Needing Comments and Suggestions on this Reconstruction

 Amy had this bedjacket (that had already been cut up) and the idea for adding its sleeves to an existing t shirt and adding a flower with streamers.

I did what she instructed but it looks like a t shirt with bedjacket sleeves and that's not what I wanted it to look like.  I like the flower construction but the sleeves leave something to be desired.  I'm thinking I need to remove them (ugh! an awful thought since I've already double-sewed them on and it was a bugger-bear to get it straight on t shirt fabric) and make more of a cap sleeve than what you see here.  Decisions, decisions.

Reconstructing/Refashioning

 I started with a black velvet skirt remade from a dress (neither the dress nor the remade skirt sold in Amy's shop last year), a bodice of an orchid slip (Amy had used the skirt part in something else), and a length of ruffle from a doll dress that Amy had.  Amy had the design elements in mind and asked if I could put them together into a prom dress.

Here's the result.

We fluffed the ruffle a little (at Amy's suggestion) and I added a little tulle fan shape (also Amy's suggestion) to either side of the flower (made from the gathered ruffle of the tulle).  This is how it looks in Amy's shop window on a dress form.  This shot is Amy's that she put on Facebook yesterday.  We think the dress  turned out cute.  Before, it was sentenced to the scrap heap.

I love making something pretty out of scraps!

Fluffy White and Cream Fabric Rose Hair Clip

I've made three of these the last few days along with another shirt (I forgot to take a pic of it.)  I've added this one to my Etsy shop.  For all local sales, I will return the shipping fee.  The other two flowers went on a shirt and a headband.  These are so versatile.  Here are just a few ways to use these:
Clip on a
headband
fabric or metal bracelet
necklace
jacket
coat
tank top
purse
tote
collar
ponytail holder
and whatever else you decide.  I love making these and actually have a few I wear, believe it or not.  Have a great middle of the week.

Refashioned T Shirt

SOLD

Yes, it's what I do.  This was once a long-sleeved army green plain t shirt that I have jazzed up a bit.  I made the ruffles from the sleeves I had removed and added some bits of cream and tan fabric to a strip of the original and made a flower.  I added some ecru pearls to the center.  I left the cap sleeves unfinished.  This will either go to S'More Couture or to my Etsy shop--not sure which as of now.  Though this color is not my favorite, I think it turned out cute.

Caution! Addictive Craft

Yes, I have to admit that I'm hooked on knitting scarves.  I made the red one a few weeks ago and I've been knitting now for three weeks straight, minus some other crafting items to put in my shops.  I love this fun yarn.  It's named that for a reason, you know.  The turquoise yarn is so lovely with all the bright colors threaded throughout.  I'm going to enjoy wearing/giving these away.  I have to try them out to see if they work, don't I?  Have a great weekend.

Tiered Lace Full Skirt

SOLD

 I made this skirt from

 this skirt. 

The bottom ruffle is actually the back of the skirt.  I removed the top layer which left the underskirt on which I applied layers and layers of different kinds of lace.  It's taken me all week adding one or two rows at a time.  Pick the lace, sew the gathering stitch, gather the lace, pin on the lace and sew it.  It's certainly not perfect but this is an experiment that I have wanted to try for a long time.  I read recently that lace is back in the fashion world this year.  My tendencies were lacey last year so maybe those items will sell this year.  We'll see.  I have a few more picky things to do yet and maybe next time the photos will be better.  It's been interesting work but I'm not sure I'd want to do another one like this--maybe a pencil skirt with larger matching lace is next.

Pom Pon Yarn WEEEEE!

Most fun knitting experience ever!  Red Heart makes this Pompadoodle yarn and I made one of these in veriegated (sp) pink for my granddaughter when they were visiting and I was teaching my family how to knit (they did great!).  I saw how her brother looked at her scarf--almost saying, " wish I had one, too" with his eyes (and they speak volumes.)  So....I HAD to go to Micheal's and get more just for him.  I sent it almost immediately and it arrived on Valentine's Day with some stickers for sister and the scarf for him.  He took it with him to his nap that day.  No, grandma's not smiling...much.  I'm going to Michael's again and this time I'm getting three more skeins for my other younger grandkids.  It's just so soft and squishy.  I love it.  One skein is too short for me and I'm to frugal to make one for myself....but I'm tempted. Hmmmm.

Being Quilted

 Two blocks quilted by my husband, pieced by me for one of our grandaughters.

Evening sun shines on five completed blocks and a segment of border (still need to work on that pattern.) Bill learned at the knees of his grandmother as she was either piecing or quilting in her spare time.  Because of arthritis in my pointer fingers, quilting is impossible for me but he loves doing this.  Winter is the perfect time since we are not gardening and the workshop is not heated.  He's doing great in his recovery but got a sinus infection on top of it so quilting has been the perfect activity to keep him busy.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you've had a good Valentine's Day.
I made this little heart, measuring about 4" in width, for myself many years ago when I was cross-stitching.  My eyes aren't what they used to be and I haven't done any extensive cross-stitching in a while.  When I look at this, though, I get the fever.  I have a few other pieces, a few samplers and a Paula Vaughn piece for myself but most of the large works I made for other family members.  This one hangs year round on my stairwell door.  I love it.

