well....

well, it's apparent that I'm a bad blogger... I forget to take pictures, and I have a hard time actually getting on here (vice facebook) to actually share what I've been up to. 

a TON of crafting has been going on, and yes I've been cheating on my wednesdays and crafting on other days too :o)  it's been fun though.  Since my last post, over 2 months ago, I've learned a lot, and made a lot.  I learned how to quilt a couple of weeks ago, and have made 3 quilts.  they are semi-home made quilts, as I like to use the pre-cut charm pack fabrics instead of cutting out my own squares. But tonight I did purchase a 5" square cutting thing so that I can cut my own squares (one day). 

I hope to get better at this blogging game... maybe it will be my new years resolution? My mom did that a couple of years ago, she was inspired by the julie and julia movie.  Although her blogging wasn't about cooking, it was scrapbookings.  So maybe I'll follow in my mom's footsteps (again) and do the same with 2012?? I mean... it could be the last year of our lives with the whole doomsday 2012 apocalypse thing that's "happening". but instead of doing every single day .... that could get really expensive and frankly wear out the creative juices... but it could also drain my pinterest boards and i could check everything off of my pin boards in 1 year instead of probably 10 :o)

we will see... sounds like a good idea... but we will see :o)

Now why didn't I think of that?!

Have you ever had that "well duh" moment?  You know what I mean, that why didn't I think of that?! Well this was one of those moments.... ok I've had a lot of these moments since I've found become addicted to Pinterest.

There's this new boutique fad for little girls of the pillow case dress. I don't really care for the pillow case dress, I mean they're really cute, but not my style.  But then I found this...  and why didn't I think of that?! A Pillowcase Nightgown! I must say that my daughter LOVES them. 

I rummaged through my linen closet (which I actually organized recently!) but all of our pillow cases are boring, so off to the thrift store.  There's a little thrift store in my tiny town (very tiny... 3 stop lights tiny) and I scored.  2 pillow cases for just 50 cents! They have some nice older ones there, and I picked up a few sets, 4 in total I think.  Made some of the night gowns... and then some fancy pj pants are in store soon too.  So... 50 cents for 2 pillow cases, and it takes only 1 pillow case to make a dress... 25 cents for a night gown... far better than the $12 or so to spend at the store. Why are pajamas so expensive?! Not anymore!

Now why didn't I think of that?!  Thank you Pinterest!

OMG... it actually worked!!

I must say... I have been sewing since maybe April or May and have completely avoided making clothing for myself... until tonight. AMAZED!!! I went to the local fabric store the other day and had just one item... but I couldn't leave the store.  I went to the back discount rack and found my favorite fabric on clearance! White burnout knit fabric.  Ok, well I love white burnout, but knits are new to me, I've only made one other thing with knits and it was for my daughter. But it was a complete score. So I bought 3 yards.  I knew what I wanted to make.... just had to actually do it and not avoid it. 

Here is my inspiration.... Bought this many years ago from a popular national mall store (AE)...

I love this pullover... it's light yet keeps you warm, and it's ultra comfy. Can't lose in my book.

So I knew that I wanted to re-create this (although I added to it, better cuffs on the sleeve and the bottom) ... I love the original, but it's way too big now (but I still wear it).  It's comfy :o)

So today... was the day.  I got out my fabric, a pile of paper and I went to town.  I was confident that I could do this... I've made a few jackets for my kids so I just thought of this being the same way.  I taped my papers together and started to make my pattern from my loved sweater thing.  And then it hit me... this might actually work!!

I laid all my pattern pieces together (except the hood) and it fit.  I was shocked Of course it fit I made it :o)      I made another one earlier today in heather gray and it was a little too big, but will be perfect for the gym... and then I made this one tonight....

White, burnout knit.... wonderful comfy hooded sweater pullover thingy ma bob.  LOVE. 

I really can't express how excited I am that it actually worked and I LOVE IT!!!  Cannot wait to over wear it this coming cold season next week.  Looks like my old one will head to retirement. 

Good bye $30+ bracelets... hello to great style and super savings!

So... a while back I hosted a jewelry party and bought too many some fabulous wrap style bracelets... lets just say that I no longer need to pay over $30 for these bracelets anymore! Don't get me wrong, I still like the $30+ ones... but they just don't have the satisfaction attached to them.   The satisfaction of saying, "yeah, I made that!"  

Here's a triple wrap leather bracelet with glass pearl beads... took about an hour and cost a considerable amount less than what I would have paid at that party...  and I even have enough beads to make a second one!

(please excuse my crappy picture... my phone really isn't the best way to do this, but it's always closest... and usually always charged!)

well... i finally made it...

a blog that is.  Never really thought I would... then a few months ago I got carried away with crafting and people started suggesting it to me.  It all started when a friend told me how to fix my "broken" sewing machine... just had to adjust the tension, who knew? not me that's for sure.  And now... I can't stop.  I'm a shopper and a crafter at heart, and what better way to tackle these things than by buying the supplies to make what I would have originally bought... and then extra plus of being able to say "why yes, I made that"?! It's a win-win in my book. 

I do draw the line sometimes... like when it's obviously cheaper to just buy the item vice making it... but so far haven't come across that too often.  For instance, I love the leather wrap bracelets and the one I wanted was over $30... but I made some for less than $4 a piece (if that).  So... 30? or 4?! Easy.  And so basically I'm addicted. 

So here I am, the official starting point sharing my addiction with the world. I just need to remember to take pictures now.