A Gift For Rhea

Rhea is turning 25 on Saturday.  She is incredible fond of her little niece and is always asking to babysit.  I came across this photo from Andrea's Birthday and thought it would be perfect.  This is a little throw pillow for her room.  This was the first time I have used lace trim and it was much more difficult than I thought it was going to be but well worth it, I think it made a huge difference. 

This morning, baby blanket was done, washed and finally dry.  Perhaps tummy baby wants his blanket from Amma before s/he is born.  It is going in the mail tomorrow.  Amma promises.

Baby blankets

Today I finished the second of two baby blankets that I intend to be Tummy Baby's soft, security blankets. I'll make a few mini loveys out of the scraps.  They are really simple: minky on one side, flannel on the other, satin border. I will say that sewing the minky and the satin was a challenge because they pull and so your pinning gets off quickly.  Especially with the satin border.  I did a lot better on the second go around with the corners, though!

Wooden Rainbow Arches

Quay made this beautiful toy out of a piece of Hickory wood that he had in his shop.  I showed him a website with instructions for this toy when I was in Denver with Edie and he immediately ran into his shop and came out with the wood he ultimately used, saying he'd been looking for something to do with it.  I never thought he would find the time to make it - much less for Edie and our new arrival! What a guy! I just had to show this off somewhere. 

Here is where the instructions are:  http://prudentbaby.com/2012/01/baby-kid/wooden-rainbow-arches/

Activity Blanket

This activity blanket was made for Rachel Wider (Silva) whose baby boy is due June 16th.  I chose a little firmer cotton for the top and soft fleece for the backing.  Three Velcros, with two on opposite sides in case she wanted to fasten it to a stroller or a car seat.  Next time, if there is one, I'll chose a similar color for the backing and not a contrast that is so different that it interferes with the pictures on the material.  Perhaps making the tags using different feel material instead of just ribbons might be nice.

Hat and Leggings

 This hat and leggings are for age six months to one year.  It was knitted for a friend's grandchild.  It was knitted with Berroco, Comfort DK, 50% Super Fine Nylon and 50% Super Fine Acrylic.  Very soft but probably not very warm.  I knitted it on size 7 needles and the stitches were about 24-26 per four inches.

Activity / Travel Blanket for Infant

This blanket is a gift for a baby shower.  It is meant to be a small blanket with ribbon tabs and velcro loops to attach different toys to that a parent can use either in a stroller or car seat for baby to play with, or as a clean surface to let baby stretch out on when you are out of your house.  I would have gotten a lot of use out of this with Edie! I am planning to make more.

I have been planning this for ages.  It is not that hard to make at all.  And I am happy with how it turned out.  I used flannel on the back, so that is very soft.  I simplified the pattern I found a little, only adding one pocket and not adding velcro to the pocket (though things could fall out if you used it in the car or stroller, I thought velcro on the pocket would be annoying overall).  Also, I didn't have any of the fancy loops of self-stick velcro mentioned in the pattern.  What I did have was little squares of velcro, so I cut pieces of ribbon, sewed under the edges, and then sewed velcro to the ends and this accomplished the loops for changing up the toys you attach.  It would've been faster with the other stuff, but this turned out fine.

Here is the pattern / inspiration:  http://www.merrimentdesign.com/kids-travel-toy-blanket-with-velcro-loops-and-ribbon-tags.php