Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I finished 2 sets of these wooden baby blocks in the last couple of weeks. I’m very pleased with the results and the project was surprisingly easy. The total cost of this project was around $20 so it is within most people's budgets and it is such a personal, thoughtful gift for any new mother. 
I found the general instructions here Using these instructions as a general guide, I made some slight changes to make it “my own.”
I used a set of scrapbooking paper that came with cutouts, stickers, etc to match the paper. I thought about coloring on some images (duckies, sun, apples, etc) but then realized I’m not a very good artist and it would keep the look uniform if I used the matching supplies. I purchased a 6 foot length of 2x2 wood at Home Depot which cost no more than $1.75. I then had a friend cut the wood into 2” blocks and left them all unsanded. I pre-cut all paper to slightly smaller than 2x2 so that I could center it one the block side but still leave exposed unfinished wood on the edges and corners. I really liked the look of this since it makes the blocks look slightly “worn and well loved”. After using Mod Podge to glue on the paper, I added the stickers, letters and numbers. Essentially, letters should be opposite of one another and images or stickers should be opposite of one another. That leaves 2 more sides that are simply left with colorful paper with no image or letter. After this step, I literally Mod Podge the crap out of these things. I covered my countertop with aluminum foil (drying Mod Podge doesn’t stick as much to it), used a sponge brush and applied 10-15 layers of Mod Podge to cover all sides and edges of the blocks. For more info on Mod Podge and it’s amazingness, look here. You can pick some up at any craft store as well as Wal-Mart or Target. I used Mod Podge Hard Coat since it is used for items that will get more wear and tear and it is ALL childproof and water based so gnawing babies won’t get sick if the blocks are used for a functional purpose rather than décor. Lastly, I sanded down any sharp edges with cheap-o sand paper (it doesn’t matter what the coarseness is). Sanding will also rid the blocks of any over hanging paper, if the pre-cuts were slightly too big or you had too much wine and you glued the paper on crooked. This really helps finish off the look. After one last sanding, I give the blocks another good coat and then it’s done! I usually only let the blocks dry for like 15 minutes in between coats so realistically, you can get this project done in a day. I highly recommend using a scrapbooking kit since it made everything really easy. Of course, it you are giving these blocks to a child who is CRAZY about Mickey Mouse or whatever, there are plenty of scrapbooking supplies out there so that you can pick and choose what you’d like to use and customize it to the kid. 
Super fun project, really easy and I’m very happy with the result. I’ve already received 2 requests from friends for a set!
Monday, February 22, 2010
I'm currently working to finish up my very first quilt and it should be completed within a week with pictures to follow. Along with this quilt, I'm making a quilted pillow to compliment the larger gift. I decided to use the same Disappearing Nine Patch pattern (instructions can be found here). Since I'm comfortable with this pattern and I felt like it would highlight the larger birdie fabric well, it seemed like a good choice. This pillow is 18x18 so its rather large but I bought a pre-formed pillow in that size which only cost me about $6. I already had the fabric left over from the associated quilt so I'd say I made the pillow for less than $10. 
This was actually very easy to do and the only head scratching moment was trying to figure out how to fussy-cut the larger fabric to properly showcase the pattern. This wasn't difficult by any means, it just required a bit more thought. I'll finish this pillow up with an overlapping open back so this will be a washable pillow case. Find the instructions for this type of pillow sham here. I figured parents would appreciate this since its going to a 4 year old little girl. No sense in having a pillow if you can't lay on it and drool from time to time without the option of washing it later!
Novice Attempt: Quilting pillow case
Result: Completed and surprisingly easy! This will be a great accent to the "Big Sister Quilt" I'm making and should hopefully be well received.
It's been quite some time since I have posted and its a combo of laziness, lack of time and also lack of photos. I have a camera as well as a camera phone but up until this weekend had no way of actually getting the photos onto a computer. Anyway, problem solved!
I've been working on a owl applique pillow and finished it up a couple of weeks ago. I'm giving it as a gift for a new baby expected around April. I found this pattern in Better Homes & Gardens Patchwork and Quilting Magazine a few months back and thought it was just super adorable. I just had to give it a try. The great thing about this pillow is that it doesn't require a lot of fabric which makes it a relatively inexpensive gift idea. You can mix and match patterns colors, etc and really come up with a unique, creative and fun little owl that I think any baby, toddler or child would love!
I've been working on a owl applique pillow and finished it up a couple of weeks ago. I'm giving it as a gift for a new baby expected around April. I found this pattern in Better Homes & Gardens Patchwork and Quilting Magazine a few months back and thought it was just super adorable. I just had to give it a try. The great thing about this pillow is that it doesn't require a lot of fabric which makes it a relatively inexpensive gift idea. You can mix and match patterns colors, etc and really come up with a unique, creative and fun little owl that I think any baby, toddler or child would love!
(close up of eyeless owl)
This was a relatively easy project once I got the hang of it. The toughest part was doing the faux stitching around the edges of all the pillow shapes. Essentially, all the shapes were already attached to the pillow with fusible webbing but the stitching around the edges gives it a really polished, nice look. Because its such a small pillow, the pieces were pretty intricate to cut as well as stitch around but I ended up shortening the sewing stitch which drastically slows down the machine and makes it more manueverable around the individual pieces. I also changed the stitch so it was much more dense so I was able to only stitch one time around and leave a very solid looking stitch rather than spread out. I think the result is perfect! Of course, because this was such a dense, short stitch, the thread broke every few inches which mean I had to constantly rethread and start over. This was extremely frustrating but the result was well worth it!
This project will definately stay in my aresenal of great gift ideas. It was inexpensive, had room for creativity and was a pretty quick project. I think if I make it again for any older children, I may personalize it with an emboidered first name initial.
Novice Attempt: Applique
Results: I DID IT! Super cute project, not very hard, fun fun fun! Definately on my "Will do this again" list.
Monday, January 25, 2010
So, I haven't posted a new blog in over a week at this point. I'm not entirely sure why this is. I joined a gym over a week ago and I LOVE it! Yay 24 Hour fitness. I don't have The Biggest Loser lofty goals but I do just hope to improve upon myself and be the healthiest person I know how to be. This entails lots of salads and early AM fruity shakes. Yum! It also entails spending at least an hour doing the Hamster Wheel/stationary bike combo. I'm working to build up my confidence in order to be comfortable enough to use the weight equipment as well. My boyfriend Trav, who used to be a personal trainer, offered to come with me for a few days (on a free guest pass...bonus!) and help me out with the weight machine stuff. He's been super duper supportive in a loving, not "honey your ass is fat" sort of way. My coworker Sara has also been a huge support and she recently just joined 24 Hour Fitness as well. Every day at work we're pumping ourselves up to go once we're off the clock. Very helpful!
Anyway, for some reason, this new endeavor has seemed to suck any spare time I've had. It's amazing how I have gotten NOTHING done since joining the gym. I feel great and I have tons of energy but I get home from the end of my day and it's already time to go to bed (at least it seems that way - I swear I don't curl up for bed at 6pm)!
Needless to say, I'm just about finished with the top of my table runner. It looks Aaaa-Mazing and I'll post pictures just as soon as I figure out how to upload them to my laptop from my camera. I also finished the borders to the quilt I started on back in November. Its my first one and its ready to be sent to the quilting machine. That should be ready to finish with the binding in just a couple of weeks. I've attached a photo of that right after I finished the borders last weekend. (P.S. I just got my do cropped and colored back to red. Looooove it!) 
Needless to say, I'm trying to work on things but at this moment I'm working on myself which is probably the most important. Anyway, more to come...soon, I hope!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Week 2 Attempt: Table Runner
I'm really excited to quilt my very first table runner. I've decided that I'm finally going to make a craft for myself (normally I craft and give as gifts). I'm using the disappearing nine patch block which is WAY easier than it seems to be and I'm using a green, red, orange and brown color palatte which should look nice in my apartment.
An easy how-to for this pattern can be found here.
An easy how-to for this pattern can be found here.
I think I finished this table runner in about 2 hours since I simply made 6 large (9x9) blocks and sewed the together in 2 rows of 3.
I'm working to finish up the binding (I ran out of fabric and I also JUST got a binding how-to lesson from my aunt) so its not quite finished but I'm very satisfied with the results and love the overall look!
Novice Attempt: Quilted Table Runner
Result: I'd say this project was a success. I'm fully complete with it since I'm missing a bit of fabric but once its finished I hope it becomes a great addition to my "Will do that again" list!
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