Memory Quilt

When something unimaginable sad happens, like many people, I never know the right words to say. The experts say all you can really say is "I'm so sorry." But sometimes sorry, just doesn't feel like enough. So when one of Superman's co-workers lost her 6 month old baby to SIDS last summer, and I didn't know how to express just how I felt for that mother, that father, and their darling baby... I offered to make a memory quilt from his baby clothes. This was the most touching sewing project I've ever worked on. I hope I never ever have to make another one.

Update: Here is a picture of Cooper's newborn baby sister, his mom's Rainbow Baby, laying on his quilt.

Note: Through this story, I have learned that siblings born after a SIDS loss are usually called "Rainbow babies." I love this term because it means: a beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and gives hope of things getting better. Storm-clouds might still be overhead as the family continue to cope with the loss, but something colorful and bright has emerged from the darkness and misery.

Onesie for the boys

I came up with a cute onesie for my friend's little boy.  Although really, this could be for a boy or a girl!

I used the actual strap from a play medal I had leftover from prizes for a scavenger hunt.  And I printed out the "medal" on iron transfer paper, and ironed it on to muslin, then sewed it on to the onesie.  You might be able to just iron it straight on to the onesie, but I think the muslin holds the color/image better than the onesie tshirt material.

I might have to do some "big boy" versions for Thing 1 and Thing 2.

More onesie fun

I'm just a nut for onesies right now!!  My last two posts have been about snazzing up plain onesies, and this post is no exception.

One of my best friends is pregnant with a baby girl.  Can you guess what she is naming her?

Here is a hint:

One more hint:

I hope she likes these little onesies I made for her little bundle of joy!

Now, I have to find a cute idea to do for a little boy for my other good friend currently expecting her 3rd boy!

Onesie Dress

To continue on with my obsession of re-fashioning plain onesies, I also found a great tutorial on how to make a dress using a plain onesie and some scrap material.

Here is the dress from the tutorial:

I started with a plain pink, short sleeve onesie from Hobby Lobby.

My skirt is actually made from fabric I have left over from my sorority letter making days in college.

I can't wait to see this on a pretty little girl.

Hoosier Onesie

One of my cousins had a baby girl last week.  I've been trying to think of something to make for them.

Recently, I stumbled on this awesome onesie on Pinterest.com

Since my cousin and his wife are both from Indiana, but living in Colorado, I decided to redo this onesie and put my own spin on it.  I think it came out so cute!

Notice that Indiana is made from a vegetable patch fabric! I thought it was so appropriate for this agricultural state.

I hope they love it and think of home every time she wears it.

Update:  Here is a picture of the blessed baby wearing the finished product

Up-Cycled Sweater Dress version 2.0

Okay, I forgot to take a photo of the before.  But this was a big bulky sweater with a HUGE turtleneck.  I was able to cut it down and make the neck more like a mock-turtleneck.  It ended up being pretty short (it'd been badly shrunken), but it will still make for a great long sweater over a pair of itty-bitty skinny jeans!

Then I crocheted a rose for the shoulder.  Adorable!

For the record, Thing 1 will be a great model one day.  He is not picky about what I put on him!

Update:  Here is a picture of the actual little lady the sweater was made for with her wearing it!  Doesn't she look darling.

Up-cycled Sweater Dress

So, like many crafters, I have developed an obsession with Pinterest.com.  I am so overwhelmed sometimes with good ideas that I'm finding myself working on multiple projects at once.

Last night I was cleaning out/re-organizing my bedroom closet and I came across a few cute sweaters that no longer fit.  Actually, they no longer fit for two reasons.  #1 I have gained weight (duh!) and #2 they've been dried (read: shrunken!).  I've been holding on to them because they are cute and I was holding out hope that if I lost enough weight, that they'd eventually fit again.  But at this point, I've decided to give up the ghost and just get rid of them.

But wait, I remember pinning something into my "If I had a little girl" board on pinterest where a woman does a tutorial on how to turn an old sweater into an a-line toddler dress.

Following the instructions (and using one of Thing 1 & Thing 2's 3T long sleeve shirts), I was able to make a super cute and soft sweater dress for one stylish little Lady Bug.

The sweater before:

Cutting the shape of the dress out:

The dress after:

Thing 1 is about the same size as the Lady Bug, so I made him try it on for me.  He was happy to help.

Do you think he'll hate me for this one day?

I made a few mistakes along the way, but besides the arms being a tad short, I think it turned out great.  I'm ready to try making another one with my other sweater.  And it's not a cowl neck, so it should be easier.