Oh Boy, Baby Booties!

 Are these not the cutest things ever!?  I think they look like little baby uggs.

 These were made for a cousin who was having her fist baby, a little boy.  They live in Utah, where winters are cold, so I'm hoping these will help to keep the little ones' feet super warm.

This was my first attempt at a baby shoe, and overall it went pretty well.  I learned a few new tricks on this pattern.  I followed some modifications by a fellow knitter (link found below), so that each bootie was knit in a single piece and then grafted - which is the new technique I learned.  Finally learned to do the Kitchener Stitch.  I was a little nervous at first, but thanks to the many videos on YouTube, it was so easy.

Overall, I am super pleased with these.  Super cute, really easy to construct, and super fast. 

Raverly Link
Yarn - Knitpicks Swish DK - Green Apple
Needles - US 4
Pattern - Oh Baby, Baby Booties, by Judy Nemish
Mods- Followed modifications by Babylee
Hours - 2.5 hours per bootie

Pile-Able Pups

My favorite little nephew just turned 2!  Which is definitely a good reason to knit him up a special present. I thought these adorable pile-able pups would be just perfect.  Fun for playing and stacking. Even though the patten calls for three pups, I only made two, since it was his second birthday.

I must admit, I really struggled with these guys.  Mostly just the seaming gave me troubles.  It was my first time seaming and it was definitely a good learning experience.  Using the mattress stitch worked perfectly to hide the seams but it was a major pain to figure out.  Once I got the hang of it, finishing up these guys was no problem. And from now on, I can use the mattress stitch if I need to.

The only changes I made was to switch to a 16" circular when I picked up the stitches along the side. It was a little easier to manage than the DPN's at that point.  I also did a stripe patten on the belly of the pup.  The yarn I used was just enough for one pup, but only because of the stripe on the belly. 

Overall, this was a fun learning experience project. Something small and quick (if you already know how to use the mattress stitch).  And just enough of a motivator to get me back into the swing of things with knitting.

How adorable are the little tails?

Raverly Page 
Pattern - Pile-Able Pups by Anna Hrachovec
Yarn - Lily Sugar N' Creme Solids in Yellow Sun, Green, and Bright Blue
Needles - Size 5 US DPN's and 16" circulars
Safety eyes and nose from Joann's

Plethora Continues - Project 3

I don't know why, perhaps it's just a fluke, but I've finished three blankets recently (see posts of plethora projects 1 and 2) and all of them are for babies, and all of them are red. What's up with that? And no, that is not an announcement in any way. Anyway, here is another finished project. I warned you there was plethora of projects coming.

After finishing my 2010 Challenge quilt, I had a lot of 7 1/2 inch squares left over in the 30's prints.  I didn't know what else I was going to do with them and didn't want to wast them, so I simply sewed them together.  Super simple + super fast + super easy = an adorable baby quilt. No pattern, just sewed them in a random order trying to mix it up a little ... you know so no two red prints are next to each other, etc.

The end quilt measures approximately 42 x 42,  a perfect crib size. Or this would make a great play mat. You know something to do the "I spy" game with since there are so many different prints.

For the backing and the binding, I used this red ducky print I got on a clearance sale.  Don't ask me where I got it, or about the store it came from.  It was was not a good experience, and I'd rather not re-live it, but I'm happy with the fabric, so I guess that outweighs the bad experience.

I made a small tag to attach to the corner. I kinda like the small and simple tag and think I might try screen printing some tags similar to this in the future. What do you think?  I will have to see how ambitious I'm feeling, I guess.

Overall, it turned out to be an adorable baby blanket.  A scrap quilt, in a way.  And... I LOVE IT!

The Plethora Continues - Project 2

I finally finished this chenille blanket that I started, um... well, lets just say it has been a while, and I'm glad to be able to cross it off the WIP's list. And I'm also glad to finally have had the opportunity to take some photos of it since it has been waiting and waiting for it's turn in the spot light. 

I was inspired by this chenille blanket found here. These blankets look simple enough, and in fact they are, but all those straight lines of quilting gets really old, and really fast.  Which is probably why I finished half of the quilting and then set it aside for several months before picking it back up again. The end results are just so adorable though, it almost makes it all worth it.

I used five layers for this blanket, all flannel fabrics. I layered the owl print on the bottom, a layer of pink then three additional layers - red, pink and yellow.  I didn't pre-wash anything and I was really worried the red would bleed.  I used a trick I found at Crazy Mom Quilts, which is to add 1 cup of table salt to the wash to keep it from bleeding.  Works like a charm!  I will definitely be using this trick in the future.

I quilted the lines 1/2 inch a part. After finishing all the quilting and all the cutting, the blanket squared up to measure 40 X 40, a nice crib size blanket. And with all those layers, it is super warm. 

For the binding I used a red and white polka dot cotton print that I've used before (like here and here).  I just love this fabric, it is one of my favorites. Plus it ties in really nicely with the owl print.

Just looking at all of those lines makes my eyes go wonky, but truly the end result is so worth it.  This is probably one of my favorite baby blankets that I have made (which is why this one will be sticking with me).  Maybe after a few months of forgetting about all those straight lines, I might even be tempted to make a second one. 

