Extreme Makeover- Wardrobe Edition

My goal this year was to go through my closet and get rid of stuff I didn't wear anymore, to try to not wear the same thing twice and to try and use what I had on hand. I've tried to breathe new life into my "oldies but goodies." Anyway, here's just some of the good stuff I've made over the past several months.

I bought this collar at an antique store in AZ over Christmas. I had a vision for it, but it took me a really long time to find just the right shirt for it.

And then there it was! I found this it the thrift store (originally from Walmart, I think). I sewed the collar to the neckline...

And then cut the fabric away so that the collar was now the new neckline. And since it's knit, I didn't have to worry about finishing the edge- yay for easy!

I really love this shirt! The sleeves were a little too baggy for me, so I made a little pleat and added a button.

I really liked this shirt from Anthropologie:

Simple, yet different. But I was NOT about to spend $60 on it.

Dug through my lace to see what I had and found these!

Dug through the closet to see what I had: a shirt I bought at the thrift store (from J. Crew!) several years ago and hadn't worn for a VERY long time.

Add a little fabric glue, and done! Now I have a shirt that I will actually wear.

(Note about the fabric glue- I love LOVE using it for quick things that seem too difficult or shaped funny to sew on. I've washed things inside out just to be safe, but haven't had any problems with lace or embellishments coming off.)

Another oldie from the closet that I hadn't worn in well over 2 years. I held onto this shirt because it's my only plain red one- but I guess it was just too plain because I never wore it!

I found these lace collars at Value Village for $1 and glued them on with the fabric glue. I added a chain and some buttons just for a little more of a punch.

Up close view.

I've really enjoyed trying to make things work in my closet and seeing how creative I can get with both embellishing stuff I don't wear any more as well as my actual outfits. I've hit up the thrift stores and consignments, as well as department stores' clearance racks, so I haven't been on my best behavior but I'm proud to say that so far this year, I've worn several things more than once, but haven't worn the same outfit twice.

Men's Shirt Make-Over

I've been wanting to do this for a long time, I see it everywhere, but every time I've tried, it was a disaster. This time it was going to be different! I was inspired to jump back on the horse when I read this. Seriously love this woman's blog.

I found this shirt for $1 at Goodwill. I really liked the manliness of the print, but the soft (I'd could say feminine) buttery color.

Go at it with some scissors (and a sewing machine) and VOILA!

I also made some pins to wear with it (I did not make the brown one- still love wearing that one Jill, thanks again!)

I used the long sleeves to make a tie that wraps around my waist twice.

I've been on an "Extreme Makeover- Wardrobe Edition" kick lately- Julie Spitwad, I blame you entirely! She sent me a link to another blog which led me to another and another and another.

A few months ago I decided my motto was going to be "Start Nothing, Finish Something." These blogs just make me want to do new things. Plus, the hunt for the perfect shirt/skirt to refashion is all part of the fun, too. Ok, stay tuned, I have a few more projects from this past week to share with you- sometimes it's nice being sick and having an excuse to not clean and just sit.

Mason's Massive Goose Egg

This is what happens when I leave Dale in charge. He goes upstairs, hears Mason crying, and thinks, oh he'll be ok.

He then goes downstairs where Mason is no longer crying and a few minutes later finally notices this GIANT LUMP on my little boy's forehead. I guess we're lucky it wasn't worse, huh?

At least he doesn't seem bothered by it. Everyone at the grocery store, craft store, park, etc. is concerned though. One tough little stud.

Another Belt

Wore this hot little number to church on Sunday. Belt tutorial can be found here. I was a little self- concious leaving the house, but after wearing it, I really do like it. The flower may be a tad on the larger side, but I really don't want it too much smaller, so I'm happy with it as is. I really enjoy this blog- she's so fun!

Mason's 2nd Birthday

Dale's parents came to visit us on Mason's birthday weekend, so we got to actually have a real party!
We started the afternoon of fun at Jungle Playland. I haven't taken the kids there for well over a year, and Mason's now at the age where he can actually appreciate it.

They had fun climbing in all the tunnels, going down the slides, and playing in the ball pit. Also, this giant monkey head.

Mason found the cars, of course.

And the lion.

Then Brighton and Dale played Whack the Alien.

Mason had a turn, too.

Grandma Trudy and Grandpa John! We're so glad you could celebrate with us!

We finished the evening off with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese. We ate and spent lots of tokens and got a few tickets- enough for some prizes. We got home too late to do cake and presents, so we saved that for the next day. Lucky Mason- two days of Birthday fun!

Alright, birthday continued: Money! Dale wants to get him a wagon. I'm not sold on the idea...

And then he got a new Mater tow truck and Lightning McQueen. He loves cars- especially their tires. He just says tires, over and over again.

And a whole bunch of army guys!

There's Mater and McQueen again. (He sleeps with them at night. He loves them.)

Mason was all funned (is that a word?) out, so Brighton stepped in like any good big sister and finished opening presents. He got more cars, clothes, and a giant bag full of balls in all sizes.

There was one last gift, hiding outside. Now for the back story: I've been telling Dale for about 2 months that I want to get Mason a little basketball hoop for his birthday. Mason would love it! When we drive around and he sees them, he screams "HOOP! HOOP! HOOP!" I knew he'd love one. Finally, I tell Dale the week of Mason's birthday, "Ok, I want you to go and buy it so it can be a surprise." Dale looks at me and says, "Oh, you were serious? You really want to get him that for his birthday? I thought you were just suggesting. I don't think he'll even play with it." So I found one on CraigsList for $10 Monday morning (Mason's birthday is Friday) and called Dale and told him I've made arrangements, so pick it up.

