New use for old sheets . . . rag rug!

The original rag rug article is no longer on line, but I found instructions on eHow . . . the instructions are for a rag rug 3-foot by 5-foot.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Rip the sheets into long strips measuring 1-1/2 inches wide. Start the rip with a pair of scissors.
   • 2
     Chain stitch with the strips and hook until the chain measures 3 feet long. Chain two.
   • 3
     Single crochet in each chain. Chain two.
   • 4
     Single crochet in each single crochet, ending with a chain two every row until the rug is 5 feet long, introducing new strips of fabric when the previous strip is down to 2 inches. Leave the ends of the fabric loose for a rustic look to the rug.
   • 5
     Cut the last fabric strip, tie it into a knot and weave the end into the previous crochet stitches to complete the rug.

Here is another source for a rag rug made of sheets.

10 Better Sewing Habits

Whether you are a beginner or advanced sewer, 

it is always good to learn new habits!

Threads Magazine is a great resource for inspiration

 and I've learned so much about sewing through

 the years from the magazine and now their website.

Click here for the article on "10 Better Sewing Habits"

Beautiful Tin Can Caddy

There is something about this color scheme that I love, even though I tend to gravitate toward primary colors.  Love the use of lace!

The featured caddy is geared toward the craft room, but I could really use one of these in the kitchen!

Click here to go to the blog post with a link to the inspirational tutorial, which includes instructions on how to wire them together.

I'm always ready for another use for recycling cans!

Glitter Switch Plates

Anything glittery or flashy catches my eye.  I immediately thought that these switch plates would look so awesome in my sewing and craft room.  How cool would it be to make the room itself look crafty?  I just may do it once I get it organized and functional again!

As easy as switch plates are to replace and change out, wouldn't it be cool to make different colors to match the holiday decorations?  I have even covered mine with fabric using Mod Podge.

This is a Mod Podge craft . . . easy and inexpensive!  

Click here to go to the tutorial :)

Denim Placemat

Denim refashioning and recycling 

is one of my favorite things!

Check out my latest find . . . a cute denim placemat . . . I just love the little pocket for silverware! Would be very cute to make denim napkins to match. 

Sorry, I have been unable to find a tutorial on how to make it, but if you are an experienced sewer, it doesn't seem to be very difficult.

Here is where I found the photo for some inspiration.  The article has many ideas for denim refashioning and recycling!

Halloween Costume Ideas

We are fast approaching the holiday season, which seems to start when the witches and goblins come out in search of lots of goodies and sweet treats.

It always seems to be a dilemma when it comes to deciding "what am I gonna be for Halloween."

Here is your chance to get a jump start on the season!  Susie QT Pies Scraps of Life has come up with the awesome idea of starting a Halloween Costume Board on Pinterest and you can also participate!

Click here to go to her blog!

Crazy Quilt Denim Jacket

Recycling jeans is the favorite of my sewing/craft projects!

I did not make the jacket in the photo, but it sure did give me a ton of ideas for a future project!  I'm not a big fan of the crazy quilt technique since I like things to match, however, I was thinking of using the technique using scraps from the same pair of jeans.  Photo source

Another idea . . . make the jacket and run it through the washer a couple of times with bleach.  This will give you a blank canvas to do all sorts of artwork on.  

One of my favorite tricks . . . water down acrylic paint in a spray bottle . . . doesn't even need to be fabric paint.  Back when I was doing a lot of painting with fabric paints, I would use up the little bit of paint that is always left in the bottle for this method.  Crazy as it may seem, I would utilize the water I used to clean my brushes while I was painting for this method too.  Nothing goes to waste . . . I'm really frugal when it comes to using every little bit of craft supplies!

With fabric embellishment, you are only limited by your imagination!  If you love glitz like I do, you can use beads, sequins, rhinestones, studs, fringes . . . any type of trim.

Another thing I love to do is mix denim and lace!

Now that I have given you some inspiration, start cutting up those old jeans and create something fabulous!

Dramatic Eyes ~ Get the look!!!

Glittery eye shadow is my favorite!!

Love the smudgy cat-eye look :)))

Click here for a tutorial on how to get that look!

DIY Blush

Who wouldn't want to at least try to make

 blush that ends up costing a penny or two?

What a wonderfully frugal idea!!

This project comes from one of my newest

 blog discoveries, My American Confessions.

Click here for the tutorial!

Mini Muffin Box

What an awesome idea!

You could also use these little boxes

 for cookies and candies.

