1920's Glam and Photoshop Fun!

I think one of my favorite costumes is when my husband and I dressed as a gangster and a flapper.  I found everything at the thrift stores.  His costume consisted of black pants, black shirt, vest, white tie, and dress shoes (which were actually golf shoes.)  My dress was transformed from a 1980's beaded dress.  It originally had the big puffy sleeves and was way too short!

I removed the sleeves and added satin cap sleeves, replacing some of the original beaded trim.

  I cinched up the front hemline just a little and then added a flared satin skirt to the overall length.  

The hats were also purchased at the thrift stores (although they were new items.)  I added feathers and a vintage brooch to mine.

The pictures that were taken that night at the party had poor lighting and boring backgrounds.

But, with a little photoshop magic, it's like we just went back in time to the 1920's!

Click HERE to see more costumes!

Cinderella, Blues Clues and Tinkerbell

When our youngest was little, he loved Blue's Clues.  He would watch it over and over.  We thought it was only appropriate for him to dress as Steve for Halloween that year.  I found some tan pants from a thrift store, but couldn't find a green striped t-shirt.  So I made one from polar fleece (which kept him warm on a chilly October night!)  His Blue's Clues back pack finished it off.  His niece (yes, he was an uncle before he was born!) dressed as Tinkerbell with a costume made by her mom...check out those natural curls!

His older sister went as Cinderella that year.  A prom dress worn by another sister was perfect.  Just add gloves, choker, and hair band.

Click HERE to see more costumes!

It's a mod, mod, mod, mod world!

My husband and I enjoyed a birthday party recently where three of our groovy friends were turning 60.  So to celebrate, they had a "Remember the 60's?"  party.  We thought it would be far out to dress up...okay, I thought it would be far out, and my husband is such a good sport about supporting me!  So, off to my favorite thrift store for half off everything day.  I picked up a large moo-moo, green sandals, men's dress pants, and two knit shirts.  One more stop to pick up cheap shower curtain rings and I was ready to go.  Together, both outfits totaled less than $18! (I already had the hat, glasses, and earrings.)  I used the fabric from the moo-moo to make the dress.  The aqua fabric for the neckband and the inset belt was the moo-moo's lining.  I tapered the pant legs.  The shirt was made by painstakingly picking off the trim from one shirt, and then using part of that shirt to inset a "V" onto the white shirt.  The trim was then sewn on top of the "V".

Costume Tip:  Look to the internet for inspiration.  This was mine...

Click HERE to see more costumes!

I Love Costumes!

My love of costumes began early in life.  Maybe it came from my mom and dad...they seemed to like to dress up also.

In our house we had an antique steamer trunk that was stuffed full of costumes.  

My grandmother loved shopping at Goodwill (that must be where I get my love of thrifting!) and she would find things to add to the trunk.  Every October 31st that trunk would be opened and costumes would explode throughout the whole house as  we tried to figure out what we would wear that night for trick-or-treating.  

Of course, there were other occasions to wear costumes, mainly church activities.  I recall a Daddy/Daughter event that had a hawaiin theme.  I dressed in a hawaiin moo moo and flower lei, but my dad dressed up as a witch doctor!  To his surprise, most of the other fathers dressed in their suits!  He was a good sport, though, and really played up the part of witch doctor.  

The costume love continued in high school when “Spirit Week” provided opportunities to dress up.  My friend and I dressed as Raggedy Ann and Andy one year.

Well, over the years my costume collection as grown and they don't fit into an old steamer trunk.  In fact, I took over a spare walk-in closet to try and keep them organized!  Whenever I find something at a thrift store that would make a good costume, I pick it up.  So this month I am dedicating all my posts to costumes and costume tips.  Check back often and maybe you'll be inspired!

Click HERE to see more costumes!

Have a seat!

I have always wanted a bench for my bedroom but never found one that I liked, or was the right size. One day I came across a sturdy wooden coffee table at a thrift store.  I think I really splurged and shelled out $15 for it, but I liked the shape and thought it would make a good bench.  The only trouble was that it was  too big for what I needed.  So I set to work cutting it down.  The process wasn't too hard.  A little bit of paint, and a little bit of upholstery and it was just what I wanted...

With pillows, or without...

I spy a lego...or maybe it is a milk dud...no, it's a lego.  Do you see it in the picture above?  I'll give you hint...it's in a place where my bare feet at night will most likely miss it!!

So in case you're wondering how to cut down a coffee table to make a bench, I'll do my best to explain.  First you need a sturdy coffee table that has an apron around the perimeter similar to this...

...and, the apron should be attached with bolts and corner brackets that look something like this...

Once you remove the bolts and brackets, and the screws that hold the top on, it should be in pieces. Some of the pieces may be glued and will need to be tapped lightly with a hammer to get them apart. Run the top through a table saw, cutting to the width you desire.  Cut the same amount off the two apron ends.  You will need to measure in from the newly cut apron edges and cut new grooves for the corner brackets.  Your table saw set at about 1/4" (or less) depth works good.  Now just glue and reassemble all of the pieces.

After painting, distressing, and glazing, it's time for upholstering.  I just placed a foam pad on top, covered it with some batting and fabric, then wrapped it to the underside and stapled it in place.  

So have a seat and relax!

Linking to THESE great parties.

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Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Toni for winning my first ever giveaway!  Her number was chosen through Random.org.

It sounds like now her husband can have some awesome brochures for his fishing lure business!

Congratulations and thanks to UPrinting.com for making it possible!

2 pillowcases + 1 blouse = 1 cute dress!

Question:  What do you get when you combine two vintage pillow cases with one cute blouse?  Answer:  A super cute, super easy dress!

It was as easy as cutting off the blouse, stitching on the pillowcases, and threading through some elastic.  You can see the tutorial here.  I could have stopped at that point, but the neckline was a little too open for me so I added ruffles to each side using the leftover blouse fabric.  I also decided to make a bright yellow belt with a big fabric flower to top it off.

I was lucky to find some matching shoes at Goodwill for half price!  In fact, the total breakdown is this:

2 pillowcase @ 1.99
1 blouse  @ 2.49
belt supplies @ 4.20
shoes @ 3.50
free bracelet

Total for complete outfit = $12.18...not too bad!

I've always loved the color yellow.  In fact, growing up in the 70's my bedroom was decorated with yellow and orange...so bright and cheery!  Oh the memories...bright orange shag carpet, yellow walls, mushroom lamp, troll doll collection to die for, anything to do with the sun, and the scent of Love's Fresh Lemon Cologne...so yummy!

Linking to these great parties!

Featured on:
Sugar Bee Crafts
Sew Woodsy
Thrifty 101

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