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…

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Flirty Fleece Ear Warmers Tutorial

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Christmas gift, Christmas present, ear warmer, fleece, gift, gift giving, kid's gifts, present, present giving, stocking stuffer, tutorial, Xmas gift, Xmas present

There was a lot of interest after I posted the Flirty Fleece Ear Warmers. I received messages, emails and comments asking for a tutorial. Mind you I’ve still been sick, so it took a while. The doctor called me today, five days after I’ve been on antibiotics and said they needed to put me on something stronger…. no wonder I haven’t been improving. Now I hope I got this posted in time for you to make some before Christmas.

Step 1 – Cut fleece into about a 22″ x 4″ rectangle, larger heads will require a longer length of fleece, kids head, a shorter length. Lay rectangle horizontally.

Step 1 – Cut Fleece

Step 2 – Pin bottom ends up and top ends down, so sides measure about 2″.

Step 2 – Pin Sides

Step 3 – On top and bottom, fold just the edges down, tapering from middle toward ends. Stitch edges and trim excess, using matching or contrasting thread.

Step 3 – Taper & Stitch Top and Bottom Edges

Step 4 – Stitch ends in and add velcro dots. Adding one to the wrong side of one end, and adding one to the right side of opposite end.

Step 4 – Stitch End & Add Velcro Dot

Step 5 – Using a cookie cutter to trace or freehand flowers on fleece and felt in multiple sizes and cut out shapes.

Step 5 – Cut & Trace Flowers

Step 6 – Layer flowers and add a button or bead in center on top. Stitch flowers carefully to headband. I like to position mine about three inches from the middle of the band.

Step 6 – Embellish with Flowers & Button

Flirty Fleece Ear Warmers

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Christmas gift, Christmas present, ear warmer, fleece, gift, gift giving, kid's gifts, present, present giving, stocking stuffer, Xmas gift, Xmas present

After a long winter, cold weather can become unbearable… why not start the winter off right? Warm can be fashionable… In the past 10 years I’ve graduated from wearing crocheted ear warmers with matching scarves to wanted something cuter to match my pashminas. One of my girlfriends purchased a similar fleece ear warmer, and I couldn’t justify dropping $20 on one that I didn’t even completely love. Being crafty is sometimes a blessing to the purse.   These fleece ear warmers are quick and easy to make and (when your sewing machine isn’t broken one week before Christmas) are completely personalized. This makes a great gift for a kids, teens and adults alike. Give them as a stocking stuffer or use them as the bow on a gift wrapped present.

I used fleece for the ear warmer, but the flower is a mix of fleece and felt in complementary colors. I used a coordinating button to tie it all together. If you’re not into flowers, try ribbons, box, buttons, sequins, anything to jazz up a plain ear warmer. Since fleece isn’t too stretchy I tapered the ends in and used a hidden velcro dot to close my ear warmer, but you could also sew a button-hole and use a button to secure it. Get the full tutorial here.

Flirty Fleece Ear Warmer

Be kind to me, I’ve been sick for 5 days with minimal rest and it shows. It was the best picture I could get of the ear warmers without any natural light…

Tenth Day of Christmas – Fleece Blankets

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10th day of Christmas, 12 Days of Christmas, bedding, blanket, Christmas, Christmas cheer, Christmas craft, Christmas gift, Christmas present, days of Christmas, fleece, fleece blanket, fringe blanket, gift, gift giving, holiday craft, Holidays, kids craft, no sew, no sew blanket, present, tenth day of Christmas, twelve days of Christmas, XMas, Xmas present

On the tenth day of Christmas Young Wifey shared with me her Fleece Blankets, Bottle Cap Magnets, Fleece Sphere Ornament, Button Wreath Ornament, Christmas Mouse Cat Toy, Melted Frosty Ornament, Crocheted Fan Bookmarks, Crocheted Snowflake Ornaments, Wine Glass Charms and Glass Globe Ornaments…

Almost everyone in the crafting world (even those who only lightly dabble) has made a fleece blanket at one time. About 5 years ago, the no-sew fleece blankets with the tied fringe became popular; it’s easy to understand why… Only cut and tie and you’re finished. It’s an easy child’s craft! Of course with babies, most people like to add stain blanket binding or crochet a fancy border. A few years back, my MIL made one for Hubster & I, one for Pumpkin and one for every other member of the family. My nephews have outgrown their baby blankets and are ready for blankets of their own. For all the projects below you will need two pieces of fleece, 2 yards each. I like using a print fleece on one side and a solid print on the other. You could also make yours with two different prints, two different solid colors, the same print or the same solid color.

No Fringe How To:
I use this method if the blanket is to be part of the bedding. Place wrong sides of fabric together. Stitch around the edges leaving 1/4″ inseam, leave a 10″ on the last side. trim excess from corners. Turn blanket right side out. Blind stitch the opening closed. To create edging, stitch around the outside of the blanket about 2″ in from the edge. 

Dinosaur No Fringe Fleece Blanket

 

No Sew How To:
I prefer to use this method for throws. Place right sides of the blankets together. Cut a 4″ square off of each corner. Cut 1″ wide strips, 4″ deep into the fleece on all four sides. Tie opposite piece of fringe together. Tie all the corners first, then evenly tie all sides. 

Rock & Roll No-Sew Fleece Blanket

Hybrid Blanket How To:
If you like the fringe look, this is great, because you don’t have the fringe tickling your neck all night. There’s no fringe on top, only sides and bottom. Lay right sides together, cut 4″ square on bottom two corners only. Cut 1″ wide strips, 4″ deep into the fleece on only three sides, leave top uncut. Place wrong sides together and stitch top together, starting 4″ in from the sides. Turn blanket right side out and begin tying the sides together.

Approx. Cost:
Both projects coast the same, except the no fringe has the added cost of thread. Solid fleece = $3 yard, Print fleece = $7 a yard. Blankets could range from $12 – $28 depending on the colors and prints you select. I’m sure you can find fleece cheaper if you shop around or during the summer.

If you’re feeling extra crafty or extra generous, get another yard or two and make a few matching or contrasting throw pillows. Use the same directions for the blanket, just add filling!

2009′s Christmas Countdown – On the twelfth day of Christmas Young Wifey shared with me, her chocolate Christmas fudge, chocolate bonbons, coconut clusters, cranberry almond bark, chocolate amaretto cherries, pecan turtles, raspberry chocolate truffles, gingerbread fudge, peppermint bark, dark chocolate peanut butter balls, cracked glass candy, and her peanut butter fudge recipe…