Lots of Lint

Rane is a fabulous gal who threw a challenge my way:

Turn dryer lint from blah to TADA!

So I've been collecting lint in this bag every time

I did the laundry.

Similar to yesterday's craft, I made more fabric balls:

Step 1: Cut circles from fabric scraps (these are old t-shirts).

Step 2: Sew a running stitch all around.

Step 3: Pull the thread so the fabric becomes a little bowl.

Stuff the "bowl" with dryer lint.

Step 4: Pull the thread all the way, knot the end &

cut the thread.

Make as many fabric balls as you need.

String them together with crochet thread,

sandwiching a gold bead in between

each fabric ball.

TADA! I've a got a statement necklace

and I hardly spent anything!

I have to point out that dryer lint is flammable.

I know you won't be cooking, grilling or dancing around

a bonfire with this necklace around you, but do take

extra care!

Blah to TADA! Challenge: Dryer Lint

Thanks for stopping by today!

It's been a while and I think I'm ready for a new challenge.

Rane wrote me a few months back:

Hi ya Claire!! I have a true challenge for you! What can you do with dryer lint? Every week I throw this away and always wonder could it be used for something?

I hear ya Rane!

So this week, let's make a detour to the laundry room

en route to the craft room.

Like most of you, I throw away lint from the dryer.

I only recently started keeping it in this bag.

I must admit, lint isn't very attractive.

But it reminds me of fiber fill.

I got myself a few fabric scraps:

I cut them into circles.

Then sewed a running stitch around.

I pulled the thread slightly so the fabric bunched up.

Then stuffed it with dryer lint!

Pulled the thread all the way to

seal the edge & then knotted the thread.

Here's the result:

TADA! I made little fabric balls

out of dryer lint & scrap fabric.

Then I attached them on the head of

these tacks with hot glue:

Note: The tacks get hot when hot glue is applied -- this

may burn your fingers. To avoid this, pin the tacks to a cork board,

add a bead of hot glue, then add the fabric ball.

Allow to dry and pull away any excess glue.

Another TADA! -- push pins!

These will dress up any cork board at home,

in school or at the office.

See you again tomorrow!

Bandana Beautiful

Hooray it's Friday!

I hope you've been enjoying the weather.

I am and I'm enjoying this Trilby hat

that I got from a street market:

If you tuned everyday this week,

I've been dressing up the hat

to change its look.

We don't want it looking blah, right?

TADA! I tied on an old bandana

to give the hat a new spin.

And I think I'll wear it with

a jumpsuit similar to this

one from Tory Burch.

Have a cool weekend everyone!

Hooray for Stripes

I recently purchased this really cool Trilby hat:

To keep it from looking blah,

I've been dressing it up.

TADA! I put this blue & white stripped ribbon

over the existing black band.

Doesn't it give a whole new personality to the hat?

And doesn't it go well with this outfit?

{Image from BCBG Max Azria}

Embellished Headgear

Early this spring, I found a hat vendor at

a New York City street market.

I bought this $10 hat that I've been wearing

and plan to keep wearing all summer long:

I felt I needed to change the look

every so often to keep it from looking blah.

TADA! I embellished the hat with feathers!

Lovely to wear with this dress from J. Crew!

Flower Power

This week, I'm gearing up for summer!

I like being outdoors so I got myself this

pretty Trilby hat for both form & function:

I got it at a street market & it's not that unique.

I've already seen several men & ladies

sporting this hat.

What a blah if you like being different.

So I did a little accessorizing.

Today, I added this little flower pin.

TADA! A whole new look!

Won't it complement this easy-breezy

summer dress from The Gap?

Have a wonderful day ya' all!

Getting Ready For Summer

I can feel it -- summer is in the air!

More time outdoors and a great excuse to

do some shopping.

I got this nice berry-scented body lotion.

Plus nail polish in cool shades.

And here's my signature summer scent --

it takes me to the beach even if I'm far

away from the water.

I also got myself this sexy hat from a

street market in New York City.

I've worn it several times already

and sometimes, I feel it looks a little blah.

TADA! I added a brooch to spruce it up.

{It's a TADA! from the bag of scrap}

I think my hat looks more expensive than

what I spent for it ($10) and I think

I can wear it with a dress like this

from J. Crew:

Perfect for an outdoor wedding or

cocktails at the rooftop perhaps?

Recycling Tea Bags

Another wonderful week has come to an end.

Today, we conclude our "tea" series.

Let me show you how many times I can recycle

these blah used tea bags.

First round: Iced Tea made by

steeping a few used bags in hot water,

allow to cool, then add honey & ice cubes.

Second Round: Use the same tea bags to stain some lace

or fabric to give it a new look.

I think a third round of recycling is in order.

Yup, we're squeezing the life out of

these tea bags!

Remove the tea from the bags and

add the used tea to your compost pile

and then to your soil.

TADA! The tea will provide nutrients to your plants!

Have an exciting weekend everyone!

Tea Staining

After making a cup of tea, don't throw out the bag immediately.

Save the bags and use them as natural dye.

I'll show you how with this piece of inexpensive lace.

Fill a bowl with hot water and dunk in the used tea bags.

Add the lace, making sure it's entirely underwater.

Allow this to soak for at least 24 hours or until

you've achieved the tone that you want.

{It may require a few days.}

TADA! Tea-stained lace!

Rinse your new piece of lace with soap & water

and allow to dry.

Attach an elastic band to the ends...

And you've got a romantic headband!

Second Life

Today, I'm going to tell you about this little habit of mine.

I keep used tea bags.

It's weird, I know.

After brewing a cup, I let the tea bag dry

on a tea caddy (or a small sauce dish).

Then I store the bags in a jar until I'm

ready to use them again.

These may be a blah, but I'm definite that

these tea bags still have flavor in them and

can be used a second time.

I gather them, knot the strings together and

let them steep in hot water

for a few hours.

Then I take out the bags and stir in

some honey or simple syrup.

TADA! I've got iced tea perfect for

the warm summer months!