tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64408483158202829672024-03-16T14:52:35.973-04:00Cocoa PieKrystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-22535470880997697292015-03-10T13:54:00.000-04:002015-03-11T09:59:05.492-04:00Lots of Little Aprons<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been sewing up a bunch of little apron and chef hat sets. These are made to fit American Girl and other 18-inch dolls, and I'm sure they would fit a variety of other sized dolls, as well! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bAYRtlNmC3g/VP8vhLQXW5I/AAAAAAAAB78/0aBW5BRqY8g/s1600/Apron%2BBird%2Bcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bAYRtlNmC3g/VP8vhLQXW5I/AAAAAAAAB78/0aBW5BRqY8g/s1600/Apron%2BBird%2Bcrop.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yVSUJc4cE1c/VP8vhHyXS1I/AAAAAAAAB8A/JzH696iMESg/s1600/Apron%2Bblack%2Bgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yVSUJc4cE1c/VP8vhHyXS1I/AAAAAAAAB8A/JzH696iMESg/s1600/Apron%2Bblack%2Bgreen.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4E6VUScMKBE/VP8vh7jlLjI/AAAAAAAAB8I/Ex6Mj1MLyyU/s1600/Apron%2Bcupcakes2%2Bcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4E6VUScMKBE/VP8vh7jlLjI/AAAAAAAAB8I/Ex6Mj1MLyyU/s1600/Apron%2Bcupcakes2%2Bcrop.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-liPEdpWFMfg/VP8vg4eLxZI/AAAAAAAAB74/8TmAc-0eXzc/s1600/Apron%2Bcupcakes%2Bcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-liPEdpWFMfg/VP8vg4eLxZI/AAAAAAAAB74/8TmAc-0eXzc/s1600/Apron%2Bcupcakes%2Bcrop.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Follow <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/140104238383490259/" target="_blank">THIS PIN</a> to get the pattern I am using. It is darling and easy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The reason I am sewing so many of these up right now (I think I've got about a dozen done and another dozen cut out and waiting for their turn through the sewing machine) is because my sister-in-law makes and sells handmade, doll-sized clay food (You can find her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ladybugshandcraftedtreats" target="_blank">HERE</a> at Ladybug Treats on Facebook). She did a few boutiques just before the holidays and plans of doing more this year. So I am making these for her to display and (hopefully!) sell along with her food. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be stocking an Etsy shop with them as well, so that anyone who would like to buy them in the meantime can get them online.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(If you would like to see new stock as soon as it is available, please like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cocoa-Pie-Creations/1534414693487384" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>! I post many more photos and details there.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Linking to:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vk7b0eb36c8/S-Dt8w4FjkI/AAAAAAAAAKE/A5wquzXhr4g/s320/wgw+button.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/U1YxgZF2mq972y4gS804NXAuI0jRvmCTtlp1DijMxfVInL5Mc5sWoVE6teSDmAMtxw0WtE8VcvplwWYV3bRUixw1O6TqbKFSBmZfMj_Mr9iw9k4B3hDodlT85V398yAvF-B_uBO8-YBHV7F3SriF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sew-Many_Ways" border="0" src="http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z381/sewmanyways/polkadotsewmanyways125_zpsdc35adec.jpg" height="125" width="125" /></a><a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.com/search/label/%7Bwow%20me%7D%20wednesday" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFtfN67KadM/Tnsugs_MyyI/AAAAAAAAGwE/oWf6YALNB8I/s1600/wow-me.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="Sew-Many-Ways" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 125px;">
</div>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1187.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz381%2Fsewmanyways%2Fpolkadotsewmanyways125_zpsdc35adec.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/U1YxgZF2mq972y4gS804NXAuI0jRvmCTtlp1DijMxfVInL5Mc5sWoVE6teSDmAMtxw0WtE8VcvplwWYV3bRUixw1O6TqbKFSBmZfMj_Mr9iw9k4B3hDodlT85V398yAvF-B_uBO8-YBHV7F3SriF" -->Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-573870350343772962015-03-04T09:56:00.000-05:002015-03-04T09:56:05.904-05:00Cocoa Pie on Facebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouVjVnpqWrM/VPcc3xLpy4I/AAAAAAAAB7c/xudY494rbtM/s1600/FB%2Blike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouVjVnpqWrM/VPcc3xLpy4I/AAAAAAAAB7c/xudY494rbtM/s1600/FB%2Blike.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, it's true, I finally decided to give Cocoa Pie it's own Facebook page! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> You can find me <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cocoa-Pie-Creations/1534414693487384" target="_blank">HERE</a> or you can follow the button in my sidebar. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hope to see you there!</span></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-90166725468518195132015-02-12T12:27:00.001-05:002015-02-12T12:51:21.697-05:00American Girl Doll Rehab and Clothing <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My dear Sister-in-law got me an American Girl doll for Christmas so that I could use her to measure and model the AG-sized items I will be selling in my soon-to-be Etsy shop. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UwnPumuBO8/VNzd0brlhCI/AAAAAAAAB5s/eHBzOIZorxQ/s1600/White%2Bshirt%2Bhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UwnPumuBO8/VNzd0brlhCI/AAAAAAAAB5s/eHBzOIZorxQ/s1600/White%2Bshirt%2Bhead.jpg" height="540" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She came to me totally naked, being a previously well-loved doll that my SIL got for a deal. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, my SIL knows a thing or two about rehabbing tired old dolls. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She went from this...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7I_ZXf0yC8/VNzdBo4qtLI/AAAAAAAAB5U/lsyspdAGGUg/s1600/AG%2Bbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7I_ZXf0yC8/VNzdBo4qtLI/AAAAAAAAB5U/lsyspdAGGUg/s1600/AG%2Bbefore.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To this!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWHqIcAJAWY/VNzdzb8C-cI/AAAAAAAAB5c/vqmHjyWRK6o/s1600/AG%2Bfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWHqIcAJAWY/VNzdzb8C-cI/AAAAAAAAB5c/vqmHjyWRK6o/s1600/AG%2Bfull.jpg" height="640" width="344" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, obviously</span> <span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">I had to get some clothes on her quickly. I had a pair of old grey knit pants that my boys had outgrown lying around, so I turned them into a pair of leggings. You can see the wear on the hem seam, where the thread had started coming out. Oh well, it was faster and easier to make them with the original hem, and I don't think she minds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then I started making a dress for her, but soon thought that if she is going to be modeling other things, she should wear something plain and simple so she won't clash with the patterns on the other items. In the end I went with a simple white t-shirt instead.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, I can't keep it simple, and I can't follow a pattern. I always have to add something, or modify the method. I did both on this shirt. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBXZ6hvu8eE/VNzedqf7okI/AAAAAAAAB54/sfkhCFsh_pc/s1600/White%2Bshirt%2Bclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBXZ6hvu8eE/VNzedqf7okI/AAAAAAAAB54/sfkhCFsh_pc/s1600/White%2Bshirt%2Bclose.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The shirt pattern I used was originally a tank top. I added the sleeves and the ruffle around the neck, which is just a 1-inch wide strip of fabric, ruffled up the center and sewn on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I also modified the method for back closure. It took me awhile, actually, to figure out the best way to close it up. I unpicked quite a bit, but in the end I am happy with how it turned out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeqZlUvnFas/VNzdzTxkSoI/AAAAAAAAB5g/wwLWd-XcRD8/s1600/White%2Bshirt%2Bback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeqZlUvnFas/VNzdzTxkSoI/AAAAAAAAB5g/wwLWd-XcRD8/s1600/White%2Bshirt%2Bback.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All in all, I think she has made a lovely transformation! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-49892821941918092242015-02-06T15:08:00.000-05:002015-02-06T20:01:23.810-05:00Valentine Mug Rug & Tips for Sewing Curves and Inside Corners<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X8qG_lkYCn8/VNUZtg86eTI/AAAAAAAAB4M/I32fYiFDdTw/s1600/Heart%2BMug%2BRug%2Bw%2Bmug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X8qG_lkYCn8/VNUZtg86eTI/AAAAAAAAB4M/I32fYiFDdTw/s1600/Heart%2BMug%2BRug%2Bw%2Bmug.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just in time for Valentine's Day, a mug rug made from my red-est and pink-est scraps.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The patchwork is 1-inch squares, finished. The mug rug itself is about 9.5 inches wide, 8.5 inches tall. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The inspiration for this quick little project came from this pin <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/140104238383707377/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest challenge I had with this was sewing the binding around the extreme curves. Fortunately, I know a few tricks for sewing curves, and they came in handy on this project.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Tips for sewing binding onto curves:</u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 - Cut your binding on the bias. This allows your fabric to stretch much easier around the curves.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2 - Go SLOWLY when sewing around your curves. There is nothing wrong with stopping every few stitches to adjust your fabric and check your progress.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">3- Learn how to sew binding onto an inside corner. This will help with so much frustration when sewing a project like this. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I actually learned a handy trick for sewing inside corners from <a href="http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com/2001/04/tutorial-serging-inside-corners.html" target="_blank">THIS</a> post. It is presented as a tip for serging, but it works for regular sewing, as well. It is how I got the binding into that deep inside corner at the top of the heart.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now I am going to pack this sweet thing up and send it to it's new owner. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's Day!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap8Y1wUPbWw/VNUZtt4AztI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/0Qmd2PnwDXE/s1600/Heart%2Bmug%2Brug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap8Y1wUPbWw/VNUZtt4AztI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/0Qmd2PnwDXE/s1600/Heart%2Bmug%2Brug.jpg" height="473" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<a href="http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.com/p/fabric-frenzy-friday.html" title="Fort Worth Fabric Studio "><img alt="Fort Worth Fabric Studio " src="http://www.fortworthfabricstudio.com/media/uploads/2015/01/25/images/FFF-150.png" style="border: none;" /></a> <a href="http://www.myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.com/p/needle-and-thread-thursday.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Needle and Thread Thursday" border="0" src="http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y450/kellydyoung/NTTButton1_zps9633aaf2.png" /></a></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-20924968727451412642014-04-11T17:29:00.000-04:002014-04-11T18:31:01.286-04:00Charity Sewing - Infant Layette Shirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is a charity organization located in the next town over from me here in Maryland called IMA World Health. A month or two ago they contacted our Relief Society President at church and asked if we would help provide layette shirts and gowns for their <a href="https://www.imaworldhealth.org/medicines-supplies-and-care/safe-motherhood-kits.html" target="_blank">"Safe Motherhood Kits"</a>. To quote from their site, these kits "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">provide clean and sterile birthing </span><span style="background-color: white;">supplies to expectant mothers in areas where infant and maternal mortality rates </span><span style="background-color: white;">are among the highest in the world."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgO5RVqLjb8/U0fk7SAO6FI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/7SoBwdnUrL0/s1600/Lay+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgO5RVqLjb8/U0fk7SAO6FI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/7SoBwdnUrL0/s1600/Lay+group.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, I jumped right on board with this project! First of all, I try to take any </span>opportunity<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to serve others with my talents, but also, as a mother of severely premature NICU twins, I have been on the receiving end of many others service in the form of handmade and crocheted blankets, layettes, even hand-sewn Christmas stockings for my babies while they spent their first Christmas in the hospital. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VGng297fUk/U0fk7bq_90I/AAAAAAAAB1A/k110FDv8hWY/s1600/Lay+group+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VGng297fUk/U0fk7bq_90I/AAAAAAAAB1A/k110FDv8hWY/s1600/Lay+group+2.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you are in that situation, it is very overwhelming to know that there are so many people out there willing to spend their time and talents to help serve and comfort those in need. I vowed then that I would do what I could to try to give back to others in a similar way, especially when it comes to babies in need.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The little football player bear shirts were the first ones I made (only one is pictured). I wanted to hurry and get one made to use as an example for the ladies at church. I don't have a ton of baby-type fabric in my stash, but did find this old piece that has been hanging around for about 4-5 years now and was able to get two shirts out of it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the rest of the shirts, I tried to go a little more gender neutral, since these will be going to a variety of babies.