Soft Blocks

 A great baby gift made from 100% wool.  So easy to make and another project using fabric scraps.

Simply cut 6, 3"x3" pieces of fabric, or any size you want as long as it's a square.  Lay out as shown below and stitch together.  Fold sides up and stitch along squares until only one edge is left.

::TIP:: Leave 3/8" unstitched from each edge to avoid puckering.  Cut a foam block to size and place it through the opening.  Stitch opening closed using a blind stitch.  Enjoy!

Bean Bag Critters

These bean bag fellas are so much fun!  

They love to play and be tossed around.  Their favorite game is hide and seek.  

Made from 100% wool and lightly stuffed with lambswool and lentils.  Another great project using wool scraps left over from my scarves.  These are a favorite of my four-year old and I know big kids enjoy them just as much!

I don't use a pattern, but rather wing it depending on what animal I'm making.  Generally, the head is a 3"x3" square and the body 3"x 5".  Add legs and ears to your specifications.

The heads are stuffed lightly with lambswool and the body is filled with lentils.  Place a small scoop of lentils in the legs before adding lambswool for a floppy feel.  Add button eyes, embroider little noses and whatever shaped ears you like.  You can't go wrong, really.  No matter what, you'll have a fun new bean bag critter to toss around or just cuddle with!  

On the 12th day of Christmas...

The countdown is on!  Only 12 days left until Christmas.  This year, I decided to hand make as many gifts as possible.  I was surprised at how many I could make with just the inventory I have laying around my workshop.  Starting today, I will feature 12 handmade gifts that will perhaps inspire you to get creative and give special one-of-a-kind gifts this year.  So, here we go!

A quilted color block book with ages 0 - 2 years in mind.  Made from all scrap fabric and a muslin jacket cover.

  Finally, the perfect reason to keep those colorful scraps around!

Cut out 16,  3"x3" pieces of scrap fabric and sew together with a 1/2" seam allowance.  Sew pages wrong sides together leaving a 2" opening to turn right-side out.  Stitch opening closed with a blind stitch ( I personally don't like seams showing, but you could easily just stitch it shut on one edge).

Optional - sew two button holes on edge if you want removable pages. 

I sewed buttons on the jacket so that the pages could be removable for more creative play.

Add different textured fabrics to add another dimension of fun!