T-Shirt Skirt

Ok, I've seen a lot of repurposing with T-shirts going on out there and just thought I'd give it a try. I wanted to try a skirt, something light and easy, for summer, but something that looked different and trendy. This is what I came up with:

I bought an Xlarge mens T-shirt at a thrift shop for a dollar or two and started by cutting off the top at the armpits. Then I cut out the side seams so it was easier to work with and cut the bottom into 3 inch strips.

My plan was to sew the strips back together and I started measuring and pinning, but that was taking too long so I started sewing one at a time. Beginning just above the bottom hem, which I left intact, I sewed straight up. The pieces that had a little bit of the design from the shirt I flipped around so the inside of the shirt was on the outside of the skirt.

The original T-shirt hem ended up as the skirt hem. It was way too short, so I cut off the arms and the neck hole of the top of the shirt and sewed a tube out of what was left. I had to attach it to the bottom inside out because of the design and take it in a little at the sides. It is very comfortable and cute too.

It was a little time consuming because I wasn't sure how to start, or initially how to make it longer, but in the end it worked out and was worth my $2.


And while I sew, this is what Damen does, entertaining huh?


I'm linking this one too to:

Ahhh, a wedding!

I made a shadow box for our home a few weeks ago like this. Last week our fabulous babysitter (well she's been away at school for two years, but she was fabulous) got MARRIED. So, for her and her new husband I made them a similar one:




I haven't figured out how to take a good photo of my stuff, but you get the idea. To see how, view the link above for the first one I made. Click on the link below to see other crafty ideas!

Free Movies

Damen, like his Mom, really REALLY likes popcorn.

Casper Crafts!

While we were in Casper I spent a few mornings shopping at the local thrift and craft stores (Hobby Lobby!!) with Dustin's mom. We found some great things and the following is what I did with them!(aren't you so excited to see!!!)



This lovely clock was $7.50 at a second hand store. I already turned the clock upside down in this shot to make sure it could be done, so imagine the clock the other way for a true BEFORE picture.

First I took off the "Opera" sign, it was just glued in paper. Then I realized that the space was longer than 12" and I couldn't use scrapbook paper to fill it in so I got creative with some brown packing paper and painted it a light tan color then went over it with a little bit of dark red. I used my newfound friend, ModPodge to adhere the paper and seal it on top.

Now for the frustrations.
I added the vinyl lettering that I had already and realized the word Love was almost the same shade as the background paper, hmmm. I also wanted to change the middle of the face of the clock, so using an xacto knife I cut out the center, thinking I could leave it that way. Oh look, it's ugly plastic with holes. hmmm.

My solution for the clock face was to paint some more brown paper, same as the sign, tear it and glue it to a precut circle that would just fit in the face with a slit cut in the middle to go around the hands. Then modpodge it all down. This step was harder than it sounds, those clock hands wouldn't come off and were really delicate!

I had a lot of opinions about the word fixing and finally went with my husbands idea to use a sharpie and shadow the letters.

I love it!


Ok, this next project should have actually been easier, and although it didn't take as long it was a little bit more intense for me. This is a plain cupboard door we bought at a Habitat Restore for I think $1.

I drilled three holes in the bottom to put nobs in and as easy as that sounds, OH the frustration! First I couldn't find the drill bits, then I couldn't figure out how to put them into our drill, it's newer and our old one was simpler I guess. It was over 100 outside so yes I'm drilling over our kitchen table, with precautions of course.

Now, I'm not a patient person, a project this simple should have been done and over before nap time was over, but alas sometimes my impatience adds time to a project. In the above picture is proof. I drilled my holes and began to screw in the first nob, not for good, just to make sure it fit, it didn't. But I thought with a little persistence it would go in, it didn't. It did get stuck. Many pairs of pliers, sweat (from going into the sauna (aka garage) to get said pliers), and finally these menacing wire cutter things got it out! PHEW. I was certain the screw itself was ruined and that this nob would have to be glued on, it was ok though, barely survived.

