InstaFriday - Fall Edition

I somehow skipped a month of InstaFriday so here is a little glimpse of October + November. Follow the insta-fun @taylormadeblog.

Highlights: -lots of outside time -working on Project Life -a new painting -closed toed shoes = fall  -the boys playing with dad's legos from the 80's -rocking out little boy style -making and loving butcher block dinners via LBB - my husband and his jokes - Happy 5 year wedding anniversary to us! - Halloween boy sewing -sweet morning boys -putting up the Christmas Tree -good target finds -sad tears after having to leave the B&N Train :( -the Color Run :) -iPad Quiet Time - girl sewing, for a baby shower- more posts to come - pumpkin painting - YHL Book signing!
Link your instagram name in the comments so I can follow you too! Have a great weekend

Zig Zag Quilt

Sometimes I make stuff and think its OK. Then sometimes I make stuff and I like it. And every once in a while I make stuff and I love it! Well, I made this quilt and I am 120%  in love with it. Like, I think it's one of my favorite things I have ever made. At least top 5. 

Back in June, Ashley from Mommy by Day Crafter by Night, hosted a quilt-a-long. I had good intentions to stick with the time frame. But being my usual crafting slacker self, I didn't. I learned a long time ago that when I craft on a time frame, it isn't good. So, I let it go and teased with these instagrams over the past few months. 

It is so me. Happy Colorful Grandma Chic :) If it wasn't crazy, and I didn't live with 3 boys, then my whole house would be bright floral print. So (with the exception of the polka dot border) every fabric in this quilt is a floral print that I love. I also started this quilt in June so I was HOT. I did a little research and I found out that sometimes in the south, ladies would just use a sheet instead of quilt batting to keep it cool. This quilt is the prefect temperature. It can breathe but even in the winter its just warm enough. I used our very first sheet that we bought when we moved in together. I never had the heart to throw it away. I'm so happy its in there. 

Back shot. 

All of the boys have been caught cuddling up with it and Finn calls it his favorite blanket.  

I don't blame them, what's not to love? Now that I have finally quilted a top, I have plans to finish two tops that I never quilted and I am starting two I Spy quilts for the boys for Christmas. Over-Quilt-Commiter? Are you doing any Christmas quilting? Also if you have a quilt blog or know of a great one leave it in the comments- I'm all about them right now!

thanks & giving dish towels

What? How is it already Thanksgiving week? I'm totally not ready, mainly because October-December is my favorite time of year and I feel like it's halfway gone. Anyway, I made these dishtowels to hang in the store but I ended up loving them- so I kept them :)

I went to Joann's looking for "dishtowel" material (what ever that means) and found something perfect. Isn't this waffle fabric such dishtowel material? I serged the edges, pressed them down and sewed a hem all the way around.

Then, I cut the fabric to fit over the dishtowel the same way I make my burp cloths. If you have a serger you can serge to the exact size, if not you will need just fold the edge over. Then I used a zig-zag stitch to attach the fabric to the edges of the dish towels.

Fold your towels the way they will hang to determine where you will stamp your words. Then tape off the section for the words.

Of course, I used my PSA Essentials. The great thing about these stamps is the "stamper" that comes with them. It gives you a perfect stamp each time but I wanted a more "rustic" looking letter so I used the stamp on an acrylic block. Also that helped me to line up the letters easier.

Center your words and stamp away.

I love how they turned out. Also, last week my son moved them and I walked by and they said "giving... thanks" Still works. For other PSA Stamps ideas, visit the blog HERE.

Introducing Shoplocket and Win $100

So, what is Shoplocket you ask? Simply put- it is a super easy way to sell stuff directly from your blog or social media account. All you have to do is go to the website, sign up, put in a few details about the product and then you can share it on your own website or your Facebook page. If you don't have a website, you can even share a direct link to the product you are selling. So how is it different? Well, there isn't a huge marketplace so there is no competition. Also its fast and there are no setup or listing fees. If you do sell a product then there is a 2.5% charge plus a PayPal's fee.

You can sell handmade items, patterns or printables or even use Shoplocket as a closet purge! You can list your clothing or your kids stuff right from your website or Facebook. Of course, so I could be totally honest I wanted to try it out... Here is a sample screenshot of how a product will look.

I went on a onesie making spree a few months ago and I have quite a few left so I plugged one in. Literally took me 2 minutes. I wrote a description, added a picture and a price. You have to view them from my page. P.S. You can actually buy these haha- I really did list them to see how it works.

The verdict: easier and less commitment that an Etsy type store and I love that you can sell directly from your blog and Facebook page. Winning! Also, Shoplocket is giving away five $100 Micheals Gift Cards. Anyone who signs up over the next two weeks is eligible to win. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway



This post was sponsored by Shoplocket  however all opinions are 100% my own :) 

a baby gift and the perfect burp cloths

I thought I liked making baby gifts a few years ago because I had babies. But now that I have toddlers, I like making baby gifts even more. Especially if you are having a girl, I have to throw something homemade in...  all of those stacks and stacks of girly fabric are going to become "vintage" before I get to use them. So, I made three burp cloths (using my favorites- gerber's cloth diapers) and added girly fabric.

This is what I have learned from making and owning many burp cloths. If fabric is on both sides or it's too thick it doesn't absorb well. Also, you could have issues with washing the gunk out :/ Gross. So, I keep it as thin as possible. For the ones with the strip at the bottom, I measure the total width of the burp cloth by 3ish inches. Then I serge a piece of fabric that exact size and attach it to the cloth diaper. If you don't have a serger, then just  make the fabric a little larger and fold/press it down to the correct size. I added a ribbon right on top of this one.

You can also use the same technique but attach your fabric down that middle section of the cloth diaper.

Or you can add an applique of another fabric on top.

This brand is my particular favorite, the no name cloth diapers are too long. The cute terry cloth burp cloths are way too thin. Obviously I'm a burp cloth connoisseur. Another tip is when you clean up a baby mess, try to wash these as soon as possible, they are 3-ply so they will mildew if they sit for too long.

Simple easy gift that you know will get used more than almost everything :) Here are some simple boys ones I made a few years ago, not as cute as girl ones though.

I also whipped up some happy garland via MADE. I was looking for an excuse to make some and this little girls nursery is grey, cream, purples and coral. I couldn't find coral felt though... but I still love it.

What is your go to baby gift? PS I think I need happy garland in every room of my house :)

Code for 10 Free Holiday Cards

Hi people :) I usually don't post this late in the afternoon but I just got this email and thought it was such a good deal that I should pass it on to you. I'm so friendly hehe. You all know I love TinyPrints, I have used them for the past few years for my Holiday Cards. So here is a code to 10 free ones, yay!
According to the email, you do have to pay for shipping which is $5.99- still a super good deal for 10 custom Christmas Cards (which are regularly $24.99). Here is the info for the code and the dates: