KCWC Day 7

For day 7 I made Ella some jammies from recycled sheets. The sheet already had the ruffle trim, so I just adjusted the pattern so I could use it. I then took off the rest of the trim from the sheet and put it around the yoke.

I kinda think she looks like a Spring Referee. :)

I used New Look pattern #6932. the directions for the yoke completely stumped me, so I just did my own thing.

KCWC Day 6

This is the dress that was on th sewing machine for day 3. It's a light pink seer sucker bubble dress. The next time I make a bubble dress I need to make more "bubble". I didn't have enough width to give it a good gather.

I also crocheted the yoke. I followed a queen lace scarf pattern on ravelry and then just adapted the pattern to make my yoke.

KCWC Day 5

More shirt refashioning. :)

An old maternity top

becomes a baby romper

the back

she is off to check out the baby in the mirror.

I made a ton of mistakes with this, but it still turned out cute! And, besides, a ton of mistakes equal a ton of learning, right?

KCWC Day 4

I am still working on the little dress that was on the machine in day 3. I was having some issues, so I decided to work on something else.

I am liking this whole shirt revamp. All the fancy details are already there. :)

This shirt was a hand me down to me. It never really fit and had been taking up space in my drawer.
It became a little summer top for Ella.

Besides the back - look at those curls!

KCWC Day 3

For day 3, I got a bit of a late start, and then had a few mishaps (like sewing it in such a way that I couldn't turn it).

Hopefully this dress (mistakes and all) will be finished on day 4.

KCWC Day 2

For day 2 I upcycled 2 of my old shirts to turn them into a dress for Ella. I was inspired by the t-shirt dress and pants on Kojodesigns.

KCWC Day #1

For day 1 I made a bonnet for Miss Thea. Not super ambitious, but I was up all night with a sick baby, and I seem to have the same bug. We can thank big sister Ella for that.

I used some leftover eyelet fabric from another project and a vintage simplicity pattern. I did modify the pattern - I didn't do a lining and the pattern bonnet had a fold over brim. I wanted the brim to focus on the eyelet and keep her little lovey face in the shade.

As a side - folding up a pattern while you have a head cold is near impossible. I am putting it away, and will fold it properly later.

Upcycled Milk Jug

Browsing Pinterest I came across this project. I was itching to make something and this seemed like the perfect instant gratification project.

And it is.

One Gallon Milk Jug from our recycling

Turned into a reusable sandwich container

Here it is opened.

I followed this tutorial...
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/reusable-lunch-containers-785113/

I outlined my cutting lines in Sharpie, thinking it would wipe off the plastic. Not so much. So, to cover my lines, I doodled and colored all over it (again, with a Sharpie). Pretty sure its not waterproof, but I would just need to wipe out the inside anyways. Plus, I think it looks way cooler now. Ella does too - she has already claimed it for her sandwiches.

I am going to make another one and put some cookies in it for my secret sister. Coloring on it with a Sharpie makes it so easy for gift giving - you can customize it for any celebration!

More roses

For our meetup group, the coordinator thought it would be fun to do a secret sisters exchange over Mother's Day. I signed up, and am trying to make sure I stay within my budget (which is nada thanks to gas prices). This meant using what I had on hand to make my secret sister something.

For her first gift (we need to do 3 things: notes, cards, gifts, food, etc) I made her a half dozen coffee filter roses. I followed Martha's tutorial. I don't have the link handy, but if you just google Martha Stewart and coffee filter roses, you should be good to go.

KCWC

Kid's Clothes Week Challenge!

Starting next week, I am going to devote 1 hour a day to working on clothes for the kids. It might be accessories (I have some baby shoe patterns that I have been dying to try), but I am making that count!

Details can be found here...

http://www.elsiemarley.com/kids-clothes-week-spring-2011.html

Garage Door Make-over

I love the chalkboard refrigerator on Disney's show Good Luck Charlie. They use it like a calendar, with the weeks events on it. I love the colors, the attempt at organizing a large family, just everything about it.

Our interior garage door is the main door for our family. It also is a fire door, which means its magnetic. The door was a dingy off white, that attracted all sorts of dirt. To the right of the door is a small closet that is currently getting a make-over as well.

Since Andy and Luke leave before I get up in the morning, and go to bed before I do, I thought the chalkboard idea was the perfect one for this space and gives me a chance to get last minute reminders across. Andy is not so sure. Oh well, if we don't like it after a while, it can always be painted again. :)

Of course, I would get this done last night and draw on it today (although I think I was supposed to wait 3 days? Oops), when Luke is gone for the week and I really don't have anything to schedule.

I was able to pick up the primer and chalkboard paint off of freecycle, which makes this an even better project!