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C is for cow print. I think I mentioned that my friend Jenn is having her first baby in March and that she is doing a barnyard-themed nursery. Here are the diaper stacker and matching blanket that I made for her. Both fabrics were purchased at JoAnns and the diaper stacker was made using Simplicity 4627. The pattern was lame and if I make this again I will make several changes. But I think it still turned out pretty darn cute!
posted by Stephanie at 10:48 AM

 


This month's theme for tie one on is an apron from clothes. I used a men's dress shirt purchased at Goodwill (I actually bought it for my husband, but it was a bit too small for him). The main part of the apron is the shirttail and the band across the waist is the button band. I recycled the pocket and added one spool of discount white lace (around the pocket and as ties). Sorry for the crummy photo--it's actually quite cute, but all 3 of us are sick with a cold so I didn't feel like having a real photo shoot.
posted by Stephanie at 8:32 PM

 

There is a cool contest going on right now that has to do with the preemie project. Details here.

edited to add: I just finished H's wool longies!
posted by Stephanie at 10:55 AM

 
Not a lot going on around here. Little H has his first cold so I am busy wiping his nose and giving him kisses. Nothing serious at this point so that's good.

I'm working on H's green longies and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just need to finish knitting the second leg and then graft the crotch gusset.

I'm hoping to do some sewing this weekend. I'd also like to do some organizing of the stash and list some stuff on eBay. While I'm going through stuff, I'm going to collect some cloth diapers and accessories to send here.
posted by Stephanie at 10:41 AM

 
Cute stuff

• felt food and other misc.
• how to make a felt cake
• baby kimono
• felt baby shoes

posted by Stephanie at 7:11 AM

 

Well, I didn't get around to making any Christmas diapers for Henry, but I did make him 2 for valentine's day! I really like these. They are all flannel and I think I spent $6 total at JoAnns for the fabric. The body has 3 layers of flannel and the snap-in (!!) soaker has 8 layers. I also made matching doublers which are 6 layers of flannel. Cute, no?

I'm also thinking that I need to order a size 16 die for my snap press--that's what's generally used for kids clothes. Right now I'm using size 20 snaps for diapers but that would be just too big for sleepers and bibs.
posted by Stephanie at 11:03 AM

 


My new snap press arrived and I must say that I love my new toy! I did one practice snap, and then I was off putting snaps on the four fitted diapers that I made over the weekend. Three are from recycled t-shirts and one is some yummy blue cotton velour (so soft)! The inner layer on all of them is organic sherpa which is dreamy. These are some fancy-pants diapers for my little man! Off to cut out more diapers so I can add more snaps....
posted by Stephanie at 12:50 PM

 

I've been doing a lot of crafting over the past week or so, but for some reason I really haven't felt like blogging about it. Maybe I just have too many projects going on and not enough time?

• I finished up 4 more fitted diapers and am just waiting for my new industrial snap press to arrive (!!!!) so I can put snaps on them (instead of aplix).
• I finished up some baby gifts, which of course I can't show you here.
• I'm working on sewing a cow-print diaper stacker for Jenn (no blog, sorry) who is due in March and has a barnyard-themed nursery.
• I started some wool longies for H using some leftover kelly green Cascade 220.
• I started and finished 10 postcards for the postcard swap.
• Above are 4 hat/footie sets that I finished for the preemie project (check out who is on the homepage).

posted by Stephanie at 2:01 PM

 

B is for my Baby Boy in Blue (who will be 8 months old on Sunday--I cannot believe it! We are already starting to talk about his first birthday)!!
posted by Stephanie at 6:46 AM

 


Oh my gosh--a knitting FO! I just finished these socks for my Grandmother. Her birthday is on the 25th and they are already wrapped up and ready to go to the post office today.
Pattern: Whitby from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Lorna's Laces sport weight in happy valley (in real life it's really more pastel)
needles: US2
posted by Stephanie at 8:28 AM

 


Here are 5 pockets diapers that I just finished up last night. PUL (polyurethane laminate, waterproof) outer and microfleece inner. I also made (absorbent) inserts which are 2 layers of hemp terry and 2 layers of microfiber. I basically used this pattern. They have aplix closures.

