thrifty & nifty threads: upcycled fashion.#18.

Well hey there lovelies!

I'm back with another edition of taking something thrifty and sewing it into something nifty.

I'm still working on some new spring fashion to wear... and this piece caught my attention.

(Oh, and I'm also needing to work on that ghostly pallor of my skin... sorry to blind you!)

 Much like that polka dot dress I discovered in my fabric stash, this green button-up shirt was mashed in there too.  I always liked the style of this shirt, just not the length (it barely made it to my waist).  So, since belly-tops just aren't my thing... I opted to chop it and then lengthen it big time!

 (Sorry for no 'before' shot... I sewed this project at night!)

You get the idea though, I just cut the bottom half off the shirt - leaving the buttons/edge in place.

I then attached the lighter floral fabric to the shirt, while using that lovely green lace to hide my seams.  Sneaky sewing suits me best.

Annnnnd, in a final stroke of upcycling *genius*, I used the leftover green fabric to make large front pockets and accent edging around the bottom of the shirt.

I then sat back and wondered why/how I never thought to do this before! (Face-palm).

Oh, and the awkward cat picture.

Yah, I don't know what's going on there either.

Needless to say, I'm now hunting through my wardrobe to see what other shirts I can hack and customise like this one.

Hope it inspires you to upcycle too!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

thrifty & nifty threads. upcycled fashion. #17.

 Annnnnnnnd we're back ~ with another fun edition of taking something thrifty and sewing it into something nifty!

Or, what could also be called 'further adventures in repulsing my husband'!

(More on that part, later..).

Anywho, here's how this project went:

1. Take one frumpy old sweater cardigan.

2. Use a seam ripper to remove the front panels.

3. Lay those sections as a tracing pattern over fabric of choice (a sheer aztec print seen here).

4. Cut two panels of new fabric and insert into the sweater...sew/surge in place.

Voila!

Bonus features:

+ I sewed the front cardigan pockets back on to the aztec fabric.

+ I added leather elbow patches (as seen in a previous project).

+ The front buttons were replaced with matching wooden ones.

----

Now, back to the husband in crisis.

It's pretty hilarious around here... every weird sewing project/notion I start to design.. he starts to cringe.  It used to be just vests that had him hurling.  But now I have successfully created a whole new line of gag-worthy fashion it seems.

---

While sewing this project, Ben said incredulously:

 "A sweater cardigan... really??"

"Don't worry, I'm about to make it awesome!" 

says I.. triumphantly holding up the sheer aztec material.

"You mean that Grandma curtain material?" he retorts.

"Pfffft..'GRANDMA'?!!..... c'mon, it's AZTEC"!

(as if this word in itself should convince him of how cool my project is). 

-------

Yah, he's still not convinced.

I told him not to worry.. from now on I'll make sure to get his *approval* for my future sewing adventures... maybe I could do a lingerie line... out of upcycled potato sacks.

 Yes, that could be a winner.

For now, I just have a growing wardrobe of 'what not to wear' if I want to catch his eye.

(Here's hoping you all aren't new here... and think my man to be some critical goon, we actually laugh/tease each other in complete affection... which you would have seen on Valentines day).

So, do you ever tease your partner about clothing choices?

sew silly,

Mel ;o)

(P.S... also, if you're new... you can catch up on previous upcycled fashion projects here!)

(Reader's Choice): From hair to there.

(Left: the only time my hair's been curled.  Right: the basic doo I've had since 2009).

 Alrighty hair we go.

Today's "Reader's Choice" post is going to kick off the start of my promise to blog about your requested topics!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Claudia asked for a highschool story.. or past hairstyles (best/worst).  I think both these suggestions can work together.

----------------------------------------------

Because it was waaaaay back in high-school that I started dyeing my hair.

Let me re-phrase: that I started bleaching my hair... and being too cheap to then buy a blonde dye to put into that 'stripped' state =  I had rubber duck yellow hair that felt like straw.

