Monday, November 30, 2009

Needles and Kims


I love purses (not designer, but beautiful handmade purses), so to me these bags are the perfect Christmas gift! What woman on your list wouldn't want one of these gorgeous, one of a kind, recycled wool purses? These are very affordably priced, and can be found in Etsy shop Needles and Kims!



The winners of the giveaway!

I used random.org to pick numbers, and it came up with #34 & #40. Congratulations Michelle & DJ Runnels!!! You have each won your choice of sweater from my shop! Wanna hear the really cool part? Both of the entries were for good karma entries. Michelle had already put in her entries for following my blog, and picking a sweater she liked. but the entry that won was for her good karma. She would not have won if she wouldn't have brought cupcakes to her elderly neighbors :) This was too fun! I'll have to do another good karma giveaway in the future. Thank you to all that entered!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Fat Tabby Woolens



Last night we went to see Santa turn on the Christmas tree lights on the big tree at a local shopping center, outdoors, and it was the first time it was cold enough that I needed to wear hat/gloves/scarf. I forgot how cozy a cashmere scarf can be! Speaking of yummy cashmere scarves... I found a shop that has lots of them! At Etsy shop Fat Tabby Woolens you will find not only cashmere scarves, but beautiful cozy wool blankets, a fish named Elizabeth, and a even a novelty blanket... you'll have to go check that one out for yourself ;) I see some great Christmas presents in her shop!


Friday, November 27, 2009

Resweater doorbuster!


Buy 3 or more sweaters from my shop, i'll throw in a free mystery sweater! This offer ends on Sunday at midnight. No lines!

Happy Black Friday!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!



I have a lot to be thankful for this year!

I am thankful that my husband is working again, after being laid off, and that he is healthy.

I am thankful that the chemo my sister in law is undergoing is working.

I am thankful that we are all healthy.

I am thankful, even though he has turned into a cyclone of energy recently, that my son is happy & healthy. He is my joy :)

I am thankful for all of my Resweater customers. Because of Resweater, I am able to stay home with my son, and encourage the use of recycled materials in crafting.

I am thankful for you, my blog readers, who continue to make this blog fun.

Happy Thanksgiving all! I hope you all eat too much, laugh too much, and are thankful today!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Sweater dress tutorial



Are you ready for your next project, moms of little girls? With Make It & Love It's tutorial, you can turn an unwanted sweater into an adorable dress!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Teddylux Cashmere

Ready to get knocked over with cuteness?


I warned you! Are these just the sweetest things? Made from cuddly recycled cashmere, these super cute teddy bears , bunnies, and elephants are the perfect new baby gift, baby shower gift, or just because you want to give your little sweet pea something special. You can find these cuddly creatures on Teddylux Cashmere's website, & in happy babys' arms :) !



Sunday, November 22, 2009

Good Karma wool sweater giveaway!


I have received more than my fair share of kindness and good fortune lately. Karma & I know how to get along happily, so it's time for a giveaway! You will get your choice of any one sweater from my shop (if you want a color that's not there, I can check my unlisted sweaters too)! I will be picking 2 winners, so your chances of winning are already doubled! The details? ...

Mandatory Entry:
* Go to my shop and let me know which sweater is your favorite.... it doesn't have to be the one you pick if you win.

Want an extra entry?
* Follow my blog, and if you already do just say that.
* Do something kind (Slip a sweet note in your husband's lunchbox, play that game you've played a hundred times that you hate that your kid loves, a random act of kindness to a stranger...) , and let us know what you did! It will make you feel good about yourself, make the recipient of the good fortune happy, and it will get you another entry!
* Blog about this giveaway & link to it.
* Blog about encouraging kindness, and giving. (you can blog in the same post about this giveaway & encouraging kindness, and still get 2 entries).
* Have a giveaway of your own!

Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!

Deadline: November 29th at midnight, Central time zone. I will use random.org to pick the winners the following morning (November 30th). **please leave an email if your blogger profile does not include it or you don't have a blog. I need a way to contact you.** Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and the winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Zazu Faure, zfla


If you are looking for the perfect Christmas gift, look no further! I absolutely adore these animals. I love simplicity combined with talent. Where can you get these fabulous creatures?... at Zazu Faure's Etsy shop!


