Deadlines

Why is it that I work best when faced with a deadline? I have known about this baby shower that I went to last night for a month, yet what was I doing in the last possible minutes? Sewing, of course!

This baby shower is kind of unique, though. In our Whispers of Hope group (a part of Women on Mission, or WMU in prior terminology) at church, there were something like a dozen or so babies due during this year, the first of which was born in July, most of the babies are second or third in the families, but a few first timers. Anyway, there was a shower for the first 3 babies of this group back in June, to which I brought each a ribbon ball. Then there were the twins who came 2 months early for a first-time Mommy who got her own shower on my son's birthday (and I will get my gifts to you soon, April, I promise!) Then last night's shower was for the 2nd set of 3 mamas. Man, that makes me dizzy just thinking about it!

I don't know why I didn't get around to making these gifts earlier with plenty of time to spare, except that I just couldn't decide on an idea and stick to it.

So, here is what I finally came up with in the eleventh hour:

-for a little baby boy who is being born into a University of Florida fanatic family (his mommy has already requested a similar one for big brother, who didn't want to let go of this one!)
-for a little baby girl who will have 2 older brothers
-for another little baby girl who will also have 2 older brothers!
Maybe I will be better prepared for the next shower, but knowing me, probably not!

I hope to have some of these in my Etsy shop soon!

Tags, Tags, and more Tags

I recently got a request from a friend to make a tag blankie. She didn't realize that she was opening such a "can of worms" with me. Just a simple square with ribbons around the edges - easy, right? Yes, actually, the idea is so simple that it's worth millions of dollars.

You might wonder, "If it's so easy, why don't you have these listed in your Etsy shop?" Well, the simple answer is, I used to have something similar. I say similar, because I took that idea and expanded on it, or so I thought, to make it my own. My blankets were not just the ordinary square, but mine incorporated ribbons into the appliqued design, which I thought was much cuter, IMHO, plus it was more of a practical blanket size, not just a lovey.

But Etsy deactivated my listings for those blankets because they received some complaints from a Large Corporation That Shall Remain Nameless (because I don't even want any of their internet traffic, much less a paltry portion of their sales, as if a single person could compete with something like that) that owns a patent concerning ribbons sewn in a seam. It seems that this company is infamous among Etsy sellers for doing this very thing that happened to me. I did a lot of internet searching and then a lot of soul searching. I got some advice from family members. And then I basically did nothing. I can't decide whether to pursue it (I would really like to prove to them that I am not infringing on their patent or copyright or whatever, but unfortunately I don't have the means or the time) or more realistically, just get over it and figure out something better to make.

The thing is, I know that it really is a favorite among babies and toddlers, from my own personal experience. My youngest son (currently 26 months) has a blanket that I made with my own two hands, and it is his most beloved security object, aside from his favorite sippy cup, but that's another story for another time. He even has a particular ribbon that is his favorite, that he goes to, even if you hand him the blanket from the complete opposite corner.

At the risk of someone stealing my idea, I have thought of continuing in my applique designs with ribbons incorporated like before, just leaving off the ribbons from the seam/ edge.

Ideas, thoughts? Anyone?

But, in the meantime, if you were to be looking for one of these blankies, just drop me a note, I think I might be able to find one or two, I just can't tell you where they came from....

Gosh, I hate being so negative, but now it's out there. Maybe the next post will be more positive....

A Gift for a Birthday Party

Tomorrow my children and I are going to a birthday party, and this little apron is the gift we'll be giving. (The birthday girl likes to make cookies with her grandma ;) ) Don't you just love the ribbon ruffle at the bottom?!

It's reversible!

















This is the back side- just as cute as the front!


















Hope the birthday girl has a happy one and enjoys her time in the kitchen!