Colorful Baby Onesies

My Ink blot Baby Onesies have been so popular, I decided to put a few more in the shop. Instead of the black designs like I did more recently, I decided to do layered color. Aren't they cheerful?

This one reminds me of Cherries. I like the combination of deep pink and Indian turquoise.

The swirls of this one reminds me of the pumpkin vines as they magically swirled to become Cinderella's carriage. I think the lavender and Indian turquoise compliment each other. Soft and sweet.

I can't help but immediately see a court jester in this one. Or the face of a clown? Whatever it is, this deep pink and lamp black design makes me think "happy".

This one is tricky. I see either frogs or colorful caterpillars. The ocean blue and lamp black make a nice combination.

It's funny how a design can jump right out at you. At first this light and dark purple design reminded me of little purple pansies. But all-at-once I saw the face of a smiling teddy bear. Do you see it too? Now that's all I see when I look at it - no more pansies.

Each of these "abstract art" painted Onesies are now in my shop. The feedback I've received is that they make really fun and unique baby gifts. Hope they make someone (or someone's baby!) happy too. ♥

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Decorated t-shirt DIY: Key Imprinted Design

I love old style keys. I would love to sift through a drawer full of them, daydreaming about what doors, suitcases, wooden chests, or jewelry boxes they opened back in their day.  

I was so happy with how my Dots Fabric Painted t-shirt turned out, that I had to keep up my momentum and make another.

This time I used fabric paint and yes, metal keys.

Here's how I made this "Key imprinted design" t-shirt, in case you want to make one for yourself!

As with my dots shirt, I started with a plain grey men's t-shirt. This was both a re-fit and a refashion. I share my link below, how I re-sized this men's t-shirt for a womanly fit.

The decorative metal keys, I'd bought at TJ Maxx for home decor, but since I never got them on the wall, why not cover them in fabric paint?!

I laid out my design.

I found a clean old towel to use in-between my shirt layers as protection, but more importantly, to provide cushion for the keys.

For the painted polkadot shirt I designed with sponges, I used a flat/firm surface (cardboard in-between shirt layers).

For the Key tee, I needed something plump in-between the t-shirt layers in order to get all the imprinted details of the key transferred to the shirt.

Tuck the fluffy towel in between shirt layers where you want your keys to be.

Paint the key generously, but not drippy, with black fabric paint, on one side. I use SoSoft Fabric Paint because I love the soft flexible feel it leaves when the paint dries.

Carefully pick up your painted key and press into the shirt. See how the towel "snuggles" around the key? Got a better word for it?

I helped it a little, just to make sure all the key details transferred to the shirt.

Carefully remove the key to reveal your design.
Love it!

Now on to the next two keys.
Paint them on one side just like you did the first key.

And press

And press

Yay! I love how it turned out.
I left it for up to 48 hours for the paint to dry completely.

Once fully dry, I heat set the design using a cover cloth, a no steam iron, moving constantly, and 3 minutes of my time.

Cool design! My husband was very impressed and said it looked like a designer t-shirt I would have spent $60 bucks on. He really liked the detail the keys left behind. And so did I.

Next, see this link for how to re-size a men's t-shirt for a woman's fit. It's the same process I used for this t-shirt, but I rounded the hemline, just to be different.

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Linked to:

http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/, http://www.iheartnaptime.net, http://www.flamingotoes.com, http://sewchatty.blogspot.com, http://cherishedtreasures-terry.blogspot.com, http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com, http://www.cherishedbliss.com, http://sewcando.blogspot.com, http://creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com, 

http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com, http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com, Between Naps on the Porch, http://www.skiptomylou.org, http://www.mineforthemaking.com/, http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/ http://www.notjustahousewife.net/  http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com/  http://todayscreativeblog.net/ http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/ http://www.craftyconfessions.com/ http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com/, http://www.733blog.com/, http://www.sew-much-ado.com/, http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/, http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/, http://www.creationsbykara.com/, http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/, http://www.rolleduppretty.com/, http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/, http://www.mineforthemaking.com/, http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com, http://www.somewhatsimple.com/, http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/, http://www.houseofhepworths.com/, http://www.the36thavenue.com/, http://myricandreasen.blogspot.com, http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com, http://www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com, http://shabbynest.blogspot.com, http://www.504main.com 

Decorating ideas at Ikea

Do you have an Ikea near your house? I LOVE walking around Ikea and pretending I live there. Really. So many rooms. So little time.

