Toddler Boy Quilt

One of my little guy's first words was "Melmo" meaning Elmo.

A few words later he learned to say "Buzz!" with much excitement. And, with the release of Toy Story 3, Buzz was everywhere. No matter where we were there was sure to be a Buzz to point out. After those two came "choo choo" (Thomas), "Orge" (Curious George), and Cars.

As much I would love for him to be into more mature colors, Americana plaids and stripes, the truth is that this kid loves his characters. They are familiar, and when he says their names we understand him - which makes for a very happy toddler - since he is often misunderstood and therefore frustrated.

Anyway, after seeing the new Toy Story fabric come into the Hob Lob where I work, I knew that I had to make my little guy a quilt with all of his favorite friends.

So, here it is!:

The quilt is about 40'x 50". Each Character is an 8" square and is paired with (2) 1 inch strips on one side and (1) 2 inch strip on the other to make a 10 inch finished block size.

In order to mix all of the different colors from the character fabric I did a thin 1" sashing throughout and a 2" boarder. I simplified the quilt by sewing the front, back and batting right sides together and then flipping and topstitching.

I quilted it with random swirls, numbers, and shapes on my regular machine with a free motion foot. It took some practice, but I got it done with okay results.

He loves it and so do I!

Hanging Sewing Machine Organization

A while back I bought the weighted pin cushion/thread catcher that is next to my machine.

While I was at the quilt shop where I bought it, I got some coordinating fabric to make the under machine hanging organizer. I finally got around to it, and I have no idea what took me so long. It was so easy and only took about 10 minutes to make. I wish I had tutorial pics!

I had a fat quarter of the blue fabric and a half yard of the red with scissors.

I cut the red to the fat quarter size and used the extra to make a pocket.

The pocket is simply a piece of fabric the width of the whole piece and then folded in half (the fold being the top) and then sewn to the blue fabric in straight dividing lines for separate pockets.

I then laid the blue fabric (with pocket sewn on) and the red backing fabric right sides together. I added a piece of batting, stitched around the edges. Clipped the corners. Turned it. Topstitched and done!

Very easy. And so functional.

This fabric will look great in my sewing room once I can find it. :)

It is buried project fury, currently. Hence my sewing machine on the kitchen table. hehe.

The Halloween Rag Quilt

Here it is folks, the quilt that almost killed me.

It's a Halloween rag quilt for our Church's blanket trick or treating, of course!

8ft by 6ft

96 individually quilted and ragged blocks.

I used a different quilting technique for each block color.

Some have words or pictures. Some are just lines and swirls.

For this rag quilt I cut all of the squares out of the top fabric and also the back fabric (which was black).

I also cut the batting into squares an inch smaller than the fabric.

After making my block sandwiches with back fabric, batting, and top fabric, I quilted each block. I just used my regular sewing machine to do this. I drew designs onto the fabric with a disappearing marking pen and then "traced" them with my sewing machine. It was time consuming, but it wasn't difficult.

When all of the blocks were quilted, I sewed them together with wrong sides together. This puts the seams facing the top of the quilt.

After putting together all of the blocks, sit down, put on a movie and get comfy. Then start snipping! Wash the blanket and enjoy!

Toys for Boys

Here's an oldie that I haven't shared yet.

It's a toy car mat that folds up for easy transport to and from church or wherever.

The mat is just simply two pieces of fabric sewn together with the road sewn out of felt onto one of the fabrics. I put plastic canvas in between for stability, but if I did this again, I would just use some batting. Or maybe both the batting and plastic canvas.

When it is folded up there is a pocket on the outside for extra cars.

(I don't actually use this pocket very often. I don't have any flat cars like Matchbox cars, so my cars make the mat too bulky.

Another craft for boys that I finished more recently was this set of bean bags.

I used three different colored fabrics in three different boyish fabrics.

For added stability I fused a heavy weight interfacing to the wrong side of each fabric.

These are perfect gifts for boys with mom's who are nursing a new baby or boys who like the throw balls inside or are learning colors!

Too Easy Scrabble Tile Magnetic Frame

This is just a little something I made up a few weeks ago, but last night the thought came to me that something similar might make a really nice neighbor gift or something!

So, I will share it now.

I was inspired by this post on Ucreate about a million years ago!

My twist?: I put magnets on the back of the scrabble tiles and used some sheet metal from Home Depot to fill the frame. I could have covered the frame with cute paper, but I liked the industrial look. :)

If I put magnets on the back of more tiles we could write notes to each other or spell other things!

Couch Pillows

After much anticipation (here, at our house) we finally have a start to new couch pillows!

Two down. Two to go.

I wanted a scrappy look... I think I got that.

I did the backs like this so I can switch these puppies out as my mood changes... err... maybe not quite that often!

Ta Da!

Another Rag Quilt

This little number was a baby gift. I always try to make something as a gift, and this particular day, I was feeling the need to make a rag quilt!

