Xmas Gift Sewing (2)

My new sewing machine is getting a good initiating these days! I think I finally have the basics figured out, and this was a great, simple project to do just that.

I'm a headache sufferer, and there is nothing quite so comforting as my "happy eye pillow." I use it whenever a headache befalls me. It's essentially a silky beanbag, filled with buckwheat hulls and lavender. It smells lovely, darkens the room and puts just the right amount of pressure on my eyes. I love it.

So this Christmas, I decided to make a few of my own from Richard's old ties and some fabric scraps I had loitering about the studio. (If you are not as remiss in cleaning out your closets as we are, you could always scope out the local thrift stores for fun ties and pocket squares.) I found all the filling ingredients at my local, natural foods store - and they were all in the bulk aisle: read, nice and cheap. I estimate each Happy Eye Pillow cost me about $2.00. So not only do I have a green gift, but it was super cheap too! What could be better?

If you are looking for a pattern, check out Amanda Soule's book, Handmade Home. She recommends thrifting for vintage scarves for the outsides. I may just have to try that too!

Bootie Love

A sweet friend and sister loaned me the cutest book for baby sewing: Sweet Booties! And Blankets, Bonnets, Bibs & More. The projects are just irresistible. I decided to tackle these little newborn booties first, using some scraps from a flannel receiving blanket I made for a friend last fall.

It's so wonderful to be using the fabric in my stash for new baby stuff! And these are going to be so fun on a little pair of kicking feet this February.

Recycled T-shirt Newborn Sleepers (2)

Remember this post from February? I'm still in love with these practical little sleepers. I've been on the prowl around here for more fun Ts to recycle. I think we're gonna have the hippest baby on the block (well, maybe the only baby, but let's not dwell on that). Here's what's been done lately:

(Curious George, front)

(and back; from men's large T)

(first sleeper, from a Men's XXL)

(second sleeper from same shirt - had to add arms from a different T; I think it looks like a baseball shirt.)

Handmade Baby Gifts

I have been busily working away on a few gifts for a friend who is expecting a girl this month. And while I love, love, love being the mother of boys, I miss the sewing and knitting opportunities that girls offer. So I took the arrival of this little one as the opportunity I needed and here's what emerged:

Another capelet from Leigh Radford. I adore this pattern! And I love how easy the capelet is; no sleeves to contend with. The knitting is quick and the pattern is interesting. A perfect project as far as I'm concerned.

And then I whipped up these little beauties:

I always forget the before picture with a "refashion" - but at least this time you can see the T-shirt they were born from, and how I cut them out.

I've been holding on to this shirt for years waiting for just the right thing to use it for. These little baby britches were exactly what it needed for a second life! I just love it when a plan comes together.

Must Listen Article

I'm a huge fan (and supporter) of National Public Radio. You know, the sort of dedicated listener who won't turn it off even during the fund drive. So last night, when I heard this story I knew I needed to post it here, so the rest of you could hear it too. Just click on this link and when you get there, click on the Listen To This Story Button. It's so true!

(My favorite part is about the chickens.)

De-Stashing IV

Before my fateful yarn-buying-spree, I was able to create this lovely little sweater from my stash of yarns. (Baby knitting really is a great way to use up those odd balls of yarn.)

This is done in Berroco Comfort - and even though I tend to be a yarn snob, this Acrylic/Nylon blend is so soft, you would never know it's not a natural fiber. The pattern is the Inca-Dincadoo sweater by Sarah Keller, and it's all in garter stitch which makes it super easy. And I used the buttons from Grandmom's stash; I'm sure they came off a blazer of Gramps's at some point.

The sweater clearly needs blocking, but I was so anxious to share I thought I'd post it anyway. Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

Refashion Success!

My first attempt at refashioning clothing was a complete failure. But this time, I think I got it right! This cotton / linen blend shirt used to belong to Richard. It never fit him right and was just not his thing. I grabbed it out of the donation/garage sale pile and decided to give it an attempted update. I really like it. And it's a bit dressier than a T-shirt for summer. I may just get the hang of this after all.
I created some pin-tucks at the waist to make it more flattering (and along the back - sorry, no photo) and then I shortened the sleeves and gathered them for a more feminine look.

I'd love to try and change the neckline, but this looks good as it is. I'll have to leave that for the next one. Richard better watch out, his clothes are about to be picked over!

Re-fashioning becomes just Fashioning

I have become quite interested lately in the idea of refashioning clothing. I have all too much of it and hate the thought of going to get more when there is so much in my closet. But let’s face it, we all need a wardrobe update now and again. Enter refashioning.

The more I sew, the more I feel the need to have the right tools. I suppose, like anything else, having the right tools makes the job so much more enjoyable. And while trying to refashion old clothes into new, I’ve come to the realization that I really could use a dress form. And may I just say, my dress form has changed my sewing world! I no longer have to ask for help pinning and re-pinning clothing on my body.

