EUROPEAN STREET TEAM CHALLENGE

I am very happy and proud to have won last week's Team Challenge, as proposed by DonauLuft, where the theme was WATTLE--- anything grid-like, braided, wattled,... basket work ...

You can have a look at all the lovely entries by clicking here.

The new theme this week is:
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RECYCLE
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I am interested in seeing "throwaway" elements turn into something beautiful because we make something of them, instead of throwing them out.


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Please send me TWO photos: one of your materials BEFORE you begin crafting, and then AFTER your creation is complete,
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so that we can see the transformation between the potentially reject elements and the magic you have performed! Send me your two photographs in convo, with a very brief description if you wish to explain anything about your idea or process (keep it short, please!).



Deadline: Monday 17th May, 19:00 (GMT+1hour)

Winner will be announced at 22:00 that same evening.

I look forward to seeing your entries and wish you lots of inspiration and fun.

HERE ARE THE CHALLENGE ENTRIES:

1.RETRO ORANGE DAISIES PEASANT DRESS by KajaDesign (Sweden)

Kaja recycled a duvet cover from the DDR, to make this lovely girly summer dress.

2.BOOKMARKS by Nancy van den Boom (Netherlands)

Nancy made bookmarks by recycling an old painting she was no longer fond of, and decorating them with an old earring. (They were sold very shortly after being listed!)

3.STERLING SILVER DANGLE EARRINGS WITH CARNELIAN DISCS by BacaCara (Germany)

BacaCara purchased the broken sterling chain with beads at a flea-market. She used the undamaged sections of the chain to make these earrings.

4.ECO-FRIENDLY NEWS GIFT BAG by CloudberryLand (Finland)

Ioulia made this funky gift bag using an old Norwegian newspaper.

5.POLKA-DOT LOTUS EARRINGS by RelyDesign (Italy)

RelyDesign crafted this pretty pair of flower-shaped earrings by recycling paper. The paper flower is protected and made durable with glue and varnish. Isn't that so clever?

6.LOOSE-MESH CROCHET TUNIC by Joik (Finland)

Joik created this magical blue tunic by re-using old yarn. The main yarn is from a thrift shop, and the lighter blue parts in hem and collar are from her granny's yarn basket.

7.SILVER-BRASS-HOOPS by DonauLuft (Austria)

DonauLuft thought up this very original way of re-purposing the brass-ball endings of worn-out guitar strings. Now that's what I call hoops with a melody to them! Read more about how DonauLuft crafted these astounding hoops on her blog.

8.PINK STAR BROOCH by P8Accessories (Germany)
P8 used a star-shaped, plastic linen-yarn spool and a great amount of fantasy to make this very imaginative decorative brooch. You can find more pictures and a detailed description of the process on her blog.

9.ROW OF HOUSES NECKLACE by FluxPlay (U.K.)
FluxPlay reversed the "recycle at home" concept, recycling into homes reclaimed fragments of tin, thus creating a terrace of exquisite, happy miniature homes.

10.NEW EARRINGS by KirschBits (Germany)
KirschBits crafted these wonderfully delicate new earrings, using the intricate spiral wires of an old pair that was too heavy to wear and that came apart. More detailed information here on her blog.

11.PURPLE FLOWER BROOCH by Alatvian (Latvia)

When the decorative flower on the candle holder that Alatvian received as a gift some time ago came off, she cut some caked glue, sewed on a brooch pin and... voilà! There's a new creation for you. Something with taste, and no waste!

12.SAKURA PENDANT by LucieTales (France)

Lucie started with a piece of aluminum offset sheet which she handformed using 2 techniques: raising and repousse. The sakura flower was then sewn on top of a little cushion made from an antique unbleached linen bed sheet. The center of the flower is part of an old metal snap button. All the other materials are vintage.
You can visit LucieTale's blog here for further information on her crafting.

13.RING-HOLDER CASE by Kosmika (Italy)
Kosmika crafted this jazzy ring holder-case using leftover fabric from the crafting of pot-holder, and the extra tryout antenna she made as part of a ladybird costume for a friend's daughter.

14. PEACOCK BROOCH by KnittingCate (Italy)

KnittingCate crafted this colourful peacock brooch by recycling the pop-tabs from soft drink cans. Would you ever have been able to guess, without the "before" picture?

15.BIB NECKLACE by FlorigamiGirl (France)

Flori used tiny strips of felt that she usually gives to the local playgroup for making collages. The strips were rolled up, sewn to a backing of vintage French linen covered with felt, and finished off with a grosgrain ribbon.

16.SUMMER FLOWER NECKLACE by BijouxDelloStregatto (Italy)
BijouxDelloStregatto recuperated the metal flower from a vintage 70's-80's belt, worked other turquoise beads into the piece and created this totally unique necklace.

17.BLOOM NECKLACE IN IVORY SAGE AND LILAC by FleurFatale (Belgium)
FleurFatale made these exquisite leather flowers by recycling leather from bags found at the thriftmarket. What a transformation! Read more here, on her blog.

18.BOOKMARKS by MatkirschPhotos (Germany)
MatkirschPhotos made these bookmarks by recycling some very old photos he took years ago with his point and shoot camera. Special announcement: he will be giving away these bookmarks for free to the first person who convos him!

19.DRESS by PieceUnique (France)
PieceUnique, who actually specializes in textile creations made from recycled materials, crafted this very hip-trendy woman's dress (size 40) from 5 second hand T-shirts dress using some old clothes.

20.ECOLOGICAL BROOCH PIN by DreamsCorner (Italy)
This wonderfully delicate flower brooch was thus made by DreamsCorner: the bottom of a plastic bottle was cut out and then seared around the edges with a lighter, the edges and petals then painted using old nail varnish, whilst the centre of the flower is decorated with various small elements (buttons, beads, etc.) and the flower then attached to the pin with hot glue.

21.FELTED LETTER "Y" by Viltalakim (Netherlands)
This wondrous letter Y (alas, not for sale!) was created by Viltalakim by patiently piecing tiny bits of cut off felt together. I wonder who will be the lucky recipient of this colorful masterpiece.
Well, if you are curious too, have a look here.

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THE CHALLENGE IS NOW OFFICIALLY CLOSED.

I am very pleased at the abundance and variety of ideas that have come up in this challenge.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all participants for their entries.

I already know it will be very difficult for me to name the most interesting piece this evening, so I'll be following Nancy's van den Boom's example and calling a Family Council after dinner before announcing the Winner.

And the winner was.... click here.