"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Tuesdays Tail

Grandma stole my blog today!!!!!!!   Disco

If you can believe this - I am NOT a crafty person although I would LOVE to be.  My friend Jean talked me into making wanting to make a blanket.  I decided to make one for each one of my three boys for Valentines Day.  Now if you go back to last Tuesday you will see a photo of all three of them.

I did have a couple of nutty friends who said they would like to make one - would I do a tutorial on making one.  Now after laughing my head off I said - shoot - why not????

My girlfriend Jean had sent me step by step directions and photos and I asked if I could share them with you!

The one with Mickey Mouse - I bought as a kit from Joanne's - for 5 and under it was one yard long.  The UGA (University of GA) - for a larger child - I bought two yards of two different patterns of fleece.

STEP 1 - Gather tools together.  You need a 1 x 3 inch pattern and a 3 by 3 inch pattern.




STEP 2 - put the 2 pieces back to back - the sides you want to show should be on the outside.



STEP 3:  THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART TO MAKE THE WHOLE THING WORK.

Use the 3x3 inch on each corner.  Cut the material 3x3 by using the pattern.  This will enable you to tie the whole blanket around with no problems. 

Then use the 1x3 pattern to cut each strip - the whole entire blanket.

 STEP 4: Tie the two pieces - all the way around. 
The knot is called a square knot.  You put the left side of it over the right side and then the right side over the left side.  To myself I say "left over right and right over left."


 STEP 5:  The beautiful finished blanket.



HINTS FROM JEAN:

"The only tips I can think of is to use your sharpest scissors, line both fabrics on top of one another, wrong sides together (I usually liked both sides so there was no wrong one for me....learned that one side might be brighter....so depends how bright or soft you want it).
My cuts weren't exactly 1 inch apart....sometimes a little more and it makes NO difference.:) Don't worry!
I did pin my fabric together before I cut to avoid shifting.... I cut all sides first.  Then when I had time I settled in my easy chair and started knotting..... :)

Alrighty now I know most of you have made blankets before - so if you have any more hints and suggestions please leave them.  Oh if you have any questions feel free to ask me.

Love, Chatty

Disco I am sorry I took over the blog today - do you have anything to say?

"I'm glad I'm a dog.  See you next week."


SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

  Jean you have created a blanket monster:

I went out and have five more to do!

PS If you have read this far - I'm having trouble with my google reader - I apologize for not reading your post yesterday.  

Is anyone else having issues???

 



65 comments:

MadSnapper said...

the blankets look great... you did good... i don't do crafts, but i might do the one that is in your header. buy the candy, lay it out, take the photo and EAT the candy... LOL
does it count that i bought two fleece throws at Walmart for my two kids, Jake and Baby? i was crafty enough to wait until they were on sale.

Shelly said...

Now that looks like a really fun project. You make it very understandable, but I think I'd still have some trouble getting your results!

And Disco, we look forward to you next week. Your mom did a really good job today~

Nonnie said...

I am encouraged to think that even I could make one of these blankets. Fumblefingers. Embarrassed to admit that at the very first step, I thought, hmmmm, that isn't a very big blanket if the pattern is 1 x 3 INCHES!!! LOL. I did continue to read. Thank you for posting these wonderful instructions.
Disco, it was really nice of you to step aside today so the rest of us could benefit from Grandma's experience.

betty said...

These are so simple and easy to make (and quick too). I had a friend where we used to live that made a lot of these and donated them to Veteran's homes. I helped her make a few and you are right, they are easy to do and come out great!

Disco, thanks for sharing!

love your Valentine look to the blog Sandie!

betty

Marie said...

You know, I have everything to make one of these blankets. I bought all the material and had planned on making blankets for my pups and never did. lol You are totally motivating me. I need someone to push me when it comes to crafts. :) You explain it very well. :)
Hugs,
Marie

Anonymous said...

beautiful blanket, great job! I see they have a new finish to the edges of this kind of blanket, it involves a crochet hook, Disco would lovely all snuggled up in that blanket!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Your tutorial was great! Those are such fun blankets ... so nice to snuggle under on a cold winter night.

Denise said...

I tried making one of these before Christmas with out a pattern,just out of My head not knowing any instructions.What a laugh it was.I had to give it to the dogs.Now I'll keep your instructions and try again.Thank you and yours is pretty :)

momto8 said...

my daughter made those blankets for Christmas gifts last yr.....and with all the expensive electronics the boys got, they liked the blankets the best!!!!

Beth said...

Great job on the blanket. It is beautiful.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I have the material to make one of those blankets but haven't done it yet. I got it last fall so it has a fall design on it. Maybe I'll get it done for next fall. Looks quite easy to do. But knowing me it won't be simple as it looks. Thanks for showing how to do it.

Susan said...

WOW, Sandie. I'm impressed. I could never do that. Great job!

Disco probably enjoyed his break. Is one of the blankies for him? Susan

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Oh how I'd love to be gifted in the craft department. Beyond be able to create primary school style cards consisting of card, cotton wool and glitter I really am quite useless.

Sr. Ann Marie said...

Yours look great. I think I'm with MA--looks fairly easy but when I get my klutz clutches on it--who knows!

Connie said...

Thanks for the blanket tutorial. I've seen these blankets before but have never tried to make one. That's a cute picture of Disco at the end. :-)

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Quite creative you are :)

Grandma Bonnie said...

Awesome blankets. I have been thinking about making some for the grandchildren. You made it sound easy to do.

jack69 said...

Me 'n Disco says fine you make the blankets we prefer watch and listen.
But we love the person who can say, "Shoot, why not!" LOL

Every once in awhile I take time to read and review side bars, today was Chatty's day. I love the additions since last time but I am still enthralled by the kid and camel. That one just makes me smile all over!!!

(((HUGS))) from the second home of Mickey and Minnie....

Linda @ A La Carte said...

You did a great job on the blankets!! I had trouble with Google Reader yesterday also. It kept putting old posts on there and even after I read them they showed up again. It seems OK today.
hugs, Linda

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Poor Disco. Cute blanket!

TexWisGirl said...

at least disco gets to snuggle in the blankets. :)

yes, google reader was 'resetting' a lot yesterday. hoping they were fixing the issues it had been having - it would take me hours to get feed from posts.

Sharon said...

At this very moment, I am sitting under one of these tied-fleece blankets. No, I didn't make it myself - but I love it! It is sooooo warm.

Your tutorial has inspired me to perhaps make one of these on my own. Sharon and scissors...look out!

Disco, this is Marty here. Missed reading your post today. Oh, by the way, I also love sleeping in Mom's fleece blanket. You should see the hair I leave behind! It's pretty funny watching her use the Dustbuster to get it all off before she washes it!! Hee, hee. I love being a dog!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Yikes, all these directions, I can see why disco is glad to be a dog! I agree with Sandra, a nice makeable craft in your header!

Cheri said...

Thanks for the tute, I may have to try it but just don't know who I would do the blankets for. The grands all have so many. LOVE the first pic of the dogs trying to get out, it made me laugh. LOVE the pic of Disco and tell him not to worry, I'll be back next week to check on his post.

Unknown said...

Lovely blankets and seems easy to make :)

Sandy said...

Very pretty blanket!! And I know it must be so warm. I love doing all kinds of crafts, but I am not much of a seamstress.

The Boston Lady said...

These look super comfy! Thanks for the step-by-step - I may get crafty yet! Ann

MunirGhiasuddin said...

That is a neat method of making a blanket. Thanks for sharing.I think I am going to start doing some needle work too, to use my time more efficiently.

Gail Dixon said...

Google Reader was acting terrible yesterday! I'd refresh and have 346 posts, most of them already read. Refresh again and I'd have 47. All day long it went like this, so I'm sure I missed someone's post. Dangit!

Your blanket turned out wonderful. Looks like you'll be busy for a few days.

Enjoyed the jokes, especially God making the world round. Haha!

Tricia Buice said...

I love these blankets :) We have a few at our house. Haven't noticed anything with the Google reader - but I will check again. Hope you are doing great!

LL Cool Joe said...

Well you lost me on step one! :D

Yes google reader is playing up all the time for me. It's very irritating.

Charlotte Wilson said...

Your blanket is beautiful and I know your grandsons will love them!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Uh..well..it's really pretty but I'll let you do the quilt making. I "don't do crafting"...like some "don't do window's!" I do like to buy things others craft. Just not for me. Ya know? :)
How nice of you to print directions for some of the bloggers that DO craft!
You are just the sweetest ever!!

Sweet Tea said...

You're hooked. Quilting is a wonderful thing to enjoy - not that I would know, but my Sister LOVES it and finds it theraputic. Enjoy!

barbara l. hale said...

Good job with the blanket. A really nice, simple idea for a warm blanket. BTW, please feel free to use the quote I have on my blog. It's not really mine anyhow. I really like it though.

Ann said...

You did great with the blankets. I've never made one of those but it looks like a fun project.

I had trouble with my reader yesterday when I was using Chrome. It kept putting all kinds of posts in that I had already read. I think it was up to almost 200 that said were unread posts. I finally gave up and read all my posts on my laptop using firefox and now everything is fine

DearHelenHartman said...

I LOVE that you went out and bought the goods for 5 more! We have a bunch of these blankies and love em.

Jackie said...

I love your quote about God making the world round. Walter laughed at that one.

I love your blankets and I know this is simple but I was lost right after the first 3x3 inch square.

Oh my goodness, I get so so tired of being a truly typical numb blond! Will you make me a blanket? I'll gladly pay you next year for one this year!

