Happy Earth Day!!

What can you get for a dollar fifty????  I milk shake.  A bottle of water.  A couple of candy bars.  OR a new church outfit.  My yard-sale-ing finally paid off for me.  I usually don't look for clothes for me, but since the whole RE-purposing bug hit me, I have been looking with a totally different focus. 

At my first yard sale of the year I found this shirt.  I thought it was cute, but it was an X-large.  I almost left it there, but I loved the beads around the neck (it is like a shirt and a necklace in one).  Plus the price was right--fifty cents.

I had TWO problems with my XL shirt.  It was too wide and TOOO long.  SO first I sewed down each side seam--taking it in about 3 inches on each side.  Then I just cut off the extra.  This worked great because it also made the arm holes smaller.  Then once I had it skinny enough, I cut the bottem cuff off and saved it.  Then I cut off about 4 inches and sewed the bottem cuff back on---that way it looked just like before BUT smaller. 

I thought I would share the process because I am sure I am not the only one who likes to shop sales and outlets, but it always seems like all of the good buys are on BIG clothes and Extra Smalls.  I cannot help ya with the extra smalls--I think that ship has sailed for most of us (me for sure), but I CAN help with TOO BIG.  Imagine all of those good buys that just need about 20 minutes and a few straight seams to fix them up........I am ready to go out and find some more!!!! 

Here is the final result--I also got this skirt at a yard sale for a dollar.  SOOO for 1.50 you can get a pretty fun little church outfit (do adults wear outfits????)  Moving on....I also made another scarf----I know, but this is the last one.  I used THIS tutorial and one of Todd's old T-shirts to make one scarf for me and one for my sister (I am a good sharer).

I actually think this might be one of my favorites.  It took NO time, NO talent, NO money and I think I will be able to wear it through the spring and then again in the fall----I guess I will give the scarves a break for the summer:)

I have recently fallen in love with spray paint too by the way.  I don't think it is a temporary infatuation either---I think it is the REAL deal.  I have had this great picture of Christ....well all of my life actually.  It hung in our house growing up and then I took it away with me to college and back again.  I have wanted to put it up in Em's room (sadly) for....well 2 years now, but didn't like the GOLD frame.  It was bright gold and I did not think it went well with such a beautiful picture.  SOOO I spray painted it a new color and LOVE it.  The color just blends in and you don't even notice the frame anymore---just the way I wanted it.

The BEST part....now it has a new home in Emersyn's room and we talk about Jesus every day.  She loves "baby Jesus" and tells me now that is HER baby Jesus picture and that Baby Jesus hugs the kids.  She can sometimes teach me SOOOO much with just a few words.

Last but now least....I actually started AND finished a quilt.  FINALLY!! I have been on a quilting vacation---I think I had a bit of deadline burnout.  But once I got back to it...I could not stop.  I made this little cowboy quilt for a charity auction.  On Friday it will be auctioned off and the money will go to a little girl who lives in Eltopia and is very sick.  I am not sure about the details, but this quilt is the least I can do to help.

I bought this quilt kit at the quilt show and LOVE the fabrics that the store owner picked out.  BLUE FLANNEL for the backing---so yummy and soft!!!!

And appliqued, bandana, sherriff stars--who can resist that????? 

I hope this little cowboy cutie goes to a new home and raises lots of money to help pay off some medical bills.  I am so blessed to have a healthy little girl (who loves to help me quilt).  Sometimes I take her for granted and I am very thankful for reminders in my life to help me remember what a blessing a running screaming 2 year old REALLY is:)