Getting ready for The Babe

I do think it's high time for an update don't you?!?

So happy to report that we are now 38 weeks along and doing great! I am gearing up by doing lots of sewing and crocheting for this little one....here is what I have so far....

We are cloth diapering again, so most of the crafting has been diaper related

Here are the crocheted bits so far, two wool soakers/diaper covers. I used the Tickle Turdle Wrap Pattern



I am converting 20....yes 20...prefold diapers into fitted diapers....



I found the best little Kimono Wrap by Habitual, and thought it would be perfect paired with some wool longies for The Babe's first outfit!

(The Kimono is an upcycled pillow case....very soft....and the longies are an upcycled merino wool sweater!)



My very own version of this sleeper (also made from the same upcycled sweater as the longies!). Do I see a tutorial in the very near future?!?



We have gotten all our supplies together for our homebirth as well, here we are trying out the birth pool (ok....its a kiddie pool...but it'll work!)




More on the Henna and Belly Art later!

Sewing for Kiddo (Boys Tank Top Tutorial)

Can I tell you how hard it is to find tutorials for cute boys clothes out there!! I had an urge to make a simple tank top for the kiddo after work, and I only found ONE! and to be honest.....I had a hard time understanding the sizing....hmn

Sooo I decided that I could do this on my own!! I know I am very empowered right :D

Here's my process.....any suggestions will be well received!

I started out with a favorite tank of kiddo's, folded it in half, and cut around (the fabric is a thrifted pillow case)



With extra cut at the bottom and sides for seam allowance



Cut two of those on the fold (and cut about 1/2 an inch more out of the neck line to leave room for the bias binding)



Make bias binding for neck and arm holes, mine turned out to be 2 1/2 in x 18 in

**Edit for the bias binding**

I was corrected by my mother.....bias binding should be cut at a 45 degree angle...thus making it "on the bias" so that it will stretch! Like this or this

Thanks Mom!! I was wondering why it was a tight squeeze over his head!!



Sew the right sides of one of the shoulder seams together (just one!)



Pin RIGHT side of binding to the WRONG side of the neck hole and sew together
(I dont have a fancy binding maker and this way works out best for me)

Here is another explanation



Once that side is sewn, flip the garment over, then make sure the bias binding is folded so you can see the wrong side facing up. Fold the binding in half like so



Fold binding again, this time over the seam, and pin all along the neck hole (covering the exposed seam)





Top stitch close to edge of the binding (sewing through binding and garment fabric

Repeat this binding process for the arm hole under the shoulder seam already sewn together



Sew the other shoulder seam together and repeat binding process for that armhole



Sew down the sides of the garment (I like to start at the arm hole and sew down)



Fold over the bottom edge 3/8 in and then fold over again 1/2 in, pin, and sew



(funny how the light changed on this last photo....its a totally different color!)

Enjoy watching your little one play in their nice, cool, summer top!



Let me know if you try it :D

Show and Tell (Part Two) & Recycled Legwarmer Tutorial!

This ones for the sista's! The sister in law had a big trip coming up to attend cooking school in Italy (ooohhh) so I wanted to make her something travel related, and small......and what did my search reveal? A perfect little set of a lingerie bag, shoe bag and passport cover, in (to me) Tuscany style ;)



Originally got the ideas here and here...

and for my littlest of sisters.....some coziness for the rest of the winter!

Re purposed sweater sleeves, into legwarmers!



Looks like a couple of happy customers to me :)

Here is a quick tutorial for the legwarmers...

Cut a strait line starting right at the underarm seam,



then fold over and zig-zag stitch the cut side (I do two rows of zig-zag because I am paranoid about unraveling :P). Its also helpful to scrunch the knit as you sew, otherwise you will end up with a splayed out cuff! (unless that is what you are going for...)



that's it! I told ya it was quick ;)

Finished!!!

Remember the project that had 3 (count em'..3) sewing machines stumped?

Welll....I finally managed to get ahold of an upholstery machine and got....it....done!



I can't wait to get photos of this cutie (seen here in the belly) in her custom Mei Tai......hope you enjoy the ride!

Thanks to Kristen for the amazing tutorial.....I am learning so much from all these incredible women!

The Great Pants Along - Fabric

So I made my fabric choice....



I ordered it last Monday.....and it won't arrive until NEXT WED!!!! I am determined to catch up to the rest of you guys at the pants along....so stay tuned :)

At this rate I will get to wear my new shorts next summer......can't wait!

Woman Vs. Machine

I fought with 3....count em' 3....sewing machines this weekend, and they won!

One was my Singer Touch and Sew 600.....top thread breakage.

Next up, my Moms Singer....bottom thread bunching and jamming.

Finally, my Dads Pfaff....got most of the way through my project...then jamming and top thread breakage!

Boy did I try everything to fix these problems, but sometimes you just have to tap out!

and no, I did not take any photos....but here is a sneak peak of the project that had these machines stumped...



I will not throw in the towel! Next opponent.......Heavy Duty Upholstery Machine!

Pea Pod Purse

Remember this pretty fabric? Well I finally turned it into something!

I am proud to announce my first blog contest winner, AnnMarie, received this pretty spring/summer purse.



The pattern is the Pea Pod Purse from Ottobre Design! Thanks!



Made from reclaimed fabric, this purse is very "green"....it includes a zipper pocket on one side and two sizes of open pockets on the other.





I gained two valuable sewing skills during the process, how to sew binding and invisible zippers (on a curved seam mind you!)




No worries Jessica....yours is coming soon!!

Felt Pizza Tutorial

Kiddo has taken to pretending our round soap is pizza dough and runs around the house throwing it up in the air......so I decided to make him a special felt pizza, and I wanted to share the process with you!

Heere we go!

Cut two round pieces, size is up to you but make them the same. 

Sew the two together about 1 1/2 inches from the edge.

Fold under both raw edges and pin together.

Blanket stitch edges to finish the dough.

Cut out some toppings and enjoy!

I fully intend to embellish the toppings and make more of them, but being a working mom and all, kiddo would be 10 before he got to play with them!

So.....

This will do for now, since the pizza is going to be eaten by whales anyway ;)

Thanks, and pass it on!

Cloth Baby Shoes & Bib

 Spurred by a last minute baby shower, I downloaded a free tutorial from the aforementioned  blog, Stardust Shoes.

My version of her cute set of shoes and matching bib. Recycled Denim!

3 month recap

Ok, so I have been delinquent with my blog for the last 3 months. I was incredibly frustrated with it over the holidays, and decided to save myself the stress. I found a very helpful blog to sort out my issues at -

bloggerfordummies

So here is a recap of what I have been up to these coldest of months :)

The Amigurimi boy doll turned out cute, and my son lovingly named him "Charlie"

The other Amigurimi project, the one I kept a mystery, was a Gnome, also from the Lion Brand website.

I also made a quick gift for myself when I found a beautiful cowl pattern by another blogger at -

craftleftovers.com

Here is my version....I used only yarn scraps and old buttons, not only green in color!



During my crafty x-mas madness, I had lots of help from the kiddo....





I got passed the madness and got to enjoy the Holidays!

Cold holiday Shop and Stroll, Craft Fairs,
and tree shopping (we never actually bought one!)

After the dust settled from the holidays, it was on to kiddo's 2nd birthday!!

Made him this too cute backpack out of my husbands old jeans and yellow fleece scraps.

My adaptation of this bag from Lisa at - u-handbag.typepad.com




WHEW!!! That brings us up to date!