And now for something completely different...

Re-use, recycle, upcycle, re-create, reclaim... All words to pretty up the act of making something new out of something old. I do it all the time, mostly using tablecloths, tea towels and doona covers and turning them into shorts. It's heaps of fun, I love going on those little op shop treasure hunts and finding something that makes me squeal inside and look around nervously, like I can't believe I have found such an amazing little treasure.

Retro Tablecloth Shorts:

Phantom Doona Cover Shorts:

Some people find the idea a little bit weird and icky, but I have a lot of customers that get as excited as me about the whole process. There's something really special about having your child in something that you know you won't see anywhere else. Let's face it - while you can still get away with dressing your child (until they start saying 'Wear that? No way mum!'), they are a reflection of our creativity and good taste. Am I right? Or is that just me?

Singlet with Doiley:

Old Curtain Shorts:

Anyway, last week I decided my poor neglected pooches needed a new bed for inside their crate. Dog beds are expensive, so I scoured my local op shop and found everything I needed for a new bed:

Skinny roll out mattress (in the perfect width!) - $9
Calico (on the back of a doona cover, I used the front for shorts) - $6
Stripey Wool Blanket (full of moth holes that required some creative cutting) - $1

So, as is the normal procedure with all things second hand, they were soaked in very hot water and Napisan, followed by a hot wash and then thrown in the dryer. Not very eco friendly, but satisfies my inner germaphobe. The good thing about this procedure is that it felted the wool blanket, so it wouldn't fray or unravel.

I cut the mattress in half so it was perfect dog crate size, I sewed a cover out of the calico and then another cover out of the wool blanket. This way, the mattress would last longer and not so much of the doggyness would get to the mattress (I can just wash both covers instead).

Happy Pooches: