Janet of All Trades

We all have a few belts laying around that either just don't fit or are wore out or just not fashionable anymore. I had two such belts rattling around in my closet. I decided rather than put them in the Salvation army donation pile I would upcycle them in to something else I could wear. So with a little of this scrap fabric leftover from last weeks bedroom pillows... I created this bracelet.. With just a strip fabric about 1" wide and a snap to secure in the back and my bracelet was done in about 5 minutes. I clean up the buckle with a little silver polish and a bit of scrubbing and it shined like new. Then combined it with my rhinestone and telephone wire bracelet for a more interesting look. Looks great with my Telephone Wire and zipper bracelet too! Next I cover the other buckle with Fabric and attached a felt strap. Combined with other bracelets and I have some funky arm candy. So easy and quick that I could have a whole new set of...

My obsession with mannequins continued this week when I remembered a free pattern for a tiny dress form pin cushion that I saw back in January.  It's a two page download at www.thediydish.com  with a video that takes you thru step by step of the process. I wanted to make a few of these for my craft room but thought they would also look lovely adorned with my recycled jewelry. So I started by selecting a few fabrics in colors that I love. Blues and greens are my favorite and make me feel like spring is not far away. After cutting and sewing the simple patterns and easy instructions (via video), I had these three stunning ladies in my craft room. They require very little fabric and can be mounted on candle sticks or spools. I made the long green dress form about 4" longer than the pattern since I wanted a bit of height and enough space to hang pedants. I added glass drawer knobs and beads for the neck inserts. I then added a few necklaces. I chose just a...

I always forget to take my reusable shopping bag into the store with me. I get to the check out and I remember that it is in the trunk of my car. I tried to think of someway to remember and came up with an idea to re-use the plastic shopping bags by make a little tote to attach to my purse. So I started out with some scrap fabric, a button and a pipe cleaner. I cut 2 piece 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" and one piece 2 1/4" x 6 1/2" out of my fabric. I made a strap out of the long piece and inserted a pipe clean. This wil give the strap a little flexibility and able to wrap it around a shopping card handle or bag handle. Next I sewed the two rectangle pieces together to make my bag and attached the strap and I was done. Then I folded up a shopping bag and placed inside and then attached to my purse. It was so easy and fun to make that I made one more. A simple item to make that will help me remember to recycle and reuse my plastic shopping bags. Enjoy! Linking to these lovely part...

A few weeks back I was sorting thru my scrap fabric, looking for some interesting designs for pendants. I started by cutting a few circles and applying them to metal disk. I finished all of them this weekend with a few beads and some Dimensional Magic. I think they came ou great and they are so fun to make. Silver & Brown Acqua & Brown with Venetian bead. Gold and Silver Bead. So fun to make and I can let my creativity run wild with designs! Enjoy!

While straightening up my craft room this weekend to escape the heat, I came across a few interesting pieces of scrap fabric. I think last year I had made a few headbands out of the fabric and now there are just random pieces left.  I looked at the patterns and thought there had to be something that could be made from them. So after some more cleaning and thinking, I sat down and made a few of these. What are they you ask? They could be pillows or pendants or buttons? I am not really sure what they will become but they were a challenge to make since I had to find just the correct pattern so it fit in the circle. Come back and see exactly what I do with them! Enjoy!

While preparing to go on vacation, I am always amazed at the number of cords and accessories I need to take for my phone, computer and ipod. They seem to always become a tangled mess on my return and sometimes I wonder if I have any of them behind. So I came up with a simple solution that uses twist ties to help me stay organized. I started by gathering up some other supplies which included leftover ribbon and some seam binding. Now the next step I didn't document with a photo, but all I did was fold the ribbon over the twist tie and sewed down on all sides. I then had three lovely ties for my cords. Super easy and fun to make and took me all of 10 minutes to sew them up. Just twist them around the cord and they are ready to travel. Super easy and protects any cord from tangles. This was by far the easiest recycling project I have created and you can make dozens in about 1/2 hour. Possible options would be scrap fabric and pipe cleaners too.Now that my cords are organized I am rea...

I have a Baby Shower in about a week and I had to finish the Pillowcase dresses this weekend. I started with a pattern that I borrowed from my Sister-in-Law (Thanks, Margie!).. and some fabrics in the favorite colors of Blue and White of the Mom to be... Now I made the simple Pillowcase dress and not the halter dress shown above since I thought for a 0-3 month old it might not be that comfortable with a tie or knot on the back of the neck. So I opted for the simple dress that ties on the side. They sewed up pretty quickly once I got thru one and decided to make three instead of two! Now I may change the color of the ribbon at the neck to Navy since I not sure I like the white,plus it is off white. I love the two patterns together and the colors are so fun and summery. I think this is my favorite and I would love a dress like this for myself! The blue and white fabric is actually a linen like and was a dream to sew with. It is light and airy and perfect for this new baby due in Mid Jul...

I have got a reputation to protect this Easter according to my husband who thinks I am becoming a crazy Aunt. You see I like to make things for my nephews for Holidays and I am not sure why,so that is why I am becoming Crazy Aunt Janet. Over the weekend I made a set of these cute chicks for my twin nephews. They are from a cute pattern from Just Another Hang Up  and cut and sew up in about an hour.  A great way to use up some scrap fabric and make a cute holiday gift. I filled mine with a little stuffing and some beans. I hope the boys enjoy them as much as their Crazy Aunt had making them! Enjoy!