stripes and roses

I just love this whole refashioning thing! I don't normally end up with what I initially intend on, but I guess half the fun is trial and error and seeing what I can come up with. In case you don't know, I'm a Target fanatic, lol. There are at least 3 Target stores within 15 minutes of me that I frequent. I would likely spend a lot more time there, just perusing their clearance (people have asked me where I find it...usually there are clearance signs, towards the back of the clothing depts and the back/ends of the aisles), but my toddler just isn't that patient. I frequently pick up clothing on clearance without trying it on, because seriously who does that with a toddler in tow, because I know I can just return it then next time I'm there if I don't like it. (=

I found this kind of boring tee, super cheap and I really liked the color of the stripes. I got it home to realize that I had a cotton print with tiny flowers in the same shade of green. I was originally going to attempt a tank with a yoke color, but my yoke turned out smaller than I wanted. I didn't want to totally scratch it, so I sewed the yoke on the shirt, and trimmed around the top portion. Then I hand stitched 3 rosettes onto the yoke. I think it turned out cute! Not just another boring tee.




linked up at

Easiest. Refashion. Ever.

I had started a project that wasn't going so well, so I wanted something quick and easy to make me feel a little better. lol My daughter had this long sleeve onsie that never fit her very well and I had meant to do something with it. I chopped off the snaps and shortened the sleeves. I had seen a tutorial for creating a ruffly/lettuce edge on knit clothing and thought I'd give it a try. I couldn't find it, but thought I remembered it enough to give it a try. I just used a small zigzag stitch along the edges, pulling it slightly as I went along. I think it turned out cute, and seriously quick and easy.

Have you ever tried to get a toddler to stand still long enough to get a good pictures?





She is cute none the less. Here is what it looks like on the hanger. A cute wearable top for the spring.

my birthday outfit

I've been slacking in the blogging department lately because my Mom was in town for my birthday. We had such a nice time. I miss her already. It really stinks being so far from my family.

Anyhoo, I finished a couple refashions before she got her and was able to wear a new outfit on my birthday because the weather was warm(ish). We spent a beautiful morning at the playground with my Mom and aunt.

Hmm, not the most flattering pic of me


I LOVE this shirt! I used this tutorial and I'm excited about it. Once the weather warms up more I'll probably shorten the sleeves. This was my first experience with fabric paint (that is since bubble paint with my grandma), and it was fun working with tulle.

Here it was before



And after



These super cute cuffed shorts used to be this horrible pair of slightly tapered cropped pants. Sorry, no before pic.



I had seen this tutorial over at Adventures in Dressmaking (LOVE that blog, btw) and had really wanted to try it out. My friend Rachel beat me to it. With the type of pants I had, I wanted to create a cuff a little different (not using the inside of the pants, KWIM?). I also had to be a little creative since my pants were tapered and not flared like hers. I think they came out cute though.

My mom and I got to do some shopping (thanks to my hubby babysitting), so I have some new crafty materials to use. Can't wait to figure out what is next!

Wahoo!

My shirt dress was featured here, at Under the Table and Dreaming.

AND I have 20, yes TWENTY followers! Thanks!

another spring refashion

This was a really simple refashion. I loved the print on this shirt, but the color isn't that great on me. I wanted to find a way to break up all of that flesh tone. I used the hem from a black shirt I had used from another project and stitched in under the shirt sleeves (used a zigzag in between the two seams so it was hidden). Then I used a strip and used the same technique along the neckline, I let it be kind of loose and almost a little ruffle like.

Here is what it started at.


Here is how it turned out!

Discovering the joys of belts!

It was CHILLY this morning when my girl and I left for the park, so I saw my plum colored sweater in the closet, grabbed my new belt and tried it out! Wahoo! I think it looks cute! Fun stuff!




Does any body else use clothes and big sunglasses to compensate for not doing anything with your hair? I seriously need a haircut, I have no motivation to do anything with it right now.

And just because she is cute, my girl LOVES her big floppy straw hat. SO glad that I don't have to fight with her this summer over hats. We need to protect our pasty white skin.


Hoping to get some more sewing done this afternoon! Oh, which project to start...

My first dress!

Dresses really seem to be "in" lately. They have never really been my thing, I think because I can rarely find a dress off the rack that fits me correctly. When I started discovering sewing blogs, I realized how many ways you could simply make a dress for yourself. And I've been itching to try ever since.

When my hubby decided to get rid of several of his button down shirts, I had to hide my glee! A shirt dress seemed like the perfect first attempt. He had this white shirt with blue and plum stripes, I LOVED the colors and had an old blue tank in the same shade. The tank was a little short and snug in the waist but I hoped the skirt attached would fix that.



I posted this a while back, at first I put the pieces together incorrectly and sewed my shirt inside out. Ugh. Not a great pic, but you can see the little gathered detail on the tank.


I finished the dress last week, but wanted to make a sash or belt to make it look a little more finished. Today was the first chance I got since having my wisdom teeth out, and even then I was a little spacey since I'm still on percocet. lol

My poor hubby usually gets to be my photographer. Sadly I waited too late and we had to take these inside...thus the poor lighting...blurry because our camera stinks. I'm just an awkward model, and my arm is bent (not as cool as I thought I was) because I have a HUGE bruise from the iv. Unfortunately the tank is still kinda snug, bummer.



