A Taggy Blanket {tutorial}

A friend came to my house awhile ago, and her baby had the cutest little taggy blanket.  I loved the small, square size and decided my little Reese needed one of her own.  So, I dug out some fabric and ribbon scraps, found a little time (30-45 min-but you could probably do it faster!), and this is what I ended up with:

 And here's how to do it:

 1-- Cut your fabric.  You could easily just use one solid fabric per side, but I wanted to use up scraps, so I made mine quilt-style.  My brown square started out about 8 1/2".  My small squares started 4 1/2".

2--Sew your small squares together.  I used a 1/4" seam. (Ignore this step if using single piece of fabric).

 3--Cut ribbon, lace, or ric-rac (about 2"-4" each).   I used 16 total-4 per side of the square, but this totally depends on you.

4--Pin the ribbon onto the right side of the fabric (either the front or back).  The ribbon needs to be pointed in toward the center of the square.

 5--Sew the ribbon in place by sewing a 1/4" seam around the square of fabric.

6--Now take both squares of fabric.  Pin right sides together.  Sew around with a 1/4" seam.  Leave about a 3" section so you can turn right side out.
**Sorry, I didn't take pictures of these steps.

7--Turn right side out.

8--Sew a topstitch all around.  This makes a nice finish, plus it closes up the hole you used to flip the fabric.

Ta-da.  You're done.  Easy, easy, and your baby will LOVE it!

And I'm Back...

Okay, I realize it's been FOREVER since I posted last.  Sorry.  The last two months have been a little (or a lot) crazy--including a big move from Colorado to Washington.
The good news is that I am finally feeling like I can breath again.  I had been feeling like I was underwater--SO much to do.  But things have slowed down now.  I am mostly unpacked and settled, the husband started his new job, kids are back in school, and now I feel like I can get back into crafting.

Here is a super easy craft for you.  Remember that cloche I made awhile ago?  Well, I have been debating what to put in it.  Then one day it hit me--a bouncy ball.  You know those bouncy balls you buy your kids for a quarter at Old Navy (am I the only one that does this?).  I have TONS.  I guess I have been to Old Navy kind of a lot.

 But of course, I couldn't just put in plain old bouncy balls.  No, but after about 10 minutes they were ready.

 Quite simple.  Only thing I used, JUTE, YARN, and SCISSORS.  Simple.  Start wrapping the ball in the yarn or jute.  I didn't even glue or anything.  Just wrap until you are happy with how it looks.  I didn't go in any particular pattern.  Once it is covered and looks okay, cut the yarn and tuck in somewhere.  It doesn't get much easier than that.  Oh--and thank your kids for letting you borrow a few of their balls.  Luckily, I don't think they'll be missed.

Hooray for being back to crafting!