Monday, February 28, 2011

Finally finished my baby gift for dear friend...

I've had such a fun week this past week. I received the Versatile Blogger Award from Creative Princess. I was featured on At Home with K's for my Teen towel set. I discovered a whole bunch of new blogging friends and picked up 20 new followers! I also found a great apron pattern on Sugar Bee's which I can't wait to get started on, but I have to say the highlight of the week was finishing the heirloom blanket I was making for a dear friend who just had a baby. I finished it and took her out to lunch to give it to her. She was overwhelmed which of course was the appropriate response :-).

I love doing these blankets for new babies, but they do take awhile. They are not expensive. I get the baby afghan blanket at JoAnn's which is $12.99. I usually have a coupon and only really pay about $8.99. I choose an embroidery set to purchase to download onto my machine. In this case I chose the Baby Blue Bird collection from www.bunnycup.com. I paid $10 for the set and about $5.00 for the thread so all in all the blanket cost me less than $25. I work full time so my goal is to do at least 2 squares a night. There are 28 squares and I embroider 14 of them, doing every other one. I can usually manage to get one of these done working part time on it in about two weeks. I chose the blue birds simply because they were so dang cute and it was a spring happy theme. I always monogram the baby's initial on the bottom center square. The very last step is fringing which can be a bit tricky. I always sew two rows 1/4" apart all the way around with some finishing stitch about 6" inside and then pull thread out to create fringe. If you have an embroidery machine this really is an easy project which is perfect for the very special person in you lives. When finished the blanket becomes an heirloom. Sorry the pictures are not better quality, I just had a devil of a time taking them.


It was hard getting the picture of the full blanket.


Down the right side




Down the left side. Same design as right side just mirrored.



Top of blanket.

Bottom of blanket with monogrammed initial.

Blanket all folded up and ready to wrap.

I am sharing this with Debbiedoo's Blogging and Blabbing Monday Newbie Linky Party

11 comments:

  1. That is so cute...very thougtful too. She will treasure it. Thanks for joining my newbie party.

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  2. What a darling blanket! Very inspiring and one that will always be appreciated. I'm visiting from Debbie's Newbie party. I'm your newest follower. I hope you'll visit and follow me too!
    Lynn
    www.cottageandcreek.com

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  3. Very cute stuff! I love embroidery! Thanks for stopping by http://piecesofmolly.blogspot.com/ and for following. Lynn is no longer your newest follower! LOL

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  4. So sweet and you did a great job. Guess what Molly is no longer your newest follower! LOL Have a great week, Vicky

    (Stop by and visit if you have time)

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  5. Hi thanks for popping over to my blog and being a follower. I love the blanket, so cute! I'm following you too :o) Scarlett x

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  6. The blanket is adorable & the birdie applique is so cute. What a keepsake this will be. Thanks for visiting my blog and becoming a follower. I am now following you & looking forward to seeing your many talents.
    CAS

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  7. Hi! I'm your newest follower. I am glad I stopped by today and got to celebrate your award with you.

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  8. SO excited you loved Them!! Thank you SO much for the sweet comment!!
    xoxox!
    Keren

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  9. Yeah.. a fellow embroider!!! What type of machine do you have? I am going to put up a dress I did on the 4th.. it will be featured on emblilibrary then.. Love the blanket.. it is adorable.. I know how much time you spent on it.. such a special gift for someone.

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  10. I love your monogramming! This blanket is cute as a button! Thanks for stopping by my blog and your sweet comments!

    Liz

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  11. Oh my goodness. That has to be one of the cutest applique embroidery designs I've ever seen. I absolutely love it. And congrats on the awards!

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