30 Before 30: Learn to Sew

I can cross something else on my list!

 

I actually did this back in September and never got around to mentioning it til now. 

 

We took the dog to the beach and for the roadtrip, I wanted a seat cover.  But I didn't want to use any of the ones I saw in stores.  Then I figured this would be an easy first time sewing project.  Off to the fabric stores I went.

 

I ended up finding clearance outdoor fabric for $6/yard.  Heck yes!  Outdoor fabric is meant to used as upholstery for outdoor furniture, so they're a little durable and easier to wipe off than other fabrics.  And the design was way cuter than those plain ole covers I was seeing commercially.  I mean, my dog has to have some class.

 

After purchasing 2 yards of fabric, thread, and bungee straps, I spent around $20.  Not too bad.

 

First, I hemmed up all the sides to get rid of the frayed edges.  Then I sewed the straps into loops on one side.  On the opposite side, I folded over the top and sewed additonal straps, so all I have to do is drape that side over the top of the back seat.

 

And that was it. 

 

 

Now Gypsy can sit in my backseat with her dirty little paws and not stain my upholstery.  This also prevents her from falling onto the floor everytime I turn or brake, which she did all the time. 

This was a good beginner project.  I winged it without measuring anything out and had a problem aligining the straps.  But the design on the fabric was forgiving and hid my uneven stitching and mess ups. 

And since then, I've had other uses with my sewing machine.  I've fixed hems and holes, so, yep, I can say I know how to sew!

Birthday Craft!

I have a friend that just turned thirty.  And she's the type that's hard to get something for.

Now, thirty is a pretty significant birthday milestone and my friend was getting a little depressed.  I mean, it is the start of a new decade.  Heck, I'll probably be bawling my eyes out when I turn 3-0. 

Anyway, I saw this idea all over the internets and thought it would be perfect. 

My supplies:

-tissue box

-postage paper

-tissue paper

-Styrofoam block (cut to fit the box)

-30 Tootsie pops

-birthday message

-1 bamboo skewer

-tape

So it's pretty self-explanatory how I did this.  You're smart enough to figure it out...

And it turns out, my friend loves Tootsie Pops (well, that's what she said anyway).  So, in the end, we both win!  She gets her suckers, I get satisfaction from someone liking their gift and got my crafty urge out of my system.  Winning.

DIY Flag Shirt

So I've been seeing these flag tank tops around the internet, thought they were cute and decided to do one for my own.  After seeing a couple of websites on the how-to, I kinda just winged it.  All you need:  stars, white t-shirt (one size bigger than you normally wear), painter's tape, and blue and red spray paint.




I used clipart for my stars.   





Tape down the stars and line your shirt with the tape to resemble a flag.





Let it dry for a couple of hours.



I cut off the sleeves and the bottom seam and cut around the neck.



After washing (I hand washed this at first, then again in the machine), use stretched scrap strips from the sleeve to tie the back.



And you have yourself a cute shirt!


Before tying the back, I also pulled and stretched out the cut shirt to make it look more worn and to curl the edges.  The best shirt to use is one with a thin material.  The back will bunch up, so the stiffer and thicker the shirt, the more it'll bunch up and stick out.    

This is a great way to repurpose those too big tshirts or the ones with the pit stains (don't lie, we all have them) that you just can't get rid of.

The BF and I plan on going to Washington DC for the fourth and I can't wait to wear it.  It's supposed to be in the high 90's so this'll be light enough to wear. 



Stay classy,
Heidi

Pinterest Is Gonna Be The Death Of Me

Pinterest has struck again!  A couple of days ago, I ended up with another project I saw on that wonderful site.  The first project was flip-flop hangers, which I'll show another time. 

Like I said in my previous post, I make a weekly menu plan.  I stumbled across this great idea at make and takes.  Why have a generic white dry erase board when you can reuse an old frame (or buy a cheap frame, like I did)?

My supplies: frame and scrapbook paper

I cut the scrapbook paper to fit the frame. I printed out the days of the week (using font from Peas For Font) onto the paper.

And you have your dry erase board. Even if you don't have anything written, the design of the scrapbook paper makes it decorative. As a side note, the BF and I use our other board as a "funny drawing" board. One of us starts a drawing, and the other has to finish. On this particular day, he started the drawing and I finished it with a chubby samurai with freckles and a scar.

And it erases just like a dry erase board.

Bring it, Martha Stewart.

Stay classy my friends,

Heidi