Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Kylee's Baby Blanket- Patchwork Palm Tree

After getting some ideas of what Rachelle wanted, I drew up my version of the blanket. The color of the squares did change once we went shopping for the fabric. So much thought has gone into this blanket for a baby that has been loved since the first mention of her!



















Let the measuring and cutting begin! I decided to go with this beautiful dark brown instead of the green color that I had originally planned on using. In the picture above I measured each square 8" by 8" to have 5 squares in each row (width/length). (Material- no-peel fleece)









I love this color of blue against the brown. They really accentuate each other. My thought while choosing the two colors was to have the blue represent the ocean (both Mommy and Daddy share a connection to California) and the brown to represent land. *the idea will make more sense as you see the blanket come together!










The first two strips intact! Sewing with a new machine takes time to get used to. I was so pleased with the ease of how my sewing was coming along that I couldn't resist the urge to snap a quick picture.










Now we're talking! And the majority of the sewing is done, for now. This blanket is beautiful!











Here are the cute animals chosen for Miss Kylee's blanket! Her Daddy was given the nick name Giraffe by her Mommy while they were deployed in Afghanistan. The Giraffe is Kylee’s Daddy and the Monkey is Miss Kylee! The animals were applied to the fleece with an iron-on appliqué, to be stitched later.










I drew the entire tree by hand onto the paper backing of the iron-on applique after first ironing it to the fabric I had chosen for the leaves and the trunk. Here you can see the drawing of the leaves. The fabric I chose for the leaves is textured!












And here it has been ironed onto the fleece waiting for the stitching to make sure it all stays in place!












Starting the stitches! We are getting closer to our final product!














The stitching is complete! I can't wait for you to see the Giraffe and monkey up close!









I hand embroidered the facial features of both animals. It gives them a little more character. Don't you think?




















Getting ready to sew on the softest material I have ever felt, Minky-Dink. I think Baby Kylee will really love this blanky!














Here is the finished blanket! I tried to choose fabrics with different textures. I wanted something with softness but while Kylee’s sense of touch is developing, I wanted her to get that from this blanket. Something that I hope she cherishes and loves for a long time to come!!










To Rachelle and Ricky, congratulations to the both of you! I couldn't ask for better friends than you guys! You are going to be amazing Parents and Baby Kylee is going to be so loved!

To my Kylee Girl, Baby we are waiting to meet you and have been since we first heard of your existence! I know you will be beautiful inside and out because you have the two most beautiful people in the world to love and care for you. You know them as Mommy and Daddy, but I know them as two of my Best Friends! We can't wait to say "Welcome to the world Baby Girl!"
Love Amber!







I stitched two pieces of looped ribbon into the blanket so that Kylee's toys or pacifier could be attached to it so she won't drop or lose them!  











Sweet Baby, we are waiting for YOU!!










Sunday, June 10, 2012

The Blessings of my Crafty Heart

 

My little girl has wanted to take Ballet for a few years. After moving back home to Texas, we decided now was the right time. She attended her first Ballet Recital on Saturday June 9th.

She practiced her little heart out and was so beautiful dancing along with all of the other little girls in her class. Her Dad and I are so very proud of her!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Mother of ALL Sewing Machines

I am so in love with my new sewing machine! I chose the Husqavarna Viking Sapphire 835. I 💜love💜 this machine so far.



I recently finished a baby blanket using fleece and minky material. The machine I owned previously made sewing through fleece less than desirable. I wouldn't have even dared the attempt to sew through minky. My Sapphire however goes through fleece like its nothing and the blanket turned out beautiful!

I am still learning all that I am able to do with it but I am having so much fun using it.

I am now working on an apron for my little girl. I can't wait to finish it.

Happy Crafting!
Amber ~Crafty At Heart~

Saturday, March 03, 2012

Gimme Your Pants!!

Strange title, I know! But it does hold a purpose.

All of us decide to get rid of our clothing for one reason or another. My crafting and love for my Mother In-law has led me to a new craft group called Sisters In Christ.

Each week we meet with our group for our craft session. A few weeks ago one of the ladies taught us how to make an apron out of our jeans.

We have moved back home to Texas so any of the jeans I would have used are still packed and in storage.

But of course I was able to get my hands on a pair of my Husbands ACU pants!

We were to use the backside of the pants (back pockets). Sew a hem around the bottom and make a belt with another pretty material. You leave the waist and belt loops so that you have a place to slip your belt through.

I love this idea for a couple of reasons; I can get a lot of use out of a pair of jeans even after I can't wear them anymore. I can stop worrying about the holes in the knees!! And best of all, I can keep the apron simple and make a few different belts to go with all of the Holidays that we celebrate. Or I can decorate the apron as much as I want.

I have cut out my pants and picked a fabric but that is as far as I have gotten with it. I was waiting to purchase my new sewing machine and then realized that when I would be able to finally get my sewing machine, I would need to get started on another, very important project that I have been planning on making for several months.

