Easy Baby Blanket Binding

Okay--here is a non-Valentine post.  I made a quick receiving blanket the other day for my son's Kindergarten teacher.  I remembered seeing a blanket edge sewn this way, and decided to try it for myself.  It was super easy--by far the easiest way I have finished off a blanket!
(sorry for the poor quality pictures.  I was in a hurry & so you get bad lighting and iphone pics)

 Here are the steps I took:
1--Cut two pieces of FLANNEL fabric the same size.  I find it easiest to cut the two at the same time.
2--Put right-sides together.  PIN.  Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance around the blanket.  In the middle of one side,  leave about a six inch section unsewn.
3--Through the section not sewn, TURN the blanket right-side out.
4--TOPSTITCH around the blanket, using about 1/8" seam allowance.  This will secure down the section that was previously not sewn.
5--STITCH around again using a bigger seam allowance--either 1/2" or 3/4".
6--STITCH around a 3rd & 4th time in a wavy pattern, so that your lines cross each other.  Don't worry if the lines aren't even, perfect, or exact.  It adds CHARACTER!  I think it is so cute!

Doesn't it make you want to have a little baby to wrap up nice and tight!

I {HEART} YOU

I am loving that I am actually getting some crafting done these days!  I guess now that Christmas is over I feel like I actually have time to do some crafts.  Hooray!

 Here is a quick little Valentines Day craft.  All that is needed: Scrapbook paper & a sewing machine.

 If you remember way back, I made these cute little cards.  Well, I decided to do the same thing only a little bigger--and then frame it without the glass.  Super easy.  I love the 3-D effect of having the different hearts folded out.

 Oh, and to add a little something something, I stitched "love" down at the bottom with my sewing machine.  I like the detail (even if it's kind of hard to see on the dark paper).

Love.  Love.  Love.  Gotta Love it!

Valentines Banner

I threw together a quick and easy heart banner for Valentines Day.  I combined a couple different ideas I saw around Christmastime on Pinterest.  Here is what I came up:

 I used a paper grocery bag and cut out several hearts.  I also used a little Valentines scrapbook paper for one heart.  I distressed the edges a little with some brown ink.
Then I moved on to the sewing--I sewed around 60% of the heart, shoved in a little batting to give it some poof, then finished sewing it up.
Trim the threads and pin to some ribbon.
Easy, Peasy.

 I love what it added to my mantel!

Love is in the air! (okay, a little cheesy, I know.)

Rockin' it With The Kids

I did a little crafting with my kids this week--and they had the BEST time!  They are always wanting to help paint my projects, but let's be honest--that is not always a good idea.  Well, here is a project that they can paint without messing up.  LOVE ROCKS!
Simply go on a "Rock Hunt" with the kids.
Let them paint them whatever color they want.
Paint on hearts or other V-Day things.
Put in a jar.
Then, these rocks become a motivator to do a little service for family members.  We are using them to show our love between now and Valentines Day.  If we want to let someone in our family know they are loved, we can simply do a little act of service for them and leave a little "Love Rock."
Beautiful. Simple. Free.  LOVE!

Go give some one a rock!

Christmas Card Collection

I don't know about you, but I hate throwing away all those cute Christmas cards from family and friends.  But at the same time, what do you do with them?  Well, I saw this great idea and thought it would be an easy way to make a collection from year to year.  It's a little Christmas Card Book:

Now I just plan on adding next year's cards to the back and continue on the same ring as many as I can fit.  Easy project--easy storage, and I think it will be really fun to be able to look back!

Headband Flower Wraps

Don't you LOVE Pinterest!  I love the inspiration.  I love when I see something, actually make it, and it turns out great!  Love it.
Recently, I saw these cute Vintage Wrap-Knock-off Belts.  Well, I really wanted to make headbands for my daughter and niece.  So I used THIS fabulous tutorial, but just changed it up a bit to make a headband rather than a belt.

I first made a template out of a cereal box.  I brought in one side where I planned to add the elastic.  I made the template 2 1/4" wide, and then long enough to almost wrap around my daughter's head.   You'll need 2 pieces of fabric this size.

 I followed the tutorial I found on Pinterest, only, when sewing the two pieces right sides together, I added a small strip of elastic.

When They were done, this is how the elastic looked on the back:

I had a hard time choosing which was my favorite.  I really Loved how they turned out!

The best part is that my daughter actually leaves them in--which she doesn't do with bows or flowers.  Hooray!  I call that a victory.

Happy Sewing and Happy Pinning!