Upcycled T to Cardi- Easy and gorgeous too!

Walmart often has great sales, but of course, I bargain hunt for the bottom prices...a $3 T-shirt from the men's department, now that is a bargain! I saw it, loved the colour, it was an XL but hey, the fabric would alone could cost more!

Anyhow, I already had a project in mind.

I took it home and looked up the web page I bookmarked last night, at Craft Stylish.com on how to upcycle an old T-shirt.

I followed the instructions and made the cardi in approx 30 minutes, give or take a few interruptions by screaming children and serving lunch, with the exception of the placard on the front because I just don't have the patience to crochet, I suck at it. I also wanted to use up almost every bit of the fabric, and the strips were perfect for ruffles on the front of the cardi, I made them fuller at the top, I like the results.

So, not only was it easy to make, but it looks gorgeous!! In Calgary, where I live, you can wear a sundress for parts of the day when it is nice out, but usually you need a light sweater or jacket for morning and evening, because the air gets chilly at night even in the middle of summer.

I think I'll make a few more, to match a few other dresses I own, that way they will be unique, inexpensive and definitely worthy the time/money saved!

Oh and did I say I love ruffles? Cause I do, and they are so in right now!!!
Can't wait for this latest snow to melt so I can show it off....

Check out all the other frugalicious friends and see what they've been up to!

Cheers and happy Friday!

Table Runner Tote

A few years ago, I got 2 table runners for 97c each (yes that is correct, ninety seven cents) out of the clearance bin at Superstore. I loved the pattern and figured I'd eventually use them for something or other. Well, here is the something.

I decided to make a tote bag out of the one with the blue and neutral tones. I didn't really use a pattern, I just cut the corners rounded and added a couple of pleats to give it shape at the bottom. I cut a couple strips for the band across the top, and used another strip to make the strap. I did keep the fabric doubled up for the whole project so the inside of the tote is self lined and there are no seams showing inside either. I also made a fabric rosette from some strips of old canvas I had in my vast box of scraps. It looks pretty and dresses the tote up a bit.

I love that it is big enough to throw in a towel and bathing suit or a whole bunch of library books, better than the old scruffy back pack!!

I've linked this post To Tea Rose Home Link Party No.9!! Come see who else has great DIY projects liked up.




Cheers,
Viviana

The Lap of Luxury, Overnight in Banff

You gotta love it when friends invite you to stay at their place, specially if their place is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel!

Yes, we checked into the hotel Sunday, and since someone was already in our room when we got there, so we even got an upgrade to a gorgeous room with a king size bed, and a HUGE bathroom!

The view was perfect, bow falls and the mountains!

The wildlife is wonderful, we saw marmots everywhere on our walk into town, and on our walk to breakfast the next morning we saw some white tailed deer grazing across the road. Glad we didn't meet up with nay grizzlies!

My son of course, thinks it's a Castle and well, it is really, just the perfect getaway!

Our final stop before heading home was Lake Minnewanka, perfect place for a walk before the drive.

I think we are extremely lucky to live an hour drive from such a heavenly place.
Happy Tuesday everyone.

Postcard Friendship Friday

This lovely postcard is part of my favourites in my collection of postcards. I love the colours, the gold is still bright and the embossing is intricate and gorgeous.

The back is pretty simple, no address or date, it's to Miss Mae Wright and the greeting just simply says "Many Happy Returns".

Please feel free to use the postcard image for making your own crafts, it is way to gorgeous not to share!!

Check out The Best Hearts Are Crunchy for all the other wonderful postcards for today!

The Elves Finally Moved In!

If there is one thing that I can say brings a genuine smile to my face, it's the look of wonder on a child's face when they see something that seems amazing in their eyes. Now my son is a bit of a smarty pants, and he knows when things are CGI or make believe and not much seems to surprise him these days, however that Mr. Knowitall attitude was stopped in it's tracks when he saw the base of the tree in our small yard front yard. His eyes got big and he didn't even know what to say. He just knelt down and knocked on their door, gently, so he didn't frighten whoever was living in there.
Elves had moved in and set up house!!
It took him a minute to realize that it was just a decoration, but he did say that if anything was living in there, it would most likely be a boggart (he read the Spiderwick Chronicles a couple weeks ago), so he's quite knowledgeable on Faeries and the such.
My son is the sweetest child, he said "thanks Mom, for putting that there, I know it's not real, but it sure made me happy!" Who knew that $1.25 from Dollarama would bring out such feelings of joy in a child? Who can ask for any more?

Cheers and happy Friday,
Viviana

My Mother's Day Roses

It's a Sad Day, But there is a brighter side!

Note: Hard to ship item, (over $10 just within Canada!).



Unfortunately, I've decided to close my Etsy store. I really loved it, 2009 was a great year for me on there. Due to lack of the time it takes to list, Etsy's saturation and lack of marketability, and the dismal economy and astronomical shipping costs from Canada post, I am wasting my time listing and nothing is really selling anymore (at least not on Etsy). I want to concentrate on my local market, and my Sand Magic Creations, and just scrapbooking for myself and family, so this was the best decision. All the items already listed are 50% off, and I will refund on Paypal.

On the brighter side, I am looking into running organizing a few local art and craft sales, within the community. I think keeping it local is the way to go, and the key to sustainability. Hopefully, our plans will come together by the summer, and my handmade items will be available there. I think in the meantime, I will concentrate on creating more wonderful items that I don't have to worry about shipping due to the size, shape or weight it's such a freeing feeling!!
☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆

Cheers and happy Wednesday!
Viviana

These are the pages I got done at Scrapshotz NSD Crop, it was fun and I'm surprised I got this much done!






Anyhow, it is snowing again today....and I feel like taking a nap. Not much else to say.

Have a great Cinco de Mayo!
Cheers,
Viviana