So, the apron is to be continued!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Drum Roll Please!!

Our contest came to an end last night at mid-night. Thank you Samantha Hang, Cindy Harper and AJackson1213 for participating! We do have our winner and you can check to see if it is you below. If you did not win the contest I have something else for you. 

Use my code: STMMMS29585 and receive a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store- $20 value!!
*My code is ONLY good for My Memories Suite V3



DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!





Monday, December 12, 2011

Oh, yes, she said GIVEAWAY!!


Hey there crafty readers! This is the BIG SURPRISE blog I have been talking about on my Twitter, Facebook & Google+ pages.
I was recently introduced to a (new to me) digital scrapbooking software.I have been having so much fun creating everything from Christmas Card ideas, page layouts for Brea's scrapbook and a cute paper that I printed out to embellish a Christmas gift for Braydyn and Brea's Teachers.
I love that I can do so much more than just scrapbook albums. Just look at some of the things I have made with the My Memories Suite software.

Here are just a few of the things I have made using the scrapbook software.

For my Son's 1st grade Teacher
I chose a background paper  for the "lined paper"
added the individual "block letters" and
the "apple". The "Mrs." and "A+" were created
with the "Word Art" that comes with the scrapbook software.
Best of all, it was very easy and quick to create!!!

Originally made ^^^paper^^^ for my Daughter's Kindergarten Teacher and turned it into this:
After printing, I had my daughter
write the sweet descriptions of her
Teacher with the letters in her name.
Then I used Mod Podge to glue it to
the wooden board. Her handwriting
is forever saved with Fabric paint. The
Scissors, Ruler, Pencil, Crayon, "ABC",
"2011"and "123" are painted on with
Apple Barrel paints. 

The background paper, journaling card,
Christmas Ornament, snow flake, ribbons,
holly berries, "love JOY peace" and "Brea,
Santa & Braydyn" were all chosen from the
My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking
software!
You guessed it. This is where it starts getting really exciting! Now that I have shown you a few different things I have made with the My Memories software, I will let you in on the surprise :)

I was given the opportunity to hold a CONTEST/GIVEAWAY for the MY MEMORIES SUITE V3  SOFTWARE!!! And you could be the lucky WINNER!!

All you have to do to enter the contest is:

  1. Become a Follower of my Blog, Crafty At Heart (the blog you are reading!!) 
  2. Visit the My Memories website via the link(s) provide throughout this blog or go to your web browser and type www.mymemories.com
  3. Check out the site. Browse the digital paper packs or layouts and choose a favorite. Then, come back and leave a comment on this blog telling me which one you chose! Along with your Name and e-mail address (used for contacting you after the winner has been chosen ONLY) 
**1-3 will get you ONE (1) entry into the contest**

If you would like, you can follow My Memories on the sites listed below for !!EXTRA ENTRIES!!


Follow My Memories

Blog = 1 ENTRY
Facebook = 1 ENTRY
Twitter = 1 ENTRY
YouTube = 1 ENTRY
OR 4 ENTRIES IF YOU FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE TO ALL OF THE ABOVE!!

**DON'T FORGET TO TELL ME IN A COMMENT WHICH ONE(S) YOU FOLLOWED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THOSE EXTRA ENTRIES!!**

There will only be ONE (1) winner for this contest. I will be using a program that chooses a name from a list at random.

The contest will begin as soon as this blog, "Oh, yes, she said GIVEAWAY!!" is posted (12-14-2011) and I will be accepting entries until MID-NIGHT (12:00AM) on Tue. 12-27-2011. The winner will be announced the following day (Wed. Dec. 28, 2011).

Thank you and Good Luck!!

Happy Crafting :)
Amber~ Crafty At Heart

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Last Thanksgiving as an Active Duty Army Family??

Today is another full day of cleaning and cooking/baking in an attempt to get ready for tomorrow.

This is the first year that we are cooking a Turkey (my Russ will be taking on this task!). We haven't had Thanksgiving by ourselves since we were stationed at Fort Bragg. Which has been three or four years ago.

We didn't do anything special for this holiday last year because we had literally just moved to Colorado, where we are stationed now.

Last year, my Husband was sent home early from deployment. Last year he was going back and forth to doctors for his back.

After 4 deployments, that back of his just wasn't going to cut it anymore.

He is now on Med. Board status and in the final stages of that. We are just patiently waiting for those "you're outa here" orders.

So for this years Thanksgiving, I am thankful to be spending another Turkey Day as an Active Duty Army Wife, my Husband and our amazing kiddos, my Family & Friends, the brave Hero's that are deployed and missing their families, the brave Families that are missing their Hero's. But most of all, I am thankful for those Hero's who made the ultimate sacrifice and the Families that have loved and missed them every day.

May you and your's have a very wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving and many things to be Thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving,
Amber ~Crafty At Heart~