#22 Make clothes that FIT!

Like every woman ever in the history of time I have a hard time finding clothes the fit me! I'm a longer than average female so unless a company sells clothes in LONG or TALL I can't shop there.

One of the main reasons I liked the idea of challenging myself with making my own clothes for a year is I get to: Make clothes that FIT!

Tunics and leggings are an absolute staple for me. I like to be modest but struggle to find tunics that cover my booty. Usually I just buy a regular person mini-dress and wear it with tights so finishing this tunic was a big day for me.

I took this Jalie tunic pattern 3245 and added 2 inches in length to the bust/waist section. Want to know a huge plus with this pattern? I felt good in it! It hid my problem areas. I mean, what problem areas?! More of these tunics to come!!!

I used a purple sweatshirt fleece and this thing is crazy soft and comfy. The first day I wore it I was out and about with a preschooler and toddler. I could play with and carry kiddos and was so glad I added the pockets.

#21 Make clothes for friends!

Yay! I got to bring a buddy thrifting this time.

With her vision of taking this outfit...

I used the elastic off these sweats and an old school GAP sweatshirt.

And my ability to cut and stitch.

I used a skirt that fit my friend as a template

And thanks to her modeling skills...I got to make clothes for a friend!

#20 Challenge yourself. My 2016 New Year's Resolution

I'm so so so excited to tell you about my New Year's Resolution! I really get into goals and challenges for myself. I usually try to come up with a spiritual, physical, and lifeskill Resolution. Once again, I'm showing my hand: I have no chill.

My skill challenge for this year is to not buy clothes for an entire year but make clothes for a year!

The first thing I attempted was a travel scarf. If you want to make one to check out this article.
Instead of using snap tape I put individual metal snaps. My one tip I would give you is to line up the snap and pinch around it with pliers. It went fast and was easier than the plastic snap connecter that came in the pack.

What I really like about this scarf is the versatility. It can be an infinity scarf, regular scarf, travel blanket, and cover up.

You can find this fabric at fabric.com, it's super duper soft and worth ever penny!

#19 Upcyle the world!

I love maps. I love globes. I love traveling. I love the world. So naturally I want my home to encompass the things I love.

I know for a fact I copied this idea. Essentially, I got an old school globe from a rummage sale and removed the thin piece of plastic that keeps those hemisperes together.

Since I already owned a stack of vintage maps I used my Big Shot die cut machine and made circle shapes. I used gloss mode podge to keep them all in place. At this point I have and empty globe bowl.

Now this next party was all my idea. What does one fill a globe with? More GLOBES!

Since I've loved all things world for a while, I already had a bunch of little worlds from resale and rummage stores. But I did end up buying a couple more from World Market. Gasp! So not cheap of me. It's okay, I used a coupon.

#18 Make your own Christmas decorations. Christmas 2015

If you know me well. You know I like things cheap. Even better if it's free. Especially, around Christmas time!

This year I used an Etsy recipe to create non-edible gingerbread ornaments and a ginger bread house. I can guarantee you'll find the ingredients in your cupboard and I already have oodles of puff paint which I used for "frosting"

So check out what I got to make on a Saturday after noon:

1) I sketched my ideal "home."

2) Came up with some real life dimensions.

3) Cut each piece out of thin cardboard.

4) Taped the pieces as a mock up.

5) Rolled out the dough!

6) Used my mock up cardboard pieces as a cutting template.

7) Baked.

8) Puff painted.

9) Waited for the paint to dry.

10) And assembled with a hot glue gun.

I suppose that doesn't sound too easy. It may even seem crazy. But I would go crazy if I wasn't making something! 

#17 Make your own stockings! Christmas 2015

Just over four years ago was my first Christmas as a wife. I felt I had really joined the family when my awesome mother-in-law made me this amazing felt stocking to coordinate with the others hung above the fire place.

Much to my husbands' delight, I decided to continue this tradition in our home. So the next few years I made some for us. I find the Bucilla brand felt stocking kits on eBay or amazon. If you LOVE mindless, time-consuming, and tedious tasks with very small pieces...these are for you! I happen to love this stuff.

I essentially followed the (Santa's gift Bucilla Christmas stocking) pattern perfectly for the husband.

I altered my (Bucilla Fairy Sweet Christmas Stocking) slightly.

And this year I made this for my pup using the pieces from the (Bucilla Santa's Bakery Felt Stocking) I almost completely changed the design. I love that silly dog so much it doesn't matter that if he got his paws on this he'd tear it to shreds.

For some reason I always do things the hard way but once I'm finished I'm so happy I did!

#16 Get Spooky. Halloween 2015

Good to see you again. I've been gone from blogging for a long time so I'm super excited to get back into it with one of my favorite Holidays. 

It's a new year so time for some new habits. Actually back to some old habits for me so let me catch you up on: Halloween, Christmas, my home, and my newest challenge.

After just a bit of digging at my favorite place to get the things that are cheap and dirty...

 My husband and I decided for Halloween this year I would be Little Dead Riding Hood!  My cape is made out of a thrifted sheet
with some help from this youtuber. I found the dress at the same thrift store for two dollars. And of course slashed my face up real good thanks to this gent.

My sweet husband was the Big Bad Wolf and one our guy friends was a great enough sport to be Granny.