Baby Elf Hat

Ooops!!!  I just noticed that my last post was almost 2 months ago.  That's shameful, isn't it?!?  I've been a very BAD blogger!!!  I hope Santa hasn't noticed, otherwise I may well be getting coal in my stocking this year!  Just in case Santa happens to follow crafty blogs, I'm going to try to be a GOOD blogger over the next few weeks.....

Probably even more shameful than my lack of blogging recently has been my lack of crafting!  After Bo was born, I didn't touch my sewing machine, crochet hooks, knitting needles or pretty-paper-stash for months.  Then, about six weeks ago, I picked up where I'd left off all that time ago (though it only seems like 5 minutes ago), and started some serious crafting again.

So now I have lots of show-and-tells in the pipeline.

For today, I wanted to show you a little baby elf hat that I made for Bo. It was the first crafty project I managed to finish since our little elf's arrival.

Here it is.....

I sort-of made it up as I went along.  I couldn't find a pattern that was just right for what I wanted.  I made a similar hat for a friend last Christmas (which you can see here).  It looked very cute when I'd finished it, but it was a bit small and not quite the shape I'd hoped it would be when it was on.  So, for Bo's, I did my own thing.  It doesn't look as cute off, but better on (if you know what I mean).  

You can see for your self how it looks on, anyway.  Next time, I'll share some photos that I took of Bo in his elf hat.  

Until then.....

I hope you're all keeping warm and well, and getting lots of christmassy crafting done!!!

Hugs,

Carly

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Baby's Bedroom

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post!  You're all so sweet!!!

Now here's a post I've been meaning to do for aaages.....  Bo's bedroom!  

It was a joint effort.  Simon did all the decorating, sticking on of wall-stickers, and putting together of IKEA furniture.  And I did all the making (and buying)!

Here it is (apologies in advance for the photo-overload).....

We're very happy with how it turned out!  I love how bright and colourful it is!  We hope Bo'll like it when he eventually starts sleeping in there.....  Fingers crossed!!!

See you soon!

Carly

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Bo's Rainbow Triangles Cot Quilt

Since I posted that our little Bo had been born, I've had so many messages and mails from you all, asking how he's doing and how I'm feeling.....  Thank you SO much for caring - and for being such lovely, lovely blogging pals!!!

We're all doing good!  Simon's been back at school (work) for 3 weeks now.  I was REALLY spoilt having him at home with us for almost two months over the summer holidays, and dreaded the start of term.  But being 'home alone' with Bo has been fine.  He's a good boy - he doesn't cry TOO much, and has settled into a pretty predictable routine.  I have to admit that I still haven't managed to find the time to do any crafting since he was born.  But I'm working on it..... ;-)

So, today's show-and-tell is about another project completed pre-Bo.  This is the quilt I made for the cot in his bedroom:

And here's a sneaky peek at the quilt IN Bo's bedroom (another blog post, coming soon):

This quilt is the first I've made from triangular pieces.  I found sewing them together a bit fiddly at first (I had to do some un-picking because my rows were wonky), but it got easier after a few goes!  

When I'd finished it, I was REALLY pleased with how it looked!  In fact, I think it's probably my FAVOURITE EVER make!!!  :-) 

Which of your makes are you most proud of???

Until next time.....

Carly

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New Garden Furniture

I know that, at the end of my last post, I said my next one would probably be about another quilt I made for Bo. But then I remembered that I'd taken some photos of our new garden furniture - and the bits and bobs I made to prettify it.  

So, a change of plan.....  I've decided to post a show-and-tell about the garden stuff first, before it feels too autumny to write about that kind of thing!

Knowing that we'd be staying at home for the summer this year (and that we'd be having several sets of visitors), we decided to buy some new garden furniture so that we'd be able to enjoy the sunshine right here.  

We found a set that we liked in IKEA (of course).  But it needed brightening up, I thought (actually, I was just in need of a new sewing project at that time).  So I made some patchwork cushions for the seats, and some coasters for the table.  Here they are(along with a couple of flower photos).....

When I'd finished making the cushions and coasters, I planned to make a couple of lengths of bunting to match.  But little Bo arrived before I got the chance. It's on my 'to-do' list for next spring.....

Happy Friday!!!

Carly

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Mini-cot Quilt

Hello there,

Thank you all SO much for your sweet comments on my last post.  You're all so kind!  

This time, I wanted to show you a quilt I made for Bo, before he was born (of course BEFORE he was born - I haven't yet found the time for ANY crafting SINCE).  

One of the first baby items we bought was a 'mini-cot'.  We wanted something for the baby to sleep in, in our bedroom, for the first few months.  But we weren't keen on any of the moses baskets or cribs we'd seen around.  They were all either really stylish but WAY too expensive, or a reasonable price but WAY too flouncy/pastely/twee for our tastes.  Then we saw this 'mini-cot' on Kiddicare.  It was exactly what we'd had in mind - and it was a sensible price!

So then I had to make a quilt to go inside it.  Of course, it's only been used for decorative purposes (advise is to definitely NOT use quilts for babies), but I had to make one just the same!  

And, here it is.....

And here are some photos of our bedroom (there's a whole post on it here) - I made Bo's quilt to match, of course.....

Next time, I think I might do a 'show-and-tell' of the quilt I made for Bo's BIG cot.....  because a baby can never have too many (purely decorative) quilts!!!  

Wishing you all a happy (and sunny) weekend.....

Carly

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Monochrome Bunting

Lately, I've been trying to sort through and get rid of SOME of the thousands upon thousands of project photos I have saved on my laptop.  And, in the process, I've come across quite a few things that I'd meant to show you but forgotten all about.

One of them was the black, grey and white bunting I made for my sister (to go in her bedroom) for Christmas.  

I really LOVE making bunting!  I like the process of picking fabric colours and patterns to go together, and the cutting-out, sewing the fronts and backs of the little triangles together, and then sewing them all into a strip of binding to finish the project off.  SO quick and SO easy and SO much fun!!!

By the way, I think I see a bunting project for the Little One's room in my crafting crystal ball.....

So, here's my monochrome bunting:

Wishing you all a happy Easter!!!

Until next time.....

Carly

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Baby Crinkle Toy

A sewing project show-and tell this time.....

I've been making a few toys for our Little One.  The first one I made was a cuddly cloud (which you can see here).  

The second was a crinkly patchwork square.  I used high-contrast colours, and added some little textured ribbony-bits around the edge.  To make the crinkle sound, I used a piece of cellophane wrap in the middle.  

A quick, easy and fun-to-make project!  And another little something to add to the 'baby drawer'.  

My third baby toy was a fabric book.  Not no quick, and not so easy!!!  I'll save that for next time.

Until then.....

Carly

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