T-Shirt Diaries and More

Welcome to Upcycled Awesome best of 2010. The rules are simple. Link up any project that you have done in 2010 in this linky party. If you want to add a button, great you can grab one under my button page :). If no no worries. No prizes, just oh's and ah's from all of your wonderful Upcycling friends. Comments are totally encouraged. Now post away and post often people will be refering back to this linky party to check out what truly were the best upcycles of 2010.

With wrapping and finishing up my Christmas presents, and preparing for a HUGE houseful of friends and family I am taking a blogging break. Happy holidays!

Wait Where is Spring Stashbusting? -Click Here To Link You Stashbusting Project - Haven't signed up? Well it is not to late you can sign up for the Spring Stashbust: HERE . I love Upcycling. That is really no shock (or is it). It is time to post your best upcycled project in my weekly list of all of the Upcycled Awesomeness on the web. When putting up a project make sure that: You made it. You link to the project you want to share with us. No linking to ETSY sites. (although if you sell things on your site through ETSY, etc. that is okay just don't link to your ETSY site.) Put my button somewhere on your site or on the post you are linking. <center><a href="http://www.thetshirtdiaries.com/"><img src="http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy231/rneorr/T-shirt%20Diaries/2010March1159138-5.jpg "/></a></center> That's it! Thanks you.

Image by Sakurako Kitsa via Flickr Well it has hit us. I will not be posting this weekend because the whole family needs a sick day. nothing serious just your run of the mill soar throats, sinus issues, and tummy trouble.

So 2011 is coming and I thought I would share some of my favorite moments of 2010. chances are they are picks of my kids (okay they are definitely my kids) so enjoy. I also wanted to let everyone know I will be slowing down on posting, the week leading up to Christmas is crazy! I know you understand. I Started Doing Craft Shows My Sister in Law got Married and I made a flower girl headband ( Tutorial here ). I celebrated an awesome five years with my hubby who I am still madly in love with! I call this one Step Kids because the kids are on the steps! My best Upcycle this year was this awesome play kitchen I just love yarn Who can forget this fabulous tutorial ? Talk to you soon,

Upcycled Awesome #26 I can not tell you how amazed I am that we have made it too a half year! Upcycling is taking something you already have, something rescued from a thrift store, garage sale, or even your neighbors garbage and making it into something new. For more information on upcycling check out this post. Pretty much anything goes. You can sew, Mod Podge, or redo furniture, as long as it is something that is redone in some way or another. Please do not link up projects made from 100% new materials. I love these products, but they really don't constitute upcycling. Other than that here are the rest of the easy rules: * Decide what upcycled project you want to link up (more than one is fine by me!) * Link below to that specific blog post not your main blog address * Grab a party button and pop it up on your blog someplace visible, like your sidebar, linky page, or your upcycled post. * Check out the other upcycled projects and comment on them. * Don't be offende...

Well here she is.... I just love her and want to keep her for myself, but that wouldn't be fair to my daughter, would it? Now help me out. I want her to have a cool name. Can you give me some suggestions below. If not I have a feeling she will be dolly the doll. Now to make a sweet fairy costume for her. Happy Holidays!

It is just the busiest time of the year. I don't really have my ETSY shop where I want it but I do take a lot of custom orders, especially for the Holidays. Here is a little sneak peak at what I have been working on: Embellished Ear Warmers modeled by C1 A custom order of Poppy Pins for Teacher Presents A Cinderella Tutu for a little girl in C1's Ballet Class And it just isn't Christmas without the traditional Gingerbread house! Well back to work on some more custom orders. If there is anything you would like email me (thetshirtdiaries@yahoo.com) or check out my under-filled ETSY shop. Happy Holidays,

Upcycled Awesome #25 - you are kidding me that many weeks already? Upcycling is taking something you already have, something rescued from a thrift store, garage sale, or even your neighbors garbage and making it into something new. For more information on upcycling check out this post. Pretty much anything goes. You can sew, Mod Podge, or redo furniture, as long as it is something that is redone in some way or another. Please do not link up projects made from 100% new materials. I love these products, but they really don't constitute upcycling. Other than that here are the rest of the easy rules: * Decide what upcycled project you want to link up (more than one is fine by me!) * Link below to that specific blog post not your main blog address * Grab a party button and pop it up on your blog someplace visible, like your sidebar, linky page, or your upcycled post. * Check out the other upcycled projects and comment on them. * Don't be offended if I remove your link. Ch...

For some reason this summer I became obsessed with Waldorf Dolls . If you don't know what a Waldorf Doll is Wikipedia defines them as: A Waldorf doll (also called Steiner doll ) is a form of doll used in Waldorf education . Made of wool and cotton , using techniques drawing on traditional European dollmaking, its appearance is intentionally simple in order to allow the child playing with it to improve or strengthen imagination and creativity. For instance, it has no facial expression . Its legs and arms are flexible, allowing natural postures. Traditional Waldorf dolls are made from cotton interlock knit fabric and wool stuffing. They are often entirely natural. Typically the trademark long hair of a Waldorf doll is made of mohair or boucle. Some doll makers use alternative hair material such as wool , rayon , and cotton . The facial features of a Waldorf doll vary with the maker. Most Waldorf dolls have small suggestions of noses, their eye and mouth colors are ge...

