Make a Bed Lounger Pillow from a T-shirt

It's been awhile since I last posted anything other than my shutterfly photo projects.  I hope to catch up on a few of my favorite projects. Very soon. For now, here's a quick project I found myself doing instead of finishing up the last of my closet de-cluttering tasks for today.

I made a....

Bed Lounger Pillow from an over-sized T-shirt.

I've been in cleaning and decluttering mode. After sorting clothes for donation and the rest for rags, I meant to sit down and cut up all the t-shirts. A few shirts in, I thought, "how easy would it be to make one of those reading pillows from an over sized T-shirt?" The pile of "rags-to-be" was abandoned and I found myself at my sewing machine stitching up a new Pillow. It was actually really easy and didn't take much time. I stuffed the middle with pillows made from one of the other t-shirts (this was to help keep the pillow's shape better) and the arm rests from the leftover sleeves and more stuffing. Before sewing it all up, I decided to add a layer of foam from a mattress pad topper I bought on clearance awhile ago. The pillow was ok without the foam, but even better with the added support. I'm so excited to use this pillow. Now I can swap the extra pillows I used to have piled up to sit up in bed. I might make a few covers for this pillow, but really I could just dress it with another shirt.

No, I didn't take any other photos while making this. It's hard to remember to when I get the itch to stitch up a quick project. The ideas rush in, the supplies get pulled out and I get started as fast as I can before I can even think about grabbing my camera. Sorry, no step-by-step tutorial, but it was really easy. I'm sure I'll make more. I don't want to have to share my pillow with anyone. So, I'll make the rest of the family one too (if they want one). If I do, I'll be sure to slow down and snap a few more photos on how to sew this project.

Here's a list of supplies I used (besides the typical thread, scissors, needles and sewing machine):


2 Long sleeved T-shirts (or just the one if you rather use pillows you have instead of making your own)
Pillows or stuffing to make your own pillow inserts using the second long sleeved T-shirt
foam used from a mattress pad

that's it!

baby shower planning fun

I've been having some fun planning a shower for my sister-in-law. It's going to be a co-ed shower, but I couldn't resist making it super girly cute (because they are having super cute baby girl!). I'm sure the guys will give over it.

For the invitations, I used Evite for an online option to RSVP. I also made invitations to give out to their friends and family. It was the first time I made an invitation sized to fit a 4" x 6" photo and get it printed 1-hour photo. It worked really well! Despite the frustrations* I've had with the quality of prints from Walgreens, the invitations turned out well.

The invitation (with personal details covered up)

Now that the invitations are done and sent, I can work on decorations, food and party activities! Actually, before making the invitations, I had the urge to make one of those cute diaper cakes I've seen online everywhere. Before starting, I checked out a few tutorials featured on YouTube. If I had more time, I would become a YouTube junkie..you can find a video about ANYTHING there..crazy!

Here's the diaper cake I made. Inside I managed to stuff it with bottles, breastmilk storage bags, and onesies.



*Mini-vent about Walgreens-they have great sales on photo prints, but everytime I get the photos printed I've noticed the colors seem off. This last time 1/2 my photos looked bleached out by the sun or like the settings on their printer were set too bright. The staff was really nice though and tried to print them out again (for free). Still the photos looked off. The only way I'll be able to know if it's Walgreens or my photos is to get them printed elsewhere. Think I'll do that!