T-Shirt Quilt

Hey Everyone, I wanted to share the T-shirt quilt I recently made for one of my sons. While he lived in NY, he was unable to bring his huge Tshirt collection with him because space was so limited. After his return, he had another "collection" of shirts, NY style. As we tried to weed through all these shirts we were storing, he decided he didn't want them all. I told him we'd donate them but instead I cut them up and sewed them into a quilt. He loves it and his roommate who also went to the same college, would like one as well.

 

First, collect all the T-shirts

Make a template and lay it on each shirt over the logo

Count your squares & decide the layout

Lay the squares out in the order you'd like them for the quilt.

I sewed each row across, square by square.

And here is the final product!

I should add, after the front was sewn together, I had a large black piece of fabric on hand for the backing. I placed right sides together and sewed up all four sides, leaving a space at the bottom to turn the quilt right side out. Then I hand stitched that close. I also top-stitched around all 4 sides. I did not add batting between the two layers.  This is a warm blanket and being in California, we don't really need extra layers. Plus, my boys all seem to run warm. 

I know this was an extremely abbreviated tutorial and I'm happy to answer any questions. Feel free to message me.  These quilts are pretty popular right now and I think it's a great way to save the memories and put them to good use!

 

Easy Baby Blanket Tutorial

Hey Everyone!
So not only was this weekend Memorial Weekend and the beginning of summer but it was the weekend we got to find out that our very first grand baby is going to be a BOY!!! We are beyond thrilled and can't wait for mid-October when the little guy is due to make his appearance. Of course there was a little party...gender reveal party. My son and daughter.in.law had their ultrasound earlier in the week. The ultrasound tech wrote the gender on a piece of paper and in the sealed envelope it went! The special envelope was delivered to a party store along with a huge box. Only the person who filled up the box with helium balloons, knew if our grand baby was a He or She. It was really fun and everyone had a great time guessing the gender before the box was opened.
Check it out.....  adorable, right?

Gender Reveal Party Box

 
I had to whip something "gender neutral" the night before and I thought I'd share with you. I used a piece of white fleece, about 50" x 50" but it can be any size. For the binding I used a baby bassinet sheet that was once used by my niece and cut strips from it. Here are some photos to give you an idea how super easy it is to make.

Here is the bassinet sheet. Cute little chickies!

I cut long strips about 4.5 inches wide. I wanted about a two inch binding on each side of the blanket and about a quarter inch seam allowance. It can be any size you prefer. Mine was based on how much fabric I had.

Example of sheet/binding first folded in half, then each long side for seam allowance

Folded in half and ready to attach.

Attaching the first side.

To attach the first side, I sewed right sides together (binding and blanket) about two inches from the edge. Stitching in the ditch of the binding. When I finished sewing the length of the blanket,  I would fold it over the edge to the back side to make sure no adjustments were needed. Since I ironed seams ahead of time, the binding naturally folds over to the opposite side.

Zig-Zag both sides of binding. Securing front to back.

Once the first part of binding was attached, I folded it to the back side and secured with pins. I lined up the binding edge with the stitch line that I "stitched in the ditch".  I used a long zig-zag stitch to ensure that I caught the binding on both sides. (I always check this as I stitch so that I don't have to rip out the entire edge if it's not straight!)
Believe it or not, this was my first blanket with binding. That means I did not take time to do the pretty mitered corners. (It was 9:30 pm on the evening before the party) So I did square corners- cutting and over lapping as I continued onto the next edge.

Finished Product

Here it is! Very gender neutral. Not shown but I did take a piece of my daughter.in.law's sash fabric from her bridal gown (that I made her) and embroidered the pet name we have for the baby. I attached it to the back side corner. I'm happy how it turned out and was glad to re-purpose fabric. The fleece was gifted to me from a friend that no longer sews.
I hope this was explained in a simple manner..... I can make something with 4 corners very complicated!
Next time I will do the mitered corners.  Thanks for reading.

Until Next Time,

Hey Everyone!
We are melting here in So Cal. Temps have been in high 90's and even 100 degrees. What a way to end the summer.
I wanted to post a couple photos of the Raggedy Annie and Andy dolls I recently made for two tiny tots. I love making them!
The last picture of two Annie's I had to include. The smaller doll on the right is a doll I made 20 years ago for our friends little girl.  Since then, that little girl grew up and had her own little girl (and of course I made her an Annie doll, too). Both Annie's sit together in her bedroom.
Thanks for looking :-)

Annie

Andy
 

The two Annie's

Until Next Time,

Hey Everyone!
I don't know what it is about summer time that makes me want to write - especially twice in one week! Well, I do have to show off our newest foster boy Dexter. {Italian Greyhound}.
He's a doll. It's only been a few days but he seems to be slowly adjusting. The first night he cried until about midnight. Not too much Wednesday or last night. He reminds me of our very first foster, Dante.

He was an owner surrender. His "daddy" had him since a pup and he's about 7-8 years old. He is quite the escape artist and Animal Control told the owner that if he ran away again, Dexter would not be returned home. He was able to go to work with his Daddy but it couldn't be a permanent thing. Dexter is so lucky he wasn't injured while escaping or hit by a car while on his escapades. He is such a sweet boy. He'll get a check up next week and we've already started his diet. He is a "biggie Iggy" and needs to shed about five pounds.  His crying just kills me. He keeps looking out the window for his master.  He does have a lot of good moments though.  He loves playing with our girls and running around the yard. We're so happy to get to be part of his life and help him find his forever home!

On the crafty side of life...I've been busy making gifts for birthdays and new babies. Can you guess what this might be?

These cute little bibs for a new baby in town... Pattern from my friend @AmyDunn.

