{Dads Ties} Rosettes

Awhile back, my Mom gave me a few of my Dad's ties with the mission to make something out of them as a keepsake for me and my sisters.  My father passed away a little over a year ago and while we have lots of memories of him and keepsakes of his woodworking, this would give us a different kind of reminder - his kind and gentle side.  Oh, how I miss him!

I have seen many posts of necklaces, pins, headbands, etc. using old ties and rosettes.  This isn't really my or my sisters style, however I loved the rosettes so I decided to proceed.  The rich floral tones of the ties were perfect.  I have a bigger plan for the rosettes but really wanted to share this first stage of the transformation. 

Using some of the many different tutorials out there for fabric rosettes, I gathered my scissors, some felt, my glue gun, a needle thread and some beautiful metal buttons.  I cut my strips and started twisting, turning and gluing the fabric to the felt to form my rosette.  Then I simply sewed the button to the center.

I need to make some more as I have decided to make some for my Mom as well.  Watch for the part two of the project to come!

Simple Tote Bags for the Littles

My kids love to look over my shoulder when I am on the computer and are constantly commenting on the various blogs, websites and things I am surfing.  The other day my daughter saw a cute bag on the screen and declared that she must have one.  I found a simple pattern and today we worked on it together.  She did such an amazing job on her first project, the butterfly pillow.  She easily could have sewn the entire thing today if it weren't for the fact that she has no patience for pinning, ironing and lining things up.  After sewing the first few sides, she was done so I finished it up.

I used the awesome tutorial provided by Skip to My Lou for a Simple Reversable Tote Bag.  I love how it turned out and that it is reversable so it is like 2 bags in one!  My daughter has already loaded it up with books, stuffies and more!

OF COURSE - the boy wanted one too!  And who am I to deprive my child of his wants!  Looking at my pile of mostly girly fabrics, I remembered I had bought this pair of Madras Plaid men's shorts at the thrift store for $1 that would be perfect.  A bag, and a repurposed project - I'm in! 

{DISCLAIMER:  I was planning to do this as a tutorial, however I was so excited to make it that I couldn't be bothered with taking the necessary photos!  Again, using the general idea of the Simple Reversable Tote Bag form Skip to My Lou, I set out to make a bag! (Oh, come on, I am not the only one that gets so excited about a project that tutorial blogging becomes an afterthought! Right?!?)}

Here is what I started with...

I turned the shorts inside out and cut them off right at the crotch line.  I then sewed the bottom of the let closed.  I then turned one of the legs inside out and inserted it into the other, pinning the tops together along with a simple strap I made out of a piece of muslin.  Following the directions from Skip to My Lou, I sewed the two pieces together, leaving about a 2" opening to turn the bag right side out.  I then ironed the seam and sewed a double stitch all around the top, securing the opening with this decorative top stitch.

The boy is so happy! He couldn't wait to show it off!

I love how the bags turned out!  They truly were simple and fun!  They will be great little bags for the kids to bring a few toys and books when we go on our road trip in a couple weeks!

Linked up with...

I heart Naptime

Under the Table and Dreaming

Todays Creative Blog

Ask Anna

Polly Want A Crafter?

Skip To My Lou

Tip Junkie

Sugar Bee Crafts
Not JUST a Housewife
Funky Polkadot Giraffe

Repurposed Headboard

I love hitting yard sales and thrift stores.  You just never know what kind of treasures you may find.  Last week I headed across town to the new, expanded Habitat For Humanity Store and saw this circa 1960s headboard.  Not really my taste and while it looks like wood, it is formed plastic over a piece of particle board, attached to a frame with just a couple of screws.  I wasn't in the market for a heaboard and it really wouldn't go with the more modern feeling of our home.

BUT, all week long this silly $10 headboard kept popping in to my crafty brain.  It kept saying, "I am not a headboard, I am a beautiful architectual wall hanging, buy me, bring me home, let me be beautiful."  (I know, it can't talk but that is what I was hearing.) 

I have seen many beautiful pieces of furniture out there in blogland that started out gaudy and dated given a new lease on life with a coate of paint.  So, when I was back on the west side of town over the weekend I swung through the Habistore and it was still there (elation)...I picked it up and carried it up to the check out.  When I got it home I loved it even more.  I immediately got out the drill and pulled it apart.  I grabbed the can of creamy white spray paint I had bought for a different project and went to work. 

Here she is...isn't she amazing.  They need another coat of paint but I am in love.  My plan was to put these in our new guest room, but while sitting on the couch last night and looking at our beautiful new Behr Pure Earth paint on the walls, I had an idea...what would they look like in that great big opening above our fireplace.  So I grabbed a couple of them and propped them up.  Even my husband loves the look.

 Only problem is, it would be awesome if we had 4 of these beauties - sadly there are only 3.  One idea is to hang them vertical one on top of each other, 2 verticle with one horizontal and then add a wrought iron piece, or ....????  So until we come up with a plan, I guess we will just lean two in the giant opening.  We both love, love, love the contrast of the creamy white against the earthy beige.

This love story is to be continued...