modern baby blanket

Even though I started knitting at the age of 8 (and learned to crochet about a year ago) I have never made anything bigger than a scarf. When I found out that my cousin, Janet, was pregnant with a little boy (due in November) I thought it was time I tried my hand at crocheting a baby blanket.

I started by scouring Pinterest for baby blanket ideas and fell in love with many of the styles that involved stripes. I ran to Michael's to pick up some yarn to get started.
... here's what you'll need to make your own ...
5 skeins of your favorite yarn corresponding crochet hook

... instructions ...

Chain 101 stitches.

SC into second chain from hook and into all stitches. 

Continue SC until your first band of color measures about 12".

Switch colors and continue SC until you've used all 5 colors.

Your finished blanket will measure about 36"x60".

[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

football onesie

My nephew plays football, so I thought it would be cute to make my niece a little football onesie (my sister in law made the skirt & headband...but you can find a similar tutorial here). I haven't gotten to see her in it yet, but my father-in-law sent me these cute pictures.

fabric tutu

My niece, Sadie, was in desperate need of a fabric tutu...Who isn't? They're just so cute! I saw a lot of different tutorials online, but I just ended up doing it my own way. I wanted a lot of little strips with fun colors and patterns and I think it turned out pretty cute. Look at her adorable little face...she liked it! :)

::inexpensive:: gift wrapping

I love DIY projects that are cheap inexpensive. I realize that my hobby could get out of control expensive and I try to keep my project costs low. I'm the same with a lot of things in life, so I thought I'd share a cute, inexpensive way to spruce up your gift wrapping.

Now, I am no expert... I actually have a hard time wrapping anything that isn't square, so when it came to these oval gifts for my sister-in-law's baby shower, I did my best to "wrap pretty". To disguise my mediocre wrap job, I decided to add some decorations to my package.

diaper clutch

So I've had another surge of babies in my life...which tends to equal out to a surge of baby projects and gifts. This one is fun, function and easy to make. I've seen some diaper clutches on Pinterest (as well as some for sale on Etsy) and thought that it was something I wanted to give a try. I'm happy with how it turned out. I'm hoping the recipient of this particular clutch will find it pretty and useful.

dino t-shirt

I had heard such wonderful things about using freezer paper for art projects but had never given it a shot. I figured it was time to give it go... so I decided to make this little guy t-shirt for a friend of mine's son who just turned 1. I used the same little dinosaur from this project and I think he turned out pretty cute!

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Here's what you'll need to make your own:

t-shirt (pre-washed)

fabric paint

foam brush

freezer paper

pencil

exacto blade/scissors

scrap piece of cardboard

iron/ironing board

design

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dino art

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend my cousins wife's baby shower this past Saturday. I hated to miss it, but knew I wanted to make them a special gift. When I found out they were planning a dinosaur theme for the nursery I decided to make them some wall art.

I'm absolutely thrilled with how they turned out [and I hope Mikie & Patrick like them too].

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Here is what you'll need to make your own:

Wood frame

fun paper

scissors

Mod Podge

foam brush

computer/printer OR hand drawn design

small foam roller

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baby leggings

Today I'm home from work watching my little niece Sadie while my sister and brother-in-law are at work. For the record: Sadie is MUCH cuter than looking at tile all day.

Last night I decided that I wanted to make something to bring along with me today. This quick and easy project was the perfect thing... Sadie and I got to place dress up:

Isn't she the cutest?

Anyway...

The fun thing about these is......... they started out as a pair of socks!

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Here is what you'll need to make your own:

A pair of socks

A small piece of elastic (enough for the waist band)

note: Vary the size of socks to achieve the legging size you want.

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"whale" onesie

I've been making a lot of baby-related crafts lately because I know a lot of people having babies this year. I love to give handmade gifts. For me, making something allows me to give a gift that is special without going broke - I get into trouble at kid's stores. I end up wanting to buy EVERYTHING.

My latest creations? Appliqued animal onesies...

My parents got me a new contraption for Christmas that has made my onesie-making a lot more fun. They got me a Slice Fabrique - a little contraption that is programmed to cut a bunch of fun designs out of fabric. I've been playing around with it a little and love the endless possibilities. My brothers got me the "Animal Frenzy" design card that I used to make the the whale and penquin appliques.

Since I know not everyone has access to a Slice machine - and many don't have the interest in purchasing one - I decided I'd make a little tutorial on one of the more simple applique patterns that could easily be cut out by hand - A WHALE!

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Here is what you'll need to make your onesie:

a onesie (any size you choose)

Sewing machine (or needle and thread if you choose to sew by hand)

Heat N Bond Lite

iron/ironing board

a small piece of embroidery thread (for the eye)

3-4 coordinating fabrics (small amounts)

WHALE TEMPLATE

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burp cloth

I've been thinking a lot about how burp cloths have to be super easy to make...so I decided to take a stab at it myself. What really prompted me to do so was the fact that I was at a baby shower last weekend and my sister in law received a few cute ones as gifts - one of which was homemade by my husband's aunt (really adorable). Here is my take on the "much needed if you have a baby" burp cloth...

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Here is what you'll need:

2 different pre-washed fabrics (one of mine was a soft terry cloth)

a CD (or something else round)

Fusible web (optional - can't decide if it made my burp cloth too stiff...)

Usual sewing stuff

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flower headband

Little girls in headbands are something that I absolutely love. This tutorial is simple and fun - and in 1 hours time you'll have an adorable headband to give to a friend or to keep for your own little one.

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Here is what you'll need:

1. Felt (any color you choose)

2. Elastic ribbon

3. Scissors

4. Pinking sheers

5. Rotary cutter (optional)

6. Hot glue gun

7. Scrap piece of cardboard (a cereal box works great)

[NOTE: I chose to use hot glue because I'm impatient and I don't like to wait for regular glue to dry. Just be warned that you might burn your fingers constructing the flower petals with hot glue... You could always use a regular fabric glue in place of the hot glue].

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paci holder

I have seen these clever inventions before, but I decided to make my own to go along with my sister-in-laws other baby shower gifts. Babies are famous for throwing their pacifier on the ground, so hopefully this cute little holder will save Laura from the “if I drop it I know you’ll pick it up” game…

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Here’s what you’ll need:

small piece of fabric (roughly 3” x 15”)

a suspender/mitten clip

small piece of Velcro

pacifier with a loop

iron

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diaper strap

Last weekend was my sister-in-laws baby shower. Miss Sadie is due in March and we couldn’t be more excited to for her arrival. When I saw this diaper strap on Pinterest, I knew that it would be perfect for a busy mom like Laura. You can wrap up a few diapers and some wipes, toss it in your purse and go. Plus, it’s cute… which is key. 

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Here is what you’ll need:

1.     Two pieces of coordinating fabric

Main fabric: 9”x15”

Accent fabric: 9”x4”

                                               …or you can use a single piece of fabric  (9”x19”)

2.     Piece of muslin: 9"x19"

3.     Small piece of velcro

4.     Coordinating embroidery floss

5.     Coordinating button

6. Liquid Stitch (or other fabric glue)

7.     Iron/ironing board

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little man hat

There isn't much of anything that is cuter than a little guy in a hat. When my aunt asked if I would make a hat for my cousin's soon-to-be 2 year old, I was excited to take a stab at a sewn hat (I've always made her knit hats in the past). I think for my first hat it turned out cute...and I can't wait to see it on his sweet little head this winter.

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Here's what you'll need:

main color fleece

accent color fleece

(amount depends on hat size you’re making)

A small piece of embroidery floss or string 

(to secure your pom on top)

Scissor, cutting mat, rotary cutter, etc.

Pencil or white charcoal to mark fabric

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