Unstitching a Horrible "Free Box" Cap to Create Something Beautiful
I received the above photo in my Instagram inbox, (thanks, Jody!) along with a bit of a nudge.
"Saw this just after reading your post on embroidering the jean shirt (so good!) & thought I remembered you had hydrangeas? Tuckernuck Hydrangea hat. Another possible project?"
So cute, here's a photo that better shows the detailed needlepoint-style embroidery of a hydrangea blossom. Here's a link to the listing, selling the cap for $45.
I was suddenly reminded me that I was already in possession of a ridiculous "free box" cap that I'll never wear, as it looks like the adult character is wearing a diaper.
I mean, c'mon . . . you see it too, right? Is he maybe also balding with an additional underbite?
However . . . I can unpick stitching like it's an Olympic sport!
It's a slow endeavor, as it's important to not accidentally destroy the backing fabric. Luckily, it can be done while watching important historical documentaries. (Please let me know if I'm intimidating you with my intellectual pursuits.) It's likely that the amount of time unpicking the stitches is a longer process than the later embroidery.
I'm not sure if my plan is to attempt an exact recreation of the Tuckernut design, but it would be a satisfying challenge either way. It's an easy enough stitch, the hard part would be keeping the stitches precisely the same size.
Luckily, I already own the simple supplies, (a baseball cap and thrifted embroidery floss) and I'm always on the lookout for fun projects.
Plus it'll give me an excuse with watch, umm . . . important historical documentaries.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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Katy,, you can purchase "lost canvas" for needlepointing or cross stitching on an existing garment. Center your design, embroider, and then dampen the mesh and pull it out, one strand at a time. Pulling it out is a lot like your unpicking stitches - you should be a natural!
Yes! If you don’t want to purchase something special, you can also use a scrap of regular Aida (but stitch a little loose) and deconstruct the Aida to remove it once your design is set. Maybe go super low tech and try drawing yourself a grid with pencil or washable ink.
When you wrote about an adult character in a diaper, I thought you were describing Trump! LOL! But he isn't bald, is he? (Or not quite bald...you never know what that terrible comb-over is hiding.)
Mr. Snuggles Dog had a frugal victory today (for me it was a frugal fail): I dropped a plate of BBQ beef tips on the kitchen floor, so he got my lunch. Gobbled it up in a flash!
The other day on the train I saw a little girl with a hat that had little floral designs on it and I couldn't tell if it was embroidered or if they were like iron on patches. Since I'm a stranger and she was probably 6-8 years old I tried not to stare too hard! It seems to be the hot new trend, way to go Katy!
1. We went to London to visit the Young V and A Museum as they had a Wallace and Gromit exhibit, however it was a ticketed exhibit and we were unaware that we needed advanced (and incredibly coveted) tickets and were unable to enter the exhibit. Luckily for us, the rest of the museum was free and had hands-on activities for kids. My kids are young enough that they didn't notice the severe lack of Wallace and Gromit in the rest of the museum, they were satisfied by a tour of the gift shop, a photo book area with props of their living room, and an overpriced cupcake with a Wallace and Gromit sticker slapped on it.
2. We then went to the British Museum and honestly I could probably spend an entire week there and not fully finish seeing everything. I was astonished that it was FREE! We did purchase a reusable bottle of water and another drink as it was HOT! but the proceeds are helping the museum so I felt less of a sting from it.
3. We brought our own snacks and swapped out to explore and sit with the kids.
4. We did splurge on meals while in London but the portions were so large that we were able to share 2-3 entrees for our family of 4. We took advantage of the free coffee packets in our hotel room as well, one of the only amenities our hotel offered, which was very needed after walking and carrying our kids around museums all day.
5. Our train left around 7:00am and because it crossed into other countries we had to be there an hour early to check in and get through customs. We walked since we weren't too far from the station and took some beautiful photos of the sun rising over the buildings. We were on the wrong side of the station for the coffee kiosk so we accidentally saved money there. We didn't want to have to carry coffees and push the kids' wagon AND carry our bags, so we talked ourselves out of buying a coffee when we arrived and reminded ourselves that we do in fact have coffee supplies at home.
The hat is very cute! Not the one that needs unpicking!
I had a scare this morning when I couldn't find my car. I knew where I had parked it last (though one fear flashing through my head was that I really didn't, and I was losing my marbles!) I walked all around the block but it really wasn't anywhere around.
Before I called the police, I texted my grandson. Yes, he did have it. I don't quite understand how he forgot to tell me he was borrowing it. That's never happened before, which is why it scared me so much. Anyway, I was very relieved. Borrowed, not stolen or towed, is a good thing. Much more frugal. Now to work on better communication.
I slept very poorly last night, mostly because I was hot, I think. I didn't have the air on because I didn't think the temperature or humidity warranted it. Now I realize, if I'm that uncomfortable, it's reason enough to turn it on. Duh.
I did a load of laundry today and found a quarter in the laundry room!
That looks kinda like the Little Caesar pizza guy! But, yeah, awful. A lovely embroidered flower will be a huge improvement.
We made a trip today to Ollie's Outlet for pet potty pads, as our youngest dog has had a spell of upset innards that used up our supply, and also bought cranberry juice, walnuts, mustard, and a small bag of Tootsie Pops as the fun item. All of those items were half what they'd cost in a regular retail outlet.
Made chili and corn muffins for my family for lunch today using pantry ingredients. Sewed some scrap fabric together to make dusting cloths.
You can add hats to the list of items that are over-manufactured. There are so many branded hats that go out into the world, and I wonder what percentage get worn? Good for you for rescuing the diaper man hat. I can’t image which brand he represents.
Today, I tried a few garage sales. I came home with a bathroom waste can in the same color as your phone, some puffy hangers (the kind that don’t leave “corners” on your shirts) a bag of sewing elastic, and an LED nightlight. Each item cost a quarter.
I’m heading to a county fair later and am debating whether to eat at home or whether to eat at a food truck.