Also, some flannel teddy bears for the preemie project. I made these with scraps leftover from diaper-making!
posted by Stephanie at 9:07 AM

 

Been busy sewing during this 3-day weekend. But now I'm tired. Here's a cute-patootie pic of H. modeling my first fleece diaper cover. It's Walmart fleece on the outside, white microfleece on the inside, and it has aplix (velcro) closures on the front.
posted by Stephanie at 10:12 PM

 


I keep forgetting to blog about this gorgeous new yarn sent to me by the fabulous and talented Melinda (no blog). I can't spin. Well, actually I briefly tried with a drop spindle, failed, and decided I just didn't have the time or patience for spinning at the moment (nor do I have the room for more stuff for a new hobby)! Melinda is a teacher (professor, actually--I think) and a fabulous knitter and also finds time to hand dye and spin yarn! She sent me the beautiful orangey stuff this summer and I am currently knitting some basic ribbed socks with it. Looooove the way it feels and how pretty it is knit up. These will be some special pretty warm socks for me me me! Then just last week this gorgeous blue-green yarn showed up in my mailbox. I am a lucky girl!!!
posted by Stephanie at 8:18 AM

 
Hurrah--I picked up my sewing machine from the repair shop today! (I just love how 1 minor repair on a $200 machine costs $50. it's like having a frickin used car). Now, I have so many things to sew and so little time! I hardly know where to start. Well, the first thing I did was sew up some flannel teddy bears that I had cut out for the preemie project. Oh, that was after I did a little bit of reorganization of my fabric stash. Next I need to focus on more diapers, covers, and longies. Oh, and more footies. And a few dpn cases for gifts. And an apron for this month's tie one on. And more blankies for the preemie project...and...and....and....
posted by Stephanie at 3:00 PM

 

above: a gratuitous photo of Henry being cute. I love how his eyes match the shirt he's wearing. The wool soaker is one I bought from eBay and is recycled from a sweater--love those motifs!

right: a few things I'm sending off to the preemie project. 2 small fleece blankies (made from a remnant I got at JoAnns) and 3 white hats (3-5 pound size). I used Lion Brand pound of love which is suprisingly soft after washing and drying.

I am a lucky girl. Karen is coming over later and she's bringing Mexican food.!
posted by Stephanie at 11:56 AM

 



The other day when we went for our family walk, Henry wore his cute little Robeez shoes for the first time. I sort of remembered seeing a pattern online somewhere to make something similar. A bit of searching (I love google and the internets) and I found what I was looking for here. I know some people have made them with leather, but I was more interested in using microfleece(cozy!) or faux suede or flannel or wool. Needless to say, I made several pairs. Some are for Henry (the 3-6 month size fits him well right now) and some are for gifts. I even made some for the preemie project and I am working on sizing the pattern down for teeny baby feet. I can see sizing this up later on and using Jiffy Grip on the soles for when Henry actually starts walking. Fun!!
posted by Stephanie at 4:39 PM

 
Secret Pal 7 Questionnaire

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I love the good stuff, but I also use acrylic (especially for charity).
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin and I'm trying to teach myself how to crochet.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
straights in a glass vase, circs in a homemade version of the circular solution, dpns in a fabric case I made.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been seriously knitting for 5 or 6 years, although I learned when I was about 7. I'd say intermediate to advanced.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
yes, here
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
anything with real essential oils, especially lavender and patchouli
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
and how. chocolate covered caramels are my fave.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
sewing. a little bit of beading and scrapbooking/cardmaking. cross stitch.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I'm not a big music person these days.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like most colors, although pale yellow is my favorite.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
married with a 7-month old boy (Henry).
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
mainly just hats, since I live in a warm climate. Well, and lightweight or lacey scarves.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
koigu, lorna's laces, Cascade 220.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm not a big fan of mohair or angora.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
socks, knit toys, wool soakers and longies for baby.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
socks.
17. What are you knitting right now?
socks, preemie hats for charity, a lace baby blanket, a pullover for me.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
absolutely.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
depends on my mood.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
depends on the yarn, but usually bamboo.
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
yes.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My grandmother taught me when I was a child.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
um, a couple years I guess.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Hello Kitty.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas (and the Super Bowl. heh).
26. Is there anything that you collect?
besides yarn, fabric, and knitting books? cookbooks and Green Bay Packer paraphenalia
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Interweave Knits.
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Socks that Rock.
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
crochet (especially amigurimi).
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
yes. I wear a size 8 1/2 shoe. My ankle is 9".
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
November 11
posted by Stephanie at 10:55 PM

 

I love that every single thing that Henry is wearing today is handmade. He's got on one of the fitted diapers that I made recently and the wool butt sweater was made by Karen. I sewed the t-shirt and the fleece footies. (I'm a little bit obsessed with making those little footies so that will have to be a whole different post)!

