Black Out Curtains

I work nights at the local hospital, so black out curtains are a must if I sleep between 8am and 3pm. They are also useful if you live by a street lamp, or a neighbor who likes the security of night lights. Here is a simple way to take your exsisting curtains and block out the sun.
First, take down your curtains, measure them and journey to the fabric store for thick, dark fabric. Black is best - I found mine on the clearence rack at WalMart. $1/yard= I bought the whole bolt for $10.
Here is the Before:

Cut and tack or hand sew dark fabric to back side of loops or a high spot on the top of the curtain.

Be sure if you have loops to leave about two inches of fabric to the top. Then, when hanging, the curtain will increase the black out effect. Tack the sides of the curtain down the sides. Since I use these several times a week, I used finishing nails. If used not so much, I suggest thumbtacks.

For a rod that is placed outside the window frame, a top valence is vital. Here, I found four placemats at the thrift store for $1.50. I sewed them together and attached them to the wall above the curtain rod. This way, the light doesn't come out the top.

When the curtains are drawn, keep them closed with horseshoe clips or similair.

The Effect: this room is completely blocked. I had to hide the flash to take this pic. It's 12 noon right now. No light is entering the room.

Happy Sleeping!

Making a Dress Form

Recently, I had abdominal surgery that, I'm happy to say, has changed my hips and lower abdomen (call it a tummy tuck of sorts). Along with the absence of pain from a C-section scar, I now have a closet full of clothes that also need a nip and a tuck to fit my new shape.
After searching the web for dress forms, I found some in the hundreds of dollars. But I kept seeing hand made forms over and over again. Youtube came in really handy for this. I watched some of the funniest videos, but learned a lot. Duct tape is so useful.
The End Product: ( I lovingly call her, the Other Mother)

Wearing the robe I made for pre-op.
The Process:

Wear a shirt you don't mind losing. Wear comfortable clothes, this took about 2 hours.

Have someone wrap you like Conan the Barbarian, in this case, my daughter texted her friends: "I get to duct tape my mom lol :). Do a thick section around your hips, this is your bottom of your form. A few times under your breasts and in between to keep as true to form as possible.

Ugh, keep going. My daughter made me cover my breasts. She thought it was just gross. Continue with the body and start on the arms.

Finish with the neckline. I wore a V neck shift so I taped onto my skin (not recommended). I had my daughter take a neck piece of folded in half tape (to not be sticky) and wrap it around my neck, then tape up to the piece. If you are claustrophobic, save this step for finishing.  When done, cut directly up the back and wiggle out.

Begin stuffing with plastic grocery bags. It takes a lot, I had been saving them for about 6 months and just had enough). Start with the arms, tape the holes once bags are in to help keep form. Continue stuffing to the form, and taping where needed. Once half way stuffed, insert a stick. This stick wasn't my final holder, but it kept the hole open for the final product.

Almost done! I used PVC piping to create the base and stand. Then wrapped tape everywhere. You could paint it too, but I went crazy with the tape. I used decorative butterfly duck tape to cover the rest, pictured is one roll. I need to run to the store for more.
Final Cost:
2 rolls of siver duct tape - $6
2 rolls decor tape- $5
PVC pipe and fittings -$6
Total = $17 - not bad!!!

This had to be the funniest project to date. My daughters and I were laughing, while my 5 year old was taking pictures. Now, a closet full of alterations await. And a bunch on thrift store refashions!

Happy ... tape/wrap/stuffing !!!

Men's Shirt Refashion to Child's Robe

I love thrift shopping. It's hard to go to a clothing store and pay full price for something when I know I could find something similar for cheap. I recently saw a site www.refashionco-op.blogspot.com It is a group of people who take thrift store finds and do unbelievable things. I wanted to try my hand with this little thing.
The Before:

An extra large fuzzy men's shirt from the 80's with a short zipper at the collar. First thing, I used a seam ripper to remove the zipper. Since the shirt was $2.99, I can't do much to loose my money. Next, I used a robe pattern from a child's pajama set. I didn't like to way the pattern was set up, so I improvised. I cut the large pieces first then used the smaller pieces that I needed to jigsaw to get the perfect fit.
The After:

The edges on the robe are parts from an Ikea blanket ($3/flannel).
I had my son try it on, and he didn't take it off. He took a bath, put it on, and then slept in it. I think he likes his new robe.

Happy Re-fashioning!

