How to make a mini wreath from a purse handle

Now that 99.9% of the Christmas decorations are packed up and tucked away my thoughts turn to the next holiday to craft for.....that would be Valentine's Day!

 The Crochet Dude has a whole bunch of new tools and supplies out. One of which is a col set of clear plastic purse handles.

I was flipping through the new book Indigo Junction's Fabric Flowers and I spotted this recycled sweater wreath.

So I thought I'd get out my stash of recycled wool felted sweater scraps and see what I could whip up for Valentine's Day using the purse handle as my wreath base.

I simply free form cut out a bunch of randomly sized hearts out of a variety of colors and hot glued them, again randomly, onto the purse handle. I used a strip of sweater that I cut out of a collar section to hang the mini Valentine wreath from my cafe curtain rod. I'm feelin' the love!

If you are like me and like making all sorts of pretty things out of fabric (and recycled wool sweaters) I bet you will love:

Indigo Junction's Fabric Flowers
by
Amy Barickman

More about the book from the publisher Indygo Junction:

"Express your individual style by adding a wink to your wardrobe or room with these beautiful blooms from Indygo Junction s Fabric Flowers. You ll find 25 quick and easy flower projects for wearing, decorating and sharing, with inspiring techniques for the novice to the more advanced creative enthusiast. Recycle your jeans, ties, sweaters and t-shirts, combine cotton prints into one-of-a-kind fashion statements, create painterly effects of needle felting, and play with felt, wools, and silks. 50 fabric variations to spark your creativity are included! From a simple rose created from re-purposed denim jeans to a full wedding bouquet of felted roses, the projects in this book teach traditional techniques and introduce you to flower making short-cut methods, featuring Clover Needlecrafts tools: needle felting tools, Kanzashi Flower Makers, Quick Yo-Yo Makers, Flower Frill Templates and more."

How to cut a pair of socks and make them lace up the back

I love to cut things up, no surprise there. And I have cut my fair share of socks but always horizontally, but today I have my first vertical cut (also known as "steeking" in the sweater/knitting world). I was inspired by this page in the wonderful knitting book Wendy Knits Lace: Essential Techniques and Patterns for Irresistible Everyday Lace.

This page features a pair of socks that have a line of lacework up the back center that is so beautiful. I thought I could steek a pair of socks and add some lace trim to make them lace up the back.
How I made my lace-up the back socks:
I tried the socks on and marked the spot I wanted to cut down to and I also measured the socks while they were on me from the bottom to the top edge. I did this because I knew the socks were stretching a bit and the lace trim I was using did not stretch. It ended up being about an inch and a half longer than when the socks were off.

So all I did was cut from the top edge down to the back of the ankle.
Then pinned on the lace trim to each side stretching the sock evenly to be as long as the trim.
I sewed the trim on using a stretch stitch and slightly pulling the sock as I sewed.
I did take great care to make sure both sides of the trim matched up.
I then used 1/4 inch organza ribbon to lace the two sides back up.

Whether you like to knit your lace or you are like me and are a Sweater (knit) Surgeon I bet you will love and be inspired by the too pretty book from Potter Craft:
Wendy Knits Lace: Essential Techniques and Patterns for Irresistible Everyday Lace
by
Wendy D. Johnson

"With 20 original patterns for gorgeous lace shawls, sweaters, hats, gloves and of course socks, popular blogger and author Wendy D. Johnson provides thorough instruction on the best lace techniques for aspiring, experienced and advanced knitters. Many knitters are intimidated by lace, but with a little guidance anyone can create beautiful pieces. As she did for the toe-up sock technique, Wendy demystifies lace knitting by thoroughly explaining the basics and offering the best techniques to create the most intricate-looking patterns. She shares a wealth of tips that will help new lace knitters avoid any frustration. Twenty projects for beginners through to advanced knitters include scarves, shawls, afghans, accessories and sweaters. Ranging from a lightweight seashell camisole for summer to a thick cowl for winter, Wendy presents projects that are surprisingly easy and fun to create and great to wear year-round."

