Sunday, January 9, 2011

Taggie Blanket

Before I knew how to use my sewing machine I wanted to make a Taggie Blanket.  And I finally had the NEED to make one...Baby Girl Baby Shower Gift!  And I am on the bandwagon of the pink and browns (as is the baby's momma).  My sister got me this adorable ribbon box that happens to be pink and brown...and I needed pink and brown ribbon....so I thought it only appropriate to use it for this project!  (I have a slight addiction to ribbon...so this is not anywhere near all of it, just most of my browns and pinks selections.)  THANK YOU TRICIA! 



I cut both the pink and brown material to a 19 inch square.  I'm such a novice 'seamstress' (ha ha!!) that I don't even know the name of the material I used.  It was super soft with little raised polka dots is all I know! 

Here are the ribbons I used.  Cut in 6 inch lengths.  I had such a variety that I only cut 4 of each and put 1 of each ribbon on each of the 4 sides of the taggie.




I actually folded over the ribbon and stitched it (totally not necessary!!!).  Then started pinning them down...in order...with the wide pink with brown polka dot ribbon lined up in the center.  (Gotta love that OCD!)  Make sure you pin them down about an inch from the edge on the RIGHT SIDE OF THE MATERIAL.  Of course, I put them on the wrong side when I made my 'prototype' mini one.  Lesson learned!  So make sure you pin them with the edges to the outside on the RIGHT SIDE of the material.

All pinned down and ready to add the 'back'.

Your ribbons will cross in the corners if you chose to go all the way to the corners.  It's ok. 
 
Pin down the backside.  I pinned about 1/2 inch from the edge.

Next, stitch all the way around leaving about 2-3 inches open so you can turn it in side out.

Remove your exposed pins (the ones pinning the back down).

Once that is complete, turn it right side out using this small opening.  BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL!  You will have lots of pins!!  Make sure you push all the corners out.  Remove all the pins...and admire your work!!!

And admire some more...


Then remember you have to stitch that little opening up that you used to turn it right side out.  I just folded in the material and did a straight stitch.  You can't even tell where it is!!!

Now, this is Just Jen's tutorial (or a shot at it!).  I got my basics from Chica and Jo.

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Making

Just Jen's Attempt at Subway Art...sorta

Busy times those holidays are! I've attempted (with success) several new projects and want to share them within the next few weeks. First up is my stab at Subway Art. I must say, they look so simple and so easy to do. However it turned into a MULTI-DAY project. Mostly because I was too chicken to start. I had envisioned this 'art' with all my family's names on it to give to my parents for Christmas. My project was nothing what I originally planned. That is why my blog heading says "Inspired by others". I took my original idea to my friend/cousin Karen. Before I left her house I had totally redesigned it with her much needed and appreciated input.  Let me tell you about her most awesome tool, the Gypsy!  If you don't know about a Gypsy, let me tell you, it ROCKS!!  If you have multiple (more than my measly 5) Cricut cartridges, this tool is a must have.  She has tons of cartridges loaded on hers and it made our work a lot easier. (Thank you Karen!!!) Enough with the talk....lets get to the pictures!

Original plan - 2x8 cut to an 18 inch length painted brown. Off-white letters with everyone's name just listed going down the wood. Boring, right? Yes, you can agree with me. ;)

Ended up with a 14x18 artist canvas spray painted black, off-white names arranged all over the canvas with my parents names 'dyed' a little darker shade.

Here is my spray painted black canvas.


Here is my final layout.


Here it is with some Mod Podge drying on it. I just worked in sections.

Ta da! Here it is finished! The only thing I didn't do was put our family name on it! Duh! That is how we are all connected! Oh well. We all know what the family name is.














So listed are:
Parents - Bill and Kathie (married in 1968)
Me and siblings - Andrea, Jenny, Tricia, and Bill
In-laws - Keith, Michael, Chris, and Shana
Grandkids - Kabrina, Storri, Richard, Ashley, Kiley, Levi, and Weston

And the best part....here are my parents checking it out after opening it!
















Again, thanks to Karen for her use of the Gypsy with all the different fonts and styles.  I only duplicated a few fonts and that was only because I loved those!

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