Recycled Recycle T-Shirt

Now if that isn't eco-friendly, I don't know what is.

I had this t-shirt in the Goodwill pile for a while. This morning I stumbled upon this post which inspired me to make use of it.

It's cute, it's comfy and it's even twirl-able. Oh, and it didn't cost a thing...except about 20 minutes of time. Gotta love that!

One of Life's Most Valuable Lessons...

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or in Posy's case, when the groomer shaves you bald, wear cashmere!

This was a cashmere J.Crew sweater in it's last life. I took it apart a long time ago with hopes of reusing the yarn. The yarn is way to fine so I gave up and stuck it in a basket in the nook. Poor Posy girl has been shivering since she lost her hair. Upon doing some research I stumbled upon this FAB tutorial. I have already told you how very much I love tutorials and the people who create them.

Anywho, 30+ minutes in the nook and, voila, warm, cozy and very chic little naked pup. Note the little lace ruffle at the bottom. I think she will feel a bit better now that her bits and pieces are covered. No self-respecting woman should be forced show off her goods.

A Fun Re-Fashion and Day 4 of Giving

I have been crafting here and there. A little knitting, a little sewing, a little fabric stenciling. All fun stuff.  This one, I thought, was really fun. I bought this dress last summer at a largest garage sale I have ever seen. One woman's 40 years of collecting was for sale in a huge barn. Among other things, I picked up this funky old moo moo for $0.75. I don't know what I loved about it but I had to have it. I knew that the ruffles all over the top were too much and the hemline was less than appealing. Soooo...

This is what I came up with. All the ruffles had to go and I made the dress a mini. 

It still has a 70s silhouette which is what drew me to it in the first place. It's just not so.....I don't know, funky moo moo-like.

Day 4 
Here are my super sweet munchkins writing thank you letters and drawing pictures for our U.S. Troops. We also stopped by the store for some beef jerky, pop tarts, playing cards and other goodies that we hope will make their tough existence a bit brighter and bring thoughts of home.
I have learned that you can talk to your kids about people who are suffering or going without or giving their lives and comfy lifestyles for our freedom, but until they put pen to paper or choose to give an item with someone in mind, they don't really "get" it. As we shopped for treats, Brian and I asked the kids what they would want if they were far from home in a cold and scary place. It made the choosing much more powerful. The kids chose items that they love to eat and really hoped that they made someone's day a little brighter. Such good stuff!

Somewhere today I heard that our children are being referred to as "Generation Me". Ugh. I don't know about you but I sure don't want to contribute to "Generation Me"! I hope this exercise will have a lasting affect on my children. I hope we continue to find joy in giving long after these 25 days are over.

A Little Something for Me

Does anyone else find that most of their sewing/crafting is done while the kids are napping? I wish I could stay awake after the munchkins go to bed at night but I just can't. I am a sleeper. That leaves nap time...you know, the time I should probably spend cleaning up or doing laundry. Not a chance. Mama needs a little personal time too.


And speaking of personal time, I actually made something for me today. You are probably as bored of seeing little girlie clothes as my girls are. They have resorted to sneaking around me when they wake up from their naps for fear that mama has made something else that they have to try on and get their picture taken in. I decided to give them a break.

I went shopping with a girlfriend a few weeks ago and saw quite a few tank dresses in the department stores. The price tags were outrageous and I just kept thinking that those dresses couldn't be all that hard to make (total issue for me now that I can sew). I have been pondering this project for a while and today I decided to go for it.

I used an old tank of mine and added a cotton/spandex waistband. The skirt is made from a thrifted table cloth that I bought last summer. I over did it on the gathers of the skirt. Used a bit too much fabric. Other than than, I am pretty happy. Not the most flattering silhouette perhaps but truly comfy and easy to throw on with flip flops. I will attempt this again for sure. It is just too easy and cute!

Today's Naptime Project: Pillowcase Dress

I scored this pillowcase at the flea market a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do with it but I thought my girls would probably wear it.

This dress took less than an hour to make. I cut the armholes out and bias taped them and I made a pocket for the ribbon. Voila! Sweet, vintage sundress.

A Little Repurposing Anyone?

One of my best girls came for a visit this past weekend and we did what we love to do...eat and shop for bargains. First we had a delicious lunch at a bookstore cafe and then headed to a local estate sale. We both picked up some lovely finds and we had a ball "treasure hunting".

But this past weekend was the first weekend of the month so you know where I was...the flea market...woohoo! Below is an assortment of items that managed to make their way home with me. The nightgown and penior set were so lovely I couldn't pass them up.

The two dresses below came out of a stinky old bin. A woman who's booth I make sure to hit every month, had brought some of her old clothing. She is a little kooky (yes mom, its that lady) and I am pretty sure she has a hoarding problem but I have benefited greatly. I grabbed 4 dresses from her bin and they are some of my favorite pieces.

Just lop it off above the knee, hem it up and I have a dress that will be worn out by summer's end. I am so in love!

My sister inspired this one. She wore an old Mexican embroidered top last week and we must have been stopped 27 times by people wondering wear she got it. These dresses are so fun and colorful and they are so very cheap (mine was $2) that it is hard not to grab one and give it a go.

Details:

Red Dress photo: Dress - $2, scarf (bought at estate sale) - $3.50, long gold chain (bought at church rummage - $2, Frye boots - too expensive but so worth it!

Black dress photo: Dress - $2, green stone necklace (bought at flea market) - $10, shoes (madden girl, super comfy) $40

Please excuse the blurry photos. My 5 year took them:)