Fun with colour

In the past I've picked up new hobbies and crafts and I do them like crazy for a few weeks and then I lose interest. It hasn't happened yet with knitting and I think it's because there are so many fun things to make and ways to alter the same pattern. I'm making my third set of longies for the little man and this time I'm adding his name and striping the legs. So far it's been a lot of fun and I love learning new stiches and new ways to improve my work.

However, I wrestled with the idea of putting his name on the front. Hours and hours go into one piece of work, and by adding his name they can't really be transfered to another baby. But... in the end I think it will be a great keepsake. ;) I'll add an action shot once they're done.

My next pair of longies will have stripes on the legs. The problem I'm having with stripes is that they will naturally have an uneven line when knit regularly in the round and there are a hundred different ways to fix/hide this (apparently).This way seems popular, but it doesn't really look "invisible" to me. The first method described here is also mentioned all over the place, but I can't find a picture to decide if I like the finished result. Can anyone help me?

I would have loved this as a child...

... but apparently my strong-willed daughter does not. I was almost giddy as I sat down to make this tutu for my girl. I lovingly selected the coloured tulle and matching ribbon, I carefully cut the tulle and tied it to the waistband for almost two hours. I was so pleased with myself as I held it up and she put it on declaring herself "Princess Dora!"... but then the tulle was too scratchy on her naked potty training behind and she promptly yelled "Owie!", pulled it off and ran for it.

Coincidentally, it perfectly matches the leggings I knit for her that she also refuses to wear.

Sigh... toddlers...

Snowed in and Knitting.

While visiting my inlaws we got a huge snow storm so I finished my second set of longies for baby boy.

I made a diaper

So it's a little rough looking, but it caught the pee just as well as my other diapers. It was a lot of fun to make! I'm not looking forward to when I go back to work and I have no time for my new hobbies... :(

Anyone have ideas about how my family can live without my income? ;)

Poo Cleaners!

Oh the things that make me excited these days... I borrowed a sewing machine from my aunt and made some wipes today. I haven't used a sewing machine since highschool so they're a little rough, but it was fun! They're flannel/velour and they do a pretty darn good job of mopping up some poo. ;)

Extended breastfeeding

The nursing relationship with my 2 year old may be drawing to a close. We've been very busy the last couple of days and she hasn't nursed. In fact, Friday was the first day since she was born that she didn't have some "booboo".

I'm a little sad about this. Breastfeeding is such a personal and amazing experience/bond with your child, and while some people feel she should have weaned long ago... I don't regret it for even a second.

Her usual time to nurse these days is right before her nap. Since we're home today and she'll have her regular routine... we'll see what happens.

Knitting

Knitting is my new found love. I love the look of wool diaper covers, but they are so expensive to buy! About a month ago I bought my first skein of wool and sat down with my borrowed needles and knittinghelp.com (great way to learn!) and I taught myself how to knit. My first project was an improvised pair of longies that turned out to be a great fit on my little man. I will eventually type out my pattern for them... but I'm still learning the ins and outs of reading/writing a pattern!

I added a matching hat and mittens too!

ETA: An action shot. ;)

It's official.

I'm a blogger. ;)

The title: the birth of my daughter was anything but natural. A series of medical interventions led to a c-section. A traumatic event for me and a less-than-peaceful welcome for my baby. Ridden with guilt, I vowed to make the rest of our world more "natural". I'm an extended breastfeeding, babyfood making, sling wearing, natural birthing, cloth diaperer... and I'm certainly a work-in-progress.

So my wish for this blog is that it becomes a diary chronically my attempt to simplify my life and the life of my family. I would like to share my knitting projects, my future in sewing (I'm hoping for a machine for my birthday!), babyfood recipes... and various other tidbits. :)

Thanks for reading!