Mini Crocheted Hearts

I went a little heart crazy the other day.  I Googled a crochet pattern and went to work and not much work, at that.  These are all from perle cotton except the bottom right and that it silk thread--so fun, so sweet.   A Happy Heart Day to you.

Love the Lord your God

with all your heart and

with all your soul and

with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5.

Red, White and Turquoise?

I never in a million years did I think these colors would work well together but it seems that they are well-loved out there in fashion land.  I love rolled roses.  How about you?  Off they go to my on-line shop--sallylsmith.etsy.com.

Carried Away

Well, what can I say?  I like making these little headwraps.  I have no idea if they will sell or not.  I guess I like working with the yarn and I've had just enough for these.  I wouldn't wear one but I know a lot of young ladies who would look great in these.  We'll just see what happens.  Have a cozy day.

Crocheted Headwrap In Pink

I was looking for a pattern for a crocheted rose.  I had worked many of them before from a pattern from a vintage Workbasket magazine but I've lost it.  I've looked everywhere but can't find it so that sent me to the internet.  I found one and purchased it on Etsy (Calleighs Clips--http://calleighsclips.etsy.com/) but the headband pattern was a part of it so I just made both.  I followed the pattern for the medium size and it turned out way too big for my head (thus the buttons placed high on the end.)  I've messed with the pattern and shortened the length and the width for my next adventure.  I'll post that one tomorrow.  This is headed for the little on-line shop on Etsy.  Thanks, Calleigh, for this great pattern.

Scarf Rope

I made a versitile scarf/headwrap yesterday.  I had to fill in my "lonely time" after my kids left so this is one of the things accomplished.  I literally used the length of my living room laying out the yarn, however, I did use the furniture instead of the floor.  Braiding was a challenge, though.  This is a great project for you non-sew-ers/knitters/crocheters.  Have a great, cold day.

Company's Gone--Back To Work

Vintage beads, buttons and Button and Carpet Thread plus a few newer charms were used in this lightweight crocheted necklace.  I love making old things new.  This is fun to wear and I'm not even a jewelry wearer.  I've put this one in my Etsy shop.  Click on the individual photos in my side bar on the right to take you to the specific pieces listed.

The visit from the grand-ones, my daughter and her husband was fun but a little tiring.  I'm getting old and my husband is still not fully healed from his radiation ordeal 10 days ago.  I wouldn't have changed anything, though, since we had mucho snow in which to play and boxes of toys I've saved just for the kids.  My older kids had fun learning to knit and I made a scarf, as well.  It's always a joy being with my family.  Hope the same holds true for you, too.

Another Little Pretty

I'll probably put this one in my Etsy shop along the others in my past two posts.
Lots of fun here with two grandchildren.  My husband finished a scarf he knitted last week while recuperating and my son-in-law wanted to learn, taught him then my daughter wanted to learn.  We went to Michael's (20% of everything sale today), bought yarn and she's been working and reworking the first two-three rows over and again.  Something's happening and she winds up with too many stitches.  She's determined, though.  If her husband and Dad can do, so can she....and she will!  Some call it tenacity, some stubborness.  I call it Sheer Determination.  Go, Jennie, Go!!!

More Rolled Roses Headbands

Sales have been extremely slow the past few months in my online shops so I gave them a month break.  I thought I would fill only the shops in town but I had these extra flowers lying around...literally...since before Christmas and decided to open my online shop again.  These are going in my Etsy shop today in the hopes that they will sell (you can also click on any photo in my right side bar and it will take you to my shop).  I sold my first rolled roses headband at Relics yesterday!  Yay!  Click on the word "Relics" in the previous sentence and you will see one of them in Deb's photos of Jan. 30. 
Grandchildren are coming today--must make some beds and fix lunch.  Another Yay!

New Headbands on Etsy---Finally

 I've opened my Etsy shop again after a two-month hiatus.  I was not selling very many items and gave it some time off.  You can find an easy entry in my right side bar.  Just click on any photo there and it will take you to my shop.

I'm thinking a little makeover was in order so I changed up some things.  I'm still working on it.  The headband to the right was in yesterday's post and I've listed it and the two above.  They are $16.00 each with $3.00 shipping.  All local sales will be hand-delivered with no shipping cost.  These headbands don't really fit the requirements for either shop in which I've placed my other creations here in town so the on-line shop was the alternative....I'm itching to make MORE.

God is good and Bill is doing very well.  Thank you for all your prayers for they sustain us daily.

Birthday SnowDay FunDay

The stark white of the snow that drifted over the front five steps of our house and dropped 15" everywhere else prompted the need to make something bright and beautiful today--thus the headband above.  I don't know anyone who actually wears these colors together but I thought they were great--especially today.  It's my birthday and I can play today, so I did.  Happy birth, snow, rain, sun day to all.

Robin in February in Illinois?

I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted this little robin in my front yard.  Doesn't he know there's a blizzard coming?  Maybe he's on his way South to wait it out.  It's a little early for robins in Illinois but I got this close-up to prove it.  Look closely and you can see a few snowflakes already starting to fall.  Fly, little birdie, fly fast!