Patriotic First Birthday - The Details

Hi! I know I promised I would be back with an update on which projects we were going to do for the party, but I got caught up in actually doing the projects that I didn't have time. I thought I would at least share with you a teaser post of all the details we did for Miss Emma's Patriotic First Birthday Bash. Mind you I will come back with an updated post detailing the day! I made a ton of crafty/treats and it was just perfect!

Here we go:

Streamers // Homemade Banner // G.G. Made Apple and Cherry Pies // Rice Crispies // Chocolate Dipped Oreo's // Jello Cookies

Cake Inspiration

 

Painted wood pallet

Firecracker Centerpieces with peanuts!

Tin can bowling, the kiddo's loved this!

Gigantic bunting decor

Corn Hole!

 Sack Races, with flag guides and handmade sacks

Miss Emma enjoying her homemade smash cake!
Banner inspiration here and here

More banners and balloons!

DIY Drag Along

Before Emma arrived I had these vast plans of making a million little items for her. I planned parties and her nursery, but my energy and time fell by the wayside and she arrived with not a thing made by her mommy. I was quite sad. I had started a diaper bag, but it never got finished, and it still sits at my parents waiting for velcro and snaps.....such is the life of a parent.

A couple of months ago we were at my parent's house and we went into my mom's quilt store. I was in utter amazement by the adorable fabrics that the owner stocks her shelves with and quickly fell in love with some pink and teal graphic fabric to make a small little blanket for Miss Emma, or a "Drag Along." A mini blanket that can be taken in the car or just to snuggle with. At the same time I bought
the fabric for this quilt I also made her. Honestly my child didn't need another blanket, but mommy needed to make her something and that's where this little project came into play. Read below for instructions on how to make this adorable little carry along blanket

What You'll Need:
(9) 8.5"x 8.5" squares of fabric
(1) 25"x 25" square for backing (Minky)
(4) yards Rick Rack

Directions:
1. Ideally you want to have a minimum of (5) different fabrics for this project. Layout your fabric until you have a pattern you like. If you want to have custom embroidery done, start with that first. I chose to right set my embroidery on my center fabric. Since my baby girl's nickname is my "lil birdie" that's what I went with for my added touch. Sew your 9 squares together into (3) rows of three and then sew each row together until you have completed your blanket top. Make sure to press your fabric seams to one side to nest your seams easier.

2. Flip your blanket top and minky fabric so that right sides are together. Round your corners using a round tool or whatever you have on hand (a bowl works nice.)  Pin your ric rac so that the center falls on the edge of your fabric top. Place your minky right sides together on your fabric top and pin in place.

3. Sew a 1/4" seam around the entire edge, leaving a 4-6" opening for turning. Turn your project and press your seams flat. Pin your turning opening inside 1/4" and sew a 1/4" top seam around the entire blanket.

4. Place your baby on it and admire your work! Completed blanket size 24"x 24"

See, she really did need another blanket, just so I could take that cute photo of her! Love my lil birdie! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below! Original pattern by Suzanne Zingg.

DIY Fabric Pennant Banners

When I planned our gender reveal I knew I wanted to make pennant banners. Why? I don't know. Maybe deep down in my subconscious I knew that baby Kimball was going to be a girl and I could use them in her room. I mean banners are cute, but they have to be done just right for a boy....a little girl banner doesn't need much to be feminine. I raided my scrap fabric box and with the help of the hubby I picked the fabrics that were to be made into the banners. I knew I was going to make one that was large and would have letters on it, but the mini one was just as cute and I knew that it would be a perfect addition to any nursery wall! To the right is the tiny banner and below is the large banner with letters.

What You'll Need:
Cardboard
Scissors
Ruler
Various Scrap Fabrics
Wonder Under
Bias tape
Sewing Machine
Pins
Thread

Cuts:
I first started with some scrap cardboard and measured out my pennants. For the larger pennants I measured 6" across and then from the center of the 6" line I drew a 7" line perpendicular to that one. I connected the point to each end of the 6" line and cut out my pennant. I did the same with the small pennant with 3"W and 3.5"H. I then traced onto the back of my fabric and cut out (10) of each size in my various fabrics.

