Getting Ready For Spring.

Aloha!   
Spring is on it's way and it's time again for that special holiday. It comes earlier this year...this month! St. Patrick's Day and Easter in the same month. I don't know whether to put up shamrocks or bunnies. I found this really cute bunny and chick template over at Willowday. It would be super cute to cut out in pastels and string up as a garland. I've been shredding a lot of carrots lately in my good 'ole Kitchen Aid mixer. With Easter on its way...a good homemade carrot cake with cream cheese icing seems like a good choice. I love how quick this machine makes shredding carrots. And the uses for shredded carrots...in salads, cakes, muffins and in this yummy roll up.

I seem to be preparing and eating a lot of vegetables lately. One of my new favorites are blanched and sauteed brussel sprouts with garlic and onions. Ooh, and lots of green salads with feta cheese and walnuts. Don't forget the spinach, mushroom, tomato omelets either. I must be turning into a vegetarian or something. All I know is that the older you get, the healthier you seem to eat. Which is great when you realize that healthy food really tastes best. Although, I will never be able to eat raisins without making a face of disgust.Ick. I just don't like them. Anyway, there are so many fun ideas for the upcoming holidays this month. Here are some of the ideas I have posted in the past. Enjoy.

Click on the pics to go to the links.

~Christie

Sewing: Refashioned Skirt

  Sometimes it is really amazing to make something new out of something discarded. It's curious and wonderful all in the same action of figuring out how to transform a piece. When you start to look at items of clothing as pieces of fabric then you can really see the potential. This is a simple refashion project...almost a no brainer. 
  I found this really easy to sew pattern. It only has three pattern pieces. The skirt front, back and waistband. I had a beautiful ribbon accented skirt with a broken zipper. I did not want to fix the zipper and little girl needed another skirt...so, I decided to refashion the skirt.

  I began by cutting off the waistband and across the top of the skirt to eliminate the pleats that were sewn into place. Then I cut along the side seams of the skirt until I had two perfectly useful pieces of fabric. Then I proceeded to lay out my pattern and cut it out accordingly.

  Since I had decided to use the already sewn hem on the skirt, I placed my pattern edge along the bottom of the skirt. This way I would only have to sew the side seams and waistband.

  The side-seams are sewn and trimmed. The pattern calls for a gathering stitch along the top of the skirt. This gather allows for a fuller skirt and a smaller waistband. The waistband is pinned and sewn onto the top of the skirt with very easy instructions. There is a small slit left on the inside of the waistband for the elastic. Then once the elastic is fitted and sewn, the slit is then sewn by hand. And whala...the skirt is finished and ready for embellishments.

  I had some flower sequins that I sewed in place by hand. I think it turned out quite nice. I also made up a couple more skirts in which I did different embellishments on. On a blue plaid skirt I embroidered flowers. And on a batik ombre skirt I highlighted certain designs with a gold fabric glitter paint. 

  Refashioning is an easy and practical solution to the old adage, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do with out." It is also very satisfying to give new life to something that wasn't being used. So, don't throw out those old clothes that might not fit anymore or have a broken zipper. Repair them or refashion them. Not only will it save the environment but it'll make your wallet fuller too!

Happy Sewing! 

~Christie