This little number was made for my niece, although I fear it may be on the small side for her. However, I have another niece who will be living near* the first and she might get some wear from it. Or, I've told my sister, she can pass it on to a friend if she likes. The pattern for this came from Lotta Jansdotter's 'Simple Sewing for Baby'. It was the first ever piece of clothing I've ever made so I was pretty pleased with how it came out.
The dress flew it's way down to Australia along with a few other goodies, including: a wee stuffed elephant (made from the Heather Bailey pattern mentioned in my previous post), a very belated cross stitch birth announcement, a homemade card, a pair of Elvis sunnies (purchased in Vegas) and a small bag to carry them in. Also in the package, though not shown, was some Duplo. Lego madness runs in the family!
Also recently made for a baby yet to be born (soon!) was this onesie and a top and bloomers. Plain onesies are super easy to decorate with anything you like - who doesn't like a one of a kind gift? The summer top was made from the book 'Making Baby's Clothes' by Rob Merret. It didn't come with bloomers but I'm a sucker for those little pants and they're ridiculously easy to make.
I'm currently working on a bib/smock of my own design but it needs a few tweaks still. Once that's done I'll post for all to see. I'm getting close to being able to open my own online store. Once that's up and running I'll announce the grand opening and perhaps have a surprise or two to celebrate!
I've also done some cross stitching. I found this great pattern on Etsy by Bombastitch and immediately knew who I'd be making it for (Hi, Andrea!). It's so great, I made one for myself and The Boy as well. The one I made for my friend was all black and for mine I decided to muck around and make it two tone. So much fun, quick to stitch up and it's inspired a couple of ideas of my own. One of my ideas, which I'll be keeping a secret for the moment, is going to be donated to the Desert Bus for Hope auction. All money raised goes to Child's Play, an organization that raises money to purchase toys, games and books for sick kids. Check out the link for Desert Bus if you're curious. I'll be posting more about my project as I get stuck into it and will give more info about the auction in those posts as well.
Today I was feeling a little 'papery' so I cut out a rabble** of butterflies from sheet music. I intend to make a garland out of most of them but one has been 'pinned' and will go up on the wall. I have plans for a 'craft wall' of things I've made or bought but I suppose I should put up my Australia gallery first (it's only been waiting since October 2010).
A paper butterfly in a frame is hardly an original idea. I've seen similar things numerous places so I have no idea to who to credit. I can tell you that the frame is a Ribba from the good folks at Ikea and the sheet music is from Chopin's Works for the Pianoforte.
So there you have it! Proof positive that I can be productive! As I've said, I've got a few things in mind and a few things on the go so I will be making a concerted effort to breathe some life into this blog. Seriously. No, I really mean it this time!
*by 'near' I mean they'll be living in the same state in Australia, but that's way closer than China/Australia!
** did you know a group of butterflies is sometimes called a rabble? It's also called a swarm but rabble sounds like more fun. Oh, those rabbling butterflies!