Angela's Gifts

My friend Angela ordered a hat and booties for each of her nieces as a Christmas gift last year.  I wanted to share these cute sets with you.

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Gage's Blanket

Back in the fall I made a baby blanket for my husband's cousin's child, Gage (did you follow that?).  This family loves all things camouflage that is why I went with a hunter green.  I used my favorite yarn, I Love this Yarn from Hobby Lobby.

I used one of my favorite patterns.  It is from RAKJ Patterns.  It is called the Triple Stitch Blanket.  I love it as you can use just about any yarn and any size hook.  This blanket works up really quickly.  You can see another picture of one that I worked up in a bulky weight yarn here.

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Star Ripple Blanket, Hat & Slippers for a Baby Gift

In the midst of making all my Christmas gifts and opening up my shop, I made some baby gifts for my husband's cousin Shannon who was pregnant.  She has since had an adorable little girl Abby.  Abby came into this world a bit early but is doing great now.

I tried out a few new patterns for this baby gift.  I did a theme of Hot Rose, White and Gray (all I love this Yarn).  Let me show you all the cute items.

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Baby Cocoon & Hat

I just love it when I am in the right place at the right time.  That is exactly what happened the other day.  I was on Facebook, like I am most evenings and Betsy of The Dainty Daisy was looking for a few crochet pattern testers.  I completely lucked out and was one of the first people to comment.

I didn't know what I would be making but I had the supplies that she requested.  I was beyond excited when I got an email with the pattern to test after about an hour.  I didn't have any patterns for a baby cocoon and here I got one for free to test!  Yippee for me!  To make it even better, the cocoon was rippled. I just love ripples!

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Crocheted Ballerina Slippers

I had to make my sweet Anna a pair of ballet slippers.  Every girl needs a pair!  What I like about these slippers is I can change the ribbon to suit the outfit.

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Baby Strawberry Slippers

After making my Strawberry Slippers, I realized my sweet Anna deserved a pair as well.  She had a super cute dress with strawberries on it and I knew the slippers would be precious with it.

The slipper pattern I used for these is from Little Birdie Secrets.  The flower pattern is from Sarahndipities.  I stopped after the second row for the small flower.  Both are great patterns.

Here is my sweet Anna in her strawberry dress.  I also made her a pretty flower for her hair as well.  You can see the flower better in the second picture.

I plan to have my flower clips and slippers in my Etsy shop when it opens soon. Be on the lookout!  I am taking the big leap and giving it a try.  Wish me luck!

Baby Sling Tutorial

When I had Evan, I found it increasingly hard to carry him, tend to Ryan and do anything else.  A friend of mine (who also showed me the nursing cover) was carrying her son in a sling.  I loved the idea of the sling as it was much easier to get your child in and out of versus one of those fancier contraptions.

 The only thing I didn't like about the sling was the cost.  When I looked on the internet, most slings were at least $30-50.  That was way out of my price range.  After examining her sling, I knew I could figure out how to make one especially with a bit of google research.

Now that I've had another child, the sling is an essential and I have perfected how I make them.  This is a very simple tutorial and will get you a sling for the cost of 2 yards of fabric and some matching thread!

I made this one for my friend, Henri and her precious baby girl, McCall.  Here she is modeling it for me. Thanks for the picture, Henri!

Baby Sling Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

• 2 yards of fabric of choice (width should be at least 44 inches)
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine
• Measuring tape and/or measurement gauge
• Fabric Marking pen (or light pen to mark small measurements)
• Iron
• Scissors

1.  Prior to making your sling, you will need to get some measurements from the person you are making it for.  Measure from the right shoulder to the left hip bone (where the baby will sit).  Here is an example of how to measure yourself or a friend from a sling company.

2.  Unfold your fabric and cut it lengthwise.  It will measure 2 yards by 22 inches.  Put one piece aside for future use or another sling.

3.  Fold your fabric lengthwise once.  Then fold it in half widthwise.  Make sure the open sides are facing up and to the right. See picture below.

4.  On the top, open side, measure from the fold to your hip to shoulder measurement.  Henri is a petite little lady so her measurement 22 inches.  You want to add a 1/2 inch to this measurement.  Therefore, this top measurement is 22.5 inches.  Mark this with a pen.

Now measure along the bottom from the fold to the next measurement (keep reading) and mark.  Take the original measurement and adding three inches to it.  In Henri's case that is 25 inches (22 plus 3).  See picture below.