Next up I printed out my letters to trace onto my denim fabric. I cut out each letter and laid them out on each pennant to make sure I liked the flow.

Directions:
Once you have settled on your layout take each letter and attach it to the wonder under by following the package directions. I used Steam a Seam 2 Lite, but its no longer available so my directions might be slightly different if you use a different product. Using the SaS2, trace your letter about a 1/4" larger than the fabric. Press the letter to the SaS and trim the excess away. Then peel off the paper backing, position your letter on your banner and press the letter to adhere it to the fabric. Repeat with each pennant.

I of course forgot to take photos of the last step. I bought a package of 3 yards 1/2" double fold bias tape in white so that it would blend. Open your tape and insert your your pennant starting in the center and working your way out. Place the top of the pennant against the pressed fold and pin. Once all your pennants are pinned in place, sew a 1/4" seam along the seamed side of the bias tape. Remove all your pins and hang! Simple and easy!

Do you have any fun or creative baby crafts that your working on? I need to start making some stuff for my little girl, but haven't decided what I am going to make just yet! Someone light a fire and give me some suggestions!

DIY Quilted Carseat Canopy

Does it feel like it's been forever since I posted a DIY? It does to me since every time I go to write a post some of them say to me...."when is it my turn?" I haven't posted this yet because I was kicking myself for not taking more progress photos, but since I didn't I'll have to get away with simple text instruction. I know....POO! Text is no fun, but I at least took SOME progress photo's so the main part is at least easily figured out!

What You'll Need:
(6) Fat Quarter's in various patterns
1/2 yard fabric for backing, sashings/borders and straps (shown in blue plaid)
Sew on Velcro
Pins

Fabric Cuts:
Cut (12) 11"x 9.5" squares out of your various fat quarters
Cut (8) 1.5"x 9.5" Strips out of your sashing fabric (blue plaid)
Cut (3) 1.5"x 34.5" strips out of your sashing fabric (blue plaid)
Cut (2) 1.25"x 39.5" strips out of your sashing fabric for the left and right sides (blue plaid)
Cut (2) 1.25"x 36" strips out of your sashing fabric for the top and bottom (blue plaid)
Cut (1)  36"x 41" square out of your sashing fabric for the back (blue plaid)
Cut (4) 8"x 3" strips out of your sashing fabric for the straps (blue plaid)

Note: Not all fabrics pictured were used for this project

Directions:
1. Lay out your 11"x 9.5" squares and 1.5"x 9.5" strips until you get a pattern you like. Sew a 1/4" seam end to end of the squares and strips until you get 4 long strips. Press your seams to one side.

2. Take your (3) 1.5"x 34" sashing strips and attach them using a 1/4" seam along the long ends of the body strips you made in step one, leaving the top and bottom free. Press your seams to one side.

3. Take your (2) 1.25"x 39.5" top and bottom strips and attach them to the top and bottom of your main body. Press your seams to one side.

4. Take your (2) 1.25"x 36" side strips and attach them to each side of your main body. When your finished your top should look like the below photo. Press your seams to one side.

5. Take your backing fabric and place it right sides together to the front quilted piece and pin around the sides. Sew a 1/4" seam around the entire perimeter leaving a 6" opening for turning. Clip your corners, turn right side out and press.

6. Turn in your opening 1/4", pin and top stitch a 1/4" seam along the perimeter closing your opening and leaving a nice finished edge.

7. Now its time for the straps. Take (2) of your 8"x 3" strips and place them right sides together. Sew a 1/4" seam along one short end and both long ends, leaving one short end open. Clip your corners, turn and press. Turn in your open end 1/4", pin, and top stitch around the entire edge closing your opening. Repeat with the other two strips.

8. Cut a 2.5" strip of your sew on velcro onto the one end of the back and front of the strap to create a loop. See main photo

9. I centered my straps along the long center sashing strip and on each small sashing strip. Fold your strip in half long ways and sew several back and forth lines to secure it to the canopy.

I hope this all makes sense. I know text directions don't help as much as pictures, but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to comment or email me! It was just too cute to not post a tutorial of. I realized I made this the week I found out I was preggers so my brain was a little pre-occupied and forgot to take photos. Oopsie.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Happy crafting!

