DIY Upcycled Ruffle Seam Sweater Blanket

As we head into fall and you start getting out your sweaters, perhaps you find some extras (like I did last spring), that are still in good shape, but just don't fit right or you don't need anymore. This Ruffle Seam Sweater Blanket is a great way to upcycle them into something really useful. It is a quick and easy project that you can do with a standard sewing machine as long as it has a zigzag stich.

The colors of the sweaters can be chosen to match your home decor, especially for a certain holiday, or just happy favorite colors of that cute kid who likes to cuddle under blankets in the winter. I made this blanket last spring and it has held up remarkably well through lots of use and washing.

 DIY Upcycled Ruffle Seam Sweater Blanket

• 4-8 discarded sweaters
• Coordinating thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

1. Cut the body of the the sweaters into uniform size squares or rectangles based on your desired final size and shape. Decide if you want to use long strips or small squares from the sleeves as well (or you can save them for sweater butt pants or another project). I used the body of about five sweaters, but the arms of two and a half.
2. Pin pieces together right sides out and sew edge securely and heavily using a zigzag stitch, stretching the fabric as you go. Stretching while zigzagging the knit will create the ruffled effect of the seam and keep it nice and secure through lots of use.
3. Continue sewing pieces together with right sides out until the entire blanket is assembled.
4. Sew around the entire edge of the blanket in the same way, using a heavy zigzag stitch and streching as you go.
5. Cuddle up and enjoy the warmth of your favorite sweater in blanket form!

DIY Egg Fried Rice

Chinese National Day is October 1 and if you want to make an quick, easy, authentic, and American approved dish to celebrate, egg fried rice is a great way to go. 

For best results use cold leftover rice, although you can still make this with hot fresh rice. You can also throw in any chopped precooked meat you want at the end. The most authentic choice would actually be a hot dog or bad spam, but we generally prefer chicken if we want to eat this dish with meat at home.

Homemade Egg Fried Rice

• Enough rice for each person you are serving
• Leftover or fresh vegetables of your choice chopped small
• Enough eggs for 1-2 per person
• Oil

1. In a wok or large frying pan, heat a few tablespoons of oil.
2. When the oil is hot add rice into the pan and stir thoroughly.
3. Quickly add in the vegetables and crack the eggs on top. Stir until the eggs are cooked and everything is hot.
4. Serve hot with salt or soy sauce on top.

 

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Alexander at 11 Months

Well this is getting up very late as Alexander will be 1 year old in just over a week (we've been busy moving again, but now we're basically settled), but better late than never. I really can't believe how fast this year flew by, each kid seems to make time go faster.

At 11 months Alexander:

• Is 23 pounds and 31.25 inches
• Is wearing 12-18 month clothes
• Has 8 teeth (yeah he got 4 in a week, not fun)
• Got his first haircut last month
• Got to try McDonalds double cheeseburger for the first time last month and loved it
• Says mama, dada, nigh-nigh (night-night)
• Waves hi and bye, signs diaper and water sometimes
• Loves to clap for himself
• Likes to do things he thinks is funny and then laugh hysterically at his own jokes
• Loves to play with his brothers
• Loves to play ball, he'll play catch and "fetch" for a long time
• Like to look at his books and flashcards and points at words

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