Make Something Monday

I was asked by a friend to post a tutorial for my DIY man's shirt to tank top.  The pictures that I have are old, but I'll do my best to write a good description.  Feel free to ask any questions!

I took one of my husband's old T-shirts, laid it out flat and used one of my tank tops (that fit well) as a template.  I cut around it, and because T-shirts are made of jersey knit, I didn't have to worry about finishing the edges around the color, sleeves, and bottom.

I used the extra fabric that I cut off around the bottom to make the ruffle on top.  Super, super easy!  Set your machine to the largest zig-zag stitch, pull out your bobbin thread, and stitch over the bobbin thread.  

I pinned the ruffle where I wanted it, and sewed away! 

All in all, I think this took me about 15 minutes.  I think I need to go rummaging through my husband's clothes again, now.  This has made me want to do another one!

Make Something Monday

I'm actually sitting in physical therapy on a recumbent bike as I'm writing this. It's fun to blog on my phone... Not! But, it must be done. 

Here's a couple of projects that I've finished in the last couple of weeks:

I have a friend that is very tall. She has a hard time finding skirts that are long enough for her, so she asked me to make her one. Here's the pattern that I used:

And the fabric:

I forgot to get an after picture, but, I promise, it was super cute!

I made a quick trip down to Idaho last week and I got to meet my new niece for the first time. I made a bunch of goodies for her.

There's some burp cloths, a few bibs, and a baby toy. They all have terry cloth backing, so they're super absorbent.

And here's little Nili modeling one of the bibs. Isn't she adorable?

Have a happy Monday!

Make Something Monday

Here's a couple of projects that I finished last week.  The hats, bow ties, and hair bows are for a dance recital.  I love how they turned out!  The hair bows will most likely have rhinestones attached to them.  The kids that will be wearing these are between the ages of 4 and 6, so it will be absolutely adorable!

And this is another shirt refashion that I did.  I started with one of my husband's old T-shirts and a vintage doily.  I used my Cricut to cut a fleur de lis to use as a template, then cut it out of the shirt.

I pinned and pinned, and then sewed the doily in place.

Not the greatest picture, but you get the idea.  Pretty cute, if I say so myself!  I also made a pocket out of another doily and added it to the front.  But... I put it too far to the left, so I need to fix that.

Make Something Monday: Mother's Day Gift

Mom, if you're reading, STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!  (Just kidding, go ahead and read, it just won't be a surprise.)
My mom loves to knit.  So, for Mother's Day, I decided to put together a knitting bag for her.  This was so much fun, and I'm really happy with how it turned out!  If I was a knitter, I would want this bag.

The fabrics that I used were repurposed.  They were once an old sheet and a duvet cover.  They made a gorgeous tote!

 The first thing I did was embroider this cute saying on the sheet.  I love the balls of yarn and knitting needles at the top!

I appliqued the saying onto the front of the tote, and then covered it with some ribbon.

Here's the straps coming together.  I just sewed the strips down the center then pressed them in half again and sewed a finishing stitch down both sides.

The finger?  Battle wound.  I was attacked by my embroidery machine while working on the saying above...

I pinned the straps to the bag and made sure that both sides would line up.

I like the sew the straps on by stitching a square first, and then do an "X" in the middle.

I LOVE MY SERGER!  I serged all the edges together and turned the bag right side out.

Isn't it cute?  

I added a little bit of bling, and there it is!  The perfect knitting bag.  I LOVE IT!  And I hope my mom will, too

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  Love ya!

Oh, and Mom, Jim's contribution is embroidered on the inside of the bag... :D

Thankful Thursday: Week 18

I just opened my office window at 8 AM to feel the fresh air and listen to the birds chirping.  I absolutely LOVE spring.  I love the morning air!

1.  The 80 degree weather we've been having.
2.  Haven dressing up my dress form.

This was only the beginning.  When she was done, there was also an apron and a tutu on it.  It was fabulous.

3.  Etsy.  I'm thankful to have a place outside the boutique to sell the things I make.

4.  Learning to make new things.  I love to challenge myself.  The dress that I recently made was just that: a huge challenge.  There was no pattern, and  I completely underestimated how much brain power it would take for me to put the dress together.

5.  Busy weekends.

6.  Nights out with the girls.

7.  Special days to remember things from the past.

8.  Gorgeous fabrics.

9.  That I have things to give to others.

10.  That it's May FIRST!

11.  My best friend ~ My husband.

12.  manicures.

