who's that girl?

Every so often, the camera captures a Sadie I don't know yet; a more demure, more independent little girl that has waved goodbye to babyhood. This is one of those moments from the future even though at the time she was a true toddler making an awful mess of my closet, emptying a box of breast pads and tossing sweaters over her shoulder (you can catch a glimpse of me trying to sew in the background...this is how chaos begins!) I hold on to every moment now because at 14 months Sadie is the most charming creature I've ever known, and I won't apologize for the cliche. I fall in love with her every weekend, especially when I take an extra day off. Tomorrow morning's reality of heading to work will be that much harder, but I'll just have to rush home at 5pm to catch my baby before these little glimpses become the norm.

bouncing bundlies

Four more Bundlies have been added to the shop!

And for those of you who live south of my border, Hilary of Wee Wonderfuls is selling her great "Christmasbot" postcards for a total steal. I received mine recently and they rock!

Next up for me, a special Christmas gift for my Mom. And it'll be a secret until Christmas since she reads my blog religiously, but I promise to post the photo afterwards.

sale synopsis

I had great intentions of taking photos before the sale, but somehow we were setting up until the first person arrived, so these are the only reasonable photos I got! The cushions up top were a last minute idea to use up more of my wool blankets, the second photo is one of our shelves filled with goodies and the last photo shows Jay's pieces all on one wall. The blue and red pieces are rubber doll parts placed to look like butterflies (ears) or flocks or birds (noses). Luckily two were left because I just couldn't part with them! The sale was a great success though I'm relieved it's over. Last night I actually started a knitting project for myself - I'm using Louisa Harding angora wool to make a simple garter stitch scarf, what a treat.

I've started a wee shop for my wool creations, so come on over and visit . . . a few Bundlies are hanging out there.

better from the back

First - a photo to explain what I have been doing these past two weeks. I may be totally sick of little wool bits by Saturday, but at least there will be many bundlies and softies for sale. If anyone is in the Toronto area the cider will be warm and the uniques gifts plentiful!

The new creative dilemma I've hit is this: while embroidering my own "birdbabies" for cushions I have fallen in love with the backside of the embroidery. This happens to me often, I generally like quilts from the back with all the threads hanging loose and the seams fraying (I'm a deconstructionist at heart.) I will finish these pillows as they should be, but I think in the new year I'm going to work with this usually ignored side. Once the sale is over it's on to less functional diversions to give my brain a shake-up. I have attached one of the birds, front and back - anyone else smitten with the back?

my lady sadie

Last night I went out for a few hours to a dinner party - without Sadie. All her baby friends were there, walking and playing and eating, but she was at home recovering from an ear infection. I hit a point when I actually ached for her, and I had to leave. It's the feeling that you can't put into words but that envelops your whole body every so often. Part scary, part wonderful - and only relieved by scooping up your sweet little girl as soon as you can.

In this new mom world, Scarbiedoll says it best, hands down.

invitation

Now there's no going back - the sale is official. If you are in the Toronto area on December 3rd drop by! Besides my woolly creations, there will be ornaments and wall candy from Jay, hairpins by Candlelight, aprons and hats by my Mom and homemade jams from Brooks Farms.

buddy system

Here are two friends that are hoping to be adopted out during our holiday sale. We haven't really figured out what to do with Sadie that day, but production is in full swing. I have never been so clean during a making bonanza, though now even a wayward pin could spell disaster for curious Sadie. Did I mention that she's eaten cat food off the floor?

Bad, bad mom.

denim diversion

I've taken a break from little creatures to work on bags. Even though I got great feedback and suggestions for the wool birds on denim, I just couldn't make them work for me. A friend asked for two patchwork photo albums and working on them inspired me to use silks again - which then seemed to work well with black denim. I'm much happier with these. I guess I just needed a break from using wool . . . as blasphemous as that sounds!

knit birdies

A new little flock for my growing zoo. These guys are the best in portable projects - I knit one every morning when Jay and Sadie drive me to work. Jay talks about sports, Sadie chirps in the backseat and a colourful bird takes shape in my hands. Is there any better way to start the work day?

And thank you for all your wonderful comments about the bundlies, with so much encouragement I think I'll keep making more!

wool bundlies

More finished softies - this time little babes in snowsuits . . . at least that's what I meant them to be. I hope they work as Christmas tree ornaments. Next up, tiny knitted birds if I can figure out a pattern. I think I'll use the mice from Lyn's post as inspiration!