{Changing Directions...}

I've been going back and forth about this for a very long time. What exactly is Abstract Grace??? I'm referring to the blog, and it's focus specifically. I originally started the blog because everyone I knew kept telling me that I needed to share my work with others. At that time I had quite the blog-roll going (it has since tripled in length), and I was such a fan of the blogs I was reading daily and the "blogosphere" that I knew it was a perfect outlet for sharing my ideas and work.

Most people that read my blog or know me in real life say I need to sell the items I make, which spawned my Etsy shop. Well...I soon found that grad school and full time work keeps me soooo busy that a new adventure such as a small business on Etsy was just not practical. I have yet to put a single item in there (so sad), and I have grand plans for that to change very soon. (I say that now but we'll see if it really happens once the little one arrives.)

Back to the focus of this entry...I get such joy out of reading the "lifestyle/design" blogs. You know...ones like this , and this, oh...and this one. All fabulous examples of crafty women who share their projects along with their lives. I think that I like this format better than "craft-only" focused blogs. I'm not sure why anyone would want or care about my life, but for some reason I feel that Abstract Grace would benefit from a slight shift in focus.

So...I'll start slowly. Adding pics and posts about my daily life. My personal likes and dislikes. Things I love. Blogs I love. Fashion. Makeup. Design. Life.....we'll see where it takes us!

{Nursery Design}

I've been working hard these last few months getting things together for our little one's nursery. I'll be honest, giving up my craft studio space was kinda disappointing. We moved all my stuff into an armoire, which has actually worked out quite well. One day i'll have a larger house and a whole room dedicated to my sewing and crafting...wouldn't that be nice.

Onto the new use...designing a space for a newborn is HARD. Everything is impractical (what does a newborn really need design wise anyways?). Nevertheless, everything is so CUTE, and expensive. I'm finding if it has the tag "baby" on it, that's a green light to charge a fortune for it. There are a few more touches to the room that I couldn't get on the idea board, but you get the gist of the room.

The idea board above is an actual representation of the things we have thus far. I'll give a run down of my sources:

4 x 6 Green Rug- Urban Outfitters

Crystal Curtain Holdbacks- Urban Outfitters

Brown Linen Curtains- previously had

Rock-a-Bye Rocker in Ivory Chenille- Babies R Us

Bananafish Lily Bedding- Target.com

Hot Pink Ribbon- Michael's

White Footed Dresser- previously had, refinished ourself

Pink Glass Knobs- Look In The Attic

White Wallflowers- Umbra.com

I can't believe we only have 12 weeks to go!!!

{Projects: Owl Stuffy}

Here is the stuffed owl I made for Baby Evan (who finally made his grand debut last Tuesday, Happy 1 Week B-Day Evan!). I just freehand drew a template for the owl and added what I thought were the right touches; a circle of brown felt for the belly, a small triangle of yellow felt for the nose, and for the sweet little closed eyes I used embroidery thread.

Sorry no tutorial for this one, maybe at a later date I'll scan the template I made so you all can use it. It's not perfect by any means (especially the slip stitching on the bottom, really not pretty) but I'll fool myself by saying it adds to his charm. My favorite part of this little guy is the Joel Dewberry Faux Bois fabric (from his Aviary collection). I've been dying to use it, and I think it fits this little woodland creature well. Hoot!

{Projects: Wipes Case}

Ok, by far my favorite tutorial is this next one. Maybe I like it so much because it's more for mom than for baby. Poopy diapers are not exactly a glamorous part of parenthood (maybe when it's your own baby you don't mind so much, i've still got 4 months until I know...) but with a wipes clutch like the one I'm about to show you I can't imagine it being that bad--until you get poop on it. Ew.

The wipes clutch is getting to be a rather popular item as of late. They are just too cute, and very non-babyesq. Great for on the go, and looking good. I know a lot of crafters and etsy-ers making these and selling them (maybe one day i'll even put some in my store and you can save yourself the hassle of making your own, even though it is very easy to do).

Again, I'll save myself the hassle and post a link to an already fabulous tutorial from homemadebyjill. I've made several myself and they are EASY to do! And don't worry if your sewing challenged, it is a no-sew project. Don't wait, make one soon. Your sanity after 6+ diaper changes a day will appreciate it!

{Projects: Paci Clip}

Tutorial #3, is the paci clip. Mom's everywhere swear by these little leashes for keeping pacifiers off the floor, out from under the couch, and readily available for when they fall from baby's tiny mouth. I've already made a few using different ribbons, and they are so cute!

The supplies for these are not things you probably just have lying around your craft room, but I found everything I needed at Joann's. Today's tutorial comes from Little Birdie Secrets. In this tutorial they use velcro for the "non-clip" side, where I opted to use a snap (see picture). The snaps can be bought at most craft and sewing stores, and are easy to put on. I chose the snap because it holds better than velcro, and when baby starts grabbing and pulling, the snap will be tougher for little hands to rip off.

