Melissa’s work check out her website. AND be sure to get our premier issue because Melissa has a groovy project in there that you won’t be able to resist. (And all of your fabrics will be whispering to you to include them in the project.)
Look for another Flea Market Fancy project from another dynamite designer coming up soon. Meanwhile, enjoy Melissa’s project below. And, as always, click anywhere on the instructions to download a printable PDF of the project.
COMMENT #1
Thank you Melissa- that’s a new peg bag sorted! 🙂
COMMENT #2
LOVE this project!!!!! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
COMMENT #3
Melissa is full of great ideas! And her new website is beautiful and well organized. This would be a great travel pouch for cosmetics too!
COMMENT #4
Great project Melissa! I can think of so many great uses. Very cute!
COMMENT #5
Hmmmm…I have been having trouble with organizing lately…….
COMMENT #6
Love this hang up. thanks for sharing.
COMMENT #7
Melissa ROCKS!!! You can never go wrong with anything she does. Her creativity…her designs….she is one of the most inspiring people I know. Seriously. She has been a huge part in my ‘thinking outside the box’ ideas. She’s just wonderful!
COMMENT #8
I have one of those…”someday I’m gonna sit down and craft my heart out” bins, too! Love this project so much – it’s perfect for that someday. I’ll have to make sure that day arrives soon!