A Grand Adventure {Winnie the Pooh} Baby Boy Gift Ensemble

Hello friends! As promised, here is the BIG post with ALL of the baby things I've been working on for the last few weeks! There was a sweet new baby boy born in the neighborhood in December, so after the holidays were over, my daughter and I headed to our favorite fabric/quilt shop to look for fabric to make her some gifts. We were coming up empty, but then tucked in a random bottom shelf was this cute Winnie the Pooh fabric by Echo Park and manufactured by Riley Blake. It seems like it was either really popular or not very new, so there wasn't a huge selection left. I pulled the fabrics from the line I wanted to use and then we went around the shop to find some of the "filler" fabrics.

An unexpected delight is Echo Park is obviously a paper/stamp manufacturer more than fabric, so I was BEYOND THRILLED to discover there was matching pattern paper and stamps. I decided since there is so much to share, I will just put them in the order that I made them, which might not make a lot of sense, but it will for me! ha ha!

Now, I mentioned there was a sweet baby boy born and THAT is what took me to the fabric store, but not long after, I got invited to a baby shower for another cute new mom in the neighborhood so that meant I was making double of a few things! Keep that in mind when I show two of certain things....ha ha! If you're interested in reading about the cards I made, you can find that information HERE. The Winnie the Pooh dies are NOT from Echo Park, but you can read all about it on that post.

Up first are a pair of baby booties; unfortunately the baby shower baby got the shoes, because I didn't have enough time to make another pair. These were made using the ADORABLE Baby Bootie Die (unfortunately retired) using Classic Kraft Felt for the main shoe and then Dark Chocolate Felt for the details.

I went to look at other pairs I have made in the past to remember which combinations I like best and I came across a comment from someone asking about trouble-shooting on a few things. This commenter asked about not having the holes punch out cleanly. It is REALLY important to punch the holes out of the die after each use. I didn't realize this back when I was first making them so I have seen what happens if you do and if you DON'T! ha ha!

Another thing that I have found that ensures better results is to use the small end of a stylus to punch EVERY hole out of the felt once it's been cut. This will help you get even stitches and not miss any as you're going along.

I also like to use Fray Check on the knots so they will be secure as they are taken on and off the baby!  I like to use three strands of DMC floss to achieve this look. You can do more if you like, but I wouldn't recommend less.

I like to package up the booties in clear cube boxes. For this particular pair, I added a red gingham ribbon and a sticker that is included in the Echo Park Winnie the Pooh Collection 12 by 12 Kit. I love the sentiment; Let's wander together to accent the shoes! If you want to see other booties I have made in the past, you can check those out HERE.

Next up is the bib! This is one of my go-t0 handmade baby items and you can see some of the different ones I've made over the years HERE 

I had a bit of fun with the tag since I had the matching Echo Park Winnie the Pooh Stamp Set. It actually came in VERY handy for a few different things that I will be sharing.

Super simple stamping, but it kept the whole ensemble cohesive and had that cute boutique feel to it!

Next up are the ties and the quilt! I started cutting the pieces for the quilt after I made the bib and got to work sewing, while also working on the ties. I have either thrown away or misplaced my FAVORITE tie pattern, so I had to make-shift a new one and I'm just so sad!

I forgot how wonky pictures of fabric turn out; particularly the stripes! This is the main portion of the quilt, but I will show the yellow border and binding a little further on!

The Winnie the Pooh sentiment came in SO handy for making these ties look boutique-y! 

I made two binky clips and added them to the capsule die that was leftover from the card I made! ha ha!

I ended up liking the gingham paper better to package the binky clip. I also added some additional stitches to this one to see if I like it.

Next up are the two "Baby's First Year" mini-albums that are always a nice addition to any baby gift! Normally I have been making this on a ring, like I featured in THIS post, but I decided to make one of these cute (and actually easy to make) tiny albums.

I used the pattern paper and the heavy-weight stickers that are included with the paper pack that were just the perfect touch! Both of these things made this project so much faster and easier. If this was the ONLY gift I was giving, I definitely would have made it more detailed.

To make these books, I use the backer that used to come in the SU! 12 by 12 paper packs. I still have quite a few of those, so I dug through the stash and trimmed it down to suit my needs. For scale, this is about 4 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches; just the right size for a picture or two and then the information about baby that particular month. I use my guillotine trimmer to cut the heavy cardboard and then score it and fold it with my bone folder. Once that's done, I add the paper over the top using adhesive in strategic places so it won't gum up my sewing machine needle. I add eyelets through the pages (double-sided paper is the perfect thing so both sides have a pattern, but different designs) and the spine of the album and then secure with ribbon.

The opening page has a place to write statistics.

Each month has a page like this to keep quick and easy track of baby's milestones. I have a file for this is you're interested!!

You can see the machine stitching around the perimeter with some zig-zag stitching down the side.

Even though the stickers are sturdy, I did add some liquid glue behind each one to ensure security.

I had so much fun working on the quilt in between the other projects. I know I keep saying it, but i just love how I had the paper and fabric to match! 

I was hoping my friend could do the quilting, but her long-arm is in the shop, so it was up to me to add some quick stippling. In the end, it actually looks like dripping honey, so I thought it was very fitting! ha ha!

My daughter was holding up the quilt for me so I could snap a few quick pictures....I was literally working on this the day of the shower! eek! Anyway, she told me not to have "any of HER showing", so I used my editing removal tool and it made the left hand side of the quilt/photo look wonky with it's "fill-in tool" so just ignore that! ha ha!

I think I've mentioned it before, but my latest favorite way to package up a baby gift is in a small suitcase. I chose a red one as I'm sure you noticed in the photos at the beginning of today's post!

This suitcase is bursting at the seams and then I wrapped it all up in cellophane and attached the card to the outside. If I had more time, I definitely would have enjoyed making a tag with those cute dies I used on the cards! 

Whew! That was a lot! Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I've been having the best time working on some other non-card projects that I'll be sharing soon, too! My sewing machine is feeling the love! ha ha!