MY "NIPPED" WEEK OF SEWING!

This week has certainly flew by.  It's Friday morning already and I honestly can't believe it.  But then it seems as if I have been a day or two behind all week.  Anyway, I am having a hard time keeping myself away from the sewing machine.  I did work on my porch a bit, and read an ENTIRE BOOK, (which I loved btw, called the Tattered Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter ~ a quick and easy read) which I don't remember the last time I did, kept current on my Bible study, talked on the phone A LOT, and even took a couple of quick naps in desperation, lol.  However I did still manage to make two crib sheets for Vinny, and have his bumper pads half done.  Let me tell you about those bumper pads.  First of all, I guess they are now a controversial item for babies.  They have been all but banned by some groups of mom's as dangerous for babies.  I have NOT done the research on this and I guess it IS possible they are, but honestly I think people have become quite fanatical about all things like this.  It is a wonder I think that any of our children EVER survived when you hear the things that are currently all big NO NO's. Now I only had bumper pads for Melody and honestly there is just NO WAY anyone will ever convince me they were anything but a cute way to keep her little arms and legs from getting caught in the slates, or from her head bumping into one of the hard rails at night while she rolled around sleeping. (which did happen at one point or another to ALL of my boys) But I do believe that every mama has the right to determine what's best for her and her baby, so I try to keep my big mouth shut, and just roll with whatever it is that she has decided.  Because there is a LARGE group of mom's who think the way I do and still use this particular item.  Anyway, this is NOT suppose to be a post judging who is right or wrong here, but just FYI in case you have never heard about this.  Sooo, now onto to the story of the making of these bumper pads.  I have only made one other set of them, and that was for Melody close to 3 years ago now when she was pregnant with little Sam.  I do remember NOT enjoying the making of these pads, but I didn't remember why.  It all came rushing back to me when I got involved making these pads.  The kind I make have 6 identical sized pads, each of which have 4 ties in order to connect them to the crib.  I buy the pads at Joannes and they are made out of simple batting cut in the size of the pads.  I found an online sight that has a directions on how to make the covers for these particular pads and it all looked and sounded quick and easy.  My favorite kind of project as most of you know.  WELL....this time I decided to add on the piping around the pad that I would make myself as I wanted it to match the fabric I was using.  I bought the ready made piping when I made Sam's.  I wanted to learn how to do this anyway, and it sounded pretty simple.  The ready made piping is quite a bit smaller as well.  You start by cutting out 24 strips of fabric for the ties, 16 inches long and 2 and half inches wide.  Sounded easy, but took longer than I thought.  Then you sew those strips in half length wise.  Quick and easy.  You leave the ends open because you have to turn them inside out of course.  Well don't know if you have ever done this or not on such a slim piece of fabric, but I have many times and it is just NO FUN at all.  There is really NO fast way to do this even though I do know a couple of tricks and short cuts.  It took me forever.  No lie...FOREVER.  Then after they were all turned inside out I had to iron them all flat with the seam at the side and finish the ends of the ties with a small zig zag stitch.  This too took WAY WAY longer than you might think.  4 hours later and all I had done was the ties!  If there should EVER be a next time I make a set of these I will use ribbon for the ties or I won't make them, lol.  Then it was onto the piping.  I had to cut 6 pieces of fabric l and 3/4 inches wide and 75 inches long!  Yes, 75 inches long!  This didn't take as long as I feared and I was onto to step two faster than I thought I might be.  You then iron the fabric in half and sew the cord into the fabric making your piping.  I used my zipper foot and this went pretty fast.  Maybe because it was something new I enjoyed this process pretty well.  I was quite proud of my piping as well, lol.  Then you had to cut out 12 rectangle pieces of fabric 27 inches long and 11 3/4 inches wide.  I was finally ready for the assembly of the pads.  That is going a little faster with each pad, but still taking longer then I thought it might.  And the bottom line?  While they look sweet and pretty, they also look like a BIG nothing, lol.  How it could possibly be that there are more hours in those dumb sweet pads then almost anything else I have made?  lol  Including some of the quilts?  Soo needless to say, I have spent A LOT more time sewing and bending my neck then I should have, but I took LOTS AND LOTS of breaks and tried my hardest to stop the moment I noticed I was feeling it.  However, I am going to finish those pads today NO MATTER WHAT, lol.  I am anxious for Vinny to have them on his crib, and honestly I am looking forward to seeing what just strikes my fancy to sew.  No deadlines, no lists. So let me show you these pads....

CLOSE UP LOOK AT FABRICS USED...FIRST TWO FOR BUMPER PADS, LAST TWO FOR CRIB SHEETS

THE PAD

HERE IS THE QUILT THAT WENT WITH THE BEDDING...DON'T LET THE COLOR HERE FOOL YOU...IT IS THE SAME SHADE OF BLUE...DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD CAMERA NOT SO GOOD.  THIS QUILT IS TRUE COLOR

BACK OF QUILT

Sooo there you have my week.  Probably 12 - 14 hours of sewing in my supposed to be "nipped" week.  I will have to do better, lol

Just want to show you a couple of quick photos of my sweet little grandbabies, and then I am heading over to my machine to finish up those pads.  Hope you all have a nice, relaxing, joy filled week-end. Blessings to you all, Debbie

WHO COULD RESIST MAKING ANYTHING AT ALL FOR THIS CUTE LITTLE SWEETIE?!

AND LUKE HAS DISCOVERED SPAGHETTI 

COULDN'T KEEP IT ON HIS TRAY FAST ENOUGH, LOL

Just had to show you what my 13 year old grand daughter Lindsey drew....She has loved art since she was a really little girl, but she is showing REAL talent now in this grandma's opinion.

SOO GOOD

LOVE THIS, LOL!