Another Blanket! And a Card!

I am moving this Saturday and my sewing machine is still out - along with some craft supplies for card-making.

I have been getting frustrated that my son continues to chew our pillows (along with pulling off the pillow cases) - so I thought I would make him a giant blanket that I would promise myself - I will allow him to chew on it without freaking out.

He is a biter naturally from Autism...so I'd rather he chew on something that's not clothing, people, our pets or dangerous.

One side has a brightly coloured space theme.

The main attraction - his absolute favourite, Lightning McQueen!

Oh and a card for my mother in-law's birthday.
She is a cat lover...

Card and a Blanket!

My hubby's birthday was recently so I made him a card using a Penny Black stamp (from last year's Valentine's collection actually!) and some paper stock from a cheaper craft shop, Tiimari.
I cut the letters out individually because it was printed vertically - which just would not do for a horizontal style card!

I also sewed a blanket quickly with fleece on one side and a cotton print on the other (see below).  It's not for my husband lol but for my son's little friend's birthday.  We're in the process of moving but I wanted to get this done and over with before we move.  It was fast and easy to make.
Just get 2 pieces of same sized fabric with the right sides facing towards each other, sew along the edges almost all the way around.  Leave a bit of space not sewn and turn the blanket inside out then sew the opening shut neatly as possible.

Baby Cardigan

One of my best friends back in Canada is having a baby girl next month...she already has one girl, so I thought there's point in sending clothing because they have everything already from the first born.

But, it can never hurt to make a little cardigan for the baby, right?

I got the pattern from one of my crochet books for babies (I can't find it right now to give you the proper title - sorry) and tweaked it by adding the edging on the bottom and the cuffs with a crab stitch.
I even went as far as making a new video for this technique - I love it that much!
(I apologize again that the lighting quality was terrible but hopefully you were able to see everything clearly enough!)

I also changed the pocket - I wasn't a huge fan of what they had in the book - so I looked in my crochet motifs book and used a square from there and alternated colours every row.

Sweater was crocheted with Drops Garn Studio Merino Extra Fine.

Neat Gift Idea

I had forgotten that my friend's birthday party was coming up (it was last Friday) and had no idea what to make or give her for a gift.
She had a simple request - a recipe for lunch.  She was bored of her lunch menu and wanted to jazz it up a bit - so I wrote down a recipe for egg salad sandwiches - something that did not involve heating up and could keep cold on its own for a couple of hours in her bag.

But I felt like giving something more and something unique.

So I thought I would knit a face cloth...but not a plain, square and boring one...
Then I thought I could whip up a sugar hand scrub - and I added cinnamon, cocoa powder and peppermint extract for that "chocolate mint" scent.

Pattern for dish cloth can be found here.
Yarn is Drops Garn Studio Paris.

I decided to make a sugar scrub (chocolate and mint) and wrapped it up in the flower cloth so it looked like a flower!

I made a card quickly with some Distress Ink, paper from a magazine gift package and a 3-D decoration.

I normally never know what to do with those tags or extra die cuts in a package but this one fit the job perfectly!
Oh and the sugar scrub was put in a clean and empty jar from baby-food.  YAY recycling!

Pacifier Straps

Today I took my youngest boy to pick up the older one at day-care as per normal.  The little guy gets to ride on my back and as long as he has his soother - he's cool.

I couldn't find a strap - so I hoped he wouldn't drop it and we were doing pretty well...then he started to jabber away and I realized the soother must be gone.

I was right.

So I strongly recommend a soother strap at ALL times....they're made for a reason!

The green piece is known as a pacifier adapter - a popular brand is "MAM".  These soothers are also known as "button-style" pacifiers.

Tag blankies

Something I've wanted to sew for awhile but was for some reason, terrified to do so - was a tag blanket.
Why?  They're cute, they're soft and have loads of colours and are totally randomly made.

So I thought I would try one, at the request of a friend - and because my fabric stash is starting to pile up....

Here are the results:

Bigger tag blanky - fleece side

Smaller tag blanky - fleece side

Cotton sides

Why are these great for babies?  They're colourful, have different textures, are great for teething (you could pop these in the freezer for a bit or in the fridge) and cuddling with and can be easily washed!

Not to mention, easy to stuff into a purse or little one's back-pack for back to school/day-care or a trip!

I ended up giving my baby (almost 11 months already!!) the big fleece blanket and the little one was also a test drive and a friend wants to buy it for a baby shower gift!  

I might end up making another bigger one for my older boy (almost 3 years old...where did the time go?!) to help him with his sensory issues.  We shall see!

These are a great way of using up fabric and bits of ribbon too!!

Crocheted Pumpkin hat!