5.  After marking both measurements, you will want to cut from the bottom to the top with a curve.  See picture below.

6.  Unfold your fabric and heat up your iron.  It time to use that dreaded iron and do some finishing details.  Measure a 1/4 of an inch fold using your measuring gauge on the length of your fabric.  Iron this fold down on both sides.

7.  Fold this over again and iron down an additional 1/4 of an inch on both sides.

8.  Sew down the fold on top and bottom.

9.  With the sides sewn and finished, fold the fabric in half widthwise with the right side of the fabric facing up.  Make sure your adjust your stitch width to a tight stitch.  This will increase the strength of the seam. Sew along the curve a 1/4 of inch in.

10.  Turn the sling inside out.  You are going to sew along the curve above the seam you just made.  This will encase the previous seam.  Make sure you sew above the previous raw fabric or it will stick out the bottom of the sling (learn from my oops).  This is double protection from the seams opening up.

11.  Open up the sling and sew down this encased seam to the front or back of the fabric.  This makes a nice finish and you don't have the encased seam sticking out.

That's it.  A simple sew for an awesome sling!  Here is my finished sling.

I hope this tutorial helped you.  If you are new to baby-wearing and need help utilizing a sling.  Here is an excellent guide to the different wearing positions.

This is also an excellent gift to make for a little girl.  It is equally as fun to carry your baby dolls around in a sling.  I am sure I will be making one for my sweet Anna one day.

I hope you or a friend enjoys a new sling!

Happy Crafting!

My first Tutu & Tutorial

Well, I did it!  I made my first tutu!  My friend Henri, sent me an easy tutu tutorial video (see below) awhile back, so I thought it would perfect for a birthday gift.  Check it out!

I made this for sweet Antonia's Princess Birthday party.  Here are some pictures of beautiful Antonia in her tutu.  Thanks for the pictures, Karla!

Isn't she just precious?  I hug and squeeze her every time I see her!

I was very happy with how my first tut turned out!  It was very simple to make.

Here is what you will need:

• 2 rolls of 6 inch by 25" tulle of either one or two colors
• 3/4 inch Elastic for waist band
• Scissor or rotary cutter/cutting mat
• ruler or measuring tape
• needle and thread or a sewing machine to make it super fast
• coordinating ribbon to the colors of the tulle
• roll of paper towels and pins (this is to hold the elastic as you tie on the tulle

Here is the fantastic video I followed to make the tutu:




I did the slip knot technique and I used at least 60 strips for this 4T/5T tutu.  I used every bit of the two rolls of tulle. I like how full the tutu turned out.  Once I put on all the tulle, I tied on a ribbon and made a pretty bow.

I think my first tutu was a success!

Be on the lookout for my next tutu.  I am making a ladybug tutu for my sweet Anna's first birthday!

Happy Crafting!

Pacifier Clip Tutorial

Whether you approve of pacifiers or not, this isn't the issue.  The issue is saving yourself or another parent from picking up a pacifier continually or having to go on the great pacifier hunt.

  I have three kids and of those three, two loved having a pacifier.  My sweet little Anna loves her pacifier.  Since I am getting used to a girl and all the needs to accessorize, I had to make Anna some pretty pacifier clips to go with her outfits.  I also made a few boy's clips for a friend.

Without further ado...

Pacifier Clip Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

Suspender/Mitten clips:  You can purchase just the clips at a craft store, but they can be expensive ($4 for two).  If you are lucky to hit the winter items before they are gone, purchase some regular mitten clips.  Typically, you get 4 in a set.  I bought some at regular price for $2 and caught them a few weeks later for $0.50!  That is quite the savings.  These are colored, but you could always spray paint or even paint them with fingernail polish.

Ribbon:  Measure your mitten clip opening to insure that your ribbon will fit well.  Most of these are 3/4 of an inch or an inch.

Thread: Pick your thread to match your ribbon

Sewable Velcro

Sewing machine or by hand if you so choose


Scissors




Directions:


1.  Cut your ribbon to the size that you would like for the child.  Typically 6 to 8 inches.  You don't want it too loose as it could become a danger for the child.

2.  Put both sides of the velcro together and cut it to fit your ribbon.  It doesn't need to be a large piece, just enough to catch and keep the ribbon attached.

3.  Fold over one in the ribbon.  String the ribbon through the mitten clip with the fold on the backside.  Fold over the clip and sew together.

4. Fold over the other end of the ribbon. Place one side of the velcro over the fold. Sew around the velcro to secure.  Space the second piece of velcro about an inch down from the ribbon and sew it to the ribbon as well.

