Tuesday, April 5, 2011

T Shirt Tuesday: T Shirt Totes








Hold onto your hats folks... this is the easiest project ever!

These cute T shirt totes have been all over the blog land for a while and I finally got around to making some... So here they are. We are talking 5 minutes worth of work and total cuteness.


Gather your supplies because this is a quick ride!

Old Shirt

Pins (completely optional)

Scissors or rotary cutter or both (unless you are a savage beast and can rip knit...)

Dinner plate (or sharp eyeballing it technique)

Sewing machine and thread



Step 1: Cut the sleeves off of your T shirt. I know what you are thinking... this looks a little, well, how do I say this... "redneck." Please don't be offended. I hemmed and hawed about what term to use here and then realized that this is part of who I am, where I'm from and what I am proud of. This is a style my brother Jim (love you...) is completely comfortable sporting, and I can show you how to jazz it up next week...


Step 2: Use the dinner plate as a guide to cut a large half circle out of the neck line. Eyeballers, this is your moment to shine! You can go ahead and "eyeball it." (I love to think I can eyeball it. I should attach several images of projects that prove that I have no eyeball ability whatsoever.)


Step 3: Pin the bottom of your shirt. "Turn your shirt inside out and pin the bottom together" silly. Oh and by the way, I may not be a great eyeballer, but I did a perfectly wonderful job of skipping this pinning nonsense on totes #2 and #3. (I know, so naughty and talented!)

Step 4: Sew the bottom seam. I gave it 2 good runs with my machine, just to be extra official...Enjoy your new super fabulous T Shirt Tote!


The one with the peace signs is Kiley's. She has big plans to take it with her to the Community Center and to sleepovers.






Come on, you know you want one... Take 5 minutes. Make one or ten!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Dear Bench





Dear Bench,

I have been looking for you for months. I want to take you home and paint you and make pretty pillows for you so you feel super special. Why are you hiding and teasing me so? I know you are out there. I have waited for you at Goodwill, I have looked for you on Craigslist. I will do whatever it takes to have you in my home. (OK, not anything, but I will go to extremes...)


Your ugly cousins are all creeping on me. I see them everywhere. They are at Goodwill, they are on Craigslist, they are sitting at the end of people's driveways. I don't want them, I want you.


So show your face dear sweet, lovely, bench with a curved back and no storage compartment.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

I Had a Vision...

From across the thrift store, I spotted the most amazing print... My heart skipped a beat and I rushed in a not looking like I was rushing sort of way. (This was so other thrifters would not see my excitement and in turn rush to where I was rushing to get what I was wanting to get. Yes, I believe/ know this to be true...)
ONE PROBLEM...


There is enough skirt here for me and one of my kids.

Think, woman, think. Can I use this to make something fabulous?


I had a vision...


I snatched this baby up and took her home.

The skirt was made from 4 panels, so I removed 1 1/2 panels and created a new side seam.

Paired with a belt and a tank we have a new semi fabulous dress for $2.99! I am in love.


Now let's work on my photography skills...

Oh, and some actual, real live spring weather...


Did you know that "thrifters" is not a word in the blogger spell check? Seriously?!

It should be.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

T Shirt Tuesday: Pretty Little Tank

To make today's "Pretty Little Tank" you will need : -tank top - narrow lace or trim - wide lace or trim - thread to match - sewing machine



First make a ruffle out of your narrow lace. There are many ways to do this...

I use the longest stitch length on my machine and sew all the middle. Pull the bottom thread to create a ruffle.




Pin your narrow ruffle to the middle of the wide lace.


Sew the ruffle to the lace. Find the middle of your tank and mark it so you know where to attach the lace. (I did this by folding the tank in half and matching up the straps.) Pin the lace to the middle of your tank.
Stitch to attach your embellishment to your tank.




Admire your work!




I am all about instant gratification projects and this was a snap.

Less than 30 minutes ... That's my kind of project!



Monday, March 28, 2011

Meet Frank


Meet Frank..Frank was 3Bucks!



Yes, Frank is so ugly he's cute, but I love him.




If someone breaks in and is not scared off by Frank or my evil coldsore, I can just pick him up

and use him for a weapon.




Jesse has not met Frank yet. I have a feeling he will not approve. Keep your fingers crossed. I hope Frank can stay!