Are jeans part of your wardrobe? They’re the majority of mine. I have work ones, some to wear around the house, better ones to go out and about in, and then I have some dress ones. They are comfortable, and they don’t require shoes that hurt my feet. I’m retired, I get to choose my wardrobe. 🙂
So, when I had an old pair of capris I wasn’t wearing anymore, I cut them up and made a couple of bags. Then a friend liked my bag and gave me a couple of pairs of legs she’d cut off hers to make shorts out of and a skirt that a friend gave her. I made her a bag out of the skirt and a small purse out of the legs.
One of our major social events down here is the monthly ladies’ luncheon. As part of the festivities, those that craft donate gifts to be used as door prizes.
A few weeks ago, I stopped at Goodwill and picked up a pair of jeans in the medium aisle. They had a couple of cute logos on them. I cut them up and made a small phone bag to hang off your jeans to carry your phone and id in, salvaged pieces to make a purse, sewed up one leg to make a basket, and then took the front, inserted a panel and a tie for an apron. There wasn’t much left when I got done.
The phone bag I gave to a friend who walks the beach a lot, and the rest will be raffled off at our luncheon this week.
Why? Well, I like a challenge, and there is something fun about deconstructing the jeans by taking off all the usable parts and then putting the pieces back together without a pattern to come up with something that is uniquely hand made.
What am I working on next? I brought a small 
Easter Bunny embroidery piece with me and framed him to make a small table topper. I also have a beach landscape and a Christmas tree to make so I’ll be off to the fabric store today. There are two wonderful small fabric stores down here that are like entering a candy store so I always make a list because it is too tempting. 🙂
My wish for each of you this week is to be healthy. I was sick last week with a wicked cold, but I’m happy to say it is gone, didn’t develop into anything more serious, and I didn’t pass it on to anyone else.
Life is good – enjoy your week with whatever challenges you choose to pursue and may none be sent your way that you don’t want. 🙂
Really cool! I especially like the basket with yellow liner and the buttoned accent! At one time I saved old jeans for the same purpose you described, but with a houseful of kids, I never got to making anything.
Life goes on here. So far, no illness for us, however, today’s venture to Sam’s Club might see us bring home something along with groceries! Yes, I’m paranoid about being out and in contact with other people during flu season!
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You have too many grands to play with, and I would do that first every day of the week. 🙂 I’m paranoid about catching stuff too. I try to remember to use hand sanitizer every time I come out of a store, and I always wipe the cart handle with the wipes they provide. But, when you think of all the things you touch in a day, I guess we’re lucky we aren’t sicker than we are. I sure used plenty of spray and wipes last week. 🙂
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I like your projects. I’m all about denim and always have been. In middle school I had a three-ring notebook that was made of denim with a pocket on the front to it in which I could put my pencils and pens. It was almost as cool as the things you’ve made here.
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Okay, now you gave me another idea – book or journal cover. I’ve got to give this some thought. 🙂
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I live in jeans now that I’m retired, Judy. I like what you’ve done with the odd bits of denim. Very creative and your sewing talent is remarkable. I hope you enjoy the week.
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I knew we were kindred spirits. 🙂
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I got dressed back in business casual for a Youth Symphony concert – I still clean up pretty well 😉
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Glad you’re feeling better. You are so talented and creative. I love seeing your creations.
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You are too kind, but I appreciate the compliment coming from a friend and a fellow crafter down here. 🙂
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I like your denim ideas! Have a great week, and so glad you’re feeling better!
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You feel bad, but you have to work hard to get better plus not give it to family or friends. Hard work having a cold. 🙂
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I can’t say anything except my usual chin-on-the-ground exclamation of awe. To me, such artistry is pure magic. Your work is beautiful, and so is your ambition. As for denim, I give thanks for it daily. I do love your line “I’m retired, I get to choose my wardrobe.” Hear, hear! I’m sorry about your awful cold; a cold in flu season is especially nasty because you can’t be sure how it will go. Very glad to hear you are better!
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All better thanks to a massive amount of orange juice, over-the-counter meds, and plenty of rest. Glad you like the denim project. I never understood why my Mom wore mostly jeans, although hers were always pressed. They were comfortable, long lasting, and they went with comfy shoes. I get it now. 🙂
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Great ideas! I really like the phone bag!
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It just slips on to a belt loop and carries what you need at the time. I used the label I took off the back for the closure and affixed magnets to it. I use mine quite a bit.
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Great design!
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I love the idea of repurposing old textiles – you’re very trendy, Judy! My favorite is the basket with the button flower. The embroidery piece is nicely framed with the angular quilting.
Have fun with your next project this week!
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There are projects like a landscape that requires quality fabric, I bought some today. But there are others that can fun by repurposing. I like the little rabbit, and I’m glad you did too.
