Blue mood May 11, 2007

No not the baby blues, but the colour blue.

All the lovely blue flowers in my garden at the minute

and the new blue pram we bought E were the inspiration for my 2nd (yes 2nd) quilt

so with 3 hours all to myself, and a selection of lovely fabrics I made a start

I chose the flowery one, for my spring baby, it has daffodils, tulips and primroses printed on.  So not really knowing what to do I decided to use that piece as the focal point and work round it, and use the pale blue minki for the backing.  I had a bit of a nightmare to start with, time to myself and trying to pack as much in as possible, I do my usual and rush and make mistakes.  I had to get the seam ripper out twice!!  But it finally came together, and I managed to finish the front.

Recognise that thrifted tablecloth again too!!

I’ve also used it as the binding, I need to take a final photo, but it’s been grey and dull here so I can’t get a decent photo.  It’s so cosy and looks great on the new pram.  I’ll try and post the pic soon.  I’m not doing too well posting though, and only seem to be managing two-weekly, I’ve no idea how people manage to post everyday!!  Must go L’s getting hungry and hubby’s home soon, and I’ve no idea what’s for tea.

Baby shoes galore April 16, 2007

I made  a couple of attempts at making baby shoes myself, and still have a leather pair to finish.

But why make the yourself when there are so many delicious ones out there made to perfection.

My friend from feltinginfibrespace made me these gorgeous ones, she doesn’t have any for sale yet, but I definitely think she should they’re so cute.

There are loads of goodies on Etsy

From Olilo Design

From Diddle Dumpling

From Brooklyn Handmade

From  Catarina M’s, I don’t know if she sells them, but they’re sweet.

4 weeks on April 15, 2007

Is it really 4 weeks since E was born!  It’s been a pretty calm, relaxing few weeks, getting used to being 4 instead of 3.  We haven’t ventured too far, the furthest being my friend’s in Harrogate, and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (I couldn’t not go and see Andy Goldsworthy on my doorstep).

L has been fantastic, a bit trying at times having her here all day (nursery starts again next week ) but very tolerant of all the feeding.  Here’s a pic of her in full flow, I can watch her for hours when she’s so involved in something, it’s as if time stands still for her she’s so engrossed in what she’s doing.

Not much crafting going on I still haven’t finished the ripple blanket!!  But remember this tablecloth, I managed to make L a smocket, it’s gorgeous but no photos unfortunately as she thought otherwise and is still to try it on, it’s in her dressing up box now!!!  So I had to make a mini one, for somebody who doesn’t have a choice what she wears!

It turned out a bit small, I reduced the pattern by 50%, so I’m gonna have another go with some fabric to match these booties.  But it’s so cute, great for summer over a vest.

Apart from that we’ve been enjoying ths sun, here’s some pics from our garden.

I used this great little program mentioned by Heather.  And more flow from L.

WIP March 31, 2007

I’ve joined ripplemania (here’s some inspiration, and some more), I actually started it just before E was born , I’d run out of things to do, so thought I’d give it a go to keep me occupied.  I ended up having to go buy more wool the Saturday before she was born, so I’m now making a ripple blanket. It’s great for keeping us both cosy while I work!!!!

Baby progress February 27, 2007

No it’s not here yet, wish it was though, had a crazy week of visiting midwives, and a trip to the hospital, all I want is to have my baby at home.  Women have been doing this since time began, why is it such a big deal!! and why are they so deperate to take control!!

 Anyway, the baby projects are coming along, I’ve needed something to keep my mind occupied.  We’re full of cold, again!!! and I’m finding driving uncomfortable so we’re a bit house bound.

I’ve made my first quilt, I made L a knitted blanket and bunny when she was ‘in utero’, so thought I’d do something similar this time.  I bought a few FQ’s at the ‘Knitting & Stitching Show’ in Harrogate, mostly 50’s retro kiddy prints, and found one that wasn’t too girly (just in case), I’m sure it’s a Michael Miller print.  And away I went (sorry the photos are a bit washed out).

The border is quilting cotton, that I use on ‘Sleepytoes‘ Slings, dusky pink and sage green.  I machined these pieces together, then  overlocked it on a hemp fleece backing (bought from Babeco, along with my bamboo terry).  And made a binding out of another Michael Miller fabric (also used on my slings!!!)

