Plain Jane to Shabby-Chic

I found this great skirt at Kohl's on sale this weekend, but I didn't have a shirt I thought did it justice...so I made one!  I bought the plain t-shirt at Kohl's  for $5.  Picked up some clearance fabric at Jo-Ann's (always shop the clearance aisles), snagged a few buttons and lace and turned a plain-jane shirt in this fabulous shabby-chic shirt.  Total cost, including the shirt is $10!  Normally, you can't buy a plain t-shirt for that price!  Sorry, no tutorial this time, but I do have a link to where I got the idea and she put up some very minimal tips here.

Anthro Necklace

Another craft-lifted idea, this time from Tatertots & Jello.  I have been into the whole Nautical thing lately, so I just had to make this necklace to wear with some of my Nautical clothing.  Thanks, Anthro for giving such great ideas.  BTW, theirs cost $42, mine cost $2.50!!!  I got my cording in the clearance aisle of Jo-Ann's and the buttons there, as well.  Who doesn't love a cheap, easy craft that you can wear again and again?
Here is the link to the original and the knock-off

Cork Board--->Necklace Holder

Here is another recycled project I made last week.  I have been so annoyed lately with how I keep all my necklaces.  Before this board, I would have to look in about 4 different spots for any given necklace.  I  had some hanging on doorknobs, in my jewelry box, in the bathroom, etc!  Now, they are all in one place and easy to see.  I have literally had this cork board since High School!  What used to hold Senior Pictures and ticket stubs, now holds my necklaces.  Here is how I made this:
Supplies:
Cork Board
Fabric/Paper/Contact Paper
Modge Podge
Spray Paint (optional)
Push Pins
I started by spray painting the wood frame an off-white.  No need to tape it off since the cork will later be covered.  I also spray painted my push pins at this time.  This is optional, I just wanted mine to match the fabric.

I then cut my fabric to the size needed to fit over the cork and modge podged it on.

  

And that's about it.  I arranged my necklaces while the board was laying flat and then added my push pins where needed!  It is now hung in my closet, out of the way and untangled!

 

  

 

Don't donate that old Sweater...

Use it to make a pillow or some leg warmers...or both!  Many of you know that Nate got laid off last month.  This obvioulsy hurt my craft fund.  Instead of having to take a craft sabatical, I decided to see how many things I could make with what I had already laying around.  The first was this cool sweater pillow.  I headed down to the basement, searched through my "garage sale" pile and found a few sweaters that would work perfectly.  Here is the one I used for this post:

 

Cut a little here, snipped a little there and came up with this:

 

and this:

 

I also used an old sheet and cut out 2 rectangles the same size as the above pillow pieces  to act as a lining.  I sewed all 4 together, stuffed with batting, and then hand stitched the pillow closed.

For the leg warmers, I sewed on the cuffs to the top (which were cut from the bottom of the sweater), and added a flower I made from tulle.   I made both in one night.  Another fun project, and completely free!

 

  

 

Valentine's Day Frame

I made this little guy for Nate's sister's birthday.  Saw something similar somewhere and just added my own touch to it (as usual).

I found this frame in the Michael's dollar bin...score!  I painted the edges red to make sure the wood would not show through.  Modged Podged ripped paper.

 

Drying...

 

I wrapped burlap around the cardboard that came with the frame and hot glued it to the back of the frame.  I then hot glued  the scrabble letters and added the fiber and flower.   Cute AND easy!

Modge Podge on shoes?...Why not?

I came across this idea from 2 different craft blogs.  One was a suggestion from Stephanie, and the other I frequent almost daily.  Here is the link for the modge podge shoes and here is the link for the zipper accents.

 

These are the cheap pair I used.  I cut the bow off.

The final product :)

Sew Many Scarfs!

I have been on this SCARF kick lately.  What better way to fill my need for scarfs than to make 2 from scratch.  I was in the Fabric Clearance aisle at Jo-Ann's last week and found some great knit fabrics for SUPER cheap!  I knew exactly what I wanted to do right away...make scarfs!  The one below came from here...  Super easy, you don't even need to be a good sewer for this one ;)

The next one I have step-by-step directions for you (okay, anyone else start singing New Kids on the Block after reading that last sentence?  No? Nevermind)

Anyways, here is another EASY scarf, probably even easier and def. faster than the one above.  From start to finish, it took less than and hour.  Also, quick tip: no need to go by knit fabric.  Just cut up an old knit shirt or pair of pants!  Works just the same.

Okay, start by cutting out 56-64 four by four inch squares.

Here they are, all cut up and ready to go!

Next, pin together.  Do this by lining up the top point to the middle of your next square.

Last step is to just sew right down the middle of your squares, using your points to keep you straight.  I used both a straight stitch and a zig-zag.  Both worked the same.

And finally, enjoy your EASY-PEASY scarf.  Because this scarf is so light, it can be worn year round!

I have it doubled up here to give it a little more volume.

One more with Oakley insisting on being in the pic...