1st Time Ever Quilting a BABY Blanket!

To Quilt or not to Quilt ever again?

I decide to quilt for my beautiful new niece.
After reading tons of things and watching YouTube videos.  I gave it a shot.  
Quilting is not for the beginner sewer.  It is for someone with some skill!  If you can sew a straight line well, you can do it!!

I found out quickly that I needed to purchase some tools, after lines did not match and seams were ripped out.  I learned that the grids on my cutting mat, are not perfect.  I have one really old mat, and I cannot wait to invest in a new fancy Olfa cutting mat. 
http://www.olfa.com/products-mats/
I also found I needed a Quilters Ruler & Squares.  Olfa makes those to.
http://www.olfa.com/products-rulers/

It's all about the Tools Baby!

 If your square is square, it should match up right as you pin it.
Speaking of pinning, using the right pins is imperative. Quilters pins to be exact.  You can always find them in Notions at the Fabric store.
Luckily cutting was a breeze.  I used my Rotary Cutter. Just remember to buy extra blades, they go dull fast when you cut a lot of things at once.
I also learned that a good Iron and Mary Ellen's Best Press are also helpful.
http://maryellenproducts.com/

Before you sew, take scraps and test on those 1st.  Make sure the tension is correct.  Nothing worse than finding skipped stitches, and having the machine jam up on you  because of it.

TAKE YOUR TIME. 

Don't be in a hurry.  That is when massive mistakes will happen, that could ruin your project.
I cannot tell you how much frustration I had just in ripping out seams, due to using that minkie material.  Argghhh.  I should have read and watch more videos on it.  I will use other backings next time!  I only have so much patience. 
This is such an easy one to follow!  
 The pattern for the quilt is here at:
http://static.fatquartershop.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/ReceivingBlanket-Pattern.pdf

The YouTube Video is here at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSQlz-J98sg

Caution!!!  My 6-8 hour quilt took 30 hours due to mistakes and doing what my body allowed.  Take your time!  Do not push yourself to hard.  Enjoy the creative process.  Start 2 months ahead of time!!

Is it perfect?  NO!  
Do I love trying new things?   YES!
Am I proud of myself for trying this?  Hecks Yah!
So the answer to my question up top is yes, I will quilt again.

Note*
When buying all those new tools and fabrics, I used COUPONS & SALES for them all.  Sewing and Quilting are expensive hobbies.  Please do not pay full price ever, for any of it.  

Thanks for stopping by,
Shelley

Check us out on www.2daintycrafters.com

Bonus Project
I used pre quilted fabric for this little beauty.

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters

Prom on the Cheap for 2 Broke Girls

         

  Why do folks put so much emphasis on the Perfect Prom?  It's just a dance!  

My girls have no dates this year and do not care. They made arrangements to hang out with their friends at Prom instead. This is not the single most important event in their life. However, that doesn't mean we didn't make the most of what we have!
   I have taught my 3 girls to coupon, watch for sales, and always check the thrift store 1st.  I love the one we shop at.  We shop, as well as donate to it often.  Arc Value Village
  Life is not about what brand dress you have or the kind of shoes you wear.  In fact I have purchased new items there as well as used.
I found some pretty cool items over the years.


Here's the breakdown:

Girl 1
Prom Ticket                    $35.00
Purchased at Thrift store:
Prom Dress                      $4.28  (yes, it looks good)
Clutch                              $6.97
Shoes (already had them) $0 Extra
Hair accessories Walgreens on a BOGO 1/2 off 
                                       $12.10
Dinner at Home                 $0 Extra
Limo Ride(Mom's Taxi)       $A Hug
Grand Total                       $58.35

Girl 2
Prom Ticket                       $35.00
Dress(From 2 proms ago)   $0
Clutch(Borrowed)               $0
Shoes(Already Had them)   $0
Hair accessories                 $20.00
Dinner at Home                  $0 Extra
Limo Ride(Mom's Taxi)        $A Hug
Grand Total                        $55.00

As you see it does not have to break the bank! Life is expensive enough.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters

Coupon Policies and Etiquette

The Rules

Always check with the Stores Coupon Policy 1st before you go, if you are doing a Large amount of coupons.  Print the policy and bring it with so you can refer back to it if necessary.

