Monday, January 31, 2011

Blanket Party w/ giveaway

Gabe's Gifts
Hey guys!  It's the end of the month - which means blanket party time!   Don't forget each Monday you can see a special blanket tutorial here at Today's Top 20, We're the Joneses, and This & That Creative

For anyone new - I've started a blanket drive this year to raise blankets for Project Linus.  Why?  To donate blankets in my son Gabe's name.  I lost our baby in August due to a miscarriage.  I really wanted something positive to be associated with his name.  And giving back is the best way to do that.

Project Linus is such a great organization.  They donate handmade blankets to kids (newborn - teens) who need them the most.  I'm really happy to be working with them.

March is going to be a really hard month for me.  My due date was actually my birthday - March 14.  So I'm hoping to make a blanket drop off.  If you have any blanket that you would be willing to donate - please send them my way! {You can email me at amandablogs(at)yahoo}


Here is one of the receiving blankets I made with the help from Raspberry Creek Fabric.  She really went above and beyond - sending me super cute flannel for 4 blankets!  THANK YOU! :) Make sure to check our her shop for super cute prints!
And I have a taggie blanket ready.  This was thanks to Sew It Up Fabric.  She has kits that come with the adorable fabric, minky and ribbon all ready to go.  The instructions are super easy.  This was such a fun, quick project!

  So link up any blanket project you've got.  Mail me your blankets to get donated.  Email if you are interested in guest posting a blanket tutorial (it will be seen here, We're The Joneses and This & That Creative). 

Can't wait to see your projects!!
I'll pick one project using random to send out a little package of my favorite crafty things so make sure I'm able to get your email address! :)

Sunday, January 30, 2011

BIG DAY TOMORROW!!!

Tomorrow is the blanket party!  WOOT WOOT!!! My Vinyl Designer is giving away a HUGE prize to one of the links!!! Make sure you link up!


AND ...

Tuesday is the Blogger of the Month Link up!  Pick any project you've done in January and link it up here for the chance to win - 1 free month ad space, a blog spot light post AND a great prize from My Vinyl Designer!!  We'll (meaning me, and 2 fabulous guest judges) will pick out our favorites and then you will vote on the winner! 

I.can't.wait!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Tuesday's Features


So the other day I was on the phone with my BFF Katie.  I said did I tell you about Josh?  She goes, No I read it on your blog. Uhhhh ..... weird.  I really didn't think anyone actually read what I wrote --- you all came for the pictures.  {Maybe it's because she's my friend....}  lol  So thanks for anyone who reads my words!! And Hi Katie! :)
And now for the pictures:
Sew This:
Flamingo Toes and 12 Crafts til Christmas have teamed up and are doing a great series – Blog Spa Week! Woo Hoo! :) Along with giveaways there are great tutorials like this awesome Scrubbie – and bath soak!

Small Fry and Co has a checkbook cover tutorial.  I am thinking about making one.  Because I have a checkbook.  But no checks….I don’t ever use them anymore.  Hooray for online banking!  But I do get into my checkbook to find my routing number.  So I think I deserve a cute cover – right?  Routing numbers never looked so good!
Card 10 How to: Make Sewn Valentines
These sewn valentines are super cute.  {Fave Crafts}
Sew Homegrown was inspired by Gap to make this cupcake and rose shirt!
DSCF4469
A Lemon Squeezy Home has a great diaper clutch tutorial available.  This would make a great gift for any mama!
 Crafts:
2009 01 14 033
{Scrapper Girl version}
{Eighteen25 version}
I was on Eighteen25 and saw this heart garland from Scrapper Girl.  LOVE IT!  I love both versions.  I want one!!
 

Dittle Dattle has an awesome mirror fro DeJa Renew!  I’m impressed!
 
How pretty is this Doily Headband from A Girl And  A Glue Gun.

Full of great ideas has lots of pretty desk stuff for you to make.  Don’t just organize.  Make it pretty!
The story from A-Z shows you how to make pretty paper flowers.

Print This:
olliegraphic, free printable valentine, free download valentine, color your own valentine
Ollie Graphic has these cute color your own Valentines for you to print. 
Knitty Bitties has a cute little printable Bible quote for your desk. 
Mom and Wife has a cute I love you printable.
Moster Cookie Mix 009 Edit 465
I love this monster mix! :) How cute! {Workman Family}
Who is ready for some football?  Get your football printables over at It is what it is!
Eat This:
I’ve got 2 smore cupcakes.  I love smores.  Addicting.
This one is from Oopsey Daisy.
Bake it in a cake shows you how to make these super cute heart cupcakes.
Do you like chicken cordon bleu?  Me too!  {A Little Bit of Everything}
For any of those anti-Valentine’s Day people out there…how about a cupcake?  {Everyone needs a cupcake} .  Cupcake takes the cake has some for you!
Go check out the ladies at My Vinyl Designer
They're sponsoring our Blogger of the Month and Blanket Party!! Better get some ideas! :)


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Tuesday's Features

Remember: Only 6 days left until the Blanket Party
AND
7 days left until the Blogger of the Month Party!
Start picking out your projects!

