Knittens

Surreal

Happy Love Thursday

It has been an exciting week at our house.  Classes for this session have ended, Thaya's room is coming together, we've made big strides to "go green", but best of all...

I got yarn for Mother's Day.

I won't bore you with the individual pictures of the yarn, though I have to say that I love it so much that I did make each skein a ball by hand (yes, all 250 yds), and then proceed to take a gazillion pictures before starting the sweaters.  More than one?! Well, I would hope so for eight balls at 250 yds.  What sweater?!

Why, Tulips, a Colorful Cardigan for Baby of course!

With the eight balls I purchased thanks to a joint gift from my DH and Mommy (xoxox), I will be able to make a 6-9 month sweater for Aubree, a 24 month sweater for Thaya, and hopefully matching hats. 

I decided to go with the 24 months size for Thaya because the smallest size is 6-9 months, and when Aubree is that age, Thaya will be about 2.  It wasn't that much bigger than the 18 month size, so I went for it.

I love this sweater.  I love this yarn.  I think about it while I'm driving the car, taking a shower, unloading the dishwasher, and eating dinner.  I peek in at it every time I pass my room.  I peek in at it whenever I can steal a moment away from my crazed toddler.  It is amazing.  Thank goodness Thaya likes to cuddle because she is going to be getting a lot of hugs when she is wearing Tulips.

Two more things before I leave you.  First, I just want to say how big Thaya is getting.  Sure, she may look petite (because she is) but this child has big plans.  She is stringing words together (from her vocabulary of about 26 words), showing interest in the potty (bye-bye poops! Hahahaha - she actually waves!), and is completely off her bottle. 

Don't get me wrong, if offered, I'm sure she would take it in a second.  Fortunately, we started her on cups (actual adult cups, not sippy or those crappy plastic toddler cups with the stupid lips that make liquid spill everywhere.  I mean, do the people who design those actually have kids?!) very early - around 7 months we started offering them to her, and she was very efficient by 9.  She can now drink out of water bottles (the open mouthed and "sport"), from straws, and from mugs with thick lips.  She won't hold them of course, but I could care less.

Back to her being a big girl.  She has also learned to pull a pillow off of the couch and use it as a step to climb up on the couch.  She has learned to slide off to get down facing both forwards and back.  This technique apparently works on the wing-backed chairs and the rocker as well, which she found out today in a fit of giggles.

This leads me to the second thing - Thaya's new room.

It is really coming along great.  This is another teaser photo of her with her new book shelf.  She loves to pull the books down, flip through the pages, and babble as if she is reading them.  When she doesn't feel like doing this, she'll carry the book to you, climb in your lap and say "more", her universal word for "do my bidding or face my wrath".  Very cute, if you actually do her bidding.

We ordered a toddler bed for her because her crib is soon going to be Aubree's crib.  We were thinking about getting another crib for Thaya - one that turns into a youth bed and then a full sized bed.  We ended up going the toddler bed route due to timing and cost.  It would be less expensive for us to get the toddler bed and then transition Thaya into an adult bed we already have.  We also decided by the time Aubree is actually in the crib, Thaya will be 20 months and be able to handle the toddler bed.  Well, her climbing in and out of the couch has changed my mind on timing.  I think she is ready to be introduced to it now.  Looks like we need to go buy another gate for her room!

So, anyway.  Time to run.  I've got hummingbirds that keep flying by the window peering in at me.  I know what they are thinking, "get off that flippin' computer and fill up our feeder!"

I create these visions of finished products, and as I work on projects, the visions are constantly evolving - for better or for worse.  I'm usually at least ok with how my projects turn out, not just knitting but cooking, decorating, gardening as well.  Occasionally, however, I am so absolutely smitten with my finished projects, that I am pushed full force into a creative drive.

As is the case with the Seamless Yoke Cardigan.

I am crazy about the pattern, I think the yarn is a perfect match for the cardigan, and I am insanely attached to the mismatched buttons.  It is cozy, it is classic, and if I was 6 months old, it is all that I would wear.  I think Aubree is going to love her new sweater!

