Envelopes for Swapping

Well, yes.  I did make the envelope that I sent your swap block in.

I like doing my own envelopes because, well, it saves some money, I can make them whatever size I need and whatever color I want too.  They're just fun!

Here's my simple method for making envelopes.

I've been using up old 12x12 scrapbook paper that I have sitting around because, well, I'm not a scrapper.  I've made these with old calendars too. Or even from fun magazine pages (obviously not as big).

For a template, I took a piece of thin cardboard and cut it to the size I wanted.  You can cut it to any size you want to use.  Mine is 5x8" which is about the size of a large greeting card.

First, on the back of your paper, place the template so it is about 1.5" from the top and about 2" from each side.  I just eyeball this.  It doesn't have to be exact.  So if you use a papersize different from mine, just make sure you place it something like the photo below.

Use a pencil and make a dot by each corner of the template.

Now, move your template to the edge of the paper. Keep it straight and between the dots.  Make a mark about a 1/2 inch in from the corner of the template.  Once again, I eyeball it.  Do this to the other corner of the template too.  You will do this on all four side of the paper.

Use your nifty template as a straight edge and connect the dots.

You should have lines drawn something like this:

Next, use some paper scissors and cut on those lines you just drew.  This is where I get a bit efficient and stack 3 or 4 papers and cut them all at the same time.

Fold in the side flaps like so:

Fold up the large flap at the bottom and the unfold it.  Smear some craft glue just where it will overlap the side flaps and fold it back up.

It should look like this now.

Fold the top flap down and there's your fantastic envelope!

Just add an address lable and a stamp and it's off!

Pretty easy, huh!

Enjoy!

Here I am

Since my last post - remember... busy! busy! busy!... - well, life has only added to it.  Now I could add a few more BUSY's to the list...

I turn to my sewing machine whenever I need just a touch of solace, peace, respite, mental regrouping, me-time... whatever I wish to call it at the time.

Soooo...

I made some journal covers again this year for the kids to give to their teachers at the end of the school year.  They really have had wonderful teachers.  I couldn't thank them enough.

I used gray linen on them and I really liked the way it looks.

I used the tutorial for these on Bloom.  (Love her blog.)

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Also, this is the blocks swapped in the Block Swap Adventure in May:

This is the one I received from Debra in Australia.

 She wanted a wonky house or tree.  I decided to put them together into one block.  I've never done wonky before and it was a challenge.  I'm used to following a pattern and having nice, straight lines... whoo wee.. it made me sweat!  I think it turned out cute though.  I hope she liked it.

Happy Stitching!

Hooded Towel with Pleats

I went to a baby shower recently for the mother of twin baby girls who will arrive in a few weeks.  I pulled out a favorite gift/project to make for them and I thought I'd try a tutorial of it for anyone interested.

Supplies:

1 bath towel

1 wash cloth

pins

ruler

thread

  ** I found some towels and matching wash cloths at Walmart.  You can use any combination that you like.

Find the center of the long side of the towel and mark it with a pin.

Use your ruler and measure 2 1/4 inches from the center and mark this spot with a pin.

This point will be a fold.

Fold the towel over with the second pin as your fold marker. 

Then fold the towel back with the fold point near the center.  Pin this first pleat in place.

Your folding should look something like this:

Use your ruler again and measure 2 1/4 inches from the edge of the first pleat and mark this point.

Repeat what you did to make the first pleat, to make a second.

You don't want the edges of the pleats to overlap because it will be too bulky.  They should be just next to each other.

Now, do all of this over again on the other side of the center pin, folding it toward the center.

With matching thread, sew along the edge of the towel to keep the pleats in place.

Go carefully with all that extra bulk.  I broke two needles with this project trying to hurry it.

It should look something like this:

This is the front of the towel.  You'll need to know that later on.

Set the towel aside and find your wash cloth.

If your wash cloth has more of a design or picture you want to show, you can adjust this part to fit your needs.

Place the wash cloth with the right side up. Fold down the top about 1/3 of the way - right sides together.  

Now, fold down each top corner, like this:

I pinned it on the inside because I turned mine right sides out to sew but you can pin it and sew it on either side.  Which ever is easier for you.

I turned mine right side out and sewed along the edge of the cloth.

Hopefully, you have something like this:

Next, lay out your towel so the sewn edge is closer to you and the back is up. (The front has the pleat folds right up to the middle.)

Lay the wash cloth over the edge of the towel about 1 1/2 inches or so and pin it in place.

Sew it along the edge of the wash cloth (from the black pin, following the red pins to the other black pin).  Try to keep the pleats in place but they don't have to be perfect.

Next, turn the towel over and sew across the edge of the towel.

That should do it!  I hope this made some sense.  Please let me know if anything is unclear.

Enjoy your little ones wrapped in a new towel.