The fabric was all scraps of flannel I had.

I kind of like the random mismatched squares.

A-Line Skirt

Here are some skirts I made using this super-easy, no pattern tutorial I found here!

2x4 Pumpkins

I saw this tutorial here which linked me to the original post, here! This was a great project for all of our random scraps and cull lumber pieces!

I asked the hubs to cut the wood for me and he came up with two sets that look like this one below... So, I gave one away. haha! 12 pumpkins would have been a little much. He also made the grooves for my with our table saw. Yay for hubbies!

We have 2x4s and 2x6s cut in 8,6, and 4 inch tall pieces.

I went back and cut the 8inch 2x4 one in half and made 2, 4 inch pumpkins and gifted those out as well. As of right now, the 8inch 2x6 is still sitting on my kitchen island. I can't decide if I want a super tall pumpkin, 2 short pumpkins, a white pumpkin, or no more pumpkins.

Oh.. the brain of a crafter.

And here is the finished project!

Well, maybe I need some more raffia. :)

An Apron for the Tot

Because Jakey loves to help in the kitchen so much, I decided he needed a tot sized apron to help him dress the part and possibly save his clothes from the inevitable spills.

I used a commercial pattern for a child's apron to get a basic shape and size but ended up modifying it to make the straps adjustable so he can grow into the apron for a while.

Instead of using a separate neck strap and ties, I made them the same piece. That makes the apron adjustable.

I just put a casing in along the side of the apron and then slid in the ties.

The ties can be pulled to shorten the neck strap,

or they can be loosened to make it bigger.

Tot approved.

Getting Ready for Fall

I think every couch should be adorned with candy, don't you?

This idea came from a friend of mine on Facebook, but I can't retrace my steps to link to it. At any rate, I love my new candy corn pillow.

And this:

I saw here.

And then I saw it about a million other places, but I knew when I first saw it that I HAD to make it.

I haven't hung it yet. It still seems a bit early.

I love the extra splash of orange.

My First Rag Quilt

Wanting to make something homemade for a baby gift, and fast, I dug out all of my "boy" scraps and made this rag quilt.

It is all out of simple cotton prints.

I could have added batting to the individual fabric sandwiches, but I didn't since the baby is a summer baby and will outgrow the blanket before it is cold enough to need it.

Anyway, I thought it was pretty cute and it cost me nothing and took me only about 2-3 hours.

Sweet!

Toddler Tie

Way back for Easter, I made Jake a "Lil Guy Tie" using Ashley at Make it and Love it's pattern.

You can buy the pattern HERE!

We get lots of compliments at church, and I think he looks pretty cute as well.

:)

A New Key Fob

My first attempt at a fabric keychain was a bit rushed and kind of sloppy, so I decided to give it another go and actually follow the tutorial, Here, at The Idea Room.

Here is my second attempt and it looks tons better.

Plus, I used some cute canvas from Hob Lob and it is much sturdier.

You should try one!

Black Bean Chicken (Slow Cooker)

It has to be said that I don't cook. Like, at all. And while I love to bake, I am not usually one to try something complicated. I like cookies and dessert bars. That is pretty much it.

So, when my friend Tenille decided one day that she was going to get me over my fear of savory foods she gave me this recipe and our little family LOVES it. It is beyond easy. And if your family doesn't make something like it already, you should!

Black Bean Chicken

3-4 Chicken Breasts

1 Can of Black Beans (we drain them)

1 Can of Corn (We don't drain them)

And a Jar of salsa (around 12 oz.)

Cook in slow cooker until the chicken is done. We do ours on low for an average of about 5 hours...

... and it is always Jakey approved.

Pictures of Baby Camden

My good friend, Melinda, asked me to come take some pictures of her son and these are the results.

I love practicing my photography.

I am getting faster at Manual and better at knowing what settings will give me the look I want.

I used my 50mm fixed lens for all of these pictures and they were all shot in Camden's nursery. We took some with him on his dresser, and some with a piece of fabric draped over the rail of his crib and his dad kneeling on the floor.

Camden was wide awake for this whole shoot.

I was expecting a sleeping baby, especially because he is only two weeks old.

I like these backlit window shots even if Melinda wasn't excited to be photographed 2 weeks postpartum and at 8am in the morning. ;)

The Magnet Board and Basketball Hoop

We used the space under the window for another Children's Museum of Phoenix inspired play area.

Introducing!:

The Magnet Board

It has lots of pvc pipe tubes and elbows to use to make a ball run as well as just some fun magnets to play with.

Jake posed for this picture.

He is so funny sometimes.

And, in one corner we moved our basketball hoop (that was in our family room) up to the playroom.

We found the giant tubs at Bashas when we found the noodles for the noodle forest. It was a good night to stop at Bashas for some milk!

They were $4.50 and matched the colors so great.

One has balls and the other has vehicles.

Well, there you have it. Our playroom.

Let me know if you would like any different pictures or information on any specific project!