Football Blanket

I posted a picture of this football blanket here, but I just made a companion carrying case today, and I was so excited about how it turned out I had to post again!

Just as a refresher, this is a travel blanket.  We're taking Blake on a plane ride for the first time ever in May, and I wanted something to keep his toys off the airplane floor.  Enter this blanket.  It's minky fabric and fleece, and in the shape of a football.  The laces are a taggy, which you can attach toys to with a link.  The back (which is Oregon Duck fabric, of course!) also has two large pockets for additional storage.

Now, I loved this blanket exactly as it was, but after taking it for a few trial runs out to eat and such, I realized that it would be that much better if it also had a carrying case.  Something to stuff it in when I was done using it so I didn't have to carry it over my arm.  Since my arms are generally pretty full of 20 pounds of baby + a big diaper bag.  So I decided to make a (football) carrying case!  It mimics the original with the brown minky, and the inside lining is the Duck fleece.  It also has an industrial strength zipper for extra durability!  The last thing I did to the little carrier was add a loop so that I could attach it to my diaper bag.

Verdict? I love it!  It fits perfectly and has extra room if I want to stuff in a few toys or other random objects.  I'm also very proud of myself, because I made up the pattern and made the whole thing with only my brains and sewing machine to help me out.  Well, and my mom.  She did the zipper.  I apparently need a zipper foot for my sewing machine.  Thanks mom!!!

DIY Baby Block Tutorial

Lately, I've found myself with a lot of scrap fabric.  And I hate wasting fabric of any size, so I decided to whip up a few soft baby blocks for Blake using whatever I had on hand.  It's super, super easy and fun to customize and I think I've made about 8 for Blake over the last week.  Whenever I have a little bit of extra fabric left over from a project I'm working on, I set it aside and make it into a block when I have enough in the pile of scraps. 

Here's how you do it!

1. Cut your scrap fabric into a square.  They can literally be as big or as small as the fabric you have on hand.  I'd tell you how big mine are...but have I mentioned I don't measure?  I really don't.  I ran around my house looking for square objects to trace until I settled on the square bottom of a candle holder in my entryway.  I also used a square board book of Blake's for a slightly larger one, and then a small square picture frame in our bathroom for the smallest of the blocks.  Really, just look around and see what you have!  The blocks turn out best if you have different sizes.  More fun for baby!  Anyway, you'll need six squares of fabric for each block you are going to make.  They can coordinate or not.  Some of mine do, and some don't!  Just trace your object of choice onto your fabric and cut out six pieces.

2.  Now, lay your pieces out in the shape of a cross.  This is your chance to arrange the fabric the way you like, because the way you lay it out is the way you will sew it.  It goes together just like a paper cube.  And yes, I realize that this direction is completely unrelated to the picture labeled as number 2 above.  Just bear with me. 

3.  Head over to your sewing machine and begin at the top of your cross, sewing the bottom of the top square to the top of the square below it.  Right sides together! 

4.  Work your way down the cross, sewing right sides together only on the side that touches the square below (or beside, for the vertical row of the cross) it.  When you're done, your cross should be sewn together with the seams visible only on the back. 

5.  Now, fold up your little fabric cross like a cube so you can visualize what you're about to do.  Working your way up, start sewing right sides together so that it starts taking the shape of a cube.  When you get to the top, sew three sides completely and partially sew the fourth seam but not completely because you'll need some room to turn it right side out and then stuff with filling.

6. Now it's time to turn your block right side out and stuff it with filling!  I use the cheap polyfil from Walmart, and I like to stuff it pretty full.  I also like to make these blocks more interesting by adding a little twist to each one.  I save those plastic baby food containers and then fill them with little bells (from Walmart for like .50 cents) or rice or macaroni noodles, glue the lid on, and then stuff them inside for an instant rattle.  I've also taken wrappers from granola bars and stuffed them inside the block for a little crinkle.  Be creative!  I try to make each one different.

The last thing you'll need to do is hand stitch your opening (where you turned it out and stuffed it) and give it to your favorite baby to enjoy!

And remember....these are totally customizable!  These are a few I've made.  The one with the Duck scrap fabric has the granola wrappers stuffed inside for a crinkle, and the smaller block has macaroni noodles for a great rattle.  My favorite is the owl block, because I used some old ribbons (Save these from packages!  Great way to reuse them) to make a taggy!

Have fun!

Life Lessons for my Son

My precious son,

In this life, there are so many things I want for you.  You are literally brand new.  Your life is just beginning and filled with God-given promise. I look at you and daydream of the man you'll become, and my heart soars as I anticipate all the many moments I can't wait for you to experience...and for daddy and I to experience right along with you.  

Throughout your life, I'm sure there are many lessons daddy and I will try and impart to you.  Some you'll take to heart, and some will be met with an eye roll (it's okay, I did it to my parents too).  But life is too short to not be intentional, so I took some time tonight to write down some of the most important life lessons I want you to hear....from your mama.  

Blake Louis, in this life, I want you to...

+ Laugh so hard you cry.  A lot.

+ Bask in the love of your Heavenly Father so deeply and wholly that you make the choice to accept Him into your heart.   I pray that daddy and I will get to be there with you when you do. We want to be the ones holding your hands in prayer in that eternal moment. 

+ Believe in yourself, and know that we believe in you too.  We will always be right there, in the front row seats of your life, cheering you on and letting you know at every moment how incredibly proud we are of you.  Always.

+ Be a man of integrity.  When others walk away, be the one who chooses to stay.  Be the one who makes the choice to act in love, even when it's easier not to.  Especially then. 


+ Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.  Be strong and courageous. Have the courage of your convictions.

+ Live boldly.   Don't be afraid to fail, because it's part of life, and if you don't know what it feels like to crash and burn....you'll never truly appreciate how it feels to fly.

+ Love deeply.  Daddy and I promise to tell you every single day how much we love you, and I hope you'll do the same for your family.  This life is so short, and no tomorrow is guaranteed.  I pray you will live each day with intention and purpose, showing love with your actions and speaking it out loud every chance you have.

+ Remember that you are who you are because of the people who have come before you.  Be proud of your heritage, of the country of your birth, and of the people who have worked hard and sacrificed much to give you the freedoms you have.  Don't take it for granted.  When you see a service man or woman, who have fought for this country and sacrificed so much....you take the time to stop and thank them. 

+ Be kind.  Seemingly 'ordinary' actions can have a huge impact on someone else.  You may never know how a kind word or thoughtful action can impact another.  Live with the light of Jesus, shining brightly everywhere you go.

+ When someone hurts your feelings, live with the light of Jesus.  Instead of retaliating in anger, show them a different way.   Be the bigger person.  Choose love.

+ When you see injustice, choose to act.  Stand up when others back down.  Remember that each time you have occasion to rescue someone else, you inadvertently rescue yourself.  

+ Practice purity.  Someday, you'll meet and marry the woman God created for you.  Wait for her.  I promise, buddy, she'll be worth it.

+ Set your own moral compass.  Don't allow our society and the world we live in to dictate what you believe.  Draw your own line in the sand.  Always remember that this world is not your home.  Our citizenship is in heaven!  Live with your eyes focused solely and completely on that promise.

+ Spend time getting to know your Heavenly Father.  Just as in any relationship you'll have here on earth, it will need an investment of time to help it grow.  So talk to Him.  Spend time with Him as you study His promises.  Trust me when I tell you that you simply cannot choose a better relationship to invest in.  You'll reap rewards that far surpass your wildest dreams.

+ Choose honesty.  Be generous.  With your time, your heart, and all the blessings that are bestowed upon you in this life.  Remember the One who gave you the blessing, and with every chance you get, pay it forward.

+ Have a firm handshake.  No limp fish.  

+ Someday you'll grow up and have your own family.  Remember that the best thing you can do for your kids is to love their mom.  Model for your own sons how to treat a woman, just as your daddy does for you.

+ Be passionate.  In love, in work, and in everything you choose to invest your time in.

+ Practice gratitude.  Write thank you notes (by hand) and make sure to tell those who profoundly impact your life how much you value the role they have played.  If you let Him, God will put you on a collision course with people who will strengthen and build you up with their friendship.  Seek these people out and hold onto them.  Be grateful and humbled by their love.  And most importantly?  Love them back.

And last but not least....don't you ever forget how much you are loved.  I can't even begin to quantify it in words.

Love,
Your Mama

Tutorial: Baby Bowties and Ties

A few weeks ago, I made a set of baby bowties and ties for a friend's baby shower.  I'd made a few of these for Blake already, and I love them, so I thought it would make the perfect gift for Blake's new BFF!

Here's what they look like:

Cute, right?  I seriously love this project.  Blake looks so dapper when he gets all dressed up with his baby ties and bowties!

