Father's Day Preview

This is a little preview of the craft the kids and I did for Father's day. I bought a plain white shirt and Braden, Logan and Abby helped me decorate it!! Braden's handprints are blue, Logan's are green, and Abby's are yellow. I wrote, "Best dad, hands down" on it.

I was worried that it wouldn't turn out well. The boys do not enjoy having their hands messy. Abby has never really had her hands messy, at least not like this. After a practice run on paper we were ready. I did them in order of age, and they all did great!! I was so proud!! As far as I am concerned, it turned out perfect!!

I think Trad is going to be really surprised on Sunday. I have read articles saying that articles of clothing saying "best dad" and things such as that are on the bad gifts list, but I disagree!! I think any dad would be proud to wear his children's handprints. I know Trad is proud of the kids, and he will be proud of this too!!

Ladybug, ladybug...

This is a sample of Abby's birthday invitations. I wanted to do a ladybug party, but with softer colors. I decided to go with pink and yellow, because I like it!!

I made these using 2 big ovals in coordinating colors. The head is a smaller oval, and so are the spots. I cut the large pink oval in half, placed it over the yellow oval, and put the smaller pink oval (head) underneath. I secured it together with a pink brad.

This is the invitation opened up. I think it turned out so cute!! I don't know if you can see, but it says, "Our little lady is turning One!" Isn't that so clever?? (It wasn't my idea. I saw it on some ready-made invitations.)
I just wanted to share my sudden burst of creativity. I can't believe my baby is going to be One in a couple weeks!! I will post party pictures later.

Everyone loves a blanket!!!

Hmmm...Let's see what I am doing here.
I saw this fleece fabric at Hobby Lobby and I had to have it. The puzzle piece pattern is the symbol for autism awareness. I though it was appropriate. I am making 2 tie blankets, one for Braden and one for a very special family we know. Hopefully they won't meander over here and see it! I though I would share exactly how I make them in case someone else wants to make one too!! It is relatively inexpensive and easy to do. I bought this fabric for 5.99 and 7.99 a yard.

For an kid/adult blanket you need 1 1/2 yards of fabric in 2 different coordinating patterns. (For a baby blanket use 1 yard of fabric.)

Place the fabric on top of each other with the right sides facing out. Trim the fabric so that it is roughly the same size. You then need to decide how long you want your fringe to be. I think mine is around 3 inches. The most important part of the blanket is making sure you cut a "square" out at each corner. (Shown above.)


After you cut the square on each corner you need to go around the entire fabric cutting your fringe. It doesn't have to be perfect. You can make the fringe as wide/narrow as you like. The wider, the less cuts and ties you have to make. (brilliant!!) Although, I think the narrow ties better. It's your choice. To keep up with the length of the fringe, (that does need to be about the same) I made a mark on my scissors to use as a guide. Start at one corner and go all the way around the fabrics (they are still on top of each other) so that you are cutting both pieces of fabric at once.
Once you get done cutting the fringe, it is time for the tying. Start at one corner and take a piece of fringe from both fabrics, one on top of the other, and tie a knot.

A single knot, not a double. Tie the fringe tight the first time around so you don't have to go back over it.

You will want to make sure that you tie each knot the same way. You want the fringe from the top pattern to be on the bottom side, and vice versa. (see above pic.) It doesn't have to be this way, but I think it looks much better like this.

This is how the fringe will look as you are tying it. Just go all the way around the fabric tying the knots in the same way.

This is what your finished product will look like!! It only takes an hour or so to do.

After you finish roll it up and use a scrap piece of fabric to tie it with.

I had so much fun making this!! I love that it is no sew!!

Ready for giving!!!!!!!!!!!