Tutu Bear...a quick and easy gift idea!

I don't know about you, but I am often at a loss when it comes to gifting little ones, as I have no clue what is cluttering their toy box, falling off their book shelves or hiding under their bed.  So, I came up with a little cutie present that is as easy on the wallet, as it is to make!!! 

Find a stuffed animal that looks worthy of a tutu (I think Target has some excellent selections by Circo, on the cheap) and buy a bit of ribbon (for the little stuffy waist, or you can actually use a piece of tulle as the around the waist ribbon, since this isn't a functioning tutu that is going to need to take on and off) and a spool of tulle (remember my tulle buying tip: either print up the advertised discount or pull the digital coupon up on your phone at check out at Michael's or Hobby Lobby...or stock up on the spools at after holiday sales).  Like butter and sugar, I always have tulle on hand!!! 

Then, follow these quick and easy tutu making directions and wrap the tiny tutu around the stuffed animal.

There is nothing sweeter than a gift from the heart, and one that has a little bit of your creativity incorporated is even better!

How cute would this be for the little Valentines, in your life???

Fabrics Galore...

I saw these burp cloths on Etsy and was immediately obsessed, until I saw the asking price of $31 for a set of 4.  I do love me some chevron fabric, but I am also blessed with a mother-in-law who knows her way around a sewing machine.  All I have to do is send her a picture, or draw up an idea and she knocks it out.  How do you ever repay someone for being so generous with such a talent?

So, I googled 'chevron fabric' and found the holy grail of chevron fabrics at fabric.com.  I googled 'fabric.com coupon' and found one that saved 10% on my order, and even received free S/H...score!.

I gave my mother-in-law a quick ring to make sure this was okay.  She was game for the project, so I had the cutest stack of fabric shipped to her!  She is so sweet, she was measuring out fabric for another project I had in mind for Logan and baby (and I cannot wait for it to be completed so I can share with you all!!!  Just you wait, it is adorable!) 

Here are a few things she has whipped up for me off of ideas I had or have seen in magazines:

The curtains in Logan's old room.  I drew up what I wanted, picked

out the fabric and she whipped them up! 

My favorite old 'log cabin' quilt (to the right) that was beyond

the condition for practical use.  My mother-in-law and I  used the

old beauty  as our guide for picking new fabrics that had that same

vintage feel, to create a quilt for Logan's 'big girl bed' (to the left), that

will certainly be with her for a very long time.  Soon enough we will be

in our new house and I will share pictures of her bed, all dolled up.

This is one of the first sewing projects we worked on together.

She is a very patient instructor!  I had the idea for a pillow

for the rocking chair in Logan's room.  I decided I loved the lavender

chenille fabric so much I wanted to use it on the reverse for the

pillow cover, then the flower is stitched chenille side up. 

Another sewing lesson.  I saw a similar bird and owl

 at a store, but didn't love the fabrics.  So I picked

out my favorites, drew up patterns on newspaper and created

these cuties with my fearless instructor.

We always get out the sewing machine when the in-laws are visiting...I just need to be more confident in making stitches when she isn't visiting (soon, that must happen!!!).  Here are the cutie fabrics I just had sent off to Minnesota for her to whip up a couple cozy blankets and burp cloths for baby boy.

Just like I saw on Etsy, right?

I ordered extra of the gray chevron fabric for a

cozy blanket.

For a snuggly blanket. 

Burp cloth copycat...go ahead and call me that!

One more on the copycat train.

Too cute not to have something whipped up in this fabric!