A Quilt for a Wee Friend

Friends of ours had their second baby recently. As a second child born to a family that was readily prepared with clothes, toys, love, and more, i thought a hand-made gift would be a good addition. It took a bit of thought to see what would be a good project.
I am wanting to challenge myself more with sewing these days and thought a small lap quilt would be a good idea. When i came across Purl Soho's April Quilt Challenge, i knew i found my project. Our friends, like us, love to garden, so a Vegetable Patch quilt was a good first real real quilting project for me. I've done simple quilt-like projects before (like my beloved blanket of vintage hankies) but this definitely was a bit more detailed.
Using the PS tutorial as a guide, i chose to make my quilt smaller - both for me and our new Wee Friend Ben. I am quite happy with how it turned out. I even personalized a bit with a little worm embroidered on with Ben's initials and some fun ribbons for him to grab at as he gets older. I love the red and white checkered backing, it reminds me of a picnic tablecloth too, which i thought was a fitting idea!

This project was such a good learning for me, as i know feel more confident to do the borders (a can fix the mistake i made with this, ahem, project. And i know just the quilt story i want to make for Li'l C!

New Patterns for Me

I got these patterns recently at a neighbourhood yard sale. I only had $2 cash left so had to leave more behind. But check these out! I especially love the buttons that attach the PJs together for Li'l C!

New Collections

We are slowly coming back to our regular routine here, now that most of the holidays are over - and by most i mean we acknowledged both Orthodox Christmas and Candlemas here. So, i am still in holiday vibe, at least until next weekend, when i will have to begrudgingly take down our tree.

Now that the gift giving is over, i wanted to share some of them with you. I went all out and made different sorts of gifts - besides the usual sewing and knitting, i also made truffles, felted things, and J also got creative. I think i shared the truffles with you recently....I already look forward to next year's gift-making when C can participate more.

For the first post of a few, here are some of my new 'collections.'
1) Books - some for me and some for J and C. Books like Sewing Clothes Kids Love, The Joy of Vegan Baking, That's Why We Don't Eat Animals, Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar, City Alphabet (produced right here in Toronto), and this sweet book i made for C:
I made this simple little book for C and two other wee ones. For each, i searched through my large and generous fabric supply to find images that spell out the wee one's name - for Clem, i found a Cat, Leaf, Elephant, and Mushoom. I also added other pictures of things he loves - an apple, bike, dog, flower, etc. I also got to use my beloved fabric pens and alphabet stamps.
2) Chocolate - not only did i make some (and ahem, sample a few), i am glad people know i love chocolate. Look at my amazing selection! Besides my usual fave company Cocoa Camino, i also got a lovely spicy dark chocolate from local company Choco Sol - a pedal powered production! Some of these were officially for Joel but we liked to share.3) Coffee Cups - here J surprised me by making some for us. He bought these awesome white mugs and then stenciled images on them with things we love and share our initials - a Squirrel for me (last name), a Bird for C's middle name, and a Raccoon for J's last name. Fun and a sweet idea! I also bought him this mug at our annual City of Craft fair, (though it looks like the crafter i bought it from doesn't have a blog to link to) for his new job. But he says he loves the mug too much to take to work.

Incidentally in that last photo also are these lovely wooden pencil crayons i bought for C, and a new scarf for me - to add to my abundant collection!

C's Growing Tree

As we were away this weekend, i couldn't take a photo for my new weekly Our Sunday Morning post. But, just to let you know Lil C slept in a bit for us at his Nana and Pa's place, and we enjoyed some morning giggles together in bed!

On another note, i've actually been able to be creative and crafty lately. For one, i finished a project i (ahem) started in June. It's a Growth Chart for C that i hope to use each year for his birthday, as a way to chronicle is growing pains. We also expect to use it at other times, i just have to find a good place to hang it...
I wanted to make something that plays tribute to his room theme of 'Secret Garden.' And being a boy's room, i wanted it to be a bit less 'girly' even though gendered stuff doesn't matter that much to me. But, i see C is already into gardening and trees, so that's what inspired this Growing Tree.
I couldn't truly capture the piece in the photos as it's quite long, but i think you can get the gist of it. As it's my own design, i think it was pretty straight forward to make. Here are some simple steps, if you like:

