Between cooking, crafting, hen-keeping, my Old English Sheep Dog’s loving “hugs” and mothering active, messy boys, my everyday wardrobe takes many hits during its lifetime. But this year, instead of tossing my slightly stained skirts, gently ripped sweaters, or torn sweatshirts, I am going to up-cycle them in style. Drawing inspiration from Etsy, Martha Stewart, Pinterest and favorite blogs, I plan to re-fashion my well-worn items by adding colorful and creative embellishments such as patches, buttons, embroidery, and vintage lace. At least that is my plan. Here is a look at the inspiration I have pinned recently:

Patching wool or other fine fiber sweaters can be tricky. The grand dame of all things crafty, Martha Stewart, shows us how to make creative and sustainable patches on these tricky garments. I can already think of two sweaters that need this sort of attention. And what about tights? Wouldn’t those look cute with a few colorful patches here and there?

Pam Garrison is a wealth of inspiration. She paints, she makes and she stitches. Of all the pieces she creates, it is her free-style doodle embroidery that I love the most. Look how she took a hoodie from sporty to pretty. Sublime.

For whatever reason my skirts (second only to white t-shirts) tend to suffer the most from my creative lifestyle. I love this from-behind applique. What a wonderful and unique way to cover a few baking-inflicted stains.

(find it here)

P.S.  DON’T MISS JERUSALEM’S FIRST BOOK —- A Homemade Year: The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting and Coming Together. The book will be published by Paraclete Press this April and can be pre-ordered from all major booksellers. In the meantime, check out her blog at jerusalem.greer.com.