Crochet Baby Blankie

This past weekend I went to a friend's baby shower. She and her husband just adopted the sweetest baby boy and I couldn't be happier for them. I made this crocheted baby blanket for them, and I just barely got it done on time! I love to make baby blankets, but I always seem to forget how long they take.

The pattern for this blanket is from the Lion's Brand website. I've made this one before, but it turned out much better this time. It has a really pretty scallop edging that I had trouble with a few years ago, but this time it turned out like it was supposed to. I guess my crochet skills are improving!

I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in Grey Heather. Following the suggestion of some of the reviewers, I made the foundation chain 99 stitches long, rather than 66. The original size I think makes more of a "lovey" type of blanket, but by making it bigger it works well for a stroller or car seat blankie. The final size was approximately 27" x 31".

And here is the new mom opening her gift! I love being able to make special blankies for new babies. I hope little J enjoys it!

Class of 2015

My husband has four cousins graduating this year, three from high school and one from college. Needless to say I'll be needing a lot of graduation cards! This is the first design I came up with, for one of the girls graduating from high school. I used Papertrey Ink's By the Numbers die collection to cut the 2015 numbers from various pattern papers in bright spring colors. The mortarboard hat is also a PTI die (For the Graduate), stamped in black ink and popped up with foam tape. It is embellished with a silver brad. Pretty simple but I hope she likes it!

SUPPLIES
Stamps: For the Graduate (PTI)
Paper: Daffodil Delight (SU!), Stamper's Select White (PTI), various pattern papers
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Tools: By the Numbers dies, For the Graduate die (PTI)
Embellishments: silver brad

Daffodil Easter Cards

Happy Good Friday, friends! Here are the Easter cards I made this year. I took my inspiration from a card Maile Belles made a while back that I have always admired. My version is a smaller 4 bar size.  The daffodil image is the same one I used on my Easter tag, from Papertrey Ink's set Year of Flowers: Collection.



The background flower was stamped repeatedly in Crumb Cake ink, while the image on the tag was stamped in Daffodil Delight ink. The notched banner is actually a Tag Sale #5 die cut, with the rounded top trimmed off. I tied the end with baker's twine and adhered it with foam tape for some dimension.

This second version is much like my Easter tag. This time I cut the notched tag from watercolor paper and embossed the daffodil in white. I then went over it using an aqua painter brush and Daffodil Delight ink to fill it in and reveal the white outline of the flower.

I'd be curious to hear which version you like best. Let me know in the comments!

Have a wonderful Easter this weekend!

SUPPLIES

Stamps: Year of Flowers: Collection (PTI), Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)

Paper: Kraft, Stamper's Select White (PTI), water color paper

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake (SU!), Onyx Black (Versafine), Versa Mark

Tools: Tag Sale #5 die (PTI)

Embellishments: baker's twine