Another Use for Jeans

I was browsing around the internet the other day, and I came across this tutorial that totally blew my mind.  Check it out here at HOME MAKER, it’s for making a basket with old jeans.

She cut off all the seams from two pairs of jeans to make an adorable basket for Easter.  When I saw it I was like “wow!”, of all the things to make with jeans, I would have never thought of baskets.

I so want to make one eventually.  It would be so cool, baskets are great in warmer weather for picnics and the beach, etc.  Who knows, it might end up on my next list, just try to pretend to be surprised about it.

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Sock Couture, The Swim Suit Edition

Several months ago, I found a project for making a one piece swimsuit for a doll using a sock in a book called Things to Make for Your Doll by Kathy Ross.  It didn’t specifically say so, but I think all the projects were intended for 18 inch dolls (i.e. American Girl) and not 11 1/2 inch, but I still thought it was a good idea.  I guess I’m really getting into making doll clothes from socks, at least since the dress (see Sock Couture). 



For a smaller version, I used one of my niece’s outgrown socks.  It was just the right size to make this vintage looking one piece suit. 

I just had to cut off the cuff and slide it on her, then pin it and stitch at the bottom.  Of course I did take it off her to sew it, it would have been a pain to sew otherwise.  Looks pretty good, and it would make an adorable romper too.



And since I had some scraps leftover, I started to play around with them and accidentally made this two piece swim suit as well.  Again not bad for an old sock, almost wish I could find a giant size sock to make one for myself, almost.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pillow
• card bracelet
• charm necklace
• netbook sleeve
• doll swimsuit
• bum bag
• sleep mask
• picture frames
• dress

Five down, four to go.  The next few may take some time to accomplish.

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It’s Covered

I really needed a new case for my netbook, the old wasn’t cutting it anymore.   So when I saw this tutorial on Crafty Gemini on making a custom quilted Laptop cover, I was set and ready.

It came out pretty good, much nicer than my old one.  For the outside I used part of an old denim skirt.

The inside is more of this print that I love.  I used bias trim in an odd shade of green because I think it actually looks kind of cool, and with the bright orange buttons it has a quirky look that is definitely one of a kind.  I think my netbook will be happy in it, it’s name is Paul.  Yes, I name my computers.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pillow
• card bracelet
• charm necklace
• netbook sleeve
• doll swimsuit
• bum bag
• sleep mask
• picture frames
• dress

Four down, five to go.  Next is more doll clothes.

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Charmed and Bowed Over

I had managed to collect a few charms, lockets and pendants from broken jewelry and didn’t know what to do with them.  One day I thought, “why not put a bunch together on one necklace?”, so I tried it.

I wanted a heart theme, so I used two heart shaped lockets to start, an upside down heart charm with a paw print, and a pendant for a set of friendship necklaces.  My sister has the other friendship one somewhere.  I filled in the gaps with some flower charms and a butterfly. 

I stitched them to some braided trim, added some clasps, and then added some faux pearls because it needed something.  Now I have a totally unique looking necklace that’s chock full of memories to boot.

I mentioned yesterday that there might be a bonus, and this is it.

To make the necklace and yesterday’s bracelet, I had to search through my box of scraps and embellishments to get some ideas.  I have tons of these pre-made ribbon bows I got a while back, and I have been trying to find ways to use them.  I found a scrap of brown bias trim that I thought looked kind of nice with the bows and maybe some faux pearls, and since I was already making jewelry I automatically made the connection between the bows and making a bracelet with them. 

Just stitched them on the trim, add clasps and faux pearls, and voila!  An unusual, yet pretty cuff.  I think it looks pretty interesting when I wear in backwards too, it looks sort of like ruffled lace.  Maybe I’ll try that too in the future.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pillow
• card bracelet
• charm necklace
• netbook sleeve
• doll swimsuit
• bum bag
• sleep mask
• picture frames
• dress

Three down, six to go.  I’ve been needing the next one really badly.

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Pick a Card

I think it was a few months ago, I found this tutorial for making a bracelet from old credit cards.  Of course, since it was so cool,  I saved it for later.

Here’s later. 

I used an old semester bus pass instead of a credit card, I have way more of them lying around than I do credit cards.  It was really easy, except for the little holes.  The instructions suggest using a drill, but I didn’t have one on hand so I just punched the holes with a hammer.  It was tough trying to get the hole in the right place, and I woke up my mom in the process.  This is not a good project choice for late night crafting. 

Still, the end result was terrific, and I think it is so cool how it still spells out “Semester Pass”.

Here you can see it on my wrist.  How does it look?

Here’s the updated list:

• Pillow
• card bracelet
• charm necklace
• netbook sleeve
• doll swimsuit
• bum bag
• sleep mask
• picture frames
• dress

Two down, seven to go.  I may add a little bonus in addition to the next project, I feel inspiration calling.

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Dino Birthday

Today is my nephew’s birthday, he’s three today and very happy about it.  

For a present, I made him this pillow.  The dinosaur came from one of his old and stained t-shirts.  I cut it out and attached to another t-shirt, which I cut to size.  I used scraps of orange fabric for the edge and cut it with pinking shears to sort of resemble ridges on a dinosaur’s back, at least that was the idea. 

It is a little lumpy, stuffing pillows isn’t one of the things I excel at, but he totally loved it anyway.  He keeps on pointing at the dinosaur and saying “dinosaur!”, he is just so adorable.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pillow
• card bracelet
• charm necklace
• netbook sleeve
• doll swimsuit
• bum bag
• sleep mask
• picture frames
• dress

One down, eight to go.  Up next is more jewelry.

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