Catching Up: On hold for an emergency

Good morning,

I know, I know, I promised there would be postings of my projects, but after lunch with friends we were informed that another friend's daughter has cancer.  This is a young girl, about 12, who has cancer.  She's lost part of her lung, and the cancer is throughout her chest area.  Please pray for this young girl.  Her dad and I worked together years ago.

It's back to the stash and sewing room to make a lap quilt just for her.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Catching Up: Toys for Tots

So!  I have been formally chastised for not posting pictures of my projects.  And not just the recent projects either.  Readers, I beg your support (and forgiveness), you know how it is - daily activities, family, and WIP often takes precedence over blogging.

Here goes Round 1...
Toys for Tots is one of my favorite Christmas charities, based on the fact that our US Marines sponsor this program.  They volunteer their lives for our freedoms and have a spare hand to help children at Christmas.  And - I love their commercial where the little girl asks the Marine if he's Santa, but haven't seen it in a couple of years.  It makes me tear-up thinking about it.

Purchasing a gift doesn't seem adequate, so I sew.  Normally I make rag edge quilts, one for a boy, one for a girl, but this year I ventured into something new:  Pillow Pets!  These little guys are so cute, so easy, so soft and cuddly.  The idea came from this site:  http://www.allfreesewing.com/Sewn-Toys/Sewing-Pattern-for-Pillow-Pet with written and video instructions. 

I followed most of their instructions making a quick mod suggested by granddaughter.  We replaced the step to sew the head to the pillow cover by sewing Velcro (loop side) to the cover and (hook side) to the back of the head.  I used two strips about 4" long, spacing them 1" apart.  Granddaughter loves that she can yank off the head, cuddle with it at nap time and still use the pillow.  Two gifts for the price of one.  I love it because I can wash the pillow cover, dry it easily, AND the loops on the Velcro don't attach to other items in the dryer.  Multi-tasking?  OK, that's a stretch.

Sigh, life is good.

Zebra

Pink Puppy - TFT

Cat - TFT

Miscommunication Turned Good

This weekend, Big City North friends dropped in unexpectedly to deliver their sack o' shirts.  Actually, it was a huge miscommunication that worked out well.  Let's set up the scenario before the story begins.

We lost a very dear friend the afternoon before Thanksgiving.  We knew him and his family for over 25 years.  He voluntold as referees for FIRST Robotics.  He was a great leader for us and mentor for the teams.  In his memory, we are making a quilt for his family. 
We considered working on the quilt this weekend.  Where was never discussed.  I planned to drive to Big City North to be with my daughter as she enters into labor.  They thought while they were delivering an ROV (for an underwater robotic competition demonstration) to the Big City.  Understand, we thought Magic Man was bringing the ROV back here when he returned home.

The situation worked out well for us.  We made lots of progress on the quilt.  Imagine, if you will, engineers cutting and stablizing quilt blocks.  "This reminds me of making composites." "This reminds me of sheet metal layout."  So ladies, know that what you do in the quilting world is indeed very techinical.

Our friends brought a gift.  Here it is.  Oh, it matches the granddaughter's bedroom.  How convenient and fortunate for ME!

Mooooore Monkeys!

I loved our little sock monkey when I was young.  A tad freaky, but he had his own charm.  My daughter found Sock Monkey at my Mom's and rescued him from the closet and moth balls.  At home, he spent some time in the whirling hot tub and hung out with the birds to dry.  With a bit of TLC, Sock Monkey was in loving arms again.

In May, my daughter and her hubby announced the arrival of our newest family member (you probably guess I'm overly excited now).  At that moment I knew there was going to be a sock monkey theme for the nursery.  I scoured the internet and found some wonderful fabric and embroidery designs.  It was time to sew and crochet.  Magic Man may be thinking I over committed with so many projects.

Dust ruffle fabric scraps, a package of cloth diapers, and some bright red thread were the basic components of these adorable burp towels.

Crafty Staci offered a quick method to add the trim to these towels.  The instructions were meant for an adorable trick or treat bag.  (I have a couple examples of the bag here and here.)

Any day now, I'll head to the Big City North to welcome my granddaughter.   Even Moooooore Monkeys will appear in future postings.

Tote-ally Transforming Bag/Pad

Several weeks ago, I saw an episode of "Sewing with Nancy" on PBS.  I can't recall the guest, but she made this very cool picnic tote.  With a few modifications, this is now a baby totepad for my granddaughter.

The ingredients:

* Cut two 36" squares of fabric (these pieces are heavy cotton from Ikea)

* Four 18" zippers

* thread

* 1 1/2 yards woven strap or belt material

* Two 1 1/4" D-loops

* 1 parachute buckle

* 1 large button

* 10" of elastic cord.

