Baby Blanket

I made this baby blanket for a baby shower for a mom who has Russian heritage.  I wanted to do something special for her first baby due in just a few weeks.  The doll figure was imported it into my Viking software to make the embroidery.  I changed out the tummy design for each doll and included two for the center square.  Simple stitching around the dolls added some quilting within the white squares and I followed a couple stripes in the colored blocks.  I found the print at Joann's and thought it fit the theme.  Using the print as a guide I used bright pink on the back and framed the squares with a orange cotton that was in my stash.  The squares are all 10 inches.  I use 10 inch squares a lot because it really makes the math easy. You can get 4 squares out of 1/3 yard of 44" fabric with a bit left to square every thing up.  Needing only a small amount of fabric for the contrast square you can choose a designer fabric and not blow the budget.  The solid colors I used are standard quilting solids.  I would not have used the orange and pink together without the inspiration given in the accent fabric.  All in all the shower was a success with the mom receiving a wonderful assortment of things for the new baby. 

The Mittens Were Hung by the Chimney

I thought it would be fun to hang some mittens by the fireplace.  I saw this idea somewhere using miniature mittens; but, being the practical one that I am, I could not see putting in all the time to knit mittens that no one could wear and with 12 grandchildren someone can always use another pair of mittens.  These were knit using 'Spud and Chloe' Sweater. That is my grandmothers tea pot.  It says Lipton on the bottom.  I wonder if she saved stamps to send away for it ... or maybe box tops?  My sisters and I would get the fun job of putting all those S&H Green Stamps and Gold Bond Stamps into the books to be sent in for redemption. 

Baby Elephant Walk

I love giving had made gifts!  I have been invited to a couple baby showers this winter so I have been working on ideas for baby quilts.  Using the Elephant quilt block I found here I made this baby quilt for a nephew and his wife who are expecting their first child. I needed it to be gender neutral and I think this fits the bill.  Kind of a modern edge on the standard 9 patch quilt with the bright border.  I used cotton quilt batting and the geometric print for the back side.  I like the softness of cotton batting and the way the quilt looks after a few washings.  Such a classic batting.  I quilted this little quilt using my walking foot making squares in each block and multiple lines along the border.  I stitched around the elephant using a quarter inch seam allowance. 

Now up on ETSY

A few more items have been posted on ETSY!! Thank you all for your support.

Airstream Dish Towel





Vespa Dish Towel Set

Red and White Bicycle Dish Towel Set

 

Camper Pillow

Tricycle Towel Set

 
 

Airstream Pillow

 Follow the links and see all my latest creations. 

Easy Zipper Insertion for Bags

 

A while back I came across this bag on Pinterest from Pink Stitches and wanted to do a couple test runs.  I have been looking for an easy way to do the zipper insertion and thought I would give this one a try.  My first attempt I had to cut down a zipper and I think I might have left it just a bit too long so the corners did not turn as well as I had hoped.  I made the second bag, cutting down the measurements just a bit,  and had better luck with a shorter zipper.  I like the method and the instructions are well written with great photos. 

Now on ETSY!

It has long been our desire to market some of our creations.  Life has been rather busy the last couple years and we haven't been able to devote the kind of time needed to make the dream a reality.  Things are moving forward now and I have opened a shop on ETSY called FreshMakedHome featuring handmade home décor items similar to ones that have been featured here on the blog.  Starting out with pillows, towels and some knitted items, I will be expanding the selection as we move forward with this exciting new venture.  I will keep you posted as we add new items.  Jump on over and see the entire collection. 

 

Blue Bicycle Kitchen Towel

Vintage Camper Pillow

 

 

Bicycle Pillows

Another hat

I made these hats a while back using Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn bits and pieces left from various projects. Spud and Chloe sweater is such a soft combination of wool and cotton in an easy care yarn that any kid will love to wear.  This is a variation of the Marley hats in Susan B. Anderson's "Itty Bitty Hats" book.  Susan is so creative and I love using her patterns as a jumping off point to create simple hats with the yarns I have on hand.  She includes a lot of fun adornments to make each hat unique.