A Haven for Vee

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

It's Not a Fake Anymore

Remember when my little grandson Jake called the new blue and white afghan I made for the back of the Volkswagen* a "fake blanket"? (* A euphemism for my disgustingly huge living room set.)

Well that has weighed heavy on my mind. Let us not discuss how small a mind must be to have such things weigh on it. Anyway, when Jake's mama was here last she mentioned something that she had seen on Pinterest...an afghan that had been backed. Ohhhh...and let us not discuss how small a mind must be to react instantly to any mention of Pinterest.

Yes, the mere mention set the gears in motion and soon I was planning to take Joann's up on its fine offer of 50% off cotton fleece.

Yesterday, found me upstairs working feverishly to back that little lap afghan. We'll let the photos tell the story. My mords are getting wixed up.


I still haven't found a more satisfactory place to work than on the bed, which is the proper height for a work table without too much bending. The floor is out—knees aren't what they used to be. Of course, this did mean that sleepy Fioré got the boot.


This five dollar tool chunk of cardboard is perfect for laying out upon the bed and working from. I found mine at Wal*Mart.


I never dreamed how miserable it would be to keep yarn and fabric together. I tried basting; I tried duct tape; I tried tearing my hair out. Nothing worked until I thought of this—rolling my two fabrics tightly on a wrapping paper tube. I'm pretty certain that it's something I saw my mother's friend do long, long ago. 


I still have most of my hair so it worked pretty well. Once I had the two pieces rolled up together, I could baste and then go to the machine and do a zig zag stitch. This method would work well for lap quilts or a baby's quilt. I don't know that it would work so well for a bed-size quilt or afghan.

 Back in place and none the worse for wear.

A closer peek through the stitches.


As you can see above, the decorating is still in need of help. I'll be switching what I stuck in the mittens to greenery very soon and tweaking. Just because it's not looking so great here doesn't mean that it's not looking great elsewhere, though...

I was visiting At Home on the Bay where I fell in love with the simple charm of Christmas in the Kitchen. Enjoy!  Page removed.

45 comments:

  1. This is a great idea to back the afghan with soft fleece. Fiore' looks so snug and comfy on the bed. Wishing you a nice day, Vee.

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  2. It didn't look fake to me before, but the fleece would certainly add substance. Looks lovely!

    Margaret

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  3. Great job on the blanket redo! Gosh, you need to ask your handyman husband to build you a counter-height cutting table for projects like this!

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  4. Great idea! Let us know what Jake thinks! Off to check out At Home on the Bay. Have a delightful day!

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  5. I guess that "fake" comment bothered you! Anyway, that is a great fix. I would have never thought to roll the two fabrics up together -- very smart of you. I have one of those cardboard things and I love it. I use it all the time.

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  6. Wait a minute....I just noticed on yours I am still a black hole. But, on others I am not! What's up with that?

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  7. I'm sure the next conversation between you and Jake about the afghan will be interesting. :-)
    Judith

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  8. Out of the mouth of babes, huh? I wouldn't call your mind small, but rather, capable of a wide variety of thoughts. And yes, my grands' comments have spurred me on to things I might not have thought of. Amazing project you tackled and my guess is your "throw" is even warmer and cozier. As you rolled it out you did the basting? Genius!
    Glad it worked out for you; what does your grandson think? I like the way you suggest other blogs to your readers. That's thoughtful of you.

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  9. I so relate to the "mere mention setting the gears in motion" I think that's how I function through a good portion of my days...lol

    The afghan looks great with the backing, well done!
    I need to make some new ones for our den...so many projects...so little time...same with book, movies, desserts, chocolate...ok...I'll stop now....

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  10. Out of the mouths of babes.........I think it looks just right! xo

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  11. Please go back and read my today's post again... I added an ADDDDDDDDDITION...

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  12. I just know that your mind feels lighter today, now that the weight of the "fake" afghan has lifted. ~wink~ Really though, it must be really warm and cozy with its fleece liner. You'll probably all be fighting over it when the winter weather sets in. Fioré should certainly get a turn, seeing as she gave up her spot for the sake of the afghan makeover.

    Can't wait to see all your cozy Christmas-y nooks! I think the top of your "give thanks" cupboard is very warm-and-cozy. Love the lights...

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  13. You have so much crafting ability and determination! You are amazing...

    "A Child's Christmas In Wales" dvd? Do a Search on....'a child's christmas in wales' dvd. To purchase one.

    Have you tried you library system???

    It is totally delightful. Totalllllly....

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  14. What a great idea to back the afghan. It is beautiful!

