Recyled T-Shirt Knit Rug

I got the brilliant idea to use up some old t-shirts laying around the house. I cut them into 1 inch circular strips and looped them together, made a big ball and knitted away on size 13 needles. This is one comfy rug....thrift stores and garage sales are a great place to find old t-shirts for a great price. Our local thrift stores sell a bag of clothes for $8. It only took me about 8 shirts for this rug, it fits under an oblong laundry basket. Half of the shirts were kid sized!


I would love to hear any other great uses for used t-shirts, lets make a list!

1. T-Shirt scarf
2. Cut favorite shirt fronts and make a quilt
3. Sew openings shut, stuff and turn a favorite shirt into a pillow
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Book Review and Blog Tour

Thanks to Staci C. at Random House I was given this book to review, I am not paid for my opinions.

White Picket Fences, by Susan Meissner is another book that I read through in one evening, simply too good to put down, even at 3:00 a.m.!

Teenagers, Holocaust survivors, and a Black Sheep of the family all come together in unexpected ways to teach us many lessons about love, life and family in this book! You would never imagine a few teenagers to bond with a couple of old men in a nursing home, but not only do they bond, but Susan Meissner weaves a tail of intrigue that keeps you interested in this entirely believeable story. Tally, a sixteen year old is left alone with her grandmother who unexpectedly dies, leaving only Amanda, her aunt to care for her, a normal life is not what comes along with Tally once she begins school and takes a class with her cousin Chase. Chase has secrets, his parents have secrets, but they do not realize the pain the secrets are going to bring. Read this book to find how secrets and survivors all work together to bring a family back together and towards healing.

I definately recommend this book, Susan Meissner brings out the best and worst in her characters, and reaches into their inner beings as she tells the story of White Picket Fences.

To purchase this book go to http://www.randomhouse.com/

Free Pattern!

Today I wrote up a dish cloth pattern that I created while playing around with some stitches so I thought I would share it with you!day I wrote up a dish cloth pattern that I created while playing around with some stitches so I thought I would share it with you!

Lulu Cloth

Size 7 Needle
Cotton Yarn, Peaches and Crème, Sugar and Crème, etc.

Cast on 38 stitches, or any even amount depending on width you would like!

Border Rows (2)
Row 1: K1, P1 across row
Row 2: P1, K1 across row

Row 3 and all odd rows: P1, K1, P across to last 2 stitches, P1, K1
Row 4: K1, P1, P2, K2 to last 2 stitches, K1, P1
Row 6: P1, Kl, K2, P2 to last 2 stitches, P1, K1

Repeat Rows 3-6 until desired length, then repeat row 1 and 2 for border edge and bind off!

**Let me know if you have any questions!

Book Review: Burnt Shadows, By Kamila Shamsie

Thanks to Picador I have received a copy of Burnt Shadows, by Kamila Shamsie to review.

Kamila writes a haunting tale of a beautiful young woman scarred physically as well as emotionally by the bombing of Nagasaki. Left alone she leaves Nagasaki and seeks out the family of her lost fiance.

As Hiroko meets her dead fiance's family she helps us realize the heartbreak one suffers in war, and how one can be healed and live again.

This is not a story that is charming or a light read, but a good story about a not so good event. Hiroko brings us along on her journey, a journey that is not always pleasant, but yet she survives.

Book Review: Best Friends Forever

Thanks to Simon and Schuster, Inc. I have received a copy of Best Friends Forever, by Jennifer Weiner to review on my blog.

Can a betrayel between two best friends ever be mended? As an over-weight high schooler Addie Downs values her friendship with Valerie, until popular Valerie turns on Addie. Will the past ever be forgiven? Now famous, Valerie one day knocks on Addie's door, opening up a mystery that brings both women back to their past. Loyalty, history and small town happenings are abundant in this humorous novel.

I think Jennifer Weiner does an excellent job portraying her characters as believable people, she lets us into their lives while triggering memories of our own experiences while growing up. I recommend this book for a light-hearted girly read!

Well, I decided my scarf needed an embellishment so I added a double layered flower. I had bought a few old necklaces at a garage sale this summer so I detached the (fake)pearls and attached them to the flower, I think the result is quite stunning. I wore the scarf last night and everyone loved it!

Grosgrain: Shabby Apple 'Dare to Design' Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Shabby Apple 'Dare to Design' Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sound of Sleigh Bells Winner

Heidi V......you are my winner, please email me your address and I will put your book in the mail!

Congratulations!!!