Matching Doll Clothing

Using Joan Hinds book, All Dolled Up, and the included patterns, I made one of my grandchildren a skirt and vest as well as a matching outfit for her American Doll.  The local Salvation Army store was where I found the jeans and plaid jumper that supplied the material used to make them.

Retro Hand Bag from Used Clothing

What fun to make a useful item from no longer useful clothing.

The center fabric is from a pair of capris from the local Salvation Army store bought when they were on clearance for $.49. Since the full fabric width needed could not be cut from one leg, the tiny green-checked fabric on the sides was from an old pair of culottes. The lining was also from the SA store and was a pair of homemade lounge pants. All I had to buy was a metal ring for the handle and a magnetic clasp. The lounge pants had patch pockets, so I utilized one for one side of the lining and made another to add to the other side, so there are 2 pockets inside. If I made again, I would add a pocket to the outside back.

This pattern was in a book from the library, and was called Retro Purse. I think the print fabric actually looks like something from the 40's; a kind of Hawaiian kitsch.

The three items of clothing before cutting.

Fabric Scrap Pups

Are these cute or what?  From another book I found at the library...I think it was on using scrap material.  The puppies are from felt.  The only variation I made was to put rice in the bottom of the bodies when stuffing to allow them to sit better.  They are about three inches tall.

Artistic Binder Clips

With a little Mod Podge as glue and sealer and an advertisement from a magazine for Gustav Klimt needlework kits, these plain old everyday binder clips are now pretty and fun.

Easy project with big impact!

Fried Cauliflower Rice

This is just like fried rice, but without the carbs!

Recipe from Primal Blueprint Quick and Easy Meals


Takes 15 minutes; serves 2-3

3 Tbsp sesame or coconut oil
1 white or yellow onion, thinly sliced
3/4 lb meat; raw or cooked, cut in small pieces
4 Tbsp tamari (healthier than soy sauce)
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 small head cauliflower, grated in food processor
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup frozen peas
4 scallions, roughly chopped

     Heat wok or skillet over high heat and add 1 Tblsp of oil.  Add onion and saute until it starts to brown (2 minutes).
     Add meat & 1 Tbsp tamari.  Saute 2-3 minutes (or longer if raw meat needs more time), then add remaining oil, garlic, and cauliflower.  Saute 2-3 minutes.
     Add eggs & remaining tamari. Stir until egg cooks, add peas and chopped scallions.  Cook 1-2 more minutes.

Repurposed Dress as Curtain

Here is a dress I purchased for $1 at the Salvation Army store remade into cafe curtains for my laundry room.  All I had to do was detach the skirt from the bodice, turn under the raw edges, and voila, instant privacy. 

Dining Chairs Painted and Recovered

BEFORE

and AFTER

Although the wood was in good condition, my daughter-in-law, Winavie, wanted a cream painted look for her four dining room chairs. The badly stained seat fabric had to go. We both loved the bright, modern, and colorful large print she finally chose at Joann Fabrics. As she said, "So Anthropologie!".

After hearing Nate Berkus say they used spray paints on furniture, I decided that was what to use for this transformation. That worked beautifully! I started with a rust-colored primer because Winavie wanted a slight shabby chic look with worn edges, which I needed to sand down. A light sanding should be done before painting and in between coats. I sprayed on two coats of cream, sanded sparingly for the worn look, and added a top coat of clear to finish the job. Acrylic paints dry so quickly, too. As the can warns, time will harden the paint, so be careful the first few days or weeks to not bang the painted pieces around!