Get SEW-inspired to do something new with something old!

Omygosh! I am SEW excited to share some fun upcycling ideas with you today! This is the coolest ever...it involoves taking a man's suit, and turning it into your student's bookbag/messenger bag!
IT ROCKS! And it's so incredibly affordable...why wouldn't you want to give this a try?!

I'm not a professional seamstress...actually, I'm only a dabbler at it! I hand sew way better than I machine sew...but, with this u-tube video...you'll be joyfully surprised at how easy they make it look, that you'll want to try it to!
So, without further ado...here's the link to make your own...verde' up, my friend!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KjMAgVs4WDw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjMAgVs4WDwney

I can't tell you how much this video has inspired me...Goodwill, here I come! Just think of the possibilities! From young man, to adults...this is the greatest gifts for the man in your life! You don't have to be a student to want to look chic, and this is HOT and TRENDY for anyone who's stylin' that laptop...it's an 'on the go' fashion statement that makes green sense...and money back in your pocket!

Now, here's another version of the same idea...but, less teen and more fashionista!http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/201109/repurpose/default.aspx/

 Cute, cute, cute!

And here's another great idea...with yet more tweed for your UP-dated 'on the go-style'...a clutch to crow about! And you can make it...all by yourself, with these easy steps to follow as well!
Go to: 'craft gossip',and you can see for yourself... http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-tweedy-clutch-from-a-mans-suit-jacket-sleeve/2010/02/26/
and link to the tutorial for the 'how tos'... http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/suit-coat-clutch-tutorial
Happy Spring into SEWing some tweedy new seeds, my ECO fashion-friends!
Make one or two of these....send me your pics! Would love to see them to!

Please, feel free to friend me, and continue to 'Join me here'....each Wednesday for an upcycled experience of WWIPS...Wednesday's Works in ProgesS...and VERDE' UP, for love and little or no money!

Spring into HOPE and LIVE!

This week we're coming into Easter! It's such a big week for us...trying to come down from the last two weeks of birthdays for us...and trying to focus on God's word, and Jesus's love for us that is ETERNAL now!
The remembering of all that's gone before us, and not reflecting on the bad, but staying strong in 'what's to come'...is maintaining our purpose here...to LIVE IN HOPE and NOT FEAR!
It's never to late to come to the party....regardless of the gifts you bare...because the only thing that's truely needed to be present...IS YOU!
Your individuality is your gift from God....to share with all that you can in this lifetime that you've been given. Isn't it amazing that we're all trying to 'find ourselves', when all we really need to do, is calm down, quiet ourselves before the Lord...and merely 'LISTEN' to what He has to tell us?!
Spring is that special time for me...the birth of it all...grass, flowers, birds, babies, wind, sun, rain...it all has a purpose to which things need to grow and live. We get so caught up in our own crazy little world, that we don't give heed to what's around us...like they always say..."STOP, and SMELL the FLOWERS"! If you're not enjoying your life today...it's only because you haven't given yourself enough time to simply BREATHE it all in! To take that one moment in your day, to say "thank you" for what you have right now...in order to BE BLESSED and accept the gifts you are receiving right now...TODAY! Stop suffering, and start LIVING...VERDE' UP...as I like to say! Give it your best shot...and see what's in store for you. You might be pleasantly surprised with your surroundings...and be so INSPIRED then, to create something NEW....like a stepping stone to your future! One that doesn't need mortar or water...only the strength to HOPE for a new arrival in your life.
It's the perfect time to share a skill, a craft or a note of inpiration with someone you've been thinking of today....don't let the light at the end of your tunnel go down without a fight...your here to love, live and laugh your way through your today. Don't think your tomorrow is more important than your today....give yourself the right to feel every emotion God equipped you with. Cry, shout, laugh and sing...for the LORD is good...and everything we have is from HIM...so why wouldn't it be worth the chance to call on it...to EXPRESS it's GOODNESS!
To Dare to HOPE, is not just a fantasy...it's a REALITY! One that I hope and pray you won't waste away...in your search for something better than what's right in front of you! "Hope is not a gift we have to manufacture ourselves. It is a gift from God Who DELIGHTS IN GIVING the best to His children...US! All we need do to give this gift is invite others to join us in looking to the Giver."

My friends...I ask you to find some peace in your day...and give your cares to God for His Love is all that we need to live! "Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Let Spring be your RENEWAL and VERDE' UP, as we work together to renew our strength in the LORD and SAVIOR! "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present for the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Gotta give your somethin' to feel good about today...go out and blow some bubbles...it'll make all your cares seem POSSIBLE! God loves ya baby, and so do I!

Crochet it forward!

I am an occupational therapy advecate...with the daily use of crocheting in my life. Recently, I found an article worth it weight in 'yarn'! From my lips, to these words...I can't tell you enough, how much crocheting has changed my life for the daily good of all!
Some people think it's hogwash...but, until you've tried it...don't knock it, my friend! For years now, I've been crocheting for sanity...as a stay at home mom of twins (under the age of 6 now), but let me reaffirm this article...by saying: "IT WORKS"!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like my little obsession for Amigurumi...Japanese Toys...I can't stop creating something new, because it's fun, and it takes my mind off my troubles! It's God's way of helping me to stay focused on things at hand vs. the troubles of the world...that I seriously can't do anything about at that time anyway...so, WHY NOT CROCHET?!

Besides trying to help myself with my own daily issues...the finsihed projects that I make, puts big smiles on my kids faces!

Who wouldn't want to see how that would impact your day?!

 It's a happiness factor...that gives joy to everyone, including myself!

