A Little Charm Quilt

The other day Jess said, "We should make some stroller quilts."

Then she made three.

With appliqué.

I managed to eek out one in twice the time!

 My challenge was to use fabric I had, and I did. Even down to the batting. Of course it's tiny, 35 x 35, so I'm not sure it should really count as fabric out...

Michael Miller Pod Pozy charm pack.

 Kaufman Kona chocolate border.

 Michael Miller Ta-Dot for the binding and back.

Sorry about the not so artistic sun spots. I wasn't in the mood for a do over. 

Next up is my gratuitous baby shot. Avert your eyes if you are tired of these........

Trying to capture golden baby lashes on a wiggly boy.

Heaven.

Still Catching Up

I made some things for my grandson a couple of weeks ago. Those necessary, everyday things that babes go through like they're on fire. 

Especially when one such babe drools.

 A lot. 

So much so, that mom asked if I could make some that liquid wouldn't soak through. 

I found this coated elephant fabric here. I love it! It washes well. Jess had some Cuddle fabric left over from the blanket and they made a great pair. I used a narrow packaged binding to finish out the edges. Boy do I need practice doing that! Can we say wonky?? Thank goodness the point is function, and they do. I did two with snaps and two with Velcro to see which worked better. 

Jess took a lot more photos of him in his bib. I could only narrow it down to this many.

Something else the little man does well is, burp. 

I think it's kind of a game, at least that's how I choose to look at it. 

Jess had a few receiving blankets that ended up being used as burp rags. They were a bit big. She had some in the traditional style and they were a bit small. I ended up buying a yard of inexpensive but cute flannel, cutting them into fat quarters, doing a wide hem with mitered corners and they seem to be perfect for this job.

Jess liked them enough to go buy flannel for me to make more.  

Mister also sleeps in some cute sleep bags which are getting too small. Jess has had a hard time finding replacements. I got the bright idea that I could make one. I took a pattern I'd been given (thanks Jennifer!) for a onesie type suit and modified it for a bag with a zippered front. I made it in the size I thought would fit but...... there is some growing that needs to happen... Jess called it his Chewbaca outfit. Hilarious no? 

More later!

Wow I'm a Slacker

I have a friend. She had a grandchild. He was born before my grandson. I made her grandson a gift. I never sent the gift. I am a bad friend.

I figure if I admit this and post it, I will be so ashamed that I will finally get to the post office and send it. There is no excuse for not getting it sent, other than I am being forgetful lately.  I think I need people, or at least an assistant. If this does not arrive on your doorstep by the end of the week please call and yell at me.

Oh and Joan, when you get it, you can see how far from perfect my sewing is! This blanket is wonky, but since it's meant to be drug around and loved I hope that won't matter! P.S. I'll put something in the box for you too!

Bad Photos But A Very Cute Subject

This is from a month ago. Sorry, I have been doing, but not taking the time to take good photos. Or any photos. These are from my phone.  Please, use your imagination and edit them anyway you would like.

When it got cold in Florida, I decided MAC needed a hat. I crocheted one. It was too small. It was kinda ugly too. I decided to try knitting again and  I made four more hats. None. Of. Them. Fit. My only excuse is that I was not in the same state as the baby. The lovely photo of hats on my knees was what I took to text to Jess to show her how clever I was being.  ...... At least I got a lot of practice and his momma let me torment him by making him wear the closet to fitting hat.

Man I love this boy!

Sorry For My Absence......

I've been a little bit preoccupied.

For Jessica

One of the things I’ve been trying to do is help Jessica get ready to go to the hospital when Baby MAC decides to make his entrance. A couple of weeks ago we were looking high and low for an appropriate nightgown for the hospital.  There were specific criteria to be for it to be deemed appropriate. It had to be comfortable, easy for nursing and visitor friendly. Oh and not ugly.  We came to the conclusion that there was nothing that fit our standards. No thing.  Nada.  Then I had a moment. Ya’ll know the one. The one where I am brilliant. I said, “Jess, I know how to sew, it’s something I do. What if I made you a gown?” She told me I was brilliant and said yes please.  Actually I think she rolled her eyes and said took you long enough.  Anyway, I would of showed you this last week but I decided to go and get sick and make my very pregnant daughter wait on me hand and foot for two whole days.  I’m better but only because I got tired of all of the attention.

More later!

