Little Man Shorts

I've been working on little sewing projects for the last couple of weeks but I've finally made my first garment in a while.  I'm so happy with how this project turned out.



I've been complaining about the lack of patterns for baby boys, when I stumbled across Sew Charleston's blog.  She had recently made baby shorts as a gift and I instantly clicked over to see where she found the pattern.

Dana, over on the Made blog, had come up with a shorts pattern for kids. I love them for a few reasons:

- the basic pattern is so cute, but she offers so many variations and modifications that you can do. This includes making a shorter, 'racer' short, adding pockets to the front or back, flat front or elastic all the way around... there are so many options!
- the sizing is for 12months to 10 years. I can use this pattern for so many more shorts!!! As Ian grows up, if I have more babies... because....
- it's for boys AND girls!
- The price is right! It was only $6 for the whole pattern set. Love. It.



I ran out to get some fabric. A pair of shorts for a baby boy takes up less than half a yard. That can't be beat! I got a couple of options, just to test the waters, and made up the 18 months size.

Let's backtrack a little. Aside from having my own baby boy to sew for, my girlfriend back in California was getting ready to celebrate the first birthday of her own little boy, Dylan.  I was so sad that I couldn't be there to celebrate, and wanted to make something a little more personal.  She has been an amazing support system to me with the birth of Ian and I wanted to make something special.



Her husband is a deep sea fisherman, and avid hunter. I had to tie that in somehow. Oh, and the theme for her little man's birthday? Pirates! So I found two prints that would be perfect... ocean waves with pirate ships, and camo!

I was able to quickly whip up the two shorts. I made the camo version as a regular length, flat front short. I did the pirate ship in the 'racer' style with bias tape trim. I decided to omit pockets because I didn't think her baby boy would need them just yet. I added a little cupcake ribbon tag into the back of the shorts, to help identify the front and back, and to add a professional touch.  All of the exposed seams are serged so there's no risk of it unraveling with use from an active little boy,

Can I tell you how fun it is to make such little garments? Not only are they fast to sew, but they are so adorable and mini... I couldn't stop showing them off to anyone who was around to see them.  I think my husband did a great job at matching my enthusiasm and he only scared me a little when he said 'will they fit?'  Well... I hope so! Though her little man was turning 1, I made the 18 months size because I assumed sizing would be similar to the clothing industry... in which you can typically wear the size until the date. So my little man, who is almost 7 months old, would wear the 12 months version. Baby Dylan, just turning 12 months, should then be ok for the 18 months size. Fingers crossed.

I shipped off the shorts and was excited a few days later to receive some pictures from my girlfriend. The shorts fit great and Dylan looks even more adorable in them! Or is it that the shorts are adorable because of him? I don't know, but look at this little guy - isn't he the cutest??



Now I can't wait to scrounge up some more bits of fabric to make them for Ian and for other babies with birthdays coming up!

Sweet Treats Saturday: Homemade Vanilla Extract

Normally I wouldn't post a 'work in progress' but if you want to make an awesome homemade gift for the holidays, now is the time to get started on this one.

I stumbled across these tutorials last year, way too late to get on the homemade vanilla extract train for gifts. I swore I would do it this year and (much to my surprise) I remembered.  This is ridiculously easy to do and only requires a little advance planning.

Here's what you do...



Homemade Vanilla Extract
Recipe from various tutorials throughout the web. I did my own variation based on memory.
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Ingredients:
Vodka - as much as you want to make. I purchased two big bottles
Vanilla beans, whole
Bottles to transfer the vanilla extract to once complete
Funnel to help with the transferring process
Optional: Cheesecloth or filter for funnel

Directions:
1. Divide up your vanilla beans for your bottles. I used approx 3 whole beans for the large bottle of vodka. I don't think you need to do much more than that. I used two for the smaller bottle and just cut them in half.



2. Slice through the center of the vanilla bean to help 'free' the inside vanilla paste from the beans. Place beans in the bottles. Seal bottles.
3. Store bottles in a cool, dark place. Shake them around every week or so. The vanilla extract will be ready in approx. 3 months.  Once it's ready, transfer the vanilla into your bottles. Seal, label, and gift!



You'll find that it doesn't take long before the vodka starts taking on an amber color. Just keep it stored, shaking it from time to time, and soon you'll be ready to divvy up your unique gift.

Resources:
You can find vanilla beans all over the web! Some quick searches led me to Beanilla, Ebay, and Amazon.  I went with the latter because I was going to be buying a few additional supplies there.  I also picked up a glass bottle to store some of the excess vodka - and to make my own bottle.  But the bottles that I will distribute as gifts will probably be the amber Boston round bottles.  I will post an update to this entry in a few months when I get ready to assemble the vanilla, but I wanted to let you all join in the fun if you decide to make these as a holiday gift!

Holiday Gift Tutorials

December is here and so is gift-giving season! I've been spending quite a bit of time on the web, looking up crafty ideas and filling up my Pinterest boards.  I compiled some of my favorite gift tutorials.

First row: Winter Warmers | Fingerless Mitts | Sewing Kit

Second Row: Homemade Vanilla | Crochet Coaster or Ornament | Candy Coated Pretzels

Third Row: Felt Ornament | Sugar and Spice Pecans | Zippered Pouch

Ok, and I snuck in my pecans, because they are one of my favorite gifts to make this time of year.

What are some of your favorite crafty gifts?  Feel free to add a link in the comments.

Sweet Treats Saturday: Sugar and Spice Pecans

These candied pecans are one of my favorite holiday treats.  They're great for any time of year, but I always end up making them for the holidays.  They are the perfect, jar-friendly, easy-to-make, edible gift. Oh, and they're soooo yummy!  Really, I promise.  I made a batch for work and everyone was asking for the recipe.  Make them - you won't regret it.