I don't think there isn't one person out there, in this crazy world we live in these days, that couldn't benefit from anyone of these theraputic attributes...handmade is LOVE in every sense of the word. As you're doing, so then, are you expressing...your intentions toward that recipient in a meaningful attribute that only you would be able to express to another. It is your own special outlet...able to unwind, destress, and create...all at the same time! It's not piddly work...it's meaningful to you, as well as others. It's the difference between chaos and tranquility in your day. It's a work in progress, that gets you that much closer to where you need to be today. And guess what? It's okay to take a break; to unwind; to allow yourself the possibility of something more fruitful in your life!
It's a positive step forward, in the chain of events that it takes to finish what you started...no matter how long it takes to finish it. You can easily put it down when you need to, and pick it back up when you can. No one is competing for your time here...only you...and you alone! It's away for you to open up to a project and make it yours...your very own specially made 'whatever' you want to call it...when it's all done. No matter whether you choose to change a stitch, a color, or enlarge the pattern...it's your choice to do it...your way, everytime you sit down to stitch! Some groups that get together to share in their crocheting/knitting discussions...call it, a 'stitch n' bitch'! They come together to crochet and get off some tension, while verbalizing what's on their minds at that very time! Therapy doesn't just have to be in a psychiatrists office, lying on a sofa....so, go ahead & "get crafty with it"!

For more info...read this article...and "get crochetin' my friends"! It might be your only sane link left!

http://kathrynvercillo.hubpages.com/hub/10-Health-Problems-Helped-by-Crochet

Happy crocheting to all who need that extra lift today...don't be afraid to give it a try! Express yourself through your hands, and see what comes out of that creative brain of yours! All you need is the ability to try...you don't have to be perfect at it! It's a forgiving thing...don't like it, tear it out, and then....BEGIN ANEW, for someone besides YOU! Because....God loves a giving heart!
Verde' up!

As a colorist, I'm drawn to color from everything I see...mostly fabrics, but I do have a yarn fetish that some of you may have already seen first hand. I'm a crochet-a-holic! Seriously, I can't stop! Anyone whose hooked on this crazy yarn addiction will know exactly what I'm talkin' about here.
Now, I have twins that help me along with this crazy application of turning scraps of yarn into anything you could possibly imagine up. They're into 'Angry Birds' these days...so, I thought it would be a fun idea to explore with my new found amigurumi applications. One of their friends birthdays was just around the corner...so, I decided to begin by choosing the 'Hungry Pig'. I started looking on line for a pattern or to...and wow, there were a whole lotta patterns goin' on out there! I love a challenge, and I'm one of those see and do type of girls. So, I picked up my G hook and some lime green yarn, and started crochetin' away....and this is what I came up with...

A fun bucket hat and a lil' ami pig...once the kids got home, they went a little crazy puttin' it all on display...I knew I had a hit! So, all wrapped up and in the bag it went...for one of the best birthday gifts yet!

Then, it was on the bigger and better things yet...fingerless mitts to match...

There's lots to be said for giving homemade...it all comes from the heart...so, how can you ever go wrong?! Well, personally, I don't think you can...especially when the recipient of these special gifts wears it straight out of the bag! Wish I had taken a pick of that...but, low and behold I forgot to bring my camera; never fails, right?! LOL! It was a great day had by all...the twins were in full spectrum in their after party gear...all dressed up in their priate diggs, and no place to go but home...now, we're getting ready for our birthday...it's #6 this year...whoop, whoop!

Can't wait...workin' on the details as we speak...thinkin' it might be double trouble here come the end of March! So, ahoy mates and get out your maps...wear headin' south to the caribbean for a treasure hunt party....arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg!

It's just one more crazy day in my life to date...verde' up!

BLACK is BACK!

Last year, I made the conscious decision to paint my dining room walls black. Yes, I said...BLACK! Of course I have a love of all things old, so this decision didn't come lightly. Most times when you see black applied to interiors, they have a glossy finish. Not always do you see black featured in contemporary styles only...especially these days! Infact, I was drawn to simplicity of it's plainess...that post modern, shool girl desire to bring back the large chalky look to my dining room, only grew more intensely after my mind was made up. So, I went with it....and am entirely glad I did, to!
And YES, it does look like a continuous chalkboard, running around the room...an ENDLESS CLASSIC design, that I don't think I'll get tired of anytime soon!

I just love it...everytime I walk in there, with all it's windows...my eyes are only opened up to the vast world beyond...even that much more! How could I not love it?! It brings out the reds, greens, golds, and creams...along with the uplifting managerie of greys we've got going on in the outdoor surroundings, that are just beyond these four enclosed walls of my 2 story colonial farmhouse. It only adds to the rustic interior, from days of old...enhancing it's history of days gone by...it's nostalgia at its best!

 Now, add a corner nook, with all my favorite accessories...and you've got a style that screams VINTAGE! My youth era is making a comeback these days...and as well, the 70's are getting a RE-LOOK on the runway...with all it's vivid charm of everything old, made new again! It's love at first glance...the smell of coffee and fresh baked cookies, brings you home again. Why wouldn't you want to keep it simple and bold, with a hint of classic country charm? It's the perfect way to say, "I love you" everytime to come through the back hall door.

Add a little lace to the tabletop and the perfect paisley area rug underneath...and you've got a completed look for that natural stone floor that was recently added to widen out this otherwise narrowly designed space. A new twist on my grandmother's diningroom/kitchen...but, it's me...and like I always say, "If you don't love it, don't buy it!" And this lace tablecloth was a recent upcycled find at the local thrift store in town. I love to salvage things...especially, when it gives me comfort and strength in my surroundings.

Older homes need love, and generally the older the find...the better! That's why I choose antiques...they're someone elses' story, come back to life! How much more fun can decorating and design on an old classic get, than that?! If you haven't changed it up lately, or if you've fallen out of love with your interior...the best place to start is the entryway of your home. It'll give you a whole new lease on how you view the rest of your home, as you walk through.