person sweater --> dog sweater

Greetings pirates,

Like I mentioned in a previous post, my sister-in-law is visiting with my little nephews, and also with her adorable dog, Sakura. Sakura is one of those cute little chihuahuas that their owners (including my sister-in-law) like to dress up in cute outfits. Kindof ridiculous, you may be thinking, but she really is cute. So I was inspired to make her a little sweater for the upcoming cold weather! I took a sweater I bought at my fave thrift store, deconstructed it and put it back together into this:

 pretty cute, huh? 

I used the trim from the sweater to line the leg openings, button placket, collar and bottom trim. She looks all set to attend a preppy New England college, right?

 

Let me tell you, it's tough to get a dog to hold still for a fitting. Fortunately she only weighs six pounds, so I could pick her up with one hand and wrangle the sweater on with the other. The photo shoot was a little easier, since I could hold up treats to get her attention. 

Now even Sakura will be included in my diy-christmas-present plan! Just don't tell my sister-in-law, it's a surprise :)

Laptop Cover

She's at it again (crafting, that is). I had been wanting a laptop sleeve for a while so when I take my computer places, it will be protected from sharp objects, leaky water bottles, or other hazards that may be lurking in my tote bag.

Sooo, inspired by Lan's iPad case, I crafted this lil beauty:

It took me a few tries to get all the seams sewed the right way. At one point I thought I had everything all set, then I tried to right-side out it and I couldn't even locate the outside of the bag because somehow I had sewed it shut inside-out... but it all worked out. My wonderfully crafty mother even showed me how to make buttonholes for the buttons.

The lining matches my seat cushion from a couple of weeks ago, you may have noticed :)

I gave it a couple of pockets inside for the power cord, etc.

I went to my favorite local thrift shop today, which has a special sale on Tuesdays - if you bring a cleaning supply, you get half off your whole purchase! Unbelievable! So I went overboard buying craft supplies, fabric and junky clothes to remake into other things. In other words, expect to see more craftiness in the next couple of weeks!

over and out, pirates.

Mobile for Nina's adorable nephews

aye aye maties!

You may or may not know that I recently became an auntie, to these two awesome little guys (yep, twins!):

They're here visiting with their mom, my sister-in-law, so I got my craft on and made them this mobile: 

Cute, huh? Just makes you want to drift happily off to sleep... or at least that's the idea. I used a wooden embroidery hoop for the top, and some felt and fabric scraps for the clouds, etc. The only part I haven't figured out yet is how to attach it to the crib - gotta scour the hardware store and come up with something.

Also, in case you don't waste enough time finding craft ideas on pinterest, check out craftgawker - kindof more of the same, but still fun. 

Finally four months later...

Finally I have finished my shoulder bag! I started this project when I was taking a sewing class over the summer and then took some very long breaks but over the weekend with help from my mentor, Melissa, I put the finishing touches on it. This is my most advanced sewing project ever and the one  I am most proud of - it even has a zipper pocket!

Inside: four different pockets!

nina's sweatshirt to skirt

my dear pirates!

The 95-year old woman I work for had cleaned out her closet, and I took her outcasts, which included the periwinkle cotton sweatshirt below. After discovering this great pencil skirt tutorial, I decided to make a fitted skirt out of the sweatshirt. Like one of those sexy, stretchy skirts you pay $50 for at American Apparel. I love the style of those skirts, but the price does not jibe with my thrifty tendencies.

Fortunately, as it turns out those skirts are incredibly easy to make! Even for someone who doesn't really sew much, like me. I just cut the sides of the sweatshirt, marked my measurements on the material, pinned it, tried it on and adjusted it a bit, then sewed it! 

Et voilà! I used the bottom ribbing of the sweatshirt as the skirt waistband, which I like the look of. (also, I apologize for the terrible, I'm-taking-my-photo-in-a-mirror photos)

It turned out my skirt was a bit tighter than I expected, so I had to add a zipper in order to get it on and off.

Also, the raglan seams from the sweatshirt sleeves came together into these neat little triangles at the side bottoms of the skirt. Unfortunately I wasn't really paying that much attention as I was making the skirt, so they ended up asymmetrical, but when I make more of these skirts (which I definitely will, since it was so easy and so cool-looking), I'll try to make those more symmetrical. 

Pretty sexy, huh? ;)

 Now I'm hooked, I can't wait to make more clothes!