Fabric Blocks for Baby

This is the first fabric toy project I ever made. At the time (2.5 years ago) I knew less than nothing about interfacing or types of stitches or anything like that, so it is grossly unpolished.

The project idea came from a book called "Crafts for Baby" by Alison Jenkins and it was a set of 3 blocks.

Lamb Pillow....I did it!

This was an easy enough project that I found in Molly's Sketchbook at the Purl Bee. I didn't use the exact same materials called for but the lamb is still soft.

Because I'm lazy normally pressed for time and very efficient, I traced once with the vanishing fabric pen, folded, and cut through two pieces of felt at the same time to get the two face sections. This technique worked well for the ears and leg pieces as well.





I know, I know, my sewing is cringe-worthy. But I'm working on it. Check me in 6 months. I'll be a sewing fool with crazy clean lines.

One thing I didn't pay attention to is making sure my bottom and top thread matched. I forgot that the thread would show on both sides of the lamb. So my lamb has white thread on one side and brown thread on the other.

Oopsies. I broke the crap out of my needle. These are the kinds of things that make a 1 hour job take 2 hours. Now I must take time to go read the manual and figure out how to change the needle. Luckily that was an easy thing to do.

Pieces are all pinned together and ready for stitching, stuffing and finishing off the opening.

I think he turned out really cute. I could have made him fluffier with the stuffing. And next time I might make a larger momma sheep.

Now I'm off to remove something from my To-Do list. I love that.

Stay pretty!

Baby's Room - Wall Decor

Bought these raw wood letters from Joann's, painted with 2 or 3 coats of acrylic brown paint and decorated with stamps, rub-ons, ribbon, premade embellishments & stick on jewels. To make things extra secure, I used hot glue so nothing will fall into baby's crib.





Of course, if you do this you need to make sure you hang them high enough on the wall that even on baby's best day she could never pull them off and choke on any of the pieces her curious little hands might dig off. You probably already knew that but I wouldn't be any kind of mother if I didn't say it.

Decorate a plain onsie with a felt flower.

I did this back in June. It was simple though the hand stitching was a little time consuming. Definitely a project you could do in an hour (if you didn't have babies climbing up your leg or running around the house tearing books off your bookshelf.)



I cut the flower out of pink felt (and a matching piece of Heat N Bond) using my Cuttlebug and a flower Nestabilities die. I ironed the Heat N Bond onto the back of the flower and then the flower onto the onsie. I used embroidery floss to secure the button and to do the hand stitching. And BAM! You have just prettied up a plain boring onsie.

Baby's 1st Birthday Banner

This is not my original idea, but it was FUN to sort through pictures to make.

Baby Bootie Bouquet

I saw this in a book and thought it looked easy enough. It was. You just buy a pack of baby socks and roll them starting with the toe, then fold the cuff up a little bit. This secures the rose bud look and gives you something to put over the craft stick that will serve as the stem. A cinch.

Diaper Cake

Okay, so not everyone knows what a diaper cake is. I know this because I told a friend I was bringing one to a baby shower and she innocently asked "How many does it feed?"

This is the only one I've made. They take a bit of time and a crap ton of rubber bands, but once you get going it is pretty easy even for a first timer. I did cheat a little by using a huge bottle of baby wash in the center (meaning I had fewer diapers to roll & secure.)

I used larger sized diapers (size 2 & 3) since I figured the gal would get plenty of the smaller sizes from other guests.

Custom Baby-Safe Magnets

Okay, so you know how when you have a great idea you are like "Oh. My. Goodness. I am such a genius!!! I must share my genius with THE WORLD!!!!!"? Well today is that day for me.


I have been looking for magnetic toys for the baby. She creeps and crawls now so when we are cooking and cleaning, she likes to hang out in the kitchen and play with the fridge magnets. The only magnets we feel comfy having her play with are the big rubbery ones that spell out city names that you get while waiting in an airport during a layover on your way home from vacation and feel like you just haven't quite spent enough money. Yeah, you know the kind.


"Why not get those alphabet letters" you ask? I've looked into those already. No go. They are 1) made in China (blech!) 2) have tiny and, I'm quite sure, poorly adhered magnets on the back, and 3) not intended for babies anyway.

So strolling through Target today I found this $5 puzzle.





I also remember that I have 8.5x11 self-adhesive magnet sheets at home left over from another project. You are already doing the math.





I will cut the magnetic sheet using Spellbinder's dies, stick it to the back of each animal and vwah-lah! Instant (and safe) baby toy.

***UPDATED***

Okay, as I was typing this up I heard some clanking sounds in the kitchen. Apparently the puzzle pieces are made up of some type of balsa wood = not great for sticky back magnet sheets. I am going to glue the magnet sheet on with some fabri-tac glue or glossy accents. I'll report back if this works.

***UPDATED***
The extra glue worked! Yay!