Double the Sweater Surgery crafty goodness

I did an event at the Burbank Library where attendees made recycled wool felted sweater flower rings with me and these twin girls were just so darn cute! They just cracked me up.

If crafting puts a smile on your face too, check out what my fellow crafters are up to:

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration returns to The Impatient Crafter Blog! Madge makes a retro inspired upcycled gift box!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to cut and lay a recycled end grain wood floor, a tip on how to cut tissue paper easier, a recipe for vegan white and milk chocolate and some wild crochet designs.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Learn how to crochet a cute striped Christmas tree skirt.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi decides to make a companion piece to the hand-painted and stitched silk quilt she just finished. Time to get painting again!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi shares a second Humphrey the Elephant 3D card.

Craft. You.
An inspiring interview with Crafty Mastermind Mark Montano!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy shares a hand-made gift that someone else makes that is perfect for pet lovers.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
See how to make a tubular wine bottle tote from a cardboard mailing tube.

Recycled sweater, fabric and button cuff

I had the opportunity to cut stuff up with the Xyron Creatopia and I just had to test drive it with some recycled wool felted sweaters. So I whipped up a few cuffs.
I applied some dry adhesive onto the back of the fabric with the Creatopia.
I then ran the fabric and a rough cut of wool felted sweater through the Creatopia using the two scalloped edge blades. I widened the blades for the sweater strip to create a border.

Then I pealed off the backing paper from the fabric strip and stuck it down to the sweater strip.

I wired a button to one end and then wrapped it around my wrist to get the button hole placement. I used the die cutting attachment to die cut some hearts for a final embellishment.

That's my latest bit of Sweater Surgery I have to share with you! Happy cuttin'

Recycled Sweater Christmas trees...or hats? Inspired by Nicky Epstein's Knitting Block by Block

I make a bunch of Christmas trees every year and this year's group is inspired by one of my all time favorite knitting designers-Nicky Epstein and her latest book of absolutely amazing eye candy bits in the form of knit goodness-Knitting Block by Block: 150 Blocks for Sweaters, Scarves, Bags, Toys, Afghans, and More! How you say that a book on knitted blocks do I come away with inspiration to make Christmas trees? I will tell you. The spectacular details and dimensional textures in the book make me think of all sorts of objects and with my stash of sweaters I can grab the scissors and I am off and crafting. That's not to say the knitting needles aren't going to see some action soon too.
Today I have my Recycled Sweater Christmas tree tutorial for you.
First I made some cardboard cones with some recycled shipping envelopes and cereal boxes and Duct tape.
From the sweater stash I found a sweater that had a similar rolled edge as my inspiration swirl block from Knitting Block by Block. This is where the idea came from. The circling around ruffle made me think of a Christmas tree.
All that was left to do was hot glue the sweater edge strips to the cardboard cone starting at the bottom and working up. I liked the first one so much I went back to the stash and made 2 more with more green striped sweaters. The little top curved over part just happened and I decided to leave it.

The other unintended tree came from all the cool zipper crafts that are around now, one of my sweaters had a green zipper so I seam ripped it out and popped it on a cardboard cone too.

If you like lots (150) of knitting patterns and textures along with the great concept of working modularly in blocks you will LOVE this book! I will be savoring mine!
Knitting Block by Block: 150 Blocks for Sweaters, Scarves, Bags, Toys, Afghans, and More
by

Nicky Epstein

More about the book from the publisher- Potter Craft:

"Create gorgeous sweaters, bags, afghans, and toys just by knitting the simplest of shapes—a square!

No one forgets the sweet victory of completing their first knitted block, but most of us quickly move on to more complex constructions, only making swatches for guage. In this comprehensive volume, celebrated designer and innovator Nicky Epstein reimagines the humble block with 150 new patterns and masterfully demonstrates how to mix, match, and easily combine them into stunning one-of-a-kind garments and accessories.

