Get Down with Your Stars and Stripes

Usually when some kind of festival or event happens over the weekend, I blogged about how great it was afterwards.  I’ve been thinking that maybe I should mention something beforehand because some of you who may be in the area at the time might actually want to go.  So this Friday and Saturday there will be a two day event in downtown Mesa, Arizona.  They’re calling it Arizona Celebration of Freedom, I think they are planning to make it a yearly event.  Why else would set up a website for it?  Anyway, they will have motorcycles and classic cars, craft vendors, giant inflatables, a watermelon eating contest, tons of live music and a whole lot more.  I can’t wait to check it out, sounds like a lot of fun.

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It’s About Time

I finally finished my list, multiple weeks after I had planned to do so.  Late or not, it’s done and I am so relieved.  So let’s get to it.

I had this shirt dumped on me by my sister who didn’t want it anymore.  It was a cute top, but it had these odd stains on the sleeves and the front that made it un-wearable.  Just needed a little crafty magic.

Here’s the before, sorry about the photo quality.

 

…Here’s the after, again sorry about the photo quality.  To fix the sleeves I just cut them off, sometimes the quickest method is best.  I cut them along the seam and edge of the neckline, gives it a nice shape.  I stitched along the side seams to make it more fitted.  Then I used one of the sleeves to make simple little flowers to hide to spots on the front.  Now I have a sweet new tank top to grace the Summer sun.

Next up is this old large size polo shirt I salvaged a while back.  I took one look at it and thought that it would make a great little dress.

So here’s the before…

 

…And the after.  Simple enough, I took it in on the sides because it was huge on me, and then added a large ruffle at the bottom for fun and for a little more modesty.  Without it the dress was ultra micro-mini, enough said.  Funny enough, for the ruffle I cut off the bottom of another large polo shirt.  It was actually my sister’s old work shirt from working at Circle K.  It seems she provided materials for both of these projects without even knowing it.  Aren’t sisters wonderful?

Here’s the finished list:

• Tube top
• Doll costume
• Card holder
• Green dress
• Top recon
• Polo dress

Six down and out.  Hopefully the next list won’t have as many delays.  Keeping fingers crossed.

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…And Found

So yesterday I mentioned a kitten I found.  Today I am proud to say she is doing well.  I took her to this great non-profit animal shelter in Gilbert, AZ called Friends for Life.  They have already placed her in a foster home with a really nice lady.  It was hard to leave her there, but at least she will be taken care of beautifully.  It was strange going home from there on the bus with an empty pet carrier, people kept on asking what was in there.  I think it would have been funny if I tossed in a stuff animal and showed it to anyone who asked.  The looks on there faces would have been priceless.

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Lost

As I was leaving this morning, I spotted a small furry face by the dumpster.  It was a kitten, the cutest little black cat you’ve ever seen, not including my cat Midnight of course.  I haven’t managed to get a picture, but she does bare a striking resemblance to Midnight, this is a picture of Midnight.  Too bad she doesn’t like the kitten.  She hisses at her whenever she gets close, I hear it’s a natural reaction for cats.  I’ve always found it odd, you see Midnight use to live with a family that had a ton of cats.  And for a cat that came from a multi-cat household, she doesn’t seem to be too good with other cats.  Anyway way, the kitten is so cute, but she was really scared when I found her.  It took a while to get her inside and I ended up being late at the clinic.  She is eating okay and seems to like me very much right now, too bad I can’t keep her.  Wish I could so badly.  I will have to take her to a shelter sometime tomorrow, I’m still trying to decide which one.  For now she’s in good hands.

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Something about Zippers

Anyone know what to do with a broken zipper?  I just found something.  Ucreate just posted a guest tutorial on making these cute, vintage looking little rosettes with old zippers.  You can put them anywhere, but especially on head bands, pins, and bags.  What’s great is how simple they are to make, not to mention how simple it is to gather the materials.  You can salvage zippers from old clothing that wouldn’t have a use otherwise, like totally destroyed jeans.  I’m thinking of making more bracelets with them, that is as soon as I finish my current project list, I am so behind on it. :(

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Stick to the Pattern

Don’t worry, I’m still alive and well.  I haven’t posted in a while because I have been so very busy with my externship and stuff that I haven’t had the time to blog or to craft for that matter.  But I finally finished the dress from my list, so here it goes.

Some of you may remember this pattern that I got half off from Goodwill a while ago (see Good Deals From Goodwill).  It’s Butterick 6333, and I decided to actually use it since it is suppose to be an easy pattern and I should start actually using the patterns I buy.  I have several unopened ones I scored at thrift stores and rummage sales.  I never used them because usually, when I sew I don’t use a pattern, except ones I’ve made myself which are usually simple ones that are more like templates than patterns.  I find that although the cover of a store bought pattern is pleasing to the eye, the paper patterns and instructions are a night mare.  So it is easy see why when I sew with them I don’t get the results I want.

Here’s the proof of that.  This is the dress I made with the pattern and they’re several things wrong with it, of course I would rather not point them out.  Just take my word for it.  But at least I finally used this fabric, I’ve had it for what seems like an eternity.  And despite the goof ups, it is a cute dress.  What is funny is that I didn’t stick to pattern when it came to sleeves and that’s the part I think I did well on.  It look sweet sleeve-less, and it kind of reminds me of the dress that Tinker Bell wears.  Maybe it would make a great Halloween costume for next year.  I would just need to make a new set of fairy wings since the ones I have are blue and won’t match (see Crafty All Nighter).
Here’s the updated list:

• Tube top
• Doll costume
• Card holder
• Green dress
• Top recon
• Polo dress

Four down, just two to go.  I shouldn’t have too much trouble finishing up the last two in a timely manner, I hope.

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