DIY Restyled Capri Jeans Tutorial

As promised, I restyled some "too short" jeans into a funky pair of Capri's with a little whimsy. Here's how I did it.

I took my current favorite pair of Capri's and placed them on top of the Goodwill jeans to get a similar length. I marked where the fold and the cuff should go, double checking to make sure both legs were even.

I used my quilt ruler and rotary cutter to get the length even on the legs when I cut off the bottom.

Before deciding which decorative stitch I wanted I tested some on a strip of cut off denim. I didn't want any surprises on the pants. Then I ran the stitch around each cuff, using a thick zigzag stitch. I am hoping the top will fray over time and the stitch will keep it from going too far.

After stitching I folded the cuff up and tacked the side seams to keep it in place.

Then, for fun, I fussy cut two flannel owls out of some leftover fabric in my stash. I stitched them to the outside edge of each cuff for a whimsical accent. An easy way to do this is using the needle down option on the sewing machine and just spinning the pants when you reach the corner.

Since the owls and the side seams were holding the cuff in place I decided to try some Iron-On Fusing Web I'd had sitting around to see what I thought about it.

I cut a strip and placed it on the inside of the cuffs, front and back and ironed according to the instructions. It seemed to hold well and I figured if it comes apart later I will just stitch the pants.

Since these are something I will keep for myself its a good time to check out a new-to-me product.

Finally, I pulled two buttons from my collection and placed them on each side seam next to the owl. I adhered them with E-6000 glue, another experiment, to see how it holds up on a project like this. I can't wait to wash these a few times and get that frayed look at the top of the cuff.

I hope you found this helpful and are

inspired to try your own restyle!



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Tall Girls Unite!! (DIY Capri Jeans)

How many times has this happened in my life??? The jeans are cute, they are my size, they look awesome...FROM THE KNEES UP!!!!!!!! I am 5'9" and most of that height seems to be my inseam, so finding pants that are not high waters has been a struggle for years. Then I got to thinking....why not hit Goodwill and find some jeans I dig to make into Capri's??? Stay tuned to see how it turns out....and aren't you just loving my striped socks!!!!!!!!

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PUBLISHED!!! (exciting stuff)

My first time in a beautiful publication!

I am so excited and grateful to announce that my restyled purse "Vintage Station" is included in the October issue of Haute Handbags magazine! There are many, many beautiful bags and purses of all types in this publication and to be among them means a lot to me. I hope you have a chance to check it out and enjoy all of the incredibly talented artists who are included.

This is the back side of the purse, not pictured in the magazine.

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Funky Messenger Bag

Nothing like a little "Before and After!" I had a lot of fun and was excited to see how this bag turned out. My "plans" went out the window and serendipity kicked in - I love it when that happens!

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Today's Gratitude

"The future belongs to those who believe

in the beauty of their dreams."
Eleanor Roosevelt

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Scarf-mania

Here's another one! Black and pink is one of my all time favorite color combos and you can never go wrong with a pretty brocade. This was created from some skirts and a beautiful piece of corduroy that found its way to me.

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Scarf Weather!!

Scarf weather is approaching and I finally got the courage to put a few of my handmades on Etsy! These scarves were the inspiration that started my obsession with restyling something new from something old. Color and texture never get old! 

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Monkey-ing Around!

My little one turned THREE last week so, thanks to Pinterest, we had fun whipping up some cute "girl monkey" cupcakes for the party. I am not a pastry chef by any stretch of the imagination (sad, but true) but even I felt successful with the cute factor here! Just thought I'd share something fun! Happy day!

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Sewing Inspired Vintage Suitcase - Guest Post!

Hello!! I am guest posting over at Punk Projects today! Please hop on over and check it out on Katie's awesome blog!