Inside you will find:

• 150 original block patterns, from simple textures to embossed pictorials, intricate lace to cables, colorwork, double knit, and more, all with Nicky’s signature wit, verve, and style.
• More than ten exclusive project designs that will make you say “I can’t believe that is made out of blocks!”
• Detailed guidance for creating exciting pieces out of block knitting, without using increases or decreases.
• Exclusive cut-and-paste project design pages. Simply cut out the printed blocks and arrange them to help create your own masterpieces.

Blocks are quick to knit, portable pieces perfect for group and charity projects, and now not limited to just afghans! Knitting Block by Block gives you the tools to unlock a world of creative possibilities and confidently build your own design “blockbusters,” one block at a time.

Beloved knitwear designer NICKY EPSTEIN is the bestselling author of numerous books, including Knitting on Top of the World, Knitting on the Edge, and Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch. Her designs have also been featured in Vogue Knitting magazine and many other knitting publications, on television, and at art exhibitions. She currently resides in New York City and travels extensively, teaching and lecturing. "

Recycled Sweater Shrug with "Bite Me" Embroidery inspired by the luscious book Vampire Knits by Genevieve Miller

Yup, you read the title right! We here at Sweater Surgery have another fun sweater recycling design, this time inspired by the book Vampire Knits: Projects to Keep You Knitting from Twilight to Dawn. It is filled with wonderfully designed knitting projects full of great details that had me running to my sweater stash to see what I could make first, because I just had to have something right away!
I love shrugs and with it almost cool enough to wear one here in SoCal making one seemed like a great place to start. You can't go wrong with black so this giant black sweater with fabulously long sleeves (my favorite for being able to pull down over my always cold hands) and great big turtleneck was perfect for a little sweater surgery.
I was in luck in that the sleeves came apart with just a few snips of the thread that held it together and I cut the body of the sweater off the turtleneck without cutting into the knit stitches of the turtleneck thus preventing it from unraveling.
Then I cut the turtleneck open along its seam. I then sewed a button over a snap to make my new closure.
In Vampire Knits they give you patterns for fonts that you can duplicate stitch but I was in the mood for a bit more of a rough look and I was working with a ribbed sweater so I thought I'd go with just a quick down and dirty embroidery with a silver metallic Kreinik thread #8. And I do have a fondness for this phrase that seemed rather vampire appropriate (I did the cross stitch of it from the Subversive Cross Stitch book :)

Side note, I just made the "happy face" and used the closed parenthesis simultaneously...how often does that happen??

Well there are tons more details in Vampire Knits that I can't wait to incorporate in my recycling and knitting projects! If you're more the type that likes to work straight from a pattern I bet you will love making the designs in this book too!
Vampire Knits: Projects to Keep You Knitting from Twilight to Dawn
By
Genevieve Miller

"Product Description from Potter Craft

Surrender to the allure of knits inspired by the immortals we all love to fear. If you adore Twilight, True Blood, or The Vampire Diaries, this collection of 28 imaginative and beautiful projects is sure to captivate.

• Black capes are so 1897, instead get stylish with the dead sexy Sidhe Shrug.
• Unleash your inner shapeshifter with the Werewolf Hat.
• Keep warm while holding hands with your vampire by wearing these Bellisima Mittens.
• Around humans? Use the Blood Bottle Cozies to disguise your beverage.

Whether you are wandering the Carpathian Mountains or the bayous of Louisiana, these smoldering projects—for knitters of all levels—will keep you well protected, no matter what you attract.

About the Author

GENEVIEVE MILLER was inspired to design her own patterns after reading Twilight. She is the mother of three and luckily married to a guy who doesn't mind the house being taken over by a giant yarn stash. She lives in Pasadena, California. "

American Sewing Guild Los Angeles Chapter Meeting at Urban Craft Center Done Sweater Surgery Style

I had the pleasure of being asked to speak at the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Sewing Guild's last meeting held at the Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica. I thouroughly enjoyed meeting everyone, chatting about the peculiarities of sewing with sweaters and sharing a fun project of making Sizzix die cut recycle wool felted flowers with them. They all were so creative!

