Blankets for a Bouncing Baby Boy

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baby blanket, baby gifts, baby nursery, baby shower, baby shower gift, blanket, craft, crafting, crochet, crocheting, gift, handmade, homemade, it's a boy, postaday2011, present, yarn, yarn arts

These past few weeks I’ve been extremely busy creating all sorts of gifts… I made three blankets for my close friend’s baby shower. They are warm and cozy fleece blankets with a crocheted trim. I loved the technique so much, that I wanted to make more. And since April is raining babies, I finished these just in time for another friend of mine who is due tomorrow.

Trio of Baby Blankets

 

To create these blankets, I used a skip-stitch blade on my rotary cutter. I ran the blade along the edges to create holes to base my crochet trim. The trim on the green blanket has a round of single stitch and a round of half-double crochet. The trim on the blue blanket was made by two rounds of single stitches and then a round of double crochet. The cream blanket has a round of single stitch and the two rounds of half double crochet.

The perfect cozy wrap for snuggling a new baby…

What have you received as a homemade/handmade gift recently?

 

Detail of Edging

 

April Showers Bring Babies!

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baby blanket, baby boy, baby crafts, baby gifts, baby nursery, baby presents, baby shower, baby shower gift, craft gifts, crafting, crochet blanket, crochet border, crochet edging, crochet trim, crocheted blanket, crocheted gift, crocheting, fleece, fleece blanket, half double crochet, it's a boy, nursery, postaday2011

It‘s a boy!

March & April seem to be raining babies (actually more like pouring), it’s hard to keep up with each bundle of joy. Today is a close friend‘s baby shower and I wanted to share what I’ve been working on for her lil’ baby boy… baby blankets of course!

Baby Boy Blanket Trio

 

This trio of blankets complement one another, while each being unique. One cream blanket has a dark country blue border, one light blue wrap is made with a dark country blue trim and there’s another cream blankie, this time with country blue edging. Each blanket is made of fleece with a crocheted yarn border. To create these cute snuggle wraps, I used a skip-stitch blade on my rotary and ran it along all four edges of a fleece rectangle. For the first round, I used the new slits to single crochet around the edge of the blanket, four stitch in each corner hole. The second round, I used a half-double crochet.

Fleece Baby Blankets with Crocheted Trim

 

Depending on the width, one yard of fleece can cut in half to make two blankets.

Congratulations Brandi & Josh! Welcome baby Brick!

The second half of March, posts have been few and far between. Thanks for being patient and supportive everyone! I tried to start my Spring cleaning this week and catch up on all the baby crafting I need to be doing in these baby bonanza months…

Baby Gifts for BFF

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Baby, baby blanket, baby gift, baby gifts, baby shower, diaper bag, fleece blanket, Sewing, sewing project

I’ve recently heard from other moms that diaper bags are too frumpy, or they’re too small or that with the zipper you can’t easily open it and grab something when you’re on the way…

When my one BFF found out she was pregnant, I decided that I wanted to make her a cute diaper bag, bigger than most and with an easy access top. I decided to use faux leather to stitch together a diaper bag, that could double as a beach bag or something ex post (baby) facto. Overall, the bag’s shape turned out really well, the stitching is off in a few places, even using leather needles, the material was too tough for my lil’ sewing machine (ah, how I miss the machines at the costume shop). I used cute napkin rings to attach the straps to the bag. I think if I ever make one again, I’ll just sew the lining and use a strong bonding glue for the leather and maybe add a stiff insert between the lining and the exterior.

Finished Diaper Bag

Unfinished Pocketed Lining

I wanted to fill it with cute things for the baby; a Baby’s Memory Book, a cuddly teddy bear and I made a chocolate-brown changing pad and navy satin trimmed fleece blanket. I also filled it with a few diaper bag essentials, hand sanitizer and slim wipes case, diaper cream, alcohol wipes, diaper sacks and a grooming travel ring (with comb, brush, clippers and forehead temperature strips).

Diaper Bag Goodies

Since I had a lot to prepare for her shower, I didn’t get the diaper bag finished in time. I took it to her on Monday when I went to help her set up her nursery.

My BFF had her baby boy at 12:01am Wednesday morning. He is adorable and I’m thrilled for them. Congratulations Horst family!

What are your baby gift thoughts?