Now it is time to have some fun and contact the person listed below you on the craft swap. that is the person you will be sending a crafty handmade gift to. I know I can not wait. If you need a refresher on the swap please see the original post -HERE- . We have thirteen people swapping crafty goodness and although I was hoping for more people I am more than happy with this number.  If you have any problems or questions about the swap please email me at thetshirtdiaries@yahoo.com. Oh and it would be awesome if you would post a picture of your crafty gift for all of your bloggy friends to see. Include a link back to the blog that sent you your crafty gift and let me know when the post is up! Thanks,

The holiday season is, well, here. So i am crazy busy crafting for christmas presents. What am I working on? I will let you in on a few little secrets as long as you don't tell my family. C2 loves to carry around his Zombie Sock . What is a Zombie Sock ? They are little zombies made out of socks. Kind of like a punk rock sock monkey. they are the best ever gifts for boys because it's a lovey that is a zombie and really do things get any cooler? So since monkey as he affectionately calls him is very well loved and is dragged everywhere with him I am making a monkey of my own. It will be my first venture into making a stuffed animal so wish me luck. Image by red5standingby via Flickr I very well might become addicted to this fun little craft.

Don't forget to sign up for the Holiday Craft Swap HERE . It's time for Upcycled Awesome #23, your linky party dedicated to upcycled crafts and more. As always you have until Saturday at Midnight to post your upcycled project. Upcycling is taking something you already have, something rescued from a thrift store, garage sale, or even your neighbors garbage and making it into something new. For more information on upcycling check out this post. We all need a place to go to find green projects on the web so why not link yours up here and then check out other green crafty bloggers. I know I get some amazing ideas from this linky party. Pretty much anything goes. You can sew, Mod Podge, or redo furniture, as long as it is something that is redone in some way or another. Please do not link up projects made from 100% new materials. I love these products, but they really don't constitute upcycling. Other than that here are the rest of the easy rules: * Decide what upcycled...

Upcycling is taking something that was once previously owned and turning it into something new. A lot of people think that upcycling is simply taking something new and making it better. While that is fun, and I do it myself, it does not fall into the realm of upcycling. It's being an awesome crafter. Now does that mean an upcycled product has to be 100% reused. Well I think that would be pretty darn hard (but possible). I use new thread and sometimes even the occasional new material to make the necks of some of my upcycled T-shirt dresses. I would definately consider those upcycled. With that said here are ten ways you can upcyle: Wrap presents with newspaper instead of buying new wrapping paper. Take that old T-shirt you haven't worn in years and make a pillow, childs dress, or a more fitted version of the previous tee. Oatmeal containers make great drums or banks.  Mod Podge or paint can spruce them up quite a bit. If you have a piece of furniture that feels drab ...

Well I have strep so my posting is going to be on hiatus for a day or two. I am so sorry but I have a ton of awesome projects I can not wait to share with you and Upcycled Awesome will still be on Wednesday!

If you are interested in getting free cards from Shutterfly please check out my blog post on my review blog HERE. You will not be sorry! XOXO,

Don't forget to sign up for the Holiday Craft swap Here I can't believe only six of you want to swap some holiday goodness:( It has been a crazy busy week. Last year I got up at 3am to shop those Black Friday deals. This year I have completely ignored them. It has not been easy. I mean I LOVE a good bargain. I love getting Thomas the Train Engine for 50% off! So why am I ignoring. I am trying to buy only locally made Christmas presents for my kids and I am also trying to teach my kids that they do not "need" every toy that they see on television. I am also making a large portion of their Christmas presents.  I love my children very much and I know a day will come when I absolutely will not be able to do a handmade holiday for them because they will need to have a Wii. Heck I wouldn't mind getting one myself. While they are young and can truly appreciate handmade I am going to encourage and support it. I am going to encourage making things because as a great...

It's time for Upcycled Awesome #23, your linky party dedicated to upcycled crafts and more.  As always you have until Saturday at Midnight to post your upcycled project.  Upcycling is taking something you already have, something rescued from a thrift store, garage sale, or even your neighbors garbage and making it into something new. For more information on upcycling check out this post . We all need a place to go to find green projects on the web so why not link yours up here and then check out other green crafty bloggers. I know I get some amazing ideas from this linky party. Pretty much anything goes. You can sew, Mod Podge, or redo furniture, as long as it is something that is redone in some way or another. Please do not link up projects made from 100% new materials. I love these products, but they really don't constitute upcycling. Other than that here are the rest of the easy rules: Decide what upcycled project you want to link up (more than one is fine by me!) Link...

A while back (oh say three months ago) I was doing a regular post called T-Shirt Tuesday where I would feature a few rocking upcycled projects. While I can not guarantee that it will be a regular feature once again I would like to highlight a few fabulous upcycled projects from last weeks Link Party. Hey before you check out the three crafts that are now on my to-do list don't forget to sign-up for my Holiday Craft Swap HERE . The first is from OrloSubito . She always has wonderful upcycles, although not in English google translate will still let you read her blog. She took some fabulous T-Shirt yarn and turned it into a braided belt. Simple, yet adorbs (making up my own words again). T-Shirt Belt As I love all things upcycled I was pretty excited to see an upcycled sweater hat with instructions so simple even my husband could make one. Check this beautiful sweater hat out from Nancy's Couture: Upcycled Sweater Hat And Kristy from Textiles4you is making the...

Attention all crafty momma's, fellow Eco-crafters and stashbusters. I am so excited to announce my first annual craft swap. I love getting goodies in the mail and I love sharing my crafty love. You will mail an item that you have created or some sweet stash that you know you can not use but your swap buddy would love to the blogger who lists their name below yours in the comments section. Sign ups: From NOW. Leave me a comment here with your email – hopefully at least one of you wants to play so that I can send a wonderful piece of my crafty goodness out. It is up to you to contact each other I will be commenter number one so that the gifts can get started. It would be extra nice if you could: A . Post about this swap in your blog   B . Let the blogging world know what wonderful crafty goodness you get from your fellow swapper by posting a fabulous picture! Any questions, comments, ideas please email me. Oh yeah you have until December 4th at midnight to sign ...