Little Sister Rock Star

How do you refashion or up cycle kid clothes when you have both a son and a daughter? 

Turing big brothers long sleeve t-shirt into a little ripped up t-shirt fit for a rock star!

• We used some 'girlie' colored Sharpies and colored in some of the drawings on the shirt.
• Cut the sleeves- then tug to pull the t-shirt fabric so it rolls up a little.
• Cut about an inch off of the bottom of the shirt- then tug to pull the t-shirt fabric so it rolls up a little.
• Cut around the seam on the neck line- then tug to pull the t-shirt fabric so it rolls up a little.
• Since she wasnt about to wear a shirt that was baggy and felt like "pj's" I also cut a few slits down the back of the shirt. Remembering to then tug to pull the t-shirt fabric so it rolls up a little. Then I cut the slits in the center and tied them off giving her a fitted look. 

*Don't forget to make sure your little Rock Star has a tank top on under the over-sized boy cut up t-shirt.

Here is our interpretation of an over-sized big brothers t-shirt turned Ripped Up Rock Star. 

Inspired by: Roller Derby Fashion

3.5 months, not bad

Do you remember me talking about 'The Great American Apparel Diet' a few months back? No? Here's a quick recap: 

           In my post 'Simplify' I vowed NOT to buy any new clothing for six months. TGAAD is actually intended to last for 12 months. I started out small. Baby-steps. Once I make it to my 6 month mark, I believe I will continue on for the remaining 6 months.  So this whole Apparel Diet thing sounds like an easy thing, right? It wasn't at first. It is hard to brake a habit of any kind. I am just barely over half way to my mini goal. I have not bought one single thing. Sadly, this truly amazes me. I really thought I would of had a harder time with this 'diet' because, like many of us out there, Retail Therapy is a go-to stress reliever. Plus, its fun. Instant gratification.

This diet, challenge, vow, or whatever label you want to call it as, has made me change the way I think and behave. I no longer stand in my closet, disgusted with what I own, thinking 'ah, I need a new top', or 'these jeans are just not doin' it for me, I need to get a new pair.'   NEED.   I do not NEED anything new. I do not NEED for anything, but the necessities.

I have reevaluated my belongings. I have forced myself into playing around with what I own. Accessories are key. I am even revamping a few older things here and there. Pinterest, the root to all things crafty, has a ton of ideas listed in case your brain starts to freeze up. Like mine does. Often. Too Often.

Cue instant ideas, yay!

source

source

source

source

Care to join me? If so, come back and share your link. I would love to follow along. 

note:  winning things (like this) from blog giveaways are totally ok ;)

Handy Dandy

I used to consider myself a fairly creative, outside the box, thinker.  Since the popularity of Pinterest, I find myself in a constant state of ‘why didn’t I think of that’. Well, without going on The Pin first, to see how many other people do this, I am going to add my own little handy dandy tip of the day. 

Ya know all that gross excess grease you end up with after cooking some things, especially bacon?! And we all know pouring grease and/or cooking oil down the drain is a HUGE no-no, right?! Wouldn’t want to cost yourself tons of cash when the pipelines get backed up causing both health and environmental hazards!! 

So here's what I do:

 I reuse a tub that ice cream came in as my spill safe zone and an old jar with a lid for the grossness. 

…and if you wanna get all bedazzled about it, you can pretty it up, take a picture, and post it to Pinterest. Personally, I’m not wasting my craft supplies on it ☺

((please pay no mind to under my sink. this house is a DIY in progress!))

 I would also like to add, after seeing how much grease bacon produces, I no longer eat it. G-R-R-R-O-S-S!

Upcycle your way home

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.


Once upon a time there was a dress
I mean there was a set of curtains

Upcycled Curtains

It was a dress, but then there was change
Repurpose is now the name of the game

(clearly I've been reading to many children's books)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


You start with this well worn and loved dress:
I liked to wear it with a pair of jeans :)

Then hunt down this handy little tool:

I found these hooks at Big Lots, fairly cheap. I wanted to reuse something in the house as a curtain rod, but wasnt able to find anything. So I bought a tension rod for $2:

From This :

To This :

BEFORE & AFTER

linked to:
fun to craft

A Vision to Remember 

Young and Crafty

Thrift Store Guru

I firmly believe that thrifting is an art form. Lets face it, anyone can go into a thrift store or flea market, but it takes a special kind of person to be elbow deep in second hand dust, all in the name of pulling out a hidden gem! We Thrift Store Guru’s are a rare breed.

To learn more about thrifting, check out the ABC's of Thrifting at Sweet Green Tangerine. She did a marvelous job at compiling some very useful information for any level thrifter.

If you want to find some great second hand stores in your area, check out TheThriftShopper.com for a National Thrift Store Directory. I know! I was floored when I found it too! GENIUS! She even has a place for you to leave reviews about the stores you have visited. As an avid review reader, I beg you, LEAVE REVIEWS! others will thank you. I will thank you.

Here are some (and by some I mean, tons) shots from my last venture out in Thriftland: