Thank you!
September 1, 2010
Thank you so much for all your kind comments for Franklin, what a gorgeous bunch of blog readers you are.
No crafting since he’s been born (feeding a big bubba is a full time job!) but I expect to be back with some handmade goodness very soon.
Take Care,
Claire
xoxo
Meet Franklin
August 28, 2010
We knew that we were expecting a boy. We knew he would arrive on Saturday as I had to have a c-section. We had absolutely no idea that he would be so large (Born a whopping 4.75kg/nearly 11 pounds) nor that we could love him so much. He enjoys afternoon snuggles, big feeds and long walks on the beach.
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Meet Franklin…
Thank you so much for all your well wishes. We had a very smooth delivery and a very happy healthy baby. Although it has to be said that he looked more like a toddler compared to the other tiny bubbas in the nursery!
I’m off to have a baby
August 20, 2010
Balloon Nursery: Almost there
August 14, 2010
Vintage Tues: Frothed and Frilled in Nylon
August 10, 2010
Today I have started packing a bag to go into hospital. The baby is due in exactly one week so I guess it’s about time I got myself together. What to pack? I have visions of myself swanning around the maternity ward frothed and frilled in nylon as this 70s ad promises (thanks Amanda for the book!) And to think that it could have been mine for just 40p per week over 20 weeks.
Rest assured that even though I won’t be donning the glamorous negligee set I do plan on looking just like this image below mere moments after the birth. Do you think a week is long enough to crochet a bed cape?
Balloon Nursery: a day in pictures
August 7, 2010
It’s been a big day of sewing on the balloon nursery front, hooray! The baby finally has a quilt to sleep under. I haven’t got pics of the finished item but I took some snaps along the way today to share. A word of warning, professional quilters may find the following wonky stitching and amateur technique offensive, you may wish to look away now!
It started with an unpick and rework. I reduced the amount of red in the quilt, I think it was starting to take over.
Lots of sewing onto an organic cotton wadding.
A little addition of ric rac which I love!
First attempt at felt basket. Not bad for a first attempt but it’s too big for the balloons so more experimenting tonight.
Balloons for the mobile starting to take shape.
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And so with fingers nicely swollen from the oedema I think it’s time for me to eat some ice cream. Everyone keeps telling me I should enjoy these last weeks of pregnancy. This is proving difficult to do what with the waddling, constant peeing and sleeplessness but on the bright side there’s dessert. I believe when pregnant one must ALWAYS eat dessert!
Quilt coming together
August 4, 2010
Thanks for all your input, I think you’re absolutely right… whimsical is the way to go for the nursery. I pulled together the quilt panel this week although tomorrow I’m going to take out some of the red. It’s just a little too much. I have also been learning how to basket weave with felt for the balloon baskets and sewing them up for the mobile. It’s all starting to come together.
Vintage Tuesday: Oh yes… it’s Tulle!
August 3, 2010
Ahhh the 70s… thoughts? Anyone?
Looking at these, and laughing uncontrollably, I do have to wonder what it will be that we look back on from the noughties and cringe about. I look back at the myriad of fabric covered photo frames and tissues boxes that I created in the 80s in horror. Will it be Softies? Japanese cute prints? What’s cringe worthy about what we create now?
Balloon Nursery: Fabric dilemma
July 30, 2010
This morning I laid out all the fabrics for the quilt. This is one of my favourite things to do, I love that you never know which fabrics might work with others. Guaranteed some that you thought would be perfect together suck, and others make an unexpected match.
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I thought I was all set to go after discovering quite a funky look with some umbrella prints fabric that I adore, the clouds and Heather Bailey’s stripes. Loved it… quite pop retro but surprisingly working well.
Then, of course, I had to keep playing around with some idea fabric I bought ages ago with this quilt in mind. I don’t like the whole piece of fabric but when I folded it to just show the strips that I like it worked. Suddenly the quilt looked all whimsical.
So my dilemma is this: pop retro or whimsical?
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I also spent the morning creating a pattern for the balloons and sketching out the clouds which, I’m pleased to say, has worked. It’s all very rough but I just wanted to get the pattern pieces ready so as soon as I can finalise my fabrics then I should be able to whip up the mobile.
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Look Mum… it’s me!
July 29, 2010
This morning I dashed out (well, as fast as a pregnant woman can dash… perhaps more of a waddle at speed?) to buy the Sydney Morning Herald. There’s an interview in the (Sydney) Magazine with me talking about my softies, crafting and babies. I was really quite nervous about it and, in hindsight, probably should have bribed the photographer more to get stuck in with the airbrushing but there I am. With all my beloved softies. In real print. A whole double page spread. Wow!
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The gorgeous Kristen Doran and Alison Brookbanks are also in there. Go crafters!
Hello. My name is Claire. I have a sock toy addiction. It began two years ago when I was pregnant and nesting. At first I dismissed it. I hadn't sewn in years. "Craft Schmaft" I said. Well it seems this crafty thing is here to stay. This blog brings you the delights of making sock softies, fabric finds and crafty inspiration from round the interweb.