A Bag For Jessica

Jessica and I were discussing what type of bag she would like to have when baby M is born. She even sent sketches because that's fun for her. When she mentioned she liked the way the Multi Tasker tote by AMH looked I started thinking of combining the two. Not sure if this is exactly what she was looking for, but it's a start. I made this with our new organic canvas and one of the gorgeous chambrays from Kaufman.

I used the pattern and it was fun and simple. I just added more pockets. These two were not in the pattern. I figured everyone needs a zippered pocket and the other gets wider at the top for, well, odd wide at the top stuff.

I also put fleece between the layers to give it more body. Moms need to be able to use just one hand sometimes, right? I added a pocket that follows the fun outer pockets on the pattern.

In it I put a changing mat with a fun Amy Schimler surprise. I had to use the iron on vinyl. Not a fan but you do what you have to do. Dear Ms. Schimler, have you thought of coated cottons lately?

She might even  be able to sling it across her body if she absolutely needs both hands.

What do you think Jess?

My New BFF

Has anyone ever used this before? If so, why didn't you tell me?

I was reading somewhere (no, can't remember where, sorry) about someone taping their zippers down before they sew them to hold them in place and how much better it was than pinning. Then I forgot about it. I don't try a lot of new ( to me ) products because I forget to look and see if we have it at work and then I get home and then I am tired and the next day it starts again. K, really, it's because the new stuff I buy most is fabric. BUT, not anymore. I will never ever be without this again. We had it, it's on the wall I walk past no less than 20 times a day and I never saw it! I haven't tried it on a zipper installation yet but let me tell you, on teeny tiny baby clothes where you need a sharp 1/4 inch turn under and you're trying to go around a sleeve that's ridiculously small, it's amazing. It saves time. I didn't have to poke my poor fingers with pins.

Wonder tape, I love you.

Ridiculously small baby outfit. Simplicity 3852. Cannot for the life of me remember the fabric and there is no identifier on the selvedge. Size 6 months.

I think it's cute, what do you think Jessica?

Next up, crazy booties! Made from the free bitty booties pattern by Heather Bailey. My first try at needle felting. You can see I let my imagination run wild....

What can I say? It makes me happy!

More Baby Stuff

I stayed home today. I wasn't feeling great and after realizing that I'd sat for about a half hour just looking at the wall when I was supposed to be going to work..... I stayed home. I really don't like staying home when I don't feel good. I think the only time I am ever bored at home is when I'm sick. Especially when my head and face hurt like they are right now. Jennifer says it's the drastic changes in temperature that we've been having. I may be inclined to agree. After our two days at near 80 we are back down to 60.... with rain.... oh blah.....

Anyway.

I sewed.

It took me all day.

Did I mention my head hurt?

It made me happy though, sitting, sewing, thinking of having a model for this minature stuff I like to make.

Oliver + S Bedtime Story Pajamas, size small.

This  is the yummiest, softest flannel we have in our shop, Kaufman "Cozy Cotton". I had a hard time finding something in my stash to trim it in until I spotted some of our newest line, "Multiple Choice" by Hoffman, that I'd bought the day it came in. Hope you like them as much as I do Jessica.

Instead of the ties on the sides that it calls for, I made small tabs and used snaps to close it. It's an issue I have with ties and babies....

New Things

 My grandbaby is a grandson! Jess and Uber found out Friday that the little Uber IS in fact a little Uber! Now that I know of course I had to sew something. I chose an Oliver & S pattern, big surprise.... the sandbox pants. Why is everything teeny tiny so cute??? I used a Kaufman corduroy, it's very soft, and for fun, a bit of Amy Schimler for the pocket linings and the waistband.

Yes, the pants are surrounded by more animals. Since you know who doesn't sew, this is his contribution. I think he has contributed about 20 new animals. He thinks he may be done. I'm not so sure.

Next is another dress for the baby mamma. I'll get these in the mail soon Jess, promise! This is more of Joel Dewberry's fabric line. I love the way this looks when it's shirred.

One of Heather Bailey's new patterns, Saturday Market bag, made for the shop. This was an easy pattern and I used the same fabrics she chose for her pattern cover in a different colorway. I love this fabric. L.O.V.E.

Last but not least, we had some sunshine this weekend. You know who and I managed to make it outside a couple of times. I think the sunshine didn't set too well with me on Saturday. After sitting outside for a couple of hours, not in the direct sun, I got a migraine and my face was not so pretty this morning. Can you become allergic to the sun if you don't get to see it for awhile?? This evening we went out again and so far I've had better results. I still stayed under an umbrella...

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