I apologize that it's been far too long since I have written in this blog!
What have I been working on?  Too many things.  I'm back to baking weekly and even more regularly now that my son is entering day care in less than 12 hours (just in case he refuses to eat the food they provide) and yes - many other knitted/crocheted/sewn projects need to be finished.

But one thing a friend requested of me for her baby due in October was a pumpkin hat.
Pattern can be found here - actually my friend found it and requested this specifically!

Crocheted in size 4mm (didn't have appropriate sized hook with me) using a double-strand of Drops Garn Studio Baby Merino in orange and green.

This pattern was easy to follow and the hat itself was fast to make!  Of course because I was using a smaller hook and thinner yarn - I had to make my rectangle piece (orange part) much longer and tested it out on my 10-month old who was blessed with a giant head.  (I had to make sure it would fit a newborn!)

Pattern vs. the Newbie

I was recently requested to make a friend a snood for her dog.
A WHAT?
A snood is a tube of fabric with some elastic at the top and bottom (optional, I guess it depends on the pattern) and you slip it over your dog's head and keep their ears closer to the head.
WHY?
So your dog can enjoy their messy food and water without getting their ears wet...
WHICH MEANS?
That you don't have to give your dog a bath/shower or have to fight with tangled hairs later on.

OHHHHHHHHHHH Okay - I get it now.

So I started hunting around on Google and found this pattern by Martha Stewart....I mean - if it's Martha - it's pretty much a guarantee no-fail right?

Well, I did not use the fabric they suggested - I used tricot - like a light and stretchy cotton (which was the alternative it suggested on that site) and it's WAY too small.
And yes, I used inches in my measurements.
How it could possibly fit the dogs in the photos they have - baffle me.
The dog I'm sewing this for is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel...so a tiny head compared to the models in the photos....

Have you tried that pattern?  Any adjustments needed?
Hmm.

Well, I looked around again and found this one and will give it a go once I get the dog's proper measurements....

Wish me luck.

TP Holder

Remember I said in my last post that I would make a toilet paper holder?   Well, I did it.   

We are currently in the process of helping our friends/landlords pack everything up and one thing that is theirs - is the toilet paper holder.

So I dug around and found some fabric....from about 2 years ago (I know...crazy) and thought I would measure the current one and make my own.

I don't have a photo step-by-step tutorial - but I can describe how I made mine for you (hopefully it helps).

Please note - I am a total newbie at sewing....and cannot sew a straight line...or cut a straight line - but I think this turned out okay - all things considering.

• Measure out a piece of fabric (I used cotton) that is 60 inches long (this give you lots of space for those double-rolls of toilet paper) and about 6 inches wide.  (You're going to fold this in half - so it'll be about 30 inches long).
• Please cut carefully because I cut like a crazy person and my fabric was so un-even - I had to re-pin it a few times!
• Fold down the edges (top, bottom and sides) and pin as evenly as possible making about ½-inch seam allowance.
• Sew along the edges and remove the pins.
• Fold your long rectangle in half and using chalk (or washable pen) make 3 lines.  From the bottom - measure between 9-9.5 inches then make a line across and do it again from that first drawn line.  The 3rd line you draw is near the top and will be what holds the top roll in and creates a little hole/tunnel for your ribbon or rope to go through to hold it. (See my lines in white stitching in top photo).
• Use your sewing machine and sew over those chalk lines....and finally - sew the top of the rectangle together.  Make sure you have a tunnel so you can feed some ribbon through the top to hang your toilet roll holder!
• Pull a piece of ribbon (or twine - something relatively strong) through the tunnel at the top, make a couple knots and insert your toilet paper and hang. :)

Sewing!

I am starting to really enjoy sewing!
Mind you, I'm a beginner and use mostly straight stitches (the odd zig-zag) - but I am learning!
And I ordered a couple more sewing books... oh my!

My new sewing machine!  I haven't had any problems with this at all and can strongly recommend this machine (Brother LS-5000) for a beginner.  I'm sure it would be great for more advanced people  but so far so good!

Unfortunately my new sewing machine didn't come with a cover so I looked online and found this VERY easy pattern.
Silly me - when I measured the fabric needed - I forgot to put my measuring tape on the spool of thread on top - so it's a bit shorter than I'd like to have it...but that's okay!

And I had to remove my handle on the side (no photo shown) and I'll have to add another one later because the knob on the side is much thicker and sticks out more than the hers did in the pattern.

Whenever I get around to making a new strap on the side - I'll post a photo...but at least it does the job for now! :D

Reversible!

Some projects I have on the go?
A "snood" for a friend's dog, some more hats and a toilet paper roll holder...photos to come soon!  I better start cutting fabric!