Saturday, August 31, 2013

Bathroom Makeover: The Inspiration

About this time last year, I was publishing teaser posts about my bathroom makeover.  There was This Post about my trash can's Polka Dots and then I showed you photos of the total mess we were making as well as an interesting surprise.
 
That was it.  I totally clammed up about any progress we were making even though the project was finished long ago.  So, how would you like to see the rest of it?  (My apologies for the photos.  Our bathroom is very small.)  Today I am showing you the inspiration. 

The Shower Curtain.

 
 I found it at IKEA near Chicago and LOVE it!

 
The curtain is a combination of splashy colors and ink drawings.
 
 
So we painted the bathroom walls and cabinets bright white and the trim is black.

 
The accessories are a mix of vibrant colors.  I can't wait for you to see the rest of it!
 
;-)  -Marci
 

Friday, August 30, 2013

Inspiration Cafe Day!!

It is so much fun to be a monthly contributor for Inspiration Cafe'!  They let me post something the last Friday of each month.  Guess what today is!
  
 
The last Friday of the month!  Will you please join me?
 
I'd also like to tell you about a fun link party that's just around the corner!  It's for all the adorable kiddo stuff!
 
OUR NEXT LINK PARTY!!
 
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
 
;-)  -Marci

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Remodel a Men's T into a Maxi Dress

How exciting to be of the Inspiration Cafe team!  They let me post something the last Friday of each month!  I just can't stop grinning about it!  Here is my post from June.  My post about herbs this week will be at Inspiration CafĂ© tomorrow!

I have a new project for you, but first, let me set the scene!
 
Basic T-Shirts are a staple for Summer.  They are comfy and cool.  I struggle to find T's that fit because, well, let's face it.  This Old Gray Mare just ain't what she used to be!  I'm short.  I'm curvy and I'm not a size 2.  (sigh)  My budget isn't all that great either.
 
My solution?  Remake men's T-Shirts into ones that fit!  Sometimes I get lucky and find good ones at yard sales or thrift stores.  Have you noticed those packs of men's T's that are something like $10 for four shirts?  Those are GREAT for remodels.
 
Last August, I figured out how to turn a T into a Tank.
 
 
It saw a lot of wear when our temps were so brutal in late summer.



 Lil Fashionista got one, too!  Check it out here!
 
 
This graphic was a total score from Yards and Yards of Yard Sales and only cost $2.00.  It became A Boatneck,  my favorite shirt for grocery shopping early in the morning.  (Oh, and by the way...  If you are one of the people who wear their pajamas to the store, please stop it.  Sew yourself a cute T and get dressed.)
 

If you are interested in the other T-Shirt Remodels, check out my Sewing Page.

Are you ready for today's project?

It is a Maxi Dress!

All you need is:

one T-Shirt (two if you mess up the first one)
Fabric for the skirt

A Shirt or Dress that fits to use as a pattern.

 (Brace yourself.  My hair is naturally curly and it's really humid today!)


 photo f730f8cd-17b8-4d1c-9995-736b0aaa7230_zpsc80a8638.jpg
 
 I found a three pack of V neck T's on sale for only $5.00!  Score!

The first thing you need to do is try on the T you are going to remodel.  Does it fit anywhere?  I liked the fit of the collar, so I left that part alone. 

Using the same technique for My Basic T, I placed a dress I like on top of the T for a pattern.

I cut down and sewed the sides to fit.  The next part was kind of tricky.  Wanting an empire waist dress, the first try was cut  WWAAAYY  too short.  (It's a good thing I had three shirts!)  Back to the drawing board.  On the second try, I cut it about three inches longer and that worked out well.  What can I say?  My chest is about the size of Connecticut. 

Make sure the top part fits before adding the skirt.  You may have to start over!  'Just sayin'.

 I was torn about adding sleeves or not.  Thanks to messing up the first try, I experimented with cutting the shoulder just a little long.  I like that smidge of a cap.  I think I'm leaving the dress sleeveless.  I don't know.  Maybe I should cut it right and add a sleeve.  What do you think?

Next, the funky red fabric (found at a yard sale from Pickin' Time on 59  for 50 cents  WOO HOO!)  was measured about 1.5 times wider than the bottom of my remodeled T.  The red fabric was sewn up the sides to form a tube and then slightly gathered until it was the same width as the top.  With right sides facing, they were sewn together. 

