Handmade Baby Gift For A Boy

I've been keeping busy sewing up all kinds of fun things for gifts. It's hard to post a gift if you think there might be the slightest possibility that the recipient might actually read your blog. I can finally tell you about the diaper changing pad and diaper and wipes clutch I made for a friend who just had a sweet little boy. I used Sew Take a Hike's tutorial and machine quilted hibiscus fabric (using the reverse side of the pattern). I also tested out iron-on vinyl on cute polka dot fabric for the inside. I used the same fabric for the inside of the clutch, as well. If I was having another baby, I would sew make this for myself.

The gift wrapping was a sewn burlap sack closed with the scallop stitch I just discovered on my sewing machine. I also wanted to mention the colored elastic on the clutch is a hair band. I've got them in every color now!

I've got a couple more posts coming up with some more gifts I've made. I might just risk it and post them early.

Embroidered Onesie Baby Gift

I'm really starting to get crafty now. This blog has seriously helped me go from "Oh, that's cute, maybe I'll make something like that" (when I get around to it) to a "just do it" attitude. I designed the little girl holding a balloon and embroidered it on a piece of linen and sewed it on a onesie for a colleague's newborn. The card was made using Wordle and I used Colourlovers to help choose the colors. And finally, I sewed up a brown paper bag and called it gift wrap. This was the creative me I was always supposed to be!

Teacher Gift Revealed

I can finally show off the teacher gift I made for Christmas for my son's kindergarten teacher. It's a tri-fold portfolio that holds personalized note cards and note pad. I designed and printed the note cards at home and purchased the envelopes from a local "Paper Source" supplier. I used Vistaprint for the notepad and uploaded my design. I used repurposed linen for the cover and green gingham and Amy Butler fabric for the inside. I had my son draw the cover design and then I embroidered it. (I'm really loving that idea!) Then I wrapped it in potato stamp paper that my son made. That part was really easy. I used cookie cutters on the potatoes and then cut off a slice to create the stamp. It took no time at all and I liked the feel of having the whole gift be homemade by both me and my son.

I'm thinking of making a tutorial of the portfolio and note cards, to give back to the extremely generous blogging community.