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!

 

A Grand Adventure {Deep in the Hundred-Acre Wood}

Hello friends! I've been "deep in the hundred acre wood" so-to-speak! ha ha! I've been having the best time making all kinds of Winnie the Pooh things for a few new moms and their darling babies! I've been sewing and stamping/paper crafting up a storm so I have a lot to share, but for today, I will only be sharing the two cards I made for each of the moms. I still have a bajillion photos to edit with each of the items I created, so stay tuned!

As a family, we have really enjoyed visiting Disneyland and we absolutely adore Critter Country, so these two cards were created with that look in mind, and of course, classic Pooh as well! My oldest son's nursery was decorated in Classic Pooh and that particular year, there was a layette line with Classic Pooh clothes as well, so this all tugs at my heartstrings!

I made this card first, so it has a lot of flowers and leaves that are cut using the beautiful Into the Blooms: Wild Wood Die. I cut everything from white cardstock and then colored the pieces using dye inks and blender brushes. The greenery was spritzed with Mowed Lawn Distress Spritz and set aside to dry. 

Next, I got to work on the frames; this is a beautiful combination of dies that Betsy used for Christmas and I have been loving it and using it every chance I get! I cut the top layer using the Shortbread Shapes: Snowflake Die from wood veneer cardstock and then embossed it using the Shortbread Shapes: Snowflake Embossing Folder. I cut the next layer using the same die, but from woodgrain cardstock. Once that was done, I cut the capsule opening using the Capsule Basics Die and then embossed it using the Rosemal Reflections Embossing Folder. I added some walnut stain distress oxide ink over the raised areas to add depth and added color. I glued them onto a shaped card base and then got to work on the critters.

I die cut all of the pieces for Pooh and Piglet using the Spellbinders Say Cheese Classic Pooh Collection Pooh and Piglet. I used colored cardstock; Harvest Gold for Pooh with added ink for shading and depth. Piglet is cut from Sweet Blush cardstock with an Ocean Tides onesie and Pinefeather scarf. I glued everything together using liquid glue and foam squares. I wanted them to be holding hands so I glued them together in that arrangement.

This particular sentiment is absolutely PERFECT for baby cards and it really is the theme of all the projects I made for both mommas and babies. It is included in the Echo Park Winnie the Pooh Stamp Set. I was thrilled to find that this stamp set and coordinating paper are from the same designer as the fabric I bought for all of the sewn projects that I'll be sharing soon! It allowed me to keep everything cohesive and coordinated!

I stamped it in walnut stain distress oxide ink on a piece of gingham paper and then added that to the middle of the frames. Once that was done, I was able to add Pooh and Piglet with foam squares.

I arranged all of the flowers, leaves, and bees around the frame using liquid glue and foam squares. I really love how this sweet card came together!

As I mentioned earlier, I made the previous card first, so it got the majority of the flowers and leaves, so I kept this one a bit more simple. I was beyond thrilled to find that the sentiment fit perfectly inside the balloon!

I cut the balloon from Pure Poppy cardstock and then stamped the sentiment with white pigment ink. I added some Scarlet Jewel around the edges, which in hindsight, I should have done that BEFORE I stamped the sentiment!

I used blue gingham for this card and added a filigree border cut from Vintage Cream cardstock and secured with liquid glue. I was able to layer Pooh and the balloon using foam squares for dimension.

The base for this card was cut using the Capsule Basics (linked earlier) and then embossed using the Capsule Basics Embossing Folder with the Rosemal frame. I cut it using the new Capsule Fixed Borders Large Die and added it with liquid glue.

I added the remaining flowers and leaves using liquid glue and foam squares.

This was such a fun project to work on and I can't wait to share everything else with you soon! It's overwhelming, so let me know if you'd like it broken up into multiple blog posts, or just all at once in a BIG post! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Project Inspiration and a WINNER!

Hello and welcome, friends! I'm here today sharing an Easter card for this week's Project Inspiration and announcing the winner of my giveaway from last week! 

I used the random integer generator to draw the name and comment number #11 was the winner! It is an anonymous comment, so if this is you, please email me at kellyrory1@msn.com

Congratulations! I will get your prize mailed to you as soon as I get your address!

I'm still in Valentine's Day mode, but it's never too early to get started on those cards for special holidays and occasions! Follow along as I give step-by-step instructions on how to create this Easter design!

Step 1: Use the Fresh Greens Hot Foil Plate on a panel of Lilac Grace cardstock using champagne foil. Trim it down to slightly smaller than an A2 size.

Step 2: Cut the bow portion using the Wrap-it Ribbons Die from Lemon Tart cardstock and attach to the background using foam squares. Stamp the sentiment, which is from the Just Sentiments: Easter mini stamp set, in black at the bottom.

Step 3: Cut the egg using the Spring Silhouette Die from white cardstock and then add speckled egg distress oxide ink with a blender brush. I keep a set just for oxide inks rather than switching between dye ink and oxide ink. Add some speckled egg splatter and then add some walnut stain distress oxide spray (just a hint). Attach it with foam squares.

Step 4: Cut the bunny and foliage using the same Spring Silhouette Die (linked above) and then flowers from the Into the Blooms: Wreath Die from white cardstock. Add ink using blender brushes and glue together. Attach them around the egg using both liquid glue and foam squares.

Step 5: Heat emboss the "He is Risen" sentiment in gold onto a strip of vellum (stamp set linked in step 2). Wrap it around the background and secure it on the back with clear tape.

Step 6: Attach the background to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. Add glitter to the flowers and foliage and a trio of sparkling clear sequins to finish it off.

I really love how this card turned out and I will add it to my stash of Easter cards! I never got them all sent out last year, so my stash is already quite nice! ha ha!

I used a black Sharpie marker to color the eye of the rabbit. You might notice that he did a little hop from one point to the other between process photos (ha ha!). I decided I liked him a little bit lower by the flowers!

This design would also make a lovely spring card as well. Sometimes Easter comes before I get everything sent out (as I mentioned earlier) so sometimes it's nice to have spring cards as well so they can be given after Easter and it's not odd.

Thanks for fluttering by!