Thrift Store Dress Make-Over (03.23.10)

So as per request of my sister, here is yet another dress make-over update. I found this one on sale for 50% off at a thrift store which is about as cheap as you can get! Although it looks very 90's school teacher-ish, I saw the potential within. I thought the blue and white polka-dot pattern would be perfect for a stroll along the beach, but the fit needed some touch ups.
First things first, the length had to go. I took off about a foot of fabric from the bottom and took in about another 3 inches on each side to make it fit better. Once I tried it on with the new fit, I noticed the sleeves were a weird length. I guess I didn't notice them at first because of all the other hideous issues staring me in the face. The sleeves got taken up and in to make it less frumpy. I found a white belt at the thrift store as well, so I cut off a whopping 13" and sewed it back together in the back. With the extra belt elastic I fashioned together a headband. Not sure I'm completely sold on it, but it looked cute for the time being.

So here is then finished project. Taken in, up, unbuttoned and ready for the summer!

Cookie Jar (03.17.10)

I got this little DIY gem from the site Design*Sponge, which has a ton of cute little projects. I had a craft filled weekend a couple weeks ago when Jordan went to GJ for a visit. This was just one of the few projects I completed.

I got a cookie jar from my sister Alicia for my birthday after my thrift store cookie jar was accidentally dropped through the hole above the cabinets and shattered on top of the microwave. Who leaves a gaping hole above eye-level?? Anyways, I wanted to spice up the cookie jar so I followed these Canister Makeover instructions.

I got a new wooden knob from Home Depot and painted it with the left over paint from the frames. Then I used some scrap fabric I had laying around to cover the canister lid. I don't think the directions mention it, but I decided to put a thin coat of Mod Podge on the fabric just to seal it a little better. In just less than an hour I had a totally re-done cookie jar!

Before

After

Thrift Store Dress Make-Over (03.08.10)

I decided to take a break from my crafting blogs to talk about my latest sewing adventures. When I went to the thrift store last week to find another dress for our vacation and I found this gem as well. I loved the pleats at the shoulders and the flowy sleeves. Cons: the shoulder pads, awkward mid-knee length, and mysterious yellow stain.

First things first, I took out the shoulder pads. Then after trying it on it only needed to be taken up about an inch. Conveniently the hem in the dress was around two inches so I took the easy way out and folded the hem on top of itself and hand sewed it together. After putting in the new hem, I wanted to get rid of the stain by dying it purple. Note: when dying a 100% polyester dress make sure to get a poly dye, I used Idye Poly. The color came out great. The stain unfortunately came out more pronounced. I'm guessing it was an oil or grease type stain...maybe butter, who knows.

Well then I had to get creative. I paired a black v-neck tee over the dress and rolled under the shirt sleeves to make it look like a vest, and to show off the dress sleeves. I paired it with my black tights and boots and I was ready to go.

I'm not sure if you can see it, but that is the stain.

Shoulder pads...eww.

My "cheater" hem. But the fastest hem I've ever put in.

The relentless stain

The dress all fixed and ready to be shown off.

Thrift Store Dress Make-Over (01.30.10)

So the details of the previously mentioned "inspiration" are as follows: I am pretty much obsessed with the blog New Dress a Day that I mentioned in the blog Tid Bits. I always think to myself, "Wow she is so creative, I wish I could pull off something like that." Well as some of you know, Jordan and I are taking a much needed vacation to Cancun this summer and I need to get some new summery clothes to wear for the trip. So then the idea hit me... make a couple of summer dresses from finds at the local thrift stores! I figured I could handle a couple of clothing makeovers without freaking out. Jordan and I both had a random weekday off so we went to check out a new thrift store in town where I found this gem.

Surprisingly the dress only needed a few minor alterations to get it in a wearable condition. The overall size fit me just right, but to make it more appropriate for summer I needed to take a few inches off of them hem and decided to add some lace. Once I chopped off 3 inches from the bottom I decided to reuse the excess to make a belt to cover the hideous elastic/crookedly stitched waist. After a quick wash the dress was ready to wear! Now onto my next find!

Oh and my favorite part of the dress was the pockets! I love pockets!

Up-close detail of the belt

My very first hem. My mother will be proud...(I followed your directions to a "T," Mom)

EAT (03.05.10)

I have been obsessed with DIY stuff lately. I have been mending thrift store dresses and making plans for things to make and make-over for our new place. The other day my friend Lauren gave me the link to this DIY blog, 320 Sycamore. She had taken frames from the Dollar Tree, gave them a fresh coat of paint and completely transformed them. A light bulb immediately clicked on in my head. Time for a new craft project!

With Jordan out of town for the weekend (I got left behind because I have to work) I decided to fill my time with crafting and packing...maybe. So today, my one day off after an 11 day work stretch, I went to the Dollar Tree and picked up the black frames below. I then went over to Hobby Lobby for craft paint, letters, and paper. For about $8 I have a new wall decoration for our kitchen.
The black frames weren't a true black so I wanted to change them to a color that will match the new kitchen better. I grabbed some red craft paint, and 4 coats later...wah-lah!

Cake Stands (08.10.09)

I finally made the cake stands that I posted about in the previous blog. I found all of the stuff to make them at the thrift stores in town...all three for less than $10! Pretty impressive.

Before

After

Oh and I made cookies too. First time ever from scratch.

To begin...

So as mentioned over at the side, this is where I will be posting all of my crafting mess and not clutter up the extremely interesting married life blog. My first task will be to transfer over all of the craft stuff from the other blog, so there wont be many brand new posts for a little bit. Another reason is because the crafts that I am working on currently are for my sisters' birthdays, even though one keeps saying she doesn't want "homemade crap" for her b-day. She just doesn't know how spectacular it is yet. The second purpose for the separate craft blog is so that I can share my ideas and hopefully give someone the inkling of an idea to make something fabulous, or fully convert them to the thrifty-ness of making something yourself. The unfortunate side effect of crafting is that I now refuse to pay full price for anything. Garage sales, thrift stores and the Dollar Tree are now my favorite places to shop, and every time I spot something cute I think "I bet I can make that."