All Prizes are donated by the fabulous ladies of

Sew This:
Jill {Homemade By Jill} has a cute casserole carrier tutorial on her blog!  Who wouldn’t want to bring dinner in one of these?
I love ruffles!  See Kate Sew added some to a hoodie!
OCD – Obsessive Crafting Disorder- made drawstring bags for her son’s party.
Copy Craft has a cute ruffle heart pillow.
00ssmonster
This is the cutest soap monster!  Everyday Chaos made him and I love it!
Craft This:
glittershoes6 Boring Shoe Redo
Everyone deserves some glitter shoes.  Clumsy Crafter has a how to.
Want to make a ring out of a quarter?  Did you even know that you could make a ring out of a quarter?  A Law Student's Journey shows you how.
I have been wanting to make one of these forever.  Clean and Scentsible has a boot tray how to that rocks! (get it…rocks?)
Crafts and Such has this great Sweetheart wreath!
And in case you wanted another wreath option…how about this yarn wreath from  Apple Loves Orange?
Print This:
I’m sure you’ve seen this I-Phone Valentine from Living Locurto.  If you have – that’s ok – it’s cute enough to look at again.  And if you haven’t.  You are amazed huh? :)
 free valentine's heart printable
Courtney from Pizzazzerie is such a sweet gal!  And look!  7 Valentine’s Day printables!  (Actually her whole site is amazing…)
 
Eighteen25 has these super cute valentine’s.  So fortunate to have you.  Way adorable.
Just Because 20 - ABC I Love You - 5x7 - Sprik Space






















Spirk Space just keeps coming with the cute stuff!
 
Um do I need to tell you that this is cute?   Kate Landers Events has them for you on her site!
Eat This:
Andy loves white cheese dip!  We will be making this for sure!! {Food, Folks, and Fun}
Living My Life On Purpose has a recipe for 5 can chili. 
 
Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes.  Sounds delish!  Visit Creations by Kara for the recipe!
 Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls on a Plate
Pinch My Salt has these super cute heart shape cinnamon rolls.  Guess what we are having for breakfast 2/14?!
 
There is a new cupcake blog out there!  The Cupcake Challenge.  A new recipe each week.  This week there is a Margarita Cupcake.  I love the lime on top! I can’t wait to see more!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Guest Post: Tea Rose Home and her Swaddle Blanket

I just love Tea Rose Home.  Sachiko is seriously talented!  And I was so excited she agreed to post today! :) You have to check out her blog.  Everything she makes turns out amazing!!

Hi everyone! I am Sachiko from Tea Rose Home. On my blog I share sewing, quilting, repurposing ideas (and don't miss the free tutorials!) and sometimes yummy recipes too. I host link parties every Wednesday. If you love to see what people are working on and want to be inspired, come visit me and join the fun!

Amanda asked me to be a guest blogger for her blog, and I am totally honored to be here. Thank you for inviting me Amanda!

Today, I am sharing a tutorial for a self binding method to make swaddle blankets. I hope you will enjoy it!

I have made so many blankets in the past. I think this is one of the most easiest ways to make baby blankets. It might be a little confusing at first, folding the corner, but once you get used to it, you can finish a blanket in no time!
I have made so many blankets in the past. I think this is one of the most easiest ways to make baby blankets. It might be a little confusing at first, folding the corner, but once you get used to it, you can finish a blanket in no time!


{You will need}

1- 43" X 43" flannel (It was 44" wide flannel, I cut off the sides to get rid of the writings and thickness. This fabric will be the outer border.)

1- 36" X 36" flannel

Matching thread

{How to}

1. Mark the middle for all sides for both fabrics. Lay them together with right sides together. First, pin the middle of the four sides. Then pin the edges starting in the middle make your way outwards to the corners.


2. Start sewing using 1/4" seam allowance. Remember to leave a 5" opening for you to turn the fabric inside out later.



3. Fold the corner. Draw a line to help you to know where to sew. Use the picture as a guide.



4. Cut the excess off. Repeat the process for the other corners.



5. Press the seam towards the outside with an iron.



6. Turn the fabric inside out. Iron. Pin the opening and top stitch all around the blanket.



7. Ta-da. That's it!


Wasn't that fun? I have been going through my stash and made some in the past few weeks. They always come in handy for baby showers and such. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial!