Every once in a while I come up with something so smart, so cute, so useful, so great I can't even believe how amazing I am.
Then the fella walks by and says, I don't like it.
And just like that I'm locking myself in the nearest closet to pout and second guess myself.
Although I don't tell him that because ... to do so would be admitting defeat. And ... it would be stupid. But I did second guess myself. And the truth is, to make anyone second guess themselves, there has to a teeny, tiny bit of self doubt niggling away at the back of their brain (behind the part that stores the first number from your locker combination in highschool) already.
The fella, who thinks he knows me better than I do, said it wasn't "me". It was too kitchy. Too ... stupid.
You aren't posting about that are you?
Well. Yes, that was the plan.
You shouldn't.
Oh.
So here I am posting about something the fella doesn't like, but I do, although I agree with him that it could be better.
The thing is ... it's as handy as a pocket on a shirt.
It is kitchy. A little bit like something you'd find in a 1970's crafting book with two hippies wearing brown and gold crocheted vests on the cover.
But since putting it up and can't stand the thought of taking it down. It eliminated the pencil / pen holder I had on my desk all last year. Which I loved, but always looked a tiny bit messy and took up desk space.
PLUS, after I took these pictures I realized the small notebook I use every day to jot things down fit inside the pocket perfectly.
So while I'll agree I could, and probably will, improve on this (I'd prefer white Levi's for instance with a painted white embroidery hoop) I still love it and the fella can suck it. The last crafting adventure he embarked on was Crazy Gluing my finger together. What does he know.
So the pocket stays. Because ... it's as handy as a pocket on a wall.
Mary Werner
IF one kitchy item is displayed but in a sleek, stylish room such as yours - it is really cool. I love it. I love that it is blue jeans in hoop and not altered. If it were white washed it may pretend to be sleek and stylish but would scream kitchy and blend into the background. Show it with pride - own it. You did good!
Alixandra Bouchard
Paint splatters. All jeans need paint splatters.
Chris
very clever and I like it! but then, I crafted back in the '70s.
Thera
A touch of kitchy never killed anyone, I like it.
Candice
Showed this to my hubby this morning. Sorry, we both have to go with the fella on this one...but love the idea of using the embroidery hoop as a frame.
Sandy
I like it!!
Tisha
Really neat way to repurpose jeans. My jeans always seem to give out at the knees first so I usually cut them off and wear them as jorts for awhile. Now if I just had some use for the leg pieces after I do that... Karen? Any ideas?
kathryn
not long ago i saw a great online how-to for making a fab draught excluder using jeans legs but i'm darned if i can find the link now...
i love your peeping tom wall pocket Karen - and Mindy's name for it.
kfh
KarenJ
Love it!
What does the fella know?
He ran a tough mudder - right? So technically he's a little off:)
Karen
Good point. Excellent point in fact. ~ karen
Rebecca
Love it! Your gut feeling should ALWAYS veto the Fellas...
Jenny
I can remember the first 2 numbers of my locker combination AND I still think you are BRILLIANT :) Making this for my teen son to hang over his desk.
Moe
What a great idea.. love it.
jamie
Wow! And i thought i was the only one that still remembered my high school locker 27-37-15. 25 years later and i still have it! Steal trap that brain of mine!
dana
Love it, Karen! But I can never stop when I do things like that. I would end up with jeans sewn into flowers and pinned to the lampshade, a mug rug from the jeans, and a seat cushion made from jeans.
Amie
Genius! I'm sitting in the Apple store waiting for my ass-head computer to be fixed and I just laughed like a lunatic at this. Needless to say, they all think I mad now.....
Kate
That desk has a drawer. How much stuff is crammed in that, that a pencil or two won't fit?
Mindy
I love it. Although, it's almost like looking at a butt through a lens. Or a Peeping Tom hole. There ya go. I've named it for you. Peeping Tom Wall Pocket. You can thank me later.
Oh, I also agree colored or white jeans would be cute. Maybe even with embroidery on the pocket. 70's? Yes. Still cute? Sure, why not?!
Delphine
Superb! What else can I say? Seriously, people sit around all their lives trying to dream these things up and you - you just came up with it. It's bloody marvellous.
Julie
To this day, my high school combination lock number is the only one I can remember. Good thing I haven't lost it yet!
Also, I think your new pencil holder is clever and since you are clever, it fits!
Karen
Thanks Julie. My mother, Betty loves it if that counts! ~ karen
Tricia Rose
That looks like a brand new pair of jeans...
Karen
Bought em at a second hand store for $3. They were too big. Looked weird on. Much better on the wall. ~ karen
Janet
I actually really like it but I think, and I'm dating myself here, you should add one of those folding Avon combs everyone had in their back pockets in the 70's/80's. Then it will be truly complete!
Karen
LOL, I don't know the folding Avon comb. I was an 80's gal but all I remember from that time was Anaise Anaise perfume. :) ~ karen!
Violet
In the 70s in Southern California, if you didn't have one of these in the back right pocket of your Levis or Dittos, you were a total dork:
http://www.phenomsworld.com/images/comb1.jpg
I still have a few of mine. A lot of times, they were that tortoiseshell kind, but bright or pastel solid-colored ones were more popular. When you found one in a new color, you wet yourself and bought it on the spot. (I once scored one that was swirly pink, mint green, and white. Hey, it was cool at the time!) I still come across them in stores sometimes.
Kids today demand PlayStations and iPads and iPhones, but in the 70s all we needed was a comb to make us happy. Or finding our dads' stash of porn. Simple pleasures.
I think your Pen Pal Pocket is super cute! The only reason it looks kitschy and 70s is because it's dark denim. White would be PERFECT for you. Faded worn denim would be awesome, too. Garden shabby chic!