She may not be too wild, but she is a western girl. Finally I finished this ragdoll for Month of Softies, and although Sadie isn't too interested I think she's a pretty sassy doll to have. Part Raggedy Anne, part Holly Hobbie, her western roots are courtesy a vintage bandana and must-have-denim. And now I'm on to other things . . .
I start back at work tomorrow (insert lofty sigh here). I feel quite anxious about it, so I'm hanging out on the internet checking some great links while Sadie naps. Big thanks to Craftlog for sending me here - I think I'm going to order some of Susie's postcards as a treat to myself (I think I could really use some treats today . . . at the very least, going back to work means having more money!) And next, I just adore the photo on this page, the cat is so delicate and precious. I fear that I might get hooked on Japanese crafting too, there is just something so sweet and orderly about the designs I have seen so far. Then finally, if money fell from the sky, I would treat Sadie to one of everything from anne-claire petit. If you visit, keep scrolling to the right because it's a deceptively large collection. I especially love the crochet dot cardigan and shoes, which reminds me that I should make Sadie something with polka dots. Now I better go iron some work clothes . . . sniffle, sniffle.
There is a series of illustrations of half bird, half baby creatures that I just adore. I don't know how old they are, but I do know that they are a wonderful blend of creepy and sincere. This is the second cushion I've made from them. Embroidery is a great car pasttime for me, and I just use a chain stitch for the whole image, which might label me as lazy in the embroidery world. Next up - a western ragdoll for Month of Softies! My mom - who just started her own blog - sent me a photo of a ragdoll I made her years ago and it was just the reminder I needed to get started. Do you ever look back and realize you had no reservations when you were young? Geez, I would make anything, and I wish I could recapture that sense of abandon now.
This is what you'd call a BORING photo. But I'm posting it to show that I haven't gotten lazy, I've just been working on a monolithic slipcover for our sofa. Somehow I thought I could sew this last summer - in my third trimester!!? - so that our sofa would be complete when baby came. Yeah right, as if my beluga body could have worked this out. As I write, the slipcover is in the wash and soon our sofa will be one big sea of black denim. And then I steer clear of slipcovers for at least another year.
I'm itching to get back to more wool work. I was working on some ornaments when my workspace had to move for the third time this year. Now I'm set up in our bedroom, for better or worse. Sadie has really figured out how to move her 20 pounds around, so scissors and pins became an issue, especially since I have a habit of dropping both. And now I need to finish up a couple of skirts for my impending return to work. My new, probably unattainable goal, is to be as productive as mollychicken (who is wonderfully creative even when her kids are home on holidays!) Umm, is that a dare I've just given myself?
I feel like such a terrible mom. Here is Sadie, 10 months to the day, and it's her first time sitting in lush green grass. Ahh, the urban life leaves a little bit to be desired. Sadie was so excited when we plunked her down that clapping became her favourite activity. Needless to say, we had a wonderful visit in the country with absolutely wonderful friends. If I were them, I don't think I'd ever make it back to the city!
I was so inspired by the pincushions at Wee Wonderfuls (there's even more in the "Zakka" category) that I spent yesterday making more than I need! What a great way to use heavy wool, and since I'm always sticking myself with pins I figure the safety message is clearly appropriate. As a crafting plus, they were easy to work on while Sadie shimmied across the floor (it's almost a crawl, but not quite.) Now what to work on today?
Here is my Month of Softies submission - a sock monkey made from real socks! He was quite fun to make, but perhaps he is too plain? There are some great monkeys already submitted (like this one) and I'm sure more will appear in the next few days.
A fleeting moment - Sadie only a day old and so frighteningly fragile. I look over at her now, bouncing in her plastic car, and I can hardly believe this is how she (we) started. We've come a long, long way since then.
Of course I'm mourning the days that have passed, as every mother does and as every mother warned me I would. I start work again in one month, forcing a new direction in our relationship. How I'll miss spending every single minute with her, my happy little companion. A first of many separations, but like this photo, it's usually the first that smarts the most.
If I can handle the disgusting heat outside, this little guy is taking a trip to Winnipeg courtesy of Canada Post and an outrageously taped cardboard box. His destination: the hands of a very dear friend who loves the colour red. He travels with a unique companion - a very embellished and very cherished painting that this dear friend created years ago. I've been its' happy babysitter, but our time together has come to an end. Keep the painting safe little red guy. And say hello to Kristen.
A little bit of Sadie again, from a hot summer night here in Toronto. Jay dislocated his shoulder, twice, so my "making" hours are significantly reduced . . . well, except for fashioning a sling for the injured guy. But now that the ironing board is out I think I'll make Sadie a sundress for this overwhelming heat. Who needs to sleep anyway?
I feel like such a terrible mom. Here is Sadie, 10 months to the day, and it's her first time sitting in lush green grass. Ahh, the urban life leaves a little bit to be desired. Sadie was so excited when we plunked her down that clapping became her favourite activity. Needless to say, we had a wonderful visit in the country with absolutely wonderful friends. If I were them, I don't think I'd ever make it back to the city!
Here is my Month of Softies submission - a sock monkey made from real socks! He was quite fun to make, but perhaps he is too plain? There are some great monkeys already submitted (like this one) and I'm sure more will appear in the next few days.