Let's just say, it was a big hit. And Dale will never live it down. : )

Mason and Brighton shot baskets for a few hours. The neighbor girls came over to play too.

"Thank you so much, Mommy. You're the best!"

Then it was time for cake!!! The signature "mom pose with the cake." Love you, mom! ; )

Mason helped me light the candle.

And we all sang happy birthday, Brighton, the best of us all. Then we ate cake! Such a fun day. I can't believe my little man is getting so big. And he is ALL boy, that's for sure.

Here are the stats from his 2nd year doctor's appointment:

29 pounds, 60th percentile

35 inches, 70th percentile (I actually think he's a little taller than that- they measured him standing next to the wall and he was a little wiggly and sort of hunching. He seems really big to me for his age.)

The doctor asked me if he was using 30-40 words. Now, Mason's only been actually speaking words for maybe 6 weeks, but I'm thinking it's less than that. He used to just say "eh" to everything. So I told her, "I don't think it's quite 30, but he's talking a lot more." I've actually been worried about him for a few months. He really didn't talk!

So a few days later I decided to start writing down the words he DID say and just through breakfast time and a little bit of playing with Brighton, he said well over 45 words. Sorry I didn't give you enough credit little buddy. : ) Now, only Mommy can understand, but that's the only one that matters anyway.

He's enjoying books now and likes to point to letters and then he'll say a random letter, I'll correct him, and he'll repeat it.

And he can count! He says, "one, one, one" and points to each different item.

He loves Dora and Diego, Spiderman, and Cars, of course. Mostly, it's the tires.

Like any other boy, he loves to wrestle, growl, get messy, and eat. He loves food. We can get him to go on a walk by leading him around with blackberries that we pick along the way.

He's sleeping in a twin bed now which is good. He was sleeping in his crib, converted into a toddler bed, but he wasn't sleeping in it. We'd find him on the floor or under the bed every morning. So, with the twin, he actually stays in bed.

And we're inconsistently working on potty training. He'll go in the morning and at night, and then sometimes he'll tell me during the day. We've had a few "underwear only" days, and he's getting a lot better. Mostly it's me- if I was better about it, I'm sure he'd be totally potty trained by now.

Those are the highlights! I love this little boy. I'm so glad that I was blessed to bring him into this world. He's my cuddle bug and he's always making silly faces at me, which he knows make me laugh. He loves to have me hold him like a baby still, and squeezes me so hard when he hugs me that I choke. Mason, your family loves you so very much! Happy birthday little man!

Cute New Belt

I've been wanting to make this belt ever since I stumbled upon it a few months ago, and finally got around to it this past week. Oh, and I got a massive haircut : )

I followed this tutorial and used some stash fabric and vinyl scraps leftover from a re-upholstery job. Check out her whole site- she's absolutely amazing. Why are there so many crafty and talented people? They just keep adding stuff to my "to-copy/do" list.

So cute! And the belt's not too bad either (totally kidding ;) ) Now go and make yourself one in every color!

Bib Necklace Knock-Off

This has been a project on my "To-Do" list for like 2 years, no joke. I'd been collecting the pieces for it once I saw this picture from Anthropologie:

Of course, I would never buy the necklace as it was well over $100 (I honestly can't remember how much it was, but I'm pretty sure it was in the vicinity of $200, which is just crazy!)

I wanted something to keep my hands busy while I sat- yes, I needed to just SIT- and I pulled this out and started to finally put it together.

I used leftover linen from other projects, and collected jewelry from the thrift store, and actually broke down and bought beads and rhinestones to match. I think this was definitely worth the wait, and it didn't cost me anywhere near $100!

I'm Not Dead...

I've been absent from the blog for FOREVER, I know. When I actually have a moment, I'm either trying to fit in some sewing or fitting in a run, or fitting in some food, or fitting in some shopping, or fitting in a visit to the park because there's FINALLY a sunny day and not really fitting in any computer time. Eventually we'll get back on track, but for now, it's gonna stay pretty sporadic, sorry to disappoint you all : )

I've started a fashion blog with some friends (not a public one, sorry, it's just for us) but wanted to share one of my latest refashions with you. This is the FIRST time I've even worn orange so it's kind of a big deal.

Story behind the shirt: I bought it white from Target a few years ago. I've gotten sick of all the white in my closet, so I decided to dye it. It wasn't supposed to be THIS orange- it's like a freakin' pumpkin! I was hoping it would have come out more of a burnt orange, but no such luck.

Once the dye job was over, I noticed the neckline was coming undone. It's kind of a sweater material, so it was starting to unravel! I bought orange thread to try and fix it and while it held together, it didn't look so nice. I was about to toss it when I was going through my fabric scraps and came across this long strip of fabric (I don't know my fabrics, how sad, and strange, is that?!) that's kinda silky and flowy... : ) I draped and sewed it down and was pretty dang proud of myself.

I miss you all, checking out your blogs, posting and reading comments. I love this little world we all share, where we can keep in touch and support one another. Thanks for checking in and I'll try to check in with you, too!