Arts and Crafts

So I didn't nest when I was pregnant with Luke. In fact, I hated cleaning and organizing even more than usual (it might have had something to do with the whole painful uterus thing...). I don't enjoy housework. Who does? Instead of nesting, I go all out in the arts and crafts department.

And the evidence shows:

Exhibit A - Hooded Towel for sweet boy. I got one of these from a friend when Aleana was born, and I loved it. So I manage to make them for friends having babies, as well as my babies. Super easy, it takes about 20 minutes from start to finish(bath towel, 1/2 a hand towel or washcloth, and ribbon if you want to be creative). Total cost: $11

Exhibit B - Hooter Hider. So I brought one of these when Hannah was born ($35!), and I really liked it even though it had a few design flaws. I didn't think it was long enough or wide enough. I think it needed to be longer, so I could tuck the bottom edge under the baby to prevent baby from kicking the cover off and me from flashing poor unsuspecting victims. I wished it was a little wider, so I could drape it over my shoulder and the side where my shirt was lifted up - that way my "fluffiness" wouldn't be out there for all mankind to see. So I decided to make my own with said improvements, and this is the result. I must say, I love, love, LOVE the fabric - got it at Joann's with a 50% off coupon. Also needed corset boning, old washcloth and a buckle. Total cost: $8

Exhibit C - This is actually a "4-leaf clover" blanket. I should have gotten a better picture, but this will have to do. It's in the shape of a clover and is designed to fit in the infant car seat. There is holes cut out for the buckles, that way you can bundle your baby after you buckle and not have to worry about the blanket falling off. It has really come handy. I got the fabric, which was already cut out, serged and hemstitched from www.hemstitcher.com. This website is awesome and literally has 100's of different flannel prints to choose from. All I did was crochet the edge (filigree stitch) - which was time consuming enough. Total cost: $35

Exhibit D - A nice cozy quilt for sweet boy. I had set out to do a piece work quilt, when I happened to come across some fabric that was already pieced for me (great pieces with different textured fabrics). It was expensive ($17.99 a yard), but luckily I had my trusty %50 off coupon. And normally I don't do appliques, but I really liked this dog. I thought it would be way too cute for a little boy. The colors of the fabric match Luke's bedding colors which meant I was in love and I had to have it. I used low-loft polyester batting, and cotton backing try to keep it cozy, but not too hot. Then I tied it while watching some good ol' TV. Not too shabby. The initial pinning and sewing took about 1 1/2 hours (including interruptions from a 2 years old), and the tying took a night of watching TV. The quilt size is 1 1/2 yards. I know it seems big for newborns, but it grows with them. In fact Trent and Hannah both still use the ones I made for them when they were babies. The total cost: $27

Exhibit E - I wished I had remembered to take a "before" picture. We have 2 chairs like this that we use in the living room. They are hand-me-downs from someone else. The wood is in great condition. The upholstery however, was looking pretty sad (imagine holes and foam poking out everywhere). I went to the local home fabric shop that has awesome prices on upholstery fabric (which means it was not Joann's, as their upholstery fabrics are way too expensive). Then I went to work with my friend, the staple gun. Although I think it could have been a better friend by being an automatic, because man, my hands were burning. I think it turned out pretty darn good.

Exhibit F - When we moved from Colorado to Idaho, the movers managed to lose a couch cushion. How they managed to lose just one back couch cushion - from a shrink-wrapped couch, I will never know. I promised Tracy that I would find a cushion to complete the couch before Luke was born. I had been putting it off, partly because I wasn't sure where to start, and partly because I just didn't feel like it. First I called the place where the couch was purchased from to see if the company still made that couch. Maybe I could order another cushion. Um, ya - the lady just laughed at me. I really wanted to match the couch, but when she laughed, I figured that wasn't going to happen. So, off to the cheap upholstery fabric store I go. I talked to the lady there, and she recommended I find someone who does upholstery work. Once I did that, and after I picked out my fabric (I took a risk and decided to go bold), I took it to the upholstery guys and they made me some new back cushions for the couch (they provided the foam). I would have just done it myself, but my sewing machine was in no way strong enough for the fabric I picked out. The whole ordeal cost me $80 bucks! (highway robbery) But now I have a couch that you can rest your back on. And I got that done just in time. Luke was born the next day.
Oh, and notice the pillows? I made those to tie everything in. It brings the rust cushions and off-white couch together, and the green in the fabric matches the newly covered chairs.

Exhibit G - Another quilt for sweet boy. After using the above nice and cozy quilt, it became clear to me that it was still a little too warm for Luke (next winter it will be perfect). He likes to be cuddled and swaddled, but doesn't appreciate getting too warm. So, back to the fabric store I go (Joann's is making a small fortune off of me...). I found this fabric on sale. It's a simple quilt, which in my experience, the kids tend to like the best. I also like it. That way, when it gets stained or dragged though the dirt, I won't feel so angry because it took me a whole 1 1/2 hours to make instead of days.

Exhibit H - Super Hero Cape. I made this on a whim to surprise Hannah. She has been on a super hero kick lately. And me, trying to be industrious, used some old scrap fabric and ribbon to get the job done. I obviously didn't have a pattern, so I just winged it. Hannah loves it. Total cost: Free. Well not free, because I had to buy the stuff at some point, but free as in, I didn't have to buy more stuff and could use old stuff that was just collecting dust. Besides, who doesn't want a super hero cape with hearts on it? :)