Tshirt into a tote bag

I made this cute little tote bag for the summer. I love this color and the pattern.



I found the tshirt on the clearance rack at Target. It was an XS and I am so far from that, but I loved the pattern. I bought it and held onto for some future project.

Supplies:
-one t-shirt with a pattern you love
-extra t-shirt for the inside (mine is a craft t-shirt from Michaels)
-rotary cutter
-sewing machine
(**Disclaimer: a few of the photos are dark because I do most of my crafting at night--apologies!)

Here's the skinny:

1-Cut off the sleeves on the patterned t-shirt.

2-I then laid down my ruler and decided where I was going to cut for the top of my bag. I chose right under the collar seam. I was trying my best to preserve some of the beading.

3-I laid the yellow shirt on top of the much bigger inner white shirt and used my rotary cutter to trace the shape for the inner lining. There probably is a more accurate way of doing it, but that's the first thing that crossed my mind! (Forgot to take a picture of that..oops!)

4-Turn the yellow shirt inside out, pin the bottom closed and then sew it closed and do the same for the white shirt except sew up the bottom and the two sides--leaving the top open just like the yellow shirt.

5-While both are still inside out, fit the yellow shirt into the white shirt. The design sides should be facing one another. See the pic.
This may take quite a bit of maneuvering and shifting around to get the seams to line up.


6-I then set the bag aside and cut up scraps from the white shirt to make handles for the bag. This is just a simple tube. Sew up three sides and turn it inside out. You may need to use a pencil or chopstick to help get the tube right side out.

7-I pinned the yellow and white layers together while they are still inside out. I then sewed up the seams making sure to avoid any of the beading still on the shirt.

8-I then pinned the handles to the bag and sewed them on. Again I just eyeballed it. I think it looks better without being particularly precise. I measured very little while making this project.


Fin!

I like the way it turned out. Even the funky shape of the top of the bag from where I cut the sleeves off. You can of course adjust it so you have a more uniform looking bag. That's the beauty of making one your self. It's totally unique!






I hope this tutorial helps and you can make one for your summer activities!!

I'll be linking here:

Father's Day gift idea

I came up with this idea for my dad's birthday but that day came and went so now I'm making it for Father's Day! (June 19th, btw)

My dad and step mom live in the suburbs of Seattle. It's a beautiful place!! My husband and I love visiting there. The aquatic life and cool temps make it a great area.

Hubby on the water:

And my dad:




They love living there, so I made a little something that was near and dear to my dad's heart.

A picture frame of the map of the area.

This can be done with any map of your favorite places.









Frame:


I didn't take any pics of the process but it's super easy to do.
Supplies:
Wooden frame from walmart (in the craft section)
Black acrylic paint
Road map of your favorite place
Modge Podge


I purchased the map from my local Borders that was going out of business so the map cost me $3. Score!!Step 1-Paint the back and sides of the frame. I chose black because it's masculine and it's a simple color. Let it dry completely.

Step 2- Lay out your map and cut (or tear) strips that you want to use. I cut mine because I wanted specific sections of the map for the frame.

Step 3-Brush on Modge Podge on one section at a time. It dries pretty quickly so don't cover it all at once. I finished the right and left sides first and then applied the top and bottom so I could get the lines straight. I slit the corners and folded them over to give it a clean edge, too.



If you use the tearing method, you can apply all willy-nilly to your hearts content!!

Step 4-Apply another coat of Modge Podge over your pieces to seal it. This prevents any pieces from coming back up and gives it a nice polished look.

Step 5-Let it dry completely. I gave mine a full day but that's only because it is so stinking humid here right now!!!

Step 6- Wrap and give it to your dad! (or whomever)


This would make a great activity for the younger crowd. And it doesn't have to be a map, it could be tissue paper or scraps. Fabric might even look cool.
My husband thinks I should embellish it with a "You Are Here" sticker and put it on their city. I'm thinking of adding one!!


I'll be linking to these parties:

Things I like...

Up next on the "I'm going to attempt making that" docket:

Just a few awesome things I've seen around the interewebs.

Last minute headwrap from Found in the Ali



Purple Potato Salad (yep, that's right!)
It sounds so delicious and homemade potato salad--from my mom--is one of my favorite summer eats. From Delia Creates



Recipe Card Holder
This one I've already attempted. I made a bigger version and it fell over, so adjustments will need to be made. Also, I'm not making mine pink. No, sir.
Though the one in the pic is adorable.
From Itsy Bitsy Paper



Ruffled Shirt
I've made this one already, too, and I love wearing it! I'm going to make another in a different color soon. From A Girl and A Glue Gun



More inspiration to come!

Things that I miss...

Every once in awhile dear hubby and I reminisce about things from our childhood that we miss. Good shows on Nickelodeon, afternoon naps, etc. I started thinking again today about things from days past that I miss. Here's the rundown:

Crash Bandicoot

(raise your hand if you looked up bandicoot in the dictionary!) Original Playstation 1 game. It was so cool and I was soooo good. It took forever for the game to load. The character animation is ridiculous when looking back at it now, but it was a fun puzzle and adventure game! And some of the levels were hard, man!

90s Movies There was something about movies in the 90s that had an awesome quality to them. I could be looking through rose colored glasses at my past, but I like it that way. There were the kids and family movies I could watch and then there are the movies that I didn't watch until I was older (but were made in the 90s). Part of me wants to think it's the way they were filmed. Limited CGI. Good actors. And just great story lines. Kindergarten Cop*: It's not a TUMOR!! *Bonus: Found Kindergarten Cop for $5 online. Should be here in a few days!

Life Before Cell Phones

Don't get me wrong, the cell phone is a pretty swanky invention and it has revolutionized quite a bit. But I'm in the last generation that will remember life before cell phones. The upcoming generation has always had a computer in their home, a cell phone in their life and have never known a world with the World Trade Center.

I also miss being able to leave the house and go somewhere without anyone being able to reach me. We've become so brainwashed to believe that we MUST have a phone if we set foot out of our doors. What if something happens?? What if I remember something else we need at the store?? You know what? Generations of people could leave the house, travel 30 minutes or 3 hours away and people wouldn't freak out if they hadn't been heard from. I miss the simplicity we could enjoy and the fact that we could embrace life without staring down at the little black box in our hands. I can't tell you how many restaurants, grocery stores, malls, sidewalks I've passed where eyeballs aren't glued to that 3 inch screen. I will admit that I myself am guilty of doing this from time to time. Have you people seen the movie Wall-E?? We are heading that way. Lift up your head, turn off your phone and enjoy the God given beauty of the world around you!

Oh yeah!!!

I received Joann's, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby coupons all in one week. I know what I'm doing with my weekend!!! On another note, I have a project that has become the bane of my existence and is frustrating me to no end. I'll post a before picture when I get off of work.

One day, I'll post the completed picture.

More to come!!!

Thinking of doing a give away if I ever reach 50 followers. Tell your friends!! I have some great ideas! :)