There you have it.  A simple pacifier clip that you can whip up very quickly as a gift or for one of your little ones.  Here the ones that I have made recently.

Happy Crafting!

PS.  Happy Third Birthday to my little man Evan!  Thanks for always making us laugh and for your sweet platypus type kisses! Stop growing up on Mommy!

Nursing Cover Tutorial

Before I had my first child, I knew I wanted to try to breastfeed him.  I was not aware how uncomfortable I would feel if I was out in public and needed to do so.  A blanket can help hide what you are doing, but it can be hot and babies learn to pull at it and destroy your sense of modesty.

Right after I had Ryan, a friend of mine who just had a baby as well came over and she got out her nursing cover when it was time for her to feed her son.  I asked her what she was using and where I could get one.  She told me she got it online and that it was about $40.  I was deflated.  I could not swing spending $40 on a nursing cover when I just quit my job to stay home with Ryan.  I asked my friend if I could look at her nursing cover.  After closer inspection, I found that nursing covers are very simple and would be easy to make.

Even if you use fancy fabric, it shouldn't cost more then $10 to make.  The first one I made cost less than $4 with some inexpensive fabric. Below is my handsome little man Evan being a good sport and modeling one I made.

Let me share with you how easy it is to make a nursing cover for yourself or as a gift.

Supplies Needed:

• 1 yard of fabric (the lighter weight the better to be breathable, just make sure it isn't see through)
• 1/2 yard of terry cloth for inside corners (optional, but nice to wipe up any spit up)
• 1 foot of boning (like what is used in corsets) see below

• Two D-clips.  (These usually come in a four pack).

• scissors
• iron
• sewing machine
• matching thread

1.  Unfold your yard of fabric.  Cut a 3 inch strip of fabric off the bottom of your fabric lengthwise.  This will be your strap and strap holder.

2.  Fold your 3 inch strip in half with the right side of the fabric inside.  Iron it down to give it a crisp edge.

3.  Sew along the edge of three side of this strap, leave one of the small ends open.

4.  Now cut off a 4 to 5 inch piece from the end that is not sew up.  This will become the portion that you will add the D-rings to.  See picture (ignore fabric below it).

5.  Take the both strap pieces and work them inside out so that the right side of the fabric is showing.

6.  String two D-rings onto the small piece and fold over.

7.  Sew a line directly below the D-rings so they don't move when the nursing cover is being used.

8.  Put both of these straps to the side for now.

9.  Take your remaining big piece of fabric and fold the two shorter sides and one longer side in a 1/4 of an inch and press with the iron.  Then fold it in another 1/4 of an inch and press with the iron again.  This will give a clean edge to the inside.

10.  Cut a 4 to 5 inch square out of the terry cloth.  The larger you make the square the larger your corner pockets will be.  Then fold over each square.  Check to make sure they fit well in the corners you just pressed down.  If they do, place them inside the corner, with the finished folded edge overlapping the terry cloth. (see below).

11.  Pin the terry cloth to the fabric edges and sew up the each of the folded edges to include the terry cloth triangles.

12.  Now to finish up the remaining long edge.  Fold over this edge a 1/4 of an inch or larger depending on the width of your boning.  Press with the iron.  Fold it another 1/4 of an inch and press with the iron again, then unfold this portion back.

13.  Place the boning under this folded edge in the center of the fabric, with the curve facing down. (This will allow the curve to face in toward the person when finished).  Pin the boning to the fabric.  Sew the portion where the boning is to attach the boning to the fabric.

14.  Fold over the fabric another 1/4 of an inch (you previously ironed it to this point).  Place your rough edge of your strap to the side of the boning and pin down.

15.  Place the small strap with the D-rings on the other side of the boning and pin down.

16.  Sew the length of the fabric to secure the final edge.  Make sure that both straps are securely sew into the edge.

17.  Fold over both straps and sew again so they are facing up when the nursing cover is worn.

It may seem like a ton of steps, but a nursing cover is very easy to make.  I wanted to be thorough and not leave out anything for even the most novice of seamstress.  The terry cloth corners are a nice touch to the nursing covers as you can use it as a pocket to tuck a tissue or bra pad.  Plus, it is nice to have something close to wipe the baby's mouth.  

I'm sorry I don't have a better picture, my model was asleep and I forgot to take another picture before I gave it as a present.

In a few days, I will have one more easy sew baby gift to share with you, but I need to make it first so that I have pictures for the step-by-step tutorial.  If you've ever wanted to make a baby sling, you won't want to miss that tutorial.