Even with having to completely make over the top, this project only took one evening!


 photo 4f29b302-3028-417a-9012-d45f2b207bb4_zps18644359.jpg

I picture this dress floating as I walk along a beach at sunset. Wait.  We don't have beaches in Arkansas.  Maybe I can wear it to Farmer's Market?  It's comfy, cool and vibrant!  Perfect for Summer!  Do you think I should change the sleeve?  What about accessories?  Which jewelry?  Belted, or no?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  What is your favorite summer outfit?

Please visit me (and the rest of the Inspiration Cafe team) tomorrow! 

;-)  -Marci



 
 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Blog Hop News! Introducing The Great Blog Train Engineers

What is The Great Blog Train, you might ask.
 
A monthly blog hop departing from your online train station on the first Wednesday of every month!
 
Stone Cottage  Adventures
 
About The Name & Blog Hop
 
The railway and trains helped build North America and brought people together. We also want this blog hop to bring people together -- we designed it so that nobody will be left out. Don't worry if you are late boarding this train! Even the caboose will be chugging down the tracks to new relationships because the very last entry will receive a feature next month!

The hostesses have been:

 
Well, our sweet Helen of Blue Eyed Beauty has moved on to greener pastures.  Literally!  She and her cutie pie husband are now living in a lovely home in the country with very limited access to the internet.  Hopefully, she will get to join us from time to time!  While Helen can never be replaced, we have some new engineers joining The Great Blog Train.
 
Let me introduce you!



Kaitlyn at Three Sisters and Us


Three Sisters & Us


Lynn at Turnips 2 Tangerines

Turnips 2 Tangerines



So, beginning in September when you hop on board The Great Blog Train, your link will now be seen on FIVE different blogs!  Exciting news, right?

Remember to join us on the first Wednesday of every month!

;-)  -Marci













 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist #21

Good Morning and welcome to another fantastic party!
 
Back to the Basics  
 
 
 
Are you ready to party?
We're your co-hosts 
Mary @ Back to the Basics and Joyce @ It's Your Life!
 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured!
 
My Feature this Week is:  Remember These

8 track tape player in the car... living LARGE baby!!!

from Angel of Sew Crafty Angel
 
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

Back to the Basics
We all love comments!  we try to comment on each and every link. 
Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci


 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Herbs: A Place to Begin... Jelly

Being part of our county's Master Gardener Speakers Guild is a lot of fun. My program is titled "Herbs: A Place to Begin". It is for anyone who might be curious about growing herbs or is just beginning to use them. I give simple advice for ways to incorporate tasty herbs into your every day life. After such a sweet reception to my presentation, I will be adding regular posts about herbs.
 
Watch for the ones titled "A Place to Begin".
 
So, the last couple of posts have been about ways to use Herbal Tea.  Have you considered making jelly with it? 
 
 
 
 
You may have noticed jelly recipes that call for fruit juice.  Well, that juice could be replaced with or combined with a strong herbal tea! 

If you would like to use my recipe for Sweet Mint Jelly click HERE.  It's a combination of lime and spearmint.  A favorite around here!  If you are interested in my recipe for Savory Mint Jelly click THERE.  We use it on smoked meats.
 
The options for combining herbs and fruit is absolutely endless.  I'd love to hear about any flavors you enjoy together!
 
Please come back each week for more simple ideas to add herbs into your everyday life.  I hope this post gives you a place to begin!
 
;-)  -Marci

Friday, August 23, 2013

Garden Angel Makeover

Here is my 'new' angel.

 photo 87dcdaf4-c7f0-4138-9768-617b91222936_zps978feb66.jpg


Here's a photo of her when she first came to live in our garden.  I think I found her at Hobby Lobby.


 photo 03c7291f-3650-4283-8181-e829572ff708_zps9f892ab0.jpg


This little angel has been in my garden many years.  She just seems to belong in a cottage style garden.
 
 

 photo 0aca42c3-8b2c-407f-8155-f8043fbd893d_zps35c1ae36.jpg
 
 
Time had done what time does.  Handsome Husband cut out a new wooden body and  I gave her a little paint.
  
 
 photo 9cff43bc-eb62-49bb-bf59-beec9f10fa88_zps99dc805e.jpg


 The hardware was touched up and put back in place.  Using a paint pen, polka dots and ruffles were added to her dress.  She also got a hot pink pedicure,
 
 
 photo ddce41c2-19b6-4e45-8816-2f8981ce3952_zps0ba69adc.jpg


manicure, and some new lipstick, because...  Well, just because!  ;-)
 
 
 photo July2013035_zpsfd25c5bd.jpg

 
I think my new angel is heavenly!


 photo 87dcdaf4-c7f0-4138-9768-617b91222936_zps978feb66.jpg
 
;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Garden Guests: Mourning Dove

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I'm beginning a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests. 
 
 
 photo 78718250-15d9-453c-b972-97b7893fa784_zps22aac6a0.jpg
 
 
This is a very young Mourning Dove.
 
 
 photo ddcf98f0-d85b-411c-9046-c4051113347d_zps4e89c039.jpg

 
I don't have a clever seque' into music this week, but chose a Fleetwood Mac favorite.  Edge of Seventeen.


