Onesie Remix

Lilly had this pink polka dot onesie (her cousin sky handed down to her) that fit her everywhere except the length. It was too short to snap plus snaps aren't the easiest thing when potty training. So I cut off the bottom of the onesie (that I wasn't ready to part with) and attached a gathered skirt I made from $2 a yard Walmart fabric. She won't take the thing off. It's a hit. Also notice she is still wearing her new sandals. That was one of the first things she did this morning, put on her saltwaters.

Red, White, and Blue Paper Fringe Tutorial

I have decided to celebrate the 4th with my first tutorial. I want to share with you how I make crepe paper fringe trim. I have seen it a lot on the edges of party hats and on decorations in gift shops and I love the look of it. It is so festive. It is hard to find though. You can buy it on etsy but I thought it would be fun to make myself, not to mention it is economical and I can make it in any color I want. I made this trim in red white and blue and used it to edge a platter that I am serving cupcakes on. I think it adds so much. I hope you give it a try and use it at your Independence Day celebration.

Step 1: Gather rolls of red, white, and blue

(or any colors you choose)crepe paper.

Step 2: Layer 3 or 4 pieces or crepe paper

(the length you will need for your platter).

Lay them directly on top of each other.

The more layers you use the fluffier your trim will be.

Step 3: Sew directly down the center of the crepe paper strips,

sewing all the layers together.

Step 4: Fold the strip in half lengthwise along the stitching.

Use scissors and trim fringe the entire length of the strip.

When making fringe, cut almost to the stitching but not all the way

or your trim will fall apart.

This is what your trim will look like after you have finished fringing. Step 5: Carefully separate the layers of crepe paper and gently scrunch/crumple and fluff.

When you are happy with your trim and it is fluffy and festive, use double stick tape to attach it to a platter, cake plate or other serving dish. You could also drape it around a mirror or have it streaming from a chandelier. Happy 4th of July!

*you can print out the flag cupcake toppers here*

Saltwater Sandals...Classic

I discovered the best children's sandals for summer this weekend. They are called "Saltwater Sandals". I found them online but I bought them at a little shoe shop here in town. The story of how these shoes came to be is very interesting. Check it out here. These shoes are so durable, so classic and only $30. Just what I wanted for my Lilly. She wore them home from the store and has had them on for 7 straight hours now. I assume they are comfortable. They look it and feel it but with Lilly you never know because if she likes a pair of shoes she will wear them even if she has blisters and her feet are bleeding but anyhoo...Check out my sidebar for the Saltwater Sandal website I think they are a great find! P.S. they are MADE IN THE U.S.A!

Ruffle Tank

I got this fabulous idea to add a ruffle to a target tank top from Joy's Hope. I was dying to give it a try so I headed to Target and bought a toddler tank for $3. They have several colors but I loved this turquoise. Then I picked up some fabric from Jo-Ann's came home and... whipped up this ruffly tank in no time flat! I will be making many more of these tanks in the future. p.s. I figured out that in order to get Lilly to pose I just give her a pair of my heels and she goes to town. What a little ham.

Sew Inspiring

I saw this book at Joanne crafts today. It is the best sewing project book ever, ever, ever! Can't wait to add this one to my sewing/craft library. I want to make everything in it. If you love to sew, want to sew, need to sew, or just want to ooh and ahhh over beautiful fabrics and creations, check this book out. You won't be disappointed... I sound like I am on Reading Rainbow for crafters. P.S. I finished Lilly's shirt dress. It came out too short so I got some leggings to go under it. If I can get her to cooperate and model for me I will post it tomorrow.

Blackberry for Daddy

Lilly finished her Father's Day present for her Daddy. It is a Blackberry picture frame. We got the idea from the fabulous blog "No Time For Flashcards". I thought it was a cool option for Doug. He doesn't exactly fit the father's day cliches (ie golf, necktie, fishing, and tools). Hope he likes it! I put on little dots of glue and she used her little fingers to carefully place each letter. Yes she did the letters on her own in case you were thinking I had had a drink before I put on the letters. She helped wrap the aluminum foil frame and glued down her picture. She did a great job.

More Fashion Remixes

I bought this button down a few years ago for a few bucks at a thrift store. I always wanted to do something to it to spruce it up. I found this lovely butterfly floral print at a little quilt shop and decided to applique some of the designs onto the shirt. I outlined the designs with large running stitches using embroidery thread. I love contrasting and oversized stitches on clothes and decor. I appliqued on the collar and on the bottom left shirt tail. You could use this technique to cover up stains on a favorite shirt that you just can't part with. The possibilities are endless.

I picked up this blue cardigan at Ross for under $10. I had seen a similar embellishment on a shirt at Anthropologie years ago that probably cost like bazillion dollars. I'm not really sure of the exact price because it wasn't on the sale rack and I only look at prices on the sale rack at Anthropologie. I layered yo-yos, vintage lace, fabric leaves cut with pinking shears, and vintage buttons to create a "corsage".

I still have more ideas to come. This is my next project! Can't wait to share it with you when I'm finished. Thrift store men's department here I come!

T-Shirt Redo

I love the idea of taking clothes you already have and remaking them or embellishing them to turn them into a new piece. It is economical, creative, and green. I have been obsessing over all of the ruffles over at jcrew.com. I love all the ebellished t-shirts, but in these economic times it is not always an option to pay $39-$50 for a tee. I started looking around the web for some shirt embellishing ideas. I found this one, this one, and this one. I had a tee shirt that I bought on sale at Old Navy for like $4. I used an old white t-shirt I already had for the ruffle. I sort of combined the techniques I found online and voila! I am pretty happy with the results. I will be posting some more clothing remixes that I have done so stay tuned. Meanwhile check out Joy's Hope, Some Girls Wander, and My Mama Made It for more fashion remix ideas.