A few more gifts

I am not editing these photos or anything, just wanted to quickly share something. This week shall offically be called craft week, so I am going to have some great things to share once again. Poor blog, so neglected. 

Months ago now, I made a few gifts for some friends and their new babies. 

 My friend  Jennifer had a sweet baby girl, and her Big brother is just elated.

 Now they can matching shirts, and plus big brother feels included.

 Next up was another friend with another little girl. I Loved this quilt top. And I loved the idea of it quilted.
And then I started quilting! I feel like I ruined it. I did not pin enough, and I thought I was using differnet batting.

 Oh well, it is still okay, just very homemade looking, not professional at all.

 At least I can learn from it in the future.

Sorry, that was a bit boring huh? I promise, something good soon, I miss this little part of the web.  Hope you and you family have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

More Handmade Gifts

You know you are up too late when, you are still awake and your baby wakes up for one of his nightly feedings. I will be having coffee tomorrow, but at least the floor is mopped. Oh and pictures are not edited at all, it is way too late for that! 

I say this often, but I love receiving and giving handmade gifts. I love it when something you work hard on, can make someone else happy. 

Recently I just laugh when people say something like:

 "cute, where did you get this?" 

I say, "I made it." 

"You made it?!?" 

Then I smile, while thinking how is it so unbelievable that I made that? 

Anyway, my friends are slowly starting to realize my awesomeness. :)

The birthday parties have started. We haven't had too many until now, but with preschool, is sure to come many parties.

This gift seems great for a three year old, and it is super inexpensive.  

 A crayon roll, coloring books, and a little backpack. 

 I think it is pretty cute. I would wear it! I used the noodlehead pattern. She makes some great patterns if you need something. Love how clear and easy to follow her tutes are. 

 Our little friend loved it also. 

 Another gift was for a new baby boy. 

 A ribbon blankie, but this one had bells in one corner.

 Soft flannel, super soft minky, different textures ribbons, crunch inside, little bells. Awesome sensory blanky. Bryson loves his, but he may need one with bells.

 There is also a longer snap ribbon for a toy or paci. Combine that with a store bought swaddler blanket, (love those things), and it makes a great gift.

The ribbon blanky is making its way back to the etsy shop very soon.
I have to ask your opinions. Long ribbon for toy or paci, or without. We don;t really use paci's so Bryson is great without needed that extra ribbon, but maybe other babies would like it. Hmmm maybe both?

Love those Teachers

Last Thursday my sweet boy started his first day of Preschool. He was thrilled, and he loves going to school.

We decided to give his teacher and aid a little "thank you for being my teacher" gift.

 Thanks to Pintrest we had some great ideas. 

His teacher was surprised to get a gift on the first day of school, but I say why not.

I really value the teacher that teaches my son, so I say we need to spoil them every chance we can. Lord knows they don't do it for the money!

We love school, even it is only 5 hours a week, we are both benefiting from it.

More baby gifts

Last week, our friends back in Texas had their second baby. We are so excited for them, and really miss them. Especially since we are kinda on the same life plan, and we have so much fun with them, when we can get together. They also kept the baby a surprise, and it is a girl! We can not wait to meet her!

I made her a little pillowcase dress and a matching headband. It was very simple, and I wish I had time to make her more things, but time just is not on my side right now.

 Confession time. I totally tried this on Bryson to see if it would fit. It did! Not his proudest moment, but he will never know. I thought he would look like a girl, but he just looked like a boy in a dress.

Since Bryson was born, I have seen how important it is to also give the older siblings a little something when you give a gift. Just the thought can go a long way to curb jealousy issues. So I made big brother a shirt to announce his new gig.

I love this version, and I copied the idea, here.

Paired with a few extra non handmade things, and I think we sent the perfect gift!

By the way, how are my pictures looking? Little better? Guess who got a new camera? I am in Love!

Glamma's Purse

Seems that I should be blogging a ton since I am constantly sitting here, feeding a precious little baby. But one handed typing is really hard, and somehow he knows when I am not holding him with two hands. SO worth it.

I did get some sewing done last week while my mom was visiting. I could totally have a live in Grandma these first few weeks. Now she is gone :( I will really miss her, but I am so thankful for technology and skype.

Because of where she lives, out of the country, we are only able to send cards and letters, no packages. So when she came for her visit we were finally able to give her belated birthday and mother's day gifts.