    Join me for a link party at Holli's Hoots and Hollers.  It's all about music!  Grab a song and link up at Tuesday Tunes!
 
 
 
 
 
;-)  -Marci
 
 

Link Party! Tuesdays with a Twist #20

Good Morning and welcome to another fantastic party!
 
Back to the Basics  
 
 
 
Are you ready to party?
We're your co-hosts 
Mary @ Back to the Basics and Joyce @ It's Your Life!
 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured!
 
My Feature this Week is:  

Lessons of Faith and Love With Pets



from Mary @ Mary-andering Creatively
 
 
If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

Back to the Basics
We all love comments!  we try to comment on each and every link. 
Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci

 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Herbs: A Place to Begin... Herbal Infused Cake

Being part of our county's Master Gardener Speakers Guild is a lot of fun. My program is titled "Herbs: A Place to Begin". It is for anyone who might be curious about growing herbs or is just beginning to use them. I give simple advice for ways to incorporate tasty herbs into your every day life. After such a sweet reception to my presentation, I will be adding regular posts about herbs.
 
The question this week:  What can you make with Herbal Tea?
 
You've been drinking your Herbal Tea hot and cold, with and without honey or sugar or even salt.  Now what can you do with it? 




Have you considered baking a simple, herbal infused cake?

(I've actually posted this Recipe before, but wanted it added to this series.)





Go to your favorite grocery store and grab a box of your favorite white cake mix.  (Yellow cake mix works, too.)  Where the recipe on the back of the box instructs you to add water, use Herbal Tea instead.  Make that small change, but follow the rest of the directions on the back of the box. 

'Don't like using mixes?  No worries!  Following your favorite white or yellow cake recipe, replace the liquid (usually milk) with herbal tea.

It's a subtle twist on an old favorite!  For another layer of herbal tastiness, drizzle with some easy Herbal Glaze

Check out my Recipes Page and  Gardening Page for more information.  Please come back each week for other simple ideas and ways to add herbs into your everyday life!  I hope this post gives you... 

A Place to Begin!

;-)  -Marci
 

Friday, August 16, 2013

 
I finished the book!  Have you?  It's not a very long book.  There is still time to join us!  The DVD will be available August 27th.
 
Here are a few sentences that happened to stick in my memory:
 
From Chapter 1
 
It was the kind of voice that the ear follows up and down as if each speech is an arrangement of notes that will never be played again.
 
From Chapter 2
 
Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.
 
From Chapter 3
 
The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music and the opera of voices pitches a key higher.
 
Have you seen the movie?  How does it compare to the book?  Wait!  Don't tell me until I see it! 
 
 
 
 Join the conversation at The Thriftiness Miss!  Oh, and by the way, Jessie has a fun linky party going on today!  You might want to hop on over!
 

;-)  -Marci

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Super Model in a Tu Tu


 
You've seen my Tu Tu Tutorial.  I also wrote a post about Rumple Free Tu Tu Gift Wrap.
 
Take a look at this Super Model in one of my designs!  Can you see her little toes?





The black and yellow Tu Tu was made just for her before she was even born!



This adorable sunflower is our neighbor.  Look at that smile!



A little ray of sunshine!

;-)  -Marci

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Would You Like to be an Engineer?

They get to wear really cool hats!  


God’s Growing Garden


The Great Blog Train is expanding and looking for some new Engineers!  You might be asking, "What is The Great Blog Train?"

It is a monthly blog hop departing from your online train station on the first Wednesday of every month!

About The Name & Blog Hop
 
The railway and trains helped build North America and brought people together. We also want this blog hop to bring people together -- we designed it so that nobody will be left out. Don't worry if you are late boarding this train! Even the caboose will be chugging down the tracks to new relationships because the very last entry will receive a feature next month!

The Engineers (hostesses) currently are:


 
Would you like to join us?  Just complete the form and we will choose our Expansion Team!
 
 
Chugga Chugga!  Toot Toot! 
 
;-)  -Marci