I posted the first baby quilt I made for Sadie a few months ago here. Following the theme, I made 2 more: one for baby button and one for baby Eli – both due in late March.

Since the babies are practically twins by due date (although not  by parents), I made them pretty similar. Eli is a boy and deserved a fun blue blanket:

Buttton is unknown, so he or she got a fun green quilt. Some of the fabrics have been used before and some are from his or her Grandma:

Button’s is backed with Green fleece and Eli’s is backed with white minky fabric. They are not filled with anything to make them thicker since I think most kids like a light blankie to drag around – at least my kids do!

I can’t wait to hold those babies!

I love to cook. (Surprised?) I love to bake. I love to encourage others to cook and bake. So with the help of my Mom (thanks, mom!), I made my newlywed cousin an apron with a pocket filled with recipes for Christmas!

She’s young so I wanted to keep it hip. I wanted her to feel young and crazy as she tried new recipes for her and her hubby. I hope she gets a lot of use out it!

This is not my cousin, but a sweet friend, Alex, who willingly tried it on for pictures! Thanks, Alex!

Have any fun recipes you’d pass along to a newlywed? Post them in the comments!

Wouldn’t it just make you smile to find this trick-or-treating at your door?

My very talented mother made this custom Brobee costume that fit my son perfectly! I love the hood!

This year he wants to be an ambulance…. I’ll post photos soon!

A friend of mine just had a new baby girl and I had to make her a fun quilt but, being a crazy mom, I had a limited amount of time. I am not lying when I tell you that I made this “quilt” in about 2 1/2 hours! I prewashed the fabrics a day or two ahead of time and did the rest in one night.

I started by cutting squares of fabric in different colors and patterns. I cut about 6 each 17 1/2″ square. I cut them this size because I wanted to cut them 18″ and was a little short when I measured. So as you can see, this isn’t perfection – but it works!

After I had quite a few patterns and colors cut out, I arranged them and decided to use 3 across and 4 down in 2 different colored polka dots.

I stitched the top pieces together and pinned it to a piece of fleece. I cut around it to have a perfectly sized backing to the blanket. Since it was a thick soft fleece, I didn’t have to use batting inside.

I then stitched the fleece to the pieced top (right sides together, and already pre-pinned!) and flipped it back inside in. I topstitched around the edges and then I took a break!

Lastly, instead of traditional quilting, I did small ties at each intersection.

I hope Sadie enjoys her new blanket. Her future best friend agreed to model it for a photo:

Try to make one and send me some pictures if you do!

September’s Sandbox Press craft article is an homage to Back-to-school arts projects and home cooking!  It’s versatility makes it well used in our house already!

You can make this simple smock with a kitchen towel using basic sewing skills with a sewing machine or by hand. You can also personalize the smock for your child with just a few extra steps.

Not only is this a practical craft, but it’s also inexpensive and has multiple uses! The dishtowel can be one from your kitchen or purchased at a dollar store. The smock is intended to be used for art projects but can easily double as an apron for young cooks helping out in the kitchen.

Supplies:

1. 1 Dishtowel
2. 2 yards of 2” wide thick ribbon, such as grosgrain
3. Sewing machine or needle and thread

For optional personalizing:

1. Foam letters (like ones for playing in the bathtub)
2. Glue gun and glue
3. Spare piece of wood, such as a 2×4, about 8” long
4. Fabric or Acrylic Paint

Steps:

1. Fold the top corners under twice and stitch down along the edge for arm holes, leaving about 6” of fabric across the top.

After stitching both sides, it should look like this:

2. Fold the bottom of the dishtowel about 6” up to shorten the smock. It is best to hold the smock up to your child and decide on the best length for him or her. Stitch it across the top or on each side to make a pocket. Stitch up the pocket 2 or 3 times to create 3 or 4 pockets for supplies!

3. For the neck strap, cut a piece of ribbon about 20” long. Fold each end under twice and stitch to the back of the top of dishtowel.

4. For the ties, cut two pieces of ribbon about 18” long. Fold one end under and stitch closed on each piece . Then stitch the other end to the dishtowel at each side, again folding under to keep it from fraying.

5. Your art smock is finished! Try it on and start painting!

Front:

Back:

Optional personalization steps:

1. Pick out your child’s name from foam letters.

2. With a hot glue gun, attach the letters to your piece of wood, remembering to write the name as a mirror image of what you’ll want it to look like.

3. Dip the board in paint or paint each letter individually.

4. Press the board onto the art smock. If it isn’t clear enough, just use a paintbrush with your paint to make it bolder.

Voila!

Have you tried any of the Sandbox Press Crafty Kids crafts? If so, let me know!