From that point I was a kaleidoscope of colours.

Going from blonde to black.

Magenta to deep plum.

Orange streaks to cinnamon red hair.

-------------------------------------------------

Yes, and I still cut/dye my own hair to this day.

Over the past number of years... what with marriage, and pregnancy(s).  My hair got pretty boring.

I was eager to pop out Hudson so I could get back to filling my head with toxic chemicals!  Hence, the above styles you've seen me sporting this past year.

(Bleached blonde, fire engine red underneath, then chopped with red all over!).

 Currently I'm at the ombre stage of black/brown to brown to blonde tips.

I'm once again attempting to grow it out...  sooooo, it's usually at this point I start to twitch and want to hack it off again!  But, I keep dreaming of locks like this.

 Oh, and if I was really feeling wild... I would love this doo too!

So as for the best/worst hairstyles I've had:

best = maybe the current ombre look... though the cut feels a bit dull.

worst = hacking my bangs off to a bare millimetre so they stuck out from my scalp with plum hair around the sides... as a teenager!

(Or, shaving half my head - with long bangs on the other side... as a kid!).

 .......

What's your vote?  Should I grow it out, cut it off, dye it wild again?

What crazy colour would you do for fun?

Hair-brained mama,

Mel ;o) 

colour me: blue eyes.

 If I were to dress in a palette to match my eyes... it would have to be this.

A smokey swirl of night sky mixed with cloudy blue - and a hint of tan around the pupil.

Murky, muddy, foggy blue eyes.  That's me.

Outfit details:

Earrings: In my SHOP

Scarf: thrifted/gifted to me

Blue lace top: H&M

White sleeve shirt: Old Navy

Lace skirt: Sewn by me.

Charcoal leggings: Wal-Mart(?)

........

I guess I got my Dad's Perry-winkle eyes, since my Mom's are brown.

Our kids got my blue eyes... (missing out on Ben's awesome olive-grey-sage colour).

What colour are yours?

blue-eyed mama,

Mel ;o)

-----------------------------------------------

*P.S - it's been quite a while now since I've done a vlog.. any one out there have something new they'd like me to talk about/answer here?  Shout 'em out, thanks!

STAY at home.. mama.

So this,

this here is why I shouldn't be allowed out of the house.

Or, to be more precise... why I shouldn't get near clothing stores.

Y'all know by now I have a soft spot for lace/doilies... and the retail dealers still know they can hook me with their fine wares.

(Gah!  Why am I so darn predictable!).

So this,

we were trying to just 'get out of the house' and 'let the kid run off some steam' so we opted to go to the most forsaken mall on the planet.

(You locals would know it as 'Portage').

This place is creepy.. like a post-apocalyptic walking-dead kind of mall.

Most shops are empty and barred shut.

Translated: a huge indoor race track to let our daughter run down instead of getting frostbite outside!

So, who knew I'd get sucked in by the teeny-bopper clothing shop that still remains there.

They had crazy cheap deals on everything... and entire sections devoted to lace shirts and dresses!

This is why I shouldn't be allowed out of the house.

 

Oh, and these fan-freakin-tastic aztec tights... yah, that happened too.

See, I have no willpower.

Despite no 'budget' for random clothing... I can justify/rationalise/plead the reason for why I neeeeeeeeeeed these new items in my closet.

I could blame my Ben for being too sweet as well, since he'll just respond "go for it babe, you never buy yourself anything nice".  Awww.

So there.

I'm weaker than I think.

I'm more girly than I like to admit.

But I'm dressed a bit more funky!

How's your willpower in the face of a 'SALE' sign?

frugal fashionista,

Mel ;o) 

P.S ~ how I wish I could have shown you a video of lil' Azriel dancing like a ding-dong to all the bass pounding beats of that store's music.  (We were both busting out sweet moves in the change room too!).  Exercise?  Check.

a week in my closet...