A few weeks ago my sis and I took an afternoon and went out to Ikea. It really is a day trip. We dread the thoughts of south-end traffic, but we were willing to brave it for the decor. And the meatballs. Don't get me started about the Swedish meatballs.

So off we went, to our home away from home, to see what we could see.

I love the writing pattern on these drapes and pillow case. It's just a bunch of numbers written out. Why is it cool? I don't know, but it is.

I fell in love with these meshy-polkadot-curtains the minute I saw them (pinned them but it's not as easy to tell what they look like). I wanted them to go over the top of my current plain khaki curtains in the bedroom, to give them some style and texture. I'm going to see if I can make something similar.

I stood and daydreamed a while in front of this amazing ocean wave canvas. I pictured myself on a white sandy beach in Maui, with the warm ocean breeze blowing sweetly through my hair...And then I remembered I was still in Ikea. Love the canvas. And would love it in my room. Even if it is in the suburbs.

I also love these white cubes for shelving. We don't have room for them in our small apartment, but I can love them anyway.

I also daydreamed about getting a new couch. Our current couch is very uncomfortable. We stuffed foam underneath the cushions to make it softer, but now the cushions look like their ready for take-off.

I like the clean look of this pseudo "leather" couch (says it's made from artificial leather parts. Sounds a little creepy). This one's about $400 and pretty uncomfortable. I like the steel legs, letting light wrap around and under the couch. I learned that trick from Nate Berkus for decorating small spaces.

These next two are similar in style and I believe they are actual leather. I like the design. This one's just over $900.

and this one's just over $1,500 and has a chaise lounge...my favorite. Makes me want to do some serious lounging.

And last but not least, this couch was about $1,500 too. Looks comfy doesn't it?

Speaking of couches, I'm going to need a big old couch to lay down on after I show you what we ate.

Enter: Death by meatballs. Wow. We look like such pigs.

You seriously order like this, "I'd like the 15 meatball plate please". a.k.a. "I'd like to eat enough meatballs to feed a family of 5 please."

15 meatballs?! Who eats 15 meatballs at one meal? Obviously me, my sister, and every other Swedish meatball addict in the place. I'm still embarrassed to say it out loud. PLUS, they give you the option of adding additional meatballs to your troff. I'm guessing families share it? Do I count as a family?

Thank goodness we only go to Ikea like 2ce a year. A girl's gotta live a little once in a while. ;)

P.S. Wanna know what I came home with, after all that browsing?

Bag closure clips (they work great & only $2.99 for 30); and a potato masher (also only $2.99). Whoopdie doo, right? We're still on a tight budget while hubby's out of work. But for $5.00 total? Not bad (exluding the meatballs of course) ;)

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How to lengthen an elastic belt

I hate bulky belts.

You know, cute belts with chunky buckles that make your shirt stick out?

Like I need to add anything to my waist, thank you very much.

I found these two sparkly elastic interlocking belts in Kohl's clearance and instantly fell flat in love. No bulky buckle. I didn't know they even made these belts anymore.

Back in elementary school like a hundred years ago? 

Rainbow interlocking belts were all the rage. Sigh.♥ 

(Love that this little etsy shop is bringin' it back for the kids!) 

{1SweetDreamVintage}

They've even got interlocking belt closures at Bloomingdale's. I'm not totally off the fashion deep end.

{Bloomingdales}

Anywho, where was I?

The only trick to these clearance rack belts? They were a little too small for me. But for $1.99 each? I'd make them fit me. (and I don't mean by squeezing myself into a major muffin top)

Out with the seam ripper.

Luckily the back seam was really accessible, so I just ripped a spot open.

Ooh - Sparkly Pink inside! Who knew?

Snip the elastic belt in half

Cut a piece of elastic (same width is best), long enough to extend the belt to your liking and sew it together.

I like to sew zig zags back and forth across to secure the elastic, but that's just me.

Feed the newly lengthened piece of belt elastic back in the belt casing.

Like this:

Hand stitch it closed. Believe me, I checked to see if I could to squoosh it under the presser foot just right, but no go. Out with the needle and thread.

See how nice and flat it lays??!! Just what I wanted. Pssst - that's my new painted Key Tee that I'll be sharing with you Monday.

And now I have an easy comfort belt. No bulk. Just. Like. That.

Linked to:

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com  http://www.somewhatsimple.com/  

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/ http://www.houseofhepworths.com/ http://www.the36thavenue.com/ http://myricandreasen.blogspot.com http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com http://tatertotsandjello.com  http://www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com http://shabbynest.blogspot.com  http://www.504main.com

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