DH is taking my sewing machine to the repair shop right now so it looks like it will be a knitting weekend. Right now I'm making some little hats for the preemie project and I cast on for the Whitby socks (from Knitting on the Road) for my Grandmother's upcoming birthday.

posted by Stephanie at 11:42 AM

 


Henry was cranky today (teething) and we were bored so I decided we should take a trip to Goodwill to see if we could find anything interesting. They didn't have any yarn today, but I did find these 2 100% wool sweaters. The one on the left is a beautiful fair isle (not hand knit--imported from China or something) and the one on the right is by Eddie Bauer and it's a very soft, fine gauge 100% lambswool. I will probably make wool longies from the sleeves and use the rest for other projects (maybe some booties or some wool soakers). Or I might felt the brown one and make it into a tote for me. I also found this really cool embroidery kit (still in the package). It says it's a scandinavian picture with linen fabric and cotton yarn (made in Germany).

I also got a taggie soft book for Henry (he got a little taggie blanket from Santa and he loves it), a pair of really cute corduroy pants for me (which may need some reconstructing), and 2 dress shirts for DH.

Speaking of being frugal, I just found this blog. I like it. For me, life's all about saving money so I can spend it all on fabric and yarn, people. Heh.
posted by Stephanie at 3:22 PM

 


Wah! I've been doing lots of sewing lately and my sewing machine just died on me! It's nothing serious and I've been meaning to take it in for a tune-up anyway. So I guess that helps my solve my problem of what to do with my few minutes of free time (sew or knit)! Well, at least for a week or so anyway.

I guess I can show some pics of what I've been making. First, a flannel sheet for Henry's cosleeper. I know this doesn't sound very exciting, but it really is! The arm's reach mini cosleeper has this odd little mattress and regular crib or bassinet sheets do not fit. The sheet that came with it shrunk so now it's really tight and pulls the mattress up a little bit. I ordered an (expensive) replacement sheet online, but I think they sent the wrong one because it is way too big. So anyway, I got this flannel for NINETY-SIX CENTS (!!!) at JoAnn's the day after Thanksgiving. I laid the mattress on top of it to take my measurements and bound all the edges with foldover elastic. Success! A perfect fit.

I also finished up 6 fitted diapers in size medium. I used the Very Baby diaper pattern. There are 3 layers--the outer layer is a knit print and the 2 other layers are absorbent cotton sherpa.

(sorry--I am too lazy to add any links today)
posted by Stephanie at 5:16 PM

 

Now that the holidays are over I can post a pic of one of the secret gifts I made. This is the apron I made for Karen. She really liked the Christmas one I made for tie one on so I decided to make one for her. I was really pleased to find this cute fabric at JoAnns as Karen is a fabu cook and she likes the color green.

January's theme (apron from clothes) is up for tie one on and I am still thinking about it. Too bad I recently donated that full-length red chiffon skirt to Goodwill!!
posted by Stephanie at 7:23 AM

 

2006 ABC-ALONG

A is for Anthony. The (other) love of my life. This picture was taken on New Year's Day at La Jolla Cove. It was a fun family outing.
posted by Stephanie at 7:44 AM

 
2006

I'm not going to make any personal resolutions this year. Taking care of a baby and having a very erratic part-time work schedule make me want to just take things one day at a time.

As far as knitting goes, I do have some goals for 2006

• finish Henry's feather and fan baby blanket. before he turns one.
• Knit a sweater for me (Port Orford, probably. The back is finished).
• Knit a Christmas stocking for me (Henry and DH have one so I need one too)!
• Finish the Creatures of the Reef Shawl (Fiddlesticks) for my sister.
• Start gift knitting early.
• Sell or give away all yarn that I will never use. My space and knitting time are limited, people.
• Finish the Garden Shawl (Fiddlesticks) for me (this one might be pushing it. we'll see).
• Continue to knit for the Preemie Project (I actually forgot to list the items I made in 2005 in yesterday's post).
• A secret project that I can't talk about here.

For brunch today we had eggs florentine, soy sausages, and mimosas. mmmmm. For dinner we are having Hoppin' John.

I am working on Crofter's slipover from the book Folk Vests and I'm almost done with the ribbing. My first corrugated ribbing! I'm also doing some sewing. Pictures later in the week!

posted by Stephanie at 12:04 PM