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G71FdLTkmjw/U0fkvZzZDwI/AAAAAAAAB04/DUcFCFjrQZo/s1600/Lay+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G71FdLTkmjw/U0fkvZzZDwI/AAAAAAAAB04/DUcFCFjrQZo/s1600/Lay+Collage.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While their website has suggested</span><i style="font-family: inherit;"> guidelines</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for the shirts and gowns, it didn't have an actual pattern. I looked online for something similar, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. So, to make things easier I offered to draft a pattern for anyone who wanted to help make them. It is a </span>mash-up<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of the website's guidelines, 2 other patterns/guidelines I had, plus my own alterations. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I sewed the first one with french seams, as the website suggests. The enclosed seams are definitely nice for concealing the raw end of the inner tie, but my biggest complaint was that it made the shirt smaller than I wanted. I wanted them to be fairly roomy, since they will be going on a variety of sized newborns. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">So after that, I took to my serger, which neatly enclosed the tie ends into the seams as well as giving it a nice, finished look. It is definitely the way I would suggest finishing these shirts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I used both regular cotton fabric as well as flannel. Both worked great for the bodies of the shirts, but I suggest only using the thinner cotton fabric for making the bias tape ties. The brown polka dot ties are adorable, but made from flannel, and they didn't want to play nice. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Now, If anyone would like to make a layette or two to DONATE to our cause (wink, wink), I would gladly accept any sent to me before the May 1st due date.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">I can email the pattern. It's hand drawn and not professional in the least, but it works. (</span><span style="background-color: white;">At this point, it is JUST the pattern, not written instructions. I have been directing the people at church to the IMA website to follow their general guidelines for construction. However, if I had enough people interested, I would write up some instructions to go with it.) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MyZKJTWAS1w/U0fk7xSdl2I/AAAAAAAAB1M/IrmVaIm0CiU/s1600/Lay+hang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MyZKJTWAS1w/U0fk7xSdl2I/AAAAAAAAB1M/IrmVaIm0CiU/s1600/Lay+hang.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">My email address is: krysllyn@gmail.com</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">If you want to send a shirt to donate, email me for my mailing address. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Linking Up:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.com/2014/04/fabric-frenzy-friday-11.html" target="_blank">Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Fort Worth Fabric Studio</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-30073948276833900772014-03-31T08:00:00.000-04:002014-03-31T08:00:14.297-04:00Another 241 Tote<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/13491247284" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="241 Tote for mom by KrystaLyn, on Flickr"><img alt="241 Tote for mom" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/13491247284_347debf111.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After she saw the <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-ghastly-241-tote.html" target="_blank">241 Tote</a> I made for myself last summer, my mom decided she wanted one, too. I told her I would make her one for Christmas, and she was fine with that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, then we found out we would be moving, and my mom was able to come out for a week to help me pack. Since she was in town, I thought it would be fun to take her to the LQS and let her pick her own fabric.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mom is not a sewer, so she wasn't sure initially what to pick. I told her to just start with a focus fabric...something that jumped out at her and that she loved. She decided she wanted something whimsical, and these butterflies fit the bill. After she picked the butterflies, it was pretty easy to help her find coordinates that she liked. The only thing she didn't pick out was the lining. She didn't like anything at the store that day, so I ended up finding this Moda basic dot fabric online a little later. I think it turned out perfectly!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/13491166603" title="241 Tote for mom - interior by KrystaLyn, on Flickr"><img alt="241 Tote for mom - interior" height="430" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/13491166603_b66674dd86.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/13491724125" title="241 Tote for mom by KrystaLyn, on Flickr"><img alt="241 Tote for mom" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/13491724125_cb378cc308.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-59845772208722970012014-03-27T18:29:00.000-04:002014-04-02T09:40:28.200-04:00Tutorial - Envelope Binding <div style="text-align: center;">
Every now and then, I find myself making this type of quick little blanket for my boys. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6c3r-x--mk/UzSfWs8fTwI/AAAAAAAAB0o/pjB5sXlTNyk/s1600/env+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6c3r-x--mk/UzSfWs8fTwI/AAAAAAAAB0o/pjB5sXlTNyk/s1600/env+17.jpg" height="499" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This one, for example came about from my 3-year-old's current obsession with Sulley from "Monsters University" and a trip to the fabric store where he spotted some Sulley fabric.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/13454931313" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Envelope Binding Tutorial by KrystaLyn, on Flickr"><img alt="Envelope Binding Tutorial" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/13454931313_a4a748ba54.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm not going to take the time to make a pieced quilt out of something he will probably outgrow within the next year. And besides, when you are three, you want your Sulley blanket RIGHT. NOW. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is where a quick and easy tied blanket comes in. Minimal work for me, and he gets his new Sulley blanket by bedtime. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This type of blanket is also a super fast option for baby-sized charity blankets.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One thing I like to do on this type of blanket is an envelope binding. I think it makes the blanket look nicer and neater than a folded edge binding, and doesn't take as much time or effort as the traditional strip binding that you would normally see on quilts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a quick tutorial on how I create an envelope binding.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/13447544443" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" title="Envelope Binding Tutorial - Cocoa Pie Creations by KrystaLyn, on Flickr"><img alt="Envelope Binding Tutorial - Cocoa Pie Creations" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/13447544443_5b144b460b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First, choose your fabric. I got 1 1/2 yards of both the top and bottom fabrics for this blanket. After washing, trimming and sewing, this blanket measured about 40 x 50 inches. I used flannel, but you could definitely use quilting cotton, or a combination of both, if you want.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I choose to wash my fabric for these quilts, because I am only tying them, not quilting, so I don't want them to shrink too much after they have been tied. You can choose to wash or not.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the fabric has been washed, I press it and square it up, just like I would before cutting any fabric. Then I trim my fabric into two, equally-sized pieces.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cut your batting out to the same size as your fabric pieces. (I used a low loft polyester batting in this blanket because I wanted it to have a bit of puffiness. Feel free get a higher loft batting to make an even puffier blanket, but I will say from experience that it is harder to work with.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lay your fabric down in this order: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1 - top piece, right side UP</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2 - Bottom piece, right side DOWN</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3 - batting on top of the bottom piece</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zBe3-rLE8I/UzRaEbJBN5I/AAAAAAAAByE/sC1syhk6ovE/s1600/env+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zBe3-rLE8I/UzRaEbJBN5I/AAAAAAAAByE/sC1syhk6ovE/s1600/env+1.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pin all around, but I recommend sewing opposite sides together instead of starting at one corner and sewing all the way around the perimeter. It seems to reduce shifting and stretching of the batting this way:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_irKfXXABY/UzRchrEwkrI/AAAAAAAAByQ/CjdeP_WJ05M/s1600/env+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_irKfXXABY/UzRchrEwkrI/AAAAAAAAByQ/CjdeP_WJ05M/s1600/env+2.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I sew a 1/2 inch seam using my walking foot. I highly recommend using a walking foot if you have one. It will also help reduce stretching.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5red1WWFXY/UzRe1g5foMI/AAAAAAAAByc/OkOMrBynS1A/s1600/env+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5red1WWFXY/UzRe1g5foMI/AAAAAAAAByc/OkOMrBynS1A/s1600/env+3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Make sure to leave about a 10 inch opening along one edge of your blanket.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNIpew272KY/UzRqiM_WHPI/AAAAAAAABy8/hFSaTRa7BKY/s1600/Env+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNIpew272KY/UzRqiM_WHPI/AAAAAAAABy8/hFSaTRa7BKY/s1600/Env+4.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once you have finished sewing your blanket together, snip off the corners to reduce bulk.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L8Tfl6nppHI/UzRqht_2yVI/AAAAAAAABy0/tdo3nvskY_E/s1600/Env+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L8Tfl6nppHI/UzRqht_2yVI/AAAAAAAABy0/tdo3nvskY_E/s1600/Env+5.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trim excess fabric around the entire perimeter of the blanket, except for right around the 10 inch opening. I like to leave the seam allowance on this section longer so that I have more fabric to work with once I have turned it and am tucking it in to press and sew closed.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N5yxdEAMadA/UzRq0XpSPhI/AAAAAAAABzc/BKYA_qPcb-w/s1600/env+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N5yxdEAMadA/UzRq0XpSPhI/AAAAAAAABzc/BKYA_qPcb-w/s1600/env+7.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now open up your blanket at the opening, reach in, and pull the right sides out.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wre_Y67ghj8/UzRq2a8m1oI/AAAAAAAABzk/cctPsLJzaik/s1600/env+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wre_Y67ghj8/UzRq2a8m1oI/AAAAAAAABzk/cctPsLJzaik/s1600/env+8.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Using a crochet hook or another turning tool, poke your corners out, and press.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxIrsmL2ZYQ/UzRq2TTIqPI/AAAAAAAABzo/xJT6q7TAMiA/s1600/env+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxIrsmL2ZYQ/UzRq2TTIqPI/AAAAAAAABzo/xJT6q7TAMiA/s1600/env+9.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now, pinning the opening closed, press the entire perimeter.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdVoATJNR8Q/UzRqq1uyveI/AAAAAAAABzE/9EgZOz3uHHU/s1600/env+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kdVoATJNR8Q/UzRqq1uyveI/AAAAAAAABzE/9EgZOz3uHHU/s1600/env+11.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfDByJ7RCtU/UzRqg0d7RWI/AAAAAAAABys/936jKI2e37E/s1600/env+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfDByJ7RCtU/UzRqg0d7RWI/AAAAAAAABys/936jKI2e37E/s1600/env+10.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once the entire edge is pressed, take a needle and thread and sew your opening shut. I prefer using a blind stitch.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Disosu5RU18/UzRqvWuBNYI/AAAAAAAABzM/Ov-KevJ4jps/s1600/env+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Disosu5RU18/UzRqvWuBNYI/AAAAAAAABzM/Ov-KevJ4jps/s1600/env+12.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At this point, tie your blanket. (I recommend tying the blanket over quilting, because at this point, the blanket is bound and there is not a lot you can do about any shifting or puckering if you were to quilt it. However, a very large and simple straight line design may work if you decide to try quilting it. I have never done it myself, though, so I can't say how well it would work.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another option if you want a quilted look is to quilt the top onto the batting before you add the backing fabric. However, you would still need to either tack or tie the backing fabric onto the front fabric once your envelope binding is done.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now that your blanket is tied, this is how your envelope binding looks:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bT_9173rrlo/UzSTorF3uPI/AAAAAAAABz8/3vT4MsV66ko/s1600/env+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bT_9173rrlo/UzSTorF3uPI/AAAAAAAABz8/3vT4MsV66ko/s1600/env+13.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Definitely nothing wrong with it, and you could leave it like this and your blanket would be just fine. However, I like to add one last step and sew a 1/2 inch edge around the perimeter of the blanket. It gives it the look of being bound, and is a nice finishing touch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOOe1azyK8s/UzSZA2IBorI/AAAAAAAAB0M/le0vqCdThHc/s1600/env+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOOe1azyK8s/UzSZA2IBorI/AAAAAAAAB0M/le0vqCdThHc/s1600/env+15.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And there you have it! A fast, easy blanket with a sweet, envelope-bound edge...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4GD_E3yJjk/UzSZBUaR46I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/y-1Fbi5cWLc/s1600/env+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4GD_E3yJjk/UzSZBUaR46I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/y-1Fbi5cWLc/s1600/env+16.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...and one very happy boy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/13447651433" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Monsters Blanket by KrystaLyn, on Flickr"><img alt="Monsters Blanket" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/13447651433_98c495a91b.jpg" width="421" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Linking Here:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2014/03/sew-darn-crafty-linky-partymarch-theme_30.html" target="_blank">Sew Darn Crafty @ Sew Many Ways</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sewcando.com/2014/03/share-your-projects-at-craftastic.html" target="_blank">Craftastic Monday @ Sew Can Do</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2014/04/fabric-tuesday-179.html" target="_blank">Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story</a></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-2202179953950045482014-03-15T18:44:00.001-04:002014-03-15T18:44:33.355-04:00Project Linus Charity Quilts<div style="text-align: center;">
