How to Make a Rose from a T-shirt

I have a super quick project made from old T-shirts for you today.  I'm going to show you THREE different ways to use these fun flowers.

As seen here, this T-shirt Flower has been added to a dog collar for a unique way to dress up your pooch whether it be for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday or for everyday wear.

If it's a child you're looking to dress up, I'll show you how to easily turn the same flower into a hair clip like this one:

And finally, if it's a special treat for you that you're looking for.  We'll add a pin back so that you can wear a pretty rose on your jacket, blouse or handbag:

You can hop over to my YouTube Channel to see the full instructions for making these sweet (not to mention simple) flowers.

Three Upcycled Dog Toys Made From T-shirts

Have you all met my puppy, Cooper, yet?  Most of you will have met Chico, my ancient Chihuahua, if you haven't seen him in my YouTube videos then you've surely heard him snoring in the background. I love him to death but he's never been one to play much.  Although to be fair, I adopted him at ten years old!  Anyway, here's my Cooper:

He seems so little in this picture at the dog park.  And it was taken just a couple of months ago.  Last week I caught him trying to fit in the bottom cube of this cubby in the bathroom.  He used to fit so nicely in there.  Now...not so much!

At ten months old, he still has a ton of puppy left in him and he is constantly needing to be entertained.  Otherwise, well, he'll find ways to stay entertained.  And typically, he and I don't see eye to eye on appropriate entertainment methods.  So that my friends, brings me to the purpose of this post.

The number of chew toys that I've had to purchase in the last few months is enough to break the piggy bank for sure.  Coming up with some cheaper (and greener) alternatives was a must!  My Cooper loves all three of these toys and each was made with little more than a T-shirt and a pair of scissors. I know you're wondering so let me tell you...YES, there is a video tutorial. It's a long one, but I do show you how to make all three toys in one video.  And if you hang in until the "bitter end" you'll be treated to a glimpse of my cutie patootie playing with one of his T-shirt toys.

What other ideas do you have for DIY dog toys?  I am ALL EARS!!

How to Make a Sweater Dress for Your Dog ... From Your Old Sweater!

Today Miss Bella is modeling a very eco-chic sweater dress that has taken a bit of a walk on the wild side.  This mint green dress was fashioned from the sleeve of an old sweater and embellished with a zebra striped ruffle.  It's the party dress that every girl needs this holiday season.  Here's how to get yours...well MAKE yours:

First gather your supplies:

• Old Sweater
• Something to sew with (preferably a machine)
• Scissors 
• Ruffle Trim

 

First, cut off one of the sleeves of the sweater and make two arm holes.  Cut it just like I have it pictured, the extra "tail" of fabric will be used to attach your ruffle skirt.  You'll cut your arm holes both at the same time while the sleeve is folded as it is in the first picture below.  This will ensure that your arm holes are the same size...kinda.

Then zig zag stitch over your cuts to keep the seams from unraveling.  It's not an easy feat and if you tug too much as your sweater feeds under the sewing machine foot you'll have some wonky looking armholes!!  Not that I know from experience or anything...

Now for the cutie patootie butt ruffle! Start at the bottom of your sweater dress and pinned down (then stitch) a length of ruffle into place.  Move up a bit and do another ruffle slightly overlapping the first, then another and another.  Do as many as you like, I ended on the fourth length of ruffle.

So what do you think?  Very eco-chic, adorable and simplish, right?

Upcycled Pet Stuff

If you ever find yourself in Taylors, South Carolina be on the lookout for a little shop called Pet Paw-Teek.  Then swing by and say "hi" to my mom and dad.  They just opened a modest little pet shop and I'm helping to stock the shelves with a variety of upcycled pet items.  Check out some of stuff I just popped in the mail.

Kick sticks made with organic cat nip and hideous ladies pants (no joke - these REALLY were ladies pants):

I had to give up the kick sticks with huge fish all over them because....well, they kept disappearing as I made them.  I mean, would YOU tell her she couldn't have it....

T-shirt braids, kinda like those fishing pole toys

Organic catnip seeds with an Old Spoon Garden Marker

Unfortunately, I'm not close enough to give her one of my upcycled pet beds.  This one is an old Goodwill coffee table and scrap bead board and molding that I picked up on a Freecycle.  The cushion portion is patchwork of old jeans.   I was going for shabby chic...did it work?