Saturday, January 19, 2013

EASY DIY ~COZY~~~ OLD sweater project


SO, how often do you see cool projects on websites like, Pinterest or Facebook, and think I could do that?  Followed almost immediately by if only I had an entire weekend to myself and NO interruptions!  Oh wait, then you realize that is NEVER GOING to happen, even if you don't have any kids, right? Let's face it....most of the time that stuff is waaaaay more complicated than you think it is and you end up spending way too much money in the end.  Well, I challenge you.... here is a cool weekend project that you CAN DO and it cost little, to NO money at all! 

Sorry to be a TEASE...here's the DEMO!
No Sewing required---UNLESS you want to! 

This fabulous idea was born out of my own desire for a "cozy," scarf like the one I spotted my big sister stylin'!

*My sister got her scarf at Target! Before you "GO ON THE HUNT!" or attempt to knit one, right? As if, that's EVER going to happen, let alone get finished.

You probably have ALL the materials already at least to make a "demo," project to get your creative juices flowing and then the next time your hubs walks by and sees all the ridiculous things you've, "Liked," or "Pinned," you can show him a project actually you DID!

Find an old sweater....any size should work.  I found my sweaters for $1 at a local thrift store.  But you could use a kids sweater that no longer fits them...you are just using the wait part for the scarf.



Step #1 Cut below Arm Pit horizontally 
Step #2 continue Cutting Entire Width of Sweater
Step #3 Try on scarf around neck!

*Optional -Stretch sweater LOOP/Scarf if needed you could sew it or use a Seam glue if the scarf starts to fray*


 
You decide what to do with the left over, My daugher, Fiona made a road for her DOLLS!
*you could always keep the creative energy flowing and turn the arms into fingerless hand warmer/gloves, or leg warmers, or cut them into "fake" boot warmers socks?!  The possibilities are ENDLESS, right?

BEFORE                    AFTER                     

UGLY SWEATER ------->COZY INFINITY SCARF


*Now it's your turn...what projects have inspired you?


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Cheers to the New Year & A 5 year OLD- wise beyond her years!




I am still trying to convince myself that starting of 2013 without any expectations is the WAY to go!  However, that is usually not that way I roll, I'm one of those people who tend to try to make everything play out EXACTLY that way I've already imagined it in my head.  Which usually just ends up making me frustrated or trying to control way too many outcomes.

That is why today on the 5th birthday of my little LADY, I need to remember what I have learned since she was born, to just focus on the positive---THIS one specific focus will lead you to HAPPINESS!  My little sweet birdie, really did send me for quite the tailspin from the day she was born... nothing with her is what I expect it to be.  We really do butt heads and she has to do things in her own way on her own time, which has worked out well and FINE!  She really has bloomed ALL by herself when SHE was good and ready!  I on the other hand am still trying to find the rhythm of her drum.  Looking for the positive has allowed me to surrender; somewhat, to see the beauty in her I never knew could actually be born from me.  That daughter of mine has such a pure & simple spirit, always kind hearted and soft spoken.  I'm still amazed that she is so honestly pure and sensitive, but at the same time knows right from wrong.  She was late to vocalize her spirit and I truly believe she gained some powerful observations skills during those extra months of just observing those around her.  Now as she enters her fifth year she has certainly found her voice and is learning how to assert herself in the world in a way that is more effective and compassionate than I could have ever hoped to witness.

I tend to be very pushy/controlling/aggressive by nature and my daughter is the complete opposite in the most beautiful combination beyond what I ever could have imagined.  The Truth of it is she really takes after my husband and it is because of the TWO of them I am constantly reminded how special the parental bond is and should be nurtured in ALL ways.  Whenever I feel overwhelmed or LOST in crazy frustration I just repeat to myself, "How would her dad handle this?"  Then I try to meet in the middle and if I'm doing half as good of a job as he does with her...We are ALL winning!  Just trying to be present in the moment and giving focused LOVE without EXPECTATIONS is when LOVE comes full STRENGTH back to you--- To both my husband & my daughter--- Thank YOU for allowing me to accompany you and at times PROUDLY watch from the sidelines as we NURTURE our beautiful Daughter-- Happy Birthday Fiona!


We had planned on spending our New Year's Eve celebrating at a local Casino in a ADULTS-only atmosphere but my mother-in-law got sick and in embracing my new philosophy of NO EXPECTATIONS, I was ready to change my plans for an "KID-friendly" evening....and it just so happened that we got a last minute invite to a friends NYE house party--- WE OBVIOUSLY had WAY TOO MUCH FUN!  Just look at the FUNNY Snapshots~  Thanks Debbie & Travis King~  Sorry About the "BUSTED BANANA!!! I really did TRY to help clean it UP!


Then the next morning, I was WAY too tired to wake up and run I decided to sleep in and then my husband woke us ALL up to go walk around City Island and to watch the CRAZY people jump in the river for the Polar Bear Plunge!  Brrrrrr- it was chilly!



Cheers to ANYTHING GOES in 2013 FLICKIGNER FAMILY!