Charming Log Cabin Quilt

I realized last fall that with all the quilts I'd made this last year, I still hadn't made any for my own babies! I found this great pattern called "Charming Log Cabin Baby Quilt" and finally finished them this weekend. The tops were really easy to sew together. The edges were a little more difficult just because I hadn't done pecos or scallops before, but overall an easy quilt to do. I quilted them on my machine using my walking foot. I like that they are similar, but the edges are different for boy/girl.

For my boy--quilted with diagonal lines
For my girl-- quilted with vertical lines

Baby Rattles

I have a few friends who are expecting babies in the next little while, not to mention myself, so I love finding cute little things to make for the little cuties coming our way. I found the idea for these here. I didn't add eyes or a nose because I couldn't get them to look as cute as hers, plus I made the ribbons more of a "mane" than ears. To make it a rattle you add a small bell as you stuff the crook at the top. It doesn't make a lot of noise because of the stuffing, but I kinda like that.

Embroidery Towels

I love it when I can get my little boy involved in doing whatever craft I'm working on. I've tried my hand at embroidery lately and have made a few towels. On previous towels however, I've used a pattern bought from a store. This time, I let my little boy draw a simple picture and write the words. He drew it on a regular piece of paper, and I traced it on to the towel with fabric chalk pencils. I had to reconfigure the spacing a little so that it was centered, but really he was the one to "design." He felt really special. I think it turned out cuter and much less expensive than the store options.

Baby Shoes

Aren't these cute!?! I thought I'd try my hand at making my own baby shoes since they are so expensive and babies just don't wear them very long. I found HomeSpun Threads, which is a fun blog with lots of tutorials. She also has a shop where she sells patterns, but she's been having a sale where you can download certain patterns for free. You can find the pattern to these shoes as well as a few others here. I thought they were so cute!

I think sewing baby shoes can be tedious since they are so small, so I it did take me a while. These are a size 0-3 months. I want to try her ballet shoes in the next size up, 3-6 months, and see if they are any easier. I do like the versatility of making my own though since there are more fabric choices than shoe choices out there. I can't wait for my little girl to try these on when she gets here!

The Pleated Pouch

I've gotten my sewing groove back after a nice holiday. I made this pleated pouch from a great tutorial at Skip to My Lou, which is a great website for lots of things, not just sewing. You can download the pattern and instructions here for free.

Blocks and Bricks Quilt

This is my latest quilt. My mom's siblings are making quilts this year for the LDS Humanitarian Center instead of exchanging Christmas gifts, so this is my contribution. The blocks and bricks pattern is great for scraps. I like how nothing has to match, but it always seems to go when you put it together.

Making Ghosts

We've been getting in the Halloween mood around here. These ghosts were so simple to make and my little boy just loved it. I plan on making these every year and recording the date on the back. That way I have a cute little footprint of my kiddie every year, and you can compare how much they grow!

Step 1- Paint your foot white and make a print on black construction paper.

Step 2- Wait for them to dry.

Step 3- Draw a scary/funny face on the "heel" of each.
Step 4- Cut them out, punch a hole at the top, string a string through the hole, and hang them where you please.