I've been crafty!

Well, after some weird allergic reaction that sent me to the doctor then the hospital 2 days later, I've had plenty of time away from school to get into my creative spirit again.  I finally caught up on a little housekeeping and picture hanging (hey, it only took me 3 months to hang those pictures) and some redecorating.

I had purchased these old, crocheted doilies a few months back at my church yard sale.  I knew they would have great futures but I had not found the right shirt just yet.  Until Thursday.  My daughter and I finally had some time to just walk around and window shop at antique and thrift stores since we were out of school for a short fall break.  That's when I found this great oatmeal colored, long sleeve sweater for $1.50.  So, the doilies go on the shoulders like so...

After sewing them on with a zigzag stitch, I decided to cut away the fabric underneath to expose the shoulders.  I really love how it turned out and I got lots of compliments when I wore it to the football game.

So now here's my selfie in my $2 sweater that looks like it came from a boutique, paired with my $1 infinity scarf I made.  I think it looks pretty sweet!

Happy crafting!  Until next time...

It's been a while but here's a new project

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I've posted here!  I've been busy but that's no excuse.

I have completed several projects but here's the one I'm most proud of right now.  I have sewn leather for the very first time!

I got this nice suede skirt on Listia, a website where you can get rid of your stuff for points and then redeem your points for free stuff that other people are giving away.  I really had hoped to wear this skirt as is.

 

Sadly, this caramel number was just too tight.  So, I stuffed it in my closet to think about what I wanted to make out of it or lose enough weight so it would fit.  

Fast forward a few weeks to a weekend beach getaway.  I was shopping some high end outlets for a new purse but just could not bring myself to pay $109 for a designer purse, that's with 60% off.  Then, I remembered my lonely little suede skirt sitting on a shelf in my closet.

So, I get the seam ripper and went to work.  I separated the bottom half of the skirt from the top.

Next, well, there are several steps but basically I sewed the bottom of the skirt together, hemmed it all up nicely, cut a strip from the top half to make the strap for my purse, and used some of the belt loops to add decorative Xs on the sides of the bag.

I did not line my purse but it was my first time using leather to make a purse.  I've made plenty of fabric bags before but this was a bit challenging.  But I liked it!  I can't wait to go browsing thrift stores and yard sales for some leather skirts, jackets, etc.  I will be sure to buy heavy duty needles next time since I broke 3 needles making this.  I also made a cute little tassel for the slouchy flap.  I still have some tweaking to do and I'm looking for just the right vintage button to go on the front for the tassel closure but I really like my new leather bag.

Until the next craft, count your blessings!

New (to me) summer dress

I needed a cute summer dress to wear to the library today with the little one.  I have LOTS of fabric so I grabbed a tank top to make my breezy tank dress.  (Sorry, I didn't take before shots of all my materials.)

See?  Green tank top plus floral, vintage cotton fabric added.  I had to wear another tank under it but I like the layered look and I feel a little more confident that way.  I also added this sweater refashion and a light brown belt.  The sweater was a freebie and I actually cut it up the middle to make it into a cardigan!

Here's the look without the cardigan.  I like it both ways.  Cardigan makes it school appropriate (which is good) and without makes it summer evening appropriate.

The "I'm-not-looking-at-the-camera" pose.  I love my new dress.  What do you think?

Be blessed!

Design Re-do

OK.  So this post has nothing to do with my kids.  It is a design re-do.  I was inspired by the new show Flea Market Flip.  I love that show!  There was an episode where one of the teams found some chairs, painted them high gloss black and reupholstered the cushions with burlap.  I loved the look.

Not the original from the show, but you get the idea.

Well, here's what I had - 2 chairs from an old dining room set that we now use as a computer desk.  We don't use all the chairs that came with the table so this is perfect.  Cost $0 (well, we paid $100, I think, for the dining set many years ago when we actually used it as a dining table).

Not bad but I want my vision.  Start with black paint.  All over the chair.  Both of them.  Let it dry, then lightly sand the edges and the seat.  Now it's coming together.

I have several jute feed sacks that we got years ago for a family reunion we were hosting.  We used them for family sack races but they've been sitting in a box for years.  I cut one of them to make two cushions/pillows for my chairs.  I wanted the graphic print to show because I am putting this in a corner where I have a painting of Memphis and I wanted that to tie together.  I had a brown, round table that I just moved to this new spot.  I love it!  Now it just needs some crate shelving on the right wall and a rug to finish this entry area.  I am working on the rug - crocheting tee shirt yarn.

What do you think?  I hope it will serve as a little homework area for the little one when school starts back in August.

Be blessed!