Nifty Thrifty: Doggy Bed

I decided on a dog bed so that Skofeild can avoid the couch when we have guests. I found the fabric at a yard sale for $1.00. I spent $20.00 on the stuffing and zipper. This is a very big bed and after completing it, I felt that It was a great deal for the amount of money I spent. I found the tutorial online and changed a few things to make it fit our needs.

I learned patience in making this project. I tend to want to do things too quickly and as a result something always goes wrong. After completing the project I couldn't figure out why the name wasn't centered...I forgot the "L". By the time I finished I had no desire to go back and fix the problem. I guess we can call Skofeild, Skofeid for short:)

The material is velvet, I know it's not the most machine washable friendly but I honestly don't think we'll be stuffing this big bed into our washer. The stuffing is lined with plastic so that it is waterproof.

Skofeild likes it because it's as big as the ottoman that he enjoys relaxing on so much and the stuffed walls mimic the sofa arm that he likes to use as a pillow. I used fabric paint on the bottom so that the bed has some traction on the wooden floors.

He loves his new bed. I'm glad he doesn't mind that I misspelled his name:) Happy 2ND Birthday Skoey!.

Nifty Thrifty: Nursing Pillow aka Boppy

I was planning on purchasing a Boppy but when I went to Wal-mart I was disappointed that they were $20.00. In my mind thats a bit pricey for a pillow. I thought I'd stop by Kmart and the Boppy was priced higher for $30.00. I found the Boppy pattern online for free and the only thing I had to purchase was the stuffing. I used scrap fabric from a previous project and a blanket handed down to me from a good friend.



It took about an hour to make this and the total cost was only $4.47! I was happy with the results:)



Next Project: I haven't decided yet but either a bed for our dog Skofeild (his birthday is this month too or a protective cover for my husbands new toy the Nook.

Nifty Thrifty: Baby Shoes

I wanted something durable for baby shoes so I stopped by a few thrift stores. I found some canvass fabric, about 3 yards for a dollar at the thrift store. These shoes were my first pair ever, they didn't turn out as nice as I would have liked but I'm sure improvement will come with time and experience. I gave this pair to my little friend Ossie Sorber, he's almost 1 year old and they were a little big. I need to make adjustments to the pattern so that I can make a pair that will fit out son.

Birds eye view
I used extra scrap fabric that I had purchased at Nancy's fabric store. My next pair I plan to use my serger so that the edges don't fray. I've been looking for other things that I can add such as buttons, various shapes would be nice but it's hit and miss when it comes to the thrift store.

Side view
If your interested in making these, the tutorial and pattern are on the Stardust shoes blog .

Next sewing project: Boppy (they typically cost $20 at Wal-mart but I can make it for about $7.

Nifty Thrifty: Budgeting for baby

Last week I received this early birthday surprise in the mail! I was overjoyed when I opened the boxes, I didn't expect such a nice gift, Thanks mom:)



I couldn't wait to put my new machines to use so I found a few sewing blogs that have inspired me. See my blog list, under the title "Sewing, a talent I'm trying to develop." I found a great pattern for burp cloths on Jills blog.

I hit up the only two fabric stores in town, in search for the perfect fabric for my first sewing project. I was disappointed to learn that fabric is so expensive, especially for an armature sewer like myself. I took a sewing class in college so I know the basics, but I don't feel comfortable spending $5/per yard for fabric.

Yard sales are popular around here, I stopped by one and found a box full of nice fabric. I selected a few of the nicest fabrics, most were over 3 yards each! I only paid $1.00, what a bargain!! Later on this week I stopped by the thrift store near our home and found 1.5 yards of Polynesian print fabric for 50 cents and 3 receiving blankets for $1.00 each.

Here are the finished products! My next project: Baby shoes, I'm so excited!

I made 5 of the Polynesian print burp cloths.


I made 7 burp cloths with the used receiving blankets.