1) I just cut 3 pieces of fabric (1 for front, 1 for back, and some interfacing)
2) I then cut out some tree pieces from this great fabric - nothing too fancy, but mostly rectangular pieces
3) Then, i found some remnant pieces of fabric that match C's room colours (mainly greens, oranges, and yellows, blues) and cut them into simple leaf shapes. I found a great fabric with birds on it so just had to include it.
4) This part took me the longest, but i then sewed the leaves onto the tree fabric (that was already sewn onto the front fabric panel). I didn't fold over the fabric, but rather kept the edges frayed, as i thought it would be fun that way (like real leaves) but also i didn't want to take any longer on this project. But i would recommend trying to be more precise with your embellishments if you like.
5) Once all the leaves were attached, i then, put the interfacing on the back panel, and put the right sides of the back and front panels and sew around, leaving a 3 inch space to turn it right side out. Once down, cut 2 pieces of ribbon that are the length you want.
6) Find a piece of branch to use as a support, and add any other embellishments like i did - fabric markers are a great tool for projects like this! I then just recorded what C's height was for 12 months, and plan to keep adding the number each year.

Lunch Accessories

As both J and i are now back to work - egads! - i wanted to make some fun lunch bags and the like both for Lil C and i. After realizing that public high chairs and tables probably hold a bit too much germiness for my liking, i promptly made a portable placemat for him. I used some adorable laminated fabric i bought on a whim. Now, i've used it a lot for bibs, the placemat, a lunch bag, and i'm sure i'll think of more things. And yes it's pink but goodness me boys can do pink - just look at the cute boys on the toile images!

Sorry, i digress, i just get a lot of comments that my wee one must be a girls cuz he has pink things.
Anyway, the placemat has faux leather on the back to make it less slippery while eating, and a spot for his spoon. I also added a ribbon to close it up nicely. It cleans up well, just wipe it down post eatin'.

I also made some snack bags after reading Angry Chicken's fun post. Her YouTube video is almost more fun than doing it myself - so funny! I made 3, 2 of which i kept and one i gave my dad who likes to snack on nuts. I love this idea - we are using plastic bags less and less now for sure.

Lastly, i made this small lunch bag for C. It's mainly for the stuff that should remain cold - like cheese and yoghurt mainly. It was a tester as i just bought this insulation stuff off Etsy. I will make another bag but bigger for me. Plus, it would be a great bag if you pump breast milk...I have kept the bag in the fridge with the jars i need to take out with me, so that all is cold until i need to pack it to go. So far, it's worked as the bag is too small really for an ice pack.

Building a New Summer Wardrobe

I've been spending more and more time on the sewing machine these days, whipping up clothes and more for Lil C. Luckily, sewing projects don't require the commitment of time that knitting does. I have been collecting old and vintage patterns for a long time, both for me and for the kiddies, even before C was on the radar. Mostly cuz the images are so cute! I made the onesie (on the image above) for our nephew and was so excited to make these shorts. I think i'll be making them a bunch as the pattern can be adjusted pretty well.

I also love the cape in the pattern, so i hope i get around to making it for him sometime. Maybe for when he's 2. It'll make a fun addition for our role play/dress-up bin!

Updating Our Cushions

We've had the same cushions forever and since our style is changing, i thought it was about time i made some updates with them. We also are changing our basement to make it more of a fun and cohesive family play area, so i thought more playful pillows were in order. Since i can't afford all the design visions in my head, updating our look with simple pillows is a nice touch, and step in the right direction.

I recently splurged on an abundant new stash of fabrics at my favourite local fabric store, The Workroom. Some was for me, but mos was for Lil C. I love bird, butterfly, and leaf fabric, from the Echino line especially. I bought enough to also make a skirt for myself. I got to use the simple A-line pattern from the great Built By Wendy Sew U book, but i guess that's enough story. Oh, and the awesome lineny white pillow with screen printed electrical poles is from a new local partnership called Repeat. Here's a bit of a slideshow to showcase the shams. Yes, there sure are a lot of words that all mean the same thing (sham, pillow, cushion....).

Bon Voyage Mom!

As a Mother's Day present for my mom, i thought of a fun idea! Since she only likes handmade gifts from us, i knew i had to make something that also fit with my limited craft time. So, since she's going to London and Paris with my dad, i created a fun passport holder.

Now that they're both 'retired' (but still oh so busy!) they are traveling more, so i know this holder will get some good use. I also know my mom is already pretty organized, so didn't need to make an extravagant wallet or anything. This one fits 2 passports, and has space for some other things like their itinerary and a spot for her notes of the things she wants to see.

I made this from scratch but used Thimble's travel organizer as a basic guide. Instead of an elastic or snap to close, i used left over binding strip from another project to keep the holder closed. I also had an excuse (er, reason) to use a fabric marker that i ordered on-line recently!

