Rainbow Quilt

Brandon has been asking me to make him another quilt for well over a year.  I found lots of different quilt ideas and asked Brandon to pick one.  He loved this one.  I LOVE the colors, but I still don't understand the whole puff quilt thing.  He wanted it very similar and loved the fabric colors, so I then started hunting for fabric in June.  Yes, I have been working on this for over 6 months.  The color fabric is all from Riley Blake Designs collection.   I drove to MANY quilt shops before finding some of the fabric in Pella, IA .  Although to be honest, I mostly went for the bakery and didn't actual think I'd find my fabric!  The white fabric I used on the front is from JoAnn's and it is white with white circles on it.  The back of the quilt is plain Kona white fabric.

So, here's what I did.  The color squares were cut at 4.5 inches and the white strips are 1.5 inches wide.  I sewed the white onto the top and bottom of each color square and then came back and sewed 1.5 strips on to each side.  Using a quarter inch seem, the finished size of each block ended up being 6 inches (the color is 4 inches, and the white is an inch all the way around).  

After laying them out and deciding on my pattern, I sewed them together from top to bottom (which is actually left to right in this picture).  Once I had all 11 columns done, I sewed them together making sure to like up seems as best I am able.   To sandwich it together, I used plain cotton batting.

I completely put this  quilt together with my plain old sewing machine.  I machine quilted a line straight across touching a colored square, once where the two white strips lined up, and once again on the top of the next colored square, so between each colored square there are 3 lines straight across (and up and down) on the quilt.  I used a 3 inch double binding and sewed it first to the back of the quilt and then used a zig-zag stitch to bind it on the front.  I ended up having the kiddos write their names on a colored block and I hand stitched them into the quilt.  It isn't the most readable, but it added a nice personal touch. The quilt is roughly 66 by 84 inches.  I love this quilt so much that I wish I would have made it king size for our bed, but Brandon is very thankful that this blanket is just for him.

Merry {Ugly} Christmas : )

Mike had an ugly sweater bar hop to attend and after seeing this on pinterest I knew that last minute craftiness was in order... I free handed all the shapes out of felt and then hot-glued on his buttons and booties and sewed down the rest.  It was the least stressful craft I have done since the whole goal was to make something ugly..... check : )

Superhero Capes

This month, I made superhero capes for family photos!  I made 3 for my boys, and 2 for my niece and nephew (for Christmas).  My mom was here to help me out, but I did all of the actual sewing.  We mostly followed this tutorial using broadcloth for the outside, and matching superhero flannel on the inside.  We did modify the length's of the capes for the different children.  For my oldest two (4.5 and 6), I made them as long as I could and used almost the whole yard of material.  For the other three, I had to make them smaller (2/3 of a yard would probably be plenty of fabric for theirs.)

I also wasn't a fan of ties for capes (as it isn't the safest and let's face it, I'm too lazy to tie them every time they want to put them on) and Velcro (it gets dirty or strings in it and then it just isn't the nicest anymore...perhaps I'm too picky...)  Anyway, while looking at my options at the fabric store, I stumbled across some magnetic closures.  They are quite stronger than I need, but the boys are perfectly 'cape'able to put them on anytime they desire and no one will be strangled while playing with them!  Yea!

So here is one side of my neck part.  I cut two small slits for the clasps to go through.  I used some liquid nails glue, (aren't I crafty) and put it around the wholes to make sure it won't fray and to also give the fabric a little extra strength.

 

Then I added an extra piece of flannel to give it just a little more strength. (Did I mention that these are some strong magnets??)  The metal was also a tad sharp, so I thought this would help make these capes last forever.  Once they were sewed and turned inside out, you can't tell that the flannel is even in there.

Oh...and to add the jagged edges on the bottom of Batman's cape, I started with the cape folded in half.  Then, I cut out a triangle template.  I started at center, and just cut the jags in all the way to the edge.  It seemed a lot easier to do that then all of the measuring and marking that the instructions did.  I'm very pleased with how they turned out.

I also used HTV for the logos on the back along with my heat press.  It was SO much easier than trying to cut it out in fabric and sew it on! 

I think the pictures turned out great!  I am so happy that I made these and didn't pawn these off to Grandma to make!  Thanks to It Happened On Mulberry Street Photography for the wonderful photos!  Click the link if you want to see more of my boys!

Ice Pack Covers and Knitting Projects

 This month Vicki sewed ice pack covers.  She sewed two that fit smaller ice packs that she had.  She also sewed one that was adjustable to fit around any size ice pack.

Vicki also knitted a few hot pads and a red scarf.  The red scarf was donated to a local project that gives them out on Valentine's Day to kids that have aged out of the foster care system.

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

My daughter recently lost her first tooth and the tooth fairy was ready at our house!  I found great ideas on Pinterest and went a little wild:)  The reaction when she saw what the tooth fairy left was priceless.

 Grandma and Grandpa have a fairy door on one of their trees and the kids are very entertained by it.  Once I saw this  I knew the tooth fairy had to leave a door at our house.  This door magically appeared over night when the tooth fairy stopped by to collect the tooth.  It is placed in between the wall that separates the kids' bedrooms, so easily accessible for the tooth fairy to visit either child;)

 Well what did she put her tooth in?

 This cute pouch.  I used the dimensions from this tutorial to make the pouch.  Then I had Grandma (thank you!) sew it together quick and sew on the ribbon so it would loop around the door knob.  I then used my Silhouette and Amy Robison's awesome tooth fairy kit to cut out heat transfer for the pouch and then ironed it on.  The "tooth fairy" then attached a mini key to her door on the ribbon of the bag.  We also used Amy Robison's Lost Tooth Certificate to document the big day.  So much fun!

Since we did my daughter's pouch I went ahead and made one for my son as well, now I just have to hang onto it until he looses his teeth in a few years!

Updated Quilt

This month Vicki gave an old quilt new life.  Vicki's oldest daughter (Gail!) received this quilt as a gift from her great-grandma when she was little.  It received lots of love over the years and was worn in several places and had ink stains several places as well.  Gail's daughter is having a horse phase so Vicki updated the quilt and gave it to her.  It is currently receiving lots of love again:)

 The quilt before it was updated.

And After.
The horse received a new mane.  The top corner hearts were replaced and extra hearts were added to the body of the quilt.

Tutu Revamp!

I was rehearsing the Esmeralda variation for an August show and have been getting crafty with my ensemble!  I last used my tutu for Spanish-ey Paquita which meant it had all red decorations and lace.  My mom, Vicki, helped me take off all the red and resew two layers of green tulle that is tacked down with green rhinestones.  I also sewed/hot glued a green and black flower for my hair.  Finally, I bejeweled and ribbon-ed my tambourine that I use in the variation.  I completed all my preparations on Sunday night and unfortunately when I walked into the studio Monday morning, I found out the show had been canceled.  However, I hope to still perform it in the fall and (if I remember) will post a picture of the final look here at that time : )

Preschool Handprint Quilt

Parker's preschool teach went on maternity leave and had to return for this last week of school.  All of the kids in Parker's class made hand print animals on 9" quilt blocks for me and then I sewed them together and made a baby quilt to give to her.  I gave it to her today on the last day so that the kids could see what all of their hand prints turned into.  Ms. Rachel and all the kids were very excited to see it.  It turned out a LOT cuter than I even imagined!

For anyone interested, I had 9 inch white blocks with 2 inch strips between.  I used a 3/8th inch seam (simply because I didn't realize my machine was set up on 3/8th instead of a 1/4th when I started..oops..)  I hand quilted it together "in the ditch" and followed with a 2.5" double binding.  This all sounds fancy, but it's not...I swear...it just takes time.

Hot Pad for Bowls

 Vicki sewed a curved hot pad that is the perfect shape for a bowl of morning oatmeal.  No more hot hands! 

April Showers....

 So this month's project kind of made me wish I had a sewing machine or at the very least was a faster sewer!  I sewed straps, velcro, and a letter on my towel as inspired by Sewlikemymom.  Bring on the April Showers : )   

Men's Red Vest

This month Vicki was able to complete sewing the red vest she has been working on for her spouse.

Super Hero Cape

Vicki made this great reversible cape as a Big Brother gift for her Great Nephew.  She initially saw this tutorial and then used it as a base to start from. His first name starts with a "K" so she used the Captain America Shield and instead of a star, used a K.  Then since he likes Batman she did that on the reverse side. 

Sewing Projects

This month Vicki did several sewing projects:

 She made a few fun pillow cases for her grandson. 

 She used fabric scraps she had to make bags to contain the grocery/Target sacks.

She also made a table runner and napkin rings.

Dinosaur Tails

 After seeing this tutorial Vicki made some dinosaur tales for the grand kids.

They were a hit! Thanks Grandma!

(P.S. -- Amy - prize for you if you can guess where the red fabric is left over from:))

Updated Stools

Earlier this month Vicki made some new covers for stools that were getting a little worn.  She added some new padding to them as well.  

Creepy Crafty Halloween

Coffee Coffee Coffee!!!

After seeing a Starbucks costume for little kids on pinterest last year I decided that I wanted to be a cup of Caribou Coffee this year!  Luckily I had the help of some awesome people to pull this together for me.  Vicki (my mom) made a pattern and then sewed the wonderful white dress and Gail used her silhouette to cut out (GLOW IN THE DARK!) and make the very professional looking belt which really helped pull this all together so people knew what I was!  And Thanks to Erin as well for the use of the heat press!!  Then to finish it off I wrote all over it with 'things that I stay awake for' as per the Caribou theme.  Overall it turned out great and was a hit!  Thanks Ladies!!  

mummy door and Halloween decor

Chick Magnet!

 So the night before we still hadn't settled on a costume for my husband so browsing thru target we decided some arts and crafts were in order... we made the magnet out of tagboard and then used silver duct tape and construction paper to finish it off... for the final touches we ziptied chicks to the magnet and used tent pole string to tie it together... very manly crafting.

all lit up

finished pumpkins

And of course there was some pumpkin carving - Mine was a minion from Despicable Me - Thanks Pinterest!!!

Color Bag and Pipe Cleaner Crown

Vicki made a big sister gift for a relative.  She sewed a crayon bag, handy for carrying all your crayons and coloring books.  Also she made a quick and easy crown out of pipe cleaners to go with it.

Ladybug Girl!

This month Vicki made her Granddaughter a red glittery tutu that she can use to dress up as Ladybug Girl (we love these books!) for Halloween.  The skirt had a bottom layer of old bridesmaid's dress fabric (thanks Amy!) and the top layer was glitter tulle.

Scrapbook Pages

 This month Valerie made a "quilted" scrapbook page out of pictures of her old high school marching band t-shirts.  She stitched the title of of Marching Band (seen below) to tie into the quit theme.  She decided that showcasing her memorabilia this way was easier than making an actual quilt out of all her old t-shirts.  Certainly much quicker too:)

Stick Ponies

 This month Vicki made stick ponies for the grand kids.  They were a hit!

This pretty pony was inspired this blog post!

The pony head was free handed and sewn.  Ribbon was used for the bridle as well as a mardi gras beaded necklace.  The mane is a feathered boa ribbon.  Check out the rainbow eyelashes!