Leap Day Giveaway!

In honor of the 29th of February, how about a free dolly? My first giveaway ever.



She's cute. She's got fruity clothes on. She's got some steel grey hair. She's a wee bit shorter than my normal dolls, but still adorable!

To enter, leave a comment! I'll draw a winner on Friday, March 2nd and will mail her out to you.

Cheers!

to-do queue

Sometimes I feel inspired to make everything and anything EXCEPT what I should be making. SIGH. Wouldn't this be cute to make! And so easy to figure out! Clara needs one in her life.


(photo from Wild Things Dresses)

Of course more dolls to finish for another store to carry.

and some bonnets to list in the shop.

oh and I offered to make 20 totes for the children's quiet activities to use during services at church.

Hi, my name is Kristy and I overcommit. Not really, but sometimes it kind of feels like I do.

I knit a little baby cocoon for a photographer friend. I didn't take any pictures because my camera battery was dead and I was feeling lazy. I will get some pics and the free pattern up on here when she uses it and lends me a photo or two!

By the way, it astounds me that I get hundreds of hits each week for my bonnet tutorial post. I never thought it would become so popular! I am working on different sizes and will hopefully have some bigger ones to offer shortly.

My Cabled Mini Scarf pattern  has a lot of projects on Ravelry now and seems to be a success as well! Yay for free knock-off patterns.

I received some new fabrics in the mail last week. Not sure what they will turn into yet, but they are lovely! Sometimes fabric is so lovely that I just can't bear to use them for a long time. Hopefully not the case here, because what is the point of a pretty fabric, if it just sits in my fabric bin in the basement? No point at all.





Recently I saw some of my things in random Pinterest pins. It almost makes me feel famous :)

I ordered some fabric with my logo on it to make into labels. This is the cheap way to do it. Spoonflower is awesome!

Hmm I think that is enough rambling for one night. Good night!

snips

0-3 month bonnet.

Close up of one of the side yoyos (my new favorite thing to make).

A sneak of Clara's Easter dress.

Happy Saturday!

Finish It Up Friday

Finish it up Friday. I hear that is a blog thing...



I finished up the binding on the baby quilt for my church's auction. I hope someone bids on it. I feel sort of low self esteem about it because I know there are "real" quilters at church, who probably have perfect seams and all. Anyway. I'm not going to dwell on it, it is a lovely little blanket and I hope it helps the cause.



The back is just a simple powdery yellow Kona cotton.

 
 

I am also including a doll and I think I will make a newborn bonnet to complete the set.

Little Baby Quilt - Almost Done

I just need to finish (start) hand sewing the binding. I like how it turned out so far. It is just a simple little blanket and would be good for dragging around the house by a sweet baby.



I changed my mind on the binding fabric three times--very unlike me! Usually I decide immediately and stick with it.

Next up, another couple baby bonnets and some knitting to come very soon!
Oh and one more of Ruthie, just because she melts my heart with her sweet babyness.

Boob Hat and a Decision

The votes on the baby quilt were exactly tied - six for chevrons and six for Xs. Not helpful, people! But I decided to go with the X pattern. I like how clean it looks. Thank you for your input!

Someone asked me last week to knit a boob hat. Here it is. Maybe I should list some in my shop? Is there a real market for these? Funny little hat. In case you are wondering what on earth the purpose of a hat like this is, it is meant to be worn on the baby while nursing him/her in public, as a pro-breastfeeding statement.

I had some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn from ages ago, in a white and a blush. I knit it and then dyed the whole thing in some hot tea. It turned a lovely beige-y skin tone. Just what I was going for. These photos make it look peach, but it definitely isn't. My lighting must have been off a little.



I have to say, I was feeling uncertain about this hat. I mean, boobs are all unique. It was funny how indecisive I was about where to start the top of the hat and what colors to make it. Ben *helpfully* suggested that I ask her for a photo of her breasts so I could make it to match. (I did NOT do this, in case you were wondering!)



Finishing up the quilt top this week and knitting a baby cocoon for a photographer. Hopefully I will have a free pattern for that in the next week.

Playdough and an Opinion

First, I need your opinion. I am working on the baby quilt for a silent auction and can't decide which pattern to go with.

Option 1: Chevrons



Option 2: Crosses (Xs - how do you spell Xs? Exes?)



What do you think? I am leaning toward chevrons, but the Xs are nice and clean looking, too. Just pretend I have more blocks done than are pictured.

Look, babies already like it!



Second, I thought I would share my playdough recipe. Today we are home sick, so I thought we were due for a new batch of playdough. The last batch I made was in November! It is still soft, but it is red and green and we are ready for a change. The kids couldn't decide (DARK BLUE! LIGHT PURPLE!), so I chose peach.

This recipe is from my friend Vanessa, who I believe got it from her ECFE teacher once upon a time.

Playdough

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 Tbsp oil
food coloring
1 Tbsp imitation vanilla (optional)

Combine all ingredients but vanilla in saucepan. Heat, stirring, over medium heat until it comes together but is still slightly wet. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Wrap in plastic and knead until fully pliable. Store at room temp in a covered container.

I was out of vanilla, so I added about 1/2 tsp of cinnamon to it instead, when I added the flour.

gather ingredients

stir over medium heat

starting to come together

done cooking

place in plastic

knead

 

all done!

Wool Felt Bonnets

I made a couple new baby bonnets. They are both 0-3 month sized. I somehow lost all my bonnet pattern templates so I am getting them all created again (I had 0-3, 3-6, 6-12, and 12-24 month sizes!). What a pain to have to do! Oh well. I may be looking for testers in the 3-6 month and 6-12 month sizes; if you are interested, let me know.



These particular bonnets I made with wool felt on the outside and cotton in happy yellows and grays inside. I thought the wool felt would make a nice, heavy outer for chillier spring days (or warmer winter days!).



I made some yo-yos instead of buttons for the sides. I really think they are adorable. I thought sewing a double line around the edges was a nice touch.

Buy them if you want them - here and here ;)

say, say, oh playmate!

Come out and play with me. And bring your dollies, three.

I always wondered how people could make the same thing over and over again and not get sick of it. I think I figured it out: they get paid to do it. Ha. I don't mind making these little ones because 1) they are fast to make, 2) I get to use a variety of fabrics so I don't get bored, and 3) they sell.



I added some grandma dolls with gray hair. I kind of love them.

still here

I have a confession: I haven't knit anything in weeks. It's kind of bad. Our knitting group hasn't met in almost a month and I have been in a mid-winter slump. I just want to veg on the couch and watch Ugly Betty reruns. Yes, I have an undying love for Ugly Betty. Really. Just ask my husband.

I did sew a bit this week. Twelve new dolls for a shop to sell and a wool felt hat and slippers. I will get pictures of those once I add the finishing touches. 

I am planning on donating something for our church's mission trip silent auction at the end of the month. I am thinking of a new baby care package: sunbonnet, booties, doll, and a crib-sized quilt. I am going to use this tutorial but make it a chevron instead of an X, with this new fabric I ordered.

 

And just because I need more than one photo in a post, here is one of the American Girl shoes I made. I am told they fit the doll. I admit, I was skeptical when I was making them.

(photo by Gilda)