I have never in my life been a "crafty" person. Never. Ever. Ever. In fact, I've always spurned anything to do with crafts, or art, or even wrapping gifts. Yes, wrapping gifts. I've always hated wrapping gifts because it is something you have to make look cute using your hands. Now, give me a word and tell me to put it into a sentence, or think of 5 synonyms, or create a picture in a paragraph based on that word, and I can do it. But put something besides a pen in my hand and all I can come up with is wrinkly paper and a store bought celophane bow.
Enter www.lemonjitters.com. This is a website about crafting that I have been following for quite some time. It is written by the wife of one of Michael's cousins. I've always been intrigued by other bloggers, especially bloggers that I know and that are around my age. I like to see how they make their websites come to life with their stories and pictures and web design. Thus, I started following lemonjitters.
This girl is amazing. The things she can do with paper are simply incredible! It has been fascinating to follow her, see what projects she is working on, then oooh and aaahh over all her work. She makes crafting look effortless and enjoyable. Who knew?! Between her and the never ending ideas on Pinterest, I decided to put a few DIY projects on a to-do list for myself.
I am happy to show the completion of my first project. This one was not planned, rather I happened upon it by chance. However, I am convinced had it not been for the inspiration I've been receiving from the above mentioned website, I would not have even thought about or attempted to try it! Now, for all you serious crafters, this is definitely very basic. Very elementary. Very simple. Remember that I am new at this whole crafting thing, and that this is actually quite an accomplishment for me! I mean, I actually used a needle and thread!
I happened upon these plain leopard flats on clearance at Target (don't you love that place?!) for $11. They had my size, so I quickly grabbed them up, knowing that I will need some for teaching come fall. I brought them home, glanced at them on my feet in the mirror once more, then went to stow them at the back of my closet until cooler months. That's when I noticed these zebra flats back there in the dark collecting dust. Now, I'm about to make a confession: I've never actually even worn these cute zebra shoes. They were a "hand-me-down" from my sweet sister, who said they gave her blisters. They were, unfortunately, a little big for me (they sliped off the back of my heel when I walked), but they were SO CUTE that I COULD NOT find the willpower to get rid of them! (Be honest, girls, don't you have that same problem too? Clothing is much more difficult to get rid of if it's cute, even if it doesn't fit.)
As soon as I glimpsed these two pairs of shoes next to each other, I had that brilliant "Aha!" moment. What if I took the ruffles off the zebra shoes and sewed them on the leopard shoes?! Then I could really give the zebra shoes away! Done! I went to the guest room closet (aka storage closet), rummaged around until I found the emergency sewing kit my mom gave me when I left for my freshman year of college (never even used except to sew on buttons!), and sat at my small desk to work.
This is what I started out with...
After gently removing the stitches from the ruffles, being very careful not to, well, unruffle the ruffle (heaven knows I wouldn't be able ro re-ruffle it!)...
The finished product! I did not realize how important a thimble is for simple, hand sewing projects until this one. Ouch! I ended up using a button to push the needle back and forth. Not very effective, I know, but my thumb was pierced to shreds!
Sorry crafters, for all you who were really excited that I actually made the ruffles, I'm not quite there yet! I mean, I don't even own a thimble for crying out loud (my poor thumb!). But it is certainly a positive start on my crafting journey. At least I now have a little self-confidence. I absolutely cannot wait to wear these; I'm not even sure if I can wait until fall!
I'll be sure to post additional DIY projects, whether they be successes or failures!
1 comment:
cute! :)
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