But it isn't the only thing that has me wheeling right now.  I'm also insane over Thaya's new room.

I love everything about it.  I love the paint color so much I just want to walk right in there and lick the walls.  The furniture is perfect, the rug is perfect, and the bedding is perfect.  The room is coming along so well that we actually spend a substantial amount of time in there even though it isn't finished.

And since I have my knitting mojo back, here is a shot of the pullover, beanie, and slippers I made for DH's Aunt.

She is going to give them as a shower gift to her daughter who is expecting in June (or maybe it is July?). 

Another exciting post to follow, unless of course the internet goes down for 3 more days, in which case I'm sorry I'm such a tease :)

The process of making Thaya's "big girl room" has finally started.  Furniture has been moved out and disbursed to other areas of the house, including our room.  I like the new look of our room, but unfortunately it won't last.  We will need to make a space for the cradle in the next few months.

There is still a dresser and bed in the spare room, both of which need to be taken out.  We'll switch the dresser with one that is in the dinning room acting as a server.  It is white, as is the rest of the furniture that will be going into the room for her.

I painted some swatches, and now we'll start the process of choosing a color.  I don't think it is going to take too long, we already know which one we like.  We just have to make sure that we still like it at night, on a sunny day (today is cloudy), and with the white furniture.  We're also going to bring in the bedding and rug to make sure!

On another note, remember the lady I told you about last post?  The one with the attitude?  Well, she also likes seaming, so there is clearly something terribly wrong with her.  I mean, sure, I get some satisfaction out of seaming, but I certainly would never be as adamant about my love for it as she was.

Finally, a WIP to talk about.  I found this pattern on Ravelry when I was trying to figure out what to do with 3 balls of DB baby cashmerino.  When I saw that one person made the sweater and a hat out of just three balls, I knew it was meant to be.

This sweater has been a breeze to knit.  When I first cast on, I didn't realize it was a top down.  I kept thinking to myself, "I know newborns are tiny, but this waist seems really really small!"  I soon realized that the "waist" was actually the "neck", and started thinking that maybe this sweater will actually be rather big!

I'd say I'm about 1/2 way done - I just have to finish up the bottom and add the arms.  Since there is no seaming, I'll just weave in the ends, block this puppy, and add some cute buttons.  Perfect for a September baby!

I did some observations for school yesterday, and while there, one of the teachers came up to me and started talking to me about the sweater.  I told her it was for my baby girl that is expected in early September.  She looked at the sweater, then at me, and with a blank expression with just a twist of attitude she said, "But why brown?"

I think the hormones are getting to me this pregnancy.  I've been captain mood swing, protecting the world from evil with the perfect timing of "the look".  With a sugary sweet smile and a hint of insult I said, "Why not brown?"

Yea! why not brown?!?!

We really had a fantastic weekend.  We celebrated Thaya's 1st birthday on Saturday by having some family and friends over for the occasion.  Above you can see a picture of the duck cake that I made for her.  Now I know why people just buy cakes.  Once I got the hang of the icing, it went pretty quick, but it was a bit of a time crunch.

Believe it or not, Thaya doesn't have much of a sweet tooth!  She wasn't really that into eating it, more just squishing her fingers through it.  She also doesn't like to get dirty.  The only reason why she smeared it all over her face is because everyone was egging her on.  She was very happy to be cleaned up.

Thaya got a bunch of really fantastic gifts, and I was really blown away by everyone's generosity!  Among her favorites are soft blocks, books, a duck pull toy, her new sandbox, mini picnic table, easel, and slide.  Of course she also loves the puzzles, the tree swing, duck stuffed animals, and clothes as well.

Ok, she loves everything!

On Sunday (her actual birthday) we had a quiet day at home.  The family started to trickle out, and we basically stayed in our PJs and recovered from all the excitement.  Matt has been working a lot of overtime, so it was nice for us to just have a day to ourselves.

I also had the "big u/s" on Friday!  We're having another girl!  We are so excited, we can't stand it.  We've decided to keep one nursery and when baby girl #2 is ready for it, we'll move Thaya into a "big girl" room.  I already have ideas in mind - but that is for another post!

So, here are some ideas for names.  Let me know what you think!

Aubrie Therese (Brie)
Lily Grace
Maisie Elise
Elodie Grace (Elle or Ellie)

Enjoy the pictures!

Boy have we had a busy week or so. Not much crafting going on, but I did manage to finish Sssam the Sssnake for Thaya's birthday. He sure is a cutie.

Birthday preparations are well underway. Thaya's gifts are all wrapped, decorations have been purchased, and the house has been successfully uncluttered. I am about 1/2 of the way done with all the dusting and vacuuming, and all of the laundry is done. I've even taken the time to do a test run on Thaya's cake. Apparently our oven isn't level because some of the batter leaked out making the duck pretty lopsided. I've been assured that once the icing is on, you won't be able to tell. I think I'll just prop the mold with a tinfoil wedge to see if that helps.

I haven't talked much about this pregnancy, and I'm not sure why. I think part of the reason is that it is moving along so fast. I'm already 20 weeks, half way to having a new bundle of joy. In fact, Friday is the "big u/s" and we're going to (hopefully) finding out if it is a she or a he.

Any guesses? I was convinced at first that it was a boy, but now I think girl. DH thinks boy, as does most of his family. My mom thinks girl. Who knows. It would be nice if it is a girl because we certainly have plenty of clothes. Not that I wouldn't enjoy shopping if it is a boy :)

Well, I hope you all have a nice middle to end of the week. I'll post on Friday with the big news, and then probably again at the end of the weekend with birthday pictures.

Happy Spring!

After I finished my patchwork top, I found a little baggie that had a bunch of leftover squares.  I used six of them to make this cutie pie cube.  It is perfect that the colors leftover are all primary!

I used London Mummy's tutorial found here.

I stuffed it with some poly-fil that I have leftover from Sam - you know, the snake.

My hand sewing leaves a lot to be desired, so please don't judge!

I just got this from DH in my inbox.  So sweet.  I hope you enjoy it too, and send it to someone who you "luff".

DH, you are also the Ren to my Stimpy and the olive in my glass :)  Lets go organize our books :D

I finished the dress/shirt today while Thaya was sleeping this afternoon.  Even though I made 4 straps, I wanted to try it on her after the first two were sewn on to see how it would look.  I really like it, so I think I'm going to keep it like this for now.  I'll hang onto those extra straps and maybe use them on another top.

So, I know a few of you were interested in the tutorials I had used to make this top.  I used a bunch of them!  I wasn't thrilled with how many of the tutorials had me do the shirring.  I didn't want to shirr the top as a tube, I wanted to shirr it flat and then seam it.  Also, I wanted to add the cute white hem at the bottom.  Of course the tutorial I found for the shirring, I didn't like the straps, so I had another one for that too! Overall it is so easy though.  All you need to do is get some measurements, and load up some elastic thread on your bobbin!

For the ties: House On Hill Road
For the shirring: Kuky Ideas
For the hem: House On Hill Road

I got the fabric at Walmart because I wasn't happy about spending more money than I had to on my first sewing project.  So, I got a yard of white and a yard of the blue with white polka dots.  I think it came out to about $4.50 for the two yards. 

I measured Thaya's chest and got 18", so I doubled that and added a little bit for the seam.  I cut the fabric at 40" x 10" and I think it really is the perfect size when the shirring shrinks it up.  It is literally going to fit her for 3 years I bet... if the material lasts that long!

So what is next?  Well, I finished the first block of the Aran Afghan, so I'll work some more on that.  I found the perfect sheet to back the quilt as well.  I traced one of Thaya's A-line dresses, and want to make an a-line for her next.  I am also "reclaiming" some of the material from Matt and my old shirts.  I found a cute tutorial on how to turn a button down shirt into a dress, and think I'll do that with them.

Oh, and our test drive with cloth diapers is going great.  I ordered a starter kit, and we've done two days of prefolds and covers.  I think I want to get some BumGenius 3.0 (as recommended by many blog friends!) to go along with them - I think they are going to be more comfortable for little miss.  The only issue is that it takes a bit of pocket money to get going on them.  We can afford them one at a time, but of course it is better to buy a whole bunch in order to get a lower price per unit and save on shipping.  Maybe I should start a "help me get my baby into cloth diapers" fund!

