Glider Makeover

I don't love the fabrics on the "after" chair-but the concept is fantastic. You can pick up an ugly glider from Craigslist for about $25 and with a little patience, have a chair that looks brand new.

Tutorial and tips from Creative Little Daisy here.

Vintage Sheet Quilt

I need this quilt. Doesn't it remind you of spring???From Michelle DuPuis Picasa Web Album

Eco Travel Lid

When I was growing up, my mom used (new) plastic shower caps in lieu of Saran Wrap. It was a cheaper option and, although they weren't that good looking, could be used over and over again. I've never gone the shower cap route myself, but I really love this tutorial by Allyson Hill for Evo Travel Lids. Basically, it is the same concept, only better looking. I think I might make myself a few.

See the full tutorial here.

Ruffled Rainbow Streamers

Use the cheap paper streamers from the dollar store to make these ruffled banners. I really want to do this for the next party I host. They are so colorful and pretty. On second thought, maybe I'll make some and hang them up all year long.See the instructions from My Paper Crane here.

Adjustable Elastic Waist

My kids are so, so skinny. And I'm normally able to find adjustable waist pants at the thrift shop (where I buy all their clothes-why spend more than $1 when the kid is just going to get paint/pizza sauce/grass stains all over?) but sometimes I end up with a pair that isn't adjustable. Which means the kids go around sagging their pants. Not a great look for a teenage boy or a toddler. Thank goodness for Julie-K and her tutorial. She shares how to add an adjustable elastic waist yourself!See the tutorial here.

The Last Minute Frock

There are so many fantastic (free!) little girl dress patterns out there. And I have bookmarked all of them. Not gotten around to making many, but they are all filed away for future use.

This one is from Grosgrain (have you seen this blog-Kathleen is an amazing seamstress!)-The Last Minute Frock. I love it. Especially the color combination.Get the full pattern (scroll through the post and you will see the link to download) here.

Play Tent from Sheets

Oh, the possibilities! I've seen a lot of little tent tutorials, but not one has used something upcycled to make one-and we all know I love a good upcycle project. Living with Punks uses 4 sheets to create the tent. And a hula hoop. You could even make this out of vintage sheets for a completely different (and totally awesome) look. Living with Punks gives you all the instructions here.

Thinking Halloween?

I realize that it is way too early to start thinking Halloween costumes, but....I'm already thinking Halloween costumes. I saw this one a few months ago and immediately knew, I'm making this for Halloween 2011. Call me a freak, but my daughter is going to be adorable. There's not an entire tutorial for the costume, but Early Bird Crafting tells you where to find the instructions for each piece and the changes that she made. You can see her post about it here.

Book Pockets

Awhile I posted a similar idea for storing books near a child's bed (see it here), but this one attaches right to the bed-perfect for a top bunk or an IKEA loft bed (like my son's!). Great for storing books and other little treasures your child insists on having in bed.

There's not a full tutorial for this project, but Betz White gives some tips for making your own here.

Camera Strap with a Lens Cap Pocket

When I get around to making another project for myself-this is going to be it. I really like the handmade strap I have currently on my camera, but this one is so much more practical!! It has a little pocket right on the strap for the lens cap. And I'm always losing my dang lens cap (I need to start putting it in the same pocket every time). Fantastic solution from HoneyScrap!! See the tutorial here.

Party Dress Pattern

I don't normally love "froofy" dresses, but this one is just right-formal but still simple lines. And I love the wide sash!! I can imagine it in so many fabrics for so many occasions. Bookmarked it for Storey's Easter dress this year.The full tutorial (and pattern) from The Cottage Home here.

Ruffle Headband

I love these little headbands. You could even make the ruffle portion as a slipcover for an existing headband (I don't love the elastic going around my neck). A great project for fabric scraps!

Tutorial from Punkin Patterns here.

Polka Dot Mobile

Storey is almost too big for her crib at this point, but I think this mobile would be adorable over a "big kid bed" too. So simple, so cute.

See all of the instructions at Sew She Sews.

Girl's Handmade Jacket

This little jacket would be absolutely perfect for the winter's in a warm/non snowy locale. I hardly ever see FREE jacket patterns online for kids, so I bookmarked this one as soon as I came across it.

See the tutorial (and get the pattern pieces from Sew a Straight Line here.

For the boys

And perfect for the winter weather that has suddenly come upon us...the Lumber Jack Hat. Tutorial from Delia Creates here.

If I was still living in Phoenix....

I would definitely be making one (or two) of these carseat coolers to help beat the heat. I actually have a store-bought one that is similar, but this one is so much cooler (pun intended)!!

Tutorial from eighteen25 here.

If you haven't subscribed to this blog yet, you definitely need to add it to your list of "crafty reads"!!

Rainbow Bunting Quilt

You would think that I'd be totally sick of anything with a bunting on it by now, but I just can't get enough.

I may have to make one of these Rainbow Bunting Quilts (tutorial from a pretty cool life) for myself (my kids have enough quilts, right?). Seriously, adorable

My jeans WERE too long

I buy all of my jeans at thrift shops (except for the occasional Target splurge), which means that while I get them to fit me in the waist, I don't always get to choose the length. And apparently I am short because all of the jeans I buy tend to be too long.

Until now I've been piling them up then when I have a burst of energy and some spare time, I pick one out of the pile, cut the bottom off, create a new hem and sew it up.

That is time consuming.

So when I saw Stephanie's tutorial for hemming while keeping the original pant hem, I fell in love. And it is so easy. I fixed a pair of pants this week in less than 10 minutes. That's some kind of record.

Do yourself a favor and check out the tutorial here. You'll never go back.

I just can't get enough

I really can't get enough of these shirt refashions. I love this one from Liliash that uses the existing collar. So cute! Not sure if it would work so much for Storey because she's so tiny, but would be great for an older toddler! And uses my beloved elastic thread!

See all the instructions here.

Hanging Book Display

This is one of the MANY projects I want to complete for Jakson's room. He'll love having his books close by. He won't even have to get out of bed to put them away-no more excuses for books all over the floor!!

Find full instructions at Ohdeedoh here.