Monday, March 27, 2017

Make Over Monday from the Sewing Room

I'd like to begin this post with a "shout out" to Mrs. Rhonda at "If You Do Stuff, Stuff Gets Done" blog.  She usually begins her week with a "to do" list and seems to consistently whittle away at it.  She accomplishes quite a bit.  I'd like to acknowledge her because as of late, I've been battling some situational depression.  As such, I've found on some days accomplishing much of anything is a struggle.  However, her blog has been a great source of inspiration to me on those "difficult" days.  I follow her lead and make myself a list of things that need to be done, should be done and / or things I know I would enjoy doing or accomplishing under normal circumstances.  So, Thank you Mrs. Rhonda for encouraging  me!

Some of you may remember the Best Birthday Gift Ever! post from September 2016, where I shared that our Musician and his beautiful Bride announced they were expecting their first baby and our first grandbaby.  The sewing and crochet projects I listed in the "Post Holiday To Do's" entry back in January 2017, were all about goodies for the new addition to our family.

Here are photos of all the sewing and crochet projects I've completed for our little G-bear.



Four reversible bibs

Three reversible burp cloths
These bibs and burb cloths were made by recycling flannel receiving blankets found at the thrift store for only $0.25 each. I purchased 7 coordinating blankets and after finishing these bibs and burp cloths, I still have enough material left over for 1 or 2 other projects.
 
Infant sized granny square afghan.  Grey, yellow and white are the colors selected for G-bear's nursery.
 
Although I did not use left over or recycled yarns for this crochet project, I do have some left that will eventually find its way into, what I call, a scrap-aghan.  The yellow centers surrounded by white reminds me of daisies - my favorite flower.

Crib sized strip quilt
 
This feminine crib sized strip quilt is a very frugal gift.  I spent less than $5.00 on the quilt backing.  The pieced top and batting were scraps from other projects.

Nursing cape with "cupped" opening and handy storage pouches.

A young friend of mine has a nursing cape with a "cupped" opening at the top.  When I saw hers, I decided I would have to figure out how to make one for my dear daughter-in-love. I decided to add pouch style pockets for things like a pacifier, teething ring and a toy. This fabric was originally purchased for another project that I never got around to making.  Instead of allowing to it sit on my fabric shelves for another year, or so, I decided it would be perfect for a nursing cape that matches G-bear's nursery theme.  I used free plastic box strapping from a recent mail order shipment to make the "cup" form at the top of the cape.  The sunflower button for the neck strap is recycled from one of  Songbird's nursery projects - 18 years ago!

If you choose to follow my lead by turning recycled materials into gifts, please don't ever be ashamed or think you've given a "cheap" gift.  Anyone who crafts, sews, paints, etc. knows that hours, days and, sometimes, months of ones time is invested in a handmade gift.  The hours, care and prayers poured into a handcrafted project by the artisan is a priceless gift to the recipient.

What can you find in your closet, scrap pile, garage or basement that can be made into something new?


17 comments:

  1. The things you have been making are wonderful!!! I love it all! Great job! :)

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    1. Thank You, Katy. Among all the projects I've tackled this winter, I am most excited about posting photos of the kitchen island I "created" from a left over cabinet after our kitchen re-do last summer. I am waiting on the quartz countertop to be cut and delivered. Estimated delivery time is 2-6 weeks ... one of the quirks to living way, way out in the country.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  2. So (Sew) cute! You are very creative Mrs. B!I made a couple of aprons out of a couple of old shirts. I saw this on The Enchanting Rose website. My sewing skills aren't that great but the aprons are functional.

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    1. Thanks, Regina. I love that you used the fabric from old shirts to make new kitchen aprons! Sounds like you are the creative one. I think I'll drop by "The Enchanting Rose" website to check out that apron pattern.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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    2. Regina, I took a look at the shirt apron at "The Enchanting Rose". I LOVE it and will most definitely add this to my project list. Thank you so very much for the suggestion.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  3. Good afternoon Mrs. B,
    I'm so pleased my lists inspire you. ❤ some weeks most all plans are accomplished but some weeks, they don't.
    Your sewing turned out so nice. I've used recycled blankets for some of my baby sewing, and sometimes the thrift store blankets are better quality fabric than the new off the bolt fabric.
    I'm looking forward to seeing your newly made island.

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    1. Yes, Mrs. Rhonda, I don't know if I would have accomplished all I wanted if it hadn't been for your weekly "to do" lists inspiration. As soon as the island countertop arrives and we get it "glued" on with epoxy, I'll post a photo of the mobile island.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  4. What wonderful projects! I have our first great grand baby coming in just a month or so, so some of these ideas are ideal!!

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    1. Hello Tatersmama,

      It is so nice to see a comment from you, thanks for stopping by!
      I must tell you the bibs and burp cloths were so quick and easy. I made all of them in one morning. The nursing cape was also a very quick project. The cape with pouch pockets and neck strap was completed within an hour. The hand appliqued butterfly embellishment on the nursing cape took another 3 1/2 hours. Just in case you are wondering why I would employ the very time consuming process of hand applique instead of machine applique ... I sew on a 1955 Kingston 300 machine - no fancy embroidery, no machine applique; just a simple forward straight stitch, backward straight stitch and zigzag.

      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  5. Thank you for the sewing inspiration : )

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  6. I love everything that you made! Those nursing capes are wonderful for new moms. My mother made some for our Heather and is making some for our Rachel now. I so wish we had those when I was nursing my babies. :)

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. I also love the nursing capes that young mothers have today. Back when I had my babies, we all just put a suffocating receiving blanket over the baby's head. And when I saw a nursing cape for the first time, I thought, "Now, why couldn't I have been inventive and thought up such a practical solution?" I often do an adequate job of replicating other's inventions, but never seem to be able to come up with my own. Alas, I don't ever expect to become wealthy by having some nifty invention sold on the home shopping network program - LOL!
      I hope you are feeling better, my friend.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  7. Beautiful sewing Mrs. B. I also love If you do stuff, stuff gets done. I say that over and over in my mind on an average day. That and "do the next thing" from Elizabeth Elliot.
    I am striving towards what you shared with me about shopping for specials and menu planning from the pantry. I am more and more finding ways to implement that and this weeks "shopping" will largely be from the pantry. I am rotating and just adding when I see great buys. So thank you very much for that! xxx

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  8. Hi Annabel,
    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a lovely, complimentary comment. If you visit my Farmhouse Cookbook page and scroll down to the Budgeting and Planning It Out section, I have several posts that may give you some more tips on meal planning, restocking and keeping your pantry rotated.
    Blessings,
    Mrs.B

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Thank you for taking time to read my blog and leave a comment. I try my best to respond to each one. God Bless You, Mrs.B