And the best part?  It's easy.   And cheap.  You can definitely whip up a few of these with just the smallest pieces of scrap fabric.  Or, if you do decide to buy fabric especially for this project, you don't need much.  I buy 1/8 a yard and can make 3 or 4 bowties or 2 ties.  1/8 a yard of fabric is usually less than $1, so you're averaging like $.30-.40 cents a piece.  Not bad, right?

So here's how you make your own:

1. Go dig through your scrap fabric bin and pull something out with a fun print.  Remember, you don't need much to make this work.  You're going to start by cutting out two strips; one should be about 9" by 4" and the other 2.5" by 1.5" (please keep in mind I don't measure, but Pinterest tutorials tell me this is the correct measurement for these guys)
2. On your sewing machine, face the right sides together and sew along the tip and side (of the larger strip).  Be sure to leave one side open so you can turn it right side out.
3. Turn right side out, fold in the unfinished edge and then top stitch to close up your last edge.
4. Iron flat (I usually go through and make a bunch up to this point and then iron them all at once.  Saves time.)
5. Um..I covered this photo in direction #4 (I told you I wasn't very good at tutorials!)
6. While you have that iron out, take your smaller strip and iron into thirds.  No need to sew this one, just iron it flat.
7. Now take your long strip and fold each side into the middle, using a small dot of glue to secure.  Iron it flat to make it easier to work with.  
8. Pinch fabric in the middle and secure with a dab of hot glue.  I'll warn you:  I find 'the pinch' to be the most challenging part.  Eventually, you'll figure out the perfect pinch that works for you and gives your bowtie the right look.  Just trial and error, folks.
9. This is the point where I apparently stopped taking pictures.  Sorry, bad tutorial-maker over here.  I'll do my best to explain the rest (good news! you're almost done anyway) Now that you've 'pinched' and secured one layer of fabric, turn it over and fold the fabric back above and below your pinch and secure it with hot glue.  
10. Now, flip it over to the front and attach your smaller (ironed into thirds) strip to the middle of your tie, securing with a dab of hot glue.
11. Wrap that little strip all the way around the middle of the bowtie and secure it with a dab of hot glue where it meets in the back.
12. Your bowtie is now finished!  Stand back and admire your work.  They are so cute!!  All that's left is a button.  I attach two buttons to the back using my button-attacher-tool-thingy, but you could also just buy sew-on buttons and do it that way.  Of course, you'll want to attach the other half of the snaps onto a onesie. 

Once you get the hang of making these, you can turn 'em out in about five minutes flat.  I whipped up a couple for Blake last weekend on a whim and it took me maybe that long from start to finish.  

And what about those ties?  If you thought the bow tie was easy, just wait until you see how to make these ties. 


Warning: this tutorial is worse than the last one.

You'll want to start by finding a pattern for your tie.  I made my own, but just googled it and found one here that looks like it would be perfect.  Using your pattern, cut out two pieces of fabric with right sides facing OUT

1. Take both of your tie cut-outs and sew them together, right sides facing OUT.  You're basically just top stitching around the edge leaving about a quarter of an inch for your seam allowance.  
2. Once you've sewed the two pieces together, take a pair of scissors and rag up the edges.  If you want a more polished look, you could always sew right sides together, then turn right side out and top stitch, but I like the look of a little frayed edge.  Make little cuts with your scissors all the way along the border of your tie (just make sure not to cut your seam!)
3. To get a nice fray goin' on, I run my fingernail over the edge of the fabric to loosen things up.  You could also toss 'em in the washing machine to help the fabric fray.  
4. Attach a snap to your tie (again, I have a snap fastener thingy, but you could easily use sew-on snaps) and your onesie.
5. Snap on your tie and slip it on the cutest little man you can find! 

'Stache Bash

I'll be back later today (or tomorrow) with the step-by-step tutorial for how to make the baby bow ties/ties seen in my post from yesterday, but right now....I've got something much more exciting in store.

You see, I'm that mom.  You know, the one that throw her son a half birthday party?  Yep, that one.

And it was a blast.  And I'd do it again.  And again and again and again!

The theme of Blake's little shindig was mustaches.  Yep.  We called it his 'Stache Bash.

