Everyday Lounge Pant Tutorial

Yes, I am posting at 6:00 p.m. on a Wednesday. So what?

I bought these lounge pants from Target for $6.00. They are basic, available everywhere and a staple in most women's wardrobes. I love me some casual pants (that can't be proper English!), but all signs are pointing to the fact that if I wore these around town, I have completely given up on life. My husband likes to jokingly refer to sweats as "quitters" because he thinks that people who wear them out and about (i.e. dinner, movies or shopping) have totally surrendered in caring about themselves. Since I haven't thrown in the towel (nor do I ever plan to) on wanting to look presentable, I have, however, joined the ranks of wanting to be comfortable. There is a way to do both! 

I turned my Quitters - with a capital Q, into fashionable everyday pants. I'll be happy to say that these babies have made an appearance at Target, the grocery store, our road trip and yes, even dinner! They seem to be perfectly appropriate for every event in my life. Maybe that says a little something about me!?

I think these would also be good to wear for:

post maternity 

bike riding 

evening walks

the farmers market

a swimsuit cover up

thrift shopping

going to the park

going on picnic

you name it

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 I first started off by pinning them where I wanted them to be gathered at my leg. I did this while still wearing them, standing up really straight and looking into a mirror. I measured up from the hem and pinned the other leg at the same spot.

Next, I cut them off at the pins. Remember - you will have a 3"- 4" cuff on the bottom so take your final length into account before cutting!

I then measured up 4" (allowing for a 1/2" seam) from the bottom of the cut off leg piece and I cut them once again. This 4" piece will be used as your cuff for around your calf. Do this on both legs pieces.

I took my pants and sewed a base stitch 1/2 above my newly cut bottom edge. It doesn't have to look good because you will pull it through and remove it later.

I put the pants back on and started gathering the leg to get the right width for my calf. Tie off your thread strings once this is done so that your gather won't slip.

I opened my cuff piece by cutting the seam off and then I measured around the opening of the leg on the pants. I trimmed the length of the cuff to the measured size. I left my pants right side in and sewed the top of the cuff to the bottom of my pants so that right sides were together. Basically, just turn your cuff piece upside down backwards! 

Hint: start sewing from the hem on the inner of the leg

Once I got to the end, I just sewed up the side into the seam of the pants. 

I then took out the base stitch as it's not needed anymore

And that's it!

 I also added a little flair by using up the left over leg material that was cut off and make a cargo pocket. I also made a bias tape with some scrap fabric and made a new drawstring belt and topped the pocket with it as well.

Is this something you would wear around town? Do you think they are utilitarian as I do? Do you think I will wear them till they are worn thin, practically see-through and borderline indecent? 

You bet I will! 

Blog link ups are a great thing! See where I am this week! Click here!

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Thanks and Take a Peek!

Today I am featured over at Whatever Dee Dee Wants with my DIY kid's placemat. I am participating in her Terrific Tuesdays series. Each Tuesday throughout the summer, she presents a kid friendly craft to not only help keep the wee ones occupied on those long summer days, but also to help parents devote their time and attention their kids...and just their  kids! I really love this concept because I firmly believe in the saying, "To a child, Love is spelled T-I-M-E." Making memories with our children is crucial and if you can rid your summer of those dreaded words, "I'm bored", then it's double the points! If they don't want to make art, I'm sure the garden always needs to be weeded! 

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Also, I have a few things on my to do list this week. Or should I call it my "get to do" list, because really, making this stuff is a privilege - not a chore!  I went through my bookmarks, new and old, and gathered together some pretty little projects. I think I will go ahead and share my list with you today!

Custom paper tape by Just Something I Made

          

This very simple tutorial for a lace shirt from One Pearl Button found over at My Girl Thursday. You will squeal when you see how easy it is to make this! 

Scallop cut offs found at Green Eggs and Ham. I love me some scallops! 

Decorating with masking tape! Brilliant ideas found at How About Orange.

Make your own sugar cubes with this tutorial from Nifty Thrifty Things. 

Obsessing over these fabric covered pots by Lavender and Limes! 

