Recycling Project and Another Rag Rug

Do you have an old comforter laying around?

Don't throw it away!

Wash it, fold it in quarters and stitch the three sides up.

 Now, it's a doggie bed. 

 Every time I tried to take Maggie's picture, the flash would go off, and she would get up and leave, with a disgusted sigh.  I finally snuck up on her, and clearly she is refusing to have her picture taken. 

She really does like her new bed, though.

Here is a rag rug in progress. I'm not quite sure how big I'll make it because I'm kind of running out of browns. 

I feel like I'm still in the experimental stages of rug making, but it's so cool to see strips of fabric being transformed into a rug.

Chau!

A New Attempt At Rag Rugs

I was at my local fabric shop when I spotted this rag rug pattern. This is a technique that results in a toothbrush rug.  The kit actually comes with a starter piece so you can practice the stitch. Well, I didn't get it at first, but you know that old saying......

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

And, since I'm obsessed with making a rag rug :)

You're not suppose to have a hole in the middle, but at least I figured out the stitching. Yay!

So, it became a chair pad.

(Sorry about the terrible picture.)

I really like this technique, and I find it doesn't strain my hands and wrists as much as crocheting or knitting with fabric. I'm also loving the fact that I can use up all the old fabric stash that doesn't appeal to me anymore. 

Until next time, Chau!

Sewing Pockets and An iPod Case

Here is a quick update on my bag. 

It was coming along until I saw the need to make an iPod case. 

My daughter carries her iPod everywhere, and I cringed when I saw her pull it out of her softball bag yesterday. It was naked among all her gear. 

I remembered seeing this wool felt case in my Sew It All magazine, so I made one for my daughter.

Everything was going great until I tried to tuck the flap inside. It's not very convenient because the flap sticks to the felt. I don't want to make it a hassle for my daughter to use because then she won't use it.

Using the flap on the outside hides the pretty flower, so I had to make a few quick adjustments.

I trimmed the flap and added velcro.

Then I added a button to hide the velcro stitching. This was a quick little project that took me a couple hours to do, and now my daughter's iPod has a little protection.

More Rag Rug and A New Book

I figured out why all the pictures I take in the craft room all come out looking dingy. It's the lighting! Duh, Linda!

I went to Home Depot and did a little home work. You're probably saying "just change out the bulbs." That is an option, but lighting fixtures have come a long way since these 20 year old ones, so why not replace the fixtures? Not to mention, the new ones would be more energy efficient.

 Anyway, on the way home from Home Depot, I happen to come across a garage sale and picked up a blue and pink t-shirt, so I added a few rows to the rag rug in progress.

Once again, sorry for the dingy picture. 

Oh, I also stopped by the fabric store for thread and came home with this new book. 

Now, who doesn't want to make their own bag?

A Very Colorful Rag Rug

I started working on a rag rug to put next to my daughter's bed. Her room is very colorful. Can you tell? I chose to use t-shirts, which I think gives the rug a softer feel.

The center is a tie dye t-shirt I found at a garage sale.

Guess what I'll be doing this weekend? Hitting the garage sales looking for t-shirts. 

If this rug turns out, I'll be making one to go next to my bed.

 I'll be sure to do a step by step tutorial on the next one.

Have you ever made a rag rug? Please share.

Chau!

Much Needed Facelift

This dry sink has been with me for many years, and it has served it's purpose inside the house. I thought I'd give it a facelift before it moved to it's new home......

On the back patio.

I like it! What do you think?

Recycling Or Upcycling?

Today, I decided to play around with some old clothes.

 

Let me back up a bit....I wasn't in the mood for working on any current projects in progress, and I felt like making something I can wear. I was in the mood for some instant gratification. 

Since my hair is at the stage where it comes out looking decent on some days and not so decent on others, and since I stopped using chemicals on my hair years ago and the gray has taken over, I decided I needed a new headband. 

It's also a good thing that I always have a donation bag sitting around, so I recycled some shirts. Or is it upcycled these days? Anyway, here are my two new headbands.