This is the current refashioning that I am doing:

I loved this hand-painted organic cotton once upon a time, but the clothing styles are completely out dated and don’t fit anymore. Problem is, I don't know enough about clothing construction to actually make this work. Naturally the blog I saw the idea on doesn't really have a tutorial. And right now, this top needs a big FAIL label across it. I was hoping to have it done to show of during Spring Top Week. That will not be happening. Instead, I have started a different top, using a pattern, and I hope to figure out from that how to refashion this. Only time will tell. At the very least I will have a top for spring that fits my body. That alone is almost enough to make me happy . . . . almost.

Working Weekend

We had an incredibly busy weekend. There was some fun (in fact just about all of it was enjoyable) but there was certainly some work involved. Don't you just love that sense of accomplishment?

Projects this weekend included:

1.) We purchased a new Toyota Highlander - Red outside, Tan inside - and I think I am already in love. I'm not holding it against the car that we spent the entire afternoon (the better part of 5 hours) at the dealership.

2.) The peas and carrots are planted! I'm about a week behind my schedule on this, but they are the first crops to go in, and I wanted to create a new box for the peas. They climb, and I feel that they should climb up the side of our pergola. (The shade provided wouldn't hurt either.) I tried putting them in containers all along the base of the pergola two years ago, but they we unhappy. I planted them earlier and in a different container last year. Still unhappy. I finally have a solution (I hope!) with the new box. I should get 3 furrows, 8 1/2 feet each, of peas at one time. I've planted 4 varieties (two sweet peas, and two sugar snaps). We shall see if this year we are lucky enough to get a crop.

3.) Filling the new box was my accomplishment of the weekend. I went and purchased 1/2 a cubic yard of soil and spent the morning unloading all of it and filling the new box. It took almost all of it to fill the new box. I was able to top off a few of our whiskey barrels (where we plant the carrots) with the remainder of the soil.

4.) Assembling a brand new composter! It's ridiculous to be so excited about a composter, but I love it. I am hoping it lives up to expectations.

5.) Final clean up of all the garden and yard areas to be worked/planted this spring. This included filling our new composter with much of the debris.

6.) We hung a new light fixture in the stairwell. (well, Richard did.) We've lived in the house for 6 years now, and it's been a topic of conversation for just about as long. Thanks to Etsy (and a dear friend reminding me that they do, in fact, sell light fixtures over there), we were able to purchase exactly the light we were looking for at about half what I was expecting to spend. Love Etsy.

Oh Happy Day

I've been waiting two summers for this: we finally have a composter! I wanted this specific one, a ComposTumbler, but of course it was more than I wanted to spend. But after much research and debate, I think we chose the best one for us. It's big enough that we'll be able to get what feels like a lot of compost out of it, but small enough for our postage stamp back yard. Hayes can't wait to turn (quite literally) all that garbage into dirt.

Now I just have to read the manual on "How To Make Superior Compost" and we'll be all set. To be honest, I can't wait to get started. I know; I know; I'm a garden geek. I can't help myself. I'm just so excited!

Recycled T-shirt Newborn Sleeper

Lately I've been all about trying to repurpose old clothing. We have so much of it and I hate to see it just go to waste, especially since I've been purchasing fabric just as quickly. So in a effort to economize and be a little bit greener, I've scoured the web for ideas. And there are some AMAZING ideas out there. I could go for weeks just trying out all the great projects I've discovered.

This one, however, takes the cake. At least for right now. We all know how many onesies a kid can go through in a day; it can be daunting. I finally found an economical solution for that -- the recycled t-shirt sleeper. I love this idea. I made this one using two of Richard's old Ts (mediums) that were destined for the rag pile. They are so soft and perfect for a baby. And I am delighted to say that I even mastered the rather difficult looking (but really fairly simple) collar that makes it so baby.

I'm telling ya, there are going to be LOTS of these cuties around here. It's addicting! Oh, and if you happen to live in the area and have any fun adult Ts that could have another life, I'd be happy to take them off your hands.

Locker Love

I have this thing about reusing items. It actually may be more like an obsession. I just think most things have more than one life in them and it's such a shame to waste that. I suppose that's were my artwork is born, that idea that the old can be made useful and new again.

Enter my latest project:

These used to belong to a school, obviously, but then a local photographer picked them up and used them as a studio prop. And when I saw some in his studio on a recent (and reluctant) visit, I commented about how cool they would be in my studio. He mentioned that he had two more bays in the barn and would I want one? So for $25 I have my very own set of lockers for the studio.

I forgot (as usual) to take pictures of the before item, but this is only the first step in many. They had to be washed of cobwebs and mold and other unspeakable yuckiness. I have been sanding the blemishes and rust spots on days when it's not so muggy to think you might expire. I am FINALLY to the point that I can wash them down again and start painting! They will be a nice shiny black when I'm done with them. I'll keep the wonderful metal handles on the fronts as-is. I like how they look. I'm hoping that all my knitting and sewing materials will fit nicely inside along with some of my other art sh... ephemera.

And I can finally get rid of the entertainment center that I recycled a couple of years ago to hold some arty items. Perhaps it can live another life in the neighborhood if we put it out with a sign that says: FREE. Perhaps.