Tuesday, September 28, 2010

t-shirt quilts

If you haven't seen one of our t-shirt quilts yet, here you go!
I cut up the shirts and piece the quilt top, then my Mom does the quilting on her long-arm machine, giving it back to me to complete the binding. 
Here's a close up of her amazing quilting...

And another quilt top I finished today...


Usually we use black or blue for the strips, but this person gave us their own pick instead. 

Sooo, if you have t-shirts lying around, we could make a quilt for you!  And now that these are done, I'm off to make some things for myself!! 



Monday, September 27, 2010

dad's shirt refashioned

This weekend my mom gave me a huge bag of old clothes from my brothers and dad.  And of course free is even better than Goodwill, so I started thinking about all the clothes I could make for Ella and Brice.  There were two of these plaid, collared shirts from my dad, so I thought I'd save one to make a dress for Ella and then use the other for me.  (Of course I was too excited to get started, and it was 10 pm, so I forgot to take a before picture.   This "before" picture is of the other shirt!) 
Here's the after.



The sleeves are really the same length...


I took in the sides and sleeves, chopped off the sleeves to 3/4 length and added elastic, removed the collar and used the scraps to make the ruffle.  I think I might take it in a little more above my waist...and I need to get a skinny belt, I think that would look good with it too.  Anyone interested in having me show you how to do it?? 

Friday, September 24, 2010

how about a shirt with those pants?

After I made the skirts and pants for Ella and Brice, I realized they don't have any shirts that match their new clothes!  While I could go out and buy a few, I thought it would be more fun to try the 90 Minute Shirt tutorial on the blog MADE.  Basically, you use a men's extra large shirt and some knit ribbing.   (I LOVE this blog!  She does everything from making kids clothes to home improvement...check it out!) 

Last weekend I made a trip to Goodwill and found a few men's shirts for $2.  (I also took a few from Brent - shhhh!)  I tore up an old onesie and drew up a pattern.  The first one looked pretty good. 

This was a large men's polo, so I kept the bottom hem and used the original sleeves.

For the second shirt, I wanted it to be long sleeved and a little more loose.  This shirt came from my brother (remember this one Adam?) and ended up sitting in Brent's closet, never used.  


Then of course I had to try making one for Ella.  I wanted it to look more girly, so I tried adding ruffles.  This wasn't quite as easy to sew, there were too many layers...
and then it was way too tight!  Poor girl woke up from her nap all excited and still wanted to wear it, so I'm  finishing up a second one for her to wear tomorrow.

You can bet I'll be at Goodwill's 50% off sale tomorrow - these are addicting!  Seriously, if you have kids and a sewing machine you need to try these out.  Have a great first weekend of Fall! 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

cowboy cargo pants

I started with these old Abercrombie and Fitch pants - took off the pockets, cut up the legs... 
and look who's wearing them now!

Brice!

With the red stitches and cowboy pockets, I think he's ready for Fall!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

cowboy pockets

more to come later!  can't finish now...babies waking up!

Monday, September 20, 2010

making clothes

A few weeks ago I wrote about making a tunic style top and while I did end up finishing it that weekend, I was not completely happy with the finished product.  As I wore it around the house, I kept imagining myself with a light saber, like Luke Skywalker - definitely not what I was going for!  Anyway, here's the shirt,
and here's Luke Skywalker.

But after getting some suggestions from my brother's girlfriend (thanks Meg!), and doing some reading about sewing clothes, I'm ready to try again.  I'm thinking 3/4 length sleeves, taking in the sides, and maybe adding ruffles to the neck/collar. 

Kids clothes are SO much easier, especially when my kids are to young to be picky!  Here are some recent items for Ella and Brice.  

i think this cost under $4 to make - and I have left over corduroy, perhaps for a headband


game day corduroy pants - i have decided to make all Brice's pants - his belly just doesn't fit in the store bought ones!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

oh the "thinks"

Sometimes I just look and think about the possibilities
There are so many, but how can I be sure I have the perfect idea?  Then I start to feel like I belong in this book...

Thinking and thinking, and going around and around in circles.  Never making a decision.  So I started to cut,

and then piece.

At least I did something with it right?

Monday, September 13, 2010

little things

I've been working on some little projects lately.  First up are these two little embroidered houses, inspired by the tutorial and designs from this lovely blog
my 1st try


2nd one - a little wedding gift for my sister and her new husband (they are cyclists)

Also, last week I checked out a Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild meeting and participated in a potholder swap.  Here's what I brought...
the center square is from my Nana's Marimekko collection - my 1st time quilting on my own machine!  (all by myself! without my Mom!) 
And this is what I got...(aren't the scooters cute? I love how she framed one on the front.)



But today I need to get back to reality.  Piano lessons are starting and t-shirt quilts need to be made...
all so I can get paid!!! 

 

Friday, September 10, 2010

"Hi'ya Butch"

On Tuesday morning this week, we heard the sad news that Brent's grandfather had passed away.  Ralph was a wonderful, kind man who will be fondly remembered.  As we drove home from the funeral today, Brent and I were talking about how we'll miss his trademark greeting - every time Brent walked in their door, he was greeted with a hug and a "Hi'ya Butch".  He will be missed. 

I have found that while funerals can be filled with emotion and sadness, they can also provide new, happy memories.  Like our little family of four sleeping in the same room, and by 5 am all of us ending up in the same little bed.  Or playing with new puppies
Ella and her pal Layla

And projects that can be enjoyed in the car

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Good finds

After a great weekend spent with family and friends, we made a trip to the local Vintage and Thrift Market and Goodwill.  My great finds...
The wooden spoons and yellow bowls are from Loveland's Vintage and Thrift Market.  The shop is fantastic!  Stop by if you haven't yet.  They are at the corner of Loveland Maderia and Loveland Ave and proceeds go to autism research.  The rest is from Loveland's Goodwill, which recently underwent a renovation and has improved greatly. 

The "Angel Baby" stool has already been recovered and claimed by Ella - everything she did today involved the stool.  She sat on it and played legos, watch Dora on it, "shared" it with her brother and made a fort with it.  All for $3! 

Thursday, September 2, 2010

before...

                                         
and after!

Thank you to my wonderful husband Brent for making the shelf and back last weekend!  (Now I just need to decide what to do with the shelf.  Should I paint it, or line it with wallpaper or with fabric?  Any ideas?)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

updated t-shirts

Here are two shirts I wore post pregnancy.... 


I took in the sides, and with the scraps I dressed them up!