baby quilt, softie, and a scarf

This week I've almost tackled one (cheater!) baby "quilt" ...

 

I cut out the triangles and adhered Heat'n'Bond Lite to the wrong side using the tutorial from Made by Marzipan for the "Bye Baby Bunting Quilt".   I know, I promised to make my grandma's first, but wasn't sure I liked the backing I'd gotten.  So, I decided to give it time to grow on me or return it - whichever came first.

 

 
 
 I carefully arranged the triangles and pressed to adhere them to the fabric.
 

 
 
Pinned the top fabric, batting, and bottom together and using a zig zig stitch, sewed all three layers at once.
 

 
 
All that's left to do is sew on the binding (once I get some more fabric to make the bias tape - ugghhmmm!)
 

 

 

 

I conquered a softie doll, tutorial courtesy of 70 piggies.  It'd been a while and I was quickly reminded why I don't like these so well.  They're cute, I agree but, they're tedious.  Don't get me wrong, Nicole from 70 Piggies has a great tutorial!  It's just me.  I have issues like that.

 



 
 
And last but not least, "Ruby" is modeling a cowl neck scarf created from an old sweater - I am in love with both Ruby and the scarf!

 

 



ok, really quickly now

Had to take a quick sec to post these pics of the final baby shower gifts.  I made three fold and snap bibs, a softie doll, and a travel changing pad (the outfit - I bought.)  Funny how it perfectly matched the changing pad though.  Totally unplanned.

My favorite was definitely the travel changing pad.  It's so functional and cute and soft and I just want to pinch it's little cheeks.  Oh sorry, getting a little carried away there.

Finished, it was about the size of an 8.5" x 11" phone book.  I was a little rushed with all the commotion with lice and the ripple effect it has recently caused in our life but, I'm happy to report, we are all lice free.  Hope I'm not jumping the gun.  (Although, I feel this strange paranoia that just won't go away.  We're still checking heads, I joke we're like a bunch of little monkeys now - constantly sifting through each others hair.  Humor is necessary in the midst of the storm.)

Unfold once and you find that super soft minke that's oh-so-cute!  The red and white floral is home decor fabric from Wal-Mart, remnant bin - yay!

Unfold again and that black piece of bias tape is where I introduced the vinyl for the changing area.  And guess what?!  I opened the other bias tape maker and that there black bias tape is custom made - yes - by yours truly.  It wasn't so bad and I think it looks quite nice, you agree?  It adds such a polished look.

See, there it is, completely unfolded.  Finally, I attached the little Velcro pieces so that it created a little pocket where you could insert an outfit (see the first photo) and a travel wipes container with a diaper or two.

I worked non-stop on this Friday and finished it in the nick of time Saturday before the shower.  I ended up using the measurements and the rounded flap from a tutorial and the rest was all mine.  One day, when I actually find some spare time, I'll try creating a tutorial of my own.

What's next?

I'm getting ready to start on a set of these oven mitts courtesy of Raechel Myers.  You know I love her tutes!   And these look quick and easy!  They will be donated for a Relay for Life auction.  I'm not sure what else I should make.  Still thinkin on it.  Suggestions?

Other than that, K is hassling me for some p.j. shorts.  It's warming up and back some time ago, I scored two twin size flat sheets on clearance at Wal-Mart for two bucks each!  I was so excited that day, I could've burst!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend, I did!

progressing

I've slowly been working on the baby gifts for C's cousin.  I think I've made improvements with the bias tape but, I'd love to try some 1/4" tape.  So far, all I've used is 1/2" and it seems like a bit more than I need, I'm not sure. 

Remember the first one?  OK but, not so great.

Presenting the second bib...see, better, huh?

Last weekend with coupons in hand, I paid a visit to Joann's and came out with these...

