Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Blanket Tutorial - Car Seat Cover

Here's Heidi!  I just love her blog Trying it Out!  And she's so sweet!  Make sure to stop by and tell her hello!!

I am Heidi and I blog over at trying it out. I used to be a junior high math teacher, until I had my first daughter, who is now four. I also have a 22 month old daughter and a pretty great husband (most the time anyway :) ). I love to create, but I am not creative. Fortunately I have the rest of the blogging world to inspire me, and I often use their help to make something. I am too independent to ask someone to teach me, so I learn by trial and error, often more error. I just like having a place to keep track of all the things I make, and my progression. This is my first time being featured, and I am pretty excited about it, Thanks Amanda for giving me a chance, and for always helping me find more inspiration


Car Seat Cover/Nursing Cover Tutorial
Car Seat cover

add a strap
Nursing Cover

You will need: one yard of front fabric (I used cotton quilting fabric)
one yard of back fabric (I used Chenille)
scraps of wool felt-optional (for flower)
Velcro (the sew on kind, not the sticky kind, it will gunk up your machine)
basic sewing tools (thread, scissors, pins, etc)

Cut both pieces about 35 inches wide, give or take (forgive me, I decided to do the tutorial after finishing, so all my pictures are of the finished product, not during the process)


and about 43 inches long

using a bowl, plate, or something round, round the edges of your fabric
sew the flower on.  I used leftover felt from this and followed to same general steps, just making it smaller


then sew the two pieces together, wrong sides together, leaving a space for turning
turn right sides out and top stitch (I did three rounds of top stitch, because I liked the look of it.  You could do one or two)


now make the straps for attaching to the car seat

I sewed to rectangles of chenille together measuring about 3.5" by 7.5".  I sewed them right sides together, then turned them right side out and top stitched.  I repeated for the second strap.


Then I sewed Velcro on, so it could wrap around the car seat handle.  Make sure you place the Velcro on opposite sides, so it can wrap flat

it will Velcro closed like this

Then I sewed the straps on (I did two seams down the center to attach each strap)

if you enlarge this picture, you will see the straps are about 13" down from the top
and about 21 inches up from the bottom (yours do not have to be exact)

place them about 10" in on either side

and about 8 inches apart

now make the strap, for the nursing cover


I sewed two rectangles right sides together, measuring 25.5"x3.5" and turned them right sides out.  Then I top stitched around

now you are done

if you feel inclined, embellish a cute burp cloth to go with it (I just used scrap fabric, some leftover lace hem tape, and some lace.  The lace came on a spool and so it already had a tendency to roll.  I just stared a circle on the outside, and rolled it in to the center)
Did you know that  My Vinyl Designer offers FREE downloads of some of their designs?  Go check them out!!
My Vinyl Designer Modern Art for the Home

Where I've been

Hey ladies...it feels like it's been awhile since I've been here!

Gosh - life has gotten *insane*

Email still not working -- and yahoo is still unreachable -- so I think I'm switching to gmail!
And last week - I got into a car accident.  A man's brakes went out and my poor car!  So I've been dealing with insurance companies and body shops.  

And to be honest -- so busy but I'm back.  And it feels nice to go back to "normal" :) 

I have a great blanket post that will be up in just a minute! But I've received lots of comments/tweets from y'all so thanks for missing me! :)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Wednesday's Features

I am STILL waiting to hear back from yahoo.  Which means I am STILL unable to login to my email account right now (and I'm kind of scared about what my inbox looks like....) So I'm not ignoring anyone!  Just waiting!
Have you joined the Do It Yourself Community? (Click over to the left to join!) Stop in and add your self to the creative blog directory.  This is a new group - but I'm hoping to start doing monthly live chats as soon as we get enough members!  If you've never done a live chat - It's so much fun!  A great way to get to know the people behind the blogs, get inspired and have fun! 
Sew This.
Sew Can Do shows you how to make a cute chair for your kids.
 
Little Sprinkles of Fun used the Belle Dress tutorial from Crafter Hours to make this super comfy dress up outfit.
 
Em-Magination made her own pillow pet!
 
Isn’t this dress sweet?  {Bucket of Buttons}
 
Show Tell Share made a pretty sweater bag.
Craft This.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this rustic sign from House Revivals.
Aren’t these hair bows sweet!? They are made from candy wrappers! {Craft Zine}
 birthdaywreath
I’m in love with the party blower wreath from Silly Pearl.
 
What a great quick gift!  Personalized mugs from Running With Glitter.
 
My Decorating addiction has these cool PB kids knock off decorations.

Print This.
Eighteen25 has this great teacher print – perfect for last day of school.
 
AND Eighteen25 also has a great filler print.  That way you can keep those frames up even when there isn’t a holiday!

My Poppet made a felt ABC print.
 05 image - loved you yesterday
01 image - if you live to be a hundred
Sprik Space has LOTS of love prints for you to chose from -  10 different prints in like a bazillion colors! 
 
Tidy mom has this oh so true print.  Double heart.
Eat This.
Shugary Sweets has a recipe for Mile High Caramel Bars.
 
Sweet Treats and More made ice cream sundae cupcakes with caramel frosting.  :)  {That makes me happy}
 
Andy loves eclaire cake.  The Country Cook has a recipe!
 
And I’m a sucker for smores!  Sweet Escape Bakery has smore bars.
 beer jello
And I thought these beer jellos were kind of cute. {Yes, I said cute beer}  How fun would they be for a 21st birthday party? {Sugar Swings}
Did you know that  My Vinyl Designer offers FREE downloads of some of their designs?  Go check them out!!
My Vinyl Designer Modern Art for the Home

Monday, May 9, 2011

Ahhh -- Email isn't working!

{Well in case you can't tell from my post title...my email isn't working}

Dumb.

All of the fabulous blanket tutorials are - you guessed it in my email. 

Double dumb.

The password doesn't work.  Tried to reset it online.  But the computer told me I would have to contact customer service.

Triple Dumb.

Hopefully customer service emails me soon!  If you have emailed me lately and I haven't responded -- so sorry!  I'm not ignoring you!  Hopefully I will be reconnected soon!

Friday, May 6, 2011

April's Blogger of the Month Winner - Just Another Hang Up

Just Another Hang UpHooray!  Thanks to everyone who linked up!  I love seeing all of the great projects!  This month's winner was Just Another Hang Up with her tooth pillows!  They are SO cute!


You've seen Just Another Hang Up featured here a few times! 
There are so many awesome projects on her blog.
Isn't this pillow gorgeous?  I love it!!

And she has an awesome Etsy shop!
Wristlet Pink and Chocolate Damask

Make sure to go check her out!  You will love EVERYTHING that she makes!!

And a special thanks to  My Vinyl Designer  for donating the prize!  Did you know that they offer FREE downloads of some of their designs?  Go check them out!!
My Vinyl Designer Modern Art for the Home