DIY Upcycled Solar Lamp Posts

Robin @ ReDo It Yourself Inspirations has post segments called "Cut the Cord". She provides so many clever ideas for outdoor lighting solutions sans conventional electricity.
A while ago I had seen a photo on Pinterest from her posts. Later I took a trip to a local flea market and found these lamps without shades that were perfect for this project.

I had not realized how almost identical they are to the ones used in the inspiration photo. Pretty close right?

So I did the same thing. Took out the wiring, electrical components and cut the cord! Then I spray painted them black to match the solar lamps. I used Rust-Oleum Spray Paint, in Satin Canyon Black.

I didn't glue the lamps on though. They actually fit right into the post so I don't think the glue is absolutely necessary. If I see that they get affected by wind then I'll glue them down. They turned out really cute though and make excellent front door accents.

I hope you give this a try too.

Solar is the future and the future is now!

DIY Jeans Refashion Ideas

Have an old pair of plain jeans that need some new life?

Here is some inspiration for DIY refashions you can do to spruce that pair of denim. Get your scissors, needles, thread and/or Beacon Fabri-Fix Fabric Glue ready! You can add printed fabric, lace trim, jewels, paint, embroidery...all sorts of embellishments. Now these are mainly ideas for the ends of the pant legs like cuffs but you can add details to just about anywhere on your jeans. Make them your own and make them stand out.

1. Cut out and weave other fabric through

2. Sew on colorful rhinestones

3. Hand embroider your own designs

4. Add metallic and patterned trims

5. Brocade silk fabric cuffs

6. Side split with fabric insert

7. Add embroidered floral appliques

8. Cut out the denim and stitch outlines

9. Split open sides and add in different colored denim

10. Split open sides of wide jeans to get breezy almost flared jeans

11. Hand paint all kinds of designs

12. Add grommets and ribbon

13. Cute bunny cuffs

14. Add embroidered floral mesh fabric for sheerness and flare

15. Shiny sequin fabric cuffs

16. Take a permanent marker and doodle

17. Add pom-pom fringe trim

18. Add flower and pearl details

19. 2 in 1 upcycled a skirt and pair of jeans to give them plenty of flare (tutorial by DIYbohemian

20. Add lace

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Refashion | An Old T-Shirt + Scrap Piece of Fabric

thee inspiration:

Giving color and pattern to a solid comfy t-shirt, looks simple enough to me. I had this bright red-orange tee and a remnant of fabric leftover from this wrap and tie pantskirt I made. This fabric piece just goes so well with the shirt. It was meant to be.

First I did was mark how high I wanted the center back. I basically made go to where the front neckline is. Then fold the shirt in half, with side seams meeting in the middle. Create the shape you want for the front and back "v"s. Well I guess the back is more curved than a "v" but you get it. I had the front "v" end right above the belly button.

Once that was cut out (leaving a 1/4" seam allowance) I took my scrap piece of fabric, evened it out and sewed it in half lengthwise. The piece was 37.5" long by 30" wide so 15" when folded in half.

I have a similar shirt that I like the back length of so I used it as a reference. Within this piece of fabric I was able to get both front and back pieces. Starting with the top back curve.

Then the front after the back is all cut out. Make sure the width is the same as where it meets up on the sides. After that I had it flare out some since this fabric doesn't stretch like the t-shirt does.

So the seams on the fabric will end up in the middle and should then be sewed to your t-shirt. I did the front first then the back.

I wanted the front middle corner to line up exactly with the middle seam of the fabric. It was a little tricky but got it eventually.

After the front is attached to the front and the back to back you can serge the raw edges. Then you can attach the sides together and serge those. After all that even out the bottom a bit, get it how you want and hem it.

All done!

Renew & reuse!

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