What a neat idea! And a great quilt, too. Did you make it for your niece?

I did 

For my son’s first birthday, my mom gave him a book along with a cozy tied quilt.  The quilt top was Alexander Henry fabric with scenes of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.  On the back was soft flannel and in the corner was an embroidery to keep track of his favorite books.  Whenever  my son had a book he asked for night after night, I would write the book and his age on the back with a sharp brown Pigma pen.

Many a night was spent in the rocking chair under that quilt reading stories.

That quilt was the inspiration for this design.  I knew I wanted a block to look like a book.  I played with a stacked coin with embroidery, a book block with a spine in the center, and an appliqued quilt.  In the end I settled on a very simple block that reminded me of an open book.

I love, love, loved designing this quilt.  I also loved making each and every block.



I can just imagine the treasure it will be in 30 years when my niece's children discover their favorite book just happened to be their mom’s favorite too.



Cheers,

Calli

A few years back, I made this Advent Calendar for our family.  It was based on my husband’s recollections of his family’s calendar when he was a boy. His calendar had been made out of burlap, which I seriously considered, but in the end I made this one out of wools. 

Our family loves this calendar.  It’s one of our favorite holiday traditions.  The kids can’t wait to take turns finding what miniature wooden ornament is hiding in the pocket each day.

I made a few mistakes, and learned a thing or two making my original calendar, so when my mom called to find out if I could give advice and help to make another advent for my sister-in-law, I was happy to say yes.

Here is the new version just completed today.


I actually ended up making a pattern because so many people asked for it. The good news is that there is still time to make this pattern as I was able to complete the new one in about three days.

Cheers,

Calli
Make it Do

I just completed an updated version of my retro advent calendar.

Cheers,

Calli
Make it Do

Not long ago, I was strolling through Anthropologie and noticed a wonderful zig zag pillow that really got my wheels turning.  The zig zags were so fresh: geometric and yet meandering.  I knew I could make something similar that would be a great fit to my home. My version of this pillow is softer and less modern… and I love how it turned out.  I am especially excited about the technique I figured out for making the zig zags.  It would be easy to adapt this tutorial to embellish a skirt, dish towel, or table runner.

Here’s what you’re going to need to make this Zig Zag Pillow:

    * A pillow form (mine measured 16″ x  26″)
    * Fabric the same size as pillow form for the front (in my case 16″ x  26″)  You might worry this is too small–that I’m not leaving room for seam allowances.  I like my pillows to be firm, so I cut my fabric exactly the same size as the form.  Once I’ve sewn my fabric with a 1/2 seam allowance, it makes the casing 1″ smaller than the form.  When the form is placed inside the casing there is no sagginess…  who likes sagginess? I used a linen fabric for the texture.
    * Fabric for the back.  Since I want to make my casing to be removable and washable, I used two 16″ x 17″ pieces.  This allows for 2″ seams and a 4″ overlap.  My fabric choice was Amy Bulter’s Love Memento.
    * You will need fabric for the zig zags 3″ wide by about 5 inches longer than your pillow for each zig zag.  This gives you some wiggle room to place the zig zags together nicely.
    * I pieced a decorative end cap on my pillow (16″ x 6-1/2″)
    * Disappearing Fabric Marking Pen like a Mark-B-Gone Pen







I created a step-by-step tutorial here http://www.make-it-do.com/sew-it/crazy-for-zig-zags/if anyone is interested in the technique as well.

Cheers,

Calli
Make it Do

Whenever a new season rolls around, I love to give my kitchen a lift by hanging up a new dishtowel.  It’s a small thing, but it’s always a welcome change.When I spotted the Farmdale fabrics from Alexander Henry at a local quilt shop it spoke autumn to me.
I just had to bring a few pieces home with me. You can start with a pre-made dishtowel or you can make your own.




I posted a tutorial for anyone who is interested in the steps and photos here: http://www.make-it-do.com/sew-it/rise-and-shine-dishtowel-tutorial/

Cheers,

Calli
Make it Do

Give those jeans a custom new look and new life. Over the last few years, I have been looking for ways to cut back as a consumer. A friend of mine inspired this easy tutorial on how to mend a torn knee in a pair of jeans. I was thrilled with the result and think it is even better than the original. I am even tempted to add another patch below the front pocket because they turned out so cute.

I created a step-by-step tutorial here: http://www.make-it-do.com/sew-it/make-do-and-mend-patching-a-knee/  for anyone interested in the whole process of turning this:



into this:


Cheers,

Calli
Make it Do

Hi all, I have made two patterns that have been well received and am looking forward to making others. You can see both herehttp://www.make-it-do.com/pattern-shop/:  I would love any advice on where else I can sell patterns or if anyone has any tips on selling patterns I would love to hear them.

Thanks in advance.

Calli
Make it Do

I thought it would be fun to share on of our favorite recipe - S’more Treats. They are perfect for little Night Owls.

They are also EVIL… pure evil, I tell ya.

You can whip up this treat in no time. They are fast and super easy.  They are the perfect munchie, sweet and crunchy, and they have chocolate.  Can you tell, I love ‘em?

9 cups Honey Grahams Cereal (like Golden Grahams)
3/4 cup Light Corn Syrup
3 tablespoons Butter
1- 10.5 ounce package Milk Chocolate Chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 cups mini marshmallows
Grease a cookie sheet with butter.  Measure 9 cups graham cereal into a large mixing bowl.  In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine corn syrup, butter and milk chocolate chips.  Stir constantly until chocolate chips are melted and ingredients are combined.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Pour over cereal and stir quickly until cereal is coated with chocolate.  Stir in the marshmallows.  Pour mixture onto cookie sheet and using a slightly damp hand, press into the pan.  Keeps about 2 days… if it ever lasts that long.

I posted step-by-step instructions here as well: http://www.make-it-do.com/cook-it-bake-it/night-owl-treats-give-me-smore/

Enjoy
Calli
Make it Do

Just in time for late summer and my favorite fall picnics, I finally completed the Squares and Stripes Picnic Quilt pattern. A checkerboard made of easy nine patches make this a speedy quilt to make.

And to “channel” all that checkerboard energy is four vibrant strips.

We’ve chosen a lightweight very dark denim to back our quilt.
Because any quilt that spends it’s time on the ground should have a backing that hides stains and is durable.

I hope you have as much fun with the pattern http://www.make-it-do.com/sew-it/squares-and-stripes-picnic-quilt-pattern/ as we did =)

Cheers,

Calli
Make it Do