New In the Shop: The Twin Sized Throw

The first time people told me they wished I made blankets big enough for adults I didn't really think about it. Mainly because minky is so expensive and the satin binding would cost 14 dollars itself. Just for binding. It does feel nice when people say they like what I make though.
Then Mark was born. I made him several blankets. As a matter of fact I didn't buy him any blankets- because why would I buy my baby blankets when I sell baby items? He had quite a few cuddly blankets. Since I was breastfeeding John would bring me Mark with a cuddly blanket and sometimes Mark would leave his cuddly blanket in my bed. I was always happy cuddling with his blanket. As a matter of fact I like to have one of my arms under the pillow but I don't like it being cold so it was nice to have a blanket over it.
Then I decided to make Danielle a cuddly blanket for her twin sized bed. The only problem turned out to be that I wanted to take her cuddly blanket from her. I would sit downstairs with her on the couch and "borrow" her blanket.
Finally I've decided maybe I could carry them in the shop. It's a little experiment. The upside- if it fails, I have some of the best cuddle blankets in the world.

Read more...

Working On It

What have you been working on? Someone asked me about making a minky blanket with zebra fabric. I have to admit I've become obsessed. This is one of my favorite customer requests I've ever received because I love the prints- and she has purchased four blankets from me. It makes me giddy. I love it when custom orders are such a good idea- I wish I had thought of making more of these blankets.
Custom order are great but I realized early on that people aren't commiting to buy it when they ask if you can make something. It can get REALLY expensive if you've made some odd combination and they realize it is just as strange looking as you thought it was before you made it for them, lol. So I try to do things that I think would be cool either way. The zebra blanket idea was BRILLIANT! I find myself scouring the internet to find what kind of fabric I could buy.

It all started with a purple and zebra print blanket I made for my sister Claire. She liked it and I loved the contrast. I made it a little bigger than the blankets for some kids in my shop. Minky is so expensive I don't like to just make huge blankets- that's a big investment for someone.

then came Minkee Tween fabric. My only regret is that I didn't buy more when it came out because it is hard to find.

Then came the quest for more minky fabric. I wish I could find a light pink and a white minky but no luck so far.

After the request for more minky options I got these fabrics pretty soon and she bought BOTH blankets. I wasn't expecting that. I have lots of blankets for my babies so I was happy that she liked them.

I ordered Minky Velboa which has a slightly rougher texture- it has some swirls in it and I love that. I wanted to pair it with fun bold prints and I found the Michael Miller Dandy Damask black and white minky cuddle fabric. I LOVE THIS FABRIC. I want it all over everything. I think I will make a Janae sized blanket with it eventually. Unfortunately my sewing machine broke when I got the fabric and it took WEEKS to get it all working again.

These three are made with new minky fabric I bought. This last weekend I finally put together some extra blankets and I was so happy. It's nice to have my baby (sewing machine) back again and be getting more productive. I felt so depressed and empty without my sewing machine and I'm happy to have a new family of blankets.

And baby Mark REALLY wants to pull them off the table and rub his face in them. I always have to keep his blankets on hand so I doesn't get the ones I am making. Or actually just wait until he is asleep to make anything, or photograph anything.
Thank goodness for great ideas and morning naps

What have you been working on?

Read more...

Don't Mess with Texas Applique One Piece

I've debated about what a Texas onesie would do for the etsy shop. It seems so neat to be able to have a state on a onesie that your baby wears- but is it too simple?
Today I gave in. I just thought that when Carol ever has a baby she probably will need to get one of these. And she should really give them to everyone she knows. That girl loves being from Texas.
I guess some people have all the luck- or so the Texan's would have us believe. When I see how excited they are I believe it a little.
Click Here to see the Onesie in the Shop

Item Description

I remember that Texan's seem so happy about where they are from. I didn't grow up in Texas but when my parents moved there after I went to college the sunshine struck me. I have never lived somewhere with more pride for the area.

This Applique Bodysuit celebrates that pride.
size 12 months

other available sizes:
newborn
3 month
6 month
24 month
18 month

Specify a different size at checkout and allow 7 days for creation (it takes a while to get the bodysuit if I don't have the size).

Read more...