Winterize

Now that I live where I need things like scarves, hats, and gloves (unheard of in Phoenix), tutorials like this one from Down With Clutter really catch my eye. Two things I love: refashioning and sewing. And one thing I need: warmth. A great way to get more use out of those too small sweaters I seem to have an excess of!

See her tutorial for hat and mittens from a felted sweater here.

Window Treatments

Not sure where I would incorporate this idea, but I love it! Pelmet Boxes (did you know that's what they were called)-my kind of project. Cheap and easy!

See all the instructions from Little Green Notebook here.

Decorating for Fall

Living in Phoenix, we sort of missed out on the fall season. It went from hot as Hades to winter-a frigid 70 degrees, 65 if we were lucky. No changing leaves, warm Halloween costumes, or sweaters-but now all of that has changed. And to celebrate, I decided to make myself a wreath. But not just any wreath. A monogrammed wreath like this one from Nester. I haven't found the perfect letter V yet, but hopefully that situation will be remedied today.

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.

Bed Skirt

My bed desperately needs a bedskirt. And I desperately need to shove things under the bed and don't want everyone to see the mess. I have been contemplating different inexpensive ways that I could go about making myself one, but then I found the DIY Faux Bedskirt post at Living with Lindsay and my search was over. Easy. Functional. Perfect.

Now if I can just find the time to do it!

See all the instructions here.

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.

Change your shoes.

I have grossly neglected this blog. I continue to bookmark things, but then get too busy with my projects that I don't end up posting my favorites. I'm going to try and make up for the lack of posts this week.

Cute shoes!! Can you believe they are originally black and are just covered with fabric and mod podge?!? I've never really gotten the hang of Mod Podge, but this has motivated me to try it again!Tutorial from Make It and Love It here.

Picture Frame Bow Holder

Storey got quite a few new hair clips this weekend for her birthday (I have a good friend who makes them-lucky me!), but I have no where to keep them organized and from getting lost.

Here are a couple of ideas that I'm considering....
from Nannygoat. I've got to find a thrift shop frame for this one.


from Joy's Hope

Tissue Paper Pom Poms

I've seen poms on Etsy for $6 A PIECE!! So easy to make and so inexpensive. I may even put Zak on this job. I would like a few of these for Storey's new bedroom. I'm debating between poms and a fabric pendant banner. I think having both would be too much....

Martha Stuart's easy 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.

Mini Blind Makeover

If I wasn't renting, I'd pull down all the mini-blinds in the house and give them a makeover. I think the owners might have an issue with me cutting up their blinds, but it is an ingenius idea nonetheless. Instructions from one of my new favorite blogs, (add it to your Google Reader) Little Green Notebook, here.

Ruffle T-Shirt Refashion

It's been over a month since I've posted here, but I've been a little bit busy doing other things. I'm starting up again with another great t-shirt refashion. Trying to figure out how to make this one with sleeves. Hmmm....Full instructions from My Mama Made It here.

T Shirt Cardigan

I am surprised at how many simple tutorials I find for women's clothing. I think I'd make this a little longer (don't love the cropped cardigan), but it sounds so easy!

People are so creative, aren't they? This would have never occurred to me!

CraftStylish tutorial here.

One for the boys

I've been collecting thrifted ties for awhile planning to refashion them into smaller versions for Jak, without a definite plan for going about it.
Problem solved. Looks like I'm gonna go crazy with this one! New ties all around!

Full instructions from SEI Lifestyle here.

Man's Shirt to Woman's Blouse

I'd love to make this refashion and have it look good on me, but I'm afraid that it would turn into another shirt that I'd be accused of being pregnant in.
Tutorial from Jezze here.

"Hand Made" Flag

Love this flag art project from Serendipity.

Not sure if I'll get around to it this year, but putting it on my to-do list. Jakson might be a little more inclined to cooperate (or better understand my threats if he doesn't) next year. I can imagine that this might turn into an awful mess if he throws a tantrum half way through.

Another Onesie Dress

Found this version of a onesie dress today on Barefoot in the Kitchen. So cute!

Full tutorial here.

I promise that I sew things for Jakson too, but I don't normally have to find tutorials for them because I just use the same pants pattern over and over again :)

4th of July Dress

I have some adorable red, white, and blue fabric that I've been holding on to for the perfect project. Of course, the perfect project never comes along, so it just sits there looking pretty but not being used. Now that I know I'm going to be living near some awesome fabric shops, I'm a little more inclined to use it.

I really like the idea of taking a onesie that is a little too short or stained and turning it into a summer dress. In fact, I'm in love with this one from Cora's on Etsy. I think that I'll be making one of these for Storey this week with that hoarded fabric. Happy 4th! Full tutorial from One Artful Parent here.

Bandana quilt update: I was able to find some bandana fabric (no actual bandanas though) at the thrift shop, so I am hopefully going to come up with a pattern for the quilt that uses the fabric and a couple of bandanas from the dollar store. I'll post pictures when I am finished.

Another T-shirt refashion

I've been searching all over to find this tutorial after our computer crashed a few months ago and all of my bookmarks were lost. I'm adding it here because I do NOT want to lose it again! It's a fantastic t-shirt refashion!!Another little girl who sticks her tongue out all the time!!

Find the tutorial here.

T Shirt Skirt

Tyler (Zak's brother) had a friend who was moving home at the end of Spring semester, so I confiscated all of the clothes that she had planned to donate (hey-it's better than digging through the garbage or something).

A whole bunch of cotton shirts (that are way to small for me to actually wear) were among the freebies, so I've been searching for upcycling ideas and ran across this adorable skirt made from a man's polo on Epicurean Style.

I think a little skirt for Storey is in order.

Easy Fabric Bunting

Storey is getting mobile enough that I'm going to have to remove the bumper from her crib soon to keep her from using it to climb out. It's sad that my kids have the climbing gene and just can't resist the urge.

Her red crib is going to look quite bare once the bumper is removed, so I've decided to add a little color with a fabric bunting hanging on the outside. All I will need are some fabric scraps, homemade bias tape and some pinking shears. Check, check, and check.

Here's a few that I am loving:

Jek in the Box

Spring Chick

Imedegoze

Bandana Quilt

I am in love with this quilt from Mrs. D. Lightful. I have lots of blankets, but nothing that I feel comfortable using for picnics or watching fireworks-what if it got dirty? This, on the other hand, is perfect for such occasions. My goal is to get this one done before July 4th! I'm gonna try and find all the bandanas at thrift shops to cut down the cost.

Full details here.

Little Pants from T-Shirt

Storey and Jakson will both be sporting pants made with old shirts this winter (it's almost too hot to wear anything in Phoenix now). The knee patches are an incredibly cute touch.

Tutorial from MADE for pants here and adding patches here.Thankfully my brother in laws friend was throwing out a bunch of shirts when she moved out of her apartment and I snatched them up for repurposing. Perfect!

Anthropologie Top

Alexis, from My Mama Made It, has posted instructions for making a Anthropologie inspired top perfect for summer.

I hope to get around to this one. Looks really easy!Shirt tutorial here.

Zig Zag Quilt

I've been wanting to make a quilt big enough for me and found the perfect pattern on the Bee Square Blog.

The fabric for this one is sitting in my living room just waiting to be cut. I'm so excited!!

See the tutorial here.