Pinterest Scarf

Another project from my pinterest board done! Scarves are so wonderful in the winter - covering my neck with something warm and comfy makes a huge difference in how warm I feel. So thank you to H is for Handmade for this awesome and super easy tutorial. Here's my version:

Sweater Hat

I finally got around to doing one of the many projects I've pinned! It was so easy and I love how it turned out. Here's the tutorial from See Kate Sew. And here's my version of the recycled sweater hat:

Now dd wants one too!

Election Sign Box Tutorial

In my previous post, I promised a simple tutorial to get you started building with reclaimed election signs. Well here it is! This is just a simple box, but once you've mastered these skills, you will be able to design your own dollhouse, box, birdhouse, etc. I'd love to hear what you've made with your new skills!

What you need:

• corrugated plastic (from trashed election signs or other advertising signs)
• a good craft/utility knife (I prefer my x-acto knife)
• cutting surface
• hot glue gun and glue (or if you're more patient, any glue that is permanent on plastic)
• pliers (not absolutely necessary, but helpful)
• permanent marker - fine tip preferred
• this pattern

Instructions:

1. Print out the pattern. You will either transfer the pattern onto the corrugated plastic or glue it on. If you choose to glue it on - print two copies of the pattern. I chose to transfer the pattern with a permanent marker. I started with the bottom of the box. Cut the square from your plastic. I recommend cutting it slightly larger than the pattern so that you can line the pattern up correctly on the next step:

2.The dotted lines on your pattern indicate areas from which you will be removing the top layer of the plastic. Here's an important hint: line up the longest lines from the bottom of the box pattern with the corrugated plastic such that you will not be removing "walls." If the pattern doesn't exactly fit your corrugated plastic, adjust the lines so they do fit (and be sure to make the adjustment on the sides later). Correct alignment is best indicated by the photos below:

Transfer the markings and finish cutting your square to the exact size.

3. Now cut out the top layer of plastic for the two long slits.

4. Now you need to cut out the shorter slits. This is a more difficult cut because you will need to cut out little bits of the corrugate walls. This will take a little bit of time and detail work with your knife.

 

 5. Now cut out the 4 sides. The 2 sides with slits, follow the directions in step #2.

6. Line up your pieces as seen below:

7. Plug in your glue gun, you're ready to assemble! (You can use a liquid permanent glue for this step, but allow drying time before using your new box.) Your pieces should fit snugly in the slits, but if the fit is too tight, take your pliers and squeeze the bottom of piece you are trying to fit into the slit. Don't worry the glue will stabilize the piece. Start by gluing the 2 sides with slits to the bottom of the box:

8. Finally, place glue in the slits to fit in your final side pieces (one side at a time so that the glue doesn't harden):

9. And you're done with your gorgeous upcycled box! You can paint, decoupage, or sew a cover for your new box if you desire. Use these skills to design your own piece and share it in the comments below!

Election Sign Recycling

My daughter and I love crafting with election signs - you know the plastic corrugated kind? It's a material I doubt I would purchase new in the store as I try to avoid plastics as much as possible, but rescuing them from the garbage is a different story!

This isn't the first post about using election signs for crafts (see my tutorial on making a Kumihimo disk) but this is the first peek at our cathouse (my daughter's version of a dollhouse) designs. Below you will see her house plans:


With a few tweaks to the blueprint here is the result:


I don't have a tutorial for this project (though I will try to come up with a simple tutorial soon to get you started simple tutorial here) but it requires: time (lots of time and patience!), a good knife, hot glue, and paint or fabric to dress up the walls and floors. The effort required to make this was worth it considering dd got exactly the house she wanted AND she gets to do all the decorating. Great project for cold temperatures and indoor time!

Note, we did not gather election signs until after the election - at which time the signs littering the public spaces are trash - or in our case - craft supplies! So start making your plans for election signs next November!

Jeans ReVamp

I have been inspired by Robin's (of the T-Shirt Diaries) pledge to purchase no new clothes for six months. I would love to join in, but I know I need 2 things in the next six months: running shoes and a swim suit for a trip to Hawaii (two things I can't/won't make myself). Knowing in advance that I have these two purchases means I haven't joined the pledge myself. But I am going to take to heart the attempt to use what I have for any other clothing needs.

So I was perusing my pile of "to be donated" clothes and mourning the loss of a great pair of jeans. Great for someone else, that is. I purchased them because they were such a great pair of jeans for such a great price. But they didn't really fit me. (Note to self: a great deal on clothing is only a great deal if you're actually going to wear the item!) But I had an idea.

I have another pair of jeans that fit fairly well, but I've never been entirely happy with the rear, the length, and the boot cut. The pockets on the back are not flattering, but I LOVE the pockets on the rear of the "to be donated" jeans. I can make this work!

So I swapped back pockets - even removing two rivets. And I altered the lower leg fit to a slimmer style and added a tiny bit of length by undoing the hem one fold. Also, the slimmer leg fit adds to the appearance of length.

So - I didn't take a before picture. But I found one online (different color, but you can see the cut and the boring/unflattering pockets):


And after my alterations:


And I like them so much better now! Yay - and thank you, Robin, for the inspiration!

Crazy Crafting

I'm still here! I've been crafting a lot lately - lots of fun with daughter over the holidays. I've tried to take pictures and hope to update the blog more often.

Anyway, one craft that I got around to last November, was inspired by he many tutorials I've seen for using thrift store finds to make a cake stand. Well, I didn't need a cake stand, I needed more vertical storage for my fruit. So here's a pictorial tour of my creation:

BEFORE:

THRIFT SCORES:



With help from Loctite Glass Glue AFTER:


INSTALLED and SO much prettier!

The Squolf

A very special Christmas ornament for our friends at SecondStory Repertory!