Hope you guys are having a great weekend!  Ours is going well.  I have a lot of homeowrk to do, but the good news is that I've finished one assignment and I'm almost done with an outline for the second.  This whole school thing really eats up my sewing, quilting, digi scrapping, knitting time.

Excitement

It has been an exciting week at our house.  Classes for this session have ended, Thaya's room is coming together, we've made big strides to "go green", but best of all...

I got yarn for Mother's Day.

I won't bore you with the individual pictures of the yarn, though I have to say that I love it so much that I did make each skein a ball by hand (yes, all 250 yds), and then proceed to take a gazillion pictures before starting the sweaters.  More than one?! Well, I would hope so for eight balls at 250 yds.  What sweater?!

Why, Tulips, a Colorful Cardigan for Baby of course!

With the eight balls I purchased thanks to a joint gift from my DH and Mommy (xoxox), I will be able to make a 6-9 month sweater for Aubree, a 24 month sweater for Thaya, and hopefully matching hats. 

I decided to go with the 24 months size for Thaya because the smallest size is 6-9 months, and when Aubree is that age, Thaya will be about 2.  It wasn't that much bigger than the 18 month size, so I went for it.

I love this sweater.  I love this yarn.  I think about it while I'm driving the car, taking a shower, unloading the dishwasher, and eating dinner.  I peek in at it every time I pass my room.  I peek in at it whenever I can steal a moment away from my crazed toddler.  It is amazing.  Thank goodness Thaya likes to cuddle because she is going to be getting a lot of hugs when she is wearing Tulips.

Two more things before I leave you.  First, I just want to say how big Thaya is getting.  Sure, she may look petite (because she is) but this child has big plans.  She is stringing words together (from her vocabulary of about 26 words), showing interest in the potty (bye-bye poops! Hahahaha - she actually waves!), and is completely off her bottle. 

Don't get me wrong, if offered, I'm sure she would take it in a second.  Fortunately, we started her on cups (actual adult cups, not sippy or those crappy plastic toddler cups with the stupid lips that make liquid spill everywhere.  I mean, do the people who design those actually have kids?!) very early - around 7 months we started offering them to her, and she was very efficient by 9.  She can now drink out of water bottles (the open mouthed and "sport"), from straws, and from mugs with thick lips.  She won't hold them of course, but I could care less.

Back to her being a big girl.  She has also learned to pull a pillow off of the couch and use it as a step to climb up on the couch.  She has learned to slide off to get down facing both forwards and back.  This technique apparently works on the wing-backed chairs and the rocker as well, which she found out today in a fit of giggles.

This leads me to the second thing - Thaya's new room.

It is really coming along great.  This is another teaser photo of her with her new book shelf.  She loves to pull the books down, flip through the pages, and babble as if she is reading them.  When she doesn't feel like doing this, she'll carry the book to you, climb in your lap and say "more", her universal word for "do my bidding or face my wrath".  Very cute, if you actually do her bidding.

We ordered a toddler bed for her because her crib is soon going to be Aubree's crib.  We were thinking about getting another crib for Thaya - one that turns into a youth bed and then a full sized bed.  We ended up going the toddler bed route due to timing and cost.  It would be less expensive for us to get the toddler bed and then transition Thaya into an adult bed we already have.  We also decided by the time Aubree is actually in the crib, Thaya will be 20 months and be able to handle the toddler bed.  Well, her climbing in and out of the couch has changed my mind on timing.  I think she is ready to be introduced to it now.  Looks like we need to go buy another gate for her room!

So, anyway.  Time to run.  I've got hummingbirds that keep flying by the window peering in at me.  I know what they are thinking, "get off that flippin' computer and fill up our feeder!"

Mojo

I create these visions of finished products, and as I work on projects, the visions are constantly evolving - for better or for worse.  I'm usually at least ok with how my projects turn out, not just knitting but cooking, decorating, gardening as well.  Occasionally, however, I am so absolutely smitten with my finished projects, that I am pushed full force into a creative drive.

