I Hit The (Trashy) Jackpot!

Last weekend I was on my run when I spotted this beauty on the curb. I figured it would be trashed but when I got up close it was in good shape. There were a few things missing, which had all been saved and stashed in the attic. Every single missing shingle was there! I ran home as fast as I could to get the truck and go pick it up. Stay tuned for the makeover.

Butterick 4800

This top is made from Butterick 4800, view C. This is one where I was very glad that I made a muslin first. The neckline is very....plunging. Like the kind of plunging where you have to wear a coordinating bra because, honey, its gonna show...a lot. And that's not really my style. I traced the pattern piece onto tissue and raised the neckline a full 2 inches. Much better! The fabric is this really gauzy crinkled stuff that I just loved from Joanns. It was actually not to terrible to sew with as long as I pinned it well. To alleviate fraying, I did French seams. And my little secret? I decided that the bottom should be lined (the top is self lined) but had no lining on hand and didn't feel like going to the store. So? I raided my daughter's dress up box, where she has Rachel's bridesmaid dress. I cut the lining out of it for the shirt. Sweet! :) 

Tiny Play Food With Sculpey

A friend and I got together the other day to play around with clay. She had a stash leftover from other projects, and we got our inspiration from an old Family Fun article. It was so much fun. The clay has a whole lot of possibilities, and I think it would be fun to make other little accessories for her doll house (stay tuned for that!) and my son's collection of little cowboys and indians and pirates.

IKEA Mirror Makeover

This is just a cheap IKEA mirror which I painted light blue and stenciled with 'Mercury' glaze. The pattern is subtle, but I like it and it matches my bathroom (and baby blue toilet) perfectly. Don't look too close. It ain't perfect!

Shoebox Blanket

Every year, our family participates in Operation Christmas Child. It is a program that sends shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, toiletries and other gifts to kids living in poverty around the world. I am always on the lookout for things to fill our shoe boxes, and the other night my daughter and I decided to make a simple flannel blanket. There is obviously not a ton of room in a shoe box, but I always try to put something soft and snuggly in each box. We embellished it with a yard sale find crocheted flower, and some zigzagged topstitching.  I think we will be making many more of these!

Undies?!

Here's something I never, ever thought I would make. My sewing rule is that it must be fun. I hate when someone comes up and says something along the lines of 'so, I have these pants that are too long for me....and I was wondering if you would hem them for me.' Makes me break out into hives. If you had previously asked me to sew underwear, I would have given you a resounding 'heck no!!!' However, my youngest and I are currently in the throes of potty training and undies (and lots of them) are now a concern. My husband asked why I didn't make them and if hadn't been for a recently spotted picture on Pinterest a week earlier, as well my recent discovery that knits are indeed NOT the devil, I would have probably laughed him out the door. After a quick internet search, I found that there are lots of cute patterns to be found. I am pretty sure I am trying this more for the cute factor than anything else. This pair is the 'prototype' pair, made with a knit scrap and the binding from a shirt of mine. No, it is NOT leopard print! The pattern is from That Darn Kat on etsy. They are quick to make and use very little fabric, so I can see myself making these again. The other bonus is that there is no scratchy elastic!