Scissors Necklace

As I mentioned yesterday, I accidently found a bead store near my house. I've wanted something with a scissors charm for a while but like the Armadillo necklace I knew I could make one myself. I found everything I needed at the bead store and in less than 10 minutes had a new piece of jewelry to compliment my sewing addiction. I took jewelry/beading classes when I was younger and am feeling the urge to start making more complex designs again. Why not add another hobby to my list!?!

The Crafting Trifecta

 

 This morning I went out to deal with some final moving details which turned into a frustrating boondoggle. As I was grumpily driving home I accidentally found another Hobby Lobby that was nestled between Hancock Fabric and a bead store....I naturally deviated from my GPS directions despite the incessant voice repeating "recalculating" and took a peak inside.

 

As expected, each store was glorious.

 



I have to deal with the moving details again tomorrow so I'll be seeing these stores soon :) This time I'll go prepared with yardage requirements and notions lists!



Armadillo Love Necklace

 I love armadillos....I mean I REALLY love armadillos. I have ornaments, magnets, pictures, drain stoppers, stuffed animals (the plush kind) and t-shirts adorned with them. One day I was perusing Etsy and came across a chain necklace with two armadillos and a heart bead in between them. I didn't feel like spending $30 + shipping from Europe to get it so I did some research and found a vendor that had armadillo beads. I already had the findings, faux-amber bead and leather cording so I went ahead and ordered the dillos. All said and done the finished necklace took less than 5 minutes and cost about $3.    

 This is the easiest necklace I've ever made...It only takes 3 beads, 2 jump rings, a lobster clasp and I used box crimping rings that hold onto the cording ends securely. 

Another Upcycle: Pants to Tote Bag

Also in the bag from my neighbor were a few pairs of jeans. I cut the seams up the leg to flatten out the pieces and cut the bag. The applique was cut from some fabric I bought at Obi's a while back and have been waiting for an excuse to use. The polka dot lining is also from Obi's. I sewed this up and gave it to the neighbor who gave me all the clothes. I think she was surprised that it was made from her pants! :)

Patty the Stickhorse

My son had a stick horse named Patty. She went everywhere with him. He loved her very much. So much, in fact, that she came apart at the seams. She was no longer structurally sound. A while back I convinced him to put her out to pasture and get a new stick horse. Incidentally, the new stick horse was 'not as fast' as Patty, and kept bucking him off. They have since learned to work together quite nicely. But still, Patty had been around for so long and my son didn't want to part with her. Since a stick horse doesn't really fit nicely into a memory box, I surgically removed the stick and mounted it on a painted plaque taxidermy-style. Now Patty can reside over the boys' room in style! 

T-Shirt to Shopping Bag

This shirt came in a bag of clothes from my neighbor and I knew I had to do something with it because...Jerry Garcia meets Energizer Bunny? It is just begging to be made into something funny. I have seen where people cut the sleeves off and sew the bottom shut to make a shopping bag. It seems all fine and dandy, but I don't think that would hold up too well. I decided to add a little bias tape around the edges to hopefully make it more sturdy. 

Upcycled Tank Top

My neighbor brought me a big bag of womens clothes last week that were all in great shape. To make this tank top I traced off one of my girl's store-bought tank tops and cut the pieces out of one of the shirts. It was quick to sew up and after a few modifications, I think I can come up with a good pattern to work with. I have several other shirts out of the stack that will make great tank tops for my daughter. The picture below is a good example of what I usually get when I ask her to stand still for a picture!