Restyle {by Heidi}

Oh BTW, I have an Etsy shop. It actually has something in it. Please disregard the fact that it's been open for nearly a year...

If you recall, one of my goals for the year was to open my shop. I guess that should have said, list something in my shop and actually tell you what it's called.

 I had made a few toddler t-shirts and then s-l-o-w-e-d down around Christmas. Then, as I begin preparing for this "new baby in da house," I started s-l-o-w-l-y organizing my sewing space which happens to be in my bedroom. I was digging through my fabric/clothing stash and found a couple more items that I started, but never actually finished. I finished them up and voila! I can open my shop!

There isn't much, yet, but there will be! I took so long to get this far, so I finally told myself that once I have 5 items, it's time to announce the 'grand opening.' Right now, all of my items ship for free!

As you should already know if you've read my blog for any amount of time, all of my items will be upcycled. So far, everything in the shop is made from adult tops. I'm so excited to work on more items and get them listed!

If you missed all the links above, here you go again: Check out Restyle {by Heidi} on Etsy!

gettin' my craft on

Jenna and her bridesmaids

My sister's Sara and Jennifer are doing a craft show this summer in their town. Hearing (or reading, rather) their excitement is motivating me to get my own craft on! I have been so frustrated with myself for procrastinating with my Etsy shop and I seriously felt like something was holding me back yet, I couldn't figure out what.

Pretty cupcakes decorated by my mom-in-law and me

I'm trying to get rid of some of my scrapbook supplies--I'm keeping the ones I can still use for packaging and most of my tools--but I'm not having luck. I'd like to sell them because, as anyone who has ever scrapbooked knows, they are expensive! I'm too cheap to drop them off at the nearest thrift shop. I have them on craigslist right now but I realize that isn't the best option for that sort of thing. A garage sale would be best but uh, that's kind of hard when we live in an apartment!

Anyways, the point is, I'm using a desk for my sewing machine that I don't like anymore, it's full of things I don't use, and it's in my bedroom which isn't my favorite place to sew. Other than that, I've been trying to make items that are very size specific and frustrating when I'm still kind of a beginner. Yesterday, I started working on a knit top restyle and I am all excited again! I realize that I should stick to something I can actually do pretty quickly and easily right now. I'm having fun again and hopefully I'll have a few items for my shop soon so it can actually open.

Dave received a gun from the groomsmen.
BTW, look how handsome my husband is, I love that smile! :)

 Until then, I'm trying not to stress about the fact that I already created it and therefore, that date is shown even though I haven't actually started listing yet. (I really wish they would change that.) I'm not setting a date for the 'grand opening' because I'm pretty sure that just makes me procrastinate more. It will happen when it happens. Right now, I'm going to have fun making things that I know how to make!

Pictures are the very few that I remembered to take at the rehearsal dinner.

Happy Thursday! I've been busy with sewing projects for Etsy, trying to squeeze that in with everything else that I do around here. Like making tortillas (we've been eating a lot of Mexican, you know) of course, sometimes Jeff helps...And Adrian:

Chicken enchiladas are in the oven so I'm taking a minute to post! I want to be glued to my sewing machine right now but I have a little kiddo to love on so that really only happens when he's sleeping. It is a beautiful day so I'm planning to sneak out to the park with Adrian after supper. (Jeff started a workout program so he may want to do that while we're gone and out of the way!)

Just Something I Made...

I did actually make something this week, I got started about an hour after getting back home. Buuut, I was going to list it in my shop and now I'm not sure. It turned out fine and everything but it's not really 'me.' I'm not sure what to do with it now. Sorry for the tease! I'll show you pictures as soon as I figure out what to do!
Otherwise, I'm working on this right now (are you worried?):

I pulled it apart yesterday and started resizing the top. I soon realized that I would need to move the tucks on the shoulders-front and back-and I'm not looking forward to that. Whenever I reach a step where I have little experience, I slow waaaay down. I'm not stuck exactly, I was just hoping this dress would be easy peasier. Anyways, besides resizing, I am going to raise the waistline, redo the sleeves-I'm not sure what I'll do with them just yet-I might shorten the skirt but I'll wait to see where the hem falls once I raise the waistline.  I'll also add a brightly colored belt (I won't do the usual navy with red combination). As of now, the collar is staying but since I'm not usually a collar-wearing kind of girl, that could also change! IF this dress turns out the way I imagine it will, it might be my dress for the wedding. Of course, I could always list it on Etsy and make another...Oh, how I love sewing!

one for you, three for me

Because I always like to see what treasures other people find on their thrifting travels, I thought I would share mine! At one time, I would have walked right by every single one of these items but now, I am so excited about them and can't wait to start working playing with them!

Oh, I'm so sorry, I already removed the shoulder pads from the shirt on the right!

These shirts will be refashioned into something more attractive--the button-down shirt will lose that scarf. Something about that combination of crazy dots and matching solid color reminds me of a clown...



This wool skirt will lose some length and the sheet, well, I haven't quite decided what to do with that yet. I loved the print but I can't decide if I want to make curtains, a comforter, or a dress with it. I'm leaning towards a dress because I think the colors are a little different than what I want for my home. Of course, I should have material left over so maybe I'll make a throw pillow to try it out. We shall see!

I bought some of these with my Etsy shop in mind but I guess I'll wait until I'm finished with them before deciding whether or not to keep them for myself. Shoot, maybe this shop wasn't such a good idea after all...

