May 6 2012

Cornhusker Crazy and Jeans RePurposing!!!

I was so excited to have three out of the five things I wanted to accomplish DONE already this weekend…. I just had to show you what has been going on.

Last weekend, there was a random question from a friend about a bachelorette party ‘bride’ sash. She was going to make it herself, but someone around here has a problem and said, “Why don’t you let me do it for you?” She gave me the theme and instantly I had the idea in my head for this unique Nebraska Cornhusker bridal sash…

Completed Bridal Sash – I don’t think anyone will miss this special lady!

Close shot of the ‘emblem’ that holds the ties together. Came out pretty close to what my mind was seeing! Kind of ‘pageant-ee’, don’t ya think?

So that was one Husker project, and I had one more I’d wanted to do, so I got-r-done.

Toddler Size Cornhusker Packpack – Personalized

Not real happy with the total LACK of room inside this one, but it will hold books or an iPad without them getting beat up. If I ever do another one, I will not follow the pattern and used and make it deeper. How’s this kid going to fit his trucks in it? *sigh* Oh, well. One lives and learns, right?

So the third project was just something I needed to prove to myself that I could do, and do it right….. Re-purposing little girl jeans into a cute little handbag. Just big enough for their lip gloss and comb. This project started with a pair of jeans size 12M. I pulled the elastic out of the waistband and cut the inside buttons off. Then I carefully cut the legs off (yeah, sounds painful, doesn’t it) and cut all the thick seams off those leg scraps. Turned the top part of the jeans inside out and sewed along the bottom. This took about 4 shots to do because the butt part of jeans just has different cut to it. But after playing around with it a little, and boxing off the bottom corners… this is what we had…

Base purse and scraps to make lining and a belt.

The handle was made by taking the jean legs and cutting 4 equal pieces and sewing them together. The wider handle should make it easier for a 3 year old to grab, plus it’s not floppy – I liked how that came out. Then sewed the ends of the handle to each side, matching them up with the side seams already in the jeans. The two fun fabrics I found were leftovers from a commissioned job last year. You got it! I don’t throw ANYTHING away! And I’m so glad because there was JUST enough of the paisley to make a belt. Here is the rest of the process….

Lining sewed up, just like the outside (with boxed bottom corners), and stitched around the top of the waistband. That way the lining hides any wear and tear on that inside belt line.

Belt sewn up and tied through belt loops, just like a real sash style belt.

Just another view……..

Complete! Velcro closure on front and back of inside for easy kiddo maneuvering.

And the back shot….. Pretty cute if I say so myself.

This will make a great little gift!! And as my super German glue is setting those velcro tabs on….. I will say adieu for now.

What are you up to this weekend? Recycle something – have a little fun.

Apr 27 2012

Holy HAT, Batman!

A cute little friend of mine who now lives in Orlando requested something from me on Facebook. Yep, a hat. But I said to her, “Are you sure? You live in Florida!” She assured me that she really wanted a hat like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ones that I crocheted earlier, only BATMAN style! OK, so I went on a hunt to find a pattern and came across a little shop on Etsy that sells the most unique and fun hat patterns ever. Check out her store on Etsy, it’s called Cute Patterns World. Her prices are so reasonable, you can afford to buy 2 or 3, or even her great bundle packs.

So here’s the supplies for the Batman hat going out to hot Florida.

Batman Hat Supplies

Of course, I bought the Red Heart and Lion Brand yarns at Joann’s as I have a loyalty thing with them now. And yes, I printed the pattern out on blue paper as that’s the color my loving husband brought home for me. I think he just didn’t read the label. But it works, and now we can start in with some crocheting.

Feel like making a funky themed hat? PLEASE go check out this woman’s shop on Etsy and just see all the fun patterns she has available.

Thanks for stopping by and check out some of the other things that are getting worked on over here at The TygerLily. Get inspired and get creative!

Apr 15 2012

A Handmade Purse for Myself

After complaining just LONG enough about the purse I was carrying and how much I truly hated it (yeah, I made that one, too) I decided that there were a few hours today that could be filled making something for……ME! Yes, a new purse was way overdue. So I dug in my stash, found some decorator fabric that had not been designated for any one thing, and picked an old pattern. Didn’t have the exact handles this pattern asked for, but I had some that were 1/2″ larger than specified. This is just for me to tote around, so I didn’t care and dug right in. This is also a STASH BUSTER PROJECT! Use it up and use it good.

Pretty in Pink - of which I own nothing else in pink - AT ALL.

Went through about three different fabrics for linings until this popped up at the bottom of a pile in my stash closet. The green was perfect and not overpowering.

Muted green lining.

I had lime picked, and then a beige, but this just made more sense. Even stuck a magnet in there so all my wads of cash won’t fall out! LOL It’s the perfect size, and I adore the colors – so HAPPY SUNDAY to ME! HA

What did you make today? Tell me about it – I would LOVE to hear.

