Felt Needlebooks

I fell in love with the Mary Flanagan wool I purchased from Purl on New Year's Eve and decided to use some of it to make needlebooks based on the pattern from Joelle's latest book.

I hand sewed the lace on after sewing them up. I don't have a walking foot (yet) so I adjusted the tension and it worked fine. I love the outside but I'm not 100% sold on the use of cotton flannel for the pages or maybe I just prefer a heavier weight cotton flannel.

I also used a little of this lace on one of Little M's baby shirts recently to sort of dress up the blue because although I've no problem putting a baby girl in blue everyone will think she is a boy if she's in blue.

super easy & cute burp cloths

I whipped up these cute burp cloths last week using these amazing fabrics Elizabeth sent when I participated in the Scrap Swap. I still have a bit of each of these left for another little project someday. I backed them with washcloths I had lying around so they are thick and absorbent. They went through the machine pretty easily and quickly with the tension loosened up. I realized afterwards I should have sewn right sides together and then turned inside out (duh, I'll blame this on pregnancy brain) but, they look pretty good anyway so no biggie and they're for a baby to spit up on so whatever, right? Plus, they were free instead of $18 for two like most of the cute burp cloths out there.

a bee in my bonnet

So, I got a bit obsessed shall we say recently with sewing baby bonnets from Angry Chicken's awesome Mailorder pattern for the little one due next month.

I started off with the intention of making just a few and then kept going. After 8 bonnets I decided that was enough spring/summer bonnets for the little girl. But, you never know what crazy thought might make me sew some more. Mick was starting to wonder if I was ever going to stop sewing baby bonnets and asked if I was going all 'Little House' style for our baby girl. Um, honey...you do know Little House on the Prairie was my most favorite show during my childhood and pre-teen years, right?.

They are as cute as can be and I just can hardly wait to meet my little girl and try them on her. I do so love the look of a bonnet.

on the knitting needles

I'm currently working on these two knitting projects. A pair of very delicate and pretty leg-warmers for me and a baby cardigan for the one due next month from the 6.5 stitches pattern.

The legwarmers are being knit in Rowan Cashsoft DK and the cardigan in wool from Brooks Farm in Texas that I picked up at NYS Sheep and Wool. I am a bit nervous about the fabric panel as I haven't tried putting my handknits through the sewing machine so I may just hand sew it on when it comes to that part. I also need to decide on a fabric for it.

Thanks for the the sewing machine advice. I'm still working on a decision. It seems the Janome is possibly simpler to use and works well for quilters but, I get the feeling the Pfaff may be better made.

Sewing Machine Advice

One of my Christmas presents this year was combined monetary funds from my husband and parents for a new sewing machine. I'm finding the decision a difficult one without talking to any other crafty ladies about these particular models. I wanted a Bernina but, after speaking with the NY sewing machine store that sells Bernina's their lowest end model is for very occasional sewing and is still out my my price range and I haven't seen any used models. Another sewing center that I went to has the Janome 3050 and the Pfaff Tiptronic 2010 which is their older model on sale. It does not have the IDF system like the others. Another thought in the back of my mind is possibly a Viking. Does anyone have experience with either models listed or the difficulty in use and quality? I'd love to hear your opinions.
I will be using this for various projects over the years. I would like a machine that does all kinds of sewing projects, dressmaking, quilting (as I hope to get into this in the coming years) and can handle various weights of fabrics. Quality of course is important to me as I want to be able to use this machine for years to come.

Winter Capelet

I found the pattern for this on here and it called the Anthropologie Inspired Capelet. I used Brown Sheep Wool instead of the one called for in the pattern.
It is really soft. As stated it is reversible but, I love the look of the reverse stockinette side so I will wear it that way most often. It was a very simple knit and I love the vintage look to it. I may make this in gray as well as it is so pretty and feminine.

Bonne Annee, Happy New Year

Wishing you all a happy new year.

I have to say I'm a bit relieved that the holidays have come to an end. I spent most of December sick with a cold/flu and then got hit with a horrible stomach virus on Christmas day. So, all in all it wasn't a very merry one for me in the end. Oh Well! Time for a new year.

Today is my blog anniversary. I started this exactly one year ago today and I really enjoy doing it. I love connecting and sharing with you this way and having this creative outlet.

So, I thought I would tell you a little bit about what is going on in my life at the moment.

So, we have a buyer for our condo..it's still in attorney review but, will most likely be under contract by the end of the week. We decided on a closing of April 15 to give us some time. I do need to give birth in February after all. I'm currently about 33 weeks. So, we need to find a house and soon! Stressful?...you bet. My goal is to find a house before giving birth because things are going to be crazy enough with a newborn and then of course I will have to pack and move while she is still so little.

I am also more tired then usual and I really need to prepare for this little one which mean some re-organzing around here and some storing things at Grammie's and some shopping. The third trimester really throws you. I forgot how it felt. I feel like my back is going to just give up. I also can't imagine getting any bigger although I am smaller then I was when pregnant with Little M it's just so hard to get around with the belly.

I've also been doing some knitting and sewing and some relaxing too which I needed. I will show you some projects soon.

May your new year be filled with love, happiness, creativity and peace.