These little dresses I made for our girls. We went to a July 4th doggie playdate and I had to make sure they were all fancy & flashy!

Thanks for looking & hope you're enjoying your summer!


Till Next Time,

Owl Pillow / PJ Holder

Hey everyone!

So over the weekend I was thinking of something practical to sew up for one of my nieces for her birthday. I ran across this adorable Owl Pillow/PJ holder from @runcibledays.blogspot.co.uk

Of course I have way too much fabric so it was just a matter of selecting pieces that went together well. 

I sketched freehand my own patten and started cutting away. I had to add some bling so I stitched sequins across the beak. I added larger sequins on the "feet" to look like toes. On the back zipper I added a beaded zipper pull. It was fun to make and came together pretty quickly!

The best part is that my niece loves it. The pouch in front will be handy to stash her toothbrush when she has sleepovers.

Front Side

Back Side with zipper pull.

Here's the original blogspot with complete directions. http://runcibledays.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/happy-birthday-too-whoo.html?m=1

Thanks for stopping by!

Hey Everyone!
Hope your summer is going well and creativity is flowing.
I have some photos to share of earrings I made. I know, I'm veering from the sewing machine a little but it's not a permanent thing. Just mixing it up a bit.
Over the past year I've had quite the Ebay "problem". I'm finding the best deals ever on stuff I totally do not need. I've got a great stock of jewelry and other trinkets. This does come in handy when a birthday comes along.
I was checking out how simple some pieces are and thought I'd try to make some myself. Ebay also has an endless supply of supplies.... Lucky me! 
Here's a sampling of a few pairs I've made this past week...

Collage of Earrings

I love how easy these were to make. I have a 3-in-1 tool {needle nose pliers plus it cuts wire, etc} it is very handy. I've built up my stash to include lots of beads and charms, flat head and round end pins for stringing, jump rings for connecting, earring hooks as well as closures for bracelets and necklaces. I find it's very therapeutic!
I've had some weird changes in my health so this keeps my mind off things.

Other news: we have a new foster dog named Lexi. She is a doll! She came from a home that must've let her free feed because she was terribly over weight.  She isn't the type to have much discipline in the area of food. {Hummmm, like a few humans I know!}
For Italian Greyhounds, it's a really bad thing because they are small dogs with low body fat. Poor Lexi looked like a Dachshund when we got her! She had too much weight for her skinny legs. Plus she had a thyroid problem and now needs daily meds.
She is doing so well with her new "life style".  She's down to about 14.8 lbs - she was about 28 lbs.  
When she came into rescue, her teeth were terrible and most had to be removed. As a result, there is nothing to hold back her beefy tongue! She always looks like she's had a really good night :-)  Here's a pic I took of her tonight while she was laying next to me on the couch...

Of course I had to put that directly on Instagram. She's so darn cute! Yes, she also lets me paint her nails. She tries to be like the other two. This one is going to be hard to let go.

Stay crafty!
Until Next Time,
 

Hey Everyone!
So funny how time flies, right? It's been almost 7 months since last post. A lot has happened, too much to post and I'll try to stick to crafting/sewing stuff. {that probably won't go well} I've gone back to work and while off, I didn't do much sewing. I did a lot of handwork though. It was easier than trying to get two new knees behind the machine and remembering to get up and move often enough so I wouldn't get stuck.
Below, embroidery on a hankie....

 Below are scissor charms. I saw this idea in a book and when I remember which one, I will give credit. I'm always loosing my small scissors. This little "charm" totally keeps it in sight! Just love this idea.  It can also be a temporary pin cushion.

Crochet Bows... for hair or whatever!!

 Working on the Target Brand Cardigan.  See how plain it was? Now it has sweet pearls on it. All hand sewn by me! I think it's a great improvement, Don't you?

Make Up Roll... Inside...  Love this fabric!
And below is it all rolled up.

Mini Bunting

More Embroidery. Haven't found a home for it yet.

I made this little pouch for a friend...

We also have been involved in fostering Italian Greyhounds. Our first boy, Dante was a love! Even though he tried to "mark" everything as his own {I quickly made a belly band to save the inside of the house} our girls loved him! He was adopted by a wonderful "Mom" and has come back to visit us!

Dante!

Dante, Abby, Mia

Our next foster, Piper was a sweet little girl. She looked like our Abby. It was funny having an almost "twin" in the house.

The Twins. Piper {L} Abby {R}

Piper

Unfortunately, this sweet baby girl left us too soon. I can just now talk about her without choking up.  Long story short, she passed 5 weeks ago from Inflammatory meningitis and seizures. Totally unexpected, I think that's why it has affected us so deeply. {And we are incredibly in love with these dogs}. She was by my side for most of my healing. She'll be missed forever.

On a happy note, my sweet baby nephew has turned nine months already! He is a doll, of course.  I'm still waiting on grandbabies. I'm pretty sure once my son receives his Masters degree in a couple weeks {YaY} things will calm down a bit and maybe, just maybe they'll make me a grandma!!!!  Until then, I'm the crazy dog lady and crazy auntie!

Sweet Baby B. at nine months

Here is my younger niece.  I had a day with her and taught her how to sew. I was in heaven and I think she was too.  She wanted to make a skirt.  She picked the fabric from my ever expanding stash, we measured and cut. I showed her how to use the serger - which she thought was very cool.  She made a simple elastic waist, to the knee type of skirt.  It turned out so well.  I am proud!!


Here she is showing it off.....

A job well done!

Looks like I'm on a roll now and trying to catch up with the last seven months.  Maybe I should be more consistent instead! I will try.  I guess I've done more than I give myself credit for and I'll save that for another post. 
Hope your crafting is going well.


Until Next Time,