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Ugly Monster Doll

My daughter turned three last week and I noticed she's been interested in the "ugly" dolls in the store. After a very quick search on Pinterest I found a tutorial with a free pattern! I made this in about an hour the day of her party. So easy and fun and to my surprise the big kids at the party loved it as much as the little ones! A big thanks to RevoluzZza.com for sharing the monster with my little monster!!

Printed pattern layed out on a scrap of fabric to determine sizing.

Front and back ready to become a monster!

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Possibility & Serendipity Collide!

I am soooooo excited to share some great luck that recently came my way! You may have noticed my "possibilitarian" badge that's been on my blog for a few months now. The Possibilitarian Project is the brain child of Portland artist Kelly Rae Roberts and its an entire way of thinking that I love. It just MOVES me!

She has an amazing class she has been teaching called FLYING LESSONS that's all about empowering a creative business to TAKE FLIGHT! I have been thinking about this class for months but had accepted the fact that it isn't in the budget right now - that's okay.

THEN, I entered my name to win one of a few spots in the class that had been sponsored by former students of hers. WHAT DO YA KNOW!!!!???! I'm in it! The class starts Sunday and I can't wait to immerse myself in possibility, creativity and a whole new future! I believe things happen for a reason and I am so thrilled to get this opportunity - its also the last time she will teach this class. I just LOVE it when possibility and serendipity collide!

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Polka Dot Pin Cushion

I saw the sweetest tea cup pincushion while cruising the blogosphere. Katie, the crafty gal at Punk Projects (http://punkprojects.blogspot.com/) hosted a guest tutorial on this project and I was inspired to give it a try. I wanted a brighter, less formal look for mine and this is how it turned out!

Found this cute little bowl at a flea market and instead of using batting I decided to cover an old school tomato cushion that was in my junk drawer.

I sewed together two bright strips left over from a long ago quilt project, then wrapped it around the cushion and used a hair band to secure it on the bottom.

To hold it in place I used my ever-trusty E-6000 glue to adhere the fabric to the bowl. It was all worth it when I gave it to my awesome, seamstress aunt who loved it! A super quick, easy and fun little project with endless options! Have fun if you try one and let me know what you think!

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Geeking OUT!!

If you are old enough to remember Steve Martin yelling "The new phone book is here!!!" then you can understand my excitement!! I L-O-V-E reading Quilt Sampler's Shop Hop issue. They always lure me in with a gorgeous cover photo and from there its all about the journey of each quilt shop featured. Good stuff! This cover has me dreaming about doing something with hexi's - and I must admit they do intimidate! Future challenge??? Seems that way!

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Purse-A-Palooza!

I am such a junky!! Who needs THREE new purses? Apparently, I do! These were thrifty finds this week and my immediate plan was to restore and sell...but now I'm thinking I might keep one, or two! They are so unique and funky I can imagine a need for all three! We'll see. Happy, happy weekend!

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Purse Restoration

I found this purse on a Goodwill excursion and it was a little dirty and in need of new life. I washed it up, busted out the red fabric paint and kicked the boring black and white up a notch!

My best advice is follow your heart. If you see something that speaks to you grab it and make it your own! I don't always know what I'm going to do right away but trusting the process will always reveal the answer.

The back side.

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Art Journal Expression

I have never been comfortable with drawing or painting - not my forte to say the least. But forcing myself to ignore my inner sensor and just play, without concern for the end result, is a big, big step. I've been finding that letting go of a "plan" and letting my creative mind wander allows for other ideas to flow. Often I will stop and write them down on a notepad nearby to keep things going without stressing over remembering those great ideas. I am a mom and my post-its have post-its, but that's how I roll!

This journal spread was put together with book pages, fabric scraps, images torn out of magazines and newspapers that caught my eye for one reason or another and whatever color I was feeling at the moment.

There is no "right" way to art journal and I do it strictly for myself as the mood strikes me. The first time I picked up a paint brush it felt foreign and wrong in my hand but I'm glad I worked past that block. I hope you will try something new, maybe something that scares you a bit or feels foreign - its how we grow!

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