 Well hey there, lovelies!

So here's a weird thing.  I attempted to document what a 'week-in-my-closet' looked like.

Turns out I got bored/distracted/apathetic about the idea after only four outfits.

The days that I did remember to shoot a couple poses may give you a better glimpse into my sense of 'style' (ha, now I'm laughing...)! 

---

Day 1: feeling fancy.

If my hair's down... it means I've showered.

Throw a lace collar on with a cozy owl sweater - a re-fashioned polka dot dress - and cable knit tights.

This was my 'lets go shop for art supplies' outfit.

 Day 2: feeling funky

Hair up in a messy bun.

A big bold scarf... my crazy homemade vest with a belt, a shirt with hip-zips... and some cardinal red skinny jeans.

This was my 'time to go to Church' outfit.

 Day 3: feeling 'fatigues'

I've said before that I would join a boot-camp just for their wardrobe.

If it's army green.. I'll wear it.

A vintage scarf, light loose cardigan, army shirt, khaki zippered skinnies and some favourite wrist cuffs make this my go-to-style.

This is my 'stay at home mama' outfit... (you know, when I'm not in sweat pants and barefoot in the kitchen).

Day 4: feeling friendly

This is how I dress if the possibility of social interaction presents itself... (i.e: I may escape the house!).  Hair down, another vintage scarf, my leopard print wrist warmers, purple cardigan over a plum dress/shirt and my gold corduroys.

This is my 'ready to go' outfit.

Oh yes, and I really was talking on the phone... bet you didn't think I could multi-task!

I can also chew gum and walk at the same time, folks.

---

Hey look at this - a bonus shot:

Turns out I managed to take 5 shots this past week.

This is my essence-of-Mel shot:

I'm a bit frilly (handmade lace infinity scarf)

a bit frumpy (old man sweater with added elbow pads)

a teensy bit girly (coral tights)

a touch grungy (ripped jeans c/o my ben's closet).

---

What I realised in doing this post: 

I'm always wearing a scarf.

I have an eclectic style.

Most of my outfits include something I've made/re-fashioned. 

Also, I feel 80% dork, 20% vain and 20% vapid posing for these shots.

That's 120% premium awkwardness right there.

Let's all breath a collective sigh of relief that this is NOT a fashion blog.

Don't get me wrong.. I love seeing what other bloggers wear... but I think the only time I'll be doing loads of posing around here is just to show what upcycles I've been creating! 

the frumpy funky fashionista...

Mel ;o)

Here we go, go, go, go...

 ...on an(other) adventure!

(Yes, if you're a parent you're now singing Cat in the Hat with me).

So, remember how our family often takes little road trips... ending with a yummy treat to reward our travels?

Well, this time we headed off to Bobcaygeon.

Daughter Azriel and I are wearing our matching knit hats thanks to my sweet pal Wilson...(with my homemade branch button attached!).  Love it!

Driving through the countryside is always so beautiful.

It seems like our lungs expand with the horizon line.

(Cute side story: on this drive Azriel asked me 'which tree was my favourite'? as we zipped by all the fields... hilarious).

 Through snow and slush we arrived at our destination safe and ready for sweets!

 Kawartha Coffee Company did not disappoint.

Azriel and I decided to trade treats.. you know, so she could have a pastry the size of her head.

Hudson contentedly sat by.. and sipped a glass of water.

Can you believe he's going to be turning ONE in another month.. one!

------

We simple folk like our simple adventures.

Since any outing is a good one if it ends in dessert/coffee!

Mel ;o)

Shop the Nest: (Fleece Cuffs/Cowls)

 Oh hi, lovelies.

Just popping in here with an update to the Shop today.

Remember those funky cozy fleece neck cuffs/cowls I made for the Christmas craft show?

Yes, they were a big hit.

In fact, there's only a couple left... so I'm putting them up here for you to grab.

 This is the prototype cuff I made (and kept to wear!).