Here is a fun shot "bouquet" shot of their bloomin' creativity! Thank you so much for having me!
Now on to some cool crafty links for your Monday Enjoyment!

Cathie Filian
Whip up tattered rose with scrap fabrics, gems and hot glue. They are simple to make and perfect for embellishing!
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a polka dot wreath quilt block pattern, and a wild spin on the American Flag Quilt, a how-to on making a gelatin stamp print, a free bird card template download and more!
Crafty Princess Diaries
Tag, you are it! Or, at least if you use your tags well on Etsy, it will go a long way in making your shop successful.
Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Have you papier-mached yet? Let Eileen tell you how.
Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a second free project from her new book Bead Chic with another signed book giveaway!
Mixed Media Artist
Is it a whirli-gig or part of the solar system? Cyndi has been experimenting with needle felting.
Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
At Sweater Surgery there is a review of the new book: Jil Eaton's Knitting School.
About Family Crafts
It is time to get serious about Halloween costumes. These resources will help you decide what to be for Halloween.
Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses another fab Plaid stencil for this newly embellished t-shirt!

Recycled Sweater Gearhead hot pad inspired by the book- The Journal Junkies Workshop

You gotta love a book that has the words "Art Addict" in it like The Journal Junkies Workshop: A Visual Ammunition for the Art Addict does. Making art is one of my new year's resolutions. I don't know if this qualifies because it does in fact have a function. I made a recycled wool felted sweater hot pad inspired by one of the pages.

I love the image of the head with gears in it and I love even more the term "gearhead" so this is truly a twofer!

All I did was trace the head profile shape from the book and added a few die cut gears that I made with the Tim Holtz Sizzix die.

If you get stumped on what to make today and need some inspiration and direction, here is a great solution to it!
About the book The Journal Junkies Workshop: A Visual Ammunition for the Art Addict by Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler from North Light Books:

"Discover a truly no-nonsense approach to documenting your life with a visual journal. You'll be relieved to see how easy it is to use a plethora of art techniques and not only how to make marks, but how to translate your experiences and thoughts to your journal. In addition to discussion about various types of journals to work in, you will be walked through step-by-step instruction for everything from drawing and doodling to watercolor and stenciling.

Eric Scott is an artist/educator who currently teaches art to high school students in Loudoun County, VA. For nine years, he has focused on the use of a visual journal. David Modler is an artist/educator as well, with 15 years of art education experience. He and Eric call themselves the Journal Fodder Junkies and have given workshops and presentations at regional and national conventions. "

Win a Copy of Sweater Surgery

If you read this blog and you are someone other than my mother and you don't already have a copy of my book

Sweater Surgery:
How to Make New Things from Old Sweaters

By yours truly,

Stefanie Girard

and want to throw your name into the proverbial hat to win one...

pop on over to this post at Recycled Crafts at Craft Gossip and leave a comment by Midnight Wednesday May 26th 2010 and you will be in the running!

Sweater Surgery:
How to Make New Things from Old Sweaters

By yours truly,

Stefanie Girard

"Contemporary crafters are thriving on personalizing, modifying, and altering fashion as not only hobbies but as a lifestyle.

Why repurpose your sweaters? Because you can't buy sweater fabric by the yard. Sweaters get damaged or go out of style but we still love the prints, colors, and textures. You don't have time to knit it from scratch. It's ecologically correct. And most of all--it's fun!

Sweater Surgery shows you how to upcycle all your slightly worn, slightly damaged, or plain old out-of-style sweaters into fabulous new items for your wardrobe and your home. Readers learn how to choose, cut, restitch, felt, and embellish old sweater fabric, transforming it into beautiful handbags, mittens, scarves, hats, hoodies, skirts, jewelry, soft toys, pillows, and more!

Complete instructions for 27 projects, plus a huge gallery of exciting ideas for further inspiration."

Good luck all ya'll lovers of the scissors! ♥✂

How to make recycled sweater tags inspired buy the one in: Hand-Me-Ups By Lorine Mason

Ready, set, cut!

I love when I see a recycling project that I have everything to make already. That's not to say I don't love hunting for new things, I'm just saying when I was flipping through super fun and cute Hand-Me-Ups and I saw this stylish monogram felt luggage tag I new I had Sizzix dies that were virtually the same size letter and a circle die that I was betting would work too, so I was ready to craft!

I just fused some Heat and Bond on the back of a piece of recycled felted wool sweater and then ran the backed piece through the Sizzix die cutter with the letter "P" die.

I cut a non-backed piece of recycle wool felted sweater through with the circle die.
Then pealed the paper backing off and pressed them together.
Well, I just got the Tim Holtz gear die and I thought I'd put one of the gears on the back side of my baggage tag. I was on a roll and cut lots of gears. Not sure what they will "turn" into but I will be sure to keep you posted!

More about the book from the publisher Krause Publications:
Hand Me-Ups: Recrafting Kid's Clothes with Easy Techniques and Fun Designs

By Lorine Mason

"Hand-Me-Ups features 25+ exciting projects, all based on recycled items you can take from the closet or purchase second hand. By reworking the materials and then jazzing up the pieces with trendy embellishments and simple techniques, you can create fashion forward looks for today's kids. Includes a variety of projects such as clothing, belts, jewelry, shoes, bags and totes.

Lorine Mason is a crafting projects designer, utilising a variety of mediums. She has authored articles on home decor, the principles of designing projects for children and cross erchandising. She is the author of two other books by Krause Publications - Fashion Sweatshirts and Fashion Sweatshirts: Tots to Tweens."

CHA Carol Duvall in the Judikins booth news and Crafty blogger links

If you are coming to the retail Craft Super Show, come and take the Customize your Greeting Card Album register here with me.

Class Description:

Saturday January 23

3-5 PM

Put your personal touch on a Card Album specifically designed to store, gently bind and display your cherished greeting cards that you've received or made. Crafters will get their groove on with Judikins stamps, inks, and glazes along with Sizzix dies using beautiful papers and embellishments from Creativity Inc.'s Autumn Leaves Collection.

In addition to my 2 classes (the Sweater Surgery Bird Necklace in previous post) the fabulous and talented Jeannine Stein

author of:

Re-Bound will be teaching a class.

Class description:

Learn how to make eye-catching and functional handmade books using recycled materials and the latest in scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies. Jeannine Stein, author of "Re-Bound: Creating Handmade Books From Recycled and Repurposed Materials" will show quick and easy ways to take every day objects and made them into one-of-a-kind books. Projects include a planner made from a decorative file folder, a two-sided mini book made from a vintage flash card, and a photo album made from food packaging. Come away with three books and countless new and exciting ways to use papers and embellishments.

This class is Sunday, Jan. 24th from noon 12-2 PM. The # is W0507 and here is the link.

And she will be doing the Make and Takes on Monday the 25th from 11 AM to 1 PM. in the Quarry booth #2144 where you can make this super cute book made from bingo cards and the inside pages are Montgomery Ward catalog pages and old ledger pages. The binding is a five-hole pamphlet stitch.

For the full CHA schedule of author signings and Make and takes see Monday's 2 posts at Craftside.

Also in fabulous fun CHA news:

Carol Duvall will be signing copies of her book

Paper Crafting with Carol Duvall

in the Judikins Booth #720 on Friday And Saturday

There will also be 4 fabulous demonstrators in the Judikins booth so you should definitely swing by and pick up some cool techniques and while your there do some shopping (This is where you can buy Greeting Card Albums!)

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week Craftside's got tutorials on how to make a paw print place mat, a tasty "bite" from the new book The Designer's Graphic Stew, how to sew a neckband into a neckline, all the CHA author details and how to make a scratching box for your cat.