There is a really simple tutorial on how to make one of these, if you are interested - but don't say I didn't warn you about all those straight lines - you can find it here.

A Plethora of Finished Projects

I have a plethora of finished projects to share, but I'll just start with one today. A receiving blanket that has been patiently waiting to be finished.  Why is it that the simplest projects often take the longest to finish? Seriously, this should not have taken me as long as it has, but... I'm just glad that it is done.

Same as always. Two flannel prints (the backing is an adorable purple gingham) with my favorite cross over stitch around the edge.  Sweet and simple!

No plans for this one, so I guess it will just be "added to the pile", as my husband says.

Check Two More Off the List

I know I'm cutting it close, but I'm just proud that I got them done in 2009. I finished 6 of the 9 projects I had on my list to get completed by the end of the year. Quite an accomplishment for me, so I'm kinda proud.

I can't show you one of these yet, since it is a gift that hasn't been delivered yet. But I promise all will be revealed soon enough. Here is a sneak peak just to prove that it did in fact get finished.The second finished project for the Joy in the New Year Challenge, is a receiving blanket that I started back in...umm...May. Yes, this has been sitting around collecting dust for too long. It was about time that it got finished. I used a new edging for this one that is super simple and looks really pretty. Another bonus to this edging... you only have to do one round of it. I suppose you could do two rounds if you'd like and just leave the picot off, but I kinda like it the way it is. Fast, simple, and really pretty.
It feels great to get all these UFO's completed and out of the way. Now I don't have to feel guilty about starting another project. Thank you to Jacquie for all the inspiration and motivation to get these projects finished.

PS. Happy New Year! 2009 was kinda a hard year, but it did have its positive moments. I'm looking forward to a new year filled with new adventures. Thank you to all of you who actually read this, and for all your lovely comments. I enjoy each and every one of them.

Mr. Benjamin's Blanket

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this to arrive to it's new owner before I could post pictures here. I'm sure that he has been waiting and waiting for me to finish this, so I guess we are even.
Poor little guy, he had to wait a few months (or several) for me to kick it into gear and get this finished. Well, it finally happened... and I am in love with the end product! I don't know what took me so long. Okay, I do know what took me so long. See all of those rows? Each stitch is the same thing over, and over, and over.... which means it is very mind numbing. I got half way through this months before his due date and then I just stopped (i.e. I started this in April of 09 and didn't finish it until Nov. 20, 09. I'm a slacker!). I knew I needed to get it finished but I just couldn't force myself to work on it. But I finally did, and it is finished! YAY!!! This is just a simple shell stitch pattern (can be found in this book) with an H crochet hook. I changed colors every row, alternating between the three so that I didn't have to weave in any ends. I did a simple DC edging around it to hide all the color changes. This is made with Red Heart Soft yarn in navy, tangerine, and white. I'm not sure of the size because I forgot to measure it before I sent it off. I used two skeins of each color and just worked the pattern until they were gone.

I hope Mr. Benjamin likes it and that it helps to keep him warm through the crazy cold Utah winter.

PS - Are you excited to finally see something crocheted on this site? It has been a while. Plus, this is number three on the list of UFO's to finish before the end of the year. Only six more to go!

Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme

My mom made this quilt for a friend who is having a baby but sent it to me to quilt it for her. This is the second one that I have quilted for her, and I must say, I feel so honored that she would even consider me good enough to quilt them for her. Thanks mom for letting me do this, I really had fun with it. Of course, I did warn her that I am not a professional at all and if she doesn't like it she would have to unpick all of it. She just wanted a simple stippling for it, but I decided to try something new. I stuck with the stippling but I added some loops to it. I must say this might be a new favorite of mine. Super easy and fun! I think it turned out super cute! And the best part, she chose flannel for the backing! I just love flannel! And it was a super cute gingham - a favorite of my moms!

Relay For Life Donations

Phew, I’m so fast! Look at me whipping out these quilts!

HA HA HA!! Just teasing! I didn’t make this quilt, although I wish I had. My mom made it! Isn’t it adorable?

She made it at our family quilt retreat. She wanted to donate it to my aunts Relay for Life drawing so she asked me to quilt it for her. This was the first time that I have quilted someone else’s project. Boy was that stressful! She just told me to quilt it how I wanted. I couldn’t decide, so I just went with the standard free motion stippling. I must say, I am still not a professional by any means, but my stitches are getting a lot better.

The backing she used was a purple polka dot flannel! FLANNEL! … For the backing! … What a great idea! I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this, especially with all the baby blankets I have made but I love this idea. It makes it so super soft and snuggly! And purple polka dots, how cute it that?

Each bug is an applique piece. (We learned how to do applique at the quilt retreat, so all of the quilts were applique.) And has embroidery for the faces. How adorable is this butterfly?

Well, this froggy might be slightly more adorable, but I can’t decide.

My mom is super talented and I love this quilt. Thanks Madre, for giving me the chance to quilt this for you!

I wanted to also thank Christina and Rebekah for their donations to the relay for life fundraiser. You girls are amazing!

Christina made these great bath puffs. She has such a talent for crochet and these are perfect. I’ve never thought to make these, but I think I might give them a try.

Rebekah made this adorable table runner with this cute Lizzy Dish fabric! I love this so much that I almost kept it for myself. No worries, I didn’t (I wanted to, but I didn’t). Isn’t it so cute?

Thanks girls! You are the best! Oh, and I had to steal these pictures from your blogs, hope you don’t mind. Silly me, I forgot to take pictures of them before I shipped them to my aunt. I was just a little excited to send them to her.

Satin Binding and Me are NOT Friends

I decided to try something different for the edging on a receiving blanket.  When I saw this satin binding, I thought that it would be perfect.   Little did I know that satin was not a friend of mine.  Boy is that stuff slippery.  Way to much pinning for my taste.

I used a pre-made satin binding and attached it to two pieces of flannel.  It turned out super cute and it is oh so soft, but this will most likely be the one and only time that I attempt this.  I just might have to keep this one since I will not be making another like this.

After I finished the satin edging, I decided that crochet edges really were more my style.  So I started a new one with a lovely crochet edging.  Oh, this made me so happy! 

One side is a flower print and the reverse side is a polka dot print that I just adore.

The edging is just the simple shell stitch that I have been using to make dish cloths and the placemats.  I really enjoy this stitch and think maybe next time I will do two rounds of it.

 

I’m off to put together a few more because we all know that I love them!

First Quilt for 2009 – Mother Goose

I have been dying to show off this quilt.  It is for my friend who is having a baby girl and we finally had a shower for her today, so I can finally show all of you.  It is seriously one of my favorites!  I love it so much.  I actually finished the top back in November of last year, but technically I finished quilting it and did the binding on January 2, so I’m counting it for this year. 

I used a machine that does embroidery (a machine that was donated to the quilting guild by my fabulous aunt) to do all of these nursery rhyme blocks.  I embroidered a different nursery rhyme on a 6x6 inch block and then blocked them with a three inch sashing.  All the fabric is from Joann’s.  It is the Heidi Grace line of A Bird’s Tale.

It was very difficult to photograph, so I took a shot of the top half and the bottom half.  The top has these blocks: Jack and Jill went up a hill, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Old lady who lived in a shoe, kid who pulled out a plum on this thumb (I don’t remember this nursery rhyme at all), Mother Goose ( I know this isn’t a rhyme but she had to be on the quilt somewhere), and three blind mice.

And the bottom has these blocks:  three little kittens, the cow jumped over the moon, Mary had a little lamb, Humpty Dumpty, little Miss Muffett, and Jack be nimble.

This is one of my favorite blocks.  Isn’t that the happiest cow you have ever seen?

I really struggled with the quilting on this one because of the fabric.  I tried to use a green thread but it matched so perfectly that I couldn’t see where I was going or where I had already been.  So I switched to a white thread.  That was still difficult but I managed okay.  The best part is that since it blends in so well with the fabric you can’t see any of the mistakes.  I did a border around each block of straight lines and the did a stippling throughout the rest.  I did a pink fabric (from the same line) for the binding.  Dustin says that is his favorite part.   I kinda like it too.  The backing is the diagonal print. 

I even made a tag for this one.  I hand embroidered this!  I think I am getting better.  This is after I washed the quilt so it is full of crinkle goodness.

I had some left over fabric from the backing, so I made her a matching bib and burp cloth.  Both are backed with a pink flannel.

I JUST LOVE IT!!   It is so cute, right?

Who Wouldn’t Want To Win

So there are a few givaways going on that I’d love to win.  They are so fantastic I’m sure you all would love to win as well, so I thought I’d share.  But please let me win.   

First -  Over at Sew Katie Sew she is in her second year of blogging.  She is giving away free fabric!  Who doesn’t love that.? Go here to enter and check out her blog (it’s super cute). 

Second-  We all know my love all of things baby stuff (which is crazy considering I have no children).  Look at the adorable blanket made by JC Handmade.  She is willing to make one out of any colors for the winner.  If I am the winner, I’d love one in orange and gray.  I'm loving that color combo lately.  Or maybe something in a blue and brown.  Either way, I’d just love one because they are so cute.   Go here to enter. 

Now go enter to win this great stuff!

Another Receiving Blanket

Well, I'm a little embarrassed to say that I have finished yet another receiving blanket. I think I have a slight addiction. Okay, maybe a big time addiction. The sad part is that I don't even have a need for them. It is almost as if I am collecting them! I know, it is a sickness.

This one I have been working on for awhile now. I just couldn't figure out what to do for the edging. I kept starting a pattern getting almost half way done and ripping it out because I didn't like it. I finally settled on my favorite stitch, the puff stitch around a HDC. Only this time, I did three rounds. First, the round of SC. Second, a round of DC. Third, the puff stitch round. I'm actually quite pleased with it, considering I tried four different edgings before finally deciding on this one. What can I say, I like this stitch and the way it looks.