Thursday, November 19, 2009

4pippi


Speaking of adorable slippers... have you seen 4pippi's Etsy shop? If you haven't, you should. I bought a pair of slippers from her last year, and we love them! They are affordable, very well made, and last a long time. Though my son has gone up 2 shoe sizes since last year, the slippers still fit, and he likes to wear them (that's saying a lot these days)! These would make a fantastic present for any little ones on your Christmas list! Aren't they cute?



Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Elf slippers tutorial

I ran across this and just had to post it. I don't think I have the sewing skills to tackle these, but they are fantastic! I found these on Mayamade blog, and I highly recommend checking out her fabulous blog (i'm following it now!). The following is copied/pasted from her blog:

I've wanted a pair of elf slippers ever since I can remember. When I missed my window, I thought I would make some for my son. Missed that window, too! He says "no way" to elf feet at ten years old. Can't blame him. When I made my daughter's toadstool slippers last month, they seemed to fall into that gnome/fairy category... but not quite elf. Maybe I made them too small subconsciously? Not sure, but I couldn't wait to make my own pattern, this time. I wanted that quintessential curled up toe look.

We love them!
When you make your own patterns, it's always nice to do a trial run through with an inexpensive fabric... just to check your fit. With clothing, I've used muslin. For these slippers, I tried a scrap of cotton batting. It behaves exactly like felt and helped me make the perfect size and shape!!

I can't believe what a wonderful resource it is. I'm loving batting for all of its unexpected uses.
Here's a tutorial for making your own wool slippers from repurposed felted sweaters:

Creating the pattern is the first step. I'm not including a pdf, but will gladly make one if I get enough requests. Instead, I will give you the measurements for a 4-6 year old and instructions for how to make any size. That's right, I could still make myself a pair. You'll be the first to know if I do!

Pattern

Draw measurements onto an 8x11 sheet of paper. Use my numbers as guides. Make the sole by tracing your child's foot. If your child's foot is smaller, you'll need to reduce the length of the slipper sides by subtracting from the heel side. The opposite advice for a larger foot. The important thing to remember is that each side must ease around the sole and match evenly at the center of the toe and heel. You can check the sizing by sewing up a quick sample out of batting and trying it on. They should be a bit roomy because the actual slipper is made out of two layers of thick wool.

Materials

felted wool sweaters or blankets
cotton batting
thread
scissors
pins
paper
pencil
ruler
Make
- Cut out pattern
-Pin pattern to sweater and cut out pieces to get the most of your sweater. I tried different placements until I found just the right spots for cutting.



- You will need a total of 8 sides and 4 soles to make a pair of slippers. Try to cut with all pieces having the weave of the sweater going in the same direction.


-Pin all of your pieces together right side in, wrong side facing out. If you click on this next photo you'll see that the sweater pieces look inside out.

Assembling the slipper sounds far more complicated than it really is. It goes rather quickly, you'll be surprised. Use the numbers on the photo for reference and sew the outside and liner at the same time. They are identical with the exception of 3b. Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

1. sew up the top front seam.
2. sew up the toe seam.
3a. determine which side will be the outside and sew up the heel seam.
3b. sew up the heel of the liner keeping 1 1/2 inches unstitched in the center for "turning". See photo above.
4. Attach sole to slipper sides making sure that the front and back seams stay centered at toe and heel. I would recommend pinning at this stage, but it's not necessary if you're fairly brave and have measured accurately. Remember to keep all of the right sides facing in.

Now, it's starting to look like something!

-Sew together around the open top of the slipper. That's right, sew them closed! It should look like this:

-Now, all that's left is the turning of your slipper to the right side. Gently pull both slipper pieces through the opening in the heel. Poke the pointy toes out and into shape with a pencil eraser. Arrange the liner inside the slipper and sew up the opening with needle and thread.


I embellished these with little dots cut from a contrasting sweater. You can add your own touch with needle felting, embroidery, buttons, etc.

These are so soft and warm, but slippery too. I plan on putting some anti-skid dots on the bottom. I might try some recycled suede. If you want to make them more secure on wild dancing feet, simply slit holes through both layers around the ankle and weave a ribbon through for a tie... like these. Felted wool won't fray, so this is easy. Please, let me know if you have any questions. I'd also love to see yours, if you make a pair.
[Please direct any questions to Mayamade. I have only copied/pasted this tutorial]