Nani Iro Blankets

My obsession with Nani Iro will not go away.  I just can't get enough.  And then, when I saw these blankets from Purl Soho, already knowing how wonderful the Michael Miller Cotton Sherpa feels, I just had to make the girls blankets combining the two.  

swaddled

The blankets were supposed to be Christmas gifts, but it didn't happen and I just finished them last week.  I guess that's one upside to the LONG winter we've had this year.  And the best part is, there was no competition with other presents and the girls love them. 

The specks:  The Nani Iro brushed cotton came from Superbuzzy and the cotton sherpa from fabric.com.  I followed the Purl Soho instructions more or less.  But, instead of using the machine to make the quilting stitches I hand tied them.  It was faster than I expected and made for a nice couch activity.  

Chalk Cloth Portfolio

Do you remember in college seeing the "real artists" walking around with portfolios?  I always wished I was that cool.  My only hope now is that I give my kids the tools to become artists if that's what they want to be. 

Finally a good use for the 200+ embroidery stitches on my sewing machine.

I've been dying to get my hands on some chalk markers and finally got a set.  They're GREAT! 

It's not a full tutorial, but in case you want to make one too, here are the measurements.

Chalk cloth, lining and canvas interlining  21" x 14"
Separating sports zipper, 36" but shortened to approximate 32"
1" Webbing, 2 pieces 12" each

To hold the paper pad:
1" Grosgrain ribbon, 11" long
 
For the pencil case:
Plastic 8" x 19" (I used a piece from a sheet set packaging)
8" Zipper
2 #16 snaps