Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize: It’s not just for clothes and homes anymore. Nope, even cars want to get in on the accessory action. Why not adorn the interior of your car with a colorful, handmade steering wheel cover?
Not only will it bring a bit more style to an otherwise boring space, but your hands will thank you. No more grabbing a hot steering wheel in the summer and freezing your hands in the winter. Plus, it’s super quick and easy to make. So, if you’ve been telling yourself you want to learn how to sew, then this would be a perfect first project. Triple bonus!
You can watch the YouTube video here:
Or, you can watch the Facebook version here: (As usual, be sure to click on the bottom right hand corner so you can hear the music. It’s much more fun to watch. 🙂 )
Click here for the complete step-by-step photo tutorial.
For more sewing and refashioning inspiration and tutorials, click here.
Popcorn—not only does it tastes great, it also connects us to people we love and good times. From snuggling up together on a couch watching movies to cheering on our favorite team, popcorn plays a big part.
But, if you’ve been trying to create less waste and eat a bit healthier, you can ditch those greasy, chemical-laden, store-bought microwave popcorn bags and make an earth-friendly, reusable, healthy alternative. These reusable microwave popcorn bags are a snap to make and are even a great learn-to-sew project.
Scroll down to view the videos. Click here for the full step-by-step directions.
You can view the You tube video here:
You can enjoy the Facebook video here:
Enjoy!
Beth
For more sewing and refashioning inspiration and tutorials, click here.
This shirt and post are the perfect examples of Ray Bradbury’s quote. When I started out redesigning this huge shirt,
I wasn’t really sure where I was going with it. I knew it needed to be smaller. But other than that, it was just trying things to see if they worked.
I love how the sleeves turned out, but that only happened after several different attempts at sleeve treatments.
Not to mention, I tried an animated GIF to see if it would work.
It did.
SAH-WHEAT!!!!
If you’re interested in learning how to make an animated GIF, go to gickr.com. My funny blogging friend Rarasaur turned me on to it. It’s SUPER fun and easy to do.
Now on to redesigning this huge polka dot shirt.
Right sides together, pin and sew the sleeves back into the armhole.
Now, excuse me while I go find that ruggedly handsome contractor husband of mine. He needs to take me out to dinner in my new shirt.
If you want to bee the life of your next party, show up carrying your salad in a bowl covered by a homemade beeswax cover. Everyone will be asking for the name of the hip new marketplace selling them. You will definitely create a buzz when you tell them you made them yourself.
It’s a beautiful way to reduce daily plastic waste and be more eco-friendly. These reusable covers are washable so they’ll last up to a year and then all you have to do is re-wax them. Sounds like you’ll get a double re-use score when you make and use your own beeswax food wraps.
You can view the YouTube version here:
Or, for those of you on Facebook, you can watch it here: (Be sure to click on the bottom right hand corner so you can hear the music. 🙂 )
I wrapped up the last of the gifts with a mischievous grin on my face. I had done it. No one knew. Not yet at least. Now, I just had to wait a few more days. The thought of their shocked faces as the realization sunk in was going to be great. I love surprises and I hoped they would love it, too.
I made them open their gifts at the same time. It was pretty obvious: Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, lip balm and macadamia nuts. It didn’t take them long to comprehend.
We were going to escape the frozen Snowpocalypse!
We were going to Hawaii! Sunny beaches, snorkeling, drinks with umbrellas!
Hawaii definitely didn’t disappoint. I would go back in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact, I NEED to go back soon. It’s been several years and I’m ready.
If you’re one of the lucky ones escaping the frozen tundra this winter, here’s a quick little luggage tag project so you can spot your luggage right away and get on with your adventure.
You can watch my Facebook video here:
You can watch my YouTube video here:
Click here for the complete step-by-step photo tutorial.
Aloha! Bon Voyage! Adios!
Beth
For more sewing and refashioning inspiration, click here.
Our little valley has been inundated with mountains of beautiful snow for the last few days and I just got the call a few minutes ago that school was cancelled!
Soooooooooooo….
Seems like a good day to try out one of these Cast Iron Skillet meals that have been taking over my Pinterest feed lately.
But, how many times have I grabbed onto something hot coming out of the oven without thinking about how I’m going to get burned. Not anymore though, now that I made one of these beauties.
This Skillet Handle Cover is quick and easy to make, will keep your hands safe and is a great way to use up fabric scraps.
You can watch my Facebook video here:
Or, you can watch the YouTube version here:
Click here to go to my full step-by-step photo tutorial.
This Valentine post is a not only a cute felt, rose pillow tutorial, but it’s a love story. Not your typical love story, but a love story none the less.