My BFF’s Baby Shower

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appetizers on a stick, Baby, baby books, baby shower, baby shower theme, brownie bites, caprese kabob, Centerpieces, cupcake tree, cupcakes, hostess, hosting, lollipop bouquet, mini brownies, mini pizza, mini quiche, party appetizer, party food, shower food, skewer appetizer, strawberry rosebud bouquet, sweet and sour meatballs, teriyaki skewers

Don’t get confused, yes, I used a similar title for a earlier post. Same concept, my other best friend is the lucky mother-to-be this time. As soon as her pregnancy was confirmed, her sister and I began planning her baby shower (being the planners we were). We decided where to have it (church basement) and when (May). We both loved the build-a-library (look here for book suggestions) concept for the shower; every guest brings a baby book and writes a message for the baby inside, in lieu of a shower card. Her sister quickly selected invitations, decorations, plates and cutlery. We talked about the favors and food. We also made a pact not to play the gross poopy diaper game.

The main colors on the invitations were green and purple. Since my BFF is having a boy, I decided to incorporate the purple but play it down using more green and adding blue. I carried this color palette into the desserts and favors.

I thought it would be a good idea to serve tiny food to go along with the baby theme. Fingers food are always easy at showers and parties. I thought that sandwiches wouldn’t keep (if made ahead of time) or travel well. So I asked my BFF’s sister to order the sandwich trays for the shower and get the ice.

Menu

Desserts & Centerpieces
I immediately planned to make white chocolate lollipops in the form of baby carriages and baby bottles for the favors. My BFF is planning an

My BFF has an airplane theme for the nursery (her husband is a pilot) and I wanted to reflect that in the shower somehow. I found cute airplane candy molds and made airplane gummi candy in the shower colors.

I made chocolate topped pretzels (stolen idea from my other BFF’s sister) that continued the colors.

I planned to make chocolate covered strawberry rosebud bouquets for the table centerpieces. Having to travel further, I planned to make the chocolate dipped strawberries before the trip and wait to place them on skewers and arrange them until I got to the church. Then I dropped my vat of chocolate on the floor… I turned out to be plain strawberry rosebud bouquets instead.

Something I wanted to include, but didn’t have time to make was mini eclairs and mini cream puffs. They were store-bought and somehow didn’t disappear like the rest of my food.

Once again I got to pull out my cupcake tree and icing press, to make cupcakes that were just as appeasing to the eyes as they were to the palette.

Cute Cupcakes

I made brownie bites with cream cheese frosting (I believe the desserts are becoming my signature for baby showers).

Food & Snacks
I thought the vegetable tray would be very fun if it was stocked with baby veggies; baby carrots, baby corn, cherry tomatoes, mini cucumbers, baby and mini bell peppers. The veggies were served with my ranch dip which is way better than any store-bought dip and just as easy.

Baby Bell Peppers

The cheese tray included baby swiss, mini pepperoni, small crackers, baby goldfish.

I made grape and cheddar kabobs and served them with a honey lime yogurt dip (and idea stolen from my other BFF).

Caprese Kabobs were an easy was to turn the classic salad into a finger food.

Caprese Kabobs

I made mini Quiche ahead of time, as I could heat them quickly before serving. Some were turkey ham & cheddar, some were plain swiss.

The salmon puffs (one of my favorites) were a big hit and disappeared quickly.

Salmon Puffs

I served hot cocktail weenies in a sweet chilli sauce.

I prepped Teriyaki chicken skewers, marinated for 24 hours ahead of time. I grilled them before hand and heated them quickly before serving.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs were served, with three meatballs skewers on a stick.

I kept the hot food  warm using my buffet warming trays and chaffing dishes.

Tea sandwiches do not travel well, so I asked her sister to order a tray for the shower. I had baby gherkins and baby dill pickles to serve with them.

Beverages
I served lemonade and iced-tea in 3 gallon dispensers. I provided half pint water bottles and mini orange juice containers in an iced galvanized tub.

Several people asked me for my business card, many people asked for recipes and almost everyone complimented me on something they ate. The ultimate compliment I actually heard several times, “This is the nicest shower I’ve ever been to.” I so glad that my Bff’s sister and I were able to give that to the momma-to-be.

I’ll share some photos over the next few days.

Baby Blankets

Tags

Baby, baby afghan, baby blanket, baby gift, baby shower, baby shower gift, crib blanket, crochet, crocheted blanket, fleece blanket, gift, gift giving, satin blanket binding, satin trim

I remember how much I loved the texture of my crocheted baby blanket against my skin as a child. I also remember the cold smooth satin trim on several of my other blankets. I remember tactile details throughout my life

Hubster’s cousin is having a baby boy in August and this afternoon (actually, now) is her baby shower. I made her two blankets, one crocheted, one fleece with satin trim. The main color in the nursery is between a spearmint green and light sage green, with lot’s of neutral tones.

For the crochet blanket, I used my size “I” crochet hook to double stitch 52 rows with 70 stitches.  I created a striped pattern with the spearmint, chocolate, cream and tan plush yarn (8 rows spearmint, 2 tan, 1 cream, 2 tan, 8 spearmint, 2 cream, 1 chocolate, 2 cream, 8 spearmint, 2 chocolate, 1 tan, 2 chocolate, 8 spearmint).

Conner's Crocheted Blanket

For the fleece blanket, I used a cream-colored fleece and chocolate satin blanket binding I used cream thread to create the contrast n the blanket binding.

Conner's Fleece Blanket w/Satin Trim

The blankets complement one another, so they can be used alone or apart. I also gave her two board books, my favorite children’s bedtime stories, Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. I folded the blankets, stacked the presents and tie them with a chocolate ribbon!

Looking forward to Connor’s arrival!

What do you remember from your early days? The smells? Tastes? Sounds? Or touches?

Crocheted Baby Blanket

Tags

baby blanket, baby shower, blanket, crochet, crochet blanket

Baby Blanket

I just had to crochet a baby blanket for my BBF’s baby shower. Since I taught her how to crochet a double stitch nine years ago (after we first met), I felt it only appropriate to use a double stitch on this blanket for her soon-to-be bundle of joy. I crocheted a small white blanket with light blue, light green and pale yellow alternating stripes throughout. I used a size G Susan Bates crochet hook and Bernat baby yarn.

BFF’s Baby Shower

Tags

baby shower, baby shower desserts, baby shower theme, brownie bites, candy bouquet, cream cheese frosting, cupcake tree, cupcakes, dessert, dessert table, edible arrangement, fruit bouquet, rock candy bouquet, white chocolate covered pretzels

One of my best friends is due with her first child on Dec. 30th and today is her baby shower! Her shower is a blue, green and chocolate brown theme shower (although, her nursery is going to be sports theme). I am in charge of the desserts! Yum, yum!

Finger food at parties definitely make hosting parties/showers (and eating at them ) easier. Plus, smaller desserts play into the whole “baby” theme of a baby shower.

Cupcake Tree
I was itching to get out my cupcake carriers, cupcake tree (it holds 38, perfect amount for the shower), and icing press, so I decided to make cupcakes. I used a confetti cake mix, overfilling the cups to make large cupcakes. I split the buttercream frosting into three batches; I left one white, tinted one blue and one green. I used my icing press to pile the delicious buttercream frosting onto the yummy cupcakes. To embellish the cupcakes, I used light blue sparkling sugar crystals and slightly smaller light green sanding sugar. I placed my cupcakes into the carriers and waited to arrange them on the cupcake stand until I arrived at the shower location.

Yummy Cupcakes

Cupcake Tree

Fruit Bouquet
I always wanted to try to make a fruit bouquet. I used my wooden kebob sticks and stuck strawberries on some sticks, several grapes on others, and peeled & sliced kiwi rounds. I used a cookie cutter to shape pineapples into flowers. I used floral foam inside of a clear vase, but it was covered with light blue, light green and chocolate ribbon (you could just use a solid colored vase). I stuck each stick into the foam, arranging my bouquet. Then I used endive (most bouquets use parsley) to fill in between the sticks and make it look pulled together (I once saw someone use a lettuce head instead of floral foam, and loosen the outer leaves instead of using parsley).  I was hoping the store would have some star fruit, to slice and use for beautiful flowers…  This was so easy and fun to make, I can’t wait to make another one when more fruit are in season.

Fruit Bouquet

Candy Bouquet
I made two small bouquets of light blue (cotton candy), light green rock (watermelon), white and brown (rootbeer) rock candy swizzle sticks. I arranged them into two small silver square pots.

 

Rock Candy Bouquet

Brownie Bites
I decided to use my mini muffin pans (non-stick) to make miniature brownies (don’t most women love chocolate?), I used my favorite brownie recipe and baked for about 12 minutes at 350°F. My icing press came in handy to place a little dollop of cream cheese frosting on top of each bite (I had seen a store bakery do this before, yum!).

Brownie Bites

Cream Cheese Frosting (This is a small batch for little bursts of frosting on the brownie tops) Ingredients: 4 oz cream cheese, 2 Tbs. softened butter, 1 1/2 c. confectioner’s sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Directions: Mix together cream cheese and butter until combined. Slowly add sugar, mixing one minute. Add vanilla and mix on medium speed until fluffy.

White Chocolate Covered Pretzels
I dipped small pretzels into white chocolate and then placed on a wax paper lined cookie tray and left in the fridge to set. I then set them out in a shallow bowl.

Toting all these goodies was my excuse to drive the X-terra this weekend. I grabbed my folding table, pressed my white table cloth, packed up the back of the SUV and now it’s time to decorate and set up everything for the beautiful momma to be.