About Family Crafts
Sherri shares a collection of craft projects, all made from fleece fleece fabric. You can make everything from Sleeved Blankets for yourself and your pet to simple hats and scarves.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Get into the early Valentine spirit with these colorful and cute Valentine brooches!

Cathie Filian
Check out Cathie's CHA plans! Her new book 101 Snappy Fashions and her new product line will be unveiled.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Is it really possible to quit your day job and become a full-time crafter?

Cross Stitch at About.com
Cutesy Cross Stitch not your style? Seeking stitches for your sarcastic friends and family members? Check out Connie's snarky stitchery patterns for a refreshing change of pace that avoids an X rating.

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Learn to make Linda's favorite baby-quilt standby--Baby Blocks.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
It's Chipboard Week at The Impatient Crafter and Madge throws down an 80s inspired mixed media necklace for iLoveToCreate!

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi's shibori fabric is finished...and it was easy to make!

The Artful Crafter
Are you sometimes frazzled by all the demands for your time? Here's Eileen's plan to make more time for her art.

The Crochet Dude
Drew reviews Arctic Lace by Donna Druchunas, and enter to win some lace weight qiviut!

Sweater Surgery flowers as rings on gloves Inspired by a project from the eco-friendly book Refashioned Bags

Do you like to have a "hand" in your accessories?

I am sure you know by now I love to:

A. Repurpose everything
B. Customize and personalize everything

So that is what I did!

I took this great project from the book Refashioned Bags and personalized it Sweater Surgery style and instead of just adding a button I kicked it up a notch and in addition to the button I added some die cut flowers made from recycled wool felted sweaters.
----------------------------------------------------------

Will you be at The Craft Super Show or the trade show that follows, CHA in Anaheim, CA
Jan 21-27th?

Than you can have some fun with me!

I will be teaching the classes:

-Customize your Greeting Card Album from 3-5 on Sat 23rd

This is part of the new retail show and that means anyone can come!

-Make a Recycled Sweater Bird necklace from 12-2 Monday the 25th

Room # 212B

This is the trade show so you have to be a member of the trade to attend.

-Doing a book signing of my book, Sweater Surgery in the Barnes & Noble 10-11 on Tuesday 26th
And

A Make & Take of these super cute button and sweater flowers with a book signing of Sweater Surgery in my Publisher's booth #2144
from 3-5PM also on Tuesday 26th

I look forward to seeing any and all of you there at any of these great classes and activities!

--------------------------------------------------

Hey and if you need more info about the super cool book:

Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags

By
Faith Blakeney and Justina Blakeney

From the Publisher, Potter Craft:

"Reduce, Reuse, Refashion! Handbags are the ultimate accessory. Fortunately, you don't need a cookie-cutter designer bag to make a fashion statement. In today's greener, more fiscally responsible world, it makes a lot more sense–and is a lot more fun—to make your own. Whether your closet is already an amalgam of hand-made clothing and remastered mash-ups or you're diving into DIY for the very first time, bags are one of the easiest accessories to make over and require little more than a needle, thread, and everyday items you can find in the closet, garage, attic, or flea market. That's why the authors of 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim & Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special show you how to make boutique-ready bags on the cheap. The Blakeney sisters twist and weave, turn inside-out, and reappropriate just about anything and everything to fashion radical accessories with mad style and a message.

In Refashioned Bags, you'll learn how to create carryalls, clutches, laptop bags, totes, and more. And all of them will get a unique look, whether from the use of an old wool sweater, an ex-boyfriend's neckties, extra shower curtains, dad's hand-me-down suit jacket, a quilt, an umbrella, or even a bath mat. Some of the inventive and one-of-a-kind bags you'll learn to make include:

• Boho Hobo Bag
• Sweater Computer Cozy
• Dapper Diaper Bag
• Dolce Doily Purse
• Le Zip Sac
• Tux Redux Bag And more!