I do however, LOVE this rose belt. I had seen this tutorial and a couple pictures in this post. I kind of winged it from there. I really want to make another. I'll probably use a more neutral color, not as wide and a larger set of d-rings.


We'll see if I'm brave enough to wear it out. Maybe layered, with skinny jeans and a cardi...hmm

Linking up here...

Let's hear it for the ladies!

Disney, at Ruffles and Stuff and Dana, at MADE are celebrating MOMS for the next 2 weeks! Can't wait to see what they come up with! Check it out!



It starts tomorrow!

Saving $ by...

Cutting my own bangs. Yep, I've been doing it for years. I go through phases where I cut them short, let them grow longer and side sweep them, get sick of them and grow them out, only to chop them again. Anyhoo, I found this video instruction on how to cut bangs correctly. Check out these great tips on That's So Cuegly. Just thought I'd share.

bargain shopping

I had a rare departure from my bargain shopping at Target, lol. I was out, alone, with time to spare and a few bucks in my pocket. Not a normal occurrence for me. I popped into Wet Seal, not somewhere I normally shop. Not really the kind of things I usually wear, but I had time to kill, remember? Wouldn't you know they had a "last chance" clearance rack. The highest price I saw was $5. This is the type of thing my family teases me about, they swear things like this only happen to me.

I found some cute accessories, each for $0.50:
1 pink, light weight looped scarf and 2 white lacey, pompom scarves (totally made me think of Disney)

and since I've been meaning to try wearing wide belts: silver, stretch wide belt, bronze braided wide belt, and some crazy blue/white tights which are likely to be made into a headband


This black, sequence asymetrical tank was $2. Not necessarily my "style" (not entirely sure what that is), but I'll make it work - thank you Tim Gunn, lol.


They also had a number of semi-formal dresses for $3:
I LOVED the color of this skirt, hate the top but I can change that.


Ok, funny story with this last dress. The zipper was acting kind of funny. I got the dress on, but then the zipper got stuck halfway up. I couldn't get it all the way up or, more importantly, DOWN! This dress is what you would call a serious MINI, it would not cover my booty in a million years. I worked for several minutes trying to get the zipper down, trying to get the dress up over my head, or down over my hips. NOTHING! I really thought I was going to have to wear it up to the register. Then suddenly the zipper just worked. Phew. Anyhoo, I plan to hem this and add straps to make it into a cute summer top. I just love that pink on black print.


All of that for under $12.

Another nursing cape

This is the last nursing cape order I filled before my little break (wisdom teeth removal and then family in town). I just love this fabric, so unique and a beautiful combination of colors. For a sweet mama of a little boy.




I'm actually disappointed that I didn't have more of that fabric left over. I have enough for more more nursing cape, but I thought it would make a really cute skirt.

Just because

I had a few extra minutes over the weekend, not enough to tackle a big project, but enough to whip up something simple. My nephew is almost 6 months old and is at the phase where he likes to grab things and put them right into his mouth. I had a couple cute new flannels from Joann's remnant bin (yay!), so I made him another crinkle taggy blanket.

Sorry for the blurry pics, I took them right before I walked out the door with it.
(front)

(back)

all I can say is...WOW

Another craft blog featured my ruffle wreath. Wow.

Tatertots and Jello's weekend wrap up

Are you kidding me?!?

My ruffle wreath was featured on Fireflies and Jellybeans as well, here! Another super cute blog for you to check out. I am so honored that people like my wreath, especially when there is SO much talent out there! Wahoo!

Now I get to use THIS button!

New fabric at Sunshine Baby Nursing Capes!

I've added two new fabrics to my shop, Sunshine Baby Nursing Capes, so go check them out! I just finished one in this beautiful blue and white damask. I love how clean and fresh it looks.


I'm always looking for fabrics for mommy's with boys (not that it wouldn't be cute for a girl too!), so I picked up this minty green with white polka dots. So cute!


However, this purple and white polka dot, is definitely my most popular fabric.


Come check out my shop sometime, or join the Sunshine Baby Nursing Capes Facebook group.

BIG NEWS!!!

Ok, at least for me! This is the biggest thing that has happened to me since I've started my little blog. I linked my Ruffle Wreath Tutorial on a couple of craft blogs I frequent (I LOVE when blogs to link ups, such a fun way to see who else is out there and what they come up with). If you haven't been to Blue Cricket Design, you are missing out! She is so creative, and blogs often. Anyhoo, I participated in her last Show and Tell Wednesday



Today as I was reading her blog, her latest post featured her favs of the crafters that participated. I think I nearly gave my husband a heart attack when I saw the picture of MY RUFFLE WREATH about half way down HERE!!! My heart is still pounding! I can't believe she picked my little diy! Ok, you can laugh if you think I'm silly...just wait until I'm not around so you don't burst my bubble.

Be sure to check out her blog!

One of those days

Yep, I some times have days like this...



That is my cute new shirt dress (old tank and hubby's button down shirt)! Too bad I didn't realize the tank was inside out before I had it almost completely stitched. Sigh. I guess I need to spend some quality time with my seam ripper soon.

First SPRING refashion!!!

I have quickly discovered that it is impossible to take a picture of yourself to show off a new outfit (sadly we have NO full length mirror in the house). Oh well, you'll have to get the picture with it on the hanger. I showed you my gathered sleeves, here is my finished shirt!

(front)

(back)


I think this boosted my excitement to get working on my spring refashions!