Inspiration for Crafting

Well, we are moving tomorrow. The craft room has been boxed up in preparation for our new home. Unfortunately, we are downsizing in a major way and I'm not sure what I'll have access to on a regular basis. As if moving wasn't busy enough, baby #2 is due in just two short weeks. I'm hoping we get rooms put together and the house is in a livable state before she arrives.

With all that said, here are the projects top on my list that I promise I will get to just as soon as I can:

• Regency Dress project: Amy--I'm so sorry I haven't finished it yet. This is my #1 project to complete. I just hope she doesn't outgrow it in the meantime!
• State Fair Challenge Quilt: All I need is to quilt and bind it and it's done. Unfortunately, I only have four weeks until the deadline.
• Quiet Book Make-Along Page #2: I've cut out the pieces and scanned the pattern into the computer. I just need to put it together so I can make adjustments and get it published! By the way, how is page #1 coming? Check out K's comment about her adjustments. Sounds adorable!
• Baby Doll Afghan: This needs to be finished to give to Sammi when Elizabeth arrives. However, it's all boxed up and I'm not sure it'll be uncovered in time. How sad...

Posted by Amber P. at 3:41 PM 1 comments    

Labels: clothing, crochet, explanations, project ideas, quiet books, quilting

So, my daughter turned 2 today! Those two years went by so fast. I can hardly believe how much she has grown and how much she can do now. I've decided that the little toys I take places (church, doctor's office, etc.) to entertain her are just not cutting it anymore. So it's time for a quiet book. I brainstormed ideas for several books following different themes, but eventually decided to start with a summer book (which I hope to finish while it's still summer!)

I'm inviting any who'd like to make the book along with me and share your adjustments or creative additions. I finished the first page today and Sammi was already eager to play with it. That's motivation at it's peak! The book is constructed one page at a time and the pages can be put in any order. Pages will be sewn back to back to hide the stitching and other mechanics of the design. Instructions on that will come at the end once all the pages have been posted.

Quiet Book Page 1
Velcro
Pond with Five Fish

• Download the pattern and instructions for the quiet book page 1.
• Materials: Felt in a variety of colors for the fish, felt for the page of the book, blue ripstop for the pond, Velcro.
• Cut out pattern for the pond and for the fish.
• Cut out two fish for each color of felt. Sew one side of the velcro to one fish of each color. Place the other fish of the same color on top and zigzag stitch them together. Fish are done!
• Trace pattern for pond onto ripstop. Ripstop material frays easily so I sewed the opening first and them cut out the whole pond from the material. Sew five pieces of Velcro randomly over the surface of the pond. It should be the opposite side of the Velcro from what what sewn on the fish.
  
• Make opening on pond: place a blue piece of felt across 3 1/2 inches of the top of the pond. Appliqué or zigzag stitch the ripstop and felt together. Cut out pond, including trimming the excess of pond and felt along the opening.
• Align pond on center of 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch piece of felt that will be the page of the book. Appliqué or zigzag stitch the ripstop from one side of the opening along the perimeter to the other side of the opening. Pond is complete!
• Put fish on Velcro pieces or in the pocket. Page 1 is complete!
  

Posted by Amber P. at 9:29 PM 4 comments    

Labels: free pattern, quiet books, sewing, toddler, tutorials