Over a month!

I do have visions and ideas to use this space more often, but I'm terrible at it so far. It's been over a month since I posted last. I've been really busy, that's my excuse I suppose. I've been making the choice to stay home more often, I was often running out for this or that and realized all these errands were not that necessary and were eating into my time (and budget-gas prices, especially for a 12 year old van OUCH!). So, I've been staying home much more, spending time outside nearly everyday and just making do with what we have on hand. Rowan is even enjoying walks in her stroller, I think for the first time in her life! There's been a lot of sewing going on because I've got so much fabric that I need to use it up, it's taking up too much space. I also went through my overflowing basket of clothing that I intended to re-purpose, it's been sorted into piles and I'm making my way through it.

I made these little boxer briefs yesterday and I'm so happy with how they turned out. They're made from a favorite jersey sweater I had (see photo below for the sweater story!). I was so happy with these boxers that I had Q put them on right after school so I could see if they fit well enough that I could make more. They fit him perfectly and when I asked him if they were comfy he said 'yes, everything you make is comfortable' <3 Can I also tell you that he's reading on his own now? It's been a journey but he's doing it, and I'm so proud...more importantly he is too.

This is the sweater I used for those boxers, it was a favorite thrifted sweater that lasted all through my pregnancy with Rowan and beyond. Then the zipper broke (should I be surprised?!). The quality and stretch of the knit was worth hanging onto though so I've been using it for some sewing projects.

I've been cutting into some of my vintage fabrics too. I've realized that they've been sitting in my fabric drawers for a reason-I'm attached to them. I made these Star Wars napkins and put them in my shop. They sold already which is really great because every bit of extra money is needed.

And these hankies, another new sewing project with more vintage fabrics.
Pads, of course. No worries I'll always and forever make these gems :)
There's been much more sewing too, peasant shirts for the little girl. I'm hoping to make myself a couple smock style aprons because they seem to be dreadfully practical for holding clothes pegs and protecting myself from cooking spills and muddy toddler rain boots (which also often have a skim coating of chicken poo). I'd really like to try sewing myself a couple jersey knit shirts for summer-it's doable right?

Yarn Along :: Gifted Knits

Joining Ginny again...
I came up with this simple pattern for wrist warmers/fingerless gloves based on something my mom described to me...I hope I got it right because these are for her birthday. I think I'll need to make some for myself too (must jot down some pattern notes as I knit the second!!) I wasn't looking forward to making these, but this is my kind of mindless knitting, isn't it perfect how all these stitches become something?
I'm still reading the same book! I'm still enjoying it but I'm ready to put a little more time and effort into finishing it because I've gotten some new books that are tempting me, plus issues of Small Farm and Harrowsmith to catch up on.

Glad for more snow

I know, glad for more snow? I am, it's true. I'm not ready for spring yet, I've got more inside organizing and rearranging to do. Diapers to repair, orders to sew, summer skirts and shorts to make (see I am thinking of warmer weather, just not ready yet.) Knitting can at least travel outdoors with me, but there is so much work waiting for us outside that there will be no knitting under a tree for a long time. First will be getting these girls contained, then the yard cleaning that needs to be done. (For now the snow hides that mess from me, thank you snow).

Yarn Along :: pink!

Joining Ginny for another Yarn Along

It's been quite a long time since I bought or wore anything pink. This is my Mustard Scarf, it's almost finished and I realized while working on it this morning that I somehow have gained an extra 10 stitches?! I'm just going to keep on going with it though, I don't think it will affect the finished look (not while it's on anyways!). Next I'm going to knit myself a 'Ela's Favorite Hat' from One Skein Wonders 101 Yarn Shop Favorites. My mom knit me one of these hats for Christmas and I've loved the fit so much and I wear it all the time.

Bill thought it strange that I should be knitting hats and scarfs this late in the season but I know there's still more winter left here and I need something new, bright, and pretty to get through the rest of it.

I'm still reading Sisters in the Wilderness from my last Yarn Along. I've become so interested in the lives of Catharine Parr Traill and Susanna Moodie, a main reason is because they were settled right here in the very area of Ontario we live in, the struggles they endured are just unbelievable, heart breaking, and often inspirational.

A Customized Custom Order

I wanted to show this custom order I just finished, it's been a while since I've sewn any of the hunk fabric up (I'm actually almost out of it!). These are all 12.5" pads but have a core more suitable for average to moderate flow (rather than heavy flow) and the customer requested PUL too.

I've got to get back to some nap time projects, Rowan's birthday is coming up in just a little over a week and we're planning a mostly handmade birthday, but I've got nothing done yet!

New Wet & Dry Bags

Aren't these pretty? They're also very practical. These are wet/dry bags, after having a couple of custom requests for these (and making myself one) I decided to add them to my Etsy shop.

The front zippered pocket is lined with cotton (great for storing clean, dry pads) the top zippered section is lined with PUL to contain messy stuff. And of course you can hang it.

Use them for your cloth pads, cloth diapers, and family cloth. This bag is going to be very handy when potty learning starts, and for the pool/beach.

11" size re-drafted (again)

While working on a custom order a few weeks ago (for some 12.5" pads) it occurred to me that it would be great to re-draft my 11" pattern with a touch more flare to it. I hope you like it! It's not a huge flare, the back flare measures just a smidge wider now at 4.5".

I have three of these new 11" pads to list in my Etsy shop, plus a few other pads. Rowan *just* woke from a much shorter than normal nap so the listings will show up a bit slower than I'd hoped, sigh.