The Napmat

I did actually finish the nap mat for my granddaughter.  She loved it, as did many of the parents at her daycare.  I may have started something...  I used this tutorial by Jenny Garland.  I followed the directions only as far as step 5, there are 10.  I wanted the mat to be all one piece, not have the cover removable.  I am not sure why this is, the mat washes well in cold water in a regular washing machine.  In place of the removable foam I used a package of crib sized quilt batting, doubled.  The batting fit perfectly!  I left a 10 inch opening for the pillow, which I hand sewed closed later.  I also "quilted" the mat itself, just straight lines across the width about 8 inches apart.  I got the material out of the remnant bin at a local fabric store (okay, it was the one I worked at)  :)  So the most expensive thing was the batting, which was half-price as well.  I did use buttons, as in step 10.

A closer look at the material...isn't it adorable?!?

Kitty approves!

Have a wonderful day!
~Melissa
Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Down, But Not Out!

Having a broken ankle seriously slows me down.  I am not used to all this sitting, and not jumping up and running off to another project.  Thankfully Craft Hope has Project 16.  I was able to participate all last year, and the latest project came at just the right time.  Beanies and Bags for kids with cancer.  Right up my alley! 

My oldest daughter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) when she was 11.  Being older, she was in a higher risk catagory.  She sailed through her chemo, no radiation was necessary.  We found out through the course of her treatment that she has a pelvic kidney, no more gymnastics for her.  She went through chemo for three years, much longer than kids do now.  Stopping the chemo was very scary for me, but she has not relapsed in almost 15 years.  She has given me two beautiful granddaughters.  I do not view our time with cancer as a negative, I am glad it is over, but our faith grew tremendously and so many people touched our lives.

I made hats for my daughter during her hairless days, big floppy, colorful hats.  The call from Craft Hope is for Beanies and Bags.  I have been crocheting like a mad woman, well not mad perhaps, determined. 

These are the first three I completed.  I am up to six, need to find more masculine patterns, as the first five definately look feminine.  I LOVE the cupcake hat!

If you are a crafter, please check out Craft Hope's website!  The talented crafters participating are from all over the world.  What a wonderful community to belong to!

~Melissa
Be still and know that I am God ~ Psalm 46:10 (guess I am really learning to "be still")
 

Conquering a Fear

This was under my Christmas tree until a few days ago.  Two days ago, I added thread.  Today, I decided to be brave and thread it, turn it on, and maybe, just maybe serge something.  Threading it was a bit frustrating, a colored line to follow and step-by-step pics in the book to the right.  I did it though!  YAY!  Turning it on was harder than I thought...had a long talk with this machine, about how we really needed to become friends, I'd play nice if it would...Then on to actually putting material under the presser foot and pushing the foot pedal.  Man, this thing runs so smooth.  I did make a shower curtain, all straight seams. Picture to come soon.  I see a long, fun relationship ahead!

The make a wonderful pair, don't they!

Have a wonderful day ~ Melissa

Be still and know that I am God ~ Psalm 46:10

Happy February Rudolph Day!

Another Rudolph Day has come for us to enjoy!  A pumpkin pie is in the oven, Christmas music playing in the background, and I am working on ornaments for my children and grandchildren.  I did this ornament thing the first year I celebrated Rudolph Day.  I presented my one child who was actually out of the house with a box of 10 ornaments.  The other three children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews will have to wait until they have homes of their own.  However, since they have to wait, their boxes will have so much more!  I have been wanting to make these cute patchwork ornaments for a while, today is the day!  The instructions can be found in "Country Woman Christmas 2003"

on page 68

Aren't they adorable?!?!

This is the beginning of one of my versions

and this is the other

I hope y'all have a wonderful Rudolph Day!  Take time today to remember all those warm, fuzzy feelings that usually only happen in December!



Happy Rudolph Day!

It's the first Rudolph Day of the year.  I love these days set aside once a month to focus on Christmas. I found Rudolph Day on OrganizedChristmas.com when I was looking for a way to have the Christmas-y feeling all year.  It has worked!  I always start my day with "A Charlie Brown Christmas."  I appreciate Linus' quoting of Luke Chapter 2.  Then on to Christmas music, fulfilling the task from OrganizedChristmas , making some cookies, or a pumpkin pie and coffee in one of my Christmas mugs.  A Christmas craft is a must!  I made this bag to hold my Rudolph Day paraphernalia.

I found a coloring page I liked and cut it apart, and used them as patterns to cut the felt, fleece, and satin, I used.

I used felt for the for the face, eyes, and ears; fleece for the antlers; red satin for the nose, then decided it wasn't shiny enough, so I added the sequins.  I did use wonder under to attach all the parts, but then thought the face would stay on better with some hand sewing.  I liked the look and finished the rest of Rudolph. I did straight stiches for his nose and mouth, and french knots (which I am no good at) for his freckles. A bit of piping, three bells and Voila, a fun bag I get to play with once a month.  I keep ongoing small projects in it, and of course, my binder...just so I can claim I am organized. hehe

I hope you like him too!

Craft of the day

I wanted to make something with Bug.  I got out our book See and Sew.   She chose the baby bib.

After reading the directions I decided this was a bit much for her.  Hand sewing quarter inch binding takes a great deal more patience than either she or I have.  So with her choice of fabric, I made it for her. 

I didn't think it would fit Bug's little sister, newly nicknamed Spider Monkey (just started walking AND climbing!), but it does!