Thanks for checking in and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Apr 15 2012

Ninja Turtles Crochet Style – Kawabunga Dude

A friend challenged me with an idea she’d seen on the web – crocheted hats that look like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I debated on whether or not to even blog about this, but I have to so I never forget – EVER.

Me, trying to get a picture of them because my dear hubby wouldn't slip one on. Yeah, not quite my style, huh? And look at those big black bags under my eyes!

Not sure if this is right, but wanted to show the recipient of the adult sized crochet hat. My friend threw this photo at me after she gave the hats to him and a little boy just Friday.

Kawabunga Dude! Adult style.

It will be a LONG time before I crochet a hat again. But I’m VERY happy that the gal who ordered these was content, and obviously this guy loves the turtles, man.

Materials used were Red Heart yarns in green, orange and white. Two black buttons were sewed on by hand for the eyeballs.

Price collected for creating two hats? Yep, two boxes of Blush house wine, which is actually our favorite!

Mar 13 2012

Diaper Bag Possibilities

Whew, rough day yesterday, but we got through it. It felt good to get up and just say, “Come on world, I’m taking you on today.” And after working through all sorts of junk, but making progress, the mailman has this waiting for me when I got home from work.

Dick and Jane Fabric Panel

Isn’t it adorable? After opening the package and showing it off to my hub because I’m so excited, he asks the question, “Does anyone even know who Dick and Jane are anymore?” Oh, bust my bubble! I’m hoping there are some out there that still appreciate the simplicity and innocence of these kids and their pets. But I will continue on and hopefully make this up into my new craft bag design, but label it a diaper bag. Have to figure out a closure for the top, but that will come. Can’t you just see this worked up with some great blue gingham lining and primary color zippers and bias tape accents? And there has to be a fun kind of zipper pull out there somewhere, like a teeny tiny teddy bear. Hmmm.

Well, I’m off for the 12 hour day at my real job, but wanted to show off the next in line for Team TygerLily to get completed.

Have a GREAT day and happy crafting.

Jan 16 2012

Professional Duo Complete from Repurposed Ladies Jacket

The recycling and redesigning the women’s tapestry jacket was rather difficult, if I were to tell the truth. Even though things look one way in your head, accomplishing that goal can be a whole different chore. But the jacket has now been completely disassembled and reassembled into two useful items. Here is the tapestry jacket’s photo history…….

Sleeves cut away from jacket and splayed for cutting (in previous post)

The completed iPad cover made completely from the sleeves of jacket (in previous post)

Jacket body formed into a tote - items to complete are only laying on body. Handles, magnetic closure, black belting....

Professional tote/iPad cover set - not sure how to set this up to photograph decent.

Complete tote from tapestry jacket showing off its true color outdoors.

I lined it with a gray embroidered satin lining and couldn’t resist to put a final little touch to its closure – a silver leaf. As soon as that went on, it truly had my name on it. Not sure what will happen with this yet as Bill thinks I should be the one to enjoy this one. He’s one of my biggest supporters, but if this could sell and make a couple of bucks, then that’s what we have to do.

Thank you for stopping by and giving this a final look over! One day it may make it into the Etsy store, but until then I’ll enjoy looking at it and thinking of ways to improve on the upcycling and repurposing of the great thrift store finds we have in our possession. Yep, there is a whole tote full of beautiful sweaters, jackets and suit coats to re-fashion.

Happy Monday and happy crafting everyone!

Oct 17 2010

My Childhood… Making a Comeback

So now we have FOUR aprons completed and only one left to sew. That’s the pink one. But it’s ready whenever I decide to put pink thread in the machine. And when I was rummaging around today, I actually found labels that had my name on them, and not TygerLily, which is great because theses aren’t my original designs. Sew (tee hee) here is the line-up so far……….

"Muffin" and "Coffee" Apron

"Baking" and "Herbs" Aprons

I am extremely happy with all four of them. But how do you FOLD an apron? And especially for gifting? Do you just let people open their gifts and look at them this way? Come on, someone get creative and show me a fun way to show these off.

A friend at work heard my story about not sharing my peacock feathers that’s on display in my home with one of our granddaughters. So she brought in MORE feathers for me so I can make fun pen tops for Raegan for Christmas. (And not disturb the ones I already have.)

Peacock Feathers

And lastly today, one more HUGE hurdle was accomplished – and that is my first American Girl clothing project. I felt just like I was back in David City, sewing my Barbie clothes in my mom’s sewing room; rummaging through her scrap piles of fabric; trying to make the coolest clothes for my doll because we weren’t allowed to buy doll clothes. But then again, she knew there wasn’t anywhere in town to BUY ready made clothes! We made do, and I adored every minute of it, even those teeny tiny ice skater skirts! HA So here is my attempt at an 18″ doll outfit…..

Play Outfit with Scarf

This is a 5-piece outfit, folks! And it’s complete! Shirt, capri pants, bolero, play dress and scarf. And it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Can’t wait to see it actually ON a doll. :)

note to self: never ever EVER buy the amount of fabric the patterns call for or you’ll have enough to make a quilt with what’s leftover.

Christmas is coming!!!