Mirror Up-cycle

I've seen mirror up-cycles all over the place and since I had this old mirror sitting around for quite a while, I decided it could really use some sprucing up.

I had left over gems from the wall art I made last spring, so I thought, "Why not add a little more mirror to my mirror?" I laid out all the gems to make sure I had enough and that I liked it, but it was looking a little plain, so I painted a few hearts red and added them in! I just used the fabric glue I already had to adhere them to the mirror.

Here's my finished project! It definitely is more attractive!

Growth Chart

I absolutely love the idea of showcasing and capturing my children's growth! Maybe it stems from my Grandpa doing this with all the grandkids...

I've found a few ideas online, but most of them were all big 7 foot long boards, and I wanted something different. Something that would be easy to move and not so big and bulky. I decided to make a roll-up growth chart!

What You'll Need:

-6.5  feet of canvas

-Canvas Marker (I used FabricMate found in the craft area of Hobby Lobby- for the numbers and lines I used the Chisel Tip and for the names and dates just the smallest tip. I also plan on doing different colors for each child - but for now I only have one!)

-2 dowels (or 1 cut in half)

-Paint (for the dowel)

-Ruler/Yard stick

-String

-Basic sewing supplies (machine, thread, rotary cutter/mat, measuring tape)

Here's how:

Cut your fabric to desired length and width. I cut mine 6.5 feet long and 12 inches wide. Iron it well. The wrinkles may fall out after a while, but with canvas it takes a long while.

The next step is completely optional. I chose to do it because it keeps it a little neater. Sew a hem all along each side of the canvas and iron it. I actually ironed it first, this made the canvas stay put better.

Sew a casing for your painted dowel (or non-painted if you so desire - if you are really rustic and outdoorsy, you could even do a tree branch or something fun like that!).

Draw your "foot" lines thick and long. Then add the "half-foot" and/or "quarter-foot" lines. Don't forget this is where you need to measure! If you just go and draw lines...well, it won't end well. Draw, stencil, or trace your numbers next to the "foot" lines. 

After sliding in the dowels, wrap some string around each side of the top dowel and hang it by the string!

There you have it! 

Thanks for reading!

Mandy

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T-shirt turned work-out shirt

Here's my shirt before I did any re-vamping.

Here's the after! 

Here's what you'll need:
Rotary cutter and mat (scissors will work too)
Old t-shirt
Sewing essentials (machine, thread, etc.)

I simply marked with a marker where I wanted my arm holes to be. It doesn't matter what kind of marker you use here, because you will be cutting it off.

Next, I folded the shirt hot dog style, making sure it was lining up exactly with both sides. You could cut one at a time, but folding it over ensure the cuts are identical.

Cut on the inside of you dashes and save the sleeves.

Next, cut the neck line wherever you like it to be. I pulled to front layer up to line it up with the back, but you can cut it however you want! You could mark it out when you mark the sleeves too.

From the saved sleeve, cut a section out from the middle (this will be what hold the back so it is scrunched). I cut mine longer than needed and after sewing trimmed it off. Cut another part off so it lays out flat, without being folded.

Wrap it around the back part of shirt and pin. If your material isn't the same color on both sides make sure it's inside out when pinning it. 

Sew up the little section, ensuring not to get the actual shirt in the seam. Flip the "scrunchie" right side out and trim excess fabric if needed. I went over it a couple times to make sure it stays sewn through washing.

There ya have it! A nice loose workout shirt!

Grocery Bag Holder

I completed another Pinterest project! This time, thanks to the inspiration of Ashley. I changed a few things from her tutorial to suit my own style, but here it goes!

Here's what you'll need:
7 strips of fabric measuring 18" x 4"
12" of matching ribbon
2 pieces of elastic (one measuring 10"; another measuring 6")
Sewing essentials (machine, thread, needle)

Here's How:
Cut your 7 strips of fabric 18" long by 4" wide and lay them out how you want them.

I think the hardest part for me was figuring out which strips I wanted where. But! I got it accomplished! 

Sew strips together along the length of fabric and iron the seams down. (This helps when stuffing the holder with bags!)

On one end of the fabric, create a casing for the elastic. Do this by folding 1/4" of the top fabric over, iron it and then fold it over again 1/2", iron it. Sew, leaving enough room for the elastic to fit through. Repeat on the other end.

String the 10" elastic through casing that you want the top of the bag to be and the 6" through the bottom casing. Sew the elastic.

Now flip the bag inside out and sew your bag up! Zig zag stitch will hold it best, especially if you are REALLY going to stuff it with bags! 

Once it's all straightened out sew on the ribbon. I ironed the ribbon under so it doesn't fray. (You can partially see in the picture below). You could hand sew the ribbon on (which I will definitely do if I ever make another one!) I used my machine and it got away from me slightly. 

This is why I would have hand sewn it...oh well, mistakes happen!

Yes! Now a place for all those pesky bags I tend to collect (even though I've been trying my best to use my "green" bags when shopping!)

Bedroom Wall Art 2

Another bedroom wall art? I think, YES! 

I started out painting a canvas red.

Cut out a heart and traced it with pencil.

 Then glued on my gems! 

It looks like it's missing something, so I think I will add some black vinyl lettering underneath the heart.