Also in the picture is a delicious-looking, not-made-from-a-T-shirt, cake. Though Megan would love to claim it as her own, the dessert is actually a DIY project her mom made to donate as a prize at their local Wednesday night BINGO game. Generous, and yum! Wouldn’t you love to be on the winning end of that dessert? When Megan saw how the cake turned out, she knew it would make the perfect prop to show off her newest handmade accessory.

…And now this delightful find, below (which I was particularly inspired to post after the recent Craft: Tea Party in California): It’s Tee Tea, or should I say Tea-shirts. It’s a set of T-shirt shaped tea bags (tee bags) by Soon Mo Kang, complete with hangers (color-coded by flavor) and a closet to hang them in.

Have you come across any cool T-shirt references lately? Please share!

The base of Andra’s halter is the “Halt Right There” top, project #45 in Generation T, and baby’s drawstring bottoms are inspired by “Antsy Pants” pajama pants (project #57 in Generation T: Beyond Fashion). So comfy cozy…can you imagine a better use for that completely softened and well-worn T-shirt in the back of your closet?

Let’s not overlook that striped hat, which baby wore home from the hospital (inspired by “Top Knot” baby hat, #46 in GT:BF)–it was made from a larger shirt mama scored at a clothing swap from her friend Rebecca. That’s one crafty mama! (And one lucky kid!)

The dress design was featured this summer in Chicago Parent magazine–it’s a great project to make on the cheap for your daughters, nieces, and granddaughters. And, come to think of it, you could adapt the dress to make a full, empire-bodice halter top for an adult!

1. Make a pattern by sketching or tracing the outline of the stocking on a sheet of scrap paper. Cut it out, make any adjustments, and pin it to the front of a large T-shirt. Trace the outline on the tee using a chalk marker.

2. Flip the pattern and trace to make a double-sided, double-thick stocking.

3. Pin and sew a running stitch around the curved edges.

4. Snip a scrap piece 3″ by 1″, fold it in half to make a loop.

5. Cut three strips from a sleeve, and stretch them to make cords. Braid them together to make trim.

6. Pin and sew the trim in place around the top edge with a running stitch. Secure the hanging loop as you go.

7. Remove the pins. Now it’s time to make them in multiples (and in varying sizes–the one on the right, made from a Tiger Cubs uniform, is for the four-legged meowing member of the household, naturally!), and hang them by the chimney…or the key hooks with care.

8. Then fill ‘em up with goodies!

So what was inside pocket #1 of the Final Countdown Pocket Calendar?  The winner is Kayleigh–whose favorite Generation T project is #108, Tying the Knot, the T-shirt wedding gown which she adapted from the first book for a dance class. Kayleigh’s surprise is the vintage patch and pin embellishing set. And the bonus surprise is a signed, brand new copy of Generation T: Beyond Fashion.  Congratulations to all the winners in our countdown (Amy, Elaura, Juliet, Elizabeth, Deborah, Claire, Julia, Lauren, Barbara, and Kayleigh) and thanks to all who entered! Let’s do this again, soon, okay?

In the meantime, make the most of these daylight hours!

And thanks for all your “My Tunes” entries. Y’all are a diverse crafty bunch, who have recently crafted to the likes of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (The Beatles), “Time Flies” (Lykke Li), “Fireflies” (Owl City), “Poker Face” (Lady Gaga), “Present/Infant” (Ani DiFranco), “Achrayut” (sp?) (Yoni Bloch), “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (various artists), and more! Me, I was most recently crafting to “The Heart of Saturday Night” (Tom Waits).

To be in the running to win tomorrow’s big surprise* in pocket #1, email me (megan @ generation-t.com) by midnight tonight (EST) with the subject line “T-shirt Love” and the name of your favorite Generation T project. Please, please, please don’t forget to include your mailing address so I can send you the prize if you win!

As it’s been for the last 9 days, when the clock strikes midnight (EST), entries are closed for the day. I will randomly select a winner and announce that winner tomorrow morning.

*Note: If you’ve been following all week, you know which of the 10 original items is left to win, but to keep things exciting, I will be adding a second prize item (yay!) to this final special countdown-to-solstice holiday surprise.

To be in the running to win tomorrow’s surprise in pocket #2, email me (at megan @ generation-t.com) by midnight tonight (EST) with the subject line “My Tunes” and the name of the song you most recently crafted to. Please don’t forget to include your mailing address so I can send you the prize if you win!

When the clock strikes midnight, entries are closed for the day. I will randomly select a winner and announce that winner tomorrow morning.

Don’t forget, YOU CAN ENTER EVERY DAY! So if you have your eye on a prize that hasn’t been claimed, you can enter again tomorrow!

1. Start with a clean old T-shirt (perhaps one that reminds you of a shared fun time with the recipient!), and lay it face down on your work surface. Place a copy of Generation T or Generation T: Beyond Fashion (or, dare I say, both!), centered, about 6″ to 8″ (depending on the size of the T-shirt) up from the bottom.

2. Wrap the book(s) carefully in the T-shirt, by first folding the bottom of shirt up over the bottom of the book(s).

3. Fold the left side of the T-shirt and T-shirt sleeve over the book(s).

4. Then fold the right side of the T-shirt sleeve over to the left. Accordion-fold the sleeve back if needed so it doesn’t overlap the edge.

5. Fold the wrapped book(s) up against the folded sleeves.

6. Fold the top back of the neckband down over the book package (revealing the T-shirt tag).

7. Flip the package over to reveal the front logo or pattern on the T-shirt.

8. Grab a piece of scrap fabric from an old T-shirt hem to use as gift ribbon. Wind the ribbon around the T-shirt to keep the “gift wrap” in place. (Optional: Use some safety pins if you’d like to make it more secure.) Optional: Get a pair of sharp scissors and tie or slip them under the ribbon.

9. It’s everything your gift recipient needs to dig in right away — what are you waiting for, give it to someone already!