They are so nice and compact . . . 

would be great for storage of little stuff.

This awesome project comes from one of my

 new blog discoveries, Desperate Craftwives.

Click here for the tutorial!

Ribbon scarf . . . fabric manipulation

Although I like the scarf, what I am really impressed

 with is the technique for making the fabric.

The possibilities are endless with this method of fabric manipulation.  What first comes to mind for me is denim and lace for a purse over another piece of fabric.  It would also be awesome for refashioning t-shirts with cutouts and reverse applique.  

Love this!!  And it is so easy . . . check it out!

Click here for the tutorial by Kayte Terry . . . 

photo credit also belongs to Kayte!

Homemade Hair Treatments

We tend to torture and torment our hair on a daily basis with curling irons, hair straighteners, blow dryers, chemical treatments and exposure to the sun.  Then we spend all kinds of money on expensive treatments to make up for the abuse.

No matter what type of hair you have, there is a natural treatment that you can make at home for a lot less money and just as effective (or better) than those expensive concoctions that contain all types of chemicals.  

Don't you hate it when you spend a lot of money on one of these products and that just don't work for you?

I went on a search for hair care and found an awesome website, Dreamy Hairstyles.  This website has great information on all things hair, but in particular, I loved an excellent article on homemade hair treatments. 

Click here for the post!

T-Shirt Weaving

This weaving technique totally took me back to my childhood . . . making potholders using my little loom and some kind of stretchy material that came in a big bag.  It made me feel so grown up when my mom and nana actually used those potholders!

You don't even need to go out and buy a loom . . . Alphamom includes a tutorial on how to make a loom out of cardboard.  The wheels started turning in my head and I have finally found a way to make a larger rug for my kitchen by making a large loom!

How cool would it be to make rugs for the

 bathroom made out of ragged out towels?

Like I always say . . . the possibilities are endless!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this craft!!! 

Click here for the tutorial :)

Ruffled Tote

Love this tote by Ashley, from one of my

 favorite blogs, Make It and Love It.

I'd love to have one made of denim!  

Click here for the tutorial :)

Boxy Cosmetics Bag

Love this cute and roomy cosmetics bag that is fully lined with ribbon tabs to make zipping up easier.  It looks so easy to make!

This project comes from another awesome new blog discovery, Made By Marzipan . . . lots of craft tutorials and she also sells patterns on Etsy.  Check it out!

Click here for the tutorial :)

Molly's Handmade Napkins

Once I started using fabric napkins, I rarely use paper towels or paper napkins anymore.  There is something special about using fabric napkins, real dishes (as opposed to paper plates) and glasses . . . even for lunch as simple as a sandwich and chips.

I love the way Molly color coordinates her fabric napkins!  She has such style :)  Check out the rest of her blog for some awesome projects!

Click here for the tutorial :)

Refashioned sundress

Love this refashioned sundress!  

It is amazing how you can take old clothes and make something new.

Check out the transformation from a frumpy dress to this beautiful sundress . . . 

Click here for the tutorial.

Basket Liner

What an awesome idea!

Not only is this a great idea for outdoor dining, but would be great for organizing makeup, beauty items, jewelry, craft stuff . . . the possibilities are endless!

Click here for the tutorial :)

"Let's Eat" Potholders

These are the cutest potholders I've seen in a while!

Love the use of color and patterns :)

Check out this post on Beverly's blog, Flamingo Toes!

Join Beverly on Sundays for "Think Pink Sunday"

Patriotic Candles

How cool are these candles for patriotic holiday decorating?

What an awesome idea for those recycled

 glass jars and layered colored rice!

This project comes from one of my favorite craft blogs . . .

Click here to go to the original blog post.

Happy crafting!

DIY Windchimes

Since I have boxes of vintage jewelry, I'm always looking for new ways to be creative with the excess.  I never thought of using them in making windchimes!  What an awesome idea :)))

The photo and article on this windchime comes from the blog Junk Market Style.  You gotta check it out if you love trash to treasure projects!

Click here to go to the original article on these windchimes!

Paper and mod podge charms

These paper charms are awesome!  

Carolyn's design reminds me of a beautiful Spring day.

I'm thinking of all types of projects this technique can be used for.  The main one is using them in a design for wind chimes!  The bracelet is so pretty . . . great idea for making earrings or a necklace to match.  How about mixing them with beautiful sparkly beads?

Click here for the tutorial

Visit Carolyn's blog

 and be inspired!