Sewing Day with Mom

Yesterday my mom came over and we had a "Sewing Day".  I had such a great time.  My mom is working on a jean quilt, decided what pattern she wanted to do and started cutting away.  I decided I would work on one of many projects: a fleece John Deere blanket.  It was my first time doing a self-binding blanket.  After watching instructions on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqwdNqMZ8Ro) and downloading instructions I found online, I was ready to begin!

A couple weeks ago I cut the fabric as needed (I did it for an adult so its MUCH bigger than the tutorial).  Can I just say that working with fleece is a bit more difficult?  However, I love the finished products every time and fleece is just so comfy.

If I were to sew another blanket like this I would do the solid color as the "backing" material and the decorative fabric in the front, basically switching the way I sewed it this time.  Also, when we (I say we because my mom was wonderful and helped for a bit) sewed the top-stitch, we used a special stitch which looks like a tractor tire mark.  I kept saying, "I just can't get over how great this looks on the blanket, this stitch is so perfect for this blanket!"

I also worked on another project that is close to being done... but I will wait to post or say anything until its completed.  Mom and I had a fun "Mother - Daughter" day as we worked on projects, talked and listened to fun country gospel music.  One of our favorites is from Alison Krauss, "I'll Fly Away", the cd "Amazing Grace III: A Country Salute to Gospel" and of course...Johnny Cash.  I can't wait to have another sewing day with mom!

Here are the pics of the tractor blanket:

~The Hated Stinging Nettle Plant~

For anyone who has came into contact with a stinging nettle plant...you will probably agree with me when we say out-loud, "ouch! stupid weed." or even "why did God create these stupid things! They are useless!" My neighbor will confirm that these grow quite rapidly around our houses and they grow...like...weeds. Argh.

I hate them.

But wait. Should I? I'm reading more and more information on my health and trying to go as "all natural" as possible. I just came across that "Nettle Tea" relieves allergies.

WHAAAAT????

Yup, that is right...it is a good plant. No longer a weed. Here is my problem. I just recently purchased weed killer to kill the dumb things and now I wonder 'how can I grow these but try to contain them?' Maybe I will plan them in in a bucket or something and put them in my garden and kill the rest because they really do hurt.

I googled the beloved plant (no...do not call it a weed anymore!) and here is a pretty cool website: http://nettle-tea.weebly.com/. I'm going to quickly quote some AMAZING qualities/benefits of this plant!

"Stinging nettle tea has anti-inflammatory properties that will help with joint pain and arthritis (both from drinking the tea or putting it on straight to the joints - the tea, never the leaves!). These properties help open nose cavities, too, providing relief from hay fever as well as other allergies."

"As nettle tea is a natural diuretic (meaning it cleans out your body), it assists in the relief of urinary tract infections and kidney stones. It may also relieve diarrhea symptoms; but just be careful, as drinking a large amount of stinging nettle tea also acts as a laxative! "

"Internally, it seems like there's no end as to what nettle tea will do to the body. To begin with, nettle tea is rich in vitamins: A; C; E; B1; B2; B3; B5; calcium; iron; folate; potassium; magnesium; manganese; phosphorous; selenium; and zinc - Why would you need daily supplements after having a pot of nettle tea?"

~Home Grown~

Has it really been over a month since I've posted??? I have been living my "Allergen-Free" lifestyle now for 2 months! I have been doing really good and have been feeling much better. I will admit though, there have been a couple of times when I've eaten things that I shouldn't have: a chocolate/candy that has nuts or dairy in it, etc. I've definitely seen a difference though because when I did slip up...I paid for it! I had a headache the next day, had trouble with sinuses and was tired. You would think I would have learned by now! There are still temptations though. However; I'm getting much better at knowing when my weak moments are and trying to stay strong during those times.

This last month has been really busy too and so its been harder to stay as focused like before. So hopefully March will be a better month as far as my eating and new lifestyle goes. I am very thankful that God gave me the strength not to "go off the deep end" once I slipped up.