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I showed this to my wife – uh…there go my jeans. She said I needed new ones anyway. Why? I only had them since 2001!
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2001? Those would be perfect – nice and soft to work with. Now, you can buy some nice dark blue ones that have to be broke in, but once you get home and get back to work they’ll soften up real quick. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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I’m living in leggings more and more, and hiking pants rather than jeans. Odd how we go through stages with jeans.
You’re a refashioning genius! Have you discovered therenagadeseamstress.com yet? https://therenegadeseamstress.com/2020/02/15/time-to-vote-small-to-large-challenge-refashion-runway-season-five/
You know I don’t sew well, and really have to be motivated to do any, but I love reading her blog and seeing what she and others get up to with fabric. You’d fit right in with your refashioned jeans.
I hope you have a lovely week, and I’m so glad your cold passed quickly!
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That’s one talented seamstress. Wow! I’d probably wear leggings too, but the world really doesn’t want to see me in leggings. 🙂
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Are jeans part of my wardrobe? Mais oui! But you’ve taken this to new heights of coolness. The Easter bunny is also cute. Can’t wait to see what else you make.
janet
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You are so creative and clever. I feel like a slug!! Love all these denim projects. Love denim!
Glad that cold took the express train out of town. Had to make a pit stop to Walmart to replace the microwave that died. Hope I didn’t come home with any nasty flu or stomach bug critters. At this point, I’d rather bring home roaches! 😂😂😂
Stay well, both of you, and enjoy the last half of your winter get-away.
🐾Ginger 🐾
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First off, thank you for the laugh out loud moment. Too funny but kind of true. 🙂 We were in a medical office this morning and passed by a couple of people with face masks on. I gave them a wide berth as I walked by, and my imagination kicked into high gear wondering what they were dealing with. Used some hand sanitizer when I got to the car just in case it could protect me. 🙂
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Leggings and jeans are pretty much it for me. Love your creative uses of denim. I especially like the one with the yellow accents. I’m on week three of a nasty cold. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Be careful as you shop around. You are right, we touch so many things without thinking.
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Three weeks is what the last one lasted because it went to my sinuses and my chest. This time, I worked diligently to keep that from happening. I’m hoping you are on the way to feeling better. We were in a medical office today, and there were people with masks on which I appreciated, but I kept wondering what they were suffering from. I’m sure using a lot of hand sanitizer lately. Take care, and get better.
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I love your denim phone bags, and perfect for the beach. I’m glad you have recovered well from such a bad cold… I dread winter colds.
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They can cure all kinds of things, but it’s interesting that no one has really come up with a cure for it. I guess that keeps all the over-the-counter medical folks in business.
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It is unbelievable that the comman cold is still such a problem!
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Hope you’re feeling better. I love your denim creations. I’ve even seen a denim quilt once made of one person’s old jeans. A fun way to re-use old, dear things.
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Ooh, a denim quilt. I never thought of that. 🙂 I’m keeping my eye on Pawleys Island for you while I’m down here. 🙂
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I so wish I could be there.
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Those were fabulous! I just was in a pricey Southwest store here in AZ and they were expensive and not as cute!
Glad you are over your wicked cold!
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I so envy manually clever people. My mother was amazing. I am NOT amazing. She sewed, crocheted, knitted, hooked rugs, painted pictures AND she skiied, bob sledded, ice-skated. Played ice-hockey. She always wondered how she wound up with ME as a daughter.
I just told her is was good luck 😀
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Your amazing skills are focused in writing posts, stories, manuals – you’ve done it all, just with a keyboard. 🙂
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Oh, I do love the pretty basket. You’re so clever! I’m pleased for you that your cold didn’t turn into something more worrying and that you’re now feeling better.
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Is there anything you can’t create? These are adorable. I especially love the basket. Yellow and blue just always says ‘sunshine’ to me. 🙂
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You’re so creative. I love those denim bags. So glad you’re feeling well again. 😃
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The things you can do!! I’ve never had a crafty inclination, but I’ve always held a fascination for people who do!
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There I am with my spool of thread, and there you are with your paints. 🙂
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I live in jeans! Cute ideas, here!
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🙂
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I do wear jeans. In fact I am loath to throw away my old jeans, and so I get them patched, their belt loops reattached, etc. etc.
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Once they’re broken in, who wants to give them away, right? 🙂
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Right!
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Judy, I love the bag with the yellow band and flower. So cute! I would buy that.
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Love all your clever creations but the little basket really made me smile. 😊
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Oh! I just LOOOOVE that little basket! What a cheerful sight!
I have carried the Vera Bradley keychain with id panel and zipper for 18+ years. I have had about six in that time. I had a homemade one for a while, but it wore out, too. I had plastic ones in college. I’m just very keychain/id oriented and think the denim one is a hit, too.
Keep creating, I love to see your work! 🙂
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