Shirt Refashion: Shirt to Vest

 I found this shirt that I liked on the rack, but when I tried it on it gaped awkwardly in the front. I really liked the print and the ruffles and couldn't seem to part with it. It was on super clearance for $2 so I went ahead and bought it, knowing I could refashion it.

I couldn't pass up such a great deal.

Before

The fitted back and gaping front reminded me of the way vests fit. So what did I do? Cut up the middle of the front of the shirt to make a vest. I thought it would be as simple as that- cut and hem. But I was wrong. The front fell really weird. However, I somehow accidentally realized that if I did a basting stitch and then gathered up the seam, it would bunch up, pulling the front of the vest forward more. That also gave it a little ruffle on the hems. Here are the results:

Just Normal                                                                                                     Belted

belt re-do

I had seen a belt that I really liked at J. Crew.  I found this belt at a thrift store for less than a dollar, and I figured I could work some magic on it.

After:

How to: I used some ivory fabric, and two different kinds of lace.  For the two pieces of lace I twisted them and then wrapped it around. For more explicit details visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR0wHMvWTzo.  For the ivory flower I took a strip about 2" wide and a 8" long.  I cut slits about 1/4" from eachother, and then I rolled it and fluffed.  After I finished making all the flowers I hotglued them onto the gold buckle of the belt.

DIY frame

One day I was painting outside and a twig fell into the paint bucket.  I took it out and I liked the way it looked.  Pretty soon I was throwing all the twigs I could find into the paint bucket.  Then the question was: What to do with all these paint covered branches. Answer! Use one of my many picture frames laying around! I love how it turned out, I hope you do too.

Materials:

• Paint
• Picture Frame
• Twigs
• Fake flowers
• Plaster of Paris

Drop the twigs into the paint and set them to dry on a plastic surface (I used a plastic grocery bag).
Drop the flowers in the plaster of paris and let them dry.

Glue the covered twigs and flowers onto the frame.

linked to:

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/

http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/

http://www.yesterdayontuesday.typepad.com/

http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/

http://youngnester.blogspot.com/

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/

Wood shelves Before and After

The space above my television was looking dull.  I thought about putting shelves, and I have been frantically searching for the right ones.  Then the idea hit me: Why don't I turn old logs into shelves.  I found the perfect size logs and cut them in half, and the rest is history........

Before:

After:



Yellow Goodbye

I have decided to do a table setting every month.  Here is the first for the month of march:

Goodbye winter, yellow spring.  For this scape I used a over sized scarf to drape over the table as a tablecloth.  I had matching plates, thanks to Target's line Liberty of London.  I had old brass candlesticks that I had painted white, and I stuck some bright pink flowers at the top.  Laying around were lots of glass candy jars so I filled them with yellow things from around the house; lemons, a necklace, and candy.

photography by: Shannon Houston
table by: Ben Wilde

Chair Before and After

I don’t know about y’all, but I have a hard time finding good fabric.  Maybe it’s the fact that I have a hard time finding good fabric on my budget. Anyhow I have taken to more creative ways to find fabric.  One of my ways is fabric from clothing at thrift stores. One thing to really look for is bag sales.  If you have not ever been to a bag sale you are missing out.  Usually once a month some thrift stores will have all the clothing that you can stuff in a big brown bag for $6!  It’s a great way to buy clothes to experiment with or use for other things. Last time I went I bought this super 70’s dress.  I thought I would have enough guts to wear it, but it turns out that I do not.  Another thrift store find that I had been waiting to work on was a chair I have wanted to reupholster it, but I had been waiting for the perfect fabric.  Then the idea hit me, why don’t I use the dress material to reupholster the chair?  I tried it….and I love it! I hope y’all like it too!

    
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Anthropologie Necklace

When I was in 2nd grade we made necklaces out of paperclips.  Imagine my suprise when I was flipping through the Anthropologie catalog and I saw a new spin on it! I tried anthro's version and here it is .....

Materials:

Paperclips (37 2.5” paperclips)

Colorful paper (I used 4 different colors)

Glue

Directions:

1.       Cut the sheets of paper into strips.  My strips were 1.5 inches long and about an inch wide.

2.       Assemble the paperclips into a grid structure look at mine to get an idea.  I attached my paper after I had connected all my paperclips together.  It may be easier if you do a couple at a time and then add the paper.

3.       To attach the paper simply wrap the paper around the paperclip and secure with glue.

4.       To make the clasp I just bent a paperclip, you can attach clasps or any kind of fasteners.

                                                                                                                   Anthropolgie's version