The Snuggie Experiment: Part II

What could be better than a big, cuddly snuggie?  Two big cuddly snuggies?

Try, two big cuddly snuggies that zip together to make a convertible two-person snuggie!

It is so over-the-top cheesy that it actually works!

All it takes is two individual snuggies, and one sleeping bag 100" zipper.  Sew one side of the zipper to each of the snuggies.  This way, you can have a two-person snuggie to cuddle with on the couch, or un-zip it to have two individual snuggies if you choose to sit on different sides of the room.

I cannot wait to spend the summer with the doors and windows open at night, letting the cool breeze blow in as I am snuggly in my snuggie!

xo Allison

The Snuggie Experiment: Part I

Yes, I know people love to make fun of Snuggies.  But, let's face it, they are genius!  Your arms can stay under the blanket while you are using your remote AND stuffing your face with Girl Scout cookies that you have had tucked away in the freezer for six weeks?  Lazy people, rejoice!

The best part is that the project to create your very own Snuggie is supper easy, and quick!  In under one hour, I had a completed Snuggie, made with love and a fabric I got to choose myself.

The supplies are basic, too.  Just 2 2/3 - 3 yards of fabric, and scissors.  If you choose to use fleece like I did, you can even get away without using a sewing machine if you don't have one, since fleece doesn't fray, therefore it doesn't need any hemming.

Here is the diagram of how the fabric should be cut, after the selvage has been trimmed off.  If you are about 5'8" or less, I would recommend 2 and 2/3 yard if you don't want too much extra at the end.  It might be cuddly to pool around your feet on the couch, but it is also a hassle to drag around if you stand up to walk to the fridge or something.  I used a full 3 yard piece, and I am considering hacking off the bottom.

The two squares from the bottom fold in half, with one seam along the edge.  These make up the sleeves.  Unless you happen to cut perfect squares, fold the rectangle "hamburger style" not "hot dog style" to sew the edge.

I folded my main blanket piece in half when it was time to cut the arm holes.  I made a paper template of the 6x9 inch oval, and pinned it so that I cut both holes at the same time.

The trickiest part of the process was pinning the sleeves to the arm holes with right-sides together, and that wasn't too bad at all.  A few cuts, 4 seams, and you are done!

But Allison, why is this "The Snuggie Experiment: Part I"?  What about Part II, you ask?  Part II is coming next Friday, and here is a clue: I bought not one, but two fabrics...


xo Allison

Sew Fancy

  Time spent with my Grandma the past couple weeks has been so sew wonderful! I have learned so sew much from her being here and teaching me everything she knows about quilting, plus we got some good quality shopping time in too! I wanted to send her off with a little token of my gratitude, so sew I decided to create this fancy pin cushion. My favorite types of crafts are functional projects and this one takes the cake. This is one pin cushion that you don't have to pack away when you are done with it and it makes a great gift! You will be shocked with how simple this project is!
(and this is another UNDER 10 gift, like this one! Under $10 and 10 minutes!)

What you will need:

• A small fancy frame (3"-5") - I scored these at TJ Maxx, $4 each.
• Fabric (depending on the size of the frame and quantity of frames) - I chose a quarter yard.
• Batting- just a handful for each.

Yep, that's all you need. This is a NO adhesive project!!!!!  

The first and hardest part was peeling the stickers off of the glass. Then I realized the glass won't show.. DUH! Don't spend your time peeling the sticker! 

 

Once you take off the back of the frame and the glass, take your fabric and stretch it over the opening.  If your fabric is like mine you might have a certain part that you want centered, I chose one of the butterflies. After you find your pattern, cut the material  but be sure to leave 2"-3" on the edge to allow for stuffing. With your fabric centered take a handful of your stuffing and push it through the back of the frame into your fabric. Once you have the center filled take the glass and place it back in the frame (see picture below).

 While holding the glass firmly to the back, you can flip it over to see if your fabric is centered, if the fabric needs tightened, or if it needs more stuffing. To tighten it (or to reduce any folds) tug on your edges of the fabric while holding the glass in place. 

Once you are happy with the firmness of your cushion, continue holding the glass in place while tucking the left over edges of the fabric onto the back of the glass. To keep everything in place just replace the backing over the fabric.

TADA!!!

Warning: You may go a little 'Pin Crazy'. I just couldn't stop adding pins.

-Ashley-

Crafting with Grandma

I have been oh so busy this past week. I'm not sure how every day this week seemed to feel like a Monday, but I guess spring break will do that to you. Last week I got a special treat when my Grandma from Arizona came to visit! I love My Grandma! She has more colored skinny jeans than I do plus some of her's are neon and have studs on them. She is just stylin'! Her whole entire car is decked out in Zebra everything and she has purple leopard print sunglasses. She loves to bargain shop, cook and craft! I only hope I can be half as cool as she is when I get older.... Along with homemade tamales, she brought crafts for us to do PLUS she is teaching me how to quilt, which is something I have ALWAYS wanted to learn to do!

Last week we started the quilting process. She knows I love peacocks so she brought peacock colored fabric and I picked out this lovely chevron pattern from one of her magazines!

A couple trips to the fabric store later and we were ready to begin! 

The directions seemed like jibberish to me, but Grandma helped to understand what I needed to do! One good thing about doing things with Grandmas is they are experienced and they know all the little tips and tricks to make things so much easier!

After my strips were cut, I needed to sew the strips together. I am such a novice at sewing and quilting so she had to guide me on each step.

This quilt is still a work in progress, but I am gradually getting the hang of it. Right now  I am sewing the blocks together and then putting them into the rows to be sewn into the chevron form.

I will be keeping you updated on the status of my chevron quilt with hopefully a finished piece to show off soon! 

I am just so thankful for my Grandma and that she is teaching me the art of quilting. Grandma's are just AWESOME! 

-Ashley-