Finally, three adequate sized holes drilled and painted it white. Because the cupboard is unfinished it really soaked up the paint.

Then I used a green and later a brown glaze over the top.

When that was all dry I sealed it with this stuff.

And lastly, screwed the nobs in. I really really like it!

Now, how do I hang it with these sticking out in the back? And then where to put it?


That's the only problem I have with my projects, where should they go???

I'm linked to:

Beach day!

Eleven pictures and only ONE worth posting!

Cousins!

I took a lot of pictures of Damen and his cousins on our recent trip, they're just so dang cute!


Damen and Ryan, silly bouncy boys are hard to capture on film!

Sweet Benjamin and mommy Terra.

Kara, digging in the dirt in her sunday dress, classic.

Cousin Conner

Benjamin again, so sweet!

Addison and Heather at the falls

Addison and Damen, riding a crocodile

Kara and Heather at the falls.

Conner, Garick, Stacy, Kara, Sean and Heather.


Baby Paige with daddy Brett.


And of course, Addison and Damen being dinosaurs at the museum, grrrrr!

Why? Wyoming!

That's a silly silly post title, I know, it just came to me! Two weeks ago we loaded up the car and headed to Dustin's parents home in Casper, WY. We left on Damen's birthday and got in the next day to the joyously full house. Both of Dustins sisters, husbands, kids and two of his brothers, wives, kids, and dog were there. We had lots of fun staying up late, playing games, doing headstands (talents), hiking and watching the fourth of July fireworks. The sibs started to head back to their respective homes and by Wednesday it was just us and Nana and Pa. We went out to Martins Cove, went shooting, to the park, shopping, out to dinner and Dustin and his dad spent a morning golfing. There are about a million pictures to share, so be fore warned and enjoy!



Damen's birthday cake out of rice and cocoa crispies, made with love by Nana and Aunt Stacy:

Nana and Pa gave Damen a sleeping bag to which his gleeful cry was, "Oh YEAH for my dates!" We had to explain to everyone that when we go out we often leave Damen with friends and we tell him we're going out on a date so this will be his "sleepover" sleeping bag, for when Mommy and Daddy go on dates:)

The Sean H. family gave Damen this great "Lightning Mcqueen" pillow that Aunt Stacy made, he loves it!

Uncle Brett playing this game in the backyard, what's it called? Ghetto golf or something, it was fun and we spend most of our daylight playing it!


We had a talent night that consisted of well, interesting things; dancing, singing, violin playing and ended with handstands. This is Dustins slightly older brother Sean. Below is his 11year old son Garick.



Casper falls that we hiked to together. This shot is of Uncle Evan and Conner climbing, Sean followed soon after and they were quick to shimmy up, a little slower on the way down!

Beautiful falls though.


The museum at the Casper College just got this mammoth, the most complete one ever found. We visited there for a while.

Damen getting golfing tips from Pa.

Ok, our trip to the Martins Cove visitors center could have been it's own post, it was amazing! In the 50 minute car ride we read about the pioneers that traveled through and were stranded and buried there. The stories of courage, love and faith were just beautiful. So was the landscape! The Platte river winds through the fields and the giant gap in the rock. We had a picnic, pulled the handcarts around and hiked out to Devils gate. I would strongly recommend visiting if you're ever in eastern central Wyoming, or just take a special trip, it was really neat!



Can you spot Dustin and Damen below?


Nana and Pa with Damen, saying goodbye.



Our good friends moved recently to Utah, sad huh? They took Olivia too and luckily we got to spend some time together.

Melissa, Dan and Olivia


We also got to stay the night at our friends Brian and Corinnes, here are their little monkeys Whitney and Westin being silly.


Christi, my sister, came over and took me and Corinne out to a piano bar downtown for some grown up fun. We sang and danced and drank (water), and had a blast! We rang in Corinne's "21st" birthday and then headed back to chat until the wee hours of the morning.



It was really a wonderful trip full of family and fun and friends!
(wow that's a lot of "f's")