I Made the Perfect Stadium Blanket for Ki'a

 I miss this little cutie and her brother so much!  Her mother took this beautiful photograph of Ki'a in a forest in NY.  She's becoming quite a photographer.  I'll share more of the photos she took of Zack and Ki'a tomorrow.

Our granddaughter Kia's 9th birthday is in just a few days and I decided it was time for a blanket.  Here's a tip. Rather than buy the fabrics by the yard it was cheaper to buy the fleece in the no-sew blanket kit at Walmart.  You get 2 coordinating fleece fabrics that you are suppose to just cut and tie but that wasn't what I had in mind.

Ki'a is really involved in cheerleading and goes to a lot of the competitions.  I thought it would be perfect to have one of those blankets that folds up into a pillow that she can sit on when she's not covered up.  

This was really easy to make too.  

• Just put the right sides of the fabric together and stitch all the sides, leaving an opening for turning.  Turn it right side out and slip-stitch the opening closed. 
• Then take a piece of fabric (I already had this pink plush) to make the pillow part.  Fold the length of the blanket on both sides to the middle (like folding a towel) and measured that width.  That told me how wide the pillow opening would need to be.  
• Cut 2 pillow pieces allowing an inch in both directions for 1/2" seams.  Sew all 4 sides and leave room for turning.  Turn and stitch opening closed.  
• Lay the pillow centered at one end of the blanket.  Stitch the pillow with 1/2" seam at the bottom of the blanket and the 2 sides, leaving one end open to slide blanket into.
• For a personalize touch add some flowers or make a ribbon initial like I did.  I just cut straight pieces of coordinating ribbon, laid out a K and hand stitched it on.

It's just that easy.  These would be perfect to make for Christmas.  You can buy the fleece blanket kit at Walmart for around $12.95 or you might buy the fabric even cheaper at one of the craft stores with a coupon.
You can see the 1st step of how to fold the blanket into the pillow here.  Fold both sides to the middle.

 Next start folding the opposite end of the pillow cover.

Keep folding until you are even with the pillow case.  Then just turn the pillow case inside out over the blanket. 

And there you go.

And here's the back side.

I think it's so cute and really warm and soft.    I know Ki'a's going to like the colors.  Can you believe the kids are all into the peace signs again?  I was about her same age in the 60's last time this was popular.

It's true. Fashion does always circle back around.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway on the right sidebar.

Have a great day, ya'll!  Hugs...Tracy :)

One Blogger and Two Blogs and a giveaway

I want to introduce you to ONE blogger named Doniene and two blogs.  The first is Doniene's 365 Days, which is just what it sounds like, a 365 day journal about the things she see's everyday with a special twist.  As she describes it "From Line Shack to Rustic Mansion: The Tale of a House Building Journey".  She'll be sharing pictures of their home including the construction to the finishes and even things that aren't done. See how Doniene and Mike turned his parents severe accident into a combined family affair.


Her 2nd blog is called "Now it's just quilts".  Do I really need to tell you what it's all about?  Stop by to see some of the wonderful quilts she creates and enter here giveaway that you see below.  What's better than taking a moment from a hectic day of housework to spend a some quiet time in prayer with the Lord and a nice warm cup of tea.  And how cute is that Fire King cup and saucer and the mini quilt you win too.  Just click here are on the picture.

 

P.S.  Don't forget to enter my giveaway here:

Hope your all enjoying your fall days.  Warm Hugs...Tracy :)

UPrinting Giveaway - First Step To Get Ready For Christmas

Christmas is getting close and as promised I have the first giveaway with my Home Holiday Giveaway Party to get you organized for the holidays.  UPrinting is my first sponsor.  Leading online printing companies have come up with various designs that will suit up your creativity.

One of my lucky readers will win 100 postcards!  


Getting you holiday greetings ready is really one of the very first steps to being organized for the holidays.  Whether you want to send greeting for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or New Years just get started now.  And what I like about sending postcards is the money you save on mailing.  A postcard cost only 29 cents to mail verses a first class stamp for a card up to 1 ounce which is 44 cents.


