Thursday, December 29, 2011

Another Pinterest Inspired Project!

Lately, I have been addicted to making stuff out of things I already have and leftovers from other projects. I think it's a great way to clean out things I can before the New Year begins! With that in mind I made a pair of adorable little leggings for Aubree the other day after seeing these pants on Pinterest awhile back:



While they follow pretty much the same "pattern" as most other tutorials to make baby pants/leggings, I liked the cute reverse applique, as it was one of those simple things that I probably never would have thought of on my own!

I have a TON of old t-shirts since my sister and I recently cleaned out our closets and anything that was stretched out or stained or not worthy of donation has made its way into my stash. One of those was a shirt my sister had probably held onto since middle school. I don't have any "before" pictures, and I am horrible at taking progress pictures. (I get in the zone and forget!) Here is my version before I put the waistband on:

And here is my chunky monkey trying them on for the first time:
I decided not to add any ruffles or "flair" to the bottom, as I think the print itself is busy enough. I just used the bottom of the t-shirt to be the bottom hem and it worked out wonderfully I think.
I apologize for the "deer in the headlights" look and the blurriness of the photo. Still need a digital camera, but my iPhone will have to do for now. Aubree is at that stage where I can't get her to sit still for a picture unless she can see herself on the screen-- and that usually results in funny faces anyway ;) The pants do seem to ride up a bit on the inseam, so next time I will have to remember to add a bit extra, but overall I am quite pleased as this was my first time attempting pants! (I did make a pair of boxer shorts for my mom in high school but that.... is another story!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Crocheting (like I need another hobby!!)

So a couple weeks ago, when school was at it's most burdensome (and my stress--not coincidentally-- high as well), I was experiencing my usual restless anxiety. That typically means that I haven't had any "me" time for expression. It is nearly impossible to sew or quilt with my little ones awake, and when they're asleep that's homework time. I decided I needed something I could do while they were awake, and so I dug out some yarn I had been hoarding to send to my knitter sister. I decided to reteach myself to crochet. I learned when I was a preteen, but never really learned how to do anything other than potholders!
With the help of an incredible youtube video database (by far the best crochet tutes I could find... Clear, explanatory, and slow), I first made a scarf for Aubree (No pictures). Then I decided I was going to try an easy throw. Well, I keep coming back to that one, and it isn't done, so no pictures there either. I then realized that since everyone makes crochet flowers, I bet some crochet snowflakes would look pretty amazing on my tree. On to Ravelry I went, and I regret that I don't remember exactly which patterns I used, but I did a couple then experimented and made a few on my own:
One day, while pinning on Pinterest, I came across this picture of a really cool basket made out of crocheted nylon rope:
I pinned it and decided I was going to make it someday. Well someday became today, and although I couple of times I backtracked and started over close to the beginning (I happen to be a bit of a perfectionist!), but here is my version:
I used cotton, and it is a bit thinner than her rope, I think, but I still love this basket! I think a basket like this, but with longer handles, would make a great "holder" for a hanging plant, don't you?

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

I-Spy Quilts

Over a year ago, I decided I wanted to make an I-Spy quilt for Cullen. Earlier this year, I participated in a swap for I-Spy quilt squares, which left me with 200 different squares! How awesome!
As I started sketching out ways to arrange them (with sashing or without? 9 patches based on background color?), I realized that I had enough to make TWO! So I began separating the definite boy squares and girl squares, then divided the gender neutral ones. Borders and appliqued names later, here are the finished quilt tops:
I have Aubree's quilted, straight lines on either side of the seams of the squares, but I still need to do the borders. I hope to get Cullen's basted and started on the quilting tonight. I somehow lost the FMQ foot for my machine, so I need to order another one, since I planned on doing FMQ on the borders. Unless any of you have other suggestions? I thought about just doing diagonal lines evenly spaced, but I don't really want to quilt THROUGH the names :-/