I found this 1 1/2" button at Jo-Ann's

Take the fabric for the outer bag, fold on the diagonal, as accurately as possible.  Steam and press.  Open and fold on the other diagonal.  Steam and press.

Along the fold, place a 3" mark on each side of the crease.  Measure and mark 19" up along this crease.  Mark 1.5" on each side of this last mark.  Draw a line connecting the two points, one on each side of the crease. ("Crease" is used too many times - sorry about that).  Flip the fabric over and repeat on the other side.  

Place the outside edge of one zipper on the straight line.  Pin and sew close to the teeth.

For the curved lines, I used a cake cover.  With the zipper closed, mark a point 3" from the end of the zipper (not the fabric part) nearest the fold.  This mark will be on the outer side of the zipper.  Place the large dinner plate or cake cover on the new mark and draw a circle.  Open the zipper and pin the fabric edge of the zipper. Sew next to the teeth.  Repeat for the other three zippers.  The instructions did not advise to do so, but I sewed the outer edges of the zippers.  Trim the zipper tips, if you desire.

Zippers sewn in place

With the right sides together, sew the two 36" squares together, leaving a 6" gap for turning.  Clip the corners, and topstitch the edges.

Sew the D-rings to the corner of the blanket.  

Attach the D-rings to the corner of the blanket.  Use the corners where the straight sides of the zippers would intersect.  Secure the woven strap to each D-ring and attach the buckle to the other ends.

Thread the elastic cord thru the button hole.

 Thread the 10" elastic cord thru the button hole so that the raw ends remain on the back side of the button. 

Secure the elastic 6" from the top point of the bag.

 Secure the button to the bag.  This button is about 6" down from the point.  Not the same point with the D-rings.

It's done.  Here's the bag opened to a blanket or changing pad.

 This handy tote can be used for a changing pad or a picnic in the park.

Zip the four sides together

Secure the top, wrapping the elastic loop around both points, then over the button.

Clip the parachute buckle and it's ready to go.

This project was so quick and easy I will make another one for ME!

Cover Story

I love babies.  Most of the time they smell nice, their giggles are sincere, and they love you unconditionally.

When asleep, sometimes it's nice to cover the little bundle of joy with something light.  I like a sheet in those instances.  When shopping for nursery sets, I can never find top sheets for cribs.  So I make them.

I finished thegranddaughter's top sheet today.  It's made from the same fabric as the pillow case.  Sheets are so quick and easy, it doesn't make sense to not add it to the set.

This sheet takes 2 yards of 42-45" fabric.  Cut about 3-4" off one end for the trim.  Exact measurements are not critical.

Place the right side of the trim to the wrong side of the sheet.  Sew the top edge with a 1/2" seam.  Press the seam toward the sheet. Press 1/2" along the raw edge of the trim. 

Press 1/4" seam around the other three sides.  Fold and press another 1/4" seam, completing a double fold.  Top stitch the three sides.

Fold the trim, right side up, over the right side of the sheet and press.  Embellish the trim with bias piping, pin and top stitch in place. 

Piece by Piece

I can hardly wait.  By doctor's predictions, Miss Zoe's arrival is less than three weeks away.  It's time for Iko (aka Grandma) to hurry, scurry and complete the projects started earlier in the gestation period.

Early this morning I made this little pillow case. Part of the Sock Monkey nursery set project was delayed, and delayed ...and delayed for back ordered fabric.  But it finally arrived and here it is, the finished product.

Tiny Pillowcase

Close-up

Tonight, we make the top sheet.

Oh happy news for me...  My buddy Mr. A went home for the holidays.  He brought some wonderful treats.  I haven't had these in years.

Note to Magic Man - they're mine, all MINE!!!  muahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!

Winter Fleece

There should be an Add-'vent calendar to countdown to exciting events.  The event is adding a new member to the family, but who knows when she'll arrive.  I'll keep making a daily gift until our little bundle of joys makes her appearance.

Last night I finished this blanket.  She and I can curl up and keep nice and warm... grandma and Zoe, no mommies allowed.  I fear I will have to share Zoe with her great-grandma.  She outranks me.

I loved this fabric.  It's rescue fabric from the remnant bin at Jo-Ann's, cut the perfect size for a cuddle blanket.   Grandma got lucky.

Magic Egg Bags

Man discovered I sew.  I guess that's my fault for keeping the sewing machine in the closet for so many years.  

 

I love this fabric

Magic Man demonstrated his Magic Egg Bag.  Then showed me improvements he'd like to see in "future models."







We experimented with different fabrics, techniques, bag sizes, and grippers.  He now has a favorite.  The others will be stocked for sale.  Feel free to visit the Illusion Warehouse, Magic Man's online magic shop for these and other magical items.



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Looks like the Chicken Snake met his Fate.