DIY Owl Pillow

If you remember a couple of months ago my friend Mrs. H had her baby shower and it was an adorable Owl theme. The second I got her invite my wheels started spinning and I remembered I had pinned a pattern on Pinterest for an adorable pillow from The Eternal Thread. It was a quick and easy project and the end result was just so cute I couldn't stand it!!! I have to make one for our little!

What You'll Need:
(1) fabric for the back (I used denim)
(1) fabric for the front (I used an upholstery ticking)
(1) fabric for the wings (Blue plaid)
(1) fabric for the tummy (Green polka dots)
Interfacing (If your using cotton fabric instead of heavy duty fabric like I did)
Felt or scrap fabric for the eyes
Trims - I used wide fabric ribbon and rickrack
Owl Template
Pillow Stuffing
Pins
Iron
Sewing Machine


Directions:

1. Cut out all your pieces. Using the owl body templates and create your eyes and nose with your felt and scraps. I used a coaster, a soda can, and a roll of thread to make my circles and just cut two different size triangles out of felt to create my face. I created (4) rows of scalloped fabrics as well.

2. If your using regular cotton fabric then you need to adhere some interfacing to both body pieces to create some stability. Follow the package directions to attaching your interfacing to the wrong side (backside) of both body pieces.

3. Sew on your scalloped body rows to the front of your cut out owl template using a simple straight stitch. Do the same for all layers of your eyes and nose pieces. I sewed unevenly around the grey felt and the green circles to create some interest. Once around the denim was enough for the last eye piece.

4. Zig-Zag stich (if desired) your trim piece over your raw scalloped edge, then stitch down your wing pieces, making sure they are on the correct sides and sewing around all the edges.

5. Stitch down your rick rack to the inner edges of your wing pieces only.

6. Trim off any pieces that might hang over the edge and create bulk. Place your back piece right sides together over your completed front, pin and sew a 1/4" seam around the entire pillow, leaving a 6" opening at the bottom for turning.

7. Clip the tips off your ears, and clip around all your curves making sure to not cut through any of your seams. This will make turning your pillow much easier. Turn your pillow right side out and push out your ears to make them pointy and press your seams.

8. Fill your pillow with stuffing until it reaches your desired fullness and hand stitch your opening closed.

Toss on a chair or in the crib for cute decor! Voila! An adorable addition to any nursery or kids room. This doubles as a stuffed animal because I am sure he will be named and talked to!

DIY - Pacifier Clip (Baby Shower)

Hi guys! I have another really simple DIY baby shower gift tutorial! The pacifier clip is simple yet so functional for any mom. You know that when babies need a pacifier, they will inevitably drop said pacifier. This contraption helps save time (from washing the thing every five seconds) and your ears from an unhappy baby wanting their paci, because it not only hooks to the pacifier but also the child's clothing.

What You'll Need:
(1) Fat Quarter, minimum 18" wide
(1) Suspender Clip
(1) Ouchless Hair tie
Pins
Sewing Machine

Directions:

1. Cut your fabric 18"x3" If its directional (striped) you might want to choose a pattern or direction first to cut in.

2. Fold your strip of fabric length wise with right sides facing together. Pin the long open end and sew a 1/4" seam along the entire length.

3. Using a safety pin....turn your project right side out.

4. Press flat and turn your open ends in 1/4" and pin.

5. Sew an 1/8" seam along both long sides. Leaving your short ends open.

6. Take your suspender clip, and place face down. Insert your strip into the open end along the bottom and pull through about 1". Sew 1/4" seam along the edge to close your strip around the suspender clip. Make sure to back-stitch to lock it in place.

7. Cut your hair-tie along the seam. Insert your cut end into the opening of the other end. Push the hair-tie in about 1/4" or so, and sew a 1/4" seam to close the opening and seal the hair-tie into place. Back stitch a couple of times to ensure that the hair-tie will stay put. Clip all threads and admire your work!

The total time it took me to create two was about 30 minutes. This is so simple and a cute/functional craft to add to any baby shower gift! Want more simple and easy baby shower gifts? Check out my newly revamped All Things Crafty tab at the top of the page! I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial. I have more to come and a re-cap of everything Mrs. H got in her baby shower gift! I had way too much fun with this!

Happy Wednesday!