Penguin Thermal Shirt and Boy Shorts

Here's another onesie upcycle for Joy...

...from a newborn long-sleeve onesie

This was another fast, easy sew! I think the newborn sizes are way easier to upcycle for shirts and boy shorts. The larger sizes are better for dresses and nightgowns.

Upcycled Onesie Into Tshirt and Boy Short For Dolly

A Little Onesie Upcycle...

It has been super busy here with packing and planning and planning and packing. We close on our new house October 13th! I'm so excited!

I did take a little time today to do some sewing. Last week, I stopped by a children's consignment store next to the grocery store were I shop. I had never been there and thought it might be worth a look. I'm sooo glad I did!!! They had onesies on sale for 50 cents each!!! I bought 14 that I thought would translate well into dolly clothes.  I have found several tutorials online on how to turn these into doll shirts and nightgowns.

Here is the before...

Just a simple chop...

I cut just in the middle of the onesie... and add a couple of hems and some elastic...

and a tiny pink bow...

and now Joy has a cool new cupcake shirt and cool boy shorts to sport...all for 50 cents!!!

Sew cute!

The tutorials I have found just state to cut the top part of the onesie for the shirt and to discard the rest...but I couldn't waste the bottom part like that so I sewed the crotch area just above the snaps (and cut them off) and made a 1/2 inch casing for 1/4 inch elastic, sized to fit the doll. You could definitely use fold over elastic as well.

The "lettuce" edge on the bottom of the shirt is the easiest way to hem. Set your machine to a large zig-zag stitch, and stretch the bottom of the shirt as you catch the edge of it with the zig zag stitch...this creates that ruffle-y look. You can use this technique on any knit material. You can also do a regular hem as well.



A few tips:

Look for onesies that have neat details such as embroidery, edging, small prints that are not "baby-ish".

Newborn size is the perfect size for tshirts! You can use bigger onesies for night gowns and dresses, but most likely you will have to take them in on the sides and around the arm areas.

Newborn size socks fit the doll perfect as you can see above.

Simplicity 4347 in Yellow Gingham

This is my current situation! I'm making View A from Simplicity 4347 in some vintage yellow gingham I picked up from the thrift shop a few months ago... I'm totally loving the vintage plastic yellow buttons I found in my button stash and the eyelet lace was actually gathered but I think it looks better flat.

A New Direction...Update!!!

There have been soooo many changes at Ye Olde Trailer Park...

The first and biggest change...We are buying a HOUSE!!! With a YARD!!! and places to garden!!! And soon we will be adopting a CAT!!! I cannot wait!!! Our offer was accepted today, so now we are waiting on appraisal and inspection...I am beyond excited! I will be posting updates and etc...so stay tuned!

It has been a year since I have set up my Etsy shop...my biggest sellers were my upcycled bracelets. I believe I will still make and sell them.

I have fast been sucked into the 18 inch doll craze...not the American Girl doll...but I did buy the Our Generation doll from Target. This is Joy...she is a "Retro" doll...

We have a lot of fun. I sew her cool clothes and she models them...this is the first thing we made...it is a maxi dress made from a child's skirt...It was completed in about 15 minutes. I was super pleased how well it turned out.

Skirt-Before

Skirt-After

"Becoming A Woman of Excellence (30th Year Anniversary Edition)" by Cynthia Heald

                                           

Revised and Updated, "Becoming A Woman of Excellence" by Cynthia Heald is one of the best devotionals I have read in a long time. The title comes from the Chapter of Ruth in the Bible, specifically Ruth 3:11, where Boaz refers to Ruth as a "woman of excellence".  What makes a woman of excellence? The first thing would be a deep and abiding love of our Lord. Characteristics such as obedience, discipline and discretion are also important. This study discusses all of those things...and more. Divided into four sections, this book has 11 lessons on how to become a woman of excellence.  Each lesson has verses or passages to read and a place to write and reflect on your answers. I would definitely suggest this book for anyone from a younger teenager to an older lady. It would make a great gift.

This book was provided to me, without cost, by the publisher for an honest review.

Be Light by Samuel Rodrigues

Be Light by Samuel Rodriguez is a great 30 day devotional that extols us to be the light through Jesus Christ in this darkened world. I enjoyed this book very much after just discovering Samuel Rodriguez on the radio about two months ago.  He speaks simply and with love. In each chapter of his book, he offers a small story to illustrate his point and backs his word with relevant scripture. At the conclusion of each chapter is "Reflections" , a pithy thought to take with you as you go out in the world. This is not a "heavy" book and would be great for new Christians that are just getting into enjoying a daily devotion and long time Christians who are looking for ideas to witness.

