Today I Upcycled a T-Shirt and a Sweater.

I love the idea of re-purposing.  I would really like to get better at "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."  I see all sorts of great ideas online of how to upcycle clothes so they get a second chance.  I love all the home decor posts, featuring items that are being re-used.  LOVE IT!

 (blurry, but still super cute.  especially since hugs are not always something britt enjoys giving or receiving from her big sister)

Today is my first time, that I can remember, taking two shirts that were headed for the second hand store (because they were stained) and turning them into something worth keeping. 

(elle in her sweet outfit.  remember seeing it on britt, way back when?  i do not save that many firsts anymore.)

Reason:  Elle got Britt's adorable hand-me-down Valentine's Day outfit.  But Britt and Ash had nothing.  I do not have the funds to run out and buy cute t-shirts right now, especially for a one day celebration. 

 (my 3 little sweeties.  most of the time!)

So - I dug around in a bag I have of mostly white clothes that I have been planning to try to bleach the stains out of before giving up on them.  I must admit, those clothes have been in that bag for a year.  The only two tops that worked were both too big for Britt and Ash, but better than too small, right?

(too excited!  would not make a "normal" face at all.  heehee!)

The tops were already clean.  I just ironed them, held them up to the outside light to see exactly where the stains where and then grabbed the felt and fabric glue.  For Britt's I glued the hearts first, then stitched.  I didn't glue Ash's because I wasn't sure if I wanted her felt heart to be permanent or not.  Plus, it's a chunky knit and the glue would have gone through, most likely.

(see?  so big, it's falling off her shoulders.  but stinkin' adorable regardless!)

I'm really pleased with how they turned out!
I love upcycling!


I've decided that these are not soooo valentine-y that they can only be worn one day.  I'm gonna put Britt's away for Spring or Summer (hopefully she grows a bit) and she can wear it more then.  Ash can keep wearing her sweater for the next 2 freezing cold months we have yet to get through.  Spring doesn't usually arrive on time around here. 

Today I Did Valentine-y Activities.

Yesterday one of my friends texted me, asking for a play date.  :)  This means we get our kids together to play while we gab our jaws off at each other.  It's fun.  Except the part where we have to keep our 2 year olds from maiming each other.  Hoping the social skills and getting along come soon...

We thought it would be fun to plan a couple Valentine themed activities for our girls (she has 2).   So, I made sugar cookies and she made frosting.  I supplied the sprinkles (because I hoard them).  And she also brought a bunch of pretty paper strips and showed us how to make a super cute, easy hearts garland.  I found a tutorial here, if you're interested. 

(britt)

 

(ash)

 

 

(elle.  haha!  she's got cookie stuck in her nose and teeth!)

 

 

(the girls helped me make this)

 

 

 

Have you done anything fun and valentine-y lately? 

 

 



 





Today I When to Photography Class.

Have you ever taken a class where you look around at all the other students and what they are doing and realize that you are probably the only one who doesn't have any talent in that area?

Gah.

I'm taking a photography class and I started after the first two classes, so not only am I the only one without, seemingly, raw talent.  I'm also extremely behind.

Our homework to take to tonight's class was all about aperture. 

This is one of the pics I took. 

 (elle's shoes)

I thought it was cute.  It was the only one I liked out of the 15+ that I took.  But that's the point of taking a class, right?  So you can get better?  And even if I don't have a photography talent, having more knowledge of how to use the camera I have is definitely a good thing.

It also helps that I'm going with a friend.  It's fun to sit in the back and whisper and giggle to each other.  Makes me feel about 15 years younger.

What classes are you taking?  Or have taken?  Were you the talented one?  Or the struggler, like me?

Today I Ate Pears with Cinnamon-Cashew Sauce.

Just wanted to quickly share the yummy, healthy snack I made for the girls and myself. 

We used pears, but any orchard fruit would probably be yummy with this dipping sauce. 

Cinnamon-Cashew Sauce

Soak 1/2 cup raw cashews in 1/2 cup warm water for 30-60 minutes.  Dump everything into a blender with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp honey, and couple pinches of coarse salt.  Blend until smooth.  You can put it into the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 7 days. 

I was very dubious about this tasting good, but it really is!

I'm looking for other scrumptious, healthy snack ideas.  So, fill me in if you've got some.  They can't be too weird or my kids won't eat them.  ;P


Adapted from a recipe found in Whole Living.