The Ripple Effect

So a while ago I started making a little blankie for my niece.  She turned TWO earlier this month, and I just finally got it sent out a little while ago.  A little late, but it was made with lots of time and love.  I think it's adorable.  And from what I know she likes the color purple.  :)  She has a purple big girl room, and she even told me I should name my baby girl purple.  Ha ha!  I love her.

Handmade Baby Goodies!

A very special friend of mine is due to have a baby girl any day now.  I just had to make some goodies for the little beauty that's about to be born - baby things are so fun to make!  I crocheted a baby beanie and a few washcloths, and I also sewed up a receiving blanket (that wasn't in my original plans, but when I saw the bright, beautiful fabric at Happy Quilt, I just couldn't resist!).

Materials

• 2 yards of flannel material.  I used 1 yard of print, and 1 yard of solid white.  You can use whatever you want.
• Coordinating thread.

Prep

• Wash and dry the fabric.  Iron if necessary.
• Place one piece of flannel right side up, and lay the second piece of flannel on top of the first, right side down.
• Pin the layers together, every inch or so, the whole way around.  

Sewing

• Being sewing in the middle of one side.  Do not start at a corner.  Using a straight stitch and a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew all the way around the blanket, but leave about a 6-inch hole in the side where you started, or big enough to put your hand through.
• Turn the blanket right side out.  Use your fingers to poke the corners into points.  Smooth out blanket edges so they're smooth, or press them flat with an iron.
• Pin the 6-inch hole together so the edges stay tucked inside while you finish the blanket.
• Then, sew around the edge of the blanket a second time.  Do not start on the side where you have the hole pinned shut.  Start anywhere else except there.
• Use a very small seam allowance when sewing the second time.  1/8-inch, if possible.  Sew the whole way around the blanket, and back stitch a the beginning and end.

That's it.  Your blanket is finished!!  Fairly easy and basic, right?  It should be about 36 inches by 45 inches.

And here are the few other goodies I made for her.  A few washcloths, and an adorable beanie.  I just love that flower on there!

I had so much fun making all of these things... I hope she enjoys them!  :)

A BIG Crochet Project...

... but not much time to do it!  I'm working on something for our beautiful little niece who is about to turn TWO!

 

 I have a long ways to go on this thing... but I'm confident that I'll have it done (err, or at least most of it) by my deadline.  Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Made With Love For My Nephew...

My extremely handsome nephew was born in November and I have been working on this baby afghan since then, and I finally finished it and mailed it out almost a week ago.  I will admit, it was a tedious pattern and a little frustrating at times, but it turned out perfect and I'm proud of myself for keeping at it and getting it done!  I'm excited for them to receive it in the mail.  :)

The hardest thing about living in Korea is being so far away from family.  I miss my nieces and nephew like crazy.  But I thank God for skype.  :)

Made with love...

This blanket was inspired by the State Fair Blanket pattern on the Lion Brand Yarn website.  Although I altered the pattern to fit my needs and make the blanket a bit bigger with more colors.  :)  Crocheted using the half double crochet, worsted weight yarn, and a H8/5.00mm hook.

I have quite a few more projects that I'm working on.. so keep an eye out for those!  I'm planning on opening up an Etsy shop in the (hopefully near) future, so watch out for that update as well.  :)

Busy, Busy... and Crochet Projects

We have so much to look forward to in the coming months!  Lots to keep busy with.  On November 20th, we are going on a trip to the DMZ, which I've been itching to do since I've been here.  On top of Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up... and oh, the Christmas shopping!  I love Christmas shopping.  Also, my sister-in-law is due soon with her baby - I'm hoping it's a boy!  Husband and I have 3 beautiful nieces, so I'm ready to pick out some cute baby boy clothes.  In the meantime, I've picked out a few crochet projects to experiment with --

A teddy bear, a bunny blankie, and a stacking toy.  I'm really excited to try them! I'm hoping they turn out.  :)

We have a few other things coming up that we're really excited about, and we'll share that with everyone very soon!  Until then... I have to get back to watching Tosh.0 with my Husband.  This show makes me LOL.