I only have two ONE of these 'pumpkin spice' cuffs left to sell.

(The other option of 'winter's grey' have SOLD OUT).

You may recall, these cuffs feature two large handmade 'branch' buttons.

You can wrap the suede straps around the buttons to fit it snugly around your neck.

One size fits all.

***Pumpkin Spice Fleece Cuff***

$30 (+$5 shipping).

(I will mark these as sold here once they're gone).

-------------------------------------

 This 'snowflake design' fleece cowl is also available.

Only one left.

It's a looser fit than the cuffs above (pulls over head). 

$30 (+$5 shipping)

If you want to see a better model of how hot this is... check out Nicole!

-----------------

As usual, just e-mail me first to confirm the order - and then there's the handy 'PayPal donate' button on the right side bar here.

needleandnestdesign[at]live.com

-----------------

I hope all of you on this side of the hemisphere have gotten this gorgeous pile of diamond dust snow this weekend!?  Love it!

And to all, Happy New Years!

See you on the flip side, friends!

Mel ;o)

thrifty & nifty threads: upcycled fashion #14.

 Well howdy all you fine feathered friends.

It feels like a gazillion years since I last did a post about the clothes I've thrifted and upcycled into something more funky....  so here's the latest:

 Ok, wait.. first I have to show this awesome owl sweater from Old Navy (I blame thank Astrid for showing off her fox version! hehe).  While shopping there, I saw these baseball shirts on clearance ($4!) and thought I better buy them for some fun.

(I know this doesn't quite count as thrifted... but hey, it's my blog, my rules).

 I was still determined to get a fox shirt... so I stencilled my own version (fox inspired by this design).  You may recall, I just slice a stencil out of a plastic projector page and paint it onto the shirt.

For the blue shirt I wanted to draw some more coloured feathers (oh, surprise)!

I opted to try out these Sharpie "Stained" fabric markers and draw freehand onto the shirt.

Voila!

Now I have a trusty fox by my side.. and a few more feathers under-wing.

----

If you're a newer reader here, you can always catch up on past upcycling adventures!

frugal fashionista,

Mel ;o)

super-squeeze me...

 Oh these two.

So much sweetness and chub' can barely be contained by one chair anymore.

As you can see, sister Azriel has been perfecting her strangle-hug over these past 10 months of having a brother around the nest.

Azriel took this shot of her brother - on the left - pretty slick, eh?

 The big Hud'.

Handsome Hudson.

He loves helping with the Christmas decor.. by attempting to eat the bells off our homemade stockings.. or the low hanging tree ornaments.. or any other tiny choke hazard he can find.

He loves peek-a-boo,

saying "Da-daaaa",

and lunging around the floor at any particle worth eating.

---------

Sporting a lil' kerchief/bib I made... and the 'deer' painted shirt I passed on from his sis.

Paint-splotch jeans from Sears.

Cute Moccasins from Old Navy.

Azriel is giddy as a Christmas elf lately.

She loves decorating,

singing,

dancing,

crafting.

Most of her sentences end with - "that's a good idea, don't you think??"

Most of them start with - "I wanna see Grandma/Grandpa"

"I wanna a snack"

"I want to watch sumpthing".

 ---------

Azi wears random bits of gifted/thrifted threads.

 ------

(I just love the excuse to link up with lovely Morgan from Small Style once and a while.

But, as you can see, I care a hill o' beans about fashion and name brands.

We're happy to thrift threads.

Grateful to be gifted the others.

I actually don't give a hooot what anybody's kids are wearing as far as the labels, I just love seeing the sweeties I've come to know keep growing into such fun individuals!)

Plenty more Christmassy cuteness n' craftings coming your way here friends,

stay tuned...

Still aglow,

Mel ;o)

Out and aBoot...

Sometimes you just need to dress like lumberjacks and take your kids to the swing set.

