restyled

Restyled Patriotic Jumper

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This jumper has never done it for me. I can appreciate the patriotic design, but not the jumper design itself. I have had it for several years, but I don’t think I have worn it even once.


Wow! After taking a picture of it, I am noticing how uneven the construction is. One leg is shorter than the other and the pockets are not even. I am SO glad I never wore it.

Why get it out now?

For the last couple of years my husband and I have had quiet Independence Day evenings at home while the kids went out to celebrate with their friends. I have rather enjoyed it, but this year, my husband wants to go to a fireworks display.

Okay, to get into the spirit for our “date” I decided I needed something new and patriotic to wear. Honestly, I could have just gone shopping, but it’s just too darned hot. Also, if you have ever lived in a small town you know that shopping options are very limited. The whole town looks like they all got dressed from the same closet.


I cut straight across the jumper, just above the pockets. This gave me the perfect length for the top. The jumper is made of a jersey fabric, so I decided to sew a zigzag stitch along the cut raw edges. I stretched the edge slightly to allow is to ripple. Yippee! The top is done!


Okay, now I am left with the shorts part of the jumper. It will make a great tote for carrying water bottles and bug spray. See, I am thinking ahead to our “date”.

I opened the crotch and had a tube. I turned the tube inside out and positioned the crotch edges on each side edge. This will make one side of the tote blue and one side with the red and white stripes. I pinned and stitched the side edges and the top cut edge. The top cut edge of the shorts will be the bottom closed edge of the tote.

To give the tote a flat bottom, I stitched box corners.


After turning the tote right side out, you are probably thinking I screwed up. The pockets are now upside down and sewn shut. No big deal. I simply cut slits in the pocket for access. Remember, the fabric is jersey and doesn’t require finishing the edges.

Quickie Transformation

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I’ve been working on a few easy craft transformations for my local store. I have several bare display spots that need to be filled in. Since I seem to have a gazillion things that need my attention right now, projects that require less time are about all I can do right now.


These birdcages needed a little dusting and they were then ready to accept spray paint. I used a flat white spray paint.


I am not crazy about the shadowing that the spray paint seemed to leave on the wires and inside the cage, but it does leave a nice shabby chic look.

With the addition of a few accessories inside the cages, they will be ready to sell.

Angel to Uncle Sam Redo

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I am so pleased with this project. Since it is basically a one-of-a-kind project, I couldn’t really use it as an article. I will be selling the actual item locally though.

It started out as a dirty wooden angel decoration that I got at an auction. The wings were gone. Poor thing. I cleaned it up, took off all the angel elements, repainted it and transformed it into Uncle Sam.

What do ya think?

Beginning a New Adventure

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Hello! And welcome to my new adventure! Since my children are all completely grown (last one is almost there), I have decided to raise another baby. Ahem!…I really should knock on wood or something after that statement. Let me clarify. I do not want to change diapers or revisit the terrible twos (or the terrible teens for that matter). So…what I mean is…this is the official birth of Restyled Junk.

Hopefully it will be a place to share and inspire creative ideas using castoffs and secondhand junk. Everything is fair game and I am up for the challenge. I have been designing and writing about my trash to treasure transformations for several years, but never for a blog. I enjoy so many great craft blogs and the fabulous ideas and camaraderie that’s shared is amazing. I have always wanted to join the various weekly craft parties, but I didn’t have a blog to link to…until now! I really want to play a more active role in this wonderfully creative blog world, so I would love it if you joined me.