From Old Polo Shirt to New Dress

Another Saturday gone by and another dress from one of my husband's discarded shirts.  This time it was a polo shirt and I was able to attempt the shirring from the tutorial I had seen.  I love it, it's so easy!!

'School Shopping' - 0, Me - 2  It's looking like it's going to be a winning season...at least for the girl.

 

Gettin' Busy

Sometimes the stars align and I get all kinds of domestic all at once.  My July thus far:

I got to know a few new friends as we made some hair clips for our girls right before Independence Day.  I found the blue fabric with stars at Walmart for $.99 and thought that would be perfect for the city BBQ and fireworks.

The blue section was made folding a long strip in half length-wise and gathering  (watch a video showing how HERE).

The red section is made with felt using 4 circles, each folded in half and overlapped like box flaps (see step by step how to fold and stitch them HERE, especially Step 3).

Elizabeth loved it, even though I made it a bit large.

 

Pretty basic Hello Kitty Cake for a cute little girl born on the Fourth of July.

Turns out I don't pipe well.  At all.  Nor have I yet to purchase those ABC cutters for fondant.  So I tried something new with melted pink chocolate.  I placed wax paper over a print out of the message and piped the chocolate onto the wax paper.  It worked perfectly and they peel right off.  You could do any font and get the sizing right every time, every letter!

 

Then there was this last minute order for a work party, Independence Day themed, of course.  I really need to get those ABC cutters!  These letters were done using cut sugar paper and then free hand with icing gel.  The cake was blue and white swirl/zebra and red velvet and white swirl/zebra.

The cake was a huge hit and resulted in another order for - guess what?!!  A Hello Kitty cake for next week!

 

Remember way back in January when I turned all the hangers around?  Well, it's time to reap what has not been used for six months and either find a new use for it, toss it, or donate it.  I have lots of my husband's shirts stacked and ready to be put to better use.

Saturday I whipped up this darling dress and matching clip from one of Chris' old dress shirts.  It was absolutely FREE and meets the school's dress code.  Yay!

It was easier than I thought and I didn't even use a pattern.  I was inspired by THIS PIN but ended up making a bodice with skirt style rather than an A-line.

July is half way over and I'm feeling pretty darn industrious!  Hopefully it keeps up - school starts soon!!

 

Art Update

[caption id="attachment_1283" align="aligncenter" width="436"] How does your garden grow?[/caption]

I'm making four of these pretty flowers and thoroughly enjoying figuring out the process.  One of my favorite parts of the mutli-dimensional and recycled art I make is the problem solving required.  When mounted and finished the overall size will be 48" x 48".

Art Update: Return

Last night I finished and submitted my entry for the art competition (click HERE to see where I started for it)!!!

I have lots of pictures of the artwork in progress that I had intended to post and keep everyone updated as the process went along.  Unfortunately, we've not been very computer fortunate lately.  So a BIG "Thank You!" to my friend, Kathryn, for getting my pictures uploaded for me.  And while I'm doling out the gratitude let's not forget Amy for the recycled wood, Lisa for being willing to try to understand what goes on in my head and always cheering me on anyway, and Chris and the kids for putting up with me this week!

"Return"

24" x 48" Mixed Media; acrylic, paper, rocks, and sand on wood and plexiglass

Artist Statement

and

detail images

first detail submitted of "Return"

"Throughout history salmon have been symbols of man’s mortal journey. Starting life in the peaceful, clean waters of their progenitors they are sent forth to the turbulent oceans to mature and eventually return, swimming upstream. Each salmon is naturally compelled to return and as they do their appearances change. They struggle but persevere, using the undercurrents to propel themselves on.

second detail submitted of "Return"

"We are each born with the Light of Christ to guide us back to our Father. Our trials will make us stronger and our countenances will reflect that Light. We are then able to help others recognize that the joy they are naturally compelled to seek after is in the Pure and Living Water, even Jesus Christ."

Knee-high to a . . .

. . . gift wrap keeper.  Gotcha, didn't I?  You thought I was going to say grasshopper, huh?  Well, not so, my friends.

Have you got a stack of unruly wrapping paper somewhere in your home?

Forget about those fancy gift wrap storage containers.  I've tried them.  I like the idea of keeping dust off the paper, but inevitably my rolls would always be too long too fit in them.  Not to mention my paper would still unroll and tear.

I finally resigned myself to the fact that my specialty storage container wasn't working for me and sold it in our last garage sale.  I think it will finally be put to a good use; a woman bought it to use as a horse feed bucket!

So now what?  For $.33/pair I bought a few knee-highs from Wal-Mart and cut the bands off the tops.

Of course, if you want to be even more frugal use your old ones that have runs in them.  I would've recycled mine except I don't wear nylons.

Slide them over your gift wrap.  If needed, wrap the band around the roll twice to keep it secure.

Now your wrapping paper will stay nice and neat no matter where you put it!

Cliffhanger:  remember to save the rest of the knee-highs for another project coming soon!  Hint:  it is already pictured in this post . . .