Baby, Baby, Baby!

A lot has changed since my last post.  Our little family has grown again...we had another baby boy!

This little guy was born July, 12.  

Before he was born I had a small list of things that I wanted to make for him. Being the second child he doesn't really need much, but I wanted him to have few things to call his own. 

The main project that I wanted to make was a quilt.  I made one for Bug and wanted the new little guy to have one too.  For Bug's, I bought fabric from different fabric shops I visited during my pregnancy.  I like to find fabric stores and buy fabric as souvenirs when we travel.  I did the same for this quilt.  I also used some of the fabric from Bug's so that they coordinate since they will eventually share a room.

I used this tutorial from Fat Quarter Shop that used a jelly roll.  Since I collected different fabrics, I had to cut my own strips.  This added an extra step, but it was still a pretty quick quilting project.  I love the way that it turned out and am excited to use it for his monthly photos.

I found some great muslin fabric while we were on Spring Break in Santa Barbara.  Muslin blankets weren't originally on my list, but I fell in love with it so I bought it knew I'd figure out what to do with it.  I made two different blankets and some burp cloths.

These burp cloths were different than what I usually make.  I decided to cover cloth diapers. These are a great size and very absorbent.  I'm glad I made them because this guy spits up way more than Bug did.  They definitely help keep my clothes spit up free.

I love the blankets too.  I did one with two layers and the other is a single layer. They have been great to keep the sun off of the little guy and are light weight so I don't have to worry about him getting too hot.

For all of them I made my own bias tape out of a super soft flannel.  It has added a nice touch to them.  I've made my own bias tape for a few different projects and love how it adds to the project. Dana at Made Everyday has a great tutorial on how to make it.

The last items on the list were some burp cloths. These are my go to baby item/gift. I love these and have made so many of them over the years. You can see few of them here, here, and here.  They are super soft and gentle on baby when wiping up their spit. At first I wasn't going to make new ones since I still have the ones I made Bug, but he actually still uses them. He calls them gentle cloths now and uses them to wipe his face after his toddler melt downs. He's pretty attached to them and always needs one in his bed. 

I love my little guy.  It's been a big adjustment having another baby, but I can't imagine life without him.  

Baby Shower Gift

I'm an auntie again!  My sister-in-law had a baby girl last week...3 weeks early.  I am so excited for our growing family and that The Bug has another cousin..

When I found out she was pregnant, I started a list of gift ideas.  As the due date got closer, the list got longer.  I decided to make a few of the them for the shower to make a cute little gift basket.

The divided basket is from a Noodlehead pattern.  I thought that it was going to be difficult, but it was pretty easy.  It was the last part of the project and I got it done in one night.

I put in a few of my favorite burp cloths that I give to everyone that I know.  I do not leave home without these.
 

The biggest project was the quilt.  It was the third quilt that I had made.  I wanted to try a new type of quilt and came across this tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew.  I thought that it would be perfect.  It looks complicated, but was actually pretty easy.

The Bug loves blankets.  When he saw this on the back of my sewing chair he grabbed it and decided he needed to test it out.

So it has been cousin tested....

and peek-a-boo approved.

Stuffed Elephant

I've had elephants on my mind after I made the gift set for my friend. I wanted to find something else to make with the patchwork fabric. I thought it would be cute to make a little stuffed elephant. To go beyond just a stuffed animal, I decided to add some sensory elements. It took a little figuring out (and a late night run to Petco for a squeaker) but in the end it turned out better than I expected.

He has two different textures of fabric, ribbon ears, crinkle ears and a squeaky tail.  Bug was excited to figure out how to squeak the tail

A Year of Holiday Outfits

Last year I decided that I would make some type of shirt/outfit for Bug for all of the holidays.  It started with New Years because I didn't have anything for him to wear.  Some were more involved than others, but he got something for all of the major holidays that we celebrate (including his birthday). 

I've shared most of them on my personal Instagram or Facebook, but it's fun to see them all together.  It's also amazing to see how much he grew and changed in a year. 

Patchwork and Minky Baby Blanket and Burp Cloths

A friend of mine is having a baby boy in May.  I knew that I wanted to make a patchwork blanket for the little guy, but wasn't sure of the colors I wanted to use at first.  When I got the invitation to her shower with cute blue and gray elephants I headed straight to Etsy.  I found a great bundle of Michael Miller fabrics.   I loved the colors and designs.  I was so excited when it arrived in the mail...I couldn't wait to get started. 

This is the second patchwork blanket that I've made with minky as the backing.  I love how soft they are.  I wasn't sure I wanted to use minky, since he is a May baby and summers are pretty warm here.  Even with the minky it is lightweight.  Perfect for our cool evenings. 

I added a contrasting fabric for a border.  I love how it looks and is a great finishing touch. 

These burp cloths are my signature gift.  I first made them for my sister when my niece E was born.  She said they were great.  Great size and super soft. I've made them for all of my friends and some for me and the Bug (I still use them even though we're past the spit up phase.  They're great for his teething drool).

I love how they turned out.  This fabric bundle is one of my favorites that I've purchased.  I might have to order some more for any future baby boys that are on their way.

For My Nieces: Pinafore Dress and Simple Skirt

My sister sent me a link to a pattern for a cute little outfit that she wanted me to make for my niece.  I knew that I had seen something similar and I found a tutorial at Smashed Peas and Carrots.

I went shopping and found some great fabric at Joann's.  It was near the end of the bolt so if I bought the restI got a discount.  I figured why not.  With the fabric I made the dress and a matching skirt for her older sister.  I also made a skirt for other niece. Everything turned out so cute.

 
To go with the dress I made a little diaper cover also.  I used a tutorial from MADE.

The skirt is also a tutorial from MADE. She calls it a Simple Skirt and it really is.

Everything turned out really great and it looks so cute on them.

Baby Blanket

I'm an auntie again! Ella Thomas Stone was born on November 15.

As soon as my sister told me she was pregnant, I began a mental list of all of the projects I would make for her.  This list continues to grow.  The first project was to crochet her a blanket.  I have been making baby blankets for family and friends for years.  I have tried many different patterns, but I always seem to go back to one of the very first blankets I made.  It came from a book called, Our Best Baby Afghans.  I have used the book so much that the pages are falling out.

It's a pretty basic pattern of shell stitches and V stitches.  I have made a few minor adjustments.  I use the pattern for the body, but have changed the edging a bit.  I like the way the ribbon looks woven through the edge.

It is very soft and cuddly.  I hope that Ella likes it as much as I do!