Waste Not Want Not Wednesday: Fun Letters

What do you get when you combine the legs of old jeans whose tops you've already used to make purses, some felt you bought for a Halloween costume that never got made and a valance you got for a great price at Salvation Army?




Well, before I answer that I have to share the process, right? First, stack the fabrics up, trace the letters, which can be found at Happy Together, onto the fabric and pin. Be careful to leave enough extra around the sides as your fabrics may shift while sewing and you don't want to find yourself short on the edge of one like I did.



Next, cut them into individual fabric 'sandwiches', sew, then trim off excess.





You get these very cool letters for a terrific little boy who is turning four!






I think they look cute tied up with the jeans seam.

Thrifty Thursday: Spider-Man Valance

I picked up this brand new looking Spider-Man valance at Salvation Army for $1.99. Gosh, I love that place! The person who donated it surely blessed me.

My little great-nephew's birthday is next month and I thought of him the moment I saw it; I have an idea in my head for what to do with it. I've started off by washing the piece, pulling out the seams and ironing the fabric up. It is quite a bit of fabric, 22" x 120", and I'm really excited to get to work with it.

Waste Not Want Not Wednesday: Pantyhose/Tights Crafts

My work requires me to wear black hose or tights. I prefer the tights and as a result have quite a few no-longer wearable pairs collected. I can't just toss them. Beyond the $5-$7/pair cost, I just can't see throwing them in the trash. There must be good craft-supply uses for them.



Some things I've done with worn out tights so far -

Ties for holding up tomato plants
Tube bra (from the panty portion, not the legs LOL)
If only the feet were worn out, cut them off and wear as footless tights
Stuffing for soft toys and pillows
Store onions by placing them inside, tying a knot between each one and hanging up. When you want to use an onion just untie or cut off a section to release it
Cover the end of the vacuum hose and run over the rug when looking for a lost item such as an earring back. It will be lifted off the rug, but not sucked up into the machine



I've got an idea for a quilt. Take two squares, fold them over on the diagonal and sew together on the fold. Stuff each of the resulting triangles with tights and sew closed. These should be nice, weighty squares and make a warm quilt when sewn up, don't you think?

But I'd really love some crafty ideas, maybe a pin cushion or some sort? Or a children's toy of some kind? This faked potato looks like a fun toy! I wish a faked eggplant (since all my tights are black) could be just as much fun, but who eats eggplant in the skin with the insides mashed up and butter on top?

I would love for some folks to share their ideas on this with me!

Travel Tip Tuesday: Looking for Free Attractions?

Here is a website to start with. Search by state and find parks, museums and other attractions which are free of admission charge.

Looking For Artisan/WAHM Made Items?

Stalk Shop is a multi-vendor Artisan/WAHM mall. You'll find lovely clothing and household items as well as crafting supplies such as hand-dyed yarn.

Waste Not Want Not Wednesday: Time Can Be Wasted Too

Have you ever sewn something only to find that it did not work well for your body shape? I know I have and it is one of the main reasons I struggle with sewing from a pattern. I am so frustrated by the waste of time, effort and fabric when my end result is not as useful as I'd hoped.

I've been reading a little about slopers; today this link showed up in my email box. It's a sign, right?

I hope some of the information there - I've just begun going through it - helps keep your crafting time productive and not wasted.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Bahama Breeze $10 Gift Card

It's no secret my favorite travel destination is Orlando. Although I've not yet been to Bahama Breeze, I have passed by many, many times. Maybe the $10 gift card one can sign up for here will be incentive for me to try it on my next trip.