newborn wrap top

It's the baby shower today, and I got inspired to make a top to match the little booties.

I worked out the pattern from an old top of Thomas' with some modifications, and making it much smaller. The wraps are secured with a press stud on the outside and a button and elastic loop on the inside. I'm pleased with the result and that I used only stuff we already had, some organic cotton I'd bought ages ago, and I made some bias binding from a Japanese chirimen cloth - one of several I'd bought in Tokyo years ago and have been hoarding ever since.

The only downside is my dodgy sewing skills, so that up close the stitching on the slippery bias binding leaves a bit to be desired, especially on the back. Anyway, it definitely has that handmade touch!



Here it is all wrapped up and ready to go.

Bitty booties

These are the bitty booties from Heather Bailey's pattern. They are very quick and straightforward and very tiny! At least the 0-3 month size is.



They aren't lined, so are made with just two pieces each, plus embellishments. It is hard to believe that little feet will really fit into these, but I always forget how tiny newborns are.

I think when I make these again, I might try lining them, and perhaps think about some kind of elastic closure to make sure they stay on.

Still, a good exercise for getting back into making things and turning the sewing machine back on.

Mr Sandman

Just a quick post to thank everyone for your lovely comments, so nice to have all that support out there from you wonderful creative women. I am still under the weather, but I have a good friend who is having a baby very soon, so I am feeling the need to make something quick and fun - Heather Bailey's bitty booties look like they might fit the bill, I'll let you know how I get on.





We finally got around to getting a little sandpit for the backyard for Thomas, just one of those clamshell types. At the moment our sandplay is not very sophisticated, just filling a bucket or flowerpot with the shovel, but it still provides lots of amusement.

Thanks again for all your kind words and thoughts.

Still alive

Sorry to have disappeared for a whole month, I have been here, but a bit unwell for a while, so I've been too tired to do much other than working and looking after Thomas. I've really been missing all my favourite blogs - I haven't forgotten you and will be back soon.

Thomas, on the other hand is bursting with energy, and learning words at a great rate. He has also become very affectionate in the last few weeks and has been showering me with very sweet kisses and cuddles.



We had a nice trip to our friends' farm yesterday afternoon, and Thomas had an up close encounter with cows.



It was great to have a change of scene, and some lovely fresh air - it is a beautiful property near Braidwood. Here is Thomas again in that cable knit I'm still squeezing him into this year.



It was great catching up with friends and sitting around the fire until it was time to take Thomas home again.



We also had a lovely visit from my parents last week. Thomas adores them, and my mum is happy to sing 'bananas in pyjamas' and 'twinkle twinkle' as many times as Thomas can say "More peese." It was so wonderful to have them here, and we miss them already.

Well that's it from me - sadly nothing creative at all to report, but I am getting interested in knitting again, must be the chill in the air.

Hopefully I'll be back again before the end of the month!