LOL...great post. I wish I could understand directions better. I can't wait to see the others you make!

Happy Tuesday! :-)

Bev said...

They are great blankets...Hubby made all the GKS one for Christmas!!

Bev said...

They are great blankets...Hubby made all the GKS one for Christmas!!

Gina said...

You did a great job! The blankets look warm & cozy.

Angela said...

Did you know they have a template that you can use a rotary cutter to cut the strips perfect? They do! I seen it a few years back and bought it with a coupon. I've made blankets and scarfs with it. For a scarf you just need to find a print that you like that would look alright for a scarf. Buy a quarter of a yard. Make sure it is cut straight on both sides. Then cut your strips at the bottom like you did the blanket. Very easy to do.

barbara woods said...

Proud of you

Dee said...

I would be thinking ...Christmas presents. :)

renae said...

Chatty! Disco is such a cute doggie. (see email)

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I think you are very crafty- and I love your little blanky
love
tweedles

Andrea said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial, Chatty! I've always wanted to make one of these blankets & you've spurned me on!! Thanks for the tips too.... I'll take any help I can get. *lol*

--Andrea
XOXOXO

Diana said...

Hey
I just made one of those blankets last week. It was just a little hand blankie for a friend that just had a baby. Just big enough for a little boy to snuggle with. Yes, they are very easy and lotsa fun to make!!

Diana

Simply Debbie said...

Hugs to you Disco for allowing Grandma to do this tutorial...it will keep alot of people warm and comfy and you will be Disco the hero..
Sandie,
you did an awesome job...I think I could almost make one. I will have to look at that 3 x 3 after I buy some fabric.
I want to make some for the clinic where Amy received her chemo to keep the people warm while they are getting chemo. They would be so soft and they wash and dry everything after each person.
Thank you
I'll be back to read again after I buy my material
hugs

Betty Manousos said...

great job with the blankets, sandie!
thanks so much for the tutorial.
er...disco thanks for sharing!

xo

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Love the dogs with their noses out the door!!! I made some of those blankets about 10 years ago. They make wonderful gifts.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I made blankets like these one year for Christmas- gosh it's been years...but I still remember how important it was to keep it straight. I had to keep mine on the table, and walk around it to tie. Your turned out great!

Peg said...

Hey, this is actually a blanket I might be able to do! It looks soft and snuggly too. My granddaughter's other grandmother makes the most gorgeous quilts but my girl always opts to be covered by the soft fleece blanket. I bet she'd like the feel of this and enjoy the little tassels on the edges.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love love love the pic of the three adorable pups. As for the blanket....I couldn't sew if my life depended on it. They do look nice though....Keep smiling...

Eat To Live said...

Whooo Hooo.... you go girl. Look at those beautiful blankets you are making. Those boys are going to think of you each time they use them. Good Job!!

Sally Wessely said...

I made these a few years back for Christmas. The grand kids loved them. Yours loom great.

Patty said...

Your blanket is wonderful. Thanks for the tutorial!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

For someone who's not crafty, your blankets are impressive!

I'm more of the crocheting type. Sewing is not my thing at all.
When Beloved and I got married, one of my rules was, "I don't darn socks!"

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Stopped by this evening for a little visit-so enjoyed your tutorial on these blankets-very, very nice! I absolutely adore your quotes!! I am following you and leaving with a smile!!
Cheers!
Jemma

Melanie said...

Hi there, so nice to meet you! Thanks for coming over to my blog and leaving a kind comment. I love the blanket you made...my son's former girlfriend made him one like that and it is SO cozy. :-)

Dar said...

Dear Girl, I think if we lived close to one another, we would be shopping the fabric stores, a lot. I love that you found making these blankets so much fun. They are sweet. One of Andy's boys has one and he loves it. You can also make them with one layer rather than two. It makes a nice throw...same concept, just lighter weight. Nice job. These will be treasured.
BlessYa

Miss Debbie said...

Great job! I've seen these but never made one. After reading your instructions...I think maybe I could!!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I love your blanket, Sandie. Great job!

You asked me what I meant by clicking an image in the sidebar, etc. I wanted be able to make a new page and click a photo in the sidebar to take me to it. For example, if I want to put my awards on another page, I'd put something in my sidebar to click on that would take me (or anyone wanting to see them) to that page. Some of the girls explained how to do it and I don't know why I didn't figure that out before and I really don't know why all the googling I did took me to places that explained it in a totally different (and hard) way! Hope you don't mind my answering that question here!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Suzan said...

My neices made these for Christmas presents!! they are toasty and warm!! One day I'll have the time. . . .

Annesphamily said...

Gee, Sandie you are much craftier than you knew! My daughter bought a blanket like this! I really love them but I am sewing clueless and challenged! Hugs to you!