Another baby quilt

Here's a quilt I just made for my friend Cecelia's baby who is due this Friday. She likes the Amy Butler fabrics so I thought these colors were good for a baby boy (from her Lotus line). The backing is like the other baby quilts I make - the soft "cuddles" fabric (so soft!). These are great quilts for playing on or for cuddling up to when they get older.

Home grown salad greens

What can these four images create?

This! Yum, yum!

My mom bought me a bowl of salad greens for my backyard the other week and I've loved having it to make sandwiches for lunch. Here's how I make a delicious chicken sandwich.

Grill one chicken breast.

Toast one whole wheat bagel in the toaster.

Cut some lettuce greens and basil and wash. Make sure to wash well and check for insects. I found a small green caterpillar-looking thing on mine the other day after I had washed it.

Place some dijon mustard on the bagel. Top with the cooked chicken, lettuce and basil.

Really yummy and fresh tasting. The basil does the trick, I think. I love me some basil!

Also, the great thing about the lettuce bowl is that it won't go bad. I feel like whenever I buy lettuce, I only end up using about one fourth of it and end up having to throw it out.

Try growing your own lettuce or pick up a lettuce bowl the next time you're out and about. I think you'll enjoy it if you don't already do this at home.

Got scraps?

My favorite thing about making quilts is the scraps! They seem to keep pile up and I love finding things to do with them. The other day you saw how easy it was to turn them into cute burp cloths. Today I have another easy project. This one won't take more than 15 minutes.

FABRIC COASTERS

Here's what you do:

Cut 2 5x5 squares of coordinating scraps

Cut 1 5x5 batting scrap

Place the two scraps right sides together. Lay the batting on the bottom and stitch all three pieces together using a 1/2 inch seam. Start on the bottom 1/3 in the middle on one side and go around the way around, leaving an opening. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

Trim all the way around except for where the opening is and turn it inside out - make sure to get the corners out nicely. Turn the seam you didn't cut inside the coaster to enclose the space and press.

See how I trimmed all the way around except for where the opening is located?

This is the opposite side with the batting. The picture before this is the side with the two fabrics- right sides together.

Now go around the entire coaster with a 1/4 inch seam starting at one corner and ending where you began to close up the open edge and finish it off.

See how easy! I think these would make a great housewarming gift and the more you make, the better they'll turn out.

What else are you gonna do with all those scraps?

Online shopping

I've become addicted now that I have a baby and taking her anywhere is so much more of an ordeal. So much for my running around from store to store to find the best bargains. Now I just look online and order there. I have to say one thing I've learned is to google what you're buying and "promo code" to see if there are any discount codes you can enter to get 10% off or maybe even more. It usually works. I just ordered this really cute Swaddle Designs swaddling blanket b/c I LOVE the one I have and it's the only one big enough that will really "swaddle" Emery. I was watching The Doctors the other day and some tripletts who all just had babies got to design a new blanket for Swaddle Designs and I REALLY like the design. So yes, I caved and just ordered one - BUT - I googled to see if there was a discount and there was so I got it for only $21 instead of $25. Too bad the shipping was $9! I almost caved and bought $75 worth of stuff so I could have free shipping, but I decided spending $30 was better than spending $75. I really hope my husband doesn't see this post about my online shopping addiction. Good thing I do the bills! :)

Here's the swaddle blanket if you want to check it out:

I think it's really cute and these seriously are the BEST blankets if you have a friend or family member you need to get a baby gift for soon.

Here is the pink one if you're more of a pink person:

Click here to order if you want one. The promo code for 15% off is FBFAN09. I tried to see if you could get the paisley blankets on other sites, but no luck.

Fabric scraps + Burp cloths = Easy, cute baby gift!

I have so many fabric scraps and have seen cute burp cloths that have been made with fabric so I gave it a go. So easy and it seriously takes 5 minutes.

I just ironed down an edge on the fabric scrap, folded it under on the ends and then sewed right around. If I had an embroidery machine I would do initials or baby names on the burp cloth, but I don't. I think these make great baby gifts so if you have cute scraps and friends with a baby - you should give it a try! I just buy the 12 pack Gerber cloth diapers and use those.

Easy, cute pin cushion

I'm excited because my sister got a sewing machine for her birthday, so now we can talk about sewing things and share ideas. Here is a pin cushion I made for her. It's really easy and a great beginner's project if you want to try it. I found it online here.

View from bottom

Here is another one I made for my sister-in-law who got a sewing machine for Christmas.

That's all I have to blog about today. This was a big task for me. I made a pin cushion and posted something on my blog! I'm starting to get back to normal after having Miss Emery.

She watched as a made the pin cushion and told me she wants to learn how to sew one day. :)