Crocheted Pumpkin Hats

My friend Joanna made each of my children a crocheted pumpkin hat for fall.  These were BEYOND cute and we received so many compliments every where we went.  My favorite part was the curly cue stem that hung from the top.  Getting these made me want to learn to crochet because they were soooo cute!  Though I don't have her exact pattern, I did find a similar free pattern HERE.  

Wedding Dresses Turned Blessing Outfits

The idea isn't something new.  Turning your wedding dress into a blessing outfit for your child.  But I remember that even on my wedding day, I knew that one day, the very dress I wore would be one that my own children would wear.  After telling my mom my idea, she happily gave me her wedding dress too.  

So when I was pregnant with my daughter (6  years later) I began to take apart mine and my mothers wedding dresses.  I then asked my Mother In Law if she would sew the dress and make a bonnet to go with the dresses so that I would have a little something from all three of us included in this special dress.

The dress itself is made from my wedding dress.  The lace and buttons are from my mothers wedding dress (the lace had begun to turn cream over the years but was originally white)  My MIL who is an amazing crocheter/knitter made the bonnet.  I have never seen my dress look so amazing.  Unfortunately, though followed to a T, the dress was HUGE on my daughter on her blessing day.  I have later discovered this to be a blessing.  She was able to fit into and wear this dress until she turned 3.  It's been well worn and well washed and I hope one day she will want to pass it along to her daughter, adding her own embellishments to it.

When my son was blessed my MIL also made him an outfit.  The vest is from the lining of my wedding dress, the pants from the skirt of my dress and the bow tie and buttons from my mothers wedding dress.  PERFECT and sooo handsome!

 

Once my daughter turns 8 and is baptized (if she chooses) then we'll make her another white dress out of mine and my mothers dresses again.  Same goes for all my children.  There is more than enough fabric and hopefully she'll love this idea as much as I do.

And then hopefully there will be little scraps of fabric leftover that I'll be able to make each of them a hanky or purse or something small that they can cherish on their own wedding day.  This way they'll each have a little piece of us with them and know how much we love them each day. 

Like I said, the idea has been around for ages.  Heck, I had it 10 years ago.  But if you've not thought of what you are going to do with your wedding dress, this might be something you too consider.

Ribbon Board

In a Christmas swap, my friend Ann Marie made me this ribbon board.  It will look great with all of our cards tucked into it for the Holidays.  I have seen them at the store, but never thought to make my own. After looking at hers and THIS tutorial I found, it seems VERY simple and creative to make!  

Burp Cloths

My friend Sarah made me a few burp clothes when my daughter was born a few years ago.  As you can see, they are still in excellent shape and going strong.  Ever wanted to throw together a quick baby gift that has that extra touch of homemade?  These are great.  

Items Needed:

Sewing Machine

Flat Cloth Diaper

Cute Fabric

Scissors

Directions:

Head on over HERE for a tutorial on how to make your own!

Pillow Cases

First thought when you think of 50 Shades of Grey?  Yep, that was the theme of one swap I participated in.  For someone who has never read the books (but obviously knows what they are about), I had a hard time trying to come up with a craft.  My friend Tanya though knew EXACTLY what to make and then I felt like DUH, that is an awesome and obvious gift!

She made me two grey pillow cases since most of the book is spent between the sheets.  And now I want matching sheets!  I love the patterns she choose and how well they all go together.  I've never made a pillowcase but after seeing hers, I now want to tackle them.  They seem easy to make and are SUPER cute!  

Patriotic Canvas Picture

In a craft swap, I made my friend Angela this cute canvas print.  I originally saw the print on Pinterest but it was only a lame picture, not the actual printout.  It took me a few weeks to find the ACTUAL printout an when I did, I fell in love with it.  I love the simplicity of it and hope she did too!

Items Needed:
8x10 Canvas

Print out of desired picture. 

Modpodge & sponge brush

Modpodge SPRAY - clear acrylic sealer matt finish

Cutting Board

Directions:

1.  Print out desired picture.  If you like the photo I have above it can be found HERE.

2.  Cut photo to size of canvas.  

3.  Using a sponge brush, glue picture onto canvas.  You may want to turn canvas over and press out all air bubbles that may attempt to stick around.  You want ZERO air bubbles.

4.  Once glue is dry, then using the Modpodge spray adhesive spray on MULTIPLE coats. Allow each coat to thoroughly dry before applying another coat.  I have an inkjet printer.  So my ink smears when I try to brush on modpodge glue.  I learned that the spray on works amazingly well and does not make my ink run! I applied 5 thick coats.

Rag Baby Quilts

In a craft swap titled "Random Act of Kindness" my friend Jenine made me these two quilts.  One is for me to keep and one is for me to give away as a random act of kindness.  She wanted to do something that tied into my having a baby and a baby quilt was the perfect idea.  

For anyone who knows me, I have a HUGE obsession with homemade quilts.  I LOVE THEM!  Seriously, nothing brings me more happiness in the world than receiving a quilt that someone took hours to create.  It shows me just how much they care an how thoughtful they are.  And seeing as how it's not my strong point (sewing), I certainly LOVE to receive them!  

I decided to keep the brown and blue polk a dot quilt as (unknowingly to Jenine) matches my baby bedding perfectly!  And some lucky person (unknown yet) will receive the green and yellow.  

This type of quilt is called a Rag Quilt and can be  be used with any kind of fabric.  

A great tutorial can be found HERE if you are interested in making one too.