Handmade Gifts - for the Women

These are the gifts I made for the women in my family.

A Section of my Mother-in-Law's Afghan

A Scarf to Match the Rag Quilt and Bag for L

A Bag for the Rag Quilt for L.

My Daughter, my niece and I received our Indian names over the summer.  I thought it would be fun to have something special like these reversible tote bags to commemorate the event.  It was a wonderful moment to share with these two ladies.

Front of Niece's Bag

Back of Niece's Bag 

Inside of Niece's Bag

Front of the Daughter's Bag

Back of the Daughter's Bag

Inside the Daughter's Bag.
(Check the name on the back and the fabric inside)

Mom didn't go to the dance, nor does she get an Indian name.  But we saw that she got a bag.

Front of Mom's Bag

Back of Mom's Bag

Inside of Mom's Bag

Handmade Christmas - for the Men

This year, I thought it would be nice to make gifts rather than buy.  The lovely ladies at McDougals showed me how to make the rag edged strip quilts.  I had more fun finding the perfect fabric. 

One for a friend from Puerto Rico.  He's just like a brother, only better.

One for my Son-in-law, oh the offensive fabric! <wink>

And one for my Baby Bother.

I wonder what would have happened had I switched the name tags before they opened their gifts?

Pray for Healing

She's only six years old.  She was diagnosed with lymphoma a week ago.  I work with her parents' friend.  They live across The Pond.  Her story touched my heart, because of her age, because the friend is a good friend of mine, and because I hate the disease.  I am thankful for the gifts given to doctors, nurses, and all other people in the medical industry to fight for the lives of patients.  That is not my gift, nor my calling.

My friend "A" was crushed by the news.  I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice when he told me.  Three days before this announcement, Magic Man and I took rag edge quilts to the US Marines and as our admission to the Customer Appreciation and Toys For Tots feast which Avnet hosted.  The quilts were so well received, we offered to make one for "A" to take to "K."  "A" accepted.

me:  "What does she like?"
A:  "She likes PINK!"
me:  "Well, PINK it is.  Let's make the blanket out of flannel to keep her warm and keep it from slipping as easily from her lap."
<pause for about an hour>
A:  "Oh, her mom says that "K" like pirates, castles, and monsters now."
me:  "We'll see what we can do."  But my mind is screaming YIKES.  I've been to the fabric stores and I can say with a high degree of certainty pirates, castles and monsters are not going to be in this project.

In good faith, I headed to Joann's.  There's a little inset in this store with my favorite sewing ladies.  Laden with bolts of pink flannel in my cart, I stopped to say hello (which is code for fishing for information).  They had nothing to offer regarding pirates, castles and monsters, but did have recommendations for shop downtown in the Big City for the sparkly fabric for Magic Man, another project in planning stages.

Day 2.  We headed to downtown Big City for Magic Man's fabric.  A shop?  This place was an entire city block, a mecca.  And there's an extension across the street.  This shop closes in one hour.  OK, not a problem.  Magic Man and I knew our mission; we were focused.  After questioning a clerk, we rushed to the far room, which by chance, took us right past the youth fabric.  It caught my eye... MONSTER fabric.  The decision was tough.  Complete his mission or finish my quest.  Magic Man made the decision for me.  He went his direction and I grabbed the bolt.  Time was ticking away.  Then a few bolts down... PIRATES!  I was in tears.  Oh, the joy.  Two bolts cradled in my arms, I raced to the cutting table and asked if there was more.

"No," Kim said politely, "But we have some wonderful coordinating fabric.  What are you making?"
me:  "I don't know, but it has to have pirates, castles and monsters.  I'm working on a pink blanket, but "K's" tastes changed.  I don't know what to do, but it has to be pirates, castles and monsters."
Kim smiled sweetly.  She's done this before.  "What about a tote bag?  She can keep her things in it and she will know it's hers."

15 minutes until the closing bell.  Magic Man is flagging me for a decision.  Giving him the wait one minute signal, Kim quickly pointed me toward coordinating fabric.  Snatching four more bolts, she was left with cutting instructions.

Magic Man and I made the decision to take all three pieces.  All were appropriate for his project.  Keep one and sell the others in his shop.  Kim cut the last three bolts tossed on her table just as the last call for check out was announced.

We celebrated our good fortune with a late night dinner back in The Suburb.  It was well deserved, we justified.  Besides I could finish the blanket and two tote bags in one evening.  Right?  OK, so it was two very early mornings and one very late night, but the gifts are on their way to "K."

Keep her in your prayers.

The Pink Flannel Quilt/Blanket

 The Monster Tote, perfectly sized (pure, dumb luck) for the blanket

 The Monster Tote (peek-a-boo, opening the pleat)

 The Pirate Tote