Baby on the Way

A couple weeks ago, I received an email from a friend/co-worker of her young son wearing a T-shirt saying "BEST BIG BRO". I responded promptly telling her that the picture was really cute - and the shirt was fun.

She quickly appeared at my desk asking "Don't you get it?". I said "What?". She replied, "The picture."

I told her I thought it was a great photo - and I thought it was cute that he was being called a big brother....assumably to her family cat and dog.

She said "But don't you get it?......He doesn't have a sibling." I said, "Yup - that's so cute about him being a "brother" to the animals.

She stared at me with a quizzical smile/question on her face that basically said "you nut" - and at that moment I GOT IT. I broke out laughing - realizing that it was her cute way of telling me that she was pregnant and her son would soon have a new sibling!

We spent the next several minutes laughing at my response/non-response and then I was able to properly congratulate her.

To help remember our giggles about her big announcement - I decided to make her a coffee cup coaster of her son's photo. I printed the photograph, decoupaged it to the top of a tile, coated it poly spray, and added felt pads on the back.

She loved it.

I'm on Resweater!

Tomorrow morning my recent tutorial for beaded coasters is being featured on Resweater's blog! How fun!

Check it out here!

And if you want to purchase any...check that out here!

Wool Coaster Tutorial

As promised, here's a short tutorial for some fun and easy coasters.

WOOL COASTER TUTORIAL

Trace and cut 8 circles from felted sweaters. The ones I made are about 4 inches across. I use a variety of things for templates - I believe this circle template might have originally been the cover to a yummy cream cheese container (after it's washed first, of course!).

Line up and pin two circles to each other.

Using a thin yarn, stitch a blanket stitch around the outside of the circle sewing the two pieces together. Before inserting your needle to begin a new blanket stitch, slip a bead onto the needle and slide it down to snuggle up to the last stitch next to the wool. 

TIP 1: Try to estimate how much yarn will be needed for the entire coaster before cutting. It helps prevent having to knot, end off and start a new piece of yarn.

TIP 2: You can make a small knot when beginning your stitching and hide it in between the two layers of wool by catching just a snippet of wool with your needle further into the circle's center and then your next [beginning] stitch can start along the outside edge.

Finish all four coasters in the same manner and you now have a great set of sassy coasters. Set them immediately on your coffee table or use a piece of ribbon or twine to tie them together in a neat little pile. It's a great way to present them as a gift!