Soft Baby Blocks

Supplies:

6 fabric squares in the same size (any size depending on how large you want the blocks). I suggest using a few different fabric types to give it a little textural interest. I like to pick 3 different prints for each block and cut 2 squares from each print. It works well to use one solid, one pattern, and one with pictures or characters on it, but that all really depends on your personal taste. You can also do all 6 sides in the same or all different prints.

fiber-fill or other soft filling

sewing supplies (sewing machine, needle, and thread)

To make the block:

- You want to start by figuring out how you want your blocks arranged. Do this by laying them in a lower case "t", 4 lined up, the extra 2 on either side of the 2nd square.

-Sew 2 squares from the row of 4 together on just one side, making sure the front sides of the fabric are facing each other. Repeat this until you have all 4 blocks connected.

-Use the same technique to sew the other 2 squares to the sides of the 2nd square in the row of 4 blocks.

-Time to make the block 3-D. I like to begin with the cross  part of the "t". So using the picture above I would sew the blocks with lions on them to the pattern on  the left. That is my preference, you can start sewing in any order.

-When you get to the last side (the one that would complete your block), only sew it about 1/2 or 3/4 the way  depending on how large you need the opening to be to stuff the block.

- Cut the edges so the end points with be sharper.

- Turn the block inside out (TIP: Use a pencil to push out the edges to make them more pointed).

- Fill the block with your stuffing of choice

(TIP: Add a bell, tissue paper, or rattle to the inside so when baby shakes them they make noise)

- When the block is stuffed, hand sew the opening closed

I made a set of these for a birthday party back in April. It was cowboy themed, but would you believe I searched the entire fabric section of our craft store and could not find a single cowboy themed print? Luckily I happened to come across a cowboy hat iron-on application that did the job. I stuffed one of the blocks with a bell that I made sure was quiet enough not to be obnoxious to mom and dad. I wanted one to rattle, but most of my ideas involved using food, which I did not want to do. I ended up using little lightweight maze party favors that came in a pack of 6 at our dollar store. My son loved the one with the maze in it.

Receiving Blanket Cupcakes

My husband's co-worker and his wife just had their second child and first little girl. We wanted to congratulate them with a little gift. Now I'm definitely all about giving homemade gifts. I think it says something when someone is willing to put in the time to make something for you. And since I do believe time is sometimes money, in my mind homemade should almost always be less expensive. This project is no exception! I got this idea from Little Birdie Secrets.

Supplies:

4 Receiving Blankets

4 Clothing items, toys, or washcloths

4 Large Coffee Filters (8 if you want to double them)

4 Rubber Bands

4 12 inch pieces of ribbon (may be all one color or all different)

1 Windowed Cupcake Bakery Box

Directions:

1. Fold each receiving blanket so that it is about 3 inches wide.

2. If you are using a toy you may skip this step. If you are using clothing or a washcloth place it over a fist and fold the edges into the center. You may also lay it on a flat surface and fold the outsides inward. Be sure to make sure all elastic, buttons, or sleeves are folded to the inside to give the cupcakes a neater look.

3. Wrap the receiving blanket around the toy, washcloth, or piece of clothing starting at the highest point you would like the cupcake and wrapping around and down to create a peaked top.

4. Once the cupcake is wrapped tie it with a rubber band.

5. Place the cupcakes into coffee filters. I used 2 filters per cupcake because they are thin.

6. Tie a piece of ribbon around each cupcake. You may use one color for all the cupcakes or multiple colors. Since my cupcakes were fairly neutral colored, I wanted to add a little more color so I went with 4 different colored pieces of ribbon.

7. Place your finished cupcakes in the bakery box. The smallest box available at the store where I purchased my cupcake box was 12"x12". This was too large for 4 cupcakes so I used tape at the bottom of the coffee filters to secure the cupcakes to the box and keep them from shifting in transit. You could also make more than 4 cupcakes to fill up the box if you'd like.

Cost Breakdown:

Pack of 5 receiving blankets - $2 clearance

Onesie & short outfit (separated to make 2 cupcakes) - $1 clearance

Pair of shorts - $1 clearance

Windowed Cupcake Box - $2

All other supplies came from my crafting supplies.

Total: $6