Sewing Squid

I'm working on Halloween costumes. My eldest son loves Squids- and ever since we went to the Whaling Museum he's wanted to be a Squid for Halloween. (I love his out of the box idea- but gulped thinking "how" to make this). Luckily I began Nikolai's Squid Costume before our baby Adelheid arrived.

So I'm working away at perhaps the hardest sewing challenge I have met yet. One cannot find a Squid sewing pattern. And thus,  I've had to think, figure, plot, plan and pray- that each cut and stitch I make will result in a sound choice. And with Halloween around the corner- I just don't have time (or extra fabric) for mistakes. I feel a little bit of pressure to get this project done in time- and have found myself wondering "who makes costumes for their kids after just having a baby"? I'm sure their are sewing goddesses out there who have/are doing the same thing. Yet, I know that if it wasn't for the love of my little man, and his wonderfully weird request for a Squid costume; I wouldn't be sewing right now- I'd be still on my Baby-moon-cation.

But while I work away it's very peaceful in this sewing room...the view out my window is so nice as is the view to my right, a sweet baby sleeping as I stitch away. Just as my other little ones have done before her, sleeping by my side as the machine whirs away.

Baby Adelheid

 

 

Our little one arrived on October 14th at 2:02am. (Our anniversary). She's absolutely beautiful and we're all so in love. I'm so happy to have her in my arms and cuddled up next to me every night. Once again I'm struck by how in love I could become with one little human.

Welcome my precious Adelheid Hart.

Pumpkin Patch

What a perfectly gorgeous day at the Pumpkin Patch in the beautiful Harlem Valley. A Hayride, Pumpkins, Corn Fields, Hot Apple Cider and little ones running through the patch- I just love this time of year. 

Heart Mobile

A few weeks back I finished setting up the baby area of our bedroom. We are in a new home for this baby, and I wanted to do something special to decorate her little space. (Even though she'll spend most of her time in my arms in our bed).  

Originally I was planning on making felt hearts strung on the back wall- but I found cute paper mobile ideas a Pintrest board- and they were "Sewn!" which I loved. Just simply cut out shapes into card stock paper and then sew together with a running straight stitch. I set mine to about a "4" on my sewing machine. Then I went out in the backyard and got a stick and hung it up. (You could use an embroidery hoop or dowel). The only hard part of this project is choosing which colors to use and planning the order of the shapes.  (I think I might make one for the boys room with whales).

The sweet baby cradle below the Heart Mobile is very dear to me- as it was the cradle I was in as a baby. My mother lovingly, refinished and repaired this cradle when my sister was pregnant with her first. And for my second  she built a frame to raise the cradle up, so that it is at my bed level. All of my babies have been in this cradle.

With each child I myself add something to the cradle. Recently I sewed two new covers for the cradle mattress, one in quilting fabric and one in flannel. The skirt around the base I made just before Kasper's birth.

And now, with this project done we are completely ready to welcome our little one. We are just patiently awaiting our baby. Till then- be well.

Soft Cuddly Baby Blanket

This Super Soft Cuddly Blanket is made of Quilting fabric on top and Bamboo Velour Jersey on the underside. The Bamboo Velour is sooo soft. It's amazing. I was making cloth diapers with this Velour for Nikolai, (while pregnant with Kasper) and decided to use the Velour to make a baby blanket.  I used a receiving blanket as a template for size and curved edges- and it turned out better than I had imagined.

Above is a photo of Kasper, as a newborn, wrapped in his blanket. I used that Blue Blanket the most above all other blankets- (receiving, quilts, etc.) because it's so warm and soft. It became my favorite go-to blanket. And today while taking photos, he was especially interested in this new blanket.

Now, I have a Soft Cuddly Blanket to give to my new baby when she arrives. I am looking forward to laying in bed just after her birth, with my fresh newborn, wrapped in her blanket- she and I dozing off between feedings, all warm and cuddly.

In time, when I've awoken from new baby bliss, I will post a tutorial for this blanket. It's an easy blanket to make, and would be a lovely gift for a new mama. 

Apple Pick'n

Just a little Apple Pick'n, Pumpkin Patch Runn'n, Tractor Climb'n, Swirly Pop Lick'n, Cider Donut Eat'n- family fun time. Hope you have a chance to get out and enjoy the harvest season too.

The Baby Quilt is Finished!

Our little girl will have a quilt of Hearts and Rainbow beams waiting for her arrival day. It's so nice to have this, my biggest task accomplished in time and ready to wrap my new little one in. Today I am 37 weeks pregnant- and as I sewed the last stitch I said to my husband, "Ok I'm ready to have the baby now". 

I finished the hand stitching last night happily- because it is the most wonderful part of quilting. Delicately blind stitching by hand is so relaxing and this is the time where the most of my positive thoughts go into the quilt- thinking of the one to whom this quilt will belong.

It's amazing to think just last week I finished the quilt top, sandwiched the batting to the backing, (always forgetting with every baby quilt- 9 months pregnant is not the time to be on the floor pinning the backing and batting), and then quilting it all together. Over the weekend I trimmed-up the quilt and sewed the binding to the quilt front, while singing a little song to myself "It's Binding Time Again...you're gonna seam me". I think I do this often when I'm rhythmically engrossed in a task. (Do you ever whistle while you work too?)

When I finished I showed the boys which heart on the quilt belonged to them- and they both seemed so excited. (Kasper even remembered which one is his and pointed to it while I took photos). I hope in years to come she will be as happy with this token of love as I am. And that as with all hand-made things, my children will pass it on to their children.

And now I'm on to the next project. (yup, I have a few more things I "want" to sew before she arrives). Come visit again and see what I'm making next for our little girl.