~ BIAS TAPE MAKERS - dun, dun, dun ~

~ They're so scary, I've only managed to take one out of the package! ~

Instead of continually purchasing packages of pre-made bias tape, I thought I'd buy those and some fabric to try my hand at making my own bias tape using this tutorial.  It'll be cheaper in the long run.  I'll let ya know how it goes.  It doesn't seem all that hard. 

Fear of the unknown - gets me every time!

Finished and ready to go, I also have this...a softie doll!

This got me into sewing and was "our" first project.  C knew more about sewing machines and sewing than I did.  So, he helped make the first 2 or 3.

My final project for the baby shower gifts will be a travel changing pad.  I can't decide between this one or this one.  I'll probably print them both out and use pieces of each.  Crazy, isn't it?  That's me. 

Why is it that I use everyone as a Guinea pig? 

Food - quite a bit, I make food for church using recipes that aren't tried and true.  I am a tried and true kinda girl.  Once I find a fantastic recipe, I stick with it and I make a copy for my family recipe book because one day when I'm gone, I want my children to have all of the recipes that they loved.  And even the ones that just I loved.  Because food, it's comforting.  My grandma was the best cook in our family and my cooking most mimics hers.  There are times when I miss her so and long to have the recipes that would help me feel close to her again.  There are still good cooks in our family and I call on my mom when I need cooking advice, she's a good one too. 

Yep, I'm rambling again.  Back to the discussion at hand.

Sewing - Making gifts, I go out on a whim and try something I've never made before and mix multiple tutorials and even add my own ideas.  All the while, my skills are still developing.  Who would do such a thing?

My only answer is, I have faith in myself (through God, of course), and I have courage to face the unknown, even when it's as simple as cooking or sewing.

"I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"LORD, you are my shield, my wonderful God, who gives me courage." Psalm 3:3

Don't worry D, I haven't forgotten to post the yeast roll recipe.

Completed, ongoing, and projected endeavors

I told you I'd be back, with pics...

K and I were so excited about these...can you ever really have too many pjs?! 

OF COURSE NOT, SILLY!

Flannel fabric from the remnant bin = $1.50
Elastic = $1.47
Twill Tape (drawstring) = $1.27
Total = $4.24!

Then, you know who had to have some too - Thomas the Train, they had to be, he said.  And so we made them...

(I love the patience of our subjects and this photo says it all - on the move!)

I used a combination of two online tutorials to make these jammies.  This one.  And - OK, the other one, I cannot find.  I will add, that this lady is a little long winded and difficult for me to understand, completely my opinion - you, on the other hand, might find nothing wrong with her tutorial.  I need simple instructions with pictures, so you can definitely find easier tutorials if you're looking but, I had to give her credit.  Thanks lady!



Next, the man and I decided to make these felt envelopes for his classmates from this tutorial from Roots and Wings Co....

They turned out well...and yes, one day, I will get down and serious about taking those photography classes so I don't end up with wonky photos like this one.  I'm obviously doing something wrong because I adjusted my settings per Beth and I still got this.  (OK, so, I remembered SOME of what she said, not all of it.  Guess I need to read that email again, huh?  I'm feeling a little disarrayed today.  You can tell, huh?)  I told her my sewing area is very well lit but, I don't know, dag on it.  I'll go back and read the email, she probably left more instructions than I can remember.



I made the stripe-y one a week ago and this morning at Jo-Ann's, I found this fabulous "hen house" pattern that I absolutely couldn't put down.  I wasn't too excited that the latter was a little more mustard-y than I had expected but, I am partial to chickens.  So, it's a keeper!

The pillow tutorial is SUPERB! and extremely easy, courtesy of Raechel Myers.  So, easy that, newly 10 year old, K made her own pillow with a little help from moi.

We are getting ready to start this...

...courtesy of these ladies again.



And this tutorial by Dana Willard...

So, that's about it.  I made a cover with a pocket for the FoodSaver but, no pics for that.  I might get around to showing it one day.  And we're making a couple more of these as gifts.  To be honest, I'm kinda sick of 'em.  They're cute as all get-out but, we've made a few and I just need a break from 'em!