This book provided free, by the publisher, in exchange for a honest review. 

American Woman's Bible NKJV

                                                             American Woman's Bible

Just in time for Independence Day come the new American Woman's Bible from Thomas Nelson. If you are looking for a Bible that celebrates the indomitable spirit of the American woman and exemplifies the Christian qualities that make her great, then look no further. This Bible, NKJV,  is a compact hardcover and features a crisp, clean, easy-to-read print.  This Bible contains 70 biographies of influential, if not well known, American women. Inspirational quotations are interspersed throughout and each book of this Bible has a small introduction explaining the author, setting, theme and insights. In the introduction of this Bible, an article, "A Woman's Journey to Godliness" details how you may know God and live a virtuous and noble life.  The thing I love most about this bible is that the biographies each have a theme, such as duty, courage and faithfulness, that each woman exemplified. This Bible also contains a concordance, which is usually rare, but extremely helpful!  This would be a great Bible for the women in your life and would make an awesome presentation or gift Bible (there is a presentation page just under the flyleaf).

Disclaimer: This Bible was provided, for free, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

"Delilah" by Angela Hunt

I'm not really into fiction, Christian or otherwise, unless it is classical literature, like Grace Livingston Hill.  That being said, I decided to give this book a try...I am sooo glad I did! If you are expecting a tame love story, this is not it. It is as if Peter Benchley wrote the story of Jonah. Angela Hunt writes simply, but beautifully illustrates the story of Samson and Delilah, complete with a fascinating backstory. Compassionate, yet exciting, it humanizes both characters and warns against seeking revenge and the devastating affects that can have...but it also speaks of the strength of forgiveness and the redemptive power of God's love.

"Delilah" is the 3rd book in Angela Hunt's Dangerous Beauty series that also include "Esther" and "Bathsheba"

"Delilah" by Angela Hunt


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, free of charge, in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

"The Very Good Gospel" by Lisa Sharon Harper

There is so much wrong in the world today, how can we make it better and seek the healing that will begin to bring us all closer? Lisa Sharon Harper has written a very simple, very profound explanation of Christ's forgiveness summed up in "The Very Good Gospel". Expounding on the powerful word "Shalom", she explains how we can gain peace and work towards a better life and a better world. Each chapter ends with reflection exercises that will prepare and engage you to draw closer to God and challenge you to move past prejudice and judgmental thinking. This would be a great book for anyone going through crisis or needing healing.

This book was provided, for free, by the publisher, in exchange for an honest opinion.

NKJV Teen Study Bible

This is the first Bible that I have reviewed for specifically for teenagers and I am impressed! Thinking back to my youth group days when I was a teen, this Bible would have been a God-send!!! As a teenager and young adult, I did not have a very good understanding of the Word or of God, but through careful Bible study, I was able to develop a relationship with our Lord. This Bible fills in the gaps. It begins with the Apostle's creed or "What and Why We Believe" and follows each statement of the Apostle's creed with the scripture in which it can be found in the "We Believe" sections.  The "Panorama" section helps us remember the big picture of  each book of the Bible.  Is the Bible still relevant to the problems that you face as a young person? Find out in the "To The Point" feature! "Dear Jordan" is like a trusted older friend who gives wise counsel in letters through out this Bible. "Instant Access" also gives solutions that help in every day situations that we may encounter. The "Bible Promises" feature are small gold nuggets found in the scriptures to give us hope and inspire us. Trivia is also presented in the "Q&A" feature found in each book.  With introductions for each book of the Bible and two great Bible study indexes, this is the perfect Bible for a new believer.

Disclaimer: This book provided for free, by the publisher, in exchange for an un-biased review.

"With My Eyes Wide Open" by Brian "Head" Welch

Heartbreaking-ly beautiful, brutally honest and tragically magical, Brian "Head" Welch of KoRn writes of coming home to his band and raising his daughter after his conversion to Christianity in his book, "With My Eyes Wide Open".  Don't get it twisted though, he isn't writing about warm fuzzy feelings and drinking pumpkin spice lattes while reading Joel Osteen books. He is writing about being tested by fire...legal issues, his daughter's struggle with depression and dealing with a friend's betrayal.  And through it all, he never loses faith. He cries out constantly to the Lord and in his humbleness and simplicity, this book is like a prayer. I'm not a fan of KoRn, but after reading this book, I will say that I am a fan of Brian "Head" Welch. A great read, raw and poignant, and I must confess, I shed more than a few tears.


Disclaimer: I was provided this book, for free, by the publisher, in exchange for an honest and un-biased review.  All opinions stated are my own.