I used the same jars as my cupcakes-in-a-jar.  Small, 8oz, canning jars.  You can buy these online, at many grocery stores (in the baking or canning section), and some craft stores.  I picked up a flat of a dozen for $8 at Wal-mart.

Sugar and Spice Pecans
Recipe from a friend

Ingredients:
1 lb pecans (4 cups)
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 tbsp corn oil
1 tbsp vanilla

Spice Mix (Combine to coat the nuts after baking):
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp all-spice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Boil water.  Add pecans and cook for 1 minute, stirring.  Drain pecans and put in medium bowl.  Add the corn oil and vanilla, stirring until the pecans are coated.  Add sugar and stir to coat.  Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Bake pecans for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure they don't stick or burn.  I stir a minimum of once every 10 minutes.

After 30 minutes, remove nuts from the oven and pour into a medium bowl.  Sprinkle with the spice mix, then stir to coat.  Let cool.

Once the pecans are cooled, you can add them to the jars.  You can fill 5 - 8oz. jars with one batch.  If you have any extras, I love to throw them in a bag, and store in the freezer.  These are delicious at room temperature, but I absolutely love them frozen.

Decorating:
You can decorate these how you like. I did two different options.

1. Wrap a band of ribbon around the top of the lid.  I attached this with double-sided scrapbooking dots.

2. Cut out a piece of fabric (this is perfect for fabric scraps you may have!) a little larger than the lid.  Tie a piece of ribbon, twine or raffia around the lid to hold in place.

If you don't have canning jars, fill plastic bags and tie with ribbon.

This post will be participating in the following Linky parties:

Tatertots & Jello * Think Pink Sundays * Sundae Scoop * Sunday Showcase Party *Watcha Got Weekend * Family Ever After * Nifty Thrifty Sunday * Making the World Cuter * Home Savvy * Just Something I Whipped Up * Made by You Mondays * Tuesday Time Out * Sew Cute Tuesday * Talent Tuesday * We Did It Wednesday * Hoo’s Got Talent * Look What I Made * The Trendy Treehouse * Thrilling Thursday * It’s a Hodgepodge

Super Easy Pet Blankets

Many of my friends have fur babies, and several became new parents this year. I’ve started assembling their Christmas blankets and as the weather starts to cool, it feels like the perfect time to work on this project.

Not only is this craft ridiculously easy and fast to whip up, but any extras you can make into blankets to be donated to your local animal shelter. The blankets are comfy, easy to clean, and pets will love them.  

My fleece choices. Two pattern pairs.

I am showing two options: non-sew and sew, but there are so many other combinations that you can do. 

Non-Sew Option

You can use one design where 1/2 - 1 yard will make one blanket.  If you use two different prints, you can probably get two blankets out of the fabric.

Two prints, wrong sides in the middle.

Once you have found a fleece design(s) that you like, cut into your desired size.  For a small to medium dog, I would recommend 36” square and move up from there.  Keep in mind that you’ll be losing 4” all around the blanket from the ties, so you may want to start large.  If you’re doing two patterns, cut out another piece into the same size.  

Cutting 4" strips around the side of the blanket, approx. 1" apart.

Place wrong sides together.  Cut 4” (approx... I’ve found that 4” or more work best to tie the knots) ‘strips’ 1” apart down each side of the blanket.  You will be cutting around the entire blanket.

Starting to tie double knots from the strips.

Once you have cut strips around the entire blanket, begin tying each pair (one from each side of the blanket).  I like to leave the last pair on each corner untied and snip them off once I have tied all of the ties.  I think it lays better that way.

Completed tie blanket.  If you trim longer strips around the edge, you won't have to tie your knots too tight and it will lay flat.  Just keep in mind the final blanket size when factoring in the size of your cut strips.

Sew Option

Choose your fabric (same as above instructions) and cut to desired size.  You don’t lose as much fabric around the edges so you can be closer to the actual size desired.  I use a 36” square for my medium size dog and it’s perfect for him.

Place right sides together and stitch the fleece together. I did a 3/4” edge.  Leave an opening in the middle of one side to invert the blanket inside out.

Opening to invert the blanket.

Once you have stitched all the way around, trim the corners so that they lay flat when inverted.  Turn the blanket inside out by pulling the fabric through the opening.  Finger press the sides flat and push the corners out.  

Pining the opening closed in preparation to stitch the edges.

Once you have flattened out the blanket, pin the opening inside in preparation to sew it closed.  Stitch the edge ultimately closing the opening and creating a small border.

Blanket complete! Showing double sides.

I like to just fold the blanket up, tie a bow around it and add a pet treat or toy.

Some finished blankets with their treats.

There you have it! An uber easy gift for your pet lover friends or your own fur baby.  

Wallace's new blanket is in place.

So comfy.

Bedside Intruder

So my gf and I are big fans of the Antoine Dodson Bedside Intruder song... so much so that it's our ringtones and currently one of our favorite things to quote to each other.  She's playing hostess for me while I'm in SoCal for a dance workshop, so I thought I'd make her a little hostess gift.

I didn't have a ton of time to put it together as I've been trying to make progress on my sew along raincoat , so unfortunately, there's no border. But I think it still works... :)

In case you are one of the few who haven't seen this amazing phenomenon, here are a couple of links to watch:

The original news video

The song created from said video

Antoine Dodson's website

Some people think the whole thing is crude, but hey, with his new-found fame and donations from 'fans', he was able to move his family out of the projects.

And P.S. Thanks for Subversive Cross Stitch for the alphabet and the idea to make something other than kitties and unicorns on cross stitch.