We sent out invitations to family, and invited friends via Facebook.  Since we are very careful with how we spend our moolah these days, this was a great money-saver.  Invitations looked like this:

Please disregard my edits to hide our personal information.  I made the invitations in Word, using some free fonts I downloaded and some clipart.  I printed them out on normal printer paper and then mounted them on some cardstock I found back in my craft 'stache (<-- get it?  I'm punny). Then, I cut out mustaches and sat Blake down with his most daper bib (we got it at a shower, and I think it's absolutely darling) and stuck them under his nose with a piece of tape.  He was such a good sport!  Then I made a quick collage, printed out a bunch on card stock, and stuck them in with the invitation.  And the envelopes?  They're just brown paper lunch bags.  Have I mentioned lately that I am cheeeap?  I really am.  I didn't want to spend money on custom sized envelopes, so I just made sure that my invitations were the correct width to fit inside the lunch bag.  Then, I folded over the top, secured it with some glue, and used my card stock mustaches and printer labels to decorate the front.  I think they turned out pretty cute, and best part?  They were F-R-E-E.

The first thing I did for the party was the cake.   I really wanted to make Blake a mustache cake to fit the theme, but the molds I found online were like $20.  Eesh.  No go.  So I decided to improvise.  I baked two sheet cakes of german chocolate cake (box mix, nothin' fancy folks) and then printed out a giant mustache on legal sized paper that we had on hand.  Then, when the cake was still warm (the paper sticks better to the top of the cake) I used it as a pattern to cut out my mustache.  You can see that process below. 

The hardest part was transferring my mustache cake cutout from the baking pan to the plate.  I ended up using two spatulas under each half of the 'stache and then lifting it all as one big piece.  Tricky.

I frosted it and then dug around in my cupboards until I found some coconut that I had stashed some time ago.  Fortunately for me, on the back of the bag it tells you how to dye the flakes...a little bit of water, some food coloring, and a plastic bag.  Mix it up and shake to your little heart's content.  I used the coconut to mimic the look of 'stache hair.  I kinda like how it turned out!  The last thing I did was use to pipe a little frosting around the top of the 'stache to give it little more definition.  I have some pastry tips, but no bag, so I improvised by cutting the corner off a plastic bag and then sticking my tip in the hole.  Worked like a charm once I added some of the frosting to the bag.

The little banner was an afterthought, but I like how it turned out.  I just used Word to make some little triangles with Blake's name, then cut them out and strung them on some ribbon.  Add in a couple popsicle sticks and a glue gun, and BAM!  Instant banner.

Bonus?  The cake was so yummy!  In fact, the leftovers are on my kitchen counter.  My husband keeps telling me he'll take it to work...if he doesn't hurry, there won't be anything to take.  Ahem.

Here are a few other photo collages of the party:

I am no cupcake decorator.  Whoa.  Not pretty.  I did, however, love making these little cupcake toppers for the boy! 

Some of the decorations.  From top L to R: Put a 'Stache on it printable.  Found this free online (can't find the source, sorry) and used a 8x10 frame for our bedroom to display it on our entry table.  Banner.  I made this in Word (theme?) by creating large circles and adding in the text I wanted.  You might notice match the cupcake toppers.  I also printed and cut out a few pictures of Blake and used those in the banner.  Themed food:  All the food was "themey" (not a word, I know).  We had 'Manly Melons', 'Sandwich Cigars', 'Meat and Potatoes' (little smokeys and potato chips) 'Stud Muffins' (cupcakes).  Mustache lollipops.  Easy favor for guests.  I just cut out paper mustaches and used a hole punch to stick a lollipop through them.  Then, when guests suck on the lollipop, it looks like they're wearing a 'stache! Felt mustaches.  I had these in this little container (that, for some reason says 'chocolate pretzels' on it....let's ignore that) for guests to pick up as they came in.  SO fun!

Close up of the food

The verdict?  We had a blast, and I think our guests liked it too!  And the man of the hour....well, let's just say he had never looked cuter:

Baby legs and tie made by mommy!  Tutorials in the works.

Crafting

Lately I've developed a new love for my sewing machine.  It's really quite remarkable, considering it sat untouched in our guest bedroom closet for about 5 years before ever seeing the light of day.

I think it all started when I starting 'nesting' at about 8 months pregnant.  For me, nesting meant redecorating every nook and cranny of our home, the first of which was the master bedroom overhaul.  I sewed a duvet for our bed, and then some new curtains.  Then it was some burlap cafe curtains for the kitchen, them some super cute (and cheap) window box valences made out of Styrofoam (and covered with fabric) for the playroom and sliding glass door, and then some pillow duvets for the decorative pillows in the living room.   I admit it, I was pretty proud of myself.  I will also admit that all of the above mentioned projects were accomplished using only one stitch: the zig zag.   I don't know why, but for some reason I grew quite fond of it and used it for everything.  You'd think I didn't know how to move the stitch selector dial on my machine or something.....*ahem*

Anyway, once Blake was born I moved into sewing tailored to a new audience: babies!   It would be an understatement to say I've had a lot of fun.  I'm going to photo dump a bunch of my latest and greatest creations, and then I'll come back over the next few days with some tutorials (which aren't the best, because I'm a figure-it-out-as-you-go girl that doesn't slow down enough to use pins or measuring tape or seam allowances....or take very many in-process pictures)

Ah well.  No one is perfect.

