Purty Concrete Leave

On a recent trip to the north, I was able to see what my fabulously crafty in-law’s were up to.
The evidence of their creativity had taken over their entire basement floor.

My creative in-laws scour the countryside, looking for just the right leaves for their projects.
(My coffee mug was included to show the size and also for sips in between shots.)

Using real leaves, they mold the concrete mixture around the leaf and let it dry. This is one before it’s painted.

My mother-in-law has the patience to painstakingly hand paint each one. She has a gift for patience that I am striving towards.

The colors she chooses are stunning…

…eye-catching…

…and gorgeous. I am so impressed with what these two lovely people can create. I would argue that their best creation, however, was Biceps…but then again, I am a little biased.

Sassy Military Up-Cycle Shirt

A few too many plain t-shirts are junking up my closet. When wearing a plain tee-I feel as if I am blending into the crowd. Today was the day to ‘Sassify’ one of my old boring t-shirts. I spent less than an hour of my day and used scraps of materials, turning this ‘yawner’ into a ‘take notice’.

This t-shirt is a nod to my Dad and the military blood that is running through my veins.
Having a father that is a Retired Lieutenant Colonel and a West Point Graduate influences much of my daily life-and now my clothing apparently…
I added little button details on the front and the back, just for a little more sass.

Here’s what you’ll need to ‘Sassify’ your own plain t-shirt:
Scraps of material (I would recommend using felt in a bold color)
Heat n Bond
Scissors
Tape measure
Seam Ripper
Iron & Ironing board

Using your scraps of material, pick out your style for your new shirt.
I decided on a simple stripe and used sparkly red felt (so that I wouldn’t have to seam the ends) on a deep purple shirt. But I say, ‘Get crazy!’ Make different colors of flowers, a bird, a cactus…whatever the heck comes to mind.

Apply your Heat n Bond according to the package directions. Iron that sucker in place and let cool.

After adding my stripe to the front of the shirt, I decided the tiny pocket needed a little something too. I added this geometric shape using the same Heat n Bond technique.

Lastly, I added a swatch that rests on the small of my back. I used Heat n Bond once again to attach it to the shirt. Next, I added buttons to give it that ‘military look’.

Here is a close up on the buttons that I added to the front of the shirt.
Snazzy and so easy.

Once more, here is the final product that set me back less than $1. And below is the back of the shirt.

I am so happy that this little ditty has a new life. It was headed for the garage sale pile, and now it’s my sassy go-to shirt when needed.
My Dad would be so proud.

Retro Christmas Tree Skirt

I cherish Christmas.
It’s my absolute favorite time of the year. I anxiously await a reasonable time to launch into new crafty Christmas ideas, as soon as the first leaf begins to turn. This year I made it to the second week of October before I pulled out the decorations.
Ridiculous-I know. Fun-definitely.

This tree skirt was made out of scraps of felt fabric, an hour of my time and a bit of vintage inspiration.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Retro Tree Skirt:
2 Christmasy colors of scrap felt (I had red & green on hand)
1 circle piece of felt-about 2’-3’ in diameter (I used black)
Hot glue gun or ‘Heat n Bond’
Scissors
Ric-rac
Card Stock with your desired image drawn & cut out

Pin the cut out images to the chosen Christmasy felt. Cut out 4-6 of each image, depending upon how they are distributed around the skirt.

I cut out four felt deer for my tree skirt. And named them (from left to right: Template Deer “Ed”, Prancer, Dancer, Blitzen & Rudoplh).

And, I cut out five sparkly felt Christmas trees for my tree skirt and named them, too (from left to right: Gerry, Edna, Harry, Bob & Alice). But, I ended up only using four of them, however.
‘Alice’ was very upset.

Cut out a 2’-3’ in diameter tree skirt base. Then, cut a slit from one corner of the circle to the center, so that it can wrap around the tree. Using either a hot glue gun or the ‘Heat n Bond’, distribute the images around the tree skirt however looks best.

I added red noses to the deer and a bit of ric-rac around their necks for that extra vintage feel.

I hot glued two different colors of ric-rac around the edge of the tree skirt for some Christmasy pizzazz

And Tah-Dah! A one-of-a-kind, vintage-inspired tree skirt.
The deer were happy, the trees were happy, my wallet was happy…Now, all I need is the tree.

A Bird in the Headband….

The whipping fall wind brought about the need for a hair taming device. I dug around my sewing scraps and found a piece of lace that happened to be long enough to wrap around my noggin’. I liked the simplicity of the lace, but decided to add a touch of cute factor with feathers and a mini bird. In five minutes, I had a simple solution to the crazy hair-all-over-the-place problem.

If you don’t like the feathers and bird look, the options for the headband are endless:
replace the feathers with fabric or scrap ribbon and fray the ends, replace the bird with a button or a jewel…Get creative, get crazy!

Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own Feather and Lace Headband (or a similar version):
Piece of lace, ribbon or material long enough to fit around your noggin’
Two rubberbands
Feathers, scrap ribbon
Mini birds (found in the hobby section), jewels, buttons
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Thread to match your lace and a needle or a sewing machine

While your bird is watching (see upper right corner of photo), intertwine your two rubberbands as pictured above.

Loop each end of the lace around one side of the rubberband, sewing the loop closed.

Group together the feathers, frayed ribbon or fabric and cut a piece of lace to ‘corral’ the objects. Wrap the lace around the entire bottom of the ‘corralled’ objects and hot glue it together.

Add a bird, button or jewel to the top of the ‘corralled’ feathers.

Hot glue the ‘corralled’ object where it suits you on your lace headband. I chose the right side of the headband, halfway between my ear and the crown of my head.

I’ve also been known to wear this like a hippie would, and it looks just as cute-at least to me, it does. You may not agree and that is quite alright. I know that I am weird. But, if you are also weird…then….
All hail birds of a feather!