It goes like this:
I get to wake up every morning to a beautiful, panoramic view of the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
But that’s not the best part. Nope!
The best part is seeing the little green house that sits across the field in my view and remembering the man who used to live there.
Harold.
You see, 24 years ago Harold made our dream of building a house come true. Even though he didn’t know us very well, he generously said yes when we asked him if he’d be willing to sell us a piece of his property. He practically gave it to us. He was paying it forward, he said. He wanted us for his neighbor, he said. He liked us, he said.
Wow!
And, as if the property wasn’t enough of a gift, he unknowingly gave us the gift of generosity, the gift of devotion, and the gift of love each and every day. I wish he would’ve known exactly how powerful his gift was.
Each morning, as I look out my window my first thoughts are of love, of generosity, of compassion, and devotion all because of Harold.
When I look over at his house I and remember him out puttering around in his garden, I see generosity. When I remember seeing his adult children rallying around him as he grew old, taking turns living with him and keeping his place up, I see devotion. When I see his little green house, I see love.
Thoughts of generosity, devotion and love. Pretty good way to start every day if you ask me.
This one’s for you Harold! We love you!
And, if you happen to have a soft spot for everything that celebrates love, this delightful DIY rose pillow can be made in an afternoon and will look great on your couch, chair or even in your love nest.
Click here to watch the Facebook video: (Be sure to turn unmute the sound, it’s much better with the music 🙂
Here’s the YouTube version in case you don’t have Facebook:
I’m one of the lucky ones. Not only do I have a guardian angel, but I even know her name.
Kathie was 9 years older than me. My oldest sister. My second mom. My inspiration. My hero. My friend. So artistic, so tasteful and, in my eyes, so cool! She had it all: a handsome, fun, and kind husband; a beautiful, healthy baby boy; a charming house and we all adored her.
But, she left this world when I was 18.
I thought I’d never see her again.
But, sometimes I look in the rear view mirror and she’s in the backseat of my car, rockin’ out to Rare Earth’s “I Just Want to Celebrate” with me after one of life’s sweet victories. Sometimes, I look up and she’s in the aisle of the plane making me smile when I’m on the way to my mom’s funeral. Sometimes, in the morning, she’s in the bathroom with me letting me know that I CAN make it through another day. Sometimes, she goes and hangs out with one of my children when they need her. But, I always know she’s looking after me, putting in a good word for me, and celebrating with me.
Well, just look at those mid-century modern dishes, those chic crystal glasses and that teak handled silverware! All chosen by my sister back in the early seventies for her wedding registry. I was lucky enough to inherit them. She and her dishes help us to celebrate many of life’s victories and holidays.
They deserve custom made placemats. They deserve colorful new table linens. They deserve to be part of a new and creative tablescape. Placemats are super easy and fun to make and you can make a new set in less time than driving to the store and buying some. Make new sets for each new celebration. Use any fabric and be as creative as you’d like.
Click here for the complete “how-to” instructions.
You can watch the YouTube video here:
Or watch the Facebook video here (be sure to unmute the sound, it’s so much better with the music) 🙂 :
And the next time something great happens to you,
I hope your guardian angel is in your back seat singing:
“I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
Another day of living, yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of livin’
I just want to celebrate another day of life!”
Happy sewing,
Beth
For more sewing and refashioning inspiration click here.
Pretty sure Shakespeare was thinking about Brooke when he wrote:
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”
Who knew, 5 years ago, when this picture was taken, that Brooke would fiercely overcome some incredible odds, impress people all over the world and become a champion archer. We are all so proud of her.
Plus, she looks so stinkin’ cute in this refashioned sweater dress so I thought you might like to see this project again in case you have a closet full of old sweaters and a fierce little girl in your life.
Start with an adult sweater.
Isn’t this label great!
Use a well fitting t-shirt for a pattern.
Cut around the t-shirt, leaving a half inch for a seam.
Turn the sweater inside out and sew the side seams, starting at the bottom to keep the bottom edge together. Then cut the sleeve length to fit.
Turn inside out and sew up the sides of the sleeves to fit.
Place the sleeves back into the armholes, right sides together, pin and sew.
And now you’ve got a sweet little sweater dress for a cute little girl in your life.
Back then, I was pretty sure Brookie, had a modeling career ahead of her. That was if she could find the time after all of her hunting, fishing, four wheeling and horse riding adventures with her mom and dad. 🙂
Instead, she’s on her way to being a world champion archer.
And if you really want to enjoy another blast from the past, here’s a Youtube video on how to make a little girl’s sweater dress from my first television appearance ever on the Happi House.
Here’s a few other examples from past articles. Just click on the picture if you like to see the entire tutorial:
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