Last fall, my <a href="http://www.mormon.org/faq/relief-society" target="_blank">Relief Society</a> group did a service project of making and donating quilts and blankets to Project Linus. We ended up donating somewhere between 40-50 blankets, if I remember correctly. 3 of those were my contribution.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The best part about these quilts is that all the fabric was donated! I was visiting my sister in Tennessee and we happened to pull out her (humongous!) tote of fabric to look for a particular quilt top. While digging through, she came across two very large cuts of rather beautiful batik fabric that she had gotten from her Mother-in-Law a few years back. Her MIL had intended to make quilts out of them, but never did and was going to throw the fabric out when my sister rescued it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sister was more than happy to pass it along to me to turn into quilts for our Project Linus service project. I decided not to do anything fancy, just whole cloth and machine quilted. I had quite a bit of large sized leftovers that I was intending to make another, pieced quilt top out of, but ran out of time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These pictures aren't the best, and really don't do the quilts justice because I took them with my phone, inside, at night, as I was literally running out the door to the activity!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCarlouRtMs/UyTURN1_56I/AAAAAAAABxE/BVvzZzoDLOA/s1600/Iphone+pics+2012-2014+852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCarlouRtMs/UyTURN1_56I/AAAAAAAABxE/BVvzZzoDLOA/s1600/Iphone+pics+2012-2014+852.jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIuCQs76Wxc/UyTUQ1Up9XI/AAAAAAAABxA/SvZvOG067Ms/s1600/Linus+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIuCQs76Wxc/UyTUQ1Up9XI/AAAAAAAABxA/SvZvOG067Ms/s1600/Linus+1.jpg" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The above photo is the only finished quilt I have a picture of, but the second one was just like it. The third one was a small, unbound, tied blanket I found in a box last summer. I threw a binding on it and donated it, also. The photo below is a glimpse of it as I was binding it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxzE8VCrCgI/UaYsS5ZtxRI/AAAAAAAABis/13eWZxfAHgg/s1600/IMG_9411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxzE8VCrCgI/UaYsS5ZtxRI/AAAAAAAABis/13eWZxfAHgg/s1600/IMG_9411.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The most rewarding part of the whole project was when I got an email from the mother of one of the girls that received one of my quilts while at Johns Hopkins. It was very touching, and so rewarding to know that my service is being received with love and gratitude. It makes it all worth it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-74300055151634059712013-11-13T13:41:00.002-05:002013-11-13T13:47:20.442-05:00Baby Drew's Quilt <div style="text-align: center;">
I put the last stitch on this quilt the morning I left my sister's house after a week-long visit to see my new nephew, Drew, at the end of September.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/10837926083/" title="Drew Quilt by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Drew Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/10837926083_e947c309ef.jpg" width="533" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had it all done and quilted when I left for her house, I just had to trim it, make the binding, and bind it while I was there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/10837926673/" title="Drew Quilt back by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Drew Quilt back" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/10837926673_69468536ce.jpg" width="481" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fabric is an older line by Moda called Meadow Friends, backed and bound with two different Denyse Schmidt fabrics. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was happy to be able to use some of the yellow Denyse Schmidt fabric in the quilt top, too, because it was fabric left over from my <i>other</i> new nephew's quilt that I made earlier in the year (which I have yet to post about!) I was happy to be able to have a little of the same fabric in both boys quilts. Kindof ties them together in my mind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/10837646856/" title="Drew Quilt 2 by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Drew Quilt 2" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/10837646856_dde9560fb9.jpg" width="503" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once it was done, we put the quilt straight to work during a photo shoot of Drew. I personally think it did a wonderful job showing off my adorable nephew!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/10841295604/" title="IMG_4876 by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4876" height="487" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/10841295604_f630898e82.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-7521315443357107252013-10-31T10:06:00.000-04:002013-10-31T10:06:57.973-04:00Happy Halloween!<div style="text-align: center;">
**For last year's post on previous costumes I have made, go <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2012/11/costumes-of-halloween-past-and-present.html" target="_blank">(HERE)</a>**</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This year, only one of my boys wanted me to make his costume. Which is nice in that I don't get totally burned out on costumes by the time Halloween rolls around and it is actually time to wear them! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/10591963083/" title="Boys 2013 by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Boys 2013" height="437" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/10591963083_07a4773378.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My son decided to go classic this year and be a ghost. I paid .99 for a basic Simplicity kids costume pattern for the robe and hood, but as usual, didn't bother to follow the instructions for assembly at all. Haha! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made it out of bleached muslin and some Halloween "fabric" cheesecloth that I got dirt cheap during a big sale at Joann's. So, all in all, it was a fast, cheap and easy job...and I LOVE it! I think it turned out great. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/10591736655/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Ghost Ashe by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Ghost Ashe" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/10591736655_347c17bb8a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My son loved it too, and literally looked like a spooky white spectre floating through the parking lot of our church's Trunk-or-Treat. He rocked that ghost costume! Which, of course, makes every effort of making homemade Halloween costumes worth every stitch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Halloween!!</div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-21404613769722538032013-10-30T17:00:00.001-04:002013-10-31T10:15:00.963-04:00All Moved and a Diaper Bag<div style="text-align: center;">
I realize it has been over two months since posting, but with the move (which happened September 1), my husband deploying two weeks later, and two weeks of traveling and visiting family a week after that, I really feel like I have just gotten here and finally have things in place enough to sit down and post something!</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have actually done quite a bit of sewing since I have been here (one of the "perks" of my husband being gone - lots of alone time in the evening to fill with sewing, I guess!) and I will be posting about them soon, but I will start with a little baby doll diaper bag I made for my nieces birthday (pretty much following <a href="http://www.mommybydaycrafterbynight.com/2011/11/dolly-diaper-bag-tutorial.html" target="_blank">THIS</a> tutorial, except I added side pockets to hold doll bottles, etc.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The crazy thing is, when she opened the gift she said, "It's a diaper bag!" Neither her mom nor I could believe that she knew exactly what kind of bag it was without being told. Kind of awesome. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently, it was just what she needed. </div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Warning: crappy, uncropped phone pics ahead - that's what you get when you have only unpacked half your house and don't know where anything - like your camera - is!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uKOjeCIL5Ls/UnFzX6p3NSI/AAAAAAAABvk/jNpqVkENKBM/s640/blogger-image-1769574266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uKOjeCIL5Ls/UnFzX6p3NSI/AAAAAAAABvk/jNpqVkENKBM/s640/blogger-image-1769574266.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RUP5loSitTQ/UnFzUYaK0mI/AAAAAAAABvY/7RURX8u38B8/s640/blogger-image-1438012400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RUP5loSitTQ/UnFzUYaK0mI/AAAAAAAABvY/7RURX8u38B8/s640/blogger-image-1438012400.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jM2PyierqyI/UnFzR8xupMI/AAAAAAAABvU/pkG_Ehjar8M/s640/blogger-image-1017161733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jM2PyierqyI/UnFzR8xupMI/AAAAAAAABvU/pkG_Ehjar8M/s640/blogger-image-1017161733.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2t8a4jiI6V8/UnFzajuEhhI/AAAAAAAABvs/CC_imzwuQ48/s640/blogger-image--1304395694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2t8a4jiI6V8/UnFzajuEhhI/AAAAAAAABvs/CC_imzwuQ48/s640/blogger-image--1304395694.jpg" /></a></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-47229209274074353602013-08-14T13:52:00.000-04:002013-08-14T13:52:25.230-04:00Sew Many Books - A Summer Sewing Series<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s788.photobucket.com/user/thompsone1/media/PicMonkeyCollage_zps8cc13f49.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo PicMonkeyCollage_zps8cc13f49.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy168/thompsone1/PicMonkeyCollage_zps8cc13f49.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm excited to be a part of the summer sewing series, SEW MANY BOOKS, over at <a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2013/08/sew-many-books-bones-bones-dinosaur.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FqjfNQ+%28a+new+post+from+Nap-Time+Creations%29" target="_blank">Nap Time Creations</a> today! Head on over to read my tutorial on how to turn an illustration from your child's favorite book into a wearable piece of clothing!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qPuKOvQrb4k/UgcBKLeHe7I/AAAAAAAABsI/mQcxmhpvjOs/s1600/Boys+together+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qPuKOvQrb4k/UgcBKLeHe7I/AAAAAAAABsI/mQcxmhpvjOs/s320/Boys+together+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Extra bonus: you get to see a bunch of photos of my adorable twins! (Who, me biased?? Nah....)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And while you are there, don't forget to sign up for some fun giveaways. </div>
</div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-55941614545174679922013-08-12T17:48:00.001-04:002013-08-13T10:03:43.419-04:00A Ghastly 241 Tote<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been wanting to make myself a new bag for awhile. I've been hauling around the same old diaper bag for almost 5 years now, even though at this point it is pretty empty with my youngest being almost three. I just don't have the need to haul around a bunch of baby <strike>crap</strike> stuff anymore!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The problem is I have just been very indecisive about both the pattern and fabrics I wanted to use for a new bag. I know it shouldn't be a big deal...it's not the first and not that last bag I will make, but I just couldn't seem to get inspired about it. So I put it off, and put it off, and well, you know how it goes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, as I would do my random bag pattern searches, hoping to get a little inspiration, I kept coming back to the <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2011/03/241-tote-pattern.html" target="_blank">241 Tote</a>...you know, the one that is all over the internet made in every fabric possible? Yeah, that one. Let's be honest, it's just a darn cute bag! So anyway, that was kindof in my mind when I walked into my LQS and saw the new line of "The Ghastlies" on the shelf. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That was it. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with that fabric. And thus, my 241 Tote was born!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Front:</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9498381284/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="A Ghastly 241 Tote - Back by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="A Ghastly 241 Tote - Back" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/9498381284_09e244e09d.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Back:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9495581331/" title="A Ghastly 241 Tote - Front by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="A Ghastly 241 Tote - Front" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/9495581331_71f643825a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Honestly, I can't decide which side I like better!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here is the interior. The lining is another print from the "Ghastly" line called "ghastly clovers", I believe. The other fabrics are a matching Sketch (charcoal, maybe?) and a random pink polka dot fat quarter they had in the store. Truthfully, when I found that pink polka dot in the EXACT shade and tone as the cheeks of the characters, I knew it was meant to be.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9495580629/" title="A Ghastly 241 Tote - Interior by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="A Ghastly 241 Tote - Interior" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/9495580629_c3e78e234d.jpg" width="467" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I just love this "ghastly" little couple that peeks out at me from the pocket every time I look inside:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9495582635/" title="A Ghastly 241 Tote - pocket detail by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="A Ghastly 241 Tote - pocket detail" height="417" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/9495582635_c96442ee9f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I followed the pattern exactly EXCEPT that I lined the body of the bag with fusible fleece instead of the cotton woven interfacing (I still interfaced the handle and pockets with the cotton woven interfacing), and, as seen above, I made the pocket a little differently so that I could have the polka dot band showing on top.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just love it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
Linking Up:<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2013/08/calling-lucky-stars-and-fabric-tuesday.html" target="_blank">Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story</a></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-14011429767901370862013-08-02T14:04:00.001-04:002013-08-02T16:37:38.604-04:00Cute Ruffle Butts and a Fun Summer Sewing Series!<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">This is a little project I finished a few weeks ago and am now just finding time to share:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9421729331/" title="bdiaper ruffle set by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="bdiaper ruffle set" height="342" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/9421729331_f422f6f621.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9421728415/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="bdiaperrufflebib by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="bdiaperrufflebib" height="328" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/9421728415_11d20bdb84.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It is essentially the same as the <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-slow-start-and-some-dolly-things.html" target="_blank">Diaper & Bib sets</a> I made for my nieces for Christmas last year, but with one adorable change...a ruffle butt!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9424498740/" title="bdiaper ruffle by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="bdiaper ruffle" height="333" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/9424498740_df255538af.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<br />
I had thought about adding the ruffle to the Christmas sets just a little too late, so I knew when I made this one, I wanted to try it. I think it turned out totally darling!<br />
<br />
This set was made for my twins' good friend's little sister (say that five times fast!) for her birthday last month. She just turned two, and I felt like this could be a gift that she could really grow into and use for years to come. <br />
<br />
The only thing I didn't end up loving about this set was the little baby quilt, which was made entirely from flannel from my scrap box. I used it to practice some FMQ on...and I definitely quilted it far too densely. It ended up feeling like a place mat, rather than a baby doll quilt! (I do, however, love the cute bird flannel backing!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9424499588/" title="bdiaper ruffle quilt back by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="bdiaper ruffle quilt back" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/9424499588_59d0bf68db.jpg" width="403" /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Something else I wanted to mention:<br />
<br />
I'm participating in <a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.com/search/label/sew%20many%20books" target="_blank">Nap-Time Creations</a> <i>Sew Many Books</i> sewing series. This is a fun series of posts all about children's clothing inspired by children's books. How fun is that?? <br />
<br />
Come back on August 12th to see my addition to this fun series.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's who else is joining in the fun this month:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s788.photobucket.com/user/thompsone1/media/PicMonkeyCollage_zps8cc13f49.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo PicMonkeyCollage_zps8cc13f49.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy168/thompsone1/PicMonkeyCollage_zps8cc13f49.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.com/" target="_blank">Nap-TimeCreations</a> - <a href="http://www.buzzmills.net/" target="_blank">Buzzmills</a> - <a href="http://www.allthisforthem.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">All This For Them</a> - <a href="http://www.wildwandering.com/" target="_blank">Wild Wandering</a> - <a href="http://www.cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cocoa Pie Creations </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sunnystitching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sunny Stitching</a> - <a href="http://www.blessbytone.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bless by Tone</a> - <a href="http://www.coles-corner-and-creations.com/" target="_blank">Coles Corner and Creations</a> - <a href="http://www.naptimecrafters.com/" target="_blank">Nap Time Crafters</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.threadingmyway.com/" target="_blank">Threading my Way</a> - <a href="http://www.welcometothemousehouse.com/" target="_blank">Welcome to the Mouse House</a> - <a href="http://www.sewinglikemad.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sewing like Mad</a> - <a href="http://www.sewsnbows.com/" target="_blank">Sews N Bows</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.simplesimonandco.com/" target="_blank">Simple Simon and Co</a>-<a href="http://www.icandyhandmade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> iCandy Handmade</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be sure to stop by <a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.com/" target="_blank">Nap-Time Creations</a> on these days for some great giveaways</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>August 6th</b>- $50 to <a href="http://fabric.com/">fabric.com</a> & free Personalized kids book from <a href="http://iseeme.com/">iseeme.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>August 13th</b>- Pattern Pack from <a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/" target="_blank">Peek-a-Boo Patterns </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>August 20th</b>- Pattern Pack from <a href="http://www.coles-corner-and-creations.com/" target="_blank">Coles Corner and Creations</a> &<a href="http://www.vanessaroam.com/a-remnant-surprise.html" target="_blank"> A Remnant Surprise</a> Book</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if you are interested in sponsoring a giveaway or participating in NEXT years Sew Many Books series e-mail Emily at nap-timecreations{at}hotmail{dot}com
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=299815&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
</script>
</div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-1560375633006711172013-07-31T14:27:00.002-04:002013-07-31T15:11:56.614-04:00WiP Wednesday -Some Boy QuiltsSo I have been trying to sort, pack and purge the past week or so, but I have still sneaked in a bit of sewing!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I posted my most current completed quilt blocks a few days ago <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/some-blocks-and-some-changes.html" target="_blank">(here)</a>, but I forgot one so I'm giving her a little recognition today :) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is block #8 in the <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Virtual Quilting Bee</a> Sampler Quilt.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9377815516/" title="Sampler - Block 8 by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Sampler - Block 8" height="489" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/9377815516_6aa7638bcd.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The other WiP's I have been working on is this quilt for my new nephew, who was born 2 weeks ago...5 weeks early! But I was planning to give the quilt when I went to visit for his Blessing the end of September anyway, so no rush on this one:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7iQ349pu0gk/UflSUHBg4CI/AAAAAAAABqg/-bahv51AQLc/s640/blogger-image-803674014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7iQ349pu0gk/UflSUHBg4CI/AAAAAAAABqg/-bahv51AQLc/s640/blogger-image-803674014.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have the rows pieced...kindof. Turns out, I ended up sewing 5 of the 11 rows wrong, so I've got a little unpicking in my future before I get this one finished.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This brown and blue star quilt was a random project that I wasn't expecting to start, but I finished the top last night. <br />
<br />
This one does have a story behind it. Some of the fabric in this was salvaged from one of the two matching bedding sets my twins had when they were babies. When my third son was born, I obviously didn't need two sets anymore, so I decided to make a matching quilt with the fabric from one of the sets for my third son, since neither of my twins wanted to give up the blankets that actually came with the set.<br />
<br />
I cut what I had into charm squares, bought some backing fabric, put it in a bag....and totally forgot about it. <br />
Well, now my son is nearly three and won't be in a crib after we move, so what to do with the bedding and the partial matching quilt squares to go with it? Why, give it to one of my two nephews that have been born within the past 3 months, of course!<br />
<br />
To make this super easy for me, I am not quilting it. This will be a tied, comforter-type quilt instead. I dug around in my scraps and found enough fabric to make it work without having to get anything else for it (except the high loft batting and yarn). <br />
<br />
For an impromptu quilt that has been put together from what I had on hand, it's turning out pretty cute, I think. In fact, it is cuter than the blanket that actually came with the set!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2IJiErikZY/UflSRbVDAZI/AAAAAAAABqc/Zo_2k4ygwZ0/s1600/blogger-image--1336328382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2IJiErikZY/UflSRbVDAZI/AAAAAAAABqc/Zo_2k4ygwZ0/s640/blogger-image--1336328382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
That is it for this week. I am packing up my fabric for the move as I type this. I have two words: Fabric. Hoarder.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-63662289838632921782013-07-26T10:37:00.001-04:002013-07-26T10:41:21.200-04:00Some Blocks and Some Changes<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep, I'm here!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Forgive my month hiatus, but things have been changing around here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While my husband was away at a school for 8 weeks (he left mid-May), my sister came to stay with me. She brough her two kids - ages 2 years and 6 weeks. While it was totally AWESOME to have my sister with me for 6 weeks, as you can imagine, having 5 kids ages 4 and under in the house meant almost constant chaos! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then my husband came home the beginning of this month...and told me we were moving within the next two months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fact that we are moving didn't surprise me - we've known we would be moving eventually. But we had just decided to stay put for another 10 months, to let the boys finish preschool in the school they love, among other reasons. So this news was a bit of a surprise and has changed the name of the game around here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We aren't moving far - just one state north to Maryland (about a 3 hour drive in D.C. traffic!) And to be honest, I am nervous AND excited about the change. My husband and I have been married 9 years this year and this will be our 5th move in that time. This is the first time it has had a noticeable affect on our boys...one of my twins has cried twice about having to leave his beloved preschool/primary teacher. (Insert sad face and mommy-guilt feelings here.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amid all this chaos, however, I did get some sewing done! I am (finally!) caught up with my <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Virtual Quilting Bee</a> blocks.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9371223200/" title="Block 9 Sampler by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Block 9 Sampler" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/9371223200_1dfccf24a0.jpg" height="497" width="500" /></a>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9371222944/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sampler - Block 10 by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Sampler - Block 10" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/9371222944_0157fc4271.jpg" height="495" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Forgive the crazy vividness of this pic. I could't seem to tone it down - my PS skills are limited!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I also finished my <a href="http://www.genxquilters.com/p/block-of-month.html" target="_blank">Sister's Ten</a> June Blocks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9368443407/" title="Block June by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Block June" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/9368443407_f649c969d2.jpg" height="500" width="491" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-6321963021367935832013-06-19T15:42:00.001-04:002013-06-19T18:01:55.218-04:00WiP Wednesday - Catching Up<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have had my sister visiting for the past week or so, and while it has been busy having five kids ages 4 and under rampaging through the house, we have amazingly managed to get some sewing done!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are both doing the <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Virtual Quilting Bee</a> over at Diary of a Quilter and decided to use the time we are together to get caught up. I finished blocks 5,6 &7 over the weekend and have one left to be all caught up.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Block #5</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9085170693/" title="Block 5 Sampler by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Block 5 Sampler" height="622" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/9085170693_d15bfa69f8.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Block # 6<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9085170297/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Block 6 Sampler by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Block 6 Sampler" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/9085170297_70df6515aa.jpg" width="633" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Block #7</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/9085357179/" title="Block 7 Sampler by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Block 7 Sampler" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9085357179_090d88ac44.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing new besides the blocks, but I will have more next week, since I have been working on a birthday gift for the sister of one of my twins friends. We are going to her birthday on Saturday. I am making her a doll blanket, diaper, and bib set like the ones I posted about <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-slow-start-and-some-dolly-things.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u><strong>WiP's</strong></u> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u>Finishes:</u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>none</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div>
<u>New WiPs (or WiPs pulled off the back burner!) </u>-</div>
<div>
<b>*Doll Blanket, Bib and diaper set</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u>Worked on:</u> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Blocks</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u>Not worked on:</u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Upcycyled Tees</strong> - 1 of 3 sewn</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Denim Rag Quilt</strong> - not worked on</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div>
New Nephew baby quilt</div>
<div>
Sister's Christmas present</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong style="text-decoration: underline;">2013 BOM's & Bees</strong> - 3 more done!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u><strong><br /></strong></u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Sister's 10 BOM blocks - Junes block to complete</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Virtual Quilting Bee blocks</strong> - 7 finished, 1 to go to be caught up</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Applique Quilt</strong> - 2 done, March fused but not appliqued, April - June blocks not started</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
Linking up @ <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/06/wip-wednesday-progress-and-lack-thereof.html" target="_blank">Freshly Pieced</a></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-69718965142054518452013-06-10T09:31:00.000-04:002013-06-10T09:54:32.707-04:00Tutorial - Personalized Baby Boy Flannel Rag Quilt/Cuddle Blanket<div style="text-align: center;">
It is interesting to see what brings people to your blog. Even though I have only made one previous rag quilt, "baby boy rag quilt" is one of the top three things that bring people to my blog!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know there are a ton of rag quilt tutorials out there, but since mine is a little different with the name personalization, and since I was making another rag quilt for my son, I thought I would make it easy for those who come upon my blog in their search for a rag quilt and write up a tutorial for how I make mine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8919284892/" title="Finn rag titile cover by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Finn rag titile cover" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/8919284892_526d2449b6.jpg" width="426" /></a>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(This tutorial will make a small, lovey-type quilt, about 32x36 inches. It is the perfect size for a small child to carry around and cuddle with! The quantities I list here will be for that size. To enlarge, simply cut more flannel squares until you have enough for the desired size.)<br />
<br />
(To see a few more pics of this quilt, <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/finish-toy-story-rag-quilt.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to view my original post.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">You will need:</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> - <u>FOR THE TOP</u> - Various scraps or cuts of flannel to equal roughly 1.5 - 1.75 yards</b> - (most of mine were already-cut squares that I saved from my earlier rag quilt, and scraps from some other flannel blankets I had made for my twins, so this is an estimation. If you do purchase cuts of fabric, I would recommend getting<u> 1/3 yard</u> (or 12-inch) cuts. A quarter-yard cut would only be 9 inches long - not enough to get two rows of 5-inch squares out of!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>- <u>FOR THE BACKING</u> - 2 yards of coordinating solid flannel</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>-<u> FOR THE NAME STRIP</u> - 2 strips of flannel, 5-inches x WOF (width of fabric) - </b>1 in your desired top fabric and 1 cut from your backing fabric<br />
<br />
<b>- 1 strip of "batting"</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<b> flannel, 4-inches x WOF</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>- contrasting flannel scraps for the letters - </b>choose scraps that have high contrast to your background fabric to make the name stand out and easily readable.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>- <u>Equivalent of 2 yards flannel scraps OR batting for the middle of the quilt</u> - </b>For the quilt pictured, I used scrap flannel for the "batting". I did not want this quilt to be heavy or too warm, since it was intended as a cuddle blanket for my 2-year-old son. For my earlier rag quilt, I used actual low-loft quilters batting. (You can view it <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2012/06/baby-boy-rag-quilt.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you want to see the difference in thickness, etc.) The color or pattern for the "batting" flannel doesn't matter since it doesn't show on the outside of the quilt (I used a medium-toned blue, again leftover from my previous quilt), making this a great opportunity to use up random scraps you might have lying around!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-<u> </u><b><u>Wonder Under</u>, or other<u> light</u> fusible webbing </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>- <u>Sewing Notions</u> - sewing machine, thread, rotary cutter and mat, acrylic ruler, scissors and iron.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Instructions</span></u>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>First: Prepare your fabric - </b>If you would like, you can wash your flannel. I usually do, simply because I have found that flannel shrinks quite a bit, and I don't necessarily want it to shrink unevenly or excessively once this type of quilt is finished. But it is totally up to you. If you do wash it, I recommend clipping your cut edges with pinking shears to minimize fraying in the wash.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next, whether you wash your fabric or not, iron your fabric and square it up before cutting. (If you do not know how to square up your fabric, <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2009/11/24/basics-tutorial-squaring-fabric/" target="_blank">HERE is a good tutorial</a> you can follow.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Second: Cut your fabric</b> - Once I have squared up my fabric, I line it up on my mat and cut it into strips 5 inches X WOF (width of fabric - about 42 inches).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzFqrieOth4/Uakj_XuoioI/AAAAAAAABjE/3FnB3ee7V9I/s1600/IMG_8736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzFqrieOth4/Uakj_XuoioI/AAAAAAAABjE/3FnB3ee7V9I/s400/IMG_8736.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I then carefully stack 2 of my (still folded) strips on top of each other, matching all my edges, and line the stack up straight on my cutting mat. Then, placing my ruler on top of my stack, I line up the edge of my ruler to the line on my mat closest to the raw edge of my fabric and make a straight cut through all the layers of fabric. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgjHhp35u-A/Uakj_2xpQOI/AAAAAAAABjI/IoJNqiz0Dtw/s1600/IMG_8737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgjHhp35u-A/Uakj_2xpQOI/AAAAAAAABjI/IoJNqiz0Dtw/s400/IMG_8737.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I them move my ruler down 5 inches, line up my ruler again, and cut again. Repeat until you have cut the entire length of the strip into 5-inch squares. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x3owp627RnY/UakkAN5eMwI/AAAAAAAABjQ/j9fx2krjCsc/s1600/IMG_8738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x3owp627RnY/UakkAN5eMwI/AAAAAAAABjQ/j9fx2krjCsc/s400/IMG_8738.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I continue this process with all my TOP and BACKING fabrics until I have 64 squares of each (128 squares total).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I repeat the process with my middle "batting" flannel, EXCEPT I cut it into<u> 4-inch</u> squares. You will need 64 total "batting" squares.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tJB3THgXck/UakkAYcdY3I/AAAAAAAABjc/kPm5nbL5eeA/s1600/IMG_8791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tJB3THgXck/UakkAYcdY3I/AAAAAAAABjc/kPm5nbL5eeA/s400/IMG_8791.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I cut two rows of fabric stacks at the same time. It makes the cutting go so much faster!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cut the name strip TOP and BACKING fabrics the same as the other 5-inch x WOF strips, but <u>DO NOT</u> sub-cut them into squares.<br />
<br />
Cut the "batting" flannel strip the same as above, only cut it <u>4-inches</u> x WOF.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is what you will have when you are all done cutting:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZPYzxsqn5g/UbXIo_BTtyI/AAAAAAAABp4/MKZrUvqiV4M/s1600/Cut+totals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZPYzxsqn5g/UbXIo_BTtyI/AAAAAAAABp4/MKZrUvqiV4M/s640/Cut+totals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Third: "Sandwich" your squares</b> - Place one BACKING square, wrong side facing up, on your surface. Center one "batting" square on top.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqUlmXPCj4I/UaosTxAgsmI/AAAAAAAABj8/J1LXu45ihSg/s1600/IMG_8983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqUlmXPCj4I/UaosTxAgsmI/AAAAAAAABj8/J1LXu45ihSg/s400/IMG_8983.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Place one of your TOP squares, right side up, on top of "batting" square, matching the sides with the bottom square. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U4Z3qkNrsOQ/UaosUTo09_I/AAAAAAAABkE/JAP-wPmqEcM/s1600/IMG_8987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U4Z3qkNrsOQ/UaosUTo09_I/AAAAAAAABkE/JAP-wPmqEcM/s400/IMG_8987.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">This is your square "sandwich". Repeat this process with all your TOP, BACKING and BATTING squares.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">I stack my sandwiches, turning every other one at an angle (as illustrated in the photo below), to make it easy to grab each sandwich while chain sewing.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiFQ-u2D_Yg/UaosUbi5yoI/AAAAAAAABkA/_qUSEgkptU0/s1600/IMG_8989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiFQ-u2D_Yg/UaosUbi5yoI/AAAAAAAABkA/_qUSEgkptU0/s400/IMG_8989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Fourth - Chain stitch your sandwiches together</b> - The photo below is the only one I took while I was chain-sewing the "x's" through the square sandwiches, so hopefully I can explain the process clearly without any additional photos! Basically, you want to sew an "X" through each square sandwich from corner to corner. The easiest way to do this is to chain sew them. (You can use a matching or contrasting thread. I used a medium turquoise on all the squares.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Place your stack where you can easily reach, and, taking one at a time, begin sewing diagonally, starting at one corner down through the opposite corner. Without cutting your threads, immediately begin feeding your next square sandwich through your sewing machine, corner to corner, and repeat the process until all your squares have a line of diagonal stitching through them. They should still all be connected and you will have a chain of 64 squares that you will now separate by clipping the stitches between the squares. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtZN1OYysCU/Uao8h3FC8uI/AAAAAAAABkc/g6FFIMK-8Ec/s1600/IMG_8994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtZN1OYysCU/Uao8h3FC8uI/AAAAAAAABkc/g6FFIMK-8Ec/s400/IMG_8994.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once they are clipped and re-stacked, you will repeat the chain sewing, this time sewing down the opposite corners to form and "X" through the squares. Once all your square sandwiches are sewn together, clip them apart and set them aside.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Fifth: Prepare the applique name strip</b> - Prepare a word document with the name you will be appliqueing. The easiest fonts to applique (and read) are thick and fairly simple. (I used the font "Rojo".)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Print out a sheet with the letters in the name sized to about 2.5 inches at the tallest point. Cut each letter out right on the line.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Take your scrap that you have set aside for the letters and make sure your letters will fit on them. Then cut out a piece of Wonder Under the same shape, but just slightly smaller than the scrap (You don't want any of the Wonder Under to hang over your fabric, otherwise when you fuse it to the fabric, you will also fuse it to your ironing board wherever it is overhanging!) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKDfO-QrWyo/UapnESr435I/AAAAAAAABk0/W26z0cXkyiI/s1600/applique+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKDfO-QrWyo/UapnESr435I/AAAAAAAABk0/W26z0cXkyiI/s640/applique+pieces.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Place your scrap flannel onto your ironing board, WRONG side up. Iron the Wonder Under onto the flannel, rough side DOWN.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyEGFkNbZCo/Uapnus4R71I/AAAAAAAABlE/FwaUOpqrqJk/s1600/IMG_9044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyEGFkNbZCo/Uapnus4R71I/AAAAAAAABlE/FwaUOpqrqJk/s400/IMG_9044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Let it cool, then trace your cut out letters BACKWARDS onto the Wonder Under. (You can also trace your letters before you fuse your Wonder Under to your fabric.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DmUL9QULJaA/UapnvPzXZrI/AAAAAAAABlM/N5g6iRuJUZ8/s1600/IMG_9045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DmUL9QULJaA/UapnvPzXZrI/AAAAAAAABlM/N5g6iRuJUZ8/s400/IMG_9045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cut out letters and carefully peel the Wonder Under paper from your applique letter.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aund9yuZp0A/UapnvavcBAI/AAAAAAAABlQ/U3S8fvu7wUY/s1600/IMG_9046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aund9yuZp0A/UapnvavcBAI/AAAAAAAABlQ/U3S8fvu7wUY/s400/IMG_9046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Decide where you want your name to be appliqued on your name strip. I placed mine so that the last letter was about 2 inches from the right-hand edge of the flannel strip. You will also want to make sure your name is straight. Simply line up your ruler evenly along the bottom edge of the flannel strip (In this case, I measured it 1 1/8 inch from the bottom edge) and line up the bottoms of your letters along the top edge of your ruler. You want to keep in mind that you will have a 1/2-inch seam on the top and bottom of this strip, so place your letters so that they will not get caught in the seams. Play with the spacing until it is pleasing to your eye.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40pGk1SLGEU/UapnvkqxebI/AAAAAAAABlc/BJn8vrWA6TQ/s1600/IMG_9048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40pGk1SLGEU/UapnvkqxebI/AAAAAAAABlc/BJn8vrWA6TQ/s400/IMG_9048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
CAREFULLY remove the ruler without disturbing the letters. Gently place a hot, DRY iron (NO STEAM!) onto the top of the letters and leave on WITHOUT MOVING the iron for about 6-10 seconds. Lift the iron directly up and again place on top of any remaining letters, without moving the iron around. Repeat this process until all your letters are fused to the fabric.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDCNPNfYt0o/Uapnv8l0vfI/AAAAAAAABlk/ic7HdtOXzhw/s1600/IMG_9050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDCNPNfYt0o/Uapnv8l0vfI/AAAAAAAABlk/ic7HdtOXzhw/s400/IMG_9050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Take your fabric strip to your sewing machine and with a matching (or contrasting) thread, applique each letter down using about 1/8 inch or less border. This will allow the edges of the letters to eventually get a slight ragged look, as well, after it has been washed a few times. (If you don't want a ragged effect on the name, you can applique it with a zig zag or buttonhole stitch instead.)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GoOBKcQHoVQ/UapnwqpHHHI/AAAAAAAABl0/SaB3tNdPlYM/s1600/IMG_9054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GoOBKcQHoVQ/UapnwqpHHHI/AAAAAAAABl0/SaB3tNdPlYM/s400/IMG_9054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I then make another fabric sandwich with the strips, layering the backing fabric (right side down), the batting fabric, and the top fabric (right side up). With the strip, however, instead of securing it with an "X" like the squares, I just sewed a line along the center of the strip, ending just before I got to the name, and then sewing another short line through the middle of the strip on the other side of the name. ( I also basted the top and bottom of the strip to avoid any shifting, as you can see in the photo, but I don't really think it was necessary. So feel free to do that step, or skip it, whichever you prefer.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr0tiI0Fjdk/Uap1gf4yWoI/AAAAAAAABmU/xlk5NkZlL1s/s1600/IMG_9060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr0tiI0Fjdk/Uap1gf4yWoI/AAAAAAAABmU/xlk5NkZlL1s/s400/IMG_9060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Sixth - Lay out your quilt and sew your rows - </b>Take your sewn squares and name strip and arrange them how you would like them to look in your quilt. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-itgOgOWJVgo/UapvWN2Ej8I/AAAAAAAABmE/K4gcIFLS4zE/s640/blogger-image--1585492847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-itgOgOWJVgo/UapvWN2Ej8I/AAAAAAAABmE/K4gcIFLS4zE/s400/blogger-image--1585492847.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gather them up by row and label the rows. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erGkp7Smxb4/UaqdajQYk1I/AAAAAAAABmk/HaOFu6H5rbs/s1600/IMG_9056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erGkp7Smxb4/UaqdajQYk1I/AAAAAAAABmk/HaOFu6H5rbs/s400/IMG_9056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(I take a picture of the layout with my phone so I can refer back to it if I get confused.) Then I take the stack of labeled rows to the sewing machine and and start sewing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94GsDV6nGFE/UaqdbRMACtI/AAAAAAAABmw/Y28oEFhz56w/s1600/IMG_9062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94GsDV6nGFE/UaqdbRMACtI/AAAAAAAABmw/Y28oEFhz56w/s400/IMG_9062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Remember, you are putting your square sandwiches BACK sides together so that the seam will show in the front. Using a</span><u style="text-align: center;"> 1/2-inch seam</u><span style="text-align: center;">,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> sew each square in the row together until the entire row is joined. Repeat for each additional row. You will end up with 8 rows, 8 squares long.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YcKNdKqsnn0/UaqdbnfE9TI/AAAAAAAABm4/M4DMyFCs2l4/s1600/IMG_9065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YcKNdKqsnn0/UaqdbnfE9TI/AAAAAAAABm4/M4DMyFCs2l4/s400/IMG_9065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Once you have all your rows sewn, you are going to sew your rows together. Again with back sides together, pin two of your rows together along the long side, matching the seams. I pin and sew my seams open. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ7CqNigXa8/UaqdcrlKU1I/AAAAAAAABnM/VxMldqzn4II/s1600/IMG_9068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ7CqNigXa8/UaqdcrlKU1I/AAAAAAAABnM/VxMldqzn4II/s400/IMG_9068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sew your rows together. Again, you will sew 1/2-inch seams that will be visible on the front of the quilt. Continue adding your rows, matching seams, until you have sewn <u>SEVEN</u> rows together. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3y5RDMt5A8/UaqddzAbV9I/AAAAAAAABns/7TX-jv65Sjg/s1600/IMG_9073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3y5RDMt5A8/UaqddzAbV9I/AAAAAAAABns/7TX-jv65Sjg/s400/IMG_9073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the 8th row, add your name strip, again with back sides together using a 1/2-inch seam. You will probably have some extra length that will need to be cut off of the strip, so be sure to have the end with the name on it lined up with the right-hand edge of the quilt. That way you can cut any excess off of the left side - the side without the applique.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VV-ls5uC73o/Uaqdex6VmYI/AAAAAAAABoA/xRwHCOZjDBI/s1600/IMG_9076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VV-ls5uC73o/Uaqdex6VmYI/AAAAAAAABoA/xRwHCOZjDBI/s400/IMG_9076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Add the final row of squares to the bottom of the name strip in the same way. Trim the left side of the name strip, if necessary. (You can use your ruler and rotary cutter if you want, but I just used my scissors to cut the excess off.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally, sew a 1/2-inch border around the entire quilt. You are done sewing!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now comes the FUN part (Insert sarcasm here.) Clipping!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This part is pretty self explanatory, but you will take scissors and start clipping all those 1/2 seams that you made on the front side of the quilt (and also the 1/2-inch border you just sewed around the border of the quilt). Make the clips about 1/4 inch wide, or less. Take care not to clip too far and cut the seam! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvmfMYCVYM4/Uaqjb-hzlwI/AAAAAAAABoY/dXn39JB4BMs/s1600/IMG_9415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvmfMYCVYM4/Uaqjb-hzlwI/AAAAAAAABoY/dXn39JB4BMs/s400/IMG_9415.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When you get to the "intersections" of the squares, or the corners where the seams meet, I clip the fold open. The photo below hopefully explains what I mean. I'm sure this isn't necessary, but it is something that I do to make sure the clips are evenly spaced and fluffed after the blanket is washed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9BpakjDiNQ/Uaqjbv4kUOI/AAAAAAAABoU/pw1A6Oc1-hc/s1600/IMG_9414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9BpakjDiNQ/Uaqjbv4kUOI/AAAAAAAABoU/pw1A6Oc1-hc/s400/IMG_9414.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once you have clipped all your seams, throw your quilt into the washer and dryer. I would recommend checking your lint catcher about halfway through drying, and cleaning it out. These things shed! (You can try washing it inside a pillowcase, but I haven't tried that tip yet myself.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once dry, give it to your favorite 2-year-old to enjoy :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8919346088/" title="Finn Rag Finn by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Finn Rag Finn" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/8919346088_0189f40c06.jpg" width="464" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2013/06/10/made-by-you-monday-156/" target="_blank">Made by You - Skip to my Lou</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sewcando.com/2013/06/craftastic-monday-link-party-southern.html" target="_blank">Craftastic Monday - Sew Can Do</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-67355915367384332902013-06-05T10:23:00.001-04:002013-06-05T10:23:37.493-04:00WiP Wednesday - I'm on a Roll<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel like I am on a roll with finishes lately! I guess that is one good thing about having my husband out of town for a bit - lonely nights lend themselves to lots of sewing (AND lots of mini-series watching - so far I've watched <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/arts/television/the-forsyte-saga-and-downton-abbey.html?_r=0" target="_blank">The Forsyte Saga</a> and both the British <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/northandsouth/" target="_blank">North and South</a> <i>and</i> the American <a href="http://www.amazon.com/North-South-The-Complete-Collection/dp/B004EXWGIS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370441907&sr=8-1&keywords=north+and+south+dvd+set" target="_blank">North and South</a>!)<br />
<br />
This past week I finished not only my nephew's quilt, but my son's Toy Story Rag Quilt, as well! Nice to get those both crossed off the list.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Liam's Jungle quilt. This is the only photo I have of it so far. I took a bunch, but for some reason they all turned out blurry. So this one will have to do until I can take some more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp3iu7ZivVU/Ua8w2LK97yI/AAAAAAAABo8/sluOKQmsPEo/s1600/Liams+quilt+roll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp3iu7ZivVU/Ua8w2LK97yI/AAAAAAAABo8/sluOKQmsPEo/s400/Liams+quilt+roll.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here is my son's <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/finish-toy-story-rag-quilt.html" target="_blank">Toy Story Rag Quilt</a>. I am actually writing up a tutorial for this one, since baby boy rag quilt searches seem to bring A LOT of people to my blog. I will post it later this week.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8919147668/" title="Personalized Boy Rag Quilt by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Personalized Boy Rag Quilt" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/8919147668_4689efde9d.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And while I still have a few unfinished projects that I would like to finish, I felt like I was safe to start a new one, especially since the recipient will more than likely be born next month! This is the stack I pulled out for a quilt for ANOTHER new nephew! Yes, we like to make boys in this family :) <br />
<br />
I will probably get started on this one tonight.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8mXgqXW5JQ/Ua86Cptl15I/AAAAAAAABpM/9N5VvvjoCoA/s1600/IMG_9479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8mXgqXW5JQ/Ua86Cptl15I/AAAAAAAABpM/9N5VvvjoCoA/s400/IMG_9479.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another WiP (or really, a UFO since I got frustrated and gave up on it last December) that I will finish this week is my sister's Christmas gift. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vllG3V-9quQ/Ua89U4OfkhI/AAAAAAAABpk/aIaqgN4TYzc/s1600/IMG_9481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vllG3V-9quQ/Ua89U4OfkhI/AAAAAAAABpk/aIaqgN4TYzc/s320/IMG_9481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know that sounds terrible, that I never gave my sister her Christmas present, but she was moving at the time and would just have to pack it up anyway, and I knew she was coming out to visit this summer, so we just agreed that I would give it to her when she came for the summer. Well, she will be here on Monday, so it is time to pull this stack out and tackle it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u><strong>WiP's</strong></u> - <u style="font-weight: bold;">2 finishes</u><span style="font-size: xx-small; font-weight: bold;"> - </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Toy Story Rag Quilt</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Liam's Jungle baby quilt</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u>Worked on:</u> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<b>none</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u>Not worked on:</u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>Upcycyled Tees</strong> - 1 of 3 sewn</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>Denim Rag Quilt</strong> - not worked on</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
Binding found old blanket</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u>New WiPs (or WiPs pulled off the back burner!) </u>-</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
New Nephew baby quilt</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
Sister's Christmas present</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong style="text-decoration: underline;">2013 BOM's & Bees</strong> - no progress this week</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u><strong><br /></strong></u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<b>Sister's 10 BOM blocks - Caught up!!</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>Virtual Quilting Bee blocks</strong> - 4 finished, 3 behind</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>Applique Quilt</strong> - 2 done, March fused but not appliqued, April - June blocks not started</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
Linking up @ <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/06/wip-wednesday-chevron-love.html" target="_blank">Freshly Pieced</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-83561091990930793462013-06-04T07:30:00.000-04:002013-06-04T10:59:03.483-04:00Finish - Pillow Covers<div style="text-align: center;">
I have had some sad pillows on my couch waiting to be redressed for about a year now. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actually, these pillows have been on my couch for about 5 years now, and I have never loved them in all that time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I originally bought my couch, they came with some generic (UGLY) pillows that I immediately gave away to a friend who was willing to take them. That left my couch a little bare, and I guess I just didn't have the time at that point to do anything crafty about it, so I went to the store and picked up some slightly-less-generic (and down-filled - because I love the shape and squishiness of down-filled) pillows to dress it up a bit until I could do something with them that was a little more "me".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like I said, that was FIVE years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then about one year ago, I decided it was time, and I went out and bought some fabric specifically for these pillows. Aaaaand...I immediately put it on a shelf in my closet and forgot about it. Except for the times when I would look at my couch and think, "UGH. I <i>really</i> need to do something about those pillows."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, apparently I finally decided to get serious about it and made a <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/wip-wednesday-something-new.html" target="_blank">wonky log cabin block</a> with the intention of turning it into a pillow cover for this particularly beat-up looking pillow. (I wish I had taken a before photo!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After that one was finished it took no time to make the pillow covers for the larger pillows (the blue and green flors/paisley behind the pieced one), since they were basically just fabric envelopes. No piecing or quilting on those. Easy! </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8879784093/" title="Wonky Log pillow cover by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Wonky Log pillow cover" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/8879784093_15de22af4f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I quilted it with a variegated green thread that my husband put in my birthday pinata. (Yes, my husband made a pinata for my birthday filled with picked-by-him sewing supplies...Sweet, eh??) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I honestly didn't know if I would ever use that thread, but it worked perfectly for this pillow!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8942888532/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Wonky Pillow Thread by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Wonky Pillow Thread" height="426" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/8942888532_04674fdd98.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the quilting I just did a simple square spiral following the block strips starting in the center, and 1/2 inch straight lines down the sides. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8942889440/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Wonky Pillow quilting by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Wonky Pillow quilting" height="426" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/8942889440_af95a68aae.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here are the pillows together on their new home. MUCH better...although now I am definitely thinking there is room for another pieced pillow somewhere on that couch :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8942268057/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Wonky Pillow couch by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Wonky Pillow couch" height="422" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8551/8942268057_3198c5a56a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Linking here:
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://betteroffthread.com/2013/06/03/sew-cute-tuesday-20/" target="_blank">Sew Cute Tuesday @ Better Off Thread</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2013/06/fabric-tuesday-and-teaser.html" target="_blank">Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story</a></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-41169672697953572902013-06-03T10:23:00.000-04:002013-06-03T10:23:23.826-04:00Finish - Toy Story Rag Quilt<div style="text-align: center;">
I started this little quilt on a whim.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8936798990/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="FInn rag drape by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="FInn rag drape" height="442" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8136/8936798990_30d3c90374.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When my twins were two, they <i>loved </i>the Toy Story movies. They also needed larger blankets and I didn't have time to make them actual quilts, so I bought some Toy Story flannel and quickly tied two whole cloth blankets for them. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fast forward two years and now my third boy, Finn, is two and <i>LOVES </i>Toy Story!<br />
<br />
Go figure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So while I was digging around in my fabric one day, I came across not only the leftover Toy Story flannel, but the leftover flannel squares from a <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2012/06/baby-boy-rag-quilt.html" target="_blank">previous rag quilt</a> I had made last year as a baby gift for a friend. <br />
<br />
They happened to match each other perfectly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I decided it was meant to be. My two-year-old needed a Toy Story blanket of his very own.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
This one is a little different that my previous baby rag quilt:<br />
<br />
-It is smaller - more like a cuddle blanket for my kid to easily carry around.<br />
<br />
-I used flannel as the middle layer instead of batting to make it lighter and easier to carry.<br />
<br />
-I added an appliqued name strip<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8919147668/" title="Finn Rag by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Finn Rag" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/8919147668_4689efde9d.jpg" width="501" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8936176899/" title="Finn rag back by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Finn rag back" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/8936176899_9a95a6e52d.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
\<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8936175789/" title="Finn rag roll by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Finn rag roll" height="444" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/8936175789_a14f624e3f.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Quilt Stats:<br />
32x36<br />
3 layers of various cotton flannel<br />
raw-edge applique<br />
rag construction<br />
Started and finished: May 2013<br />
<br /></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-7630587443359208052013-05-29T12:51:00.000-04:002013-05-29T12:51:16.626-04:00WiP Wednesday - More Finishes<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been on a roll the past two weeks trying to finish up my WiPs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did have 2 finishes this week - my improv log cabin pillow top that I made a few weeks back, and some plain pillow covers I've been meaning (for a LONG time) to make to revamp my living room couch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8879784093/" title="Wonky Log pillow cover wm by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Wonky Log pillow cover wm" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/8879784093_15de22af4f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The blue and green paisley/floral pillow behind the improv block pillow is one of the other pillow covers I made. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My other WiPs worked on this week are:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got MOST of the binding on my nephews quilt. But when I had it all sewn on and ready to join the ends, I decided I didn't like how the fabrics were joining on that side (it is a scrappy binding and there was too much orange on the side where the ends were joining), so I have been doing a little unpicking and cutting and adding until I have it fixed a bit. I will have that done by tonight.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbameVidjGU/UaYsLYiJJuI/AAAAAAAABic/BrFTEPTjQR0/s1600/IMG_9407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbameVidjGU/UaYsLYiJJuI/AAAAAAAABic/BrFTEPTjQR0/s400/IMG_9407.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am just about done with snipping the rag edges on my son's Toy Story rag quilt. I think I have one row of blocks and the outer edge to do and then I will be done. Because it is hard on my hands, I only clip a few rows each night, hence the reason it has taken its time being completely finished!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fCXwPyfAOo/UaYsNZZpcSI/AAAAAAAABik/jaPXft-jmoc/s1600/IMG_9410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fCXwPyfAOo/UaYsNZZpcSI/AAAAAAAABik/jaPXft-jmoc/s400/IMG_9410.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I had mentioned last week that I found a decade-old, unfinished baby blanket in a box in the garage and decided to throw a binding on it and get it finished and usable </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So while I was at Walmart one day, I stopped in their fabric section (since I had no plans to drive out to any other fabric stores for awhile) and found this pink floral in a tone pretty darn close to the pink in the quilt. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is one of those "Get-It-Done" projects for me, so I was not picky about finding the "perfect" fabric. And I think it cost me all of $1.28! Not bad for a free blanket that has been long neglected! I am just going to machine bind it, so this shouldn't take me much time to finish off once I sit down to do it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxzE8VCrCgI/UaYsS5ZtxRI/AAAAAAAABis/13eWZxfAHgg/s1600/IMG_9411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxzE8VCrCgI/UaYsS5ZtxRI/AAAAAAAABis/13eWZxfAHgg/s400/IMG_9411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also finished up another block for the <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Virtual Quilting Bee</a> at Diary of a Quilter. This one is called "Going Dutch".</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8880633782/" title="Sampler - Block 4 by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Sampler - Block 4" height="600" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/8880633782_993af0e8cc.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">
<u><strong>WiP's</strong></u> -<span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">
<b><u>2 finishes</u><span style="font-size: x-small;"> - Improv pillow and 2 plain pillow covers</span></b></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;" /><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u>Worked on:</u> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>*Toy Story Blanket</strong> - All sewn, just need to finish clipping the seams.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>*Baby Boy quilt</strong> - binding MOSTLY applied</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<b>*Discovered old baby blanket</b> - binding made</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u>Not worked on:</u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>Upcycyled Tees</strong> - 1 of 3 sewn</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>Denim Rag Quilt</strong> - not worked on</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u>New WiPs (or WiPs pulled off the back burner!) </u>-</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
None this week</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">
<u><strong>2013 BOM's & Bees -</strong></u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<u><strong><br /></strong></u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<b>*Sister's 10 BOM blocks - Caught up!!</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>Virtual Quilting Bee blocks</strong> - 1 finished, 2 behind</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<strong>Applique Quilt</strong> - March fused but not appliqued, April & May blocks not started</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
Linking up over @ <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/05/wip-wednesday-pleasant-distraction.html" target="_blank">Freshly Pieced</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-25272629322339266622013-05-27T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-05T12:51:38.117-04:00Kid-Friendly Food Monday: Sour Cream Banana Cake<div style="text-align: center;">
We don't usually have leftover bananas at our house. In fact, if I let him, one of my twins would eat 4 or 5 bananas in a day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But on occasion, a banana or two slips by them and ends up too "dirty", as my boys say, to eat. Usually I will make the standard banana bread, or banana muffins, but sometimes I am not in the mood for those. That's when I make this sour cream banana cake.<br />
<br />
I've used this recipe for years. I found it in an old cookbook I bought at a thrift store before I was even married. It is especially good if I only have one lone banana that needs to be used, because it is the perfect amount if I half the recipe. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I frost this cake with a variety of frostings - usually an old-fashioned, cooked, flour-based frosting that I have seen a revival of on food blogs lately, sometimes chocolate, and sometimes cream cheese. And sometimes I skip the frosting all together and serve it as a plain snack cake, or maybe dusted with powdered sugar. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I topped it with a whipped cream cheese frosting recipe from <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/03/carrot-sheet-cake-with-whipped-cream-cheese-frosting.html" target="_blank">Mel's Kitchen Cafe</a>.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8829375328/" title="Food Banana Cake by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Food Banana Cake" height="426" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/8829375328_40b36bc75d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Forte; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sour Cream Banana Cake<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1/4
c. butter or shortening <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1
1/3 c. sugar
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">2
eggs
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1
t. vanilla
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">2
c. flour
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1
t. baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1
t. baking soda<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">3/4
t. salt<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1
c. sour cream<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1
c. mashed bananas<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">1/2
c. chopped pecans (optional)<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
</div>
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></u></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">350°
Grease and flour a 9x13 pan. Cream
butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs
one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.
Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt in a bowl. Add to creamed mixture alternately with sour
cream. Blend in bananas and nuts. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 40-45 min.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> Allow to cool, then frost as desired, or dust with powdered sugar.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><i><b>Note</b></i>: I halve this recipe all the time and bake it in an 8x8 baking dish, checking for done-ness at 30 minutes.</span></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-3131135229492237382013-05-24T16:25:00.002-04:002013-05-29T09:36:42.748-04:00Teacher Gifts - 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
(<a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2012/06/teacher-tote.html" target="_blank">Click HERE</a> to see last year's Teacher Appreciation gifts.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before I get into the details of these little totes, here is a little school-related story (Go ahead and skip ahead if you want to get straight to the totes!):</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This past school year was kindof drama for us. I started the school year with a bad feeling in my gut about their school situation that just weighed on me and never left. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Without going into boring detail about the reasons why, after the holidays I ended up pulling my twins out of that preschool and placing them in another one that is run by a wonderful lady from our church that I have known since I first moved here to Virginia.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, one of my twins has just caught on to everything so quickly and easily that he is pretty much reading and spelling at only 4 years old. (I might be biased, but personally, I think he's pretty awesome.) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My other twin (whom I <i>also</i> think is pretty awesome!) has been struggling. Last year he had a superb teacher who kept him right up with the rest of the class. That is maybe why I didn't notice him struggling until this past school year started. He (and I) was getting pretty frustrated at his lack of progress, and I just felt he was being quickly left behind. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The difference I have seen in him in the last three months since we made the switch has been amazing. His writing and spelling have blossomed. I know it is the difference between a teacher who truly loves him and cares, and one who may not have cared as much. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am SO happy I listened to that little voice in my head and heart that told me to move my boys.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So...even though I felt like these new teacher deserved something totally amazing for a teacher appreciation gift this year, time just wasn't on my side (their new school gets out almost a whole month before their old one did, so in my mind I thought I still had more time than I really did). But these amazing ladies will be my twins teachers again next year for their last year of preschool, so I have a whole year to think of and make something amazing for them next year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This year, these darling little mini totes (filled with chocolate!) will have to do :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8817067954/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="mini totes - teacher appreciation gift by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="mini totes - teacher appreciation gift" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/8817067954_a6074f18e2.jpg" width="527" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I dug through my scraps and found these apple prints (Apple of my Eye by Riley Blake) which I thought perfectly appropriate, and followed <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/small-treat-tote_1.html" target="_blank">this amazingly simple mini tote tutorial</a> (by Monica Solorio-Snow) to make these adorable little treat bags for my twins teachers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8817067660/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="mini totes interior by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="mini totes interior" height="458" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/8817067660_c98c62894a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">interior view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They were so fast and easy, I can definitely see making a lot more of these in the future for all kinds of little gifts and favors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8817066444/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="mini totes size by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="mini totes size" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8817066444_0811a98561.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This gives an idea of the size next to a quarter. These came out to be about 4.5 x 4.5 inches.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Following the pattern, I would say these took about 15 - 20 minutes from start to finish. You could, of course, take a little more time if you chose to quilt the bags, or add topstitching, or make fabric handles. <br /><br />However, I really do think they are darling just the way they are.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking up here:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2013/05/sew-darn-crafty-linky-partyweek-116.html" target="_blank">Sew Darn Crafty @ Sew Many Ways</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2013/05/fabric-tuesday-and-quilt-long.html" target="_blank">Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440848315820282967.post-61584869254021544862013-05-22T14:04:00.002-04:002013-05-22T14:04:56.333-04:00WiP Wednesday <div style="text-align: center;">
Even though there is no WiP Wednesday this week at <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/" target="_blank">Freshly Pieced</a>, I still felt like doing a Work-In-Progress post, even if it is just for myself!<br />
<br />
This past week I got a lot done. First, I finished my Love Baby Quilt just in time to enter it into the Blogger's Quilt Festival. (You can view that post <a href="http://cocoapiecreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/bloggers-quilt-festival-love-baby-quilt.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a>)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8756026216/" title="Love front by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Love front" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/8756026216_883d1b2d28.jpg" width="407" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Second, I finished sewing together my son's Toy Story Rag Quilt. I just have to finish clipping the seams and it will be finished. He already loves it and tries to steal it from me while I have it out to work on.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-bNLHX3vBY/UZ0G70zYSjI/AAAAAAAABiE/q3Y1ES-m4PM/s1600/IMG_9216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-bNLHX3vBY/UZ0G70zYSjI/AAAAAAAABiE/q3Y1ES-m4PM/s320/IMG_9216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thirdly, I sewed up some adorable tiny totes to fill with candy for my twins teacher appreciation gifts (which I will show in another post once I figure out how to iron them and have them filled and ready to go!) These were so fast, so easy and so adorable, I can definitely see myself making a lot more of these as favors or gifts in the future.<br />
<br />
Fourth, I have cut and pieced a couple of bindings - one for my nephews quilt, and one for a random, unfinished baby blanket from years ago that I found in a box last week. Now that I have my Love quilt out of the way, I am going to focus on finishing my nephew's. My sister will be here with him and my niece in about 2.5 weeks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YTUPCjL9BVM/UZ0G_O36ACI/AAAAAAAABiM/nKxNDdI856g/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YTUPCjL9BVM/UZ0G_O36ACI/AAAAAAAABiM/nKxNDdI856g/s320/IMG_9214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And Fifth, I finished the May Blocks for the <a href="http://www.genxquilters.com/p/block-of-month.html" target="_blank">Sister's Ten Modern BOM</a>. Now I just need to catch up on my Virtual Quilting Bee blocks (three behind). And my Applique Blocks (also three behind). Sigh.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43410334@N04/8788890476/" title="Sisters Ten Modern BOM (May) - Aunt Eliza's Star by Krysta Fecke, on Flickr"><img alt="Sisters Ten Modern BOM (May) - Aunt Eliza's Star" height="470" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/8788890476_bdc0324309.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u><strong><br /></strong></u>
<u><strong><br /></strong></u>
<u><strong>WiP's</strong></u> - </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>1 finish - Love Baby Quilt!</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
(also started and finished Teacher mini Totes this week)</div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u>Worked on:</u> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>*Toy Story Blanket</strong> - All sewn, just need to finish clipping the seams.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>*Baby Boy quilt</strong> - binding cut and pieced</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u>Not worked on:</u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Improv Log Cabin Pillow</strong> - Not worked on</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Upcycyled Tees</strong> - 1 of 3 sewn</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Denim Rag Quilt</strong> - not worked on</div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><u>New Projects:</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">*<b>Old Baby Blanket that needs binding</b> - binding cut and pieced</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u><strong>2013 BOM's & Bees -</strong></u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<u><strong><br /></strong></u></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>*Sister's 10 BOM blocks - Caught up!!</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Virtual Quilting Bee blocks</strong> - 3 behind</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<strong>Applique Quilt</strong> - March fused but not appliqued, April & May blocks not started<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09784337830769224826noreply@blogger.com0