Guitar Lessons

Lil C has been busy getting to know how to play guitar. He watches his Daddy play it quite regularly, and has realized he can learn how to stand up AND play music at the same time. So, as the guitar isn't the easiest thing for him to play with on his own, i made him a small softie replica. I knew just the fabric to use too - once i saw it at The Workroom months ago, i just knew i had to make something 'wood-like' from Joel Dewberry's woodgrain line. I used one of J's 5 (or is it 6?) guitars as a guide. Pretty straight-forward pattern! I added some bells for the musical effect.

As you can see, C's not the only one who likes to play guitar. My mom has been busy sewing toys too, like this owl!

If you have a moment and want to see C jam, click here to see a wee video over at Flickr. It's too big for this site, but too sweet to not share with you!

His Summer Hat

Just in time for the nice Spring weather and getting ready for Summer, i made Lil C a sun hat of sorts. I love the big visor on the hat and used light weight cotton fabric. As he hates wearing hats (pretty standard i'm sure), i also added some ties that i can bow tie under his chin.

The pattern is from Amy Butler's Little Stitches book and was quite straight forward to follow. I love that i made a hat. I'm no milliner but i think it's a great challenge for me. I made it bigger on purpose so that it can last until the end of summer at least.
Our friend, Christina, took some sweet photos of us when we had a date together at our local big city park the week the cherry blossoms were in fine form. Thanks so much for the lovely photos and gesture to capture the day, Christina!

Now if only i can get a photo of him and his daddy, as he has a hat that is coincidently (really, i swear!) just like C's.

Wee Ones Booties

I love Amy Butler's book Little Stitches for Little Ones. I've made these booties twice now for Lil C. The first time, he was just about 3 months old so they really just were a cover-up to help him stay warm. Now that he's moving about, it's another story!

I got some non-slip fabric from my mother and used that as the sole. It really helps. C isn't walking on his own quite yet but he's close and good shoes help keep him steady. Wow, does he ever move fast when he walks!

I do need some support with these booties though. If anyone has made them already and they actually fit your wee one, let me know. My partner, J believes these booties must have been made for babies with 'club' feet as they're so wide. I made the 9-12 month old size and C is 9 months now. I just can't see him growing into them that well. The other problem is where the velcro is placed to close them. Looks perfect without a foot in them, and i'm sure i followed the instructions/pattern to a T. But, i just can't close them securely once his foot is in. I'm thinking of getting rid of the velcro and adding some sort of snap or at least moving the velcro to a better spot.

They're just too cut to have as display only!

Knitting for the Family - Part 3

I love how friends and family have been working at knitting (and crocheting and sewing) for my wee one. Here are just a few examples of the beloved work he's gotten already.

Li'l C loves to play with his fun softies - this awesome crocheted monster doll is a new favourite. I personally love the fawn my sis made him (see it in the background?) and coincidently bought the same pear fabric for some other baby gear i'll be making him soon. Great minds...right?
My mom just finished this 1-button cardigan for him too. It will be perfect for Spring, which incidentally already seems to be here. I love how she picked non-boy colours too! Speaking if which, in response to Becky's comment on a previous post about baby clothes: i can't say i really wanted a girl but i do admit i love baby girl clothing. I just wish boy clothes were just as creative, whimsical, and playful - not just onesies and button down shirts with trucks and stuff! I think my blend of sweet French baby, homemade baby, and vintage baby is working well, and still allows C to look like the boy he is.

Speaking of whimsical, isn't this green vest lovely? And, yes that's cabled owls! My friend Kelly made it for him and i believe she found the pattern off Ravelry. It fits him perfectly already so i hope it lasts for a while yet!

Seeing my boy with the clothes and toys my loved ones have made for him warms my heart like you wouldn't believe. It truly is so precious. Thank you.

Up-Cycling For My Wee One's Bottom

I think i may have mentioned this already, but we are a cloth diaper family here. I've been able to find some great dipes that work for day as well as overnight, but i'm still always looking for better. It's a bit of an addiction really. I also love all the handmade ones i see on-line (namely Etsy of course), as well as some patterns for me to make my own. But, i just don't have the time...Maybe for baby #2 (wow, i'm already there, huh?), i'll be with it enough to make my own.
I also came across some great sites to make your own cloth diaper covers.
As a vegan, i typically don't use wool myself, but as my partner isn't a vegan and nor will C be one (unless he chooses to be), i figured i could reuse some old sweaters my mom had already felted to make some great wool covers. Wool is just that much absorbent, and i love the idea of using what we have. Plus, i have been thinking more about how the vegan diet/culture isn't so organic or earth friendly as i wish it was.