As is the case with the Seamless Yoke Cardigan.

I am crazy about the pattern, I think the yarn is a perfect match for the cardigan, and I am insanely attached to the mismatched buttons.  It is cozy, it is classic, and if I was 6 months old, it is all that I would wear.  I think Aubree is going to love her new sweater!

But it isn't the only thing that has me wheeling right now.  I'm also insane over Thaya's new room.

I love everything about it.  I love the paint color so much I just want to walk right in there and lick the walls.  The furniture is perfect, the rug is perfect, and the bedding is perfect.  The room is coming along so well that we actually spend a substantial amount of time in there even though it isn't finished.

And since I have my knitting mojo back, here is a shot of the pullover, beanie, and slippers I made for DH's Aunt.

She is going to give them as a shower gift to her daughter who is expecting in June (or maybe it is July?). 

Another exciting post to follow, unless of course the internet goes down for 3 more days, in which case I'm sorry I'm such a tease :)

Remix

The process of making Thaya's "big girl room" has finally started.  Furniture has been moved out and disbursed to other areas of the house, including our room.  I like the new look of our room, but unfortunately it won't last.  We will need to make a space for the cradle in the next few months.

There is still a dresser and bed in the spare room, both of which need to be taken out.  We'll switch the dresser with one that is in the dinning room acting as a server.  It is white, as is the rest of the furniture that will be going into the room for her.

I painted some swatches, and now we'll start the process of choosing a color.  I don't think it is going to take too long, we already know which one we like.  We just have to make sure that we still like it at night, on a sunny day (today is cloudy), and with the white furniture.  We're also going to bring in the bedding and rug to make sure!

On another note, remember the lady I told you about last post?  The one with the attitude?  Well, she also likes seaming, so there is clearly something terribly wrong with her.  I mean, sure, I get some satisfaction out of seaming, but I certainly would never be as adamant about my love for it as she was.

Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater

Finally, a WIP to talk about.  I found this pattern on Ravelry when I was trying to figure out what to do with 3 balls of DB baby cashmerino.  When I saw that one person made the sweater and a hat out of just three balls, I knew it was meant to be.

This sweater has been a breeze to knit.  When I first cast on, I didn't realize it was a top down.  I kept thinking to myself, "I know newborns are tiny, but this waist seems really really small!"  I soon realized that the "waist" was actually the "neck", and started thinking that maybe this sweater will actually be rather big!

I'd say I'm about 1/2 way done - I just have to finish up the bottom and add the arms.  Since there is no seaming, I'll just weave in the ends, block this puppy, and add some cute buttons.  Perfect for a September baby!

I did some observations for school yesterday, and while there, one of the teachers came up to me and started talking to me about the sweater.  I told her it was for my baby girl that is expected in early September.  She looked at the sweater, then at me, and with a blank expression with just a twist of attitude she said, "But why brown?"

I think the hormones are getting to me this pregnancy.  I've been captain mood swing, protecting the world from evil with the perfect timing of "the look".  With a sugary sweet smile and a hint of insult I said, "Why not brown?"

Yea! why not brown?!?!

A Wonderful Weekend

We really had a fantastic weekend.  We celebrated Thaya's 1st birthday on Saturday by having some family and friends over for the occasion.  Above you can see a picture of the duck cake that I made for her.  Now I know why people just buy cakes.  Once I got the hang of the icing, it went pretty quick, but it was a bit of a time crunch.

Believe it or not, Thaya doesn't have much of a sweet tooth!  She wasn't really that into eating it, more just squishing her fingers through it.  She also doesn't like to get dirty.  The only reason why she smeared it all over her face is because everyone was egging her on.  She was very happy to be cleaned up.

Thaya got a bunch of really fantastic gifts, and I was really blown away by everyone's generosity!  Among her favorites are soft blocks, books, a duck pull toy, her new sandbox, mini picnic table, easel, and slide.  Of course she also loves the puzzles, the tree swing, duck stuffed animals, and clothes as well.