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Hand Towel Apron With Zipper - Tutorial

The ladies in my family have this REALLY stellar tradition where we save up all our money/gift cards that we received at Christmas, made from craft shows or was returned from paid taxes and together we go on an all day shopping adventure! While we like to buy a few things for ourselves, we also like to pick up ideas for future craft projects along the way! As we stroll the isles of merchandise and finger through the racks of clothes, we often find ourselves saying, "I can make that for so much less!" We get a lot of inspiration for anything that would make life a little more pleasant and more affordable by doing it ourselves! With that being said...

I present to you the "apron with zipper attached hand towel"!

Step 1: Wear your apron.  Step 2: Unzip your dirty towel from apron  Step 3: Wash your dirty towel! 

I spotted a this nifty design in a fancy boutique and it had a price tag of $40.00. Pleeeaaase! I loved the concept because really, that is all I use my aprons for: wiping my hands, drying off a spoon or dabbing my little one's messy mouth after his licked the brownie batter out of the bowel. But I knew I could easily make it for less than $15.00. And that I did!

It only requires a few inexpensive materials, some of which you probably already have on hand!

Materials that you will need:

hand towel

separating zipper

existing apron ( to be used as a template or to be refashioned!)

1 yard of fabric (if you don't have an apron to refashion)

Sewing machine

Before I get started on the tutorial, there are a few hints that are going to help you tremendously! I learned them by trial and error, so you can thank me later for saving you so much time and hassle! 

**Please read before beginning this project!!**

First: Find out what sizes and colors of zippers your local or closest sewing center carries. Make a physical or mental note of it and shop for your hand towel. Make sure you buy a hand towel in a length that is the same length as a standard zipper. Remember that zippers are measured from component to component - not from the ends of the fabric. 

Second: For some reason, stores do not like to carry long length zippers in fashionable and fun colors. At least where I live (dang you, Utah!). I ended up using a 27" basic black zipper because I gave up trying to find something better! What I'm trying to say is, "good luck finding a 31.5" hot pink zipper!"

Third: When buying a hand towel, take your measuring tape with you because often times, the size of the towel is not printed on the tag. I noticed most towels varied between the sizes of 25"-30" in length. 

Fourth: Buy a zipper and then choose your fabric last. Find one that matches both your zipper and towel. Trust me on this. I started with my fabric choice and after returning 3 towels, 2 zippers and searching 5 sewing centers, I almost gave up! 

Let's get started! If you are either using an existing apron to refashion, or are making a new by using an existing apron as a template, you will want to lay it out and then take your hand towel and line up the bottom of it, to the bottom of your apron. This will show you how long the fabric part of the apron will need to be. (my hand towel happened to be the exact same length as my template apron - PURE COINCIDENCE!)

After finding the length, either cut off the bottom of your apron, allowing enough material for a seam or if you are making a new one, fold under and pin the apron. This will be used as your template.

If you are making a new apron, lay your template on top of your fabric and cut out with enough material around the edges for a seam allowance. Lay your hand towel down to see if your widths are measuring up, if needed. 

If you are refashioning an existing apron, simply hem the bottom and skip the next step as it does not apply to you! 

Fold all edges under (twice for a more finished look!) and press with a hot iron then sew.

Once all your edges have been hemmed, you are ready to sew your zipper on. Separate your zipper and sew one side onto the bottom of your apron, and one side to the top of your hand towel. I chose the ever easy and trendy "exposed zipper" method. 

Next, use your fabric scraps to make and sew on a strap for the neck and for the ties. And you are finished! 

My cost:

fabric: $4.00 (on sale at Hancock Fabrics)

towel: $3.00 (on sale at Target)

zipper $3.00 (from local fabric shop)

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total: $10.00!!!!

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, you pricey Boutique you! 

*I love link parties! Click HERE to see who I've partied with this week!*

Loved your visit! Until next time...

Ready, SET, go! DIY Kids Placemat

Several years ago (according to the article, March 2006, to be exact!) I clipped this idea out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine for a kids DIY placemat. I didn't even have a child back then but knew that someday I wanted to sit down make this craft with a tiny little person beside me! It's not only a great tool to teach your children the proper way to set a table, but it's easy to clean and saves your table from getting messy!

 I love that my little guy is now old enough to do things like this! He gets so eager to dive into an art project! It makes my heart smile!

Materials that you will need:

poster board
4 sheets of paper
scissors
glue
laminating machine

 Cut your poster board down to desired size. I read that a standard placemat size is 18"x14" but I made his a little smaller so that it could fit into a drawer in the kitchen.