So to help you get a head start on your holiday list UPrinting is gonna give you the chance to win 100 postcards.  Time for the details:

100 Postcards for One (1) Winner

5" x 7"

14pt Cardstock Gloss

No Folding

Front Only Printing

2 Business Days Print Turnaround Time *Free Shipping

Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only

Here's how you can enter:

You must be a Cotton Pickin Cute follower and leave a comment telling me that you are a follower.

How about some extra entries?  Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each one, telling me what you did.  If it says 2 entries, please leave 2 comments.

• {2extra entries} Post a link back to this giveaway on your blog.
• Follow UPrinting on Twitter.
• {1 extra entry per tweet per day} Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with @cottonpickincute. (see button at the bottom of this post)
• Follow Tracysuz (that's me) on Twitter (see button at the bottom of this post)
• Like or Friend Cotton Pickin Cute on facebook (see button at the bottom of this post)
• {1 extra entry per post per day}Share this giveaway on your facebook page.

Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.  Please don't forget to leave a comment for each entry.

Giveaway ends on Oct 28th, at 11:59pm EST.

Good Luck! 

Enjoy the weekend!  

Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive a postcard for hosting

Scarecrow and Pumpkin Garland for 60 Cents! Woo-Hoo!

I had one busy Saturday.  I was so tired I laid down on the bed sideways and was out like a light last night.  Unfortunately I woke up at 3am and this is what I made.

It all started with these scarecrows on a stick that I bought after the season last year for 90% off making them a DIME each. There was no way I needed this many on a stick so I got busy snipping those little sticks right off.  Ouch!

At 4am I got a wild hair and decided I was going to do my first wood cutting project.  So I went online and found a pumpkin to trace and cut.  Pulled out the jigsaw and that's were my primitive little pumpkins came from.  The wood was scrap house siding.  I sanded the edges and then attempted my first tole style painting job.  Believe me I'm no artist.

A little glitter makes everything better.  I braided some jute, used an old flannel shirt for the orange ties.  That shirt has been cut up for so many projects and I'm still using it for more.  And I added some more ties made with burlap.

I glued some buttons onto the scarecrows, to dress them up a bit and  I was done.  No money spent today last night.  And only 60 cents spent for the scarecrows last year.  Who says you can't make something for nothing or close to it anyway.

And the lesson for today, is to buy it after the season ends, for next to nothing and you'll think of something to use it for next year.

I'll be linking up to the parties below this week, adding them as I go:

The Southern Institute

 C.R.A.F.T. Making Monday Marvelous
SL Under The Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase
The DIY Showoff
Making The World Cuter Monday

Thanks for taking a minute of your day to see what I'm up to.  Having ya'll stop by and reading your comments really do make a girl feel bless.  

Have fun enjoying fall, ya'll!

Hugs....Tracy :)

Green Mountain Coffee - Pumpkin Spice -Yum!

Even though we're not exactly having the wonderful fall weather and enjoying the gorgeous fall color of the New England area, that doesn't stop me from wanting to experience that fall feeling.  And that's just what I did this week when I got to review Green Mountain's Pumpkin Spice coffee as a part of the BzzAgent campaign.  Ummm, it is so good.  This is the first time I've tried the pumpkin spice flavor and I really did enjoy it.  I think I enjoy the smell almost as much as the coffee.  

I  also received a bag of the House Blend which is a regular, medium roast blend.  It was delicious and smooth. 

Green Mountain coffee is certified organic and brought to your cup through Fair Trade practices.  It's a simple philosophy.  Farmers who are given a fair price for their harvest are better able to support their families.  They can afford to use time-honored traditions that produce better quality beans. 


Visit Green Mountain Coffee to learn more.

If you'd like to learn more about being a part of the BzzAgent community click here.

Disclosure:  I received Green Mountain coffee to facilitate my review but all opinions are my own honest views.

A Mermaid's Crafts is Having a Giveaway

My sweet friend Lisa @ A Mermaid's Crafts is hosting a giveaway and one lucky winner will receive a My Memories Suite software download.  Lisa makes beautiful cards so look  around while you're there.   And she always has the lastest scoop on other giveaways in her sidebar.

Some Fun Party Links for Wednesday

By now most of you have seen my tablescape with the witch shoe party favors.  If you haven't you can check that post out here.  It highlights some of the fall post I did this past month.  

In the meantime I'm still linking up to some of this weeks parties and thought you might not want to miss the fun.  So here's the links.  Now go party ya'll.