today I'm making...

Today is sewing day in this little ol apartment! I have three things that I want to at least start today, so create some accountability (gah! work terms creeping into every day life!) I'd like to share my projects here post-production!

I plan on making several of these little guys today

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This skirt looks too simple NOT to try! I can't decide if I want to make it maxi like shown, or if I want to make a shorter one....decisions, decisions! 

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And last, but not least, the one that I am probably least likely to finish today, but will definitely be starting, is this amazing pony dress that Elsie shared this week! 

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I can't decide what animal I want to sport on mine though! top runners so far are :

fox

giraffe

cat

dino

elephant

Any ideas out there?!

diy decor: button coasters

I simply love buttons, and I don't hesitate to incorporate them into my crafts whenever possible. Having just re-stocked my button supply (gotta love the button bin at Creative Crafts!) and being in need of some new coasters, I decided to put those buttons to good use. 

I started with a blank coaster set (also from CC)

Add some paint...

and most importantly, the buttons!

Add a little glue, and voila:

And the box:

I can't wait to use them!

diy decor: record bowls

I love finding new projects, and I especially love projects as instantly gratifying as these fun bowls!

Who knew that old vinyl could be transformed into something so cute (and functional)! I first saw a how-to on these in a craft book during one of my many browsing sprees at Borders, but a quick Google search gave me countless instructional videos for a refresher. These bowls were super easy to make, and easy on my wallet too after stumbling across the $1 record bin at Happy Trails Music downtown! I selected a few of my 70's and 80's favorites to try out...

  

Aright, here's the low down: heat your oven to 200° and select your first victim (for me it was Maynard Ferguson's 1974 album "Chameleon"). Place the record on an inverted oven-safe bowl, and in the oven it goes! Set your timer for 5 minutes and let the magic begin.

Once time is up take the record out (use hot pads!) and immediately start molding it into whatever shape you want! I tried a variety of methods, from putting the record inside the bowl to shaping it by hand.  

(I didn't get a picture of the molding step, I wasn't sure how long I had before the record was set and didn't want to risk it!)

When all was said and done I was left with 5 awesome record bowls...now I just need to find places for them in the apartment!