But i digress...
So, after looking on-line at some great tuturiols, i made 3 wool covers for C. I have to admit, while they were pretty easy to make, and adorable, they're not perfect. I need to add elastics to the back to make them fit him better. Otherwise, they're kind of useless, right? But, they fit almost perfectly around his very bulky cloth diapered bum, except for the waist part.

In my research for finding good diaper covers, and things that are EC-friendly, i was so happy that a friend (thanks Rachel) referred to me to this find blog, Childhood Magic. So fun and a great inspiration - from home-schooling, to using wool diaper pants, and more! Check it out.

Baby on the New Blocks

I love making things for my wee one. Luckily, now that he's actually starting to interact with toys (and in fact ANYthing can be a toy these days - i love the discovery phase he's in!), i've been able to set aside time to make him some goodies. And, what fun i've had both making them and playing with them too.
I love wooden blocks, but i also love the idea of soft toys. As someone who already loves the simplicity of everyday objects as toys, I got re-inspired by great and lovely book, The Creative Family, as there is a discussion of making toys and using organic materials. I set out to make a set of 4 soft blocks. My sis went to Hawaii a while back and bought me these fabulous fabric squares - yes already cut coincidently to size - so it was easy to make them. I made some fun embellishments on them too; shapes, 1-2-3-4, and some added do-dads (cloth flower, balls).
Li'l C loves them and it's especially dreamy for me to see him reach for them. We're not shy around colours here, and it looks like he's not falling far from the tree, if you know what i mean!

Next up, some softies to help him sleep better. Hello Ms. Lovey!!!

Weekend Sewing - aka When Baby Sleeps Sewing

I have wanted the book, Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross for a while and was very happy to get it for Christmas. So, since i don't really have weekends to myself, i've had to rename my crafting time to "Moments I Can Get Away." I am still working hard on helping Li'l C fall asleep on his own and in his crib, but naps just don't happen there. Not that i'm complaining 100% - it is nice to have him so close (my lap, my arms, the carrier, our family bed), but i would love some v-time alone. Ya know? But, luckily, i get some down time at night, when i truly need it. I've rediscovered that sewing and creating in general are really the juice that keeps me going. Self-care at its best, and i feel so recharged after even a bit of time doing it.

I have too many projects both on the go and even more i want to do. I just hope i get half of them done before C doesn't need them - and yes, it's all about the babe now. A few projects for us adults, but for the most part, i'm making toys and clothes for the wee one.
But, i did promise J some pajamas for Christmas, and luckily he understood my IOU. So, i was able to try out the book and make the weekend pjs. I had to alter the sizing to fit my not-s0-wee-one, but that was pretty straight forward. And, as he's an avid biker, i got to use this fun fabric my mom gave me oodles of.
I also have been wanting to try making cloth slippers For Ever and have some patterns from Japanese craft books. So, i camped some time to myself an made these. All i need now is some stickers to put on the soles as these slippers are just that - SLIPPER-Y!! But lovely. I didn't have enough rick rack but i think they turned out fine just like this. I think my cat wants a pair next!

A Camera to Play With

Since before Li'l C was born, i wanted a camera with video, one that was quick and easy to use. I love my SLR but i wanted something that could capture things ASAP.

So, we treated ourselves to this little number. I made it a top priority to make a case for it, as i already dropped it - it's that small! It takes amazing photos with really vibrant colours, and of course, i can now get my wee one doing cute things like laughing, talking, and rolling over! Mind you, i'm not quite a director, and Li'l C gets too distracted by the camera, but it is such a gift nonetheless!

Cute Boys Clothing is Hard to Come By

Having a boy and being someone who loves clothes aren't the most compatible couplings. Boys clothing can be just so boring! Luckily, i both sew and love Etsy where others sew. As i also don't shop at the big box and brand stores, i have to both watch my non-working budget (hello, adorable boutique and indie clothing makers!) as well as finding items that are not stereotypical boys motifs. I'm not someone who believes that boys innately like trucks and sports, so we'll see what this next year brings to my little Clem..

Of course, i will be the first to admit that i will be encouraging things that i like, such as birds, garden stuff, lots of colours, bikes, and dancing. Most importantly, i just want him to discover stuff on his own, instead of me feeling like he's push by his parents to like them because we think he should. Now, if only i could get others in his life to see that too! Boys are more than cars and soccer, ya know.
I think i will be making this cute playsuit for each of the 4 sizes offered in the pattern, made by Oliver + S. So far, i have 2 of them. Here's his wee one, something he is growing out of quickly as he's already 11.7+ and just a week 7 weeks old! I am already compiling other cute patterns but if anyone has a favourite pattern or store to recommend, please do so!