Something that I've enjoyed is eating my own home-grown lettuce and spinach leaves. My brussel sprouts are also starting to bloom and I'm planting Kale, cabbage and collared greens. I can't wait to see them grow! There is nothing better (okay, I'm sure there is...but with food at least) than eating the fresh food you've grown, nurtured and prepared! Yum

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~Baptism Dress and Blanket~

I found the pattern for the dress off of the internet and made it in 2003. I made this blanket and dress for my brother and sister-in-law's family (Hans and Michelle), when Alyssa was a baby. Alyssa, Chloe and Emily have worn the dress for their baptism's and all four of the kids used the blanket when they were baptized. I was honored to make it for their special occasion.

First photo is Pierce being baptized, second and third are of Emily!

~John Deere Quilt~

Made Christmas/New Years of 2009

Pierce was my first nephew that was born and I was excited to make a John Deere Quilt! I designed this myself, did all of the cutting and the piecing up until the last couple steps.

The mistake I made in designing this quilt (the 2^nd one I’ve ever done) was in choosing the fabrics. Never again will I choose 3 different kinds of materials that are completely different in stretch and tightness. I was home on a holiday and mom was helping me finish this. We were both having a rough time with it. After realizing how hard it was going to be to sew the backing, batting and front piece together with all of the different materials on the front – and by realizing this I mean we had to rip out a large portion of the piecing – my mom decided that it would just be easier for her to finish it.

To add a bit of a personal touch, I added his name (both first and middle) with a Bible verse that correlates to the meaning of each name.

Thanks to mom…it turned out to be a beautiful quilt with different textures!

~Tractor Hat for Baby~

Here is a hat I crocheted last fall to give a friend for a baby present. She showed me a knitted tractor hat but I can't knit. So I secretly found a pattern for crochet and then surprised her with this for her baby boy! I am currently making two more for both of her boys in order to match. And I'm making another two for my neighbors boys. These are perfect for cute little country guys!

~DIY: A Froggie-Fleece Feel Good Blankey!~

I'm sure many of you know how to make a simple fleece tie blanket...but for those of you who don't, I will be showing the steps here. It is easy...anybody can do it! Recently, I was in JoAnns and saw some cute fleece material. So I got some, took it home and thought, "what am I going to make with this?" I decided on making 4 fleece blankey's for some kiddos...whoever they may be.

Step 1: Lay out the material you have (it can be whatever size). With fleece-tie blankets you want to use two fabrics. So lay them flat, on top of each other. Cut out the rectangle. The size I used for these blankets are approximately 29" x 37".

Step 2: Cut out your corners. I have put my sewing ruler on one corner to show you that I cut a 3" square on the corners.

Step 3: Cut strips across all 4 sides of the blanket, approximately an inch wide, using the square corners as a guide for how long to cut your strips. Do not worry...I didn't measure my strips, some are longer than others and that is okay! Because once you tie the blanket you won't be able to tell.

Step 4 & 5: Starting wherever you want, begin by tying the two fabric together. Remember, you have your two fabrics laying on top of each other and so each strip will match up. Just tie each strip in a knot, all the way around your blanket. Once again...do not fret. Your blanket will look all scrunched up and for those perfectionists out there you may think you tied everythin

g too tight. This is how it will look like (see below). Doesn't it look a lot smaller?

Step 6: Take hold of the blanket with both hands and stretch it out. You may hear the material snap, crackle and pop a little. Stretch it out all the way around the blanket until it lays flat. You may have to do the corners moreso than the rest of the blanket. First picture is how the blanket/your hands look before stretching. The second is while you are stretching it.

And Ta-da...you've got your comfy, frog blanket! The finished piece measured about 30.5" by 22" excluding the ties. Once I get some of my other projects finished, I'm going to design a frog beanie to go along with this cute blanket for some babies! I've made larger ones for myself and my two nieces as well...they are nice, warm and comfy for all ages!

~Hooter Hider - aka: Nursing Cover!

Yes, there are many popular names to describe my most recent "project": hooter hiders, udder covers or nursing covers. My sister-in-law is pregnant and a week ago Saturday I helped host a baby shower for her. The gender of the little baby is a surprise. Often I hear her talking to the baby as "my little monkey", so when I saw the fabric with monkey's on it, I knew I had to use it to make a hooter hider.

The pic is Ashley modeling the nursing cover...and me peeking out :)

Hopefully, when I have enough items to sell, I will be opening up an Etsy account. Until then I will post projects on here, DIY projects and more.