Create Whimsy

Inspring makers and sharing their stories

Ashley Potts + Profile picture

Ashley Potts

Austin, Tx

A little more about Ashley . . .

 

What kind of creative projects are your favorite?

I love all sorts DIY…as long as it’s colorful and makes me smile. I lean towards home improvement at the moment as we remodel our 1975 generic home into a fun, colorful space!

When is your most productive time for creating?

It seems to hit me at the inappropriate times..I rearrange rooms before work and always start painting projects at night when the kid goes to bed!

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What is your favorite storage tip for your creative supplies?
I love old cracker, sugar and flour containers – the metal kind from my grandmothers. They are colorful AND have special memories associated, so it’s a double whammy!

Tell me more about your home dec projects. How often do you move your furniture, art and accessories around in your home?

I move furniture, artwork and accessories around every week! Why not, if it doesn’t work..I move it again. It’s a never ending process ’round here.

When you are in your creative mood, do you listen to music, watch tv or do you prefer a quiet spot? If it is music, what types do you listen to? If watching tv, what kinds of shows?

I always have TV on in the background..the usuals are HGTV and the cooking channel. I judge the people remodeling and wonder what I would do in their shoes and when listening to the cooking shows I wonder what it would be like to actually cook!!

Finished violet flame scarf draped over a spinning wheel

Violet Flame Woven Scarf

Starting with silk roving and hankies, I spun yarn to weave this scarf. I used my spinning wheel and loom to make a gift for a friend's special occasion.
Completed hat with an entire bouquet of flowers.

Pin Loom Woven Flowers

Last year I acquired a 4” pin loom at Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival..These little looms make easy little flowers to adorn a springtime hat or Easter bonnet.
yarn dyed with kool aid and the gloves made from the yarn

How to Dye Yarn with Kool-Aid

My guild challenge this year: 4 ounces of white wool and two packages of Kool-Aid. We dyed our fiber in the Kool-Aid and used it in a project. I knit…
multi-color Bead tube necklace

Peyote Stitch Bead Tube Necklaces

I started to make a bracelet, but I had so much fun making Peyote stitch bead tubes, I made a necklace! I strung and crimped my woven beads with other…
Finished garment highlighting the kimono bias covered holes

Hole-y Kimono!

Inspired by a trip to Japan are these silk bias bound holes. I had kimono fabric patches and a tunic pattern I drafted. Stitched by hand and machine.
blue beaded button

How to Make Beaded Buttons

Make a garment special with these unique and special beaded buttons that are easy to make.. All you need is a small piece of fabric, beads and a button kit.
Finished Embroidered Wool eReader Cover

Embroidered Wool eReader Cover

Protect an e-reader or tablet with personal style - for yourself or a gift. Basic sewing and easy applique and embroidery with cotton, felted wool and threads.
TARDIS ereader cover

TARDIS eReader Cover

Hand embroidery stitches transform a plain felted wool e-reader cover into something more playful. Cotton fabric lines the bag, and batting provided structure.
Finished baby blanket draped over the bassinet waiting for Jaelynn to arrive!

Jaelynn’s Bundle of Joy Blanket

Learning I was going to be a Great-Grandma, I knitted this baby blanket using the Bundle of Joy knitting pattern. This is perfect for a baby shower gift.
The perfect retreat workspace

Quilt Retreat Packing List

Nothing is more fun than sewing with friends, and having an efficient workspace. keeps right sewing machine, baskets, tools and notions close at hand.
Clouds and Ice peyote earrings by Chardel

Shaped Peyote Stitch Jewelry

I love the geometry of shaped peyote stitch. I can design a 3-D piece if I want, Delica cylinder beads nest perfectly. Gemstones accent the earrings.
Paper Pieced Kaleidoscope Quilt by Chardel

Paper Pieced Kaleidoscope Quilt

This is an original art quilt, drafted in Electric Quilt. I printed foundation papers from my pattern, taped them together, then on to sew, press, cut, repeat.
Close up of the peyote tube used as the toggle by Chardel Blaine

Netting and Fringe Beaded Lariat

I really have to pay attention when I bead with netting stitch! The black beads helped me keep track of the pattern. The peyote toggle clasp keeps it secure.