Bridesmaid Dress to Baby Quilt

This was my first big sewing project since I was in middle school and I think it turned out great. Although, I will warn you it took a lot longer than I thought it would to complete this quilt.

I had seen this idea on Pinterest and when my sister in-law announced that she was having a baby girl, I thought turning the pink dress I wore to her wedding would be a great way to try out my sewing skills. I will admit I had to call in the help of my mother in order to make sure the quilt would actually stay together.

I started by purchasing a sheet that matched her bedding set for the back of the quilt. Then I took the sheet and the dress to the fabric store. I purchased 4 other fabrics that I thought went with the dress and the sheet. I also purchased batting. Since this was my first sewing project I  purchased a rotary cutter and mat.

Then I began cutting the fabric into squares. Once I had all the squares cut, I began to pin them together in a pattern. I wish I  had taken photos of the process but once I got started cutting and pinning I forgot to photograph the progress.

Once the pattern was developed I began to sew the squares together in groups of 4 and continued to add on until I had completely sewn the top of the quilt. After that I put the sheet, batting, and quilt top together. Then I machined quilted some squares onto the quilt and added the bow from the dress to the middle of the quilt.

The Bridesmaid dress after!

Below is the note that I put in the box when I gave my sister in-law the quilt. I had also included a photo of the two of us from her wedding day.

It was not that many years ago that you gave me the privilege to stand next to you as you got married.  It was such a beautiful day, now as we wait for you daughter to arrive, I wanted her to have a piece of that day to treasure.  So, if you look closely at this photo and this gift you will see that they have something in common. 

Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal Bars

I have an abundance of oatmeal that I need to use in the next few weeks, so I have been trying some new oatmeal recipes. This one is GREAT! I found it on Pinterest.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• 2 c light brown sugar
• 1 c creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 Tbs vanilla
• 2 c flour
• 1 c old fashioned oats
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 c whit chocolate baking chips
• 2 cups Reese's miniatures, chopped 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray
3. Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add peanut butter and continue mixing.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add in vanilla.
5. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
6. Add the flour mixture slowly stirring until well combined.
7. Stir in the baking chips.
8. Spread 2/3 of the dough on the bottom of the pan. Top with Reese's minis or chopped miniatures.
9. Drop the remaining dough on top by the teaspoon. It doesn't have to be perfect and it won't cover all the Reese's.
10. Bake for about 30 minutes. Let cool completely and then cut into bars.

*Original recipe found at http://www.momontimeout.com

Pyrex Value Pack

Penn State Gift Basket

I made this gift basket (cooler) for a friend's birthday. The birthday boy was a fan of golf, Penn State, and wine. I hope he enjoyed it.

What do you think?