• Blog - Crafts - Creativity - Tutorials

    Recycled T-shirt bags

    February 22, 2013 - By 

    t-shirt

    First of all, I have to admit that this is not my original idea. I’ve seen many versions of this on Pinterest.    box pleat

    But after going through the kids clothes and coming up with 2+ garbage bags full to pass along to a friend, it inspired me to keep a couple school shirts for this project.

    This project couldn’t be an easier. I turned the shirt inside out then stitched the bottom closed.  Next was the box pleat to create a flat bottom. Basically you sew perpendicular to the bottom seam at each corner. You end up with a triangle of fabric that is not usable bag space. Gosh, I think I’m making that more complicated than it really is!! Here’s a link that shows the process if I just confused you.

    Anyway…then I turned the shirt back right side out and cut off the sleeves and made a scoop cut at the neckline. No pattern just start cutting. We all know what a plastic handle bag from the grocery or discount store looks like….that’s what you are going for in shape.

    All in all, not too shabby for a few minutes work. It saved a couple of shirts from the rag pile since  they’d likely never be worn again.

    Little J claimed the lime green one as soon as she returned home. It was her shirt to begin with so now it will continue to serve her in a different capacity.

  • Blog - Crafts

    Cleaning led to cards

    February 17, 2013 - By 

    20130217_1424

    Little J and I have been on a cleaning and organizing mission lately. Yesterday, it was in the craftroom. We got both work surfaces completed cleaned and organized.

    I should have taken a picture…darn.

    Anyway, my mom had picked a bunch of my blank greeting cards and asked if I’d make them into birthday cards for her with stamps, labels etc.
    She likes them ready made…no need to write to much these days.  Just teasing…

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    After completing those,  I was inspired to keep going. 20130217_1426 20130217_1427 20130217_1428 20130217_1429

    Of course, those pesky chores like meal prep and laundry made me stop for a while.

    Little J isn’t going to be too happy with me when she gets back from the neighbors. I’ve succeeded in making a mess of the work surfaces again.

    Maybe I can knock out a few more cards then get it all cleaned up before she gets home….or not. 🙂

  • Blog

    Scanning slides

    February 15, 2013 - By 

    I’m working my way through a crazy amount of vintage slides.  Ranging in age from the 1930’s to 1970’s.  20130215_1421

    I have the vast majority in slide trays already. That makes it so much easier to go through and mark with a china marker which slides I want to scan.  The bummer is that my projector bulb just bit the dust…

    I found one on eBay and am now waiting for delivery. I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel to have been able to find one at a reasonable price. When I pulled out that blown bulb  with a very weird connector I thought…”oh  man do I have a big job ahead of me looking at each slide individually to determine it’s value”.  Thank goodness I thought to look it up!!!

    I have to mention what a treasure these slides have been so far. We started doing slide shows with the neighbors on the garage door several years ago. It was so much fun!! Ok…so we maybe we are easily entertained. But it was fun. My neighbor and I even picked up some slides from garage sales and would make up stories to go along with them as we had the slide show.  So much fun!!!  Again…easily entertained.