Ok, she loves everything!

On Sunday (her actual birthday) we had a quiet day at home.  The family started to trickle out, and we basically stayed in our PJs and recovered from all the excitement.  Matt has been working a lot of overtime, so it was nice for us to just have a day to ourselves.

I also had the "big u/s" on Friday!  We're having another girl!  We are so excited, we can't stand it.  We've decided to keep one nursery and when baby girl #2 is ready for it, we'll move Thaya into a "big girl" room.  I already have ideas in mind - but that is for another post!

So, here are some ideas for names.  Let me know what you think!

Aubrie Therese (Brie)
Lily Grace
Maisie Elise
Elodie Grace (Elle or Ellie)

Enjoy the pictures!

Sssam the Sssnake

Boy have we had a busy week or so. Not much crafting going on, but I did manage to finish Sssam the Sssnake for Thaya's birthday. He sure is a cutie.

Birthday preparations are well underway. Thaya's gifts are all wrapped, decorations have been purchased, and the house has been successfully uncluttered. I am about 1/2 of the way done with all the dusting and vacuuming, and all of the laundry is done. I've even taken the time to do a test run on Thaya's cake. Apparently our oven isn't level because some of the batter leaked out making the duck pretty lopsided. I've been assured that once the icing is on, you won't be able to tell. I think I'll just prop the mold with a tinfoil wedge to see if that helps.

I haven't talked much about this pregnancy, and I'm not sure why. I think part of the reason is that it is moving along so fast. I'm already 20 weeks, half way to having a new bundle of joy. In fact, Friday is the "big u/s" and we're going to (hopefully) finding out if it is a she or a he.

Any guesses? I was convinced at first that it was a boy, but now I think girl. DH thinks boy, as does most of his family. My mom thinks girl. Who knows. It would be nice if it is a girl because we certainly have plenty of clothes. Not that I wouldn't enjoy shopping if it is a boy :)

Well, I hope you all have a nice middle to end of the week. I'll post on Friday with the big news, and then probably again at the end of the weekend with birthday pictures.

Happy Spring!

After I finished my patchwork top, I found a little baggie that had a bunch of leftover squares.  I used six of them to make this cutie pie cube.  It is perfect that the colors leftover are all primary!

I used London Mummy's tutorial found here.

I stuffed it with some poly-fil that I have leftover from Sam - you know, the snake.

My hand sewing leaves a lot to be desired, so please don't judge!

I just got this from DH in my inbox.  So sweet.  I hope you enjoy it too, and send it to someone who you "luff".

DH, you are also the Ren to my Stimpy and the olive in my glass :)  Lets go organize our books :D

I finished the dress/shirt today while Thaya was sleeping this afternoon.  Even though I made 4 straps, I wanted to try it on her after the first two were sewn on to see how it would look.  I really like it, so I think I'm going to keep it like this for now.  I'll hang onto those extra straps and maybe use them on another top.

So, I know a few of you were interested in the tutorials I had used to make this top.  I used a bunch of them!  I wasn't thrilled with how many of the tutorials had me do the shirring.  I didn't want to shirr the top as a tube, I wanted to shirr it flat and then seam it.  Also, I wanted to add the cute white hem at the bottom.  Of course the tutorial I found for the shirring, I didn't like the straps, so I had another one for that too! Overall it is so easy though.  All you need to do is get some measurements, and load up some elastic thread on your bobbin!

For the ties: House On Hill Road
For the shirring: Kuky Ideas
For the hem: House On Hill Road

I got the fabric at Walmart because I wasn't happy about spending more money than I had to on my first sewing project.  So, I got a yard of white and a yard of the blue with white polka dots.  I think it came out to about $4.50 for the two yards. 

I measured Thaya's chest and got 18", so I doubled that and added a little bit for the seam.  I cut the fabric at 40" x 10" and I think it really is the perfect size when the shirring shrinks it up.  It is literally going to fit her for 3 years I bet... if the material lasts that long!

