matchbox car town

I got this idea from my mother in law who made one for her kids when they were little. Some of my favorite features are the drive in garages, the drive thru at the McD's, the pump at the gas station and the drive thru car wash.

Quilt for 2

For my boy's 2nd birthday, I made him this quilt. I had a hard time picking out the right fabric and quilt pattern because most quilting stuff looks girly. But I finally decided on this sort of random looking pattern.
Things I learned making this quilt:

• Sheets make great quilt backs- especially when you buy them at Goodwill for $6! Cheapest quilt back I ever hear of and there are no seems!
• When you have extra backing fabric, fold it over to look like edging-- so much easier. I actually sewed it over once on the back and once on the front and you really can't tell that it is just the backing.
• Quilting with 2 colors (yellow and orange) is fun.
• piecing together the batting is really easy and make it cheaper!

name banner

Here is my original name banner that I made. Dennis would have pulled it down if I hung it above his crib so I just put it on the other side of the room under his circle mobile (which is now his reading corner). Using bias tape and felt letters made this so easy to make. Once again, I got my original idea from Emily. I get a lot of ideas from her.

baby james

I love Baby James. He was born the day before my birthday. I got this great idea from my friend Emily to make banners. She created one that said "Celebrate" for any holiday... But I decided it would be a totally cute way to put a baby's name above the crib. I made this one with the left over fabric that I bought for his baby quilt.
This quilt pattern had ducks on it originally but I thought that was too girly for James. Sail boats were the perfect substitute since his dad likes to sail.

Things I learned while making this quilt:

• Bias tape edging is easy but expensive
• tucked under edging applique without freezer paper and following directions is pretty hard... but totally doable.
• piecing together a striped pattern fabric for the back is hardly noticeable
• flannel fabric shrinks A LOT in the wash. Buy way more of it than you would cotton fabric