A Blanket and Barbequed Pizza

Blanket

With the arrival of our baby girl fast approaching (tentatively planned for this coming Wednesday) I’ve been trying to finish up the blankets I planned to make her.  Here’s the first one that is done:

I appliquéd the picture to a purple flannel.  I tried to incorporate different textured fabrics for the appliqués.  I used flannel, fleece, corduroy, some sort of cotton with flower embellishments, silk, and minky fabrics.

The border is the same as the back of the quilt.  I just folded the back over to the front and then did a zig-zag stitch around the inner and outer edge of the border. 

Barbequed Pizza

So my husband had this idea about a month ago that he wanted to try Barbequed Pizza.  Not as in Pizza with BBQ sauce on it, as in cooking a pizza on the grill.  Well I finally planned it into our meals for this week.  It turned out great except for the crust cooked a little to fast and I had to move it onto tinfoil so it

Ta Da!!!

We are a crazy crew!!!

Crochet Trim and Appliqué Bodysuits

I so excited to get to announce my new product I have available in my etsy shop!!!  I’ve been working on these over the last couple of weeks trying to come up with new fun designs that aren’t already out there.  I know there are already a ton of people who offer appliqué bodysuits (onsies) on Etsy so you might be wondering what makes mine different.  Well I’ve figured out a way to add crochet trim to those plain white bodysuits to give the onsie that little added flare!!! 

So head on over and take a look at what I have,  I still have a few more styles to list that I will hopefully get up later this evening, but I really need to study for a test that I have to take today. 

After visiting I would love to hear what ones you liked most.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the styles that I haven’t listed yet:

 

This set was inspired by my Cousin-In-Law who is expecting Twins, which is available in my etsy shop right now.

I am offering custom orders on almost everything I have or will have listed, just send me a message.  I will also be offering plain white bodysuits with just the crochet trim and no appliqué.

Cupcake and Ice Cream Cone Onsies

I made these cute little appliquéd onsies for my friend’s little girl.

Here’s the pattern for the appliqués.    I included a little 1/2 inch square so you can check if it prints out at the same size as I used. Click on the picture to print a larger size.

  I used Wonder Under to iron the shapes down.  I started with the cup and cone first, ironed them on, and then stitched around the edge.  Then I proceeded to layer the rest on (ironing it, then stitching it, then putting the next layer on).  For the stem of the cherry I used green DMC floss and stitched it on by hand using a back stitch.

LBB/Dharma Design Entry #1

Here is my first entry for the Lil Blue Boo/Dharma Trading Design Challenge.  I used the LBB Recycled T-Shirt Hoodie Pattern.

“Monster Truck Rally”

The line that goes across the front of the shirt was the source of inspiration for adding the Monster Truck Appliqués. 

One of the changes I made to the pattern was I did the sleeves as two layers.  I made them so I can detach the lower sleeve when it warms up.  That way my son can wear it now and wear it through the summer.

 

I love this tunneling affect the pocket gave!!!

My Handsome model!!!

 

Make your own Chenille Strips or “Fuzzy by the Foot”

I based my method of making these Chenille Strips or “Fuzzy by the Foot” off of this tutorial here.

There’s two ways you can prepare the squares to cut.  The first way is illustrated in this picture.  Fold the fabric in thirds and then draw a straight line along the bias of the fabric.  Then cut a straight line from the end of the line you just made to the other side of the fabric creating a square.

The Second way is to just cut three squares of fabric all the same size and line them up on top of each other making sure you have the bias grain going the same way.  Then draw your line connecting one corner of the square to another dividing it into two triangles.

With all three squares together make your first straight stitch down the line you made.  Then line the last stitch up against the left side of the presser foot.  Now depending on how wide you want your strips to be is where you want your needle aligned.  I had my needle in the middle for mine and that made them 3/8” wide once cut.

Now keep going rotating from once side to the other making lines always lining up your last stitch to the left side of your presser foot.

This is what it will look like when you are done sewing all your lines.

Now cut down the middle between each of your stitched lines.

Here’s what one strip looks like

I used my strips to go around my appliqués for my Rock-A-Bye Quilt.  Find a starting spot and start pinning your strips on.  I only pinned the starting point of a new strip and then lined the strip up as I sewed.  Attach the strip by sewing down the middle (you are sewing over the stitching that is already there).  When one strip ends just line a new strip up against the last strip and keep sewing (pinning at the beginning of the new strip will keep it from sliding on you as you keep sewing.

Here’s what it looks like at the end of one strip and beginning of another.

Now take a comb or rough bristled brush and fuzz the strips.  This makes a little bit of a mess, but is so worth it.

Here’s what it looks like after a little fuzzing!

I had so much fun doing this and it made my quilt look so much better.

Before

After

If you are uncertain about any of the steps or I skipped something that you feel is important to help other’s understand please feel free to leave a comment or contact me by e-mail.

Super Kids

The kids like to have me tie blankets around them like capes so I decided to make them each one. I just used what I already had in my fabric stash! To make them I just measured the width of their shoulders and then added 1 inch for the top. Then I measured how how long I wanted the capes to be and I just slowly increased the width as I went to the bottom. Basically making an "A" frame shape. Then I applied the applique letter (these ones I used an adhesive and then did hand sewing around the edges). With right sides together I then sewed the two sides together (be sure to pin the ribbons between the two layers at the top before you sew them together). I left a small opening so I could turn the cape inside out. I finished with a stitch around the outside edge. As always if you have any question leave a comment and I'll try and answer them!

I even made one for the new baby to wear when he gets here. For now Teddy is sporting his cape!