So what is next?  Well, I finished the first block of the Aran Afghan, so I'll work some more on that.  I found the perfect sheet to back the quilt as well.  I traced one of Thaya's A-line dresses, and want to make an a-line for her next.  I am also "reclaiming" some of the material from Matt and my old shirts.  I found a cute tutorial on how to turn a button down shirt into a dress, and think I'll do that with them.

Oh, and our test drive with cloth diapers is going great.  I ordered a starter kit, and we've done two days of prefolds and covers.  I think I want to get some BumGenius 3.0 (as recommended by many blog friends!) to go along with them - I think they are going to be more comfortable for little miss.  The only issue is that it takes a bit of pocket money to get going on them.  We can afford them one at a time, but of course it is better to buy a whole bunch in order to get a lower price per unit and save on shipping.  Maybe I should start a "help me get my baby into cloth diapers" fund!

Hope you guys are having a great weekend!  Ours is going well.  I have a lot of homeowrk to do, but the good news is that I've finished one assignment and I'm almost done with an outline for the second.  This whole school thing really eats up my sewing, quilting, digi scrapping, knitting time.

Finished Square

After I finished my patchwork top, I found a little baggie that had a bunch of leftover squares.  I used six of them to make this cutie pie cube.  It is perfect that the colors leftover are all primary!

I used London Mummy's tutorial found here.

I stuffed it with some poly-fil that I have leftover from Sam - you know, the snake.

My hand sewing leaves a lot to be desired, so please don't judge!

I think you're the best

I just got this from DH in my inbox.  So sweet.  I hope you enjoy it too, and send it to someone who you "luff".

DH, you are also the Ren to my Stimpy and the olive in my glass :)  Lets go organize our books :D

It is finished!

I finished the dress/shirt today while Thaya was sleeping this afternoon.  Even though I made 4 straps, I wanted to try it on her after the first two were sewn on to see how it would look.  I really like it, so I think I'm going to keep it like this for now.  I'll hang onto those extra straps and maybe use them on another top.

So, I know a few of you were interested in the tutorials I had used to make this top.  I used a bunch of them!  I wasn't thrilled with how many of the tutorials had me do the shirring.  I didn't want to shirr the top as a tube, I wanted to shirr it flat and then seam it.  Also, I wanted to add the cute white hem at the bottom.  Of course the tutorial I found for the shirring, I didn't like the straps, so I had another one for that too! Overall it is so easy though.  All you need to do is get some measurements, and load up some elastic thread on your bobbin!

For the ties: House On Hill Road
For the shirring: Kuky Ideas
For the hem: House On Hill Road

I got the fabric at Walmart because I wasn't happy about spending more money than I had to on my first sewing project.  So, I got a yard of white and a yard of the blue with white polka dots.  I think it came out to about $4.50 for the two yards. 

I measured Thaya's chest and got 18", so I doubled that and added a little bit for the seam.  I cut the fabric at 40" x 10" and I think it really is the perfect size when the shirring shrinks it up.  It is literally going to fit her for 3 years I bet... if the material lasts that long!

So what is next?  Well, I finished the first block of the Aran Afghan, so I'll work some more on that.  I found the perfect sheet to back the quilt as well.  I traced one of Thaya's A-line dresses, and want to make an a-line for her next.  I am also "reclaiming" some of the material from Matt and my old shirts.  I found a cute tutorial on how to turn a button down shirt into a dress, and think I'll do that with them.

Oh, and our test drive with cloth diapers is going great.  I ordered a starter kit, and we've done two days of prefolds and covers.  I think I want to get some BumGenius 3.0 (as recommended by many blog friends!) to go along with them - I think they are going to be more comfortable for little miss.  The only issue is that it takes a bit of pocket money to get going on them.  We can afford them one at a time, but of course it is better to buy a whole bunch in order to get a lower price per unit and save on shipping.  Maybe I should start a "help me get my baby into cloth diapers" fund!

Hope you guys are having a great weekend!  Ours is going well.  I have a lot of homeowrk to do, but the good news is that I've finished one assignment and I'm almost done with an outline for the second.  This whole school thing really eats up my sewing, quilting, digi scrapping, knitting time.