I hand sewed all around the borders through the fleece, and then did a scalloped type design to quilt the fabric (it seemed to fit well around the fabric design).  The fleece is so lovely and soft, I had to make a bunny out of the same fabric.  He’s a bit subdued for a mini-moopy, but it turned out really soft and lovely, perfect for a newborn (this is the link for the pattern).

Of course L took a shine to the bunny and almost acquired it as her own, so I had to make her one similar.  She arranged the photo!!

I used this pattern, but made it a bit smaller and didn’t add the pocket.

The embroidery on the ring sling’s finished, and the pockets sewn on, here’s a pic of the pocket.  Just need an action shot now!!

Ring Sling inspiration February 10, 2007

I’ve started on the ring sling I’m making for this baby, I really wanted to make something especially, there’ll be plenty of pouches I can borrow, but I wanted something personal. Here’s a few pictures that have been the inspiration for the embroidery, taken from 4000 Flower and Plant Motifs: A Sourcebook by Graham McCallum

I love these fantastical trees, but decided to go for a flowery design.

The design is going on the pocket of the sling, I love the fabric it’s a really soft stretch cotton in pistachio green, with matching green rings. There are loads of different shoulder styles to ring slings, but I prefer a neat finish so I’ve gone for a modified ‘hotdog’, similar to those at Zolowear.

This has been a great project over the week with L having the chicken pox, although I wish she was small enough to carry, as she’s wanting constant cuddles (at 3 1/2 she’s a bit heavy). I’ll post a pic of the finished thing next week.

Bitty bootie 1 February 6, 2007

My first attempt at the bitty bootie, I’m really pleased.  They’re very autumnal, as I just used what I had to hand.  This baby is due at the end of the month, and we don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl, but it will be wearing the booties!!!

I have made straps, but I’m going to wait till the baby’s born to sew them on, I want to make sure they fit properly.  I’m onto a leather pair now, having found a scrap in my fabric box.  I can see there will be lots more of these being made, a great project to make with a little one around.

Baby projects February 1, 2007

I’ve only got about a month to go before this little nippers born, so I’m packing in the baby projects before it arrives, partly to keep me busy and to stop me dwelling on the labour.

Here’s a few things I’ve got on the go, or plan to do in the next month.

I’m trying to keep up the crochet practice, although I have just realised I’d been learning american crochet (Stitch n Bitch Crochet – the happy hooker), so I went to the local library and borrowed a couple of books with English crochet (First Crochet, and Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots).  Not much difference, but the stitches have different names, I had a go at these ‘Baby Brogues’ from the First Crochet book, they’re so cute, one is bigger than the other but nevermind!!

I’ve also started knitting a little cardigan, it’s a pattern from this months Simply Knitting Magazine, the pattern is by Kokobino, I’ve modified it slightly, I haven’t tried stripy knitting yet, and I had a spare ball of self striping 4ply sock wool.  If it goes well, I think I’ll buy some nicer wool, and have a go at the striped version.

I’ve been buying some nappies in preparation too, I used reusables with L (prefolds), but not at nightime as they leaked, so I bought some lovely bamboo terry shaped nappies from Babeco, the terry is so silky and lush.  I noticed they sell the fabric so I’ve been having a go at making some baby towels (I’ve finally got to grips with the overlocker), what a breeze, I found the bias binding a bit tricky (if anyone’s got any tips, they’d be welcome), but I’m so pleased with it.  I’ve just got to wash it before I have a go at another one, and I’ve got enough terry to make a load of washable wipes!!.  Here’s the unwashed, overlocked version, with Sleepytoes baby modelling (she’s not very photogenic).  I’ll post a pick of the washed, finished one later.

I’d really like to have a go at Heather’s Bitty Booties, it looks like an easy pattern to follow, I’ve got loads of bits of fleece lying around, a prototype might be in order.

As I make baby slings for a living, I’t would be nice to make some custom made ones for this little one, but I can see I’ll end up grabbing one or two from stock.  I’d love to make a fancy ring sling, I’ve got some lush pistachio green stretchy cotton, that would be stunning with a bit of embroidery or something added to the tail.  Maybe that caould be a project to save if I become overdue!!