-------

 Oh, and these boots!  Thanks to my sweet friend for passing them on to me... (I had been dreaming of owning a pair of mid-shin cowboy boot meets Blundstone's forever now... and these are those!!).

Now, I walk like a boss.

Or... push a swing like one I guess.

Hope your weekend went well friends?

See y'all on the flip side,

Mel ;o)

Colour me: fashionable or frumpy?

I don't know about you... but my wardrobe consists of three sizes of clothing:

frumpy

fitted

funky

The first size I keep around for those days I just want to lounge around, eat sugar, or feel like the post-pregnancy physique has room to jiggle.

The second/third options are for the days of actually 'trying'.. you know, to be fashionable dressed half-decent.

This past weekend I decided to de-frumpify (sure, that's a word) my wardrobe a bit:

 Example 1:  The uber baggy.. two-sizes-too-big navy cordurouy pants.

Turn inside out, pin to fit... sew a new seam up the sides, voila!

The more fitting tapered cords.

 Example 2:  The bell-bottomed baggy mustard corduroy pants.

Tapered in from the knee down.  Hemmed up at the ankle.
I could take them in a bit more... and attempt the hipster 'skinny' jeans look, but I'd likely end up looking like I was riding a chicken.  Yep.

So, subtle it is, but that's enough difference to fit them in my boots.

 Now, a word about fashion.

I believe a woman's beauty goes way deeper than an inch of fabric on the external.

I know I've said this kind of thing before... but I need the reminder.

Seems our mother's always tried to remind us that it's "what's inside that counts"... when we came home crying about how our outfit was teased at school.

Yet, we still find ourselves primping, preening, perfecting the exterior so often.

Looking at beauty/fashion magazines (blogs) and coming away feeling... uglier.

Now, imagine a world where our beauty was determined by the quality of our heart?

Because when the makeup cracks off, and the hair loses it's shimmer, and the clothes are eaten by moths... that's what we'll be left with, our heart.

body

soul

mind

Frumpy or fashionable... doesn't need to be my focus.

Grant me a heart that glows and grows in beauty.

 -------------

³ "Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— ⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."

1 Peter 3:3-4

Have a beauty-full weekend friends,

Mel ;o) 

elastic heart.

 Motherhood.

If you could only see the stretch marks...

...on my heart.

Nothing prepared me for this.

The way this heart can be pulled to such extremes.

Stretched taut by their

sleeplessness

crankiness

messiness

neediness

...

my rubber-band heart snaps.

But, it always bounces back,

pliable and soft.

by their

sweetness

playfulness

laughter

affection

Nothing prepared me for that.

Azriel and Hudson

------------------

Linking up with Small Style cuties today.

Azriel wears: Lace shirt:: Mary-Kate and Ashley   Charcoal slacks::JOE fresh.

Hudson wears: Blue vest::Old Navy   Plaid Shirt:: George  Grey Corduroys:: G.A.P

-------------------------------------

elastic hearted,

Mel ;o)

waiting for... g.dot.

 Do you remember those endless minutes spent waiting as a child?

Pressing your face against the window and straining to see the car arrive?

Waiting for... the grandparents to come whisk you away on another adventure?!

 At least - in our daughter's case - this is who she holds vigil for.

Every.single.day she asks: "Can we see Grandma an' Grandpa today?"

To which I usually have to respond, "No, not today, we'll be seeing them in __ number of days."

...(wait five seconds)

"WHEN can I see Grandma an' Grandpa?!"

(repeat x1000).

Then finally ...finally that glorious moment arrives, and her face lights up as she squeals:

"GRANDMA & GRANDPA!!"

the end.

-----

Linking up today with other cuties at Small Style.

Azriel wears:

toque: Billabong

red hoodie: Cherokee

blue jacket: GAP

denim skirt:thrifted

red tights: H&M

white shoes: Cherokee
*All gifted/thrifted/passed down of course!*

the less 'grand' mama, 

Mel ;o)