the ReFab Diaries

Last year I had a lot more time than money so I made most of my Christmas gifts ... it was exhausting but the response was gratifying.  This year, I have very little time ... and keep seeing amazing DIY gift ideas like the one above! Use the cover of a hardback book to make a cable organizer.



Or to make an iPad cover! If you're willing and able to skip the stores and use your hands this holiday, check out this great DIY gift Design Sponge round up!

I started collecting orange tree ornaments a long long time ago ... so my tree is colorful!  In a world that is shades of grey, black, brown and white, I like color.  But if I had to try monochrome holiday decorating, I'd use felt and any other fabric that's warm ...





Make these lovely decorations yourself care of The Purl Bee.  And here's a link to last year's felt garland.

It's vintage. And velvet. And involves turning unusual pieces of old fabric into an unexpected holiday wreath.



It's irresistibly kitsch ... go make it.

This whimsical, portable, transformable, retro-cottagy, wonderous idea taps into my inner little girl like little else I've seen recently. Not to mention my inner-applique-lover.



 Head over to Prudent Baby for the full tutorial and lots more images.

Whew ... we did it! Here's the DIY Rosie the Riveter toddler costume.  

Saw the idea in a magazine and thought it looked comfortable for a squiggly 15 month old!  Thrift store shirt and jacket, a "du-rag" from Jo-Ann's and a couple of pins from Zazzle.com.  Total: $9.  

Last year, my 4 month old got to be a bookworm for Halloween.  Now she walks and kinda talks and has some very definite opinions about things.  So now what??  It's going to be handmade.  And it's going to be simple.  If I can pull it off, I'll post pics ... (update: here they are!)

Wonderful, creative ideas for re-using book pages to wrap gifts ... everything shown in the pics above is explained either here or here.  Thanks to Alisa Burke. 

I can also see the obvious paper-towel / cardboard tube upcycle option.  Full set of instructions at Today's Nest.

Helen Dardik inspired the toys I made for Christmas 2009 ... I LOVE her aesthetic.  Once again, she's offering free printable gift tags!  Get 2010 or 2011.