Helpful diagrams accompany the step-by-step instructions, along with bonus crafting ideas, fun facts, and tips and tricks from top bag designers in the DIY field who work with, at times, unusual materials. By following just a few easy steps that require little more than cutting, folding, gluing, and basic stitching, you'll be able to add refashioned bag designer to your repertoire. "

How to make a Max from the Grinch antler headband from recycled sweaters

Well in my belly dance class my fabulous and creative teacher, Leela, likes to mix things up. Our current choreography is to a Christmas song and we wear antlers in class, it's a blast! Who is my favorite "reindeer"? It's Max from the Grinch!

So what's a Christmas antler wearing belly dancer crafter to do? Why whip up a Max antler!


This is the sketch I did to try to figure out size and shape. Not fancy but workable.
Then I cut a strip of felted off white wool sweater about 12 1/2 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide.
Then I folded a length of floral wire in half and twisted it around itself to make a bit of an armature.
Then I just rolled the sweater around the wire and hot glued it in place.
I curved the base of the antler into the curve using my sketch and repeated the process for the two little branches coming off the main stick. Those pieces were about 2 1/2 inches wide by 3 inches long.

All that was left to do was cover an old head band with another recycled sweater bit and glue the antler onto the headband. I did dress it up by adding a bow (plaid of course) and a tiny ornament.

Sweater Surgery attacks t-shirts and cuts them up into some cute gathered tops with the help of Generation-T Beyond Fashion

Me and my scissors have been busy!
I won a copy of Generation T: Beyond Fashion over at Cut out and Keep and probably next to cutting Sweaters up I like cutting t-shirts up, aw who am I kidding, I cut all types of clothing up. Well, this book is uber -inspirational with cute and easy to follow instructions for 120 more ideas (I have the first Generation-T book too).

This T-shirt project for adding a gather under the bust line they call a "materni-tee" but I love empire waist clothing so this NOT preger whipped up 2 tops.

The one above I also top stitched elastic on the sleeves making them pouffe (technical term)

I also took strips of scrap t-shirt from another project and used them to pull down the cut neckline into a square neck.

To do this just make a little snip in the t-shirt along the armhole, thread the strip of t-shirt through this hole and around the neck opening. Then just tie a bow.

Here is another big t-shirt that I did a gather too and I also cut the sleeves off to make it tank style and open up the neckline a bit.
More about the book from Workman Publishing:

Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt
By
Megan Nicolay

"Megan Nicolay revolutionized the T-shirt. She repurposed it, reinterpreted it, reinvented it—and created the #1 craft book in the nation, Generation T, which continues to dominate. Now she explores new ways to slash a tee, scrunch a tee, and sew a tee with Generation T: Beyond Fashion. A collection of 120 projects for every occasion, it takes the humble yet ever-malleable tee in dozens of new directions—from baby gifts to pet accessories, stuff for the home, the car, the road, the boyfriend.

The rallying cry is: Don't buy; DIY. The result is hip, imaginative, crafty, and very green. There's a basic primer on techniques—knotting, sewing, braiding, lacing—plus a full tutorial on embellishing. And then an amazing range of projects. There’s fashion, of course: all-new halters and tank tops, sexy gaucho pants, a baby-doll dress, twisted shrug, and hooded scarf. But also baby gifts: Jumper for Joy, Baby Back Bib, Wild Thing Blankie. Home décor: plant hanger, wine cozy, toilet seat cover, ruffled apron, and Spastic Plastic (grocery tote). Grill mitts and bolo ties for the guys, doggie tee and stuffed cat toys, a steering wheel cover for the car, the Ants Go Marching (picnic blanket), and Beach Bum (beach caddy). Projects range from the simplest no-sew to intermediate, and all have easy-to-follow illustrated directions—plus, how to throw your own Tee Party.

Time to get your craft on.

Megan Nicolay has been traveling around the country like a pied piper of DIY, giving workshops and consulting at craft events since the publication of her bestseller, Generation T. She is a founding member of the Department of Craft, a New York City–based craft collective, and lives in Brooklyn, New York."