NIV Lifehacks Bible

We are a busy people and the internet abounds with these little tips called "Life Hacks" that help our lives run a bit smoother. Enter the NIV Lifehacks Bible. With 365 articles containing tips, advice and practical applications, the Lifehack Bible is sure to help you with your spiritual life. Rather than scholarly information or devotionals, these articles give practical advice to help you build a vibrant relationship with our Lord. Topics include Character Formation, Journaling, Prayer, Stewardship and Gratitude, just to name a few. Also included are 30 Self-Assessments on various personal spiritual disciplines and over 75 "How-To" articles ranging from "How (and Why) to Pray the Word" to "How To Stop Worrying". I especially enjoyed the articles on how to keep different kinds of journals for bible study. This would be a great Bible for teens and young adults.

Disclosure: I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. All opinions are mine.

"Reset" by Nick Hall

"Reset" by Nick Hall is part of a movement for a new generation.  Everyday, young adults (and older people too) are bombarded by peer groups, social media and celebrities setting unrealistic standards that offer only unhappiness and emptiness. Sin is fun, but only for a season and then you are left, empty and alone. It's time for a Reset!  Written by a young man, who is on fire for Christ, "Reset" is fresh and relevant!  Nick Hall endearingly shares the troubling stories of the people he has witnessed to and the changes that he sees, while also sharing his own personal stories and struggles. The first part of his book chronicles his testimony and his ministry. The second part of the book offers advice and real suggestions that you can incorporate in your life so you can experience your own spiritual reset. This is a great book for high school-ers, college kids and young adults, I could see it being an amazing youth group study as well. I enjoyed this book tremendously and feel that the topics covered; renewing faith, making the right kind of friends, sexual purity are very important subjects for today's youths and need to be spoken about openly and earnestly which Hall has accomplished.

What will you ask Jesus to reset in your life today?

Join The Reset Movement Today

I received this book, from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Training Week is OVER!!!

And I have tomorrow off! I have some apt cleaning to catch up on and I need to make an appt for Monday for car stuff (oil change, etc).  I have received some new books in the mail on Tuesday and today, one is a review book, so I'm looking to finish that one tonight and get the review done by tomorrow:) It's called "Reset" by Nick Hall. So far, I'm loving it! I cannot resist a good book!

Busy Couple of Days!

It's been a busy couple of days! Enjoyed a local baseball game yesterday and I have training all this week with only one day off!!! Currently reading "Jesus Freaks" by DC Talk. And getting ready to read the book of Exodus in the Bible. Also started to go through all my materials and clothing (again) so I can get better organized for some sewing fun...I need to get my Etsy store stocked up again! Hoping to have the organization part done by the end of the month. So far, I only have one box packed/inventoried. The plan is to go through all the boxes and bins and inventory the items I want to keep. And then group items by type or project...This could take a while...

Size 4 Skirt...Into Size Awesome Shirt!

It was a great day here at Casa de Flamingo...Went shooting at the new gun range in town and then ate some yummy Mexican food. Bought a new book, "Fight Like A Cornered Cat" all about concealed carry for the womens:)

Came home and worked on this beauty...

This is a size 4 skirt that I picked up for $3...I loved the pattern even though I knew it was too small for me.

And this is what is became...a beautiful crop top!  I do have to fix one sleeve, but other than that, I love it! I have a black tank top that I will wear underneath it, as it is a bit shorter than I am used to, but all in all, I'm pretty impressed at how well it came out. I used the infamous Dottie Angel 1080 pattern for the shirt and did not make any adjustments as far as darts etc. If I make another one (and I probably will), I will put the bias tape on the sleeves BEFORE I sew it up...I think it would be easier that way.

Thrifty Friday

I was able to hit up two of my favorite thrift shops today and I found so really awesome items! And a few new projects. I also picked up a couple of new books! I read "Stuff That Christians Like" by Jon Acuff. I died. Hilarious!!! This guy definitely knows the struggle is REAL. I also picked up another Navigator's Life Change Bible study, this one is on the book of Romans.  I am currently reading "Before Green Gables" by Budge Wilson and I am enjoying it tremendously! I have always loved the
Anne of Green Gables books, so this was a great treat to find in the store today! I'm looking forward to reviewing both of those books very soon!

Just A Bit Of An Update

I'm still here! It is about time for an update though! Trailer Park Couture is still open on Etsy and I have sold 6 items so far! I have made quite a few projects and I have lots more coming up! My recent make, a maxi dress from a shower curtain has been very popular! A post on that coming soon! I have been working on using up my scrap satin and satin type fabric for flowers and I have made some beautiful poppies from some red scrap chiffon material. Hoping to get those in my shop soon!