Project Studio - Arrival

The sheds are here. They fit nicely into a two car garage. Unfortunately, they will have to sit there for a while. I had surgery recently and California is finally getting some good rain. My kids are excited to start. I, on the other hand, can wait a while. Abdominal surgery can leave you worn out.

Prepare for the Summer Garden

In California, it's looking a lot like the end of Spring. But, as my calender schedule tells me, it's about the time to start the seed pots for this summers bounty. As always, I dig my nose into the latest seed catalogs, stand like a kid in a candy store in front of the seed display at the local store and plan for a giant garden. In reality, I have several raised beds that are stuffed to the brim with growing goodies.

This years plan is seen above....too much?? Well, after this photo was taken, I put in an order for more seeds. Is there such thing as a seed-aholic? Come to find out, my mother was out of something that I just so happen to have. So I am planning on starting seedlings and giving her a ready to plant heirloom tomato. I also start seedlings and bring them into work. It is always fun when people bring in veggies to share in the summer.
Where to put the seeds? I am also an organization junkie, so I have a place for everything.

The Seed Box is a simple index card box(large sized) with dividers. Seed packets fit right in to their designated area.

Next up, making seed pots from newspaper. I have this great little gadget from Burpee Seeds, called the Potmaker. A wooden contraption that rolls lengths of newspaper into pots that grow seedlings that can be planted straight into the ground. Very clever.I have accomplished the same process by rolling a length of newspaper (10"x4") around something round (eg. thick dowel, small can like tomato paste) and folding the bottom edge to hold together. I have put tape on the bottoms before, but had to remove the paper before planting.
New items I have chosen this year are small golden squash that look like pears, luffa sponges, Cinderella pumpkins, and heirloom veggies that I plan to seed save to use for years to come. By the way, saving seeds is easy and free. Just don't save hybrid seeds. They might grow again, but not the same as first year.

Happy Seeding!

Project Studio : The Beginning

I have been working a lot lately on a studio that would, for now, be living quarters for you soon to be 18 yr old (since she can't move far away-I still need a babysitter for my night shifts). Once she is ready to move on...my crafting studio/canning kitchen/storage area. I have found that with permits and such, two 12ftx10ft sheds put together will do the trick. This is an example of one of the sheds.

Now, picture two of these, off set by five feet, set together. The first shed will be the living room area, with high ceilings and a sliding glass door where the barn door is. A window at the "X" on top and one more on the side. The back shed will be the kitchen, bath, dining area. This shed will have a loft to be the bedroom.
So far, I have had great fun in planning, changing and finally liking a layout so much, I ordered the sheds.
Why use sheds? I looked into small mobile homes- and found a price tag that was outragious! Sheds make this little space within anyones budget.
I plan to chronicle my journey here.
I had an area of my yard that wasn't doing much, but had great potential.

This side yard has a lot of shade and was used as my dog run. I had to move my clothes line :( Pardon the mess on the right, I had to clear out most of the stuff in the yard.
Next up, dig the foundation.

Today, concrete foundations were poured in prep for concrete blocks. It was a tradition with my contractor dad, the youngest kid got to put his/her handprint in every job. William got this task. I also was able to put a memorial for my dad. I live in the last house he built, it seemed appropriate I do something for him for the first 'house' I built.

Now, I get to rest and let cement dry. On to cleaning and crafting and such. I will keep posting updates as well as ending cost vs. budget. I am amazed at what a mom and her kids can do.
Happy Construction!

Quick Crochet iPod/iPhone Case

I learned how to crochet during my recent recovery from surgery. How? Youtube! I found lots of great information and how to do a bunch of stitches. A great find..Art of Crochet by Teresa. She does everything!!  So, I was inspired and made this simple, yet effective iPod case. I use mine at work all the time and a few times I have banged it while moving a patient in bed. My biggest fear is finding a crack in the screen. Both my daughter and her boyfriend have large cracks, but the little wonders are still functional.
What I did:   Chained out a good length of yarn, enough to make the width of my iPod with some room on either side. Next, I alternated single crochets and double crochets. This took me two nights watching movies with my kids. When it was long enough to fold over my devise like an envelope, I tied it off and yarn stitched the sides. It needed a little bling, as all things do, so I added the gem. It didn't have any holes, so the glue gun helped out.

Now, I feel a little safer with my iPod in my pocket at work. It also helps to find it in the bottom of my purse too.



Happy crocheting and sleep tight little iPod