A Few Projects I've Been Working On

I've been wanting to do some projects with chalk board paint for awhile. 

This is the first project I pinned on pinterest. I saw a dining room table in chalkboard, but I didn't want to do such a big project, and I really like my dining room table. So I thought painting my coffee table was a good idea since it would be the perfect height for the kids.

Coffee table

Then I decided to paint the glass on this frame.

Love it!

After painting a few other items I read online that you can paint fabric!

So I painted this little onesie for my grand-baby. 

It washed up perfect and you can change the message as you like.

Every child who comes to visit has used the table

and everyone seems to love it.

The only thing I would suggest and do different next time

is use a roller instead of a brush.

The brush leaves brush strokes which makes a not so smooth surface to write on.

Some more doodling on the coffee table.

I'm ashamed to say the following project took about two years to finish.

When I began this blanket I had no grandkids in my life or on the horizon.

I decided that I would work on it and save it for my first grandchild.

Then my daughter got pregnant.

And the blanket wasn't even half done.

I had to work a little harder to finish it.

Which meant not just working on it at births.

Got it done.

Just in time.

Baby is due in two weeks!

I didn't remember to take a before picture of this project.

I bought this garden set at a garage sale for $16.

Bought the cushions at another garage sale for $5.

The paint cost more than those combined!

But I love the final result!

Baby Carriers

 I'm very proud of my baby carriers that I made. This is the green paisley one that I gave to Drea. I got the chance to try it out on Ryker. He loved it and promptly fell asleep shortly after this picture was taken.

 In this picture I tightened the wrap up and pulled Ryker up a little more on my chest. 

This felt more comfortable and secure.

The brown striped one I made. I'll give it to Savannah or keep it for myself.

Bonsai Class at Grandpa's

My dad got interested in Bonsai plants a few years ago and not only has he collected many, he has begun to make his own interesting and beautiful planters of bonsai. He called last week and said he wanted to hold a "class" to teach us how to do it. It was so much fun to get creative with Mario and the girls and come up with our own beautiful planter.

Savannah making the river of rocks

Everyone getting in on the planting and creating.

I sat in a wet spot and everyone loved making fun of my wet bum.

Adding more personal touches.

The finished products.

The one my family did is on the bottom left. 

I love it and now need to find a special place in my yard where the dogs won't ruin it!

I've been sewing to take my mind off of things.

It's working.

Here's a sneak peak of the new quilt. I love this color.

 

 Someone thinks the quilt is cozy!

Getting my Crafty On

Cutting the fabric into 6" squares

About 250 squares of fabric

Cutting the batting

Monica and Karen helping with the assembly

Squares all laid out

Planning the pattern

The strips are sewn together.

The strips being sewn together.

Finished! And someone else is snuggling MY blankie!

I wanted to learn something new and here it is.

While I was visiting my friend Karen she has some beautiful quilted blankets that she made that I just fell in love with. They looked simple enough to make so I decided I was going to give it a try. Good thing I waited until Karen was in town to help me. I don't think I could have figured it out on my own. I now think I'm ready with my new skills to try it on my own. There is already another blanket in the works! (Emilia's project this time.)

I learned quite a few things during this project:

* I love to craft. I have put it aside for far too long. Now I have several projects on the table and I am motivated to keep going.

* I thread the needle of the sewing machine with my left hand, even though I'm right handed. And I thread a regular needle with my right hand. Weird.

* I made a lot of mistakes that I know I won't make the next time.

* Quilting is messy. 

* I freaking love fabric. I get all excited in the fabric store, but I've never been able to indulge with no sewing skills. Watch out Craft Warehouse....Here I Come!

* It is more fun to take on a project with a friend.

* Being alone is good too. I got lost in the work.

* I'm crazy proud of this accomplishment.

* I never intended for the blanket to match my living room, but holy cow does it match! I guess I do like those colors.

Mitten Making

Here is some of my Martha Stewart magic. So easy I just had to share. Use an old 100% wool sweater (I bought some at my favorite thrift store, "Red, White & Blue". Wash the sweater in hot water, and dry it on hot heat. This will "felt" the wool (making it tight, so you can cut the sweater and it not unravel). Next make a pattern for your mitten. I traced my hand and added a 1/2 - 1 inch to it. The first pair I made were a little tight, the next pair a little large. You may have some trial and error, or you may not be as picky as I am!

Next, pin the pattern through both layers of sweater and cut out. Repeat for the other hand. Sew together using a zig zag stitch. I didn't use the zig zag stitch the first time and it made a difference in durability.
Here is the finished product of my purple ones. I gave Mario the grey stiped above and he LOVES them. I'm not kidding, that wool keeps your hands warm and dry. And we had plenty of opportunity to try them out the last 12 days during our "Arctic Blast".