Coffee Can to lantern

I started with an coffee can and removed the label.  I used a hammer and a large roofing nail and just pounded random holes in the can.  Next up a couple coats for spray paint and here she is.

This is going to be perfect for our boat.  A little bit of light when it's dark. 

upcycle #3

I warned you of my addiction.  Here's another one, same concept striped long sleeve shirt for the top and plain black shirt for the bottom. 



I didn't cut anything off of this one



I chose this one because i liked the wide band at the bottom

Finished but boring

Wait till you see what I did. 

remember this shirt that I cut and only used the bottom. Well if you look at the top it had a bunch of flowers on it.  I'm glad I didn't thow it away.  I just cut around the flowers and added it to my new shirt.

much better!

Totally love this one!




upcycle another shirt

I am so glad that I learned to sew 100 years ago.  I'm sure putting it to good use now.  Here's one more upcycle that didn't cost a penny.  When I look in my closet I see alot of gray, black and a little brown.  I know boring!  The other thing I see is that 90% of my clothes are 100% cotton.  I know totally boring, I can't help it the older I get the more I just want to be comfortable.  Did I mention that it's hot flash season too.  Yep you got it, MENOPAUSE!

I used the same technique, cut a little off the black shirt and added the bottom of a gray T-shirt.

Doesn't look very exciting but with one of my finger knitted scarfs it will be cute!

tank top upcycle

Another easy upcycle.  I found a doily in my stash in the sewing room.  I placed it on the back on the tank top and pinned it the entire way around.  First I sewed a straight line all the way around to be sure that it was secure. Then I just zig zagged over the same stich because I wanted to be sure that I caught the entire edge of the doily.  Now comes the fun part.  Turn your shirt inside out and cut away the fabric under the doily.  Be sure to only clip the fabric.  Now I have a new shear back tank top for Summer.  

Again I have a new shirt and it didn't cost me a cent!!!! This wardrobe upcycling is addicting and FUN!



all sewn down and ready for the fabric underneath the doily to be cut away





This is the finished project, remember my dress form is red thats why you are seeing the red.  If I was wearing it you would be seeing flesh.


I really like how this turned out.  This will definetly be making it in the suitcase for vacation.

upcycled shirt

Since today is President's Day I'm off from my real job.  It's snowing again and still cold and I don't want to leave the house.  Normally I would be cooking and baking but I'm trying to be on a diet.  I need to stay out of the kitchen but still keep busy so off to my closet for some upcycle project.  Have I mentioned how much I love this new hobby of mine?

I found two long sleeve shirts that I hardly wear, I used one for the top and one for the bottom of this new long shirt that I can wear over leggins. 



used this one for the top, I cut at the pencil line





this is the bottom


Here's the finished product!

Love it, now I have another shirt to wear with leggins and it didn't cost me a penny!!!



Another dress makeover

I found this dress on Thred-up for $2.00.  I didn't realize until it came in the mail that it was a maternity dress.  They didn't advertise it that way.  No worries, I won't tell anyone if you don't.  I ordered it because I liked the color.  I don't have much brown in my closet and I bought myself a new pair of brown boots and I wanted something to wear them with.  I took about 6 inches off the bottom, again to wear with leggins.  This was so simple and it turned out so well that I wore it to work the next day.

Not one person asked why I was wearing a maternity dress.

I am loving shopping my closet to remake my clothes.  I have so many ideas.  Please stay tuned for more to come.

I'll be linking up at these parties:

Dress update

This dress has been hanging in my closet for about 4 years.  I think I may have worn it 2 times, I don't have much use for dresses these days as I work from home 1/2 the time.  When I do travel to the office the dress code is very casual. 

Considering that our cold weather seems not to be going away, I'm getting tired of my winter wardrobe.  I thought I would shorten this dress so it could be worn over leggins.  I hemmed the bottom about 5 inches and shortened the sleeves a couple inches. 

Perfect new top to wear over leggins. 

I'll be linking up to these parties:

soup can to candleholder

Cheap and simple is what I love.  I took the label off of a soup can that I just used, painted it black with just plain old craft paint and added a candle that I already had. 

Here is a few different looks.  The first one has a little piece of burlap glued around it with a very simple primitive star glued to the burlap.  Acceptable but not great.

Second one is the keeper.  I found a piece of burlap ribbon that I bought at Dollar general and tied it around the candle.  I like this one much better and it found a home in my almost finished office.





cigar box lamp

I found this cigar box in my stash of wanna-be projects to complete. The lamp I picked up at a yard sale for $.75. After some playing around this is how she turned out.

A little bit of liquid nails and I attached the lamp to the box.  I may add a little something to the shade and the base of the lamp, but for now this is how she looks.  Pretty cool project for a grand total of 75 cents. I will be linking up to: