More Quilt As You Go Blocks

I've managed to get a few more blocks cut and quilted this month for the quilt along from this post. 

I can't decide which blocks are my favorite,

Those that are mostly white/cream

or those that are a blaze of color.

I do know that while the process for making the quilt is taking a long time, I love the texture that the quilting is giving the blocks.

Some day I may actually have enough for a quilt. 

How Does She Do It?

There have been a few comments on how it is that I can possibly get crafting and sewing done around here.  While I admit, whole heartedly, that it takes some doing, I thought I'd show you:

It's called the Sleep Wrap.  Or the Baby Bjorn.  Or the Ergo.  Take your pick.  Combine that with a toddler nap and you have crafting/sewing bliss!

The baby carrier, in my opinion, might just be the single most important invention of the 21st century (and yes, I am aware that these were invented a long time ago.  It's just that us stay-at-home moms have just recently been trying to "do it all", fit in our interests balance our lives).  This is my trick or if you want we can call it my sanity saver.  This would be because I have a 17 month old who LOVES his new brother and can't stand for him to be unloved for a single second of time. 

Since this special time is so important to this mommy's sanity, the carrier is my personal hero!

End of the Year Teacher Gift

This is the last week of school before C's first summer vacation.  Although it is only a month, I have to say I'm a bit nervous about having all THREE boys home.  All day.  I am so very greatful to C's teachers for all the care and learning they give him each day.  I wanted to come up with something special to give them, especially since one of his teachers is not returning in September. 

Being a teacher myself, I know what NOT to get ie:  coffee mugs, picture frames, nicknacks with apples and rulers and teachery themed artwork.  I put this in bold to catch the attention of those who are not privy to this information.  Every teacher is given these things too many times over and I'm sorry to say they are not appreciated.  You can only use some many coffee mugs and picture frames.  And no, the framed picture of your child (no matter how much they were adored by the teacher) will not be sitting on their mantle. 

So, what do you get a teacher?  Anything that is geared toward their personal interests is good.  Talk with your children to find out what their teacher is interested in.  Do they like sports?  Movies?  Do they own a dog? 

Since C's teachers are of the opposite sex, I wanted to come up with something that would interest both of them.  I found some great ideas floating out there on the web and I'll post about a few others seperately.  My favorite, and the one I thought would be the easiest amidst the chaos that is a house with a newborn was the "Relax and Enjoy Your Summer" gift.

The super easy and non-time consuming perfect for teachers who need the time off.  Here's what you need:

1 magazine of interest to the teacher in question

1 beach towel (or better yet, fashion some terry cloth into a home-sewn towel of your own)

1 bottle of water or reuseable water container

optional bottle of sunscreen (it cost about a million dollars here so had to be left out this time around)

Tie with a pretty ribbon, insert a thoughtful thank you card (I've always been partial to the homemade by a child variety) and there you have it.  Relaxation ready to go to the beach or pool!

Quilt-A-Long

I am working on my first Twin sized quilt for C's bed. I started this project last month and was taking pictures along the way for a tutorial kinda thing but the birth of little K has certainly put it on hold so I thought maybe I could make this into a quilt B-hind.

Anyone interested? This is a super simple design. Patterned and White 10 /12 inch squares and a few 4 patches. If you've always wanted to tackle your first quilt or move away from the baby or lap-sized quilt, this would be a great opportunity to follow along.

Since I have a one month old, I'm sure it would quickly become a regular, old quilt along. Or even a quilt A-head if you've done this before. I have to admit I've never actually completed a quilt a-long on the same pace as another blogger.  Life as a working mom (and I include those who are staying home with kids cause you better believe that's work!) tends to make a quilter take a bit longer on projects. 

While I'm not an expert myself, I'm happy to answer any questions as we go along and if I don't know the answer, I'm sure I can help find a blog with the answers. Research, now that's something I'm good at.

Wednesday's Wickedly Awesome- Serving Pink Lemonade, Sew Can Do, Noodlehead

Here are a few ideas that I've fallen in love with this week:

Okay, this is seriously the best travel idea I've seen is a long time.  An airplane tray cover!  To keep the wee ones busy on the plane.  Without opening and closing the tray fifty times and annoying the person sitting in front of you!  Genius!  Whip one of these up and you may just get through the next flight without having to yell at your child for kicking the seat in front of them, or complaining about the seat belt, or chasing them up and down the plane.

See the tutorial here from Serving Pink Lemonade:  Airplane Tray Cover
Oh, the possibilities for keeping your kid busy on the plane are endless! I'm blown away by how simple this is and yet SO creative.

Fabric + Liquid Starch = Amazing Step Stool Re-fashion

I was so thrilled when I saw yhis tutorial from Sew Can Do.  I own this same stool which always looks filthy because it was never stained.  Enter in some fabric and a little starch and you solve the problem!

And last but definitely not least, this Car Pillow from Noodlehead. Anna has so graciously given us a tutorial which makes sewing this pillow super easy.  I have two more "Summer of the Boys" baby gifts to make and send to my "New Mommies of Boys" friends and I can guarantee you that one of these pillows will be in each package.  That is . . .  when I find the time . . . without a baby in my arms . . . which may be months from now . . . but it's the thought that counts right?

Wednesday's Wickedly Awesome- Meet Me At Mikes

 A few months ago I came across Meet Me At Mikes and knew this was a blog I wanted to feature for Wednesday's Wickedly Awesome.  Been a bit busy so its taken me this long to post about it but I think you'll all agree, it's one to keep your eye on.

Here's what floats my boat:

Crocheting Scool- ten lessons to get you started with the basics.  If I ever have two hands to use at the same time again . . . I'm going to school!

Plus then you can follow Pip's tutorial for Where The Wild Things Are Finger Puppets

And who wouldn't love a Max Stocking to go with

Plus, Embroidery Lessons because I just don't have enough crafty hobbies just yet.

and very cool crafty reviews . . .

and delectable recipes . ..

and all things artsy Australia!

Patchwork American Flag Shirt

So, I'm getting this post in just under the Independence Day radar but I couldn't let the holiday go by and not sew something up for my boys.  Besides, sewing for 3, I've just learned,  is even more fun than sewing for 2, especially when the third project is so miniscule.

I had some red, white, and blue fabric leftover from an up and coming, totally unrelated to Independence Day, post.  I can't wait to show you that one! 

I cut rectangles from fusable interfacing and eye-balled the corner square and stripes.  The larger sized flags (18M and 4 YR's size shirts) have blue squares that measure 2 in. by 2 in. with red and white stripes cut into 1 inch strips. 

The newborn onsie has a 1 by 1 inch blue square and 1/2 in. stripes. 

I pressed each flag applique onto the t-shirts, making sure to cover the flag with a cloth to protect my iron from any of the fusing that was not completely covered by fabric and then used a zig-zag stitch to sew around each piece of fabric on the applique. 

As my 16 month old would say, "TAAAA-DA!"