Embroidered Kid's Plush Blanket

I was making a last minute run to the store to get supplies for our customer Christmas gifts for work when I spotted a bin of little blankets for $5 at Walmart.  I don't buy many gifts for the kids because they have plenty of stuff and we had already bought them their big gift - a Lionel electric train for around the tree.  I really only had books, PJs and a few odds and ends bought for them, so I decided to grab these as well.

What I really wanted to buy them was one of these Sherpa Stroller Blankets at Pottery Barn, but by the time you add monogramming and shipping, it seems a little silly.

When I spotted these little cheap-o blankets, though, it occurred to me that I could monogram them.  I really should have grabbed a few more for gifts for nieces and nephews, but I didn't.  Maybe if I see any similar items again I will do that, because I think they would make for nice gifts.

Christmas time is crazy busy for me, so these were monogrammed in my basement at 1:00 AM on Christmas Eve while I made my poor husband blow up a bunch of balloons to have scattered around when the kids got up in the morning.  Procrastinate much?  Ha!

 

I really like how they turned out.  I was going to attempt their names, but it seemed like over-kill and I was worn out and still had gifts to wrap (of course!).  I am never really sure how to make sure the spacing is correct between letters, either.  Maybe I should figure that out.  So a single-letter monogram it is!

Another Apron

I only made one gift for Christmas. It was for my sister-in-law, since I didn't make one for her back when I made all the other aprons several years ago.


I had a heck of a time with the monogramming. The thread kept breaking on me and I couldn't figure out why. Perhaps it was just the thread, but it was making me very angry. I suppose that's why I don't use the machine more often. I always seem to be having some problem or another with using it.

But I do like the apron and the potholders were quick and easy. I didn't bother to hand stitch the binding on this time. I don't know why I did it before, other than it seems like the proper way to go. But these are not quilts, so I don't think its necessary. And sewing heavy-weight fabric like that is hard on your fingers!

SWAK Embroidery

I found SWAK Embroidery a little while back and really wanted to do some more embroidery. Check out the monkey. Wouldn't that be cute? There's one for applique and one that is completely embroidered. Of course, there are other animals as well.

Also found this cute polka dot alphabet.

And applique alphabets.

And an argyle font frame.

Also found instructions for embroidering on a baby onesie. I was wondering how you would do that.

Anyway, it gave me the "bug", but unfortunately, I don't have time to mess with that stuff right now. I really have other things to focus on around here, such as my messy house, but I'm filing this away for later.

Monogram Designs

Any idea where I you can find monogram designs like these? These are from the RH Baby & Child. I love the bordered designs especially, but you never see things like this in embroidery design selections.


The cutest things that I've found are from Heirloom Letters. This is one of my favorites.

Hand Towels

I love monogrammed towels. What is it about them?

Today, I monogrammed a set of 4. On the second one, the needle fell out and screwed up the towel. That really pisses me off. I can't seem to figure out why the needle comes out. Darn darn darn. Now I have to go back again and get towels. I'm so wishing I could avoid all stores at this time of year. Or any time of year, for that matter.

But the other 3 look great!

More dinner napkins

Since its been awhile since I've made anything, I'll share this as well. Just purchased this font recently and this was the first thing I used it on. Its a set of dinner napkins that I sold on Etsy.

Aprons and Dinner Napkins

I hurried up and monogrammed these aprons and set of dinner napkins for my cousin's wedding the other day. I'm always wishing that I had more time to make gifts more "special" and it doesn't seem like I ever do. But I thought these were nice enough, anyway.

Monogrammed bath towel set

Instead of doing the packing I really should be doing, I monogrammed towels today for my cousin's bridal shower. Its not till the end of the month, but I want to get it done and send it home to Mom's house so I can get them out of mine!

My stupid needle kept falling out for awhile and giving me fits, but the towels turned out okay. I get a bit stressed monogramming nice bath towels, but they always look so nice when its done.

Back to work!

Dinner Napkins and Baby Quilts and Much Sweat

I swear there's something wrong with the air conditioning in this apartment. I keep the shades pulled shut at least until the sun is on the other side of the building and run the air conditioning 24 hrs a day, but last night it never cooled down and today it was about 82 degrees all day. Ugh. I hate sweat, but I can't not sweat in here.

Anyway. I did finish up a top of a small baby quilt that I'm working on for my husband's college roommate's first child. I'm hoping to get that done soon, since she was born a couple months ago. Oops. I'll show it to you in a few days. I just have to scrounge up some batting and then I'll stipple quilt it.

I finished up the quilting on my blue & green quilt on Saturday night and just have to do binding now. I was working on it while watching Planet Earth. Very interesting if you don't mind the occasional stupid science babble. I was having a hard time concentrating on the quilt anyway.

I did some dinner napkins today so I will show them off. Ta da!

Finished item # 2

I know, its slow in coming, but I've finished something else. Its a set of monogrammed flour sack towels for Mom. I don't know what's taken me so long, but my real job has been occupying my time lately, so I'm going with that for my excuse to myself. I just love this thread color.

I love fluffy white towels

Mom has asked me for a set of towels for her, so I picked some up yesterday and sat down to monogram them this evening. I wouldn't mind some different style monograms, but I haven't found any other fonts that have really struck my fancy yet. I'll have to do some more hunting. But anyway, my husband was quite sure that these ought to have just a single initial monogram on them and Mom was open to anything. So this is what I did. I love the white and slate blue! Its so me! I hope Mom will like them.

Hand Towels

My roommate from college is coming to vist tomorrow, so what am I doing? Monogramming new hand towels for myself, of course. What else would a logical person be doing?? They're in my favorite colors. Yeah!

More Monograms

Today, I did another set of towels.

Linens

This is all I've managed to accomplish really (outside of my real job, that is). Its a lovely monogram on floursack kitchen towels in cream thread. How pretty is that? I really like it. Sorta looks like vintage linens.

I obviously have no talent for photographing white. Must work on that.