Darison's Tag Baby Blankies {a tutorial}

This adorable neighbor girl of mine is so sweet. 

(Some of you might recognize her as a long-time model for marie-madeline studio patterns...)

When Darison found out that her cousin and his wife were going to be having their first baby, she quickly and thoughtfully set out to make them something special for their precious little one. 

She found a tutorial on how to make these super adorable blankies and went out and found the softest, cutest fabrics and ribbons. 

I was so happy that Darison wanted to spend one of our Fridays together sewing up these sweet baby gifts. (She decided to make two blankets - one for the cousin coming and the other for a little cousin who's already here....) So between homework and cookie dough and then baked cookies, she made these blankets. 

Yes. She. Because all I did was help her out sometimes. 

Darison did a fantastic job and I'm so proud of her! 

She also graciously allowed me to take pictures of her while she worked, so we could share a little bit of our fun day and a new tutorial with you all. 

Darison's Tag Baby Blankies 

-2 squares 13 1/2" x 13 1/2" of soft fabrics (minky, fleece, flannel)

-Ribbon (silky is especially fun)  

 1. cut ribbon 5" long.

 2. fold ribbon in half and pin around the edges of your square. raw edges of ribbon even with raw edge of fabric.

 3. sew ribbon tails down at 1/4".

 4. right sides together, place squares together, with ribbons sandwiched in between.

 5. sew squares together at 1/4". make sure your second stitch is right inside your first stitch. leave 3" gap in the middle of one side.

 6. clip corners and cut off excess around edges.

 7. turn right side out through 3" gap.

 8. carefully push out corners and topstitch around edges at 1/4".

 And..... you're finished! 

Thanks, Darison!

Way to go, Dare!  So proud of you. I know your little cousins will love them!

xo Abi

While it's still fall!

I'm typically a little late when it comes to sewing up my fall clothes. 

Living in the Ozarks doesn't give a lot fall-feeling days. One day it's short sleeves and the next day I'm looking for the thickest sweater I own! I'm okay with that though, but this year I've tried to really look for any bit of autumn coolness so I can enjoy it while it's here! 

When my sweet friend, Melinda, gave me this fabric, I was so excited to make something with it! 

It took a full 2 minutes for me to decide that I was going to use this fun fabric to make a tunic.

The Lela tunic was easy to sew. Really. I whipped it up in an afternoon and wore it that evening. 

It's comfortable and great to wear. Just perfect for fall.

However, I'll be truthful and say that I'm not calling it my 'Lela' tunic, but my 'Melinda' tunic.

Because if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have it anyway.

Thanks, Melinda! Love you!

xo Abi

Bulletin Board! - a tutorial

Bulletin boards are really handy. I have one in my bedroom cluttered with some of my favorite pictures. I also have one at my sewing table; this one covered with fabric scraps, treasured buttons, a few pictures of friends, inspirational drawings and cutouts from magazines.

When one of our besties had her birthday, we knew exactly what we wanted to give her:

A bulletin board. 

My sister, Abiah and I got to work and had the best time making over a simple cork board into something pretty and thinking the whole while about our adorable and amazing friend, Becky! 

Supplies:

-cork board, whatever size/shape you desire

-cotton batting, a few inches on each side overlapping board

-fabric, a few inches on each side overlapping board

Fabric can be quilting cotton weight (like ours), velveteen, or a substantial cotton linen. 

-staple gun and staples

-hot glue gun and glue

-rick rack (ours had to be glittery, of course! Because our Becks is super fun like that!)

-buttons (preferably very colorful. Like we said before - she's SO fun!)

 1. lay batting on top of cork board.

 2. Make sure batting is fitted to the board while you're stapling around the edges.

 3. Snip out corners of batting.

 4. Trim excess batting around edges.

                     5. After batting has been secured around all edges, lay fabric on top.

 6. Fold raw edge of fabric under and flip over to completely cover batting.

 7. Staple away ... carefully!

 a finished corner...

 8. Grab your rick rack and lay out strips approximately 4 1/2" apart. Pin at the sides of your board.

 9. Flip board over and staple ends of rack rack down on the backside.

 Buttons!!!

 11. Staple down rick rack at each intersection.

 12. Hot glue down buttons on top of each rick rack intersection/staple.

 13. Optional hanging device!  I used a jigsaw hanger. Measure and mark at the middle of your board.

 14. Hammer in nails securely. 

And you're done! 

We love you, Becky!!! 

xoxoxoxoxoxox

Abi & Abiah

me & Becky - love this gorgeous girl to the moon and back....

It's Fall, y'all!

I'm enjoying these cooler days. 

The smells outside are exciting and invigorating. 

Just begging you to step outside and enjoy life.

Because it only happens once. 

My fabulous friend, Sophie, asked two of my sisters and I to help her bring in fall with a little photoshoot. So we pulled out some old fall favorites and put together some outfits. We met with Soph and picked up where we left off, with some laughter, delicious foods and then picture taking. After we finished the pictures, we dropped into a cute coffee shop and enjoyed some yummy drinks and even more encouraging talk and laughter. 

Thanks for a great day, Sophie!

xo Abi

Don't forget to like Sophie's Facebook page Smile for Sophie Photography.

She's the best!