Christmas sewing..

Since I don't get my knitting supplies back until tomorrow I've been spending a little quality time with my sewing machine. Here are some Christmas gifts that are ready for giving!

E is getting a new baby doll for Christmas, and it says on the box: "replacement diapers sold separately." Ha! I don't buy disposable diapers for my baby, so naturally E's will need a cloth diaper stash as well (and let's not forget the cloth wipes!): I used this pattern but adapted it just a little so it will fit more of her babies (longer wings and a piece of velcro so the wings can overlap)
While I was browsing this adorable and crafty blog, I found a post that linked to a bean bag tutorial. They looked easy to make and I had the supplies so I made these for E's stocking. Her name on one side and shapes on the other. I filled them with rice.
And yet again I've made a knitting needle roll from this tutorial that I LOVE. I think this is the 4th one I've made. They are easy but come out looking so professional... a gift that any knitter would love I think!
And Happy Holidays to everyone!

Blogiversary!

I just realized that today is my blog's first birthday!

One year ago today I had just finished my first knitting project, my baby was only 2 months old, my girl was still nursing and I was on maternity leave... how things have changed!

Christmas is coming!

I did something terrible. I forgot my knitting bag in a different province. No!!! I should have finished my Christmas knitting ages ago, alas.. I didn't! And now my knitting things are separated from me by a 3 hour drive and a bridge toll that costs $42.50. Doh!

Since I haven't had my needles to keep me busy I've been at some other things. E and I are decorating the Christmas tree together this year, we've started by making strands of popcorn and cranberries for garland, and after the holiday we'll string them outside for the birds.



Thankfully I didn't also bring my sewing machine to Prince Edward Island so I can still make E her cloth diaper stash for her babies. This will be her Christmas gift from Mommy. I'm going to make 3 diapers, wipes and a pretend wet bag. I'll post pictures when it's all done. Here's the fabric:


And I also wanted to share my latest knitting projects. E saw this purple yarn in Walmart and she threw it in the cart and declared, "This will be my new hat and mittens Mommy." And so it was:

And G's new winter snuggly:

I can't believe Christmas is only 11 days away!

Late Halloween

I've been terribly neglectful of my blog this fall, but now that the cooler weather is upon us my love for craftiness is reigniting... I think all of the really fun stuff to make is needed in the winter. :)

So as a "Hi blog, I'm back" post, here is one of my recent projects, it took me a week of evenings to complete, but I think they turned out adorable. I bought a simplicity Halloween pattern for a lamb costume, made a few adjustments, winged some bunny paws, and voila, Max and Ruby.

G's Partywear

I wanted to do a dino themed party for G's first birthday party this Saturday but I couldn't find dinosaur themed things locally. So off I went to pick up some neat fabrics. I'll be making some of the party accessories, including this outfit I finished this evening! I appliqued the front of a store bought shirt and with some simple fleece I made a pair of pants that double as a diaper cover! I hope it looks cute on him. :)

Gabriel's First Birthday

Today was my "baby's" first birthday

10:53 (ish) September 22nd, 2008

10:53am September 22nd, 2009We marked the big day with his first haircut!

And then we had some cake!
He totally scarfed it! hahaHe was a very happy boy...

Dear Tide:

Dear Tide Laundry Detergent.

As my son's first birthday rapidly approaches, I am still angry with you.

Every few nights or so I pull out my favourite nighttime t-shirt. It's a plain gray men's shirt that I bought in the final weeks of pregnancy. I needed something comfy that covered my whole belly. The front reads (faded now), "A little bit of exercise never killed anyone, but why risk it?". This shirt is well worn... and stain free. Here in lies my annoyance.

For birth I decided this shirt made the cut. I wore it the night I went into labour and it stayed on for the duration. My son was born onto this shirt, in all of his newborn gooey-ness. It was a moment I will cherish until my last breath.

It might be gross, but this shirt marinated in a plastic bag for over a week following his birth. I was going to throw it out until I decided it was impossible to part with. It would be the battle-scared trophy from my natural vbac. I would be able to pull it out, look at the stains and remember my son, newly born, taking his first breath.

And so I washed it. I took it from the dryer, and much to my disappointment, all of the stains were gone. I even hollered out my frustration to hubby, and I mention it almost every time I wear that shirt. I guess next time I'll let it stew in a plastic bag for 2 weeks? Maybe I'll just vacuum seal it as is? Anyone have suggestions on laundry detergents that suck?

Darn Tide.

A dissatisfied satisfied customer,

Rebecca