Baby's Quilt

I did all the cutting one night. Took 2 hours to figure out the right pattern.  On another day I found time to sew it all together. (a little to quickly maybe). Gave in and machine quilted the whole thing on another day,  because I just knew I would never get it done by hand.   Found some time one day to sew on the binding. (not the best binging job but it works)  and today  I  FINALLY finished the quilt by after tying some pretty blue yarn on it.  7 hours of work+ one pretty nifty quilt for Baby #3.  (yes we have picked a name but you'll have to wait until he arrives to hear it!)
 Finally product:

Can't wait to snuggle my little guy in this creation! 

Handmade Christmas Gifts, literally!

 I saw something completely cute on pintrest a little over a week ago and decided that's what I wanted to do for the boys grandma's this year. and then I thought I'd make a couple more for Ryszard's Aunt Louise and Cousin Keri. I'm not even sure it's they have received them yet but here's the finished project:

 

 It was actually really fun, but hard.  remember I did a hand print for each month, times 4. that's a total of 48 pictures some with more than one hand print. and with my boys, although they love to paint doing that many pictures in the space of 30 minutes was a bit much. next year I need something a little easier! but I love how they turned out so I'm happy.

So Babcia, Nana, Lousie and Keri I hope you like it.
  MERRY CHRISTMAS!
and a "HANDY" New Year!

B R O C K S!

they are kind of like blocks but with pictures of my sweet little boy, so I call them BROCKS! This was my little craft project yesterday. While Brock took his naps and then again when he was finally down for the night, I made my way downstairs to make these picture blocks.
{here are just a few of the pictures that form when you arrange the blocks!}
And just for fun here's a picture of my little "Bubbas" and his chubby bubby checks!As I mentioned in my last post Brock had to have some blood taken on Wednesday to test his lead levels and for his anemia test. Here he is showing what a tough boy he is. Brock has actually learned how to say cheese when someone wants to take his picture! but I couldn't get him to do it for me.

Tutu pictures

My niece Julia, now has her new tutu so I can finally post a picture of the final product!
Julia really liked her tutu, and actually went through and tied the ends of all the yellow tulle. {I left it up to her, because I wasn't sure if she would want it tied or not}
I also made a tutu dress for my brother's baby, Ashlyn, who is due in March.
I haven't heard if they have received it yet, I'm hoping they like it! I was really happy with the way they turned out! {Ryszard wasn't big on the knots and fun furry yarn, but them again he doesn't really know how much fun little girls are! {I really enjoy making these tutu's but wish I had a little girl to dress up! I guess my neices will have to do, for now!} I do have plans on making a dinosaur tail, and super capes for Brock for when he gets a little older and into the whole pretending/ dress up stage!

"Sneak Peek"

I recently finished making a special gift for my niece and although I want to keep the finished product a surprise, she wanted to have a little sneak peek. So Julia here it is:The second picture is a sneak peek for another niece Ashlyn {due in March.}
I'll be sending them off to Utah this week. So check back to see the final result in a couple of weeks!

Kati's Diaper Cake

Brock and I attended a baby shower for Kati Manzi today. I have a tradition of making diaper cakes for baby showers so here's the one I made for Kati.

I thinkI did a good job of matching the decor, What do you think?Of course there was some very yummy food, but this fruit salad was delicious!

Sunday Crafts.

Yesterday was 'Craft Day" for me, well after going to church that is. Brock went down for a nap and Ryszard was watching football so I decided to do something fun too! I had 2 main projects I wanted to do.one being a crib rail cover. Partly because I put Brock into his crib with his brace on, and partly because I'm a little clumsy. I often bump his brace onto the top of the crib rail. So I decided to make a quick little cover to protect the wood from getting too "shabby chic" too soon. Although it took me a while to find fabric that I actually thought would look good, I finally found some on Friday that I thought might work. It all came together pretty well. Nothing great, but good enough.
not bad for a 3 dollar fix!
The other craft I attempted, {that came out great} was this:
a crayon roll for when Brock gets a little older. I made mine with a button and tab closure, of course it's football themed, something I thought Ryszard would like. {all rolled up!}
I actually love how it came out. I made my pockets a little bigger so they could also hold marker's or chunkier crayons. I also added a pocket for a pad of paper.I think I may have to make more! I also did a few "I Spy Bags" {I actually made these a few days ago, but thought I'd share} One is a Christmas theme full of fun holiday items to find hidden in the snow, such as a present, a jingle bell, a snowman, etc. The other I entitled "Just Like My Dad!" I filled this one with football and tool themed buttons, {Ryszard's favorite Sport, and what he uses on a daily basis for work}.
I love how it came out. .I originally wanted to use that fake snow type stuff but the "snow" kept clinging to the window. So I thought about using rice, but decided to use the poly pellets in the end. Because if this toy by any chance gets wet, {which being in a child's hand it might happen pretty easily} the poly pellets are able to dry. Where as rice, wouldn't. And the longer it lasts the better.

Last Night's Project

While Brock is napping I often run downstairs to do a little bit of crafting. Just small things here and there. I've been wanting to frame Brock's Blessing outfit for some time now but haven't had "enough" time to do it. Well last night I could not get to sleep so I decided to head downstairs to start this project, not really knowing when I would actually finish it. But Brock decided to take an early nap today, so I went back downstairs to see if maybe I could finish and....
wallah!
{details}
I'm going to frame a few pictures along with Brock's Blessing, to accompany it on the wall. { My Mom and my Relief Society President, Lynn helped me write down what was said, and Ryszard also recorded everything as well. So between the 4 of us we got everything down on paper and my Mom was able to type it up for me while she was here.}
I also have a few other things I'm creating for his room, but I'll post those later. {Maybe we'll actually get Brock into his own room one of these days so I can finally put up all the little decor items I've been making for his room.}

Lil Pumpkins

And no I'm not talking about Brock. Although he is the cutest little pumpkin ever! I've been working on these pumpkin pillows forever, and finally finished them last night! I wasn't sure I was going to like them when I was sewing them up but after adding ribbon, well let's just say a little bit of ribbon makes everything look great!

but now I don't know what to do with them, I really don't have anywhere to put them, so if any of you girls here in good old New England, want one, or 2 let me know.

Tutu Heaven.

I have to admit that I have some of the cutest nieces around!

So for my trip to Utah I wanted to do something extra special for them. 1~Because I was attempting a new project and needed someone to give the end result to, and 2~ Because I needed something fun for them to remember me by.

So I decided to make Tutu's! It couldn't be that hard, right? I had the plan to make 6 in all. Three for , Katelyn, Alia, and baby to be {Julie's girls} and one for Julia {Karilyn's daughter and "my little twin"} I made Julia's first and absolutely LOVED it. {I seriously would have kept it for myself if I could have gotten away with wearing it.} Then Ryszard reminded me that I had to make one for Elly, {My great friends Amy's little girl and Brock's future wife! :) { at least that's what Amy and I are hoping for!} and then I wanted to make one to go with the diaper cake I'm making for Brianne. {Surprise, I told you there would be a hint coming up! But you'll have to wait for that pic!}

Now I could have said "What was I thinking?" like I did when I took on my vest making venture, but these tutu's actually turned out pretty good. I also wanted to run over to Westmore Park to do a photo shoot with the girls, but Katelyn put on both of her and Alia's tutu's and headed for the computer downstairs, but I got some cute pics of Julia in her tutu. Julia also wore her tutu to dance class and everyone couldn't believe that I made it. {Julia's Teacher: Where did you get your tutu? Julia: my Aunt made it for me! Teacher: No, she didn't!!!!} I loved hearing all about it when Julia got home! {Julia was so sweet, she wanted to wait until Katelyn and Alia came before getting her "surprise" and then of course time got away from me so she ended up having to wait another 4 days after that. But I finally found time to give them their gifts. Thanks Julia for being so patient with me!}
{This is the one I made for Julie's baby to be. Julia has these gorgeous, almost real, baby dolls so I borrowed one for the pic. The one for Elly was also connected to a onesie, but I forgot to get a pic.} But my tutu venture went pretty well. I just might make more in the future!

Funky Stars

My new little project to pass the time. I've decided instead of spending the extra money on "designer" fashions for the baby I'd rather create my own. From the beginning I've tried to buy very neutral basics for the baby. Lots of ecru and white, but that in it's self isn't very fun. So I made myself a pattern for a couple different styles of stars. "funky stars" as I like to call them, because they're not perfectly shaped. And let's face it I'm pretty "funky" myself! I finally finished stitching them today. I think they came out great! I used left over fabric from my burp cloth project, a few layers of muslin and some pellon, {to give them a bit more stiffness} stitched them together with some embroidery floss and Wha La!





My new funky stars to decorate with.







Some of the projects I'm thinking of:
A cute border of stars to go around the moses basket. Maybe one on the hamper. and my own little hand made mobile for the baby's crib. I'm also wanting Ryszard to cut some out of wood and turn into some peg hooks. I'll definitely have to post some pics of the finished projects!