Quick 'Fix' Friday: Valentine's Ideas & DIYs

We don't celebrate St. Valentine's Day in any major way around here, but I do like to do small things for my son, husband, and myself. Here's a collection of some past projects if you feel the need for a quick crafting 'fix' or one that may take a little extra time and effort! DIY gifts, refashion ideas, or even a lucky thrift score!

1// This little guy was a big hit with my son last year...I made it up as I went along after checking out some pics for inspiration! Making gifts can be so much more personal and fun, if you're up for it :).

2// Refashioning a plain cardi with tiny v's turned out to be the perfect 'fix' to mask a few mended holes! Can you guess what I'll be wearing this year on Valentine's Day??? Check out the tutorial here.

3// Heart-shaped hand warmers are a super simple, but oh-so-cute gift to give! Also, amazing scrap busting project! If you live in warmer climes, these can be chilled and used as cold packs for little booboos, too.

4// Another heart-themed refashion is this graduated heart cardigan! Perfect cozy cardigan for cold February days + scrap fabric = cozy but cute cuddle wear! Tutorial here.

5// If you're not feeling crafty, hit up your local thrift store for something Valentine's-worthy...say a vintage apron with heart-shaped pocket? Or any number of special, unique gifts! Better yet, go on a thrifting date with your bestie, significant other, or mother ;)

6// Need to DIY some Valentine's to pass out? Here's a look at what I made on the fly for my son's class this year!

7// Lastly, try something new...whether you have a date, have to work, or plan on cozying up with some comfort food and a movie, do something that makes you feel good about you. I might try out this red lip again...maybe ;).

Now get out there and love on yourself and those near and dear! And don't forget to check out Agy's mending fix over at Green Issues by Agy. Happy Friday :)

Peace,
Andrea

Sweetheart Sweater

I've been saving this sweater for just the right refashion and just a week ago I was struck with the most amazing idea to fix it!!! It was a super simple idea, and one I'm sure I've seen around and simply didn't put two and two together on...but hey, at least it came to me eventually ;) AND just in time for Valentine's day! You'll see why that's relevant...

Here's what I started with. A flesh tone wool cardigan (J.Crew) with the most lovely little buttons that I thrifted sometime last year (ish).

As you can see from the bottom right photo, it also came with some small holes in the front. They were all localized to this side and within a fairly small space and one had already been mended (though that came undone and I had to fix that one again). I closed up these holes using similar colored thread and a thin needle by gathering up the loose loops of the fine knit and gathering them around the hole so that when I pulled everything taut and tied off the thread it closed the hole right up. This is a pretty visible mend, though it didn't much matter as I was planning on camouflaging it anyhow.

So, I gathered up my supplies...the sweater (obviously) and some stabilizer (thrifted $.25), and black embroidery floss along with a sharp embroidery needle.

I did, in fact, start with much more embroidery floss ;) This was taken after completing the project!

I cut the stabilizer into tiny little squares to start off, then started playing around with different stitch designs trying to decide what would look best. I settled on what I was HOPING would look good and got to work!

I laid my little squares of stabilizer on the backside of the front panels one at a time then stitched my shape of choice, first where the holes had been mended, then continued from there to incorporate them into an overall layout that was "uniform" but imperfect :). I'm going with a V shape...

As you can see, (2)I placed the stabilizer, (3)inserted the needle from wrong side out then back to the wrong side at an angle, (4)pulled the floss through and (5)checked the front of the sweater to ensure that it looked good. Next, (6)I started the needle back down at the bottom of the V and angled out in the opposite direction, (7)pulled it through, (8)checked it, and finally (9)knotted it in place. I did this over and over and over again (about 40 times per side of the front of the cardigan).

Now look over your work, and admire! I still need to decide if I'll line the front of the sweater now, and if I do I'll use a pre-washed muslin hand-sewn in place tacking it down from time to time to the stabilizer in between the two layers. But we'll see. I plan on wearing it buttoned up, however for variety of use, I'll need to line it.

I adore how the tiny V's look line mini hearts now all over the front of this cardi, and though the color before didn't look great on me, with the simple addition of the contrasting black embroidery it has become so much more flattering (even on my winter skin!).

A little pop of color on the lips and this is Valentine's Day ready (whether the husband and I get to go on a date or not). Any signs of mended holes are completely gone and this sweet little number is ready to be added into my wardrobe rotation! I think I'll be trying it on over brightly colored camisoles to see what a pop of color underneath will add, as well.

No major changes to shape or size or even function (as it has remained a cardigan) but its use value has skyrocketed with a little mending and camouflaging :-). And I am pleased!

Here's one last look at the before and after:

Hope this helps you see the potential in some of your clothes that start to go holey...there is hope for them yet! Or for a boring sweater or cardigan that could use a little pop!

Peace,
Andrea

Love Bot!

Meet Love Bot!

I've seen these amazingly adorable little robots all over Pinterest and Etsy and thought that I'd make one for my little boy for Valentine's Day :) I didn't follow a tutorial (figured I'd just wing it) and I didn't take my time (the little boy was soooooo tired of waiting!!!). Yeah, he got his gift a little early ;). But I'm in love and will be making a girl version for myself with a weighted bottom so that it sits up on a shelf...or my desk...or maybe I'll just move it around with me wherever I am in the apartment throughout the day!

Stay tuned for more Valentine's Day refashions...

Peace,
Andrea