I gave him a piece of paper to practice tracing his circles on. He pays so much attention to detail and was so careful! He was cracking me up! 

After all his practice, it was time for the real thing!

We then traced each of the shapes for the glass, dish and napkin on separate pieces of paper and cut them out. I hand drew the utensils - sorry I don't have a template!

Mr. Little Jeans put glue on all the shapes and we placed them onto the poster board.

After we were done, we drove to a local store called Utah-Idaho Supply to get it laminated. It is a supply house for educational instructors to buy resources for their students and classrooms. It is such an amazing store and the price to get it laminated was less than $3.00! I highly recommend going to a store like this rather than a copy or office supply store because it will save you so much money! 

He is now a pro at setting his own place setting and I am happy that I got to craft it up with my favorite little man in the whole world! 

Loved your visit! Until next time....

DIY Sundance Catalog Poster

One of my favorite things to read are magazine articles, news segments or blog posts on how to achieve a designer look for less! Whether it's clothing or a room remodel, it can always be done! Who doesn't love a budget friendly result?

While recently browsing the Sundance Catalog's website, I came across this beautiful "Eggs of the Avian" print....

I fell in love with it! But then, my eyes wondered over to the price and a loud gasp was released from my lips after it's discovery! While it is lovely in it's entirety, I unfortunately cannot afford this $495.00 piece of art. I really wanted to find a way to create it on a budget and was bound and determined to do so!
(The original is quite large but I only need something to fill a small space on my wall)

Here is what I came up with:

I found this FREE downloadable print over at The Graphics Fairy. I hate to admit it, but I actually like the vintage charm of this one better than the Sundance version! I know that if I take a pdf to a printing shop (Staples or Office Depot does it for only a few dollars), I can have it made into any size I need as long as the resolution is high enough. 

*For yet another similar egg graphic click here*

I then spotted this reclaimed 11X14 barnwood frame to finish off the look at Hobby Lobby for only $15.00! If I use a 40% off coupon that they so frequently send out, it would only cost me around $9.00!
(This frame can also be found at Michael's! Hooray!)

What do you think? Is it a close enough match? I think saving a whopping $475.00 makes it a perfect match! 

As soon as my spring cleaning, prepping the yard/garden for the new season and a little family vacation is complete, I will start this very project! 

Loved your visit! Until next time...

"Knot" Again! T-Shirt Tutorial

I know I have said it on here before, but I just NEED a break from any piece of clothing with a ruffle or bow embellishment! My closet is full of them - the stores are full of them. I always know when I need to get a grip and step back from an obsessive trend. For me, that time is now! 

(hey world...it's me, Amy!)

While still liking a good embellishment, I wanted a shirt that avoided the above mentioned but still had a little flair! Knots! Why not!? This project is super easy, repurposes an old shirt, takes less than an hour and uses very little supplies - most of which you probably already have at home.

Materials that you will need:

-iron

-heat and bond (light weight)

-1.5 yards ribbon

-scissors

-1 shirt in good condition

-1 shirt to be repurposed

-ruler or tape measure

-sewing machine

At the last minute, I changed out my ribbon from the orange ribbon shown in the picture. When I looked at the front of it, this is what I read! Undetermined content doesn't belong on my chest! I decided to go with a black grosgrain ribbon instead!

Start by cutting out a piece of your heat and bond into a strip that measures 2.75" in width. Measure the length of your shirt and add 1/2" to the length of your heat and bond. This will allow your strip of fabric to be folded under when you are ready to sew.

Be sure to cut a curve at the top of your strip to fit the curve of your collar.

When your strip has been measured and cut, place it down on the old shirt that you want to repurpose. Find a section that fits the strip of heat and bond and iron it down. You may have to use the back like I did.

Cut the fabric around the strip of heat and bond with a 1/4" allowance on all the sides.

Next, remove the backing from your strip. Fold your fabric over with the use of the edge of your hot iron and press the sides down onto the adhesive. Be careful not to get the hot iron onto the adhesive - keep it strictly on the edge where your shirt is folded over. 

*Sorry, photos for the next 2 steps were accidentally deleted!*

Now, lay your strip of fabric, adhesive side down, on the center of your good shirt. Make sure to measure and pin. Use your iron to press the strip of fabric down on your T shirt. Be careful not to stretch or pull the shirt while ironing as to not offset the strip. Fold and adhere the bottom 1/2" of your strip under your shirt for a more finished look.

