Fabric that's Picture Perfect

 

I've had this photo box for a few years now.  It's been sitting on my dresser just as such with no photo in the front.  I decided after nearly half a decade that adding fabric to the front instead of a picture would be the perfect solution.

I removed the back and instead of inserting a photo, I used a spare piece of fabric that I had left over from my apron sewing project. 

 

Voila!  Simple and perfect.  It pops against the white color and goes perfectly in the space.

I've seen fabric framed on the wall before, but never on a photo box like this.

 

I love it. 

DIY Tea Staining

This is Super Mario's Toad. My kids have decided, this year for Halloween, they all wanted to be characters out of Super Mario world. A. has chosen to be Toad this year.

So, you are probably wondering why this post is about Tea Staining. I searched high and low for a beige shirt in A.'s size. After going to half a dozen stores and googling online like crazy, I was out of luck. The costume only comes with a cheesy vest and hat.

Therefore, I decided to make the rest and bedazzle the vest a bit. Back to the tea staining. Since my search was all for none, I had an idea that I could just stain a white shirt to make it beige. First, I boiled a pot of tea.

I found a couple of packets of breakfast tea and black tea in the cupboard.

I added some salt to the pot. I'm told that it helps it absorb more evenly. I don't know how, but seeing the contestants on Project Runway do it when they are dying their fabrics (last week's episode Anya was pouring salt over her muslim fabric as she was dying it) made me think it was a needed step.

Before staining the shirt, I rinsed it in cold water. I read online that it helps with even dying as well. I wanted a darker shirt so I let it sit in the pot for about 15 minutes, stirring every so often. You can soak it less for a lighter color.

Afterward, I rinsed the shirt in cold water again to remove the excess tea. It's hard to see the color change in this picture, but there was a change.

I then, threw the shirt into the dryer and out came a beige shirt.

You can definitely see the tea stained color against the white door. Total price for the shirt - absolutely free. We had the shirt and the tea bags already on hand. I've sewn the pants and fixed the hat. I just need to add some trim to the vest and this costume will be complete!

Retro Aprons

A few years ago my sister asked me what I wanted and I told her I needed an apron so she got me this:

I know, it isn't the most fashionable apron in the world, but it did it's purpose. Then last year, I found the Emmeline apron pattern by Sew Liberated online. I didn't want to spend the money to buy the pattern at first, but in the end I couldn't resist.

I found some cheap fabric at the store and started making a bunch of these aprons as Christmas gifts for my family since we are really all about the gifts you can't buy.

I loved the way it turned out, but I haven't used it because I don't want to wash it and ruin it. Yes, I am nutty that way. My first of anything is usually a prototype and after playing around and adjusting things, I then make "the" official one. My sister got tired of seeing my apron not being used and me using what she calls my hideous apron (which she did give me) decided that I needed a new one so she bought me one from Anthropologie. It is the daintree apron that I am currently using.

It's super cute and I love the ruffle detail at the neckline. It really inspires me to make another retro or vintage apron.

The other day while I was shopping for E.'s Super Mario Cap fabric, I found "the" apron fabric for my next inspiration. Well, I found two and couldn't resist. They are both Alexander Henry's fabrics and best of all they were on sale!

The fabric on the left is "juicy lemon" while the one on the right is called "pears and apples." Now that I have my fabric, I need a new sewing inspiration. Seeing how I love the apron my sister gave me, I sought out Anthropologie aprons and found these that I LOVE.

The first one is my favorite. I love the ruffle detail and the piping on the band. In googling to see what other Alexander Fabrics there are, I discovered I am not the only one that likes this fabric choice for making an apron. Other inspirational pieces using my fabric:

That's my Emmeline apron!

Can't you see Lucy in "I love Lucy" wear this apron? I love the polka dotted red print as well.

The classic apron.

Love. I think I want to make this one.



This one is super adorable as well.

These look almost like dresses.

I am super excited to start sewing. I don't know when I will have the time though. My "wanna-do" list is a mile long at this point. Too many inspirational projects lurking in my head with not enough time. Too bad I can't buy time. I have exchanged sleep for time on many occasions, but I am definitely starting to run out of sleep as well. So does any one want to lend me some time or sleep for the matter???