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  15. Your afghan looks so warm and cozy with it's new fleece backing. Thank you for the link to my kitchen. Have a beautiufl day!
    Mary

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  16. Love the idea of backing an afghan. I love the mittens on the wreath - cute!

    Leann

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  17. I do enjoy the way you express thoughts in writing! You always make me smile.

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  18. I think it's a wonderful idea (and you managed it so creatively). Isn't it so funny the way kids see things?

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  19. What a great idea, backing the afghan! I am not very handy with a sewing machine, so I admire your stick-to-it-ness.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  20. So glad you now have an authentic blanket. Toes popping through the crochet holes can be very irritating. smile.

    It is very, very pretty.

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  21. I love how this looks! My sister did it with a baby blanket and it came out soo nice. She had the same problem with the two fabrics together. Rolling it like that was brilliant! Enjoy the rest of your day Vee...

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  22. There are some seriously good ideas in this post. I'm very impressed with your ingenuity. However, I feel you need to hold out reclassifying your afghan as "not fake" until Jake gives it the okay. Has he seen it? ~ Abby

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  23. You are so clever and far more industrious than I am. The afghan looks great and will be warm and cozy to snuggle under. But poor Fiore...you made her move? :)

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  24. Way to go Vee! You really are a gal who perseveres!

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  25. I hope you tell us what Jake thinks of this "real blanket." It's a great idea, and I'm glad you found a solution while still retaining some hair. The blue and white crocheting is so very pretty.

    Not much decorating going on around here. I did a few things, then stopped. Other priorities. And we're not getting the tree until next week, so what's the rush?

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  26. The "no longer a fake" afghan looks great with the matching backing!! Good job on that. I suppose for a much larger one you could use a quilt frame to stretch it on. Love your decorating ideas!!

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  27. I have a "fake" afghan too and this is a terrific idea...I just don't know if it will get done before Christmas since my plate is pretty full. As far as decorating goes, that will happen just before my grandson arrives; too many projects right now to get shipped for a show coming up in January. XOXO

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  28. That's a great idea to back the afghan. I guess it makes it a little bit cozier. Clever of you to use the wrapping paper tube to roll it. It looks beautiful on the back of your sofa. Thanks for sharing the blog "At Home on the Bay" with us. I'd never visited there before and she has a sweet house and decor.

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  29. Sounds and looks like a good idea. I wonder what Sam will think of it now?

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  30. Hi Vee!

    You've really got me laughing! It sounds like most of the projects I do these days! It's always the ways of our Mom's and Grandma's that serve us best. I'm so glad you had a solution to your dilemma. It turned out great!!

    Big hugs, Sherry

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  31. I'm smiling your solution to the 'fake blanket'. It worked like a charm...and looks great...though I'm still not sure why the 'fake' isn't acceptable. I have never thought to lay fabrics out on my bed. But why not?

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  32. Hi Vee,
    Love your solution to the blanket 'problem' ....it will be warmer, too.
    I smiled at you working on your bed....I do this at times..especially if the table is too small for the project.
    Have a good day
    Barb from Australia

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  33. Well my house is a mess. I work here awhile, there awhile and there is usually two or three things in various stages of completion. I got so darn wet when I went out today, I am having a hot toddy and just might type anything. Great idea you have here Vee. You and I am cut from the same cloth. Always have a solution. \
    QMM

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  34. Poor pretty kitty. Got her nap interupted. Very clever way to modify the afgan. No more fake blanket.

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  35. Very good idea! And I'm off to follow your link and 'visit'! Hugs!

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  36. Well I think its charming.And now its more charming.My friend made me a lap robe and I love it.I love the colors hon.
    Merry Christmas,
    Marie Antionette

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  37. I am so curious to see what Jake's reaction will be to the "real deal" blanket. Might there be a candid camera moment for his reaction?
    I would have never thought to do something like this, but it sure does sound like a perfect solution.

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  38. Jake had a good idea! Your pretty crochet blanket must be extra warm now that it has a flannel backing!

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  39. I love the idea of a flannel backing.

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  40. Good job on that blankie! I prefer a solid blankie, too. Me and Sam are alike that way. ;0)

    Great idea to roll it up like that - I'll have to remember that. Has Sam seen the blanket yet? Be sure and let us know what he thinks! Looks nice on the Volkswagen tho!

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  41. I'm taking a book making hiatus to visit this evening. I think you did a brilliant job backing that blanket. What a great idea to roll it up to make the process easier.

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  42. Frenchie, Tate and Bitsy say they are telling Sandy Claws about how you booted Fiore off the bed.

    Guessing there will be kitty litter lumps in your Christmas mittens this year.

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  43. It's beautiful, Vee! Great job and glad you didn't pull all of your hair out ;)

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