Titan's Quiet Book

I make each grandchild a quiet book for their first birthday. Due to last summer's upheaval (our moms died and I had a spinal fusion) I made little progress on Titan's and thus missed his first birthday in August. I began sewing in earnest in January after the holidays were over, and finally finished it today!

Since Titan's middle name is Rex, it seemed appropriate that there be T-Rexes and other dinosaurs on the cover fabric!

 A tying activity is on the cover page.

 An old favorite that has appeared in just about every quiet book I've made is Katy Caterpillar.

I redesigned this page by making the garage much, much larger than the one in the pattern book. Inside are two Matchbox cars for Titan to play with.

Another family favorite. My mother had the idea to add the bees and the dotted lines indicating their flight patterns. She helped me make a few of these books, and so when I added those dotted lines, I felt very close to her. Nice to know a piece of her is still in her great grandchildren's books.

I'm not much of an artist, but I can look at pictures and then try free handing some cattails and rushes!

This is a brand new page that I designed for Titan.  I couldn't figure out a feasible way for the caterpillar to chew holes in the food as he does in the book, so I made it a page where he chose the foods he wanted to eat and put them in the basket.

Another redesign page is this football. It is supposed to be sewn down onto the page, but that makes it very hard to lace. So, I made a loose football that attaches to the page with velcro. And, I drew the crowd/grandstand. Jessica and Andrew are Seattle Seahawks fans.

Another oldie but goodie. I embellished the bucket with Titan's initial and added a circus tent appliqué to the background for interest.

 I designed this page for Braden and Kyle. My kids loved the story, Caps for Sale, so the monkeys originally were being scolded as they are in that book. I changed it for this so it goes along with the jingle, Five little monkeys, jumping on the bed! I hid a monkey under the bed - I hope Titan likes that!

 A BYU patch reflects where both Jessica and Andrew went to school.

I created this page originally for Whitney. The cow has a real bell attached to it, and you jump it over the moon. I had planned to add a wordstrip saying, "Jump the cow over the moon" on the blue felt, but there just wasn't enough room.

Lastly, I drew this dino for Ian's quiet book. It's a bit large and needs to be resized, but it's still fun. I use pinking shears to open the zipper, and that gives the effect of teeth.

Now that Titan's is done, I am going to begin working on Mila's. I have her book all planned out so I'll be able to jump right in tomorrow morning.

Titan's Patriotic Pillowcase

Jessica chose this fabric for Titan's Memorial Day/4th of July/Labor Day pillowcase.

It has small stars and will be a nice match to Cambria's which has large stars which are also in red, white, and blue.

Kentucky Derby Table Runner

The Kentucky Derby glasses are out (one for the year of each of my children's births) as are a few other decorations, but I had no table runner.

So, I made one today!

I had a hard time finding fabric as most of the Derby fabric also had alcoholic beverages on it. While this fabric isn't as appealing to me as some of the others there isn't a mint julep in sight!

Whitney's Belated Easter Pillowcase

I discovered last night while talking to Kyle on the phone that I had not sent Whitney her Easter pillowcase. I thought I had, but after doing some checking, it became clear that I had goofed.

So, this afternoon I sat down at my machine and whipped one up for her!

I'll pop it into the mail tomorrow and she should have it by Thursday.

Titan's St. Patrick's Day and Easter Pillowcases

I made these pillowcases for Titan this morning. I will mail the St. Patrick's Day one today and then the other with the kids' Easter packages.

Only one more to make Titan (his birthday one) and then I start sewing Mila and Kate's pillow cases!

Titan's Valentine Pillowcase

A snow day (or in today's case, an ice storm day) is a sew day for me! It's Saturday and we are having an ice storm. I don't want to go out on the ice, so I am using the time to sew.

Jessie picked this fabric for Titan's Valentine's Day pillowcase.

I am also working on Titan's quiet book. Usually I make one for each child's first birthday, but last summer was so unsettled what with my mom dying, Phyl dying, and my spinal fusion. His book is planned and the pages have been cut out, plus I've shopped for some appliqués and the cover fabric.

Some days I wish EVERY day were a sew day!

Sewing with Trinity

Arriving from Colorado for the holidays, Sarah brought a project for me to work on as a very special Christmas gift.

Trinity wanted for my help in making a baby blanket for Kate.

Her mama ordered the fabric and brought it with her, but Trin and I bought the backing fabric here in Lafayette at JoAnn's.

We worked on Kate's blanket late at night after the little cousins had gone down for the night.

But, once or twice we had to sew while the smaller cousins were up.

 Julie was very persistent in wanting to help us.

 We all got the giggles over the "extra help."

It was so worth it to watch Trinity on Christmas morning when Cole "helped" Kate open her gift.

 It was a very big moment for Trinity.

 I love the expression on her face - the joy of gift giving!

Later, she helped Kate out her new blanket and cuddle on the couch.