silky eye pillow

A few nights ago I sat down in front of the tv and couldn’t find anything to watch. My daughter was already in bed and my husband was downstairs working out. I decided to flip through some of my craft books for an easy project. I was really tired so it had to be really easy.

silky eye pillow amanda soule handmade home

I found the perfect project in Handmade Home: a silky eye pillow scented with chamomile and lavender. I had it finished and ready for the stuffing in no time. The next day I bought the herbs, came home and made a few more.

silky eye pillow amanda soule handmade home

stash: I had everything I needed in my stash except for the herbs. A quick online search showed that most people used flax for the stuffing. I had a big bag of sushi rice in the pantry and the small round grains worked perfectly.

thrifty find: fabric book panels

Remember all of those hours I spent thrifting without finding anything to wear? Well, I did find something cool on the way out of one store: a huge box of brand new quilting fabric. I couldn’t resist a little peek and what did I spy? Books!

fabric books

I don’t know why I haven’t thought of making fabric books before. My daughter had a few and loved them. She’d crumble them up, chew on them, drop them on the floor and after a run in the washing machine they’d be just like new.

thrifty second thoughts: Last week, I was proud of myself for not going overboard and buying the whole box. After doing a little online search, I wish I would have bought a few more.

save paper: craft coupons on your phone

I was headed to the craft store this morning and realized I forgot to print my 40% off coupon. I really didn’t want to drive all the way home so I asked the cashier if she could just use it from my phone. “No problem!” she said. Awesome.

Think of how much paper we could save if everyone who had a smart phone gave up printing coupons!

I don’t like posting without a picture, so here’s the little frame I bought today. Isn’t it cute? Perfect for a little girl who likes pink and little purses.

pink purse picture frame

my creative space

fairy dress

In my creative space this week, I altered this cute dress to fit my daughter. She hasn’t been that interested in dress up clothes, but there were a few times at the children’s museum that wore a dress almost exactly like this.

I snagged this one at the thrift shop, even though it was a few sizes too big. I took in the shoulders and body, but left the skirt as is.

fairy dress

She was really excited when I brought it home and couldn’t wait until it fit. Now, of course, she doesn’t want to wear it. Maybe I should call it a Fancy Nancy dress instead. If that doesn’t work, it can always be transformed into a twirly skirt.

What’s happening in your creative space this week?
Play along over at Kirsty’s.

freezer paper stencil prototype

freezer stencil fabric painting

I have this idea for a really cool shirt, but it involves freezer paper stenciling. Can you believe I’ve never tried it? Well, until today, that is. Boy, is this technique awesome — and addicting!

freezer stencil fabric painting

When I applied the paint I was confident one coat would be enough, but after peeling off the stencil, I think two coats might be the way to go. Glad I made a prototype.

Have you used freezer paper stencils before?

pattern: The stencil is a freehand drawing of a flower from existing fabric. I’m going to make matching pajama bottoms for my daughter.

technique: You can find details and tutorials over at Amy’s blog and Craftster.

heading back into the closet

wardrobe refashion linen skirts

The Thrifting Fairies must have been on Easter vacation last weekend. I did a lot of trying on and left with a lot of nothing. It made me think that refashioning what’s in my closet might be a better way to spend my time. So, on a trip up to Omaha, I grabbed two skirts and my seam ripper.

First to come out were the bulky pockets. Then I unpicked the waist and elastic casing. This week I’m going to take in the sides and insert a zipper (yikes!). Currently on the chopping block are these two linen skirts. Stay tuned!

finished: lots of waistbands

princess and the pea

I’ve been going through skirts and adjusting elastic waistbands today. It doesn’t make for interesting blog or picture opportunities. However, I did adjust the waistband in one of my daughter’s new twirly skirts and it is pretty darn cute. Don’t you love the fabric?

princess and the pea

Yesterday we spent some time at the library and I found an Easy-to-Read version of The Princess and the Pea. I have a feeling it’s going to become a favorite around here.

What did you finish this week?

skirt: My friend made this for her daughter and it turned out too small. We are very lucky and grateful that she passes these cute things on to us.

what am i going to wear this summer?

Last summer I cleaned out my closet. I tossed out skinny jeans, pre-pregnancy clothes and pretty much anything that didn’t make me feel good. I accepted my body the way it was and bought clothes that fit my 40-year-old frame. I watched a lot of What Not to Wear and made a lot of trips to the thrift store. I felt better about myself.

In January, my husband mentioned something about P90X. I had actually thought about giving it to him for Christmas. I told him to get it if he wanted to do it. I’d do it with him.

Tomorrow, I start week 10 of the program and I find myself in a similar position. Nothing in my closet fits, only this time it’s all too big. I should be excited, but the thought of another closet overhaul is exhausting and overwhelming.

I have gone from a size 12 to a size 8 and I’m still shrinking. (Trust me when I tell you that there is only so much elastic you can sew into your waistband before you need to just go and buy a new pair of jeans.) All of the skirts I made and refashioned last year are too big. Even shirts are too big. (Just once I’d like to lose weight from my hips faster than from my bust.)

The weather is getting warmer and I can’t really ignore it anymore. I’m sharpening my seam ripper and heading back to the thrift store. Wish me luck!

details: In case you are curious, we are doing P90X Lean. I struggled with the nutrition plan because it places a lot of emphasis on meat, which I stopped eating last year. Instead, I’m following the nutrition plan outlined in Bring It!, which has a lot of yummy recipes by Melissa Costello.