13.  Good advice from those more experienced than I.

14.  Pinterest tutorials.

15.  Drunken donuts.  One of our local restaurants serve these, and they are A-mazing!

16.  Dark chocolate Hershey kisses.

17.  Friends' good ideas.

18.  Rainbows.

This kind.  Made by my oldest son.

19.  Rushed mornings.

20.  Praising in the storm.  This picture spoke so much to me:... And now I can't find it. :(  It was a picture of some of the devastation from the recent midwest tornadoes that had a sign laying on top of the wreckage with the words, "I will praise You in this storm." written on it in red spray paint.  It just was encouraging to me that someone who had possibly lost so  much would still look up and praise.  Just so cool...  I hope my attitude reflects the same thing.

Have a fabulous Thursday!

Make Something Monday

I've been super busy in my craft room today.  I got a lot done, including this dress, which I made for my friend's daughter.  I had never done one like this before, and I didn't have a pattern, so I was using one of my dresses as a template.  We're crossing our fingers that it fits her.  The shoulders on my dress form were too wide for it to slip over, so I couldn't check it on there... Ugh.  But, it's really pretty, and it's fully lined.  The lining on the skirt has a layer of green tulle on the bottom.  So very cute!

I also made this itty bitty hat to go with it!  It's on a  bobby pin.

My kids have had ear aches the last few days, so I put together some heat packs for them.  They're filled with flax seed and lavender oil.  I just pop one in the microwave for 30 seconds, and they're hot for 20 minutes or more.  The kids love them!

Now to go make dinner.  I hope your Monday was as productive as mine!

Filofax Friday: WARNING: photo heavy post!

I love Fridays.  I really do.  And I love Sunday & Monday's pages.  The washi is from Martha Stewart and the fairy stickers are from a local grocery store.  In fact, you'll see a lot of stickers from that particular grocery store.  I lucked out this week and was able to pick up 12 sheets for $1 each!  Scroll down to see more!

Sunday & Monday 

Tuesday & Wednesday

Thursday and Friday

Aren't those froggies adorbs?  (I felt funny typing that word... I don't speak like that, so now I'm wondering if it's weird to type that way... Oh, well, what's done is done.  I'm not changing it now.  Adorbs they are!)

My new washi tape storage!

I know I've already mentioned this in a previous post, but this is seriously one of my best ever finds!  It's called a Mini Stack, and I found it at Goodwill for $2!  Three drawers that are perfectly shaped to store washi.  I heart it.
Now for the stickers... Are you ready?

And... on top of all that, I had a surprise in the mail yesterday from a friend from high school!  She sent me some scrapbook paper and a bunch of stickers!  Thanks, Holly!

So I know this post has been mostly about decorating, but I've been really busy otherwise, too.  My Etsy shop is up, (check it out: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EnVoguePogue)  You'll still see "BabyDoll's Haven" at the top, because I'm having a new logo designed for me.  There's only a couple of things listed right now, but in the very near future, there will be more.  LOTS more.  This coming week, I'm hoping to make my first dust cover for a Filofax.  For me.  Then I will sell some.  My A5 Domino doesn't need protection so much for the leather, but my charms keep getting caught on other things in my bag.  (Terrible problem to have, I think...)  So I will put together a cover for myself, and monogram it or something.  I can't wait!

I'll also be making a dress for one of my good friends' daughter, who is going to be confirmed in the Lutheran church in the next few weeks.  I'm excited about that, too.

I also have several projects that are waiting to be embroidered with names and business logos.  I don't think there's any way that I could keep all of this straight and get it done in a timely fashion without my planner.  I'm so glad I have it!

Have a happy, happy, Friday, and a fabulous weekend!

Make Something Monday: The Cottage Mama Party Dress

I found the pattern for this dress in a Facebook group that I'm involved in.  It was FREE!  SCORE!  It really is adorable, and I love how versatile it is!  I could make it more formal if I wanted, or more whimsical; whatever I would like!  You can get the pattern here: http://thecottagemama.com/2014/03/party-dress-free-pattern-re-release/
I found the fabric at JoAnn's, and was able to put it together in an evening.

I LOVE the flower buttons!  And the big bow!

Haven wore it to church yesterday, and I had to bribe her to take it off.  She kept hugging me, and saying, "Thank you for making this for me, Mommy!"  She absolutely loves how "twirly" the skirt is.

This was so much fun, and as I don't have much experience sewing from a pattern, it definitely taught me a lot.

It's definitely good quality, too.  The bodice is fully lined, so it looks and feels like a dress from a boutique.  I'll be making more for her for sure!

Have a wonderful Monday!