MakeShift Workshop: Himmeli

Something rather special has moved into my neighbourhood, and I really want to tell you all about it. For the past several months MakeShift (Brianne Sheppard and Calli Duncan) has been running these incredible DIY workshops.  Topics range from weaving to terrariums.  They have created a beautiful space in the Dallas neighbourhood of Kamloops where they run their workshops and events which is also available for private rentals.

When they offered their himmeli workshop I was so excited because it finally worked out in my schedule to attend.  Closer to the date however I realized I wasn't going to have childcare that evening, but I needn't have worried.  Brianne and Calli were totally happy to have me bring Little Forager and a play pen, and even helped entertain him when he started getting upset about not being part of the crafting action!  There he is below trying to see what we are all making, and also playing with some cups and someone's keys.

Himmeli are traditional Finnish ornaments that are usually associated with Christmas.  They were originally made of straw from the previous year's harvest.  Legend has it that the larger and more ornate the himmeli the better the following year's harvest would be.  Our himmeli were made from more modern material - in this case thin copper and brass pipe with wire to hold it all together.  Another more modern feature was the air plant that sits perfectly in the geometric ornaments.  These himmeli look beautiful hanging or just sitting pretty on a shelf or table.

If you are local I highly recommend making it out to a workshop if you can!  Check out their website and sign up for their mailing list to be the first to find out about upcoming workshops and events!  Tickets tend to go quickly, so sign up early if you see something you want to be a part of!

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This review was not sponsored by MakeShift.

Make a Rug

I have been wanting some area rugs in our place for quite some time, but the ones I like are not priced in a way that they could ever be an impulse purchase.  When it comes to saving up for one there has always been something more important than floor fabric so my dreams were never realized.

But wait!  One day I realized - I have a ton of scrap fabric, and why couldn't I look for techniques to make that into my own rugs? 

Here is one result that is incredibly easy to accomplish and just as simple to care for.

HOW TO MAKE THIS

1. Cut up old tshirts into long strips (like one tshirt should be one super long strip).  Usually I just do the midsection and use the rest as cleaning rags.
2. Decide on the size you need and knit it up!  I used size 10 needles and garter stitch.  I didn't count my stitches, but guessed on the size I would need.

If you need to wash your rug it is super easy (this is why I decided to make this type for my kitchen).  Since it is just old tshirts you can just throw it in the washing machine and also tumble dry!  

I am loving it so far and the chunky knit makes it much more comfortable to stand for a while at the sink doing dishes or peeling produce.  An extra bonus is that it gives life to old things that were going to be discarded!