Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Taggie Blanket

So you all know I sing, right? But did you know I play the violin?

Yep.

I started when I was 10 years old. A few years later, I was in a full-blown war with a violinist in my 7th grade class in Helena, MT named Teresa. We couldn't stand each other! We were always competing for first chair, didn't like the other's playing style (she was a very technical player and I was more on the artistic side), she practiced all the time and I practiced as little as possible, and we were not very nice to each other. At one point, our teacher even separated us on each side of the room because she was tired of listening to us bicker!

During a summer orchestra program, we were in an orchestra filled with older and unfamiliar faces. That summer, we began to respect each other and work together. We played together all throughout High School and never fought again. She always played First Chair, 1st violin and I played First Chair, 2nd violins. It worked beautifully! Her technical ability suited more difficult portions in 1st violin and my deeper sound added richness to the 2nd violins.

I didn't intend to write a Kumbayah post here, but my friend Teresa (who coincidentally lives about an hour away) is having her first baby sometime around the end of August.

I wanted to do something special for her baby, but I'm low on time these days (hence the lack of posts in the last month). I decided a taggie blanket would be an easy handmade project that I could finish in one evening. I found a celery green flannel remnant at JoAnn's and decided to base the blanket around that. I found a brightly colored flannel that matched and some coordinating ribbon of different textures. I spent less than $10 and have enough materials to make three blankets!

I used these instructions, but didn't really find an exceptional tutorial (clear step by step pictures). I was in a hurry when I made this one, but if enough of you are looking for instructions, I do have more material and would be happy to make a tutorial. Just let me know in the comments if you are interested. I think it turned out great!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wowohwow, you just whipped that baby up?? AND you play the violin? I'm bordering on hating you now if you weren't so nice and funny! ;)

Brandy said...

I think it turned out great too! What a great, economical gift...plus you made it which will have special meaning to your pal.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Sigh. You sing. Play violin. Garden. Cook. Do html. And now you are doing hand made baby blankets? You are rather amazing. And I think I hate you ;-)

LadyStyx said...

Can I just ditto Kat? Seriously, though, that is one cute blanket!

Deanna said...

How sweet is that taggie blanket? YES definitely do a tutorial. I would love to try!

CaraBee said...

That is fantastic! Maybe even sewing-challenged me could make it. That might be pushing things.

I took the violin for like three weeks. It didn't go well. Kudos to you for sticking with it.

Dr. Wifey said...

very cute!

Amie said...

that's aDORable!!

Jamie said...

That is adorable- Looks very professional!

Aubrey said...

LOL
I love Kat's comment. I agree!

Just kidding!!

What a great gift. So cute!

Karyn said...

This is awesome! Did you have to get any kind of permission to make these? I'd love to make these myself and post them on my store!