Another great thing about using snaps (and their durability) is that you can use these little leashes for not only binkies but toys too. Just attach to baby's favorite stuffy and you're sure not to lose it in the stroller, highchair, car seat, etc.

Tutorial via Little Birdie Secrets: here.

{Projects: Burp Cloths}

Ok, the next little project I made for Brooke's gift bag was patterned burp cloths. Sure they get spit up on, wipe snotty noses and clean grubby little hands, but at least doing that stuff with something cute is bound to keep your spirits high in the midst of all the...ahem, uncleanliness.

I could post a tutorial on how to make this (believe me it's simple) but i'll spare myself the work and link you to a tutorial that's already done (and so easy to follow). Plus, it has pictures, and tutorials with pictures are a good thing.

This tutorial is courtesy of Chick Pea Studios, and you can view it here.

{Projects: Washcloths}

Ok, first off is a rather simple project--washcloths. I never thought of making my own washcloths until I stumbled upon them one day while browsing Etsy. Etsy is such a great place for getting ideas. When I started thinking about washcloths (deep, I know) I realized that I don't really have any that I like, er..say, stand out to me enough to think twice about them. Washcloths don't really come in cute or fancy patterns, but are usually a rather dull square of terrycloth. In my opinion...Boring! If you can cut a piece of fabric into a square and can sew a straight line using a sewing machine then you're well on your way to making some attractive washcloths.

For these which I included with Brooke's gift I used chenille and cotton. The chenille I got on sale at Joann's Fabrics for %50 off, and the cotton I used was plain quilting cotton from a Michael Miller line. After pricing them out they cost merely cents to make. Ok, cute and cheap...I like it!

I don't have a tutorial per say for this project, but it's so easy I'm sure you can follow directions without pictures.

1. cut (1) 7.5" inch square of chenille.

2. cut (1) 7.5" inch square of patterned cotton.

3. match squares up right sides together. This means that the backsides of each of the fabrics are on the outsides.

4. pin around to hold in place.

5. sew 1.4" around the whole square leaving a 2" inch opening.

6. turn your square right side out.

7. fold in the 2" inch opening and pin closed.

8. top stitch 1.4" inch around the square. topstitching is just sewing on top of your finished good. (Topstitching helps with durability, gives a finished look to your item and will close the opening you left.)

9. you're done!

The finished washcloth will be 7x7 inches. Perfect for using yourself, or on a little one!

{Project: Gifts!}

My friend Brooke is just weeks away from having a little baby boy! I'm so excited for her, and decided to make up some things to help welcome baby Evan into the world. Over the next few days i'll post the individual items and the links to the tutorials I used to create them. To start the gift giving off I have a blue tag from Bake It Pretty with a note on one side and a short poem on the other.

"Oh the things you'll need most everyday...these will help with the messes along the way"

The items I made include most of the things I've been planning to make for my own upcoming addition from The List I've been compiling and blogged about recently. It was a good opportunity to do a run through of the tutorials before I really start cranking some of these things out.

For Brooke I made: 1 wipes case, 4 washcloths, 3 burp cloths, 2 paci clips, 2 bibs, and the cutest little stuffed owl. I'll share the specifics soon and the tutorials I used to make them. Here are some pics of the goodies all tied with ribbon.

{Happy Monday}

A sweet little package of goodies showed up on my doorstep today. Of course I was eagerly awaiting their arrival all weekend. A half a yard of Amy Butler Tangerine Full Moon fabric, and the Amy Butler Gum Drop Pillow pattern. After unsuccessfully trying to find a knock off pattern online, I caved and bought the actual thing. I'm planning on making one for nursery. I ordered my goods from Fabric.com, a place that I frequent often for their low prices and quick shipping (not to mention they always have a coupon going). It's hard to not get something while browsing their site. I hope everyone else had a happy Monday!

{Baby On the Brain}

Ok, so lately all i've been thinking about is BABY! We just had our 16 week ultrasound appointment and got to see our little one squirming around. It actually looks like a real baby! (What else it would look like, i'm not so sure). I guess it just seems so much more real seeing all the parts formed. No more peanut shaped blob here, we're all complete, 2 arms, 2 legs, a little nose and the cutest little feet and toes showed up on the screen. The baby was breech so we were unable to see what the gender is, hopefully in the next few weeks it'll shift and i'll know whether to start sewing and crafting for a boy or a girl. Which leads me to the list. Yes, it's growing daily with all the projects I have high asperations for completing in the next 5 months. So far i've mentally committed to completing the following:

The list:

Nursing cover
Wipes case

Blankets
Crib Bumper (Amy Butler pattern)
Matching Pillows
Mobile (bird?)
Crib skirt
Burping clothes
Blocks
Paci clips

Fabric shoes
Appliqued onsies

Car seat/stroller cover

Car seat strap covers

Gumdrop pillow for nursery (Amy Butler pattern)
Birdie Sling Bag (Amy Butler pattern)

Wow, I better get busy huh? I can't wait to get started! For now i'll leave you with this, and post some more pics later.