Check the Expiration Dates

Their is nothing worse than getting up to the register with an expired coupon.  I even go through the coupons at the register 1 last time to make sure I am all good.  I always apologize for my mistakes.

 Be Organized 

Have everything ready to go.  You may have to do multiple transactions in order to use all the coupons correctly.  Bundle them separately and have your purchases separated as well.  Please communicate with the cashier that you have Multiple Transaction please.  Can you tell I am a cashier;)

Please let the person who just got in line behind you know that it's gonna be a bit.  Tell them "you might want to get in another lane".

Sometimes they stay because they are curious to see how much money you save.  They ask "how do you do that??".  It is a great way to meet people. 

 Each Company Has It's Own Rules & Regulations

 Abide by them please.  1 bad apple can spoil it for us all.  If you go in with a bad attitude and are nasty.  They can deny you your use of coupons.  It is up to the store to decide if they want to take them.

I have a saying.

Don't Poke The Bear!

Never, Ever Photocopy Coupons!!  

It is illegal.  Punishable by fine and Jail time.

When you print coupons, each 1 should have it's own unique barcode.

  

FOLLOW THE RULES ON THE COUPON! 

Do not try and scam the system or berate your cashier into taking them.

SO NOT COOL!

If you clip a product and it says only redeemable at Wal-Mart don't take it to Target.  Read the Coupon and pay close attention.

Never Buy Coupons! 

It is illegal and voids them.  The newspaper is the only exception.  Avoid clipping services that are not reputable.  I do not care for clipping service, they seem like  a creative loop whole.  Ask yourselves this "How did they get so many coupons????".    Be careful if you decide to dumpster dive for coupons.  You can be fined and do jail time if caught.  The rules differ state to state, city to city, and county to county.  Just don't do it!

Left over coupons or ones that just expired?

Donate here:

http://coupsfortroops.org/

Please read the rules carefully & thank you for your support.

I hope this has helped all of you better understand the Coupon Rules.

Please see the Coupon Series here and on 2daintycrafters.com

Thanks for stopping by,
Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Coupon Organization

We both like to blog what we do in our daily crafty lives to hopefully inspire you to step outside your comfort zone.  

How to Organize Coupons

Start by clipping them. 

 I know that sounds simple and lame.  Some people organize them in sheets and do not clip til they need them.  I don't know about you, but I am not cutting in the grocery isle on a Saturday with people bumping into me.  I like my fingers and want to keep them.

Organize by Category

Here is my personal list:

Beverages

Cereal

Breads

Canned

Condiments

Snacks

Quick Meals

Gluten Free

Misc.

Office/School Supplies

Dental,Shaving, & Deodorant

Personal Care

Paper & Plastic

Cleaning & Maintenance

Meat & Poultry

Veggies & Fruit

Dairy

Frozen

Other Stores you shop at

Feel free to change it up.  Organize the Titles however you want or add some more.
I shop dry goods 1st and cold stuff last.

Get a box of paperclips!  Make some room and sort it all out ahead of time.  Also organize by oldest to newest.  

Choose an Organizer

Whether it be a massive 2" binder with different sheets.
I have used money display pockets & baseball collection pockets in the past.

Or the classic small expandable file folder

I have used a plastic expandable from Targets Dollar spot.  You can buy patterns to sew one yourself  or design a paper 1.

Pardon all the Pics I could not go back and crop!


Or the

1" small binder with Half slit pockets
I use Avery Brand Pockets and Tabs for Sorting.  Some of this is Discontinues to the the Scuffle between Martha & Avery;)    I have also made paper bound versions of it.

You Don't Have to Spend Much to Save Some $$$$

Whether it be $3 or $25 you will make that back!  Make sure you use coupons to buy your supplies!  That will be your 1st step to saving some $$$ :)



Thanks for stopping by!
Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!