Priorities shift.

It's funny.  Alllll I want to do today is snuggle this baby.  Kiss these tiny toes.

two months old already!

Oh, and read books to my toddler.  Color with my kindergartener.   Laugh, bake, sing with the older Monkeys.  Watch them play.  I wish I this was all I had to do all day.

There once was a time when these simple pursuits weren't fun enough, precious enough.  I resented the interruptions, the demands, the chaos.  I took them all for granted, and time flew by... way too fast.

I know better now.

*sigh*

Anyway. . . .

Breastfeeding is going very well!  Donovan nurses like a champ.  Unfortunately, he also has silent reflux, so no peaceful nights (or even days) for us yet.  This little elevated "nest" I made for him seems to help a bit:

He nurses frequently, like every 2 hours or so, due to the reflux.  (I've had to nurse him twice while trying to write this short post!  My one-handed typing skills stink....)  Since I haven't attempted one-handed embroidery or sewing yet (nor am I likely to do so!) there isn't much to share on the creative front.  Sure, I've sewn some dryer sachets and some cat toys for my customers in 10-minute spurts, but that's about it.  Well, I am attempting to crochet a Christmas hat for Donovan. . .

. . . but I have no idea what I'm doing, so we'll see if it ends up as a hat or a pot holder.  And if it gets completed before he's out of diapers.  Meanwhile, I'll keep in mind that this too shall pass... and a maybe a little too quickly.

I had forgotten

I had forgotten what it was like to nurse a baby.

I had forgotten the sweet noises they make.

I had forgotten how empowering it is to provide the perfect food for my baby.

I had forgotten how sleepy it makes me…

And how little sleep I’d get at night.

But I must remember how blessed I am to be able to nurse my little one, this Donovan Jude.

It has been 10 years since I last breastfed one of our children. (I’ve only successfully nursed two of our children -- total!) Seven years ago, I tried to nurse Monkey 6, and because of my own ignorance, lack of support, a dishonest doctor and abscessed mastitis, I couldn’t. I landed back in the hospital for a few more days, severely ill and in excruciating pain. After that horrific ordeal, I didn’t have the courage to try nursing our next two children.

However, I was determined that this time would be different. I was GOING to breastfeed this baby! Before he arrived, I watched hours of online breastfeeding videos, read blogs, asked questions. I have amazing, loving friends that support, educate and encourage me. So please excuse my giddy enthusiasm, but I am so thrilled -- thrilled! -- to be nursing our little one, and for him to be thriving! I do know and accept that things can change, and to take them a day at a time. Believe me, this is one area of my life that I do not take for granted. I also know that I’ve done all I can humanly do to be successful at breastfeeding, so I am at peace with however it goes.

But for today, I’m going to enjoy the tiny squeaks, the snuggles, the milky dribbles and the sleepy grins. . . and thank God for it tonight, since I’ll be up.

Warm & cozy toes

In spite of my grand intentions, I accomplished very little sewing in the last few days before Donovan arrived.  I finished one project for baby, and one project for myself -- a cozy pair of slippers!

I used this free pattern from the awesome Prudent Baby blog.  Very, very easy to make, and the pay-off is huge, as these are so warm and comfy!

I used fabrics from my stash -- Amy Butler cotton for the exterior and outer sole, and a soft, inexpensive flannel for the lining.  For the insole, I used two cuts of fleece (instead of batting) plus a cut-to-size foam insole I bought for $1.  Cushy!

I didn't want to drive to (or waddle walk through) the craft store to purchase the recommended Jiffy Grip, a neato non-slip fabric used for the outer soles.  I read a tip somewhere that Tulip slick paint could be applied in dots or stripes to the bottom of baby socks to make them non-slip.  I figured if that could work for babies, it could probably work for me, too!  ;)  So once I was finished constructing the slippers, I added dots to the bottom soles, and let them dry for 24 hours before wearing.  No slip, no slide.

I think these would make practical, thoughtful handmade Christmas gifts for loved ones... easy and inexpensive.  My teens have all asked me to make them their own pairs, so I'll definitely be making these again.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll be happy to help!  Have fun!

Spitting and drooling in style

As usual, I put off sewing for our new Monkey until the very end.  Or stated more accurately {honestly,} I ended up sewing one, and only one, project for Donovan... exactly 5 days before my scheduled c-section. 

I decided to make burp cloths!  You can never have too many.  I also chose this project because it was so quick and easy... instant gratification, really.  I used this tutorial from Homemade by Jill. 

I decided to use fabrics from my stash -- mostly cotton fabrics paired with soft flannels.  I'm pretty pleased with myself that I finally cut into some of these fabrics... that I've been hoarding for years (such as the Mendocino squids shown above.  ==LOVE==)  I used fleece in place of the batting, as that's what I had on hand. 

And let me tell you -- this pattern is so forgiving!  Suppose the flannel and cotton layers don't match up exactly (and mine usually didn't)... who cares!  The fringe will fluff and curl up, and no one will be the wiser.  The hardest part, which was actually more tedious than hard, was making the fringe.  Lots and lots of little cuts.  But I made all of those tiny cuts sitting on the couch, with my swollen feet propped up.  A good TV-watching project!

Let's not forget my own personal drooling over Laundry Monster's adorable burp cloths, which I had mentioned in passing here.  But a sweet, crafty, sneaky friend sent me a surprise package... of Laundry Monster burp cloths... in my most favorite fabrics in the whole wide world!!  I love these cloths... so pretty (and soft!) in person.  My photos just don't do them justice.  Thank you, T! 

Although I didn't accomplish much on my New Monkey Sewing To-Do List, at least my little guy can spit up and drool in style. 

photo taken today -- 12 days old!

Why, hello there!

I'm so pleased to introduce Mr. Donovan Jude. . . .

. . . born on October 6th, at 38 weeks via c-section.  He weighed in at 9 lbs, 11 oz, and measured 21.75 inches long.  Now we're both healthy, home... and very happy.

A pear and a pretty pattern

I'm taking a break from whining about how tired I am and how lazy I feel... to bring you this sweet little thrift store find!

I love the bright colors of this embroidered tea towel!  I'm assuming it's old, and I'm assuming it's vintage.  (If it's not, someone please correct me.)

Unfortunately, as you can see, this piece isn't in very good condition.  Stains and age discolored the towel, and the floss in the embroidery design is beginning to come apart.  (I personally like that it appears to be used, and had quite a busy life before I found it!)  I decided to trace the design, to preserve it and maybