Elephant, circa 1976

My MIL gave me this old toy pattern and I immediately recognized it because we had the dog and kangaroo when I was a kid. I made the elephant tonight.





-A

A few goodies

A bib and 2 hair elastics (the beaded fabric flowers) and an Anpanman sunhat and onesie. The sunhat material and patch for the onesie are from my brother and sister-in-law's trip to Japan.



-A

Sunhats

I have wanted to try sewing sunhats for a long time and finally gave it a go with Kwik Sew 3309. I am charmed with the results and by how easy they were to sew. I have some ideas I would now like to try with the concept. The one on the right is size 12-18 months and the left one is 3-6 months, both made with cotton and interfacing.



-A

This Week's Work

A couple bibs and placemats:





A pencil crayon roll. I love the ribbon used for the tie, it is marked like a measuring tape.



and another cross stitch for my friend, this one is based on a Subversive Stitching pattern.



Any suggestions what to do with this old piece of embroidery I found? I really like it, but am not sure what to make with it. The stitching is about about 6"x 6" and it was made from a vintage pattern.



-A

Tidbits from the Weekend

I finished the embroidery piece I was working on and sewed it into a bib, along with 2 other bibs:



I also did a tiny cross stitch for a friend, this is just 1" x 1.25".



I was sorting through some old craft materials given to me by my MIL and her mother, and found these sweet embroidery patterns. I can't wait to use them, maybe on a clothespin apron. I love using my clothesline now that the weather is warmer. I do think though that you must get more sentimental when you get older because 10-15 years ago I'd probably rather wade in pirahna-infested water than wear embroidered kittens on anything.





-A

Baby Blue Onesie

A onesie for a gift for an online friend who just had a baby. I have been wanting to try monochrome colour embroidery for a while and really liked the blue on this onesie so used a matching colour of thread. The pattern is a vintage pattern from http://needlecrafter.com/.





Stitches used: split stitch, french knot and lazy daisy.




-A

Baby Gift

My Wednesday tennis instructor is obsessed with tweety bird..so I made a tweety bird snap T for her baby due in the Fall. As well as a wrap. Melissa

Embroidered Bibs

Two bibs with vintage embroidery patterns.





-A

Let's not forget the accessories

a matching diaper case to hold a little wipes container and a couple of diapers. Pattern can be found on Jan Andrea's baby-related craft site.



-A

More iron ons

Realy because thats all I have the energy for these days.

Brodies says ride it like you stole it and Coopers says Keep on rockin in the free world :) M

Iron ons

To my chagrin it turns out the instructions were there all along...(so embarassing) So I spun off a few shirts the toher night. Here is the first, psted from the other blog:

I ordered some fancy pro grade iron on transfer sheets from the states and made Brodie a shirt that says "Future Astronaut" with a space shuttle on it. When I gave it to him he asked me what it said, and explained that I thought he was so great at learning about the solar system that someday I bet he would get to go to space. Well, he burst into tears and said he didnt' want to leave his home..it was so cute and sad at the same time. So I explained to him that it would be when he was big like daddy he could choose to go, he was fine with that and asked to wear it...that was 4 or 5 days ago now. And he hasn't taken it off much, I can usually get it off long enough to wash it..but I'm guessing I will be picking up another white shirt and making a second one! I aslo made Cooper and Tyler shirts that say "Sleep is for the Weak" M

Slacker crafter

Wow, Amanda has really been keeping the ship afloat while I took my hiatus..I didn't really intend to but I think I got all crafted out after Xmas.

So here we are, 2 wraps..the very summery one is for a friend who left for Palm Springs today..the wintery one, which feels like fake suede, is for a new sasky baby!




Then I made this rad belt during Cooper's nap today. LOVE it, going to wear it to a party on Sat night :) idon't even care that I used dark brown thread lol. (didn't have orange or green, or cream...)

Bippity Boppity Bibs

I love sewing bibs, they are quick(ish) to sew, you don't need a lot of fabric and they are a nice showcase for the fabric, embroidery or applique. Unfortunately they also mean working with my arch nemesis, Bias Tape. I will defeat you yet, Bias Tape!

Shadow and a Bee Block

So it turned out Sonic was a big hit, and I got a request for Shadow the Hedgehog for Christmas.




I also put some of my fabric scaps to use before my scrap drawer exploded. (If you're looking at the photo mystified, it's a baby toy.)



-A

Assorted Gifts and Crafts

Quilted christmas wallhanging. Quilting requires patience and precision, so I don't do much of it. Look at my loops, they are crazy lopsided and I will have to include that specific stick with the gift to make sure it hangs straight.



I whipped up another bag out of the remnants. I always request or purchase extra fabric in case I make a mistake and then if it all works out I have remnants to play with.



Embroidered bear bib. It has the sweetest blue, white and red Red Riding Hood print on the back, but I couldn't get a nice picture of it.





-A

Oh embroidery, how I love you.

Click to see larger (my new HTML trick).





And the bum of the heart and dagger one:



Also in the works: many bags.

-Amanda

Lambkins

Free pattern here.

Craft Room Therapy

I've been feeling kind of blah lately* but some of my unpatented craft room therapy is helping.

Christmas present. Yes, I've started making them and no, you're not a slacker for not starting yet.



Close-up. Cross-stitch takes lots of stitches.



Headband from the Horray for Headbands post on One Hour Craft (see post below)



In my messy hair. Helps cover greys!



Baby blanket. Super cute sea turtles and super-soft fabric on the other side.



oh I just have to add a sea turtle close-up. They're so sweet.



* post comments. It'll make me feel better.

Bib Tutorial

Materials:

Front material (I used a piece of embroidery)
Padding- preferably something absorbent like terrycloth
Back material
Bias tape
Needle and thread or sewing machine

If you are using a piece of embroidery wash it first



Cut out a paper pattern for the size you want your bib to be. I just made one up but you can probably find patterns online or trace a bib you already have.

Pin your paper pattern to the front material, cut it out and then pin and cut out a piece for the padding and the back material.

Here I already cut out the front and padding, and am about to cut some green fleece for backing.



Pin together all 3 layers with the "good" sides of your front and backing together



Sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the neck part open



Turn inside out and pin your bias tape along the neck piece, with long ends extending on both sides to tie around the neck. Sew along length of bias tape, making sure you are sewing through all 3 layers and both sides of the bias tape.



Things I learned making this tutorial:
- don't use a piece of embroidery that took you two weeks to finish when first attempting a project where you are making up directions as you go along.
- fleece and terrycloth makes the bib a bit too thick, better to use just fleece or terrycloth with cotton on the back.
- when using a piece of embroidery it's better to have some fabric framing the piece instead of a close seam as it will look nicer.

Baby Gift for a Friend

I ordered the Red Riding Hood fabric for a mei tai for a friend of mine and here is the finished product, along with a wristlet and changepurse I sewed for her as well.



Nicole is a SAHM to 3 boys (4, 2 and 3 months) and sews very comfy and pretty mei tai baby carriers. You can see and purchase her mei tais at Tadpoles and Butterflies.