Funky, Punky, and Plump

This was a really simple refashion. I love how it turned out but it's still a bit... um... happier than I am used to wearing. :) I started with 2 t-shirts: a plain black one and a pink and white striped one which was much brighter than I used to wearing so I felt very out of place wearing it. Originally, I was going to stencil a black skull on it but I decided this would be better since it'd still be too much brightness for my clothes. :) I carefully cut the sleeves off the black t-shirt at the seam and used one of them as a pattern to cut new sleeves from the pink and white shirt. I lined the hem of one of the black sleeves up with the bottom hem of the P&W shirt so I didn't have to hem the new sleeves. After sewing those on, I did a reverse applique of the pink and white striped heart with a black heart regular applique over that.

I picked up some ties from the Goodwill a few weeks ago with the intent of painting them but then I got the idea to sew a beaded pattern on at least one of them. Honestly, this was a project I thought I could knock out completely in a couple of hours. Shows how little I know. :) I did get a pretty good start, though, with this little skull which I free-handed with silver-lined clear seed beads. I also went to see a friend of mine in Augusta, GA this past weekend. I had my pink belt bracelet with me which inspired him to make this for me using an old belt his dad had gotten for him. (His dad did not realize it was a girl's belt. :) )

Did you know that yesterday was Wednesday and not Tuesday? I realized that last night as I was getting ready for bed. Hence the day-lateness of this post. I would guess that, by the very nature of the peole who tend to visit my little blog, most of you have heard of Skull-a-day.com . Artist Noah Scalin started it June 4, 2007 and made a skull everyday for the following year. The site is still alive and kicking with a couple of co-moderators who make things and also share skulls that others have made. It's a pretty cool site that I have been following pretty much since it's inception. I was even mentioned on the site once . :) Not only did Noah post his own artwork, he also made some of his ideas available for others to use, including his stencils he made. (Scroll down the right sidebar of his site to find all of his free stuff... including a connect-the-dot skull!) At least a couple of these stencils are going to end up on my t-shirts, skirts, and bags, I think. Click the image...

I am cheating... again, I know. But my in-laws were in town for the first time in 2.5 years and my favorite uncle passed away which sapped away whatever creative energy I had left this week so I think it is forgiveable. I have a couple of things started so I should certainly have something good to share again next week. So, instead, I am going to share a wonderful secret with you that I discovered years ago for making perfectly shaped patterns for stars . About.com also has good illustrated instructions here . It starts with an 8.5" x 10" sheet of paper which produces an ~8" star but you can scale it up or down depending on the size you need. You can also vary how far in you cut as well as the angle to produce all sorts of fun star shapes. The picture is my proof that it works. :) About my Uncle Roger: He had a tough life up until he came back into our lives 20 years ago but he was always in a good mood and was always cracking stupid jokes to make you laugh. He'd do...