One Shirt --- Three Projects

I found this very pretty top at a thrift store a few weeks ago. Originally I was going to wear it. Then after I came home, I tried it on and the top was shorter than I like. So, I have decided to make a few things out of it.

I love the embroidery on this, so I wanted to showcase that. I cut it up into 4 pieces...


Project one: Red Pom Pom Pillow


I made this pillow from the top portions of the shirt. I love how it turned out. I saw something similer to this at a gift shop one time and believe me, it was pricey! I paired it with the tea towel pillow to make my house look more Christmasy.

Project two: Patchwork Pillow



The embroidery parts came from the sleeves. I just couldn't throw them away, so I went through my stash and made more pillows! I love red and white with some tan.

Project three: Apron Skirt




I had a hard time deciding whether to make this bottom part into a handbag or into a skirt for Rachel. In the end I am so glad I made a skirt for her! Not only is the color red perfect for this season, she looked so pretty in it. Eventhough she is half Japanese, she looked almost like a Russian doll. I know this will go with the jeans too.

I used up pretty much the entire top, and had no buyer's remorse. I love projets that are inexpensive and where I have tons of freedom. If you ever see clothes (at thrift stores) with details like embroidery or beads work don't pass it up. It has the potential of becoming something unique and beautiful!

I can't believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I hope you all will have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones... Oh, Rachel wanted to say something to you all...

Can't Wait For the Season

In the last few weeks, I had some conversations with my friends and neighbors about how much we can't wait for the garage sale season to start. Finding great stuff at a garage sale is such a rush, I alway get so excited. We have a few months until the season starts; I've been going to various second hand stores in the last few weeks. I'm usually trying to find something that I can fix or refinish, vintage fabrics, and dishes; unexpected finds are nice too!



The cute tin cans I bought to organize the kids' small toys and legos. The picture frame is in such a great shape, it is almost like brand new, I'm going to paint it white and add it to my wall of pictures. Since our last name starts with "A", the "A" is the perfect decoration for our house.



These cute enamelware dishes are brand new with the price tag still attached. I found three of them. I thought it would be nice to decorate a room around them. As soon as I cleaned them and dried them out, Rachel took them without me knowing and started playing house.



The twin size sheets was brand new, but the flower print make the sheet look vintage. When I think about what I'm going to make out of the sheet and a vintage looking bandana I get a little skip in my step. (Little things like this make my life happier.) The green basket, I might paint a different color. The handbag looking basket, is from Nine West and is in perfect condition. LOVE IT!

These findings have satisfied my cravings... for a while. I'm still waiting for the season!