No More Gap!

I don't know about everyone else, but I have a problem with jeans gaping at the back waistband.  They fit well everywhere, except at the waist.  So here's a quick fix...maybe 15 or 20 minutes tops!

A Missionary Stocking

I know you can find variations of these missionary stockings on the internet.  

Some creative person came up with the original idea and, unfortunately, I don't know who it was so I can't give credit...sorry!

My missionary son, however, is a vest-wearing kind of guy.  So, I did my own version of a missionary stocking.  You can check out the step-by-step tutorial after the jump.

DIY Dig Kit

What is a dig kit you ask?  Well, its something that your Minecraft enthusiast might enjoy, or a budding archeologist.  I happen to have both in the form of grandsons.  This was a super simple gift to make, but it yielded high rewards.  I picked up the following supplies:

•plaster of paris

•cinnamon

•beach sand (from the sandbox)

•foil pans (2 for $1 at the dollar store)

•cooking spray

•rocks and trinkets
•kitty litter (optional)

To complete the kit, you might opt for safety goggles, hammer, chisel, magnifying glass, and a small paint brush.

Hello Kitty Denim Jacket

My little granddaughter loves anything to do with kittens.  So its only natural that she would also love anything to do with Hello Kitty.  Christmas came early this year due to a Thanksgiving visit from the grandkids instead of a Christmas visit (due to baby sister who is due around Christmastime.)  We'll miss them at Christmas, but we had lots of fun with them this past week!

I try to make as many gifts as possible each year.  I looked at Hello Kitty denim jackets in the stores and figured with a price tag of $25-$35, this would be a good handmade gift...or at least a refashioned gift!

I started with a thrifted denim jacket and Hello Kitty tank top.  Both were in excellent condition and only set me back a total of $5.

Romantic Country Magazine

I'm thrilled to announce that my collapsible dollhouse, which was made for my granddaughter last Christmas, caught the attention of the powers that be over at Romantic Country magazine.    They decided to include it in their wonderful magazine.  The Winter 2013 issue is on the newsstands now.  It's a lovely magazine filled with beautiful eye candy and I'm excited to be a part of it!

Have a great day!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I don't want to sound like I'm tooting my own horn, but I was completely shocked to find out this morning that I actually came in first place for the second season of Refashion Runway!  Seriously, everyone has been so creative over the past several weeks that I just couldn't see a clear winner.  It really could have been any one of us!  All I can say is that the final vote tallies must have been very, very close!  

A big thank you to Beth, a.k.a. The Renegade Seamstress, for hosting Season Two of Refashion Runway.  It has been great fun competing each week with a different, often times challenging, theme.  Each of the ladies competing really went all out to present a beautiful and creative refashion each week.  I am grateful to have been a part of it.  

Thank you to all of you who voted for me and supported me along the way.  I especially appreciate my family's support, as they have been a bit neglected at times over the past few weeks.  Its been a fun journey and I appreciate the new friendships that I have made!  Please keep a watchful eye on these talented and creative women and see what wonderful things they do in the future!

Trisha, Feeling Kinda Thrifty

Carissa, Carissa Knits

Desarae, Gladness of Heart

Lauren, Adventures of Lauren

Magda, House of Estrela

Joelle, The Eco Wardrobe Warrior

Deanna, Wedding Dress Blue

In case you missed any of the weeks, you can check out what I presented each week by clicking on its title.

The Plaid Challenge

Vintage Winter White

I'm not sure why, but when I start thinking about winter and the holiday season I get all nostalgic.  I love looking at pictures of the holidays during the 50's.  Everything seemed to be so much simpler then.  (Although, I wouldn't really know since I wasn't born yet!)  So it was natural for me to be drawn to a vintage vibe when it came to the winter white challenge.

I gathered all the white and cream things I had in my stash and gave some thought as to what I could do.  I decided on a stretch lace formal gown, a sheer curtain panel, a drapery panel, a piece of ultra suede, and a bag of pearls.  Later I added a linen blouse with crocheted lace.

Bewitched!

This week's challenge for Refashion Runway was Halloween.  I love costumes, so this was a fun one for me.  In fact, if you'd like to see some of my previous costumes (or some by my family members) over the years, you can click on the costume category in the side bar.  Make sure when you get to the bottom of the page that you click on "older posts" to see more of them.  Anyway, onto the challenge...

I began with six thrifted items that I had in my stash—a blouse, skirt, dress, jumper, brocade dress, and sweater.

I'll try to break down the process the best I can.  

The Leather Challenge

This week on Refashion Runway, the challenge was leather.  As has been throughout this whole competition, I have only used things that are in my refashion stash.  I had a couple of leather items to choose from.  A black coat and a grey suede shirt.  I preferred the grey over the black, so that's what I started with.  Also in my stash was a sweater that my son was getting rid of, and some wool fabric I had picked up long ago at a thrift store for $1.50.  Considering that the sweater was free, and the shirt was $2.00, this outfit cost me $3.50.  And, I have lots of grey suede left over for future creations!

Since this refashion consists of four parts, I'll show you how each was accomplished.

The Peplum Challenge

Week three of Refashion Runway challenged us to make something with a peplum.  I have to admit that I haven't been all that enthusiastic about peplums, but a challenge is a challenge!  As I was looking through the possibilities that I had in my stash, I figured this would be the perfect time to use some of the vintage lace I salvaged from a petticoat.  And, lucky me, I had a denim shirt in my stash that already fit pretty good.  So, if you're interested in the details, there are lots of pictures to follow!

  

This is what I started with—a pile of lace, a men's shirt, and a women's blouse.

And here's how it was done....