Odds and Ends

Well, after tearing out my knitting twice more since my last post, I'm finally making some decent progress and I admit that I've learned alot about intarsia knitting in the process.  

That is what I have done so far.  Hopefully by tomorrow I'll have it nearly completed but that all depends on how much free time I get after church. 

I also made a run to Joann Fabrics today and picked up a really cute "quilt in a box" on clearance.   I have been wanting to make a lap quilt for a good friend of mine for a couple of months now but couldn't find the time to get the fabric and start cutting.  The nice thing about the quilt-in-the-box is that the fabric is all there for me (except the backing fabric and batting but that's no big deal) and it's all cut and ready to go.   Should move fairly quickly from here.  

Beyond that we've been starting to look through our seed catalogs and online to start to plan this spring's garden.  I'm thinking that we are only going to add a handful of new items this year including a "flat wonderful" peach tree and some "sugar baby" watermelons.  I can't hardly wait for this snow to disappear so I can get out there and dig!

Crib Sheets

Winter is creeping in on us and that means there is ALOT of preparing that has to be done.  I'm nearly finished with Middle's sweater.   I've knitted several pairs of socks.   I've canned TONS of food including tomato sauce, pickles, sandwhich spreads, apple sauce, apple butter, pear butter, peaches, apple pie filling, cherries, cherry pie filling, beans, corn, well you get the picture.  

On last nights to do list: warmer crib sheets for Youngest.   Crib sheets really are a simple thing to make.   It's pretty much cutting out a large rectangle from the fabric of your choice, cutting 9 in. squares from the corners, a little sewing, a little heming, a little elastic and presto! Crib sheets!   Ok, so that wasn't a great tutorial.   Here's a better one at make-baby-stuff.com

Here's an example of what your corners should look like after they've been sewn (but before finishing the edges and adding the elastic).

And this is the finished product! 

All told it only takes about an hour and half.   So get over to the tutorial, then head for that sewing machine and have at it! 

Worst Sewing Idea Ever...

We have a winner folks for the most disgusting craft project...The Placenta Bear!!!

Yep, it's a bear that you make out of your very own leatherized placenta. The best part is, you get to make it yourself! (blech).  The company sends you a kit and you get to get straight to work.   Now your little one can cuddle it's very own internal organ!  No, that's not creepy at all.  

"Hello Clarice...."

A Little Tutorial

After my kids and I finished the memory quilt for Youngest, the older two decided they needed a little something as well.   SO, I made them bunny and monster stuffies.

Check out the tutorial if you'd like to make your own but don't know where to start.

Step 1: Draw your critter on a sheet of paper.  Keep it simple.

Step 2: Cut out your pattern.

Step 3: Pin your pattern to your fabric.  I used a shirt that Oldest had outgrown and a t-shirt of mine that was all stained and no longer fit to wear.  If you use old shirts make sure to turn them inside out first.

Step 4: Cut out a heart.  I used an old pair of Oldest's corduroy's.   What can I say, I'm a make do with what you've got kind of person.

Step 5: Fold the square/squares (depending on how many critters you are making) in half and pin them in the middle.

Step 6: Cut out a half heart shape like you would if you were cutting folded paper.

Step 7: Admire your heart cutting handy work.

Step 8: Going back to your critter pattern you can either cut out around the template and then sew the two pieces of fabric, right sides together  OR you can simply sew around the templates without cutting them out first (again make sure that either your shirts are turned inside out OR that your fabric is right sides together).  Be sure to leave about a one inch opening either on the top or bottom of your critter for stuffing.

Step 9: If you sewed around your template then cut around your sewing line leaving about a 1/4 inch margin.  Then turn it right side out. 

Step 10: Stuff 'em and sew on the details.  If you are using them for decoration you may want to fill their bottoms with some poly beads so they stand up better.  I used buttons for the eyes because both of my older kids are past the age of trying to eat their stuffed animals.  If you make this for an infant or toddler (or any child or adult for that matter that is NOT past the stage of chewing their stuffed animals) then forget the button eyes and opt instead for pieces of felt cut to look like eyes and then sewn on OR safety eyes. 

Step 11: Admire your creative genius and then hand them over...or keep them if you decide to make them for yourself ;)

Finished Quilt and Some Bread

I finished Youngest's memory quilt today (with the help of Oldest who used it as an opportunity to learn how to use the sewing machine).   You can definately tell that the squares weren't cut straight and that some of the sewing was done a little lop-sided but it was worth it to get the older two involved in something for Youngest and they were so excited to see it finished. 

I also got some bread baked yesterday.  It was supposed to be enough for the rest of the week but, as usual, the first loaf is almost completely gone already.  I guess nothing beats fresh baked bread :)

Now that I've fed the family, I'm off to feed the dogs.

Sewing and Playing in Leaves

What we've been up to the last two days: a photo essay

We have been outside, enjoying the sunny weather

And playing in the leaves.

I've been gathering scraps...

Too make a soft block (unstuffed in this pic)...

That becomes a really nice baby toy.

And, I've turned fishies into winter pants.

To quote Calvin and Hobbes..."The days are just packed" :)