here are a few crafts that i have been working on this summer.all of which i made with old clothing remnants or fabrics that i have or some from my grandmother when she passed away. 

this shirt i made for dahlia out of a skirt that i bought literally 10 years ago at the good will. i never used it and yes i kept it all this time, just in case. i liked the patch work on it. the back of the shirt is what used to be the back of the skirt, so conveniently there is a button and zipper in the perfect spot. i hemmed the bottom and made some straps... 

 

i got really excited about making purses and bags this summer, but then ran out of the gusto for it since i have no space to work. but i managed to make a few. i gave a smaller purse to my best friend but i forgot to get a picture of it. you can see it a bit in the photo of her adorable girl rosamund! i braided the strap with three different fabrics and it is not a square shape, a little larger on the bottom. i used several different colors and patterns of fabrics, i think six for the purse i gave shekinah. i really liked the design i made her, i should have made two! but this black purse is great too. i have always had a thing for black and red, although i dont wear it much anymore, i still wanted something to use to spice up a boring all black day....many times when i dont know what to wear, especially in the winter i just throw on a black top. this bag is large enough that i can throw a couple diapers and a change of clothes for the kids and not feel like i am lugging a giant diaper bag across town. but small enough to be just a purse for me. it took a while to sew the flower together, there are several layers and i had to iron them together and then sew them, so they wouldnt shift. i really dont like to use pins!

 

 

i have been wanting to make dahlia a doll for a while and it seemed that it shouldnt be too hard. i just happened to come across an episode of martha stewart and she was doing a doll craft. (i learn better by watching someone, not reading about it)  i usually tevo her shows and skip through it checking for a neat craft or something interesting. tevo is awesome, i wouldnt watch tv without it! anyways, she had a guest on who makes handmade dolls. they were adorable and so i busted one out. i admit i am not the best sewing woman but i love the idea. i have the design in mind for many things but actually puting it together is a whole nother process. that is why i havent actually made more bags i think, my head spins when i sew for very long. anyhow, i didnt do exactly what she did but it is similar. dahlia picked out the hair color and i did the rest. i wanted to name her rosie but she INSISTED on micaiah. my best friends daughter is named micaiah, she talks a lot about her now adays.

 

 

i liked this project because it is ok to not be precise, it is a funky doll and i dont mind things not being symetrical. i should have drawn the face on before i stuffed it though, that was a bit awkward.... this is my first one so my next will should be much better! i ddint have any fabric lying around that was close to skin color, the piece i used was actually the backside of a paisley print, so she looks a bit pale, i think she may faint (=