Pin It! . . . and a backpack

Thanks for the nice comments on my appliqued cardi.  I wish I could respond to you all by email.  About half of my comment notifications have your email for reply, but most don't.  Boo.

Anyway, I made a backpack!  Realizing that Ellie is growing like a weed, I wanted to get started on this project before she was too old for a toddler backpack.  Surprisingly, this was a really quick (probably about 3-4 hours) project to throw together.
Pattern: Toddler Backpack, from Made By Rae
Materials: Alexander Henry Kleo fabric, from my stash; I selected a burgundy zipper and piping, but had trouble finding the right colored strap and strap adjuster (thanks, Joann's for continuing to have a crappy, limited selection). Thanks to Strapworks, I found exactly what I needed for only $4, which included shipping. Score!
The only modification I made was to line it.  Having the wrong side of the fabric and seams showing inside seemed unfinished to me.  The lining fabric is leftover from my Birdie Sling and was relatively easy to do.  Ellie has never let me put hats or headbands on her, but seemed to like her new backpack. Now she can carry her "essentials" to my mom's house on my work days.

Can we go outside??

Pleeeeease??

Have you heard of Pinterest? I read about it a month or so ago and IMMEDIATELY requested an invite.
 

Basically, Pinterest allows you to create an organized place for images you see on the interwebs, with links included. Before Pinterest, when I saw a great tutorial or a fun idea or inspiration project, I would drag the link to my bookmarks folder called "Crafty Stuff". This was a pretty bad way of keeping ideas organized because what I saw was the link's name, not the photo of what I thought was cool, so I would forget about things I saw a while ago . Pinterest has allowed me to delete my bookmarks and now keeps things organized in one place. You can find my boards here.  The only rub is that you need to have a Facebook or Twitter account to join, but I suspect as it grows, it will open up to anyone, much like how Ravelry was in the beginning.

Birdie Sling! 30 Weeks!

I finished the Amy Butler Birdie Sling!

I used prints from Amy's Midwest Modern line: Fuschia Fresh Poppies, Fuschia Martini and Ivory Floating Buds. A lot of people who have made this bag have commented on how large it is. I was afraid I was going to get something like a weekend travel bag, but this bag is perfect for work. It does hold my laptop - but makes it pretty heavy - so I usually just put my usual stuff (wallet, phone, keys, lunch, 2 pouches with computer accessories and pens/make-up, etc). The inside pockets are great for keeping stuff organized.

I love the pleats!

The pattern was not difficult to make, compared to other bags I've made. I did make one small adjustment: I made the strap less wide. When cut as specified, the strap is pretty wide and didn't sit in the "nook" of my shoulder just so. Making it a little thinner overall made this better. I also used less interfacing on the strap but doubled up the interfacing on the exterior panels.

I needed something girly in the midst of all my baby-gender-neutral projects! The photos above also show a sneak peak at the nursery, which is completed except for accessories, curtains, etc.

Since last post's baby bump photo wasn't so great, I thought I'd share a better one. I've hit 30 weeks - just 10 to go! I am hoping for a less-humid-than-usual summer here in the mid-Atlantic :)

FO: Amy Butler Crib Quilt

I finished the crib quilt (my first adventure in quilting!)

Pattern: Patchwork Crib Quilt from Amy Butler's Little Stitches
Fabric: Mostly prints from Amy's Midwest Modern line; some coordinating quilting fabrics from Joann's for the back, binding and yellow print in the quilt pattern.

I'm really happy with how this turned out. I definitely learned a lot while working on this. Little things like: beware of bunching on the underside while quilting, be careful when machine stitching the edging on the binding, stitching in the ditch doesn't really mean *in* the seam, but really right next to it, etc.

On the nursery front, we've selected our colors and hope to get to painting this weekend (don't worry, I won't actually be painting or in the room while it's wet and smelly). Upcoming sewing projects include curtains (once I select fabric), 2 maternity skirts, a nursing cover and the Amy Butler Birdie Sling.

I've been really bad about taking photos of my growing belly, but at 28 weeks, we finally managed to snap a few. I plan to make the photo-taking a weekly event, so stay tuned for more photos as I get bigger and bigger!

FO: Amy Butler Everything Bag & Elijah

Hello! I know my blogging is spacing further apart, but I am crafting. Here's proof:

Pattern: Amy Butler Everything Bag from Little Stitches
Fabric: Morning Glory from her Lotus Line
I also made the changing pad from Little Stitches to go with the bag. I think I plan on using this as a diaper bag, though it doesn't have any waterproof linings. I guess that's what zip locks are for?

All in all, this pattern wasn't too bad. The cutting and interfacing attachment took the longest. The actual sewing part was (partly) a breeze. I had a tricky time attaching the lining bottom to the divider panel, and I re-did the top stitching a few times, but all in all, it was worth taking my time on this one. I'd say I spent 15 hours or so putting this together.
Mods: I made the straps a little longer and spaced them further apart than the pattern says. I tried it on a few times while pinned to make sure it sat over my shoulder the way I wanted. Also, there is a HUGE error in the interfacing instructions. I contacted someone at Amy Butler and they confirmed the error and said they would send me two free patterns for pointing it out. Whoo hoo! (Well, I should say that was over a month ago and I still don't have my free patterns . . . )

Here's a full view of the changing pad.

I also finished Elijah, my first baby knit.

I didn't love knitting with the double pointed needles, but the construction of this little guy was so brilliant. I feel like all knitted toys should be made this way!

I've also almost finished my version of the Pea Pod Baby Sweater. The pattern is no longer available online, so I used a free top-down sweater generator (there are several available on Ravelry) to make the basic shape and pulled out my copy of Rusted Root for the lace pattern (I think they're the same, or they at least look it!). I used some old Debbie Bliss Merino DK in a color that I hope suits either a boy or girl - we don't know what we're having. I think I'll pick out buttons after the little one arrives in August.

Other plans now include finishing Lush & Lacy and starting a few other baby items. I've also started a crib quilt, which I hope to get assembled soon so we can use it to help pick out a paint color for the nursery. I'm at 24 weeks now - only 16 to go!

Coming Clean

Some of you may have noticed my diminished productivity over the past few months. No big winter sweaters or other knitting projects. I'm finally coming clean! I actually started a new WIP back in November and it got the best of me for a while.

This is from early February at 13 weeks. I am now almost 18 weeks and due in August! Bill and I are thrilled. It's been a great journey so far. From December through most of January, I barely knit a stitch. I was unmotivated and just exhausted most nights after work. My energy has been back for about a month and I've been working on some new things.

With the spring weather teases, I've put all winter projects into hibernation and started my likely last me-sized sweater for a while: Lush & Lacy. I loved how Veronique's version looked on her adorable preggo body and thought it would be a great little sweater for spring around here. I am using some Ella Rae Silkience from my stash.

I've finished the back and done a few inches of the left front. My goal is to finish this by Easter.

I've also started my first baby project: Elijah. I got the yarn for this pattern a long time ago, knowing that I would knit one for someone's baby eventually. I'm using Di Ve Zenith, which is a soft, washable yarn.

Elijah still needs another arm, leg and a pair of ears, but he's pretty cute already!

I've also started some baby-related sewing projects. Springtime always gets me into sewing mode with all the fresh, happy fabrics. I bought a copy of Amy Butler's Little Stitches and have decided to make two projects to start.

The "Everything Bag", which I plan to use as a diaper bag/carryall. I'm using her Morning Glory print from the Lotus line for the exterior.

Here's my progress so far. I've completed one inside lining piece and attached it to the inside divider.

The other project I plan to make is this little crib quilt. I have a mix of Amy Butler prints and a few prints from Joann's. We don't plan on finding out the baby's sex, but these colors are my inspiration for the nursery (I've read babies sleep better in blue or green rooms). Happy almost-Springtime!

Sewing, A Meme and A Plea

I've been plugging away at my Cape Collar Jacket. I've got the back, both sleeves, and most of both fronts done. My goal is to have it completed by next Friday. I hope I can make it! Vogue hasn't responded to my message about the errors in the pattern, so I may need to improvise. But, I've also been feeling spring fever and have been doing some sewing. Last weekend I made this, using a combination of several sewing tutorials:

It's a wristlet that can hold the essentials - cell phone, keys, credit card and sunglasses. The fabric is leftover from the needle cases I made a while ago. Instead of a strap for the wrist, I found these big rings at Joann's and used one of them instead.