But here we go anyway!

Top L to R:  Baby bow ties and ties!  They attach to a onesie with a snap.  These were for a sweet friend who is expecting a baby boy in April (Blake's new BFF, I'm pretty sure) but Blake has also sported a few recently that I'll share soon.  Pacifier bib.  Ahh, how I love these.  We were always losing Blake's pacifier in the carseat, high chair (well, anywhere) until I whipped one of these up for him.  We attach his pacifier to the bib with a snap, and it ain't goin' nowhere.  Always works great for attaching a teething ring of any other ring toy we don't want to lose. Initial taggy:  Seriously love this!  Taggy blanket in the first initial of baby's name. 

I was messing around one night and ended up making this scrap football for Blake!  Used ribbons for the laces to make it a taggy. 

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a....TRAVEL BIB!  Seriously, such a lifesaver.  I saw something like this on Etsy and just messed around until I figured out a pattern.  It has three compartments on the back to hold utensils, a wash cloth, etc.  Then, I added a snap so it can fold up for the diaper bag!  LOVE IT so far. 

Just made this yesterday!  I'm just trying to use up some odd pieces of scrap fabric, so decided to make some different sized soft blocks for Blake.  I have a whole tutorial for this one, so I'll leave out the details.  I think Blake approves!

Much to his daddy's dismay, I've been putting Blake in baby legs recently!  I make them out of Adam's old (no longer worn) work socks.  Clearly, our little man is a DUCK!

MY FAVORITE!  Tutorial for this one coming, too, so I won't say too much :)

See??  I told you I've been having a bit of a love affair with the sewing machine.  As soon as the little one goes to bed, you know I'm digging around in my fabric bin pulling out bits and pieces to see what I can come up with. 

Luckily I have a cute, agreeable subject to test my creations on.

Direction

I find this blog hard to define, and I think that's why my posts have become so few and far between.  I struggle with how to fill the space.  

Undoubtedly, it started as an outlet for me to pour out my heart as we struggled with starting a family.  Then, it became a place to share our journey through infertility, posting prayer requests and rejoicing in the ways God was answering and moving in our lives.  It was at that time that this blog also became a ministry to me....through all of you.  That was the biggest blessing at that time in our lives.  God used all of your love, encouragement and prayers--many times from total strangers--to lift us up and minister to our aching hearts.  I look back on those days with such gratitute. 

Then, we found out I was pregnant, and I started to use the blog to document all the milestones and our pregnancy journey.   I'm so glad I faithfully recorded those nine months, because I am working on making all of those posts--from infertility to pregnancy--into a book for Blake that will be separate from the one I'll make him from his first year of life.  After all, this is his story. 

Once Blake was born, I started losing my focus on how to continue this blog.  As I shared here, I decided to split my blogging life into two, and Love and a Blog was born.  I found myself wanting to document our family memories in the same outlet as before, but also feeling newly aware and protective of my son's privacy.  Admittedly, I haven't exactly excelled at keeping either blog current or relevant. 

And so now here I am.  Trying to figure out exactly what this blog is, and how I'll keep it going.  On the one hand, our infertility story isn't over yet.  In fact, I just got off the phone with our fertility clinic about two minutes ago.  I'll have news that I'll be sharing very soon on that front.  So there will definitely be more posts as we continue to navigate those waters.  On the other hand, though, infertility certainly doesn't define me, and it also not the only way we have continually seen the provision and love of the Father in our lives.  I've realized I do a very poor job of documenting those blessings.  So there's a lot of room to grow there, too.

But in addition to all that, I'm also a daughter, a wife, a mother, a home-maker, a wannabe seamstress, a (very) amateur photographer, a DIY junkie, a complete and total goofball, a baker, a teacher, a friend, and a million other things at various times of the day.  So you know what?  I'm just going to do life.  Right here, in my own little corner of the internet.  This blog is a reflection of the day to day, and so I'm just going to roll with it.  Some days I may write about big stuff, and some days notsomuch.  I'm not going to worry about the direction, instead, I'm just going to follow the path that God has laid out for our little family's feet to travel. 

So what is this blog?  It's life, and it's all about the blessings.  I hope you'll come along for the ride.