Wouldn’t it be nice to just click that “buy now” button after each online window shopping adventure? Well, it might be at first, but truly, I probably wouldn’t value what I own if it really worked that way. (Not to mention the fact that I would be broke as a joke in less than one day!)

While browsing TopShop the other day, I saw this lovely sweater that really struck my fancy. Using a little bit of creativity and some items already in my closet, I was able to construct something very similar, without spending any money!

If you wanted to make something similar, and don’t own an ugly old 80’s dress like I did, you can use any fabric, whether it be lace from an old curtain panel, or just a pretty pattern from your fabric stash or an old unworn blouse. Best part about utilizing an old dress, though? Next Spring I’m planning on turning the extra material from the bodice into a pretty, lace crop top for breezy days. Nothing goes to waste around these parts.

This week has been all about prepping for Fall’s Friday arrival. The season of comfy, cozy, and colorful is my very favorite of all, so I want to make sure to celebrate appropriately. First up? Adding some extra warmth to our living room. This pillow-cover project is really easy to make with an old, unloved blazer from the back of your closet or your favorite thrift store.

I purchased this blazer at The Salvation Army a few years ago, loving the plaid and considering restructuring it for a fitted look. I suppose if I had ever gotten around to the alterations, the blazer might have been a fun layer for Fall ensembles. But during a recent cleaning spree, I found it at the bottom of my mending pile and decided it was high time I either redonated or repurposed this big, old blazer. Now it has a new life as a pillow, and I’m feelin’ pretty good about it!

The process was pretty simple, as most pillow projects are, but working with patterned fabric from an already constructred garment required a bit of patchwork and attention to detail. Check out the directions below to make your own!

If you don’t have enough fabric to properly match up the pattern when joining the blazer pieces, you might need to opt for a standard two-piece cover sewn around all four edges of your pillow. If you have a smaller pillow, are working with a higher pattern repeat, or simply have good luck, it’s much easier to construct an envelope-style cover from a salvaged fabric, as seen above. Envelope-style covers are easier to take on and off, but if you’re not scared of a seam-ripper, and don’t have small children or messy pets, I wouldn’t think twice about foregoing that convenience to save yourself some frustration during construction!

Sometimes I can get so carried up in the desire to make everything so pretty, that I end up throwing my hands in the air and not making anything at all. This can be pretty stagnating for a creative person, so I’m delighted that next week I am completely signing off from the internet and all things digital. What am I going to do? Well, I’m going to lay on a sandy beach with my sketch book and a handy set of Micron pens. (Oh, and don’t worry- I have posts scheduled for the week, to keep you entertained and hopefully inspired!)

I was a little concerned about how much I am going to enjoy this vacation. Spending a week with Phil’s whole family isn’t exactly my idea of getting away. But when I saw this sketchbook series by Art Expiration, I suddenly began looking forward to stealing away by myself on the beach and finally expressing myself creatively, in the most rudimentary way. I’m hoping the isolation will help some creative juices find their way to the surface, and I’ve already decided that nothing needs to be pretty. Just expressive.

How about you? When do you feel most creative?