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.

from the weekend and a giveaway at Beth's

I worked on some stuff this weekend, so I need to share.  Because I said I would.

I've almost finished putting the bias tape on this "fold and snap" baby bib.  This was our first meeting, the bias tape and I.  It went OK, I need more practice though and patience.  I started to rush and that didn't help.  All the curves. Whew.  They threw me.  I'll admit it.

Back some time ago, I saw this on Raechel Myers blog, Finding My Feet.  Getting a kick out of it and wondering again if it was within my skill level to duplicate it, I pulled it up the other day and showed K and the man how cute it was.  They decided we had to make it.  Now Raechel is oh-so talented and did hers using a stencil she made and paints.  Clever and not too time-consuming, huh?  Well, to change things up a bit and since I don't like to be such a copycat, I decided to do a felt version and change the wording.  I free-handed some letters using scissors and white felt and used the same mustache on black felt.  Using heat'n'bond, I ironed them onto the shirt and finally, sewed them down permanently.  See?

It wasn't as snappy as hers but, I think it turned out well.  You?  I was so proud!  Thanks to Raechel for her great ideas!

This weekend, C hung a dry erase board up above my sewing table.  So, I listed all of the projects I wanted to do, a list of supplies I need, and just to make it fun - some wants. 

I have a long list of things to work on but, my project today was a Bible cover for the man.  I had purchased one for K and I a while back.  Of course, he wanted one too.  So, I decided instead of buying another, I would try my luck at making one.  So, without further ado...

I'd say it went well.  As usual, there are always things I would do differently but, isn't that the way life is?  Don't worry.  Believe in yourself but, more importantly believe in God, that he will get you through.  Do your best.  Learn as you go.  Leave the rest to God.

"Don't be afraid, just believe." - Mark 5:36

"Be still and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10

Lastly, before I leave and because I adore Beth's sweater, I am leaving you with this...Beth is a very, very talented photographer!  I love her work and follow her blog faithfully.  (I told her, I'd love to be her apprentice - she's just a little far away.)  Her spirit is kind and her words have uplifted me time and again.  To the point now - Beth's doing a giveaway.  Jenny an artist local to Beth, recycles sweaters and things, turning them into new creations.  The giveaway is for some of Jenny's stuff.  I'd love to win, so check out her etsy shop.

my latest undertaking

C's cousin is due in April and I decided I would make some gifts. 

This would be my first attempt at baby bibs, as most everything in the

sewing department is new to me.  In January, K and I had three-2 hour lessons
on how to use/care our machine from the Husqvarna-Viking lady and the rest
has been "self-taught" through these fabulous online tutorials.

Without them, I'd truly be lost.

I found this great tutorial over at Sew, Mama, Sew! courtesy of Made By Rae. 

~Note: this is my version based off of Rae's, so it varies from hers and I'll tell you the things I learned from altering it and how I'll do things differently on the next go round.
*Caution:  this is NOT a tutorial.  It's just a little bird's eye view into my world at the moment.
I'm really not qualified for any tutorials yet!

Here's my go at it...

First off, I didn't have any chenille, terrycloth, or minkee.  Anxious to start, I decided to go with some regular 'ol fabric on the front - brown polka dot, and back - bright green, sandwiched in between - a layer of leftover white felt I had lying around.  I know, I know.  It's not ideal but I had it on hand and well, I was gonna use it, dag on it!  And so I did.



I cut out the pattern and fabric using Rae's dimensions.

At this point, I decided to change things up a bit.

Instead of sewing snaps on, I decided to attach pearl snaps using a  

plier kit by Prym Creative.  I picked these up at Wal-Mart, see pricing below.

Since, I'm using these snaps, next, I made the decision to try some bias tape

along the edges.  Something else I've never tried but, I'm gonna give it my best.

With all that being said, I will be sewing these right sides out.

If the thought of snaps scares the pants off you,

read this marvelous tutorial from sew4home.

Snaps are really easy once you try a few practice runs.

Here's the first little pearl snap installed.  Cute, isn't she?

Per C's suggestion, I also decided to move the snaps on the front (polka dot fabric)

in 1.75 inches, instead of one inch to create more of a puckering effect on the pocket.

Next time, on the pocket area, I will "bell out" the fabric to account

for the gap on the edges of the pocket shown above.  The snaps on the back

stayed the same as Rae's, being one inch from the bottom and each side.

Here's my almost finished project.  I'll be picking up some bias tape tomorrow,

so I'll post photos of the final project later this week.

Or.

If it doesn't turn out well, I'll cheat you with some of the next bib, sewed to perfection.

Nah, I'll show you anyway, just so you can see what lessons I've learned.

A breakdown of my spending...

brown polka dot fabric, remnant bin - $3.81

bright green fabric, remnant bin - $0.31

pliers kit - $9.97

2 pkgs. of 12 pearl snaps, totaling 24 - $2.97 each.

Total = $20.03

Sounds like a lot but, I have more fabric and supplies left over.

So, you know me, I'll be looking for more projects.

And, C has already requested bibs as a gift for a friend.