Cozying Up With A Good Book

Coming up for a challenge for our first month’s “Families, Create” theme, “Cuddle Up,” was pretty easy. The hard part was to find the motivation, that seemed to leave me at the beginning of 2011. Since my husband bought me a Kindle for Christmas I have been cuddling up to it, reading book after book and crafting has just been out of my mind. I found myself needing to find something to put my Kindle in to protect it from little hands that think they need to cuddle with it. ;)

So early in this months challenge I began thinking about the many different types of cozies I wanted to try to make. You see I just can't make one... it is part of my personality. I have to find the "perfect" one that works for me. I drew up many different designs. I then thought about the supplies I would need. And of course a girl can never have enough fabric, right? So I went shopping. I wanted to try out a fabric I had never tried before and that was linen. Well... I did not realize how pricey that stuff is!! Wozzers! I got just a little and I revised my plans on how much I would use with each cozy.

I came up with many different "types" of cozies but limited myself to just do 5 cozies. I ended up with 3 styles but different techniques applied to each.


The first was a flap with jute "rope" that is wrapped around a poppy flower button to keep it closed. I LOVE this one, it is by far my favorite. I just love how the poppy looks and how the linen looks next to the orange fabric. So pretty!



My second had a flap too but I used the rope to make something that the flap can be tucked into to keep it closed. I added a heart applique to the front and finished it off with a simple stitch. Simple and sweet.


My third style is just a sleeve that is made in some cool guitar fabric. I love this fabric and had it for a while just looking for the right project to use it on.


I used the sleeve style to try using appliques on linen to see how I like it. Isn't this little fox so cute? I made her a while ago but just could not bring myself to put her on a shirt... she was special and I wanted her on something special. She makes me smile every time I see her.


The last one I did was with the sleeve style and I had wanted to do some quilting on the front. However with two boys running around here, I just ran out of time. So I just added a simple band of different fabric on the front. I got a really bad picture of this one though. :(

I have one felt one left to finish, but I may not do that one... I am just so in love with the orange one, and how it works. I will probably do a few different cozies with more closure options others, but right now I can't stop thinking my phone needs a matching orange cozy and of course I should make myself a matching coffee cozy. ;)



Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out how you can participate in the next Families, Create! Carnival.

Our February theme is "Heroes and Heroines" - what can your family create this month to celebrate the heroes and heroines in your lives?

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• What's the perfect way to snuggle up on a cold winter night? Acacia at Fingerpaint & Superheroes knows the answer: make the perfect soup!

• Simply decorated jars by children bring warmth and light to cold Winter's days at Living Peacefully with Children.

• The ArtsyMama teaches us how to create a no sew fleece throw inspired by your favorite snuggle time book.

• Movies made from books are often pretty poor representations, but this family-made movie from Dionna at Code Name: Mama is monster-ific!

• Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes created a cozy for her Kindle, to protect it from little hands that think they need to cuddle with it.

• What better way to cuddle and get cozy than in new jammies made by Mama G @ Z everyday things?

• Inspired by her family's love of the Harry Potter series, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to make a series of ornaments based on the theme.

• Laura at Nestled Under Rainbows shared a reflection on and a celebration of snuggies, lovies, cuddlies and specials.

• Little Hedgehog got a wonderful idea when his red hat from Father Christmas didn't fit, and Megan at Purple Dancing Dahlias got a wonderful idea to knit a sweet hedgehog!

• Monster-inspired artwork by a monster-clad kid. Despite the growling, he really is cuddly! Monster love courtesy of Dionna at Code Name: Mama.

• Arpita at Up, Down & Natural shares a quick tutorial on how to make your very own Pippalily inspire pouch sling, with zippered pocket & key ring, and a matching nursing cover to boot!

• Amy at Anktangle finally completed something cuddly and warm for her son Daniel: his very own afghan, crocheted with love by Momma.

• Who'd want to cuddle with a cuttlefish? Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes thinks you might want to cuddle up with this sweet plush cuttlefish!

• In an attempt to slow down and relax while watching her children, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to give knitting another chance.

Join us in February to create something with (or for) your own family. Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out more about February's "Heroes and Heroines" theme.