birthdays and baby showers = busy

Just when you're ready to get back to the blog, you're not.

I bin busy.

I'll share the party and the blankets when they're good and done.

blogs and bon bons = next week.

{fingers crossed}

Best Dressed Onesie Tutorial.

Jasmine just had a baby boy, after 3 girls.

I wanted to give her something very BOYish,

and I thought of ties.

But, hello, he's a baby.

So we stuck some on a onesie.

The bowtie was easy and quick,

but the necktie took some chocolate

to get me through. I finally figured

it out and thought I better document it

in case I get questions. It's best to be prepared.

So here's what you do:

with the skinny side on the right!

happy handsome baby.

I sewed.

finally.

and it felt good.

Tiffinie's having a girl, and she said she wanted

lots o baby bling, aka headbands,

so I started making headbands.

then I stopped making headbands because

they needed an outfit.

matching separates, if you will.

I had a bag and a blanket and a jumper

all designed in my head to go along

with the headbands...

but I had to stop.

because, really.

I believe in moderation.

The headbands are super easy.

Especially the one made out of a sock.

yup.

that's what I said.

Here's not so much of a tutorial:

Let me know if you're like,

"uh, that's a lame explanation",

and you actually want to make one,

and I'll give you better pictures and stuff.

I love to sew.

{it's so rainy today, so no good sunlight for photos. sorry.}

{I love rain.}

jill's. she's having a baby.

These changing pads are easy guys. Just make a tiny quilt {one layer of batting between two pieces of fabric cut big enough for their little heads and bottoms to fit} then fold it up. I fold it in half 3 times. Then use your iron and press down your creases where you've folded it. You can {but don't have to} sew a line down those creases to make it more obvious.

Then wrap your diaper strap around the folded up changing pad and pin it down on the back. Open up the changing pad and sew your strap down {a little bit}. If you make your strap big enough you can tuck your diapers and wipes in here too.

Lovely.

Let me know if you have questions. I didn't make this a full tutorial, sorry, but brief explanations of fortuitous crafting will sometimes suffice. I made a diaper strap to put in Jill's bag, and then made a changing pad that I was going to add just a little velcro closure to but I ran out of velcro. So I wrapped it in the diaper strap and I love it even more. See? fortuitous. Happens all the time.

did you know that mac's have a little dictionary application at the bottom of my screen I can just click on and have instant definitions? like fortuitous. all my dreams have come true.

I'm going to invent a cliche application...but someone else will have to write it, because my six to one half dozen of the copper kettles under the haystacks in the horses mouths don't always make it out of my face appropriately. Hence, the need for the cool application I'm going to request. Then all my dreams will come true for real.

I'm easily pleased.

see ya later, crocodile.

just kidding. I meant mater.

I know that one.

just kidding, that's not a cliche, it's just a rhyme.

so don't put it in the application you're writing.

apples and oranges.

huh?

infant carseat blanket.

Jaclyn emailed me a while ago and asked if I knew of a pattern for a carseat blanket baby cover...thing. I needed clarification; so she sent me some pictures and I told her I have no idea where to find a pattern for that cool contraption, but who cares because we can figure it out!

My favorite. Figuring it out.

So may I attempt to explain in some sort of mildly understandable fashion how to make the lightweight infant carseat baby blanket cover to keep the wind out but you can still hold the handle...thing.

• Cut out a piece of fabric measuring 42" x 50". {I didn't have one piece of fabric large enough, so I pieced mine together.}
• Make it look like this:

• Here are some measurements:
  

• Make two straps in contrasting fabric using this tutorial, but measuring 5 1/2" x 2".
• Sew them onto the top of your blanket 5" apart. I did three lines 1/4" apart to secure them real good.
• {Because my blanket was pieced together, I had to add a bottom fabric to cover up my seams, which is why there are straight machine quilting lines in the picture below. You don't have to do this with one piece of fabric.}

• Finish the edge of your blanket however you want. Some suggestions are a zig-zag stitch, serging, one straight stitch so it kinda frays {I like the fray}, quilt binding {which is what I used on this one}, ricrac, whatever!
• And there you go. Jaclyn now has a nicely covered baby.

diaper strap tutorial.

I've had a number of emails lately asking for ideas on quick and easy baby gifts. You know, the kind you can give a new mom with a little note of well wishes and wipes, without the fanfare of showers and gift receipts. My answer is, the diaper strap.

I think we're kinda steering away from the big vinyl chunky diaper bags, and moving more towards a modern disguised looking baby bag. Especially for those quick trips where you don't necessarily need to haul the baby tub and loofahs. I love the strap idea because it's enough to carry the essentials - a couple diapers and the wipes - and it keeps them strapped together tight and stylish in your own handbag; AND dad can carry it to the changing room without wearing a purse. You're welcome guys.

So here it is:

Check out these totally cute diaper cakes from ediapercakes.com.  They'd be such a good idea for a baby shower table centerpiece.  Love 'em.

baby legs tutorial.

So I've seen a ton of baby legs tutorials on the web lately. It's such a cool alternative when you can get awesome socks for $2 a piece. And EASY! Seriously guys.

Here we go:

Pull the sock gently so it stretches as you sew, making sure your stitches stay close and tight. Stay right up to the edge of your sock.

That's it. They stay tight up at the top, but can hang out all cute and ruffly by her sweet little feet.

Then I had these footies left over. I used 'em to practice the ruffle edge thing (there's a technical name for that ruffle, but I have no idea what it is).

And I couldn't just let them sit there staring at me. So they turned into these.

Here's another super easy tutorial without a sewing machine from little birdie secrets. She uses them as arm warmers...very cool.

Happy Weekend. Go buy some socks. Target has a way cute 3 pack for $6.99 right now. Go, Go!

donna's not having a girl.

she's having a boy.
But I didn't find this out until after I made the girl bag.

So I turned it inside out and put boy stuff on it.

I love happy accidents.

Good luck in NY Donna. And happy boy.