NBPM: Day 7 - Cheap Materials

Today is Saturday and, as such, isn't really a great day for crafting. However, it is a great day for shopping.

Target, to be exact.

Just a quick heads up - Target dollar aisle has grosgrain Hello, Kitty ribbon right now. For a dollar.

Just so's you know.

A Tee Story

I showed you this little tidbit the other day...and now I'm ready for the Big Reveal. (The recipient should have already opened her birthday present. Happy Birthday, Bert!)

I took a note from all the re-fashions floating around, and some great tops I found at the mall. I bought two: one in the size Bert wears (don't worry - Bert's a girl) and another in the largest size they had (XL) to use as, ahem, "garnish." From the larger shirt, I cut a few 1.5" strips from the bottom.

(Sorry about the pic - I tend to craft after the kids go to bed!)

I cut them open, into strips, and then sewed three of them together, end to end. I set my machine for the longest straight stitch I could, and sewed a long stripe from one end of my strip to the other. Then, I pulled on the top thread to ruffle up my jersey.

I ruffled it pretty tightly, and then basted it into a big spiral. Then I sewed it securely onto the top left chest, just below the shoulder.

I was really happy with how this top turned out!

I love the postman

Woohoo!! Monday afternoon was a Banner Day at the mailbox. My daughter helped me get the mail, and when she saw the inside, she said, "Ooh, mommy! Presents!"

Inside the box was one piece of junkmail, and three packages. All for me!

The two books pictured came from the lovely Ms. Hoppo Bumpo, Liesl. I won one on her blog, and was thrilled to discover she'd thrown in the second book! That package came all the way from Australia.

The second package in the pile came all the way from Canada, from Su at Vively Online. I won a gorgeous black leather brooch on her blog. (She made it from black leather salvaged from a broken handbag. Genius!) Just because she's sweet, she threw in the adorable pink flower clippie for BBJ, and a sweet little bow tie for Siu Jeun!

Finally, the last package came from California, from Lo Gung's cousin. She's part of a weight loss group that I started this year. There are 9 of us, and we all set a goal in January. The deal is: report in weekly, do your best to lose the weight (adjusting your goal as necessary!) and meet your goal by 12/31. If you do, the other ladies in the group promise to send you a present! Snazzy, right? Anywho, Miss Awesome Cali Cousin made me that totally rockin' potholder up there, and threw in a bamboo/silicone scraper and a set of measuring scoops (in orange!) just because she's neat like that.

Such a wonderful day!

Handmade Gift: Shabby Chic!

Here's Handmade Gift number one. I'm going to call it Shabby Chic...with a LoLo twist. I have the worst time following the rules. Who said Mod and Shabby can't coincide? We'll call it a hapa.

And no, I won't tell you what it is. You'll have to wait until it's done!

Handmade Holidays

Have you seen this button around?

Sew Mama Sew is hosting this fun little shindig..and it's just the kick in the pants I need. (Click on the button above, or in my sidebar, if you'd like to check it out or participate!) As I've grown more confident in my crafting this year, I've discovered that I can make beautiful things for people I love...and save a bit in the giving department, as well.

Stay tuned...and if you're in my family, pretend you can't guess which one is yours. Or at least act surprised when you open it on Christmas.

Or, since I won't actually be there for the gift opening, just call me and tell me you were surprised.

I promise to believe you.

NBPM: Day 2

The thing about holidays is...you can never really talk about the projects you're working on!

So, I'll leave you with this: Ruffles Rock.

I'll share more soon.

NaBloPoMo: Day 1

Kids, this is going to be a real stretch for me. I really, really really try to do something creative each day. Now, I want to take it one step further - I want to put some love into my crafty blog! If you'd like to hear more about my daily LoLo life, head on over to my kid/Eurasian/ME blog.

Today is Sunday, and I don't usually have time to craft on Sundays. I think the sum total of my creative energy will be spent on French Toast for dinner tonight.

Yup. That's about it.

Happy NaBloPoMo!