Wedding Gifts

One of the main reasons I didn't get my Christmas post done sooner was the weekend before school started back up I had two receptions on the same day.

One I was friends with back at WSU, so I found out their wedding colors and made a double knit potholder with the Seattle Temple on it (where they were sealed) and their last name.

 Names blotted out to protect the innocent.  :D

Sadly my "angel" Moroni didn't turn out quite as I expected

The other couple I know from church here and since one is a teacher, I went with a very useful jar, to put things in.  I wanted to attempt glass etching, but I didn't feel like spending $30 on etching cream that I may use once.  Instead, I used paint.  First I found a script I liked from my Cricut and just printed it off the computer and taped it inside the jar.

Then, I painted it over it.  I used a couple layers to make sure it was thick enough.

Finally I sprayed it with a satin sheer sealer.  Along with the lid.

Both couples received some washcloths, as those are pretty quick to whip up.  The general pattern I use is this one.  I also found this really neat one with interlocking rings that I made up as well.  I use the Sugar 'n Cream yarn by Lilly.  It's 100% cotton, perfect for washclothes!

Close up of the ring pattern

As a final touch, I decided to add a few clothespins to the batch.  Clothespins?  Why clothespins?  I like to use them in the kitchen to seal open bags.  You can attach magnets and use them on the fridge.  So many wonderful uses, I figure why not.

I got a bunch of clothespins as a white elephant gift, so I wasn't too sad to give away a few.  For this set, I used Chambray Blue and Metallic Silver.  I prefer AmeriDream Coat, but any acrylic brand will do really.  I also really like spray on sealant, it just makes everything so much easier.  It goes on evenly, just make sure you put down newspaper or something if you don't want an outline of your project on your outside porch.

I plan on painting clothespins for my classroom, so when I do this again, I will disassemble them, but I was in a bit of time crunch when I got to this point, so I just painted them as is.  I also dug through my box to find pins that needed little to no sanding, again due to time.  Another benefit of disassembly, sanding will be much easier.

Next, I used my Cricut to make some cute labels and then wrap up everything nice and neat.  Hopefully they like them.  I always try to aim for usefulness and practicality.

Christmas Gifts 2013

Now that Christmas is over and gifts have been received by the desired recipients, I can now safely post them on my blog.  The goal was to have this post done before I went back to work after the New Year, but obviously that did not happen.

Last year I made a baby toy for my master teacher as a baby shower gift.  My mom always made blankets for friends and family who had kids.  While my knitting is improving with each project, I am nowhere near as fast as my mother was, nor do I have as much free time as she did.  I wanted to make something for my MT, but I didn't have 6 months to make a blanket.  Searching through Raverly.com I found this adorable pattern. Made it up in about a day!  Find a board book version of the story and TADA! perfect baby shower gift!

MT's baby shower gift

Another friend saw the picture and working on another project.  She would often mutter how much she wished she had an older sister to make stuff of her and her daughter.  Since she was moving soon, I had to be quick anyways.  Plus, with some help from my dad, I managed to make it a baby safe rattle too!  ^.^

After I wrapped it up, naturally I discovered I technically did the eyes backwards.  Oh well, it makes it unique!  I'm not sure who will it enjoy it more, mom or baby.  :D

Also for Christmas I attempted some photo transfer techniques I saw all over Pintrest...was never very satisfied with the results.

The project I had the hardest time keeping quiet was the quilts for my nephews.  I was organizing the uniform room at WSU over the summer and found a ton of old band shirts.  With permission, I took home 24.  I was initially planning on 4x3 square design, but while I was laying it out, I felt it looked too big, so I cut it back to a 3x3.  I also tried two different battings.  I definitely like the low loft better, at least when it comes to the quilting.  But, the nephew with the thicker quilt lives in colder place, so it all works out.

Someone likes to play peek-a-boo with his new quilt.

The best part of all this, is my brother is a die-hard UW Husky fan.  I think the main reason my nephew seems to like it so much is he knows that it's his.  Hey, maybe if I had access to Husky band shirts I may have made a Husky one...maybe.  Not really.