Once your strip has been ironed down, you are ready to sew it on. Try to sew as close to the edge as possible. 

Next, you want to cut your ribbon into 7" lengths. 1.5 yards of ribbon will get you 8 pieces. Lay your pieces of ribbon down the front of your shirt measuring and pinning as you go. I spaced mine out at 2".

Now you can sew your ribbons on! I used a horizontal stitch about 1/2" in length. I tried to use a vertical one, but the knots felt flimsy and would flop from side to side. 

Tie all your ribbons in a knot. Depending on your ribbon, they may look crooked.

I went back over the ribbons and did a tiny stitch (not to be noticed) to hold them in place by walking my machine over them a few times. It may seem redundant to sew them on twice, but this was the only way I could figure out how to get them to be sturdy and hold them in place at the same time. Trust me, I tried other ways! 

You are done! How did you do? Was it easy enough for you to get it done in between folding the laundry and making dinner?

As with all my projects, if you decided to tackle one and have a photo of it, I would love to see your work! It always makes me so happy! Simply email me at the address in the right hand column so I can tell you how amazing you are! 

*Click HERE to see where I have linked this project up to this week!*

Loved your visit! Until next time....

The Good And the Bad

Hello dear followers! I cannot even tell you how much I have appreciated you hanging in there and patiently waiting for me to get back online! I would check into my blog every few days to see if there was any news, emails, questions or comments that I needed to tend to and was always so thrilled to see that you all have stuck with me and that I had even gained a few new followers! Much thanks to you all - I am so happy to have you visit and support this little blog of mine!

Well, I have bad news and I have good news. 

I will start with the bad first. My pregnancy was unfortunately unsuccessful and we lost the baby at 16 weeks into it. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through - especially because I have hyperemesis with my pregnancies during the first trimesters. I really thought all the hard work, the hours of bed rest, the sacrifice of not being able to spend quality time with my husband and son would all pay off in the end when I finally got to hold the little baby in my arms. I am heartbroken that it won't. The ONLY reason why I am telling the news on this blog is to let you know why I haven't felt the need or desire to blog again but also because people always anticipate a pregnant blog author to post about their pregnancy and any fun baby finds, DIY baby projects, ideas for a nursery and then await for the big announcement when the baby has finally arrived. I too love to read those kind of things from some of my favorite bloggers around the web who are expecting and it always makes me feel like I am one of their closest friends! I love being allowed to read the details and happenings of their exciting time and how much they look forward to their new addition and how they are preparing for it! I will continue to read their incredible blogs and cheer them on from my living room! It really should be a time of celebration and sharing! I simply just wanted you, my friends, to know why I can't share such things with you! 

The good news is that I am doing well! I am healthy again, my spirits are up and I have been making up for lost time hanging out with my loving hubby and my favorite silly little 3 year old! We have an amazing support system of family and friends around us and our faith in God to lift us up whenever we are down! It feels good to see Spring around the corner, to feel the sun on my face and be able to see my apricot tree in blossom. Those are all the things that help a wounded heart heal! We are so hopeful for the future and this little bump in the road will not detour us in any way. Also, on a good note, while taking the needed time off, I have been brainstorming and getting inspired about some new DIY projects to post on here and I have a few goodies up my sleeve! It feels good to get back in the saddle again and I look forward to moving on, pressing forward and finding happiness in working with my hands once again! 

See you real soon!

Allow Me to Explain

See this tree? 

This tree and me are the same.

With that being said, you may understand how sitting at the computer is quite unappealing to me at this time. I am unfortunately not one of those women that gets to skate through the 9 months of gestation! My pregnancies are filled with medicines, IV's and a lot of rest so that both baby and me stay safe and stay alive! Since I am only in my first trimester, I have to take it VERY easy. I will be putting this beloved little blog on hold for the time being so that I can care for the beloved little baby inside of me, instead! Please hang in there and know that I will be back in the blogging world in no time! While I am on leave and spending most of my time lying in bed (or hanging my head in the toilet), I will be taking full advantage of my down time by conjuring up some good craftiness for you when I return! Thanks for all of your support and understanding! Until next time....