I had started to make a purse a while ago, but it was looking like something for a tweenager, so I gave up and started a new.

I used this pattern for the bag, and I really liked it. I think I will make one for myself when I have some time.

 All pictures where taken very fast, while holding a 3 week old, so no judging. Oh and the hubby admitted our camera is terrible, so I could have him convinced to buy a new one soon!

The lining is pretty cute too, and it could even be reversible.

For the clutch/wallet I used this pattern. It was also a great tutorial, and easy to follow. Not as perfect as I would want, but pretty good for the first time.

In it was a gift card to one of our favorite shopping places, the outlet mall. We spent over 6 hours shopping there with a 3 year old, and 3 week old, but it was worth it! 

A fun gift and a great visit, can't wait to see her again!

Blanket Bundle

I am going to try to do some catch up blogging today, due to being sick this week, (I am the worst sick person), and a computer crash. The laptop finally died. After Brady attempted to snap it in two a year ago, it never worked the same. A quarter of the screen was gone, but we dealt with it. I felt bad for my poor husband using it for work. For the past few months the battery has been dead, but we were okay with it as long as it was plugged in. I knew it was on it's way down, so before Christmas I saved all of our important things, and pictures to discs. The laptop had become our main computer due to the home pc being like 9 years old and super slow! The past few weeks, the laptop would no longer stay on if plugged in. It started to where the plug would have to be just right, then it needed to be held in with pressure, then finally it would not stay on at all. I tried to work with it yesterday but even while holding the plug in, it would not work. I am so thankful that I saved everything so recently. We really lost very little, just a few fun craft ideas that I have no time to do anyway! We got a new laptop last night, and I love being able to see the screen, and the fact that it can come unplugged, imagine that! Now I am back to blogging!

My Grandmother made Brady and I little fleece blanket bundles. They are cozy, and include the pillow, and are so perfect for traveling. Anytime Brady sleeps away from home, he brings his. It was perfect to have while I was working, so that he could have a bit of home with him for naps. In fact he sleeps with his almost every night.

It a great size when unfolded, and super comfy.

 The pillow fits in the pocket, and so does the blanket, ready to travel. So cute with his name on it.

 He had to have a picture of how he sleeps on it.

 I have one too. In a zebra print. They are perfect, thanks Grandma!  

 

The Hat Parade

For Christmas presents this year, I made a million hats. Okay just 15 or so, but it felt like a million. They are all crocheted in different styles. Most patterns and ideas came from this wonderful site. I am not good at following crochet patterns, so I mostly used them as a guideline, and learned on my own. (Therefore, I really have no patterns, sorry  if you are looking for some. But I can point you in the right direction, just ask.)

I made this frog hat the most. Brady, my nephew Zack, cousin Justin, and friend Hudson all got one.

 

 I made a hat like this for my niece Chelsey, and cousin Riley.

 This one was for tween nephew, Shawn.

 This one was one of my favorites, for little Megan, my friends daughter.

 One like this for cousin Jordan, and my friend's other daughter, Maddy.

 This one was for teen cousin, Nick.

 My favorite, so tiny, for newborn baby cousin, Olivia.

 And the last picture, teen cousin, Alex.

Here are my cute cousin's modeling their hats.  

Sadly I forgot to take pictures of one of my favorites. I made my stepsister a fun beanie in all different colors. It fits her personality perfectly. Even Jerm said, "that is funky, but she will love it."

Lastly my stepbrother got a plain black beanie. I even made a plain cream beanie for myself on the long drive home. I had done so much crocheting, that I vowed to not do any for at least a month, maybe two. At least now I get to crochet fun tiny baby things, so sweet. 

If you are contemplating crochet, go for it. I was self/book/you tube taught, and I love it, and it is a great skill to have. Good luck!

T-shirt Quilt

One of the things I made for Christmas, was a special blanket for Jeremy. I have seen t-shirt quilts on this blog, and thought it would be perfect for Jeremy. I started sneaking out some of his old t-shirts from his drawer, and I was correct in guessing he would never notice. I bought the pattern, and she was nice and offered to help in any way she could.

It is not anywhere near perfect, but nothing ever is the first time I make it.

 I am pleased with it, and Jeremy thought it was thoughtful, and really neat.

 Overall, I thought it was a great gift.