Etsy Taste Test

Have you tried Etsy's Taste Test? I'm always checking out Etsy for ideas and inspiration as well as the chance to be completely awed by the talent of some people out there! But, if you have ever done the same thing you'll know how overwhelming it can be, Etsy is huge! The Taste Test generates an enormous list of items that suit your taste. It has become my latest obsession. Here are a few things it found for me today:



The Craft Pantry



Bed Buggs Boutique



Yorktown Road



The Vintage Supply Co.



Tippy Thai



Let's hit the beach!

I FINALLY listed a bag I made recently (pictured in the "Etsy mini" at right). You would not believe the ideas flying around in my head every day and how inspired I get from the most unexpected places. I'll have to give you a better idea someday. I see things and I'm just itching to create, I mean, literally, I feel as though I can't sit still just thinking about it. And then I step back and take a moment to think. And I realize I have 2 items in our shop. 2 items. That's just bogus. I should be filling the place up! Here's today's excuse for not working: it's supposed to be 90 which means our top floor apartment will be 95. Adrian and I will be hitting the beach. Just as soon as I hang the clean clothes on the line.

Enjoy this hot and sunny day! Garage sale finds coming soon.

ETA: It never did get that hot. I'm not sure what the actual temperature was but when we returned from the beach it was only 78 inside.

A Keep-away

ETA: I did not make the bag, it is from Target. I just added the flowers!


I embellished this bag. I wanted to give it away. But, now I'm not. And it's not because I'm being selfish, quite the opposite really. You see, this was the first time I have ever made these flowers and I really had no idea what I was doing.


There are just too many mistakes to give this away. I am working on another bag. It might take a month if I mess up because I'll have to keep redoing it until I get it right but, it will be here!

And until it's finished, I plan on staying away so I should tell you 'Happy Easter' now!

And maybe Happy Independence Day too.

The Completed Project (Maybe?)

I finished that shirt, finally! If I had Jeff for a day I could have had it done much sooner but that guy hasn't had very many days off work lately! (I'm not complaining by any means, we are feeling very fortunate for that fact!) My dearest Adrian requires my attention from time to time and he also happens to sleep in my "craft room" so I get kicked out every few hours. Here it is:

I'm thinking about adding stitching, a bunch of lines following the rest of the neckline on the left (right side if you are wearing it) and then below the flowers that go down in the center. I wish I could draw lines on it so you could see what I was talking about. I don't think I have a program to do that. But I've been known to be wrong a time or two. (Or 70.)

What do you think? Stitch the lines or leave it as is??
I had to add another random little accent because I'm me:

I was thinking of putting this in the shop but because the flowers are already fraying so much, I'm nervous to do that. Unfortunately for me, it's too small so I don't even get to wear it! Maybe I'll convince one of my little sisters to take it...

Either way, be looking for something similar in the future! (Don't worry, I'll let you know when it arrives!)
So what do you think? Add the stitching or no? Anybody? Anybody? Tell me what you think!

Reality, I'm checking out. I'll see you next month! (Tomorrow is the last day of this month that I will be seeing the U.P. We'll be taking our computer so I'll still be posting but it may not be as regular as it's been lately!)

A work in progress

I can't wait to show you the final product just as soon as I finish! (Here's hoping it turns out...)

Sweet Baby Feet

I was searching Etsy for baby shoes for a friend's baby boy (I'm 99.9% sure she doesn't read this) and they have the cutest baby girl shoes!! Why can't boys' shoes be as adorable?! Here are a few I was drooling over:


Gracious May Really, everything in her shop is ADORABLE!



The Vintage Clothespin So fancy!



sewingsparklz She got me with the polka dots!



CurlyBirdie Look at those chubby ankles in these cute Mary Janes!


There are so many more that I love but I could post them all day, you'll just have to search for yourself to see more!

As for boys' shoes, here are a few that did manage to catch my eye:


Handmade Baby Love I love the thought of baby boots, I can just imagine how cute they would be on chubby little feet!



willowtoo I love that these are named "Grandpa's Slippers" how cute is that?



Ivory and Moss Houndstooth on a baby...need I say more?



Barr-etzz These remind me of shoes that boys would have worn when I was a baby.


There was another pair that looked like "big kid" tennis shoes but they seem to be eluding me. I've searched and searched and I can't find them again. Adrian will be growing out of his current pair of shoes shortly so I'll just have to search again later!

You know somethin? I feel better when I have an excuse for not blogging. I feel like I've been so busy lately. And yet, somehow, I still feel as though I have nothing to show for it. Instead of boring you with the mundane things, I'll just tell you that I've been working on Etsy stuff (and not enough) and trying to get ready for my in-laws to arrive in a few days. (Yes! We have family coming for Thanksgiving!)

I've been working on my ornaments for Circle Boutique in our spare bedroom and it is absolutely turned upside-down. I'm hoping to get it turned right-side-up before Wednesday evening. Or just WednesDAY, I need to find out when they will be here!

If you haven't checked out our shop on Etsy, take a look! My Mom, my sisters Sara, Emily and Amanda, and myself opened up Circle Boutique a few weeks ago. We are filling it with handmade baby items, mittens, pre-made scrapbooked albums, ornaments, and so much more to come! I know I have a whole list of items I plan to make in the future so check it often to see the latest items!