I've got some other sewing projects up my sleeve, but I'll share those later. In the meantime, Claudia has tagged me for a meme. I am supposed to share six quirks/habits/things about myself. Here goes!

1) I am a TV series addict. I faithfully watch lots of shows (Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, 24, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Men in Trees, Numb3rs (yes, I'm a dork), House, American Idol, The Closer...)

2) I don't like my food to touch. I've never owned one of those plates that has sections for each side dish, but I should.

3) I am obsessed with getting 8 hours of sleep at night. I've never been a night-owl and was always the first girl to fall asleep at a sleep-over.

4) I hate bugs, especially crickets. They scare me, even though I know they are harmless.

5) I had my tonsils out when I was 17. My doctor said they were some of the most infected tonsils he had ever seen.

6) I hate basements. I always run up the stairs when I leave one, and I'm glad my house doesn't have one!

Anyone who would like to do this, please do! It's fun to learn some new things about bloggers.

Onto knitting . . .

Lately I've felt like I've been in a knitting funk. I haven't been motivated to start projects that are in my queue, and I've been having mixed feelings on spring and summer knits. Usually by the time warm weather arrives, it gets too hot to wear a knitted garment, or even if it's not too hot, the humidity makes a handknit unbearable. With that in mind, I have plans to make just a few warm weather items this year. The first is the Flutter Sleeve cardigan from Interweave. The pattern calls for Classic Elite Classic Silk, which I happen to have in my stash! But, I only have 5 balls, and the pattern calls for 7. Anyone have some Classic Silk in Paris Green (color 6935) and dyelot 30 that they aren't going to use? After my dyelot challenge with Bea, I am hesitant to mix dyelots again. I've checked Ravelry and some online sellers, but no luck. Thanks in advance!

Amy Butler Swing Bag

A few weeks ago, I decided I wanted to paint our family room a different color. It's on the bottom level of our house and doesn't get much natural light, so I wanted to do something bright. I picked a warm yellow and thought "I'm going to go all out and get some nice fabric to make some bright pillows for the couch!" I ended up picking up 1/2 yard pieces of Amy Butler's new Nigella prints. I sewed up 4 coordinating pillows.

Last year, I had purchased the pattern for Amy Butler's Swing Bag, but I never got around to buying fabric and making it. Buying these Nigella prints got me excited and giddy, so I found some of her Lotus prints at purlsoho and ordered the pieces I needed to sew the Swing Bag. Let me say, I have sewn pillows and curtains before, but I've never, even sewn from a written pattern where you have to cut out the pattern and cut pieces from your fabric.

I set Saturday aside to make my swing bag. I laid the pieces out and even used my iron (I've learned how important it is to press!)

It took several readings of the pattern instructions to completely understand what the heck I was doing. After a few hours and few rips, I had this:

So far, so good. I certainly had some moments when I wanted to throw my machine and the fabric out the window, but I continued on. It's not perfect, but here is my finished Swing Bag!

Pattern: Amy Butler's Swing Bag

Fabric: Amy Butler Lotus: 3/4 yard Brown Lacework for exterior, 3/4 yard of Coral Star Paisley for interior, 1/4 yard of Lime Star Paisley for the scarf.

Modifications: None, except I made my own scarf. Amy's pattern calls for 1 1/4 yards and has it sewn on the bias. I chose to make it with just 1/4 yard, folded in half and sewn with folded edges. Mine is shorter, but cost a lot less!

The fun wasn't finished there. I used the leftover fabric and Caro from splityarn's tutorial for making a zippered wristlet to make this:

I decided to throw all my knitting notions in here and keep with my knitting projects:

I had a really fun time doing these projects, although sewing is pretty tiring for me. I like that I can veg out on the couch with my knitting. When sewing, I was up and down from the machine to the ironing board, to the table cutting, measuring. And, there are so many accessories for sewing! But I do have another project in mind for the leftovers from my Nigella print pillows - I'm thinking of a large wristlet/small clutch!