Tutorial ~Swaddle Blanket with Self Binding Method~

A while ago, I mentioned that I was doing a tutorial for a blanket using the self binding method. I have made so many blankets in the past. I think this is one of the most easiest ways to make baby blankets. It might be a little confusing at first, folding the corner, but once you get used to it, you can finish a blanket in no time!

{You will need}


1- 43" X 43" flannel (It was 44" wide flannel, I cut off the sides to get rid of the writings and thickness. This fabric will be the outer border.)

1- 36" X 36" flannel

Matching thread

{How to}

1. Mark the middle for all sides for both fabrics. Lay them together with right sides together. First, pin the middle of the four sides. Then pin the edges starting in the middle make your way outwards to the corners.


2. Start sewing using 1/4" seam allowance. Remember to leave a 5" opening for you to turn the fabric inside out later.



3. Fold the corner. Draw a line to help you to know where to sew. Use the picture as a guide.



4. Cut the excess off. Repeat the process for the other corners.



5. Press the seam towards the outside with an iron.



6. Turn the fabric inside out. Iron. Pin the opening and top stitch all around the blanket.



7. Ta-da. That's it!


Wasn't that fun? I have been going through my stash and made some in the past few weeks. They always come in handy for baby showers and such. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial!

Custom Memo Board

My friend "D" wanted a BIG memo board to organize some of her office stuff--and make it pretty. Censational Girl posted some great instructions on how to make one here, so off I went!

"D" wanted her memo board to be 3 ft x 4 ft. I chose to use a thin sheet of Lauan, mostly so it wouldn't be enormously heavy! I covered the board in a thin batting, and then with a brown twill. The ribbon is a cream-colored grograin, and it took almost 15 YARDS of the stuff!

Buttons for decoration were going to be expensive--but then I was inspired. In the jewelry-making section of JoAnn's, I found two strings of flat beads that would work instead! I used exactly two strings, and they were buy-one-get-one-free. You can't see it in the picture, but they aren't just plain brown, they look like stone with all the pretty variations and colors.


I like this one so much, I think I need one for myself now, above MY computer! I'm thinking something big...and bright...with flowers!

A Long Overdue Thank You

I have been back from vacation for a week and I am still playing catch up. I won’t bore you with my to do list but it is suffice to say as much as I am trying to cross things off, it does not seem to be getting any shorter. One of the things I meant to do pre-vacation was thank two lovely bloggers.

Before I headed south for a much needed break, I received a wonderful package in the mail. A few weeks earlier I was the winner of a giveaway on Kat’s blog Low Tide High Style.

Even though I was expecting the package I was beyond excited when it arrived. You see I won a painting by Trish from The Old Post Road.

I have been a follower of both Kat’s and Trish’s blogs for quite some time and had always admired Trish’s work. When I saw Kat was offering one of Trish’s paintings as a giveaway I was thrilled and of course very hopeful. Imagine my delight when I found out I had won this pretty zinnia painting!

It has found a home in my basement just outside the guest bedroom door. (The lighting was not good so I could not photograph it in place.) It is such a happy picture and will be the perfect welcome for friends and family who come to visit.

Thank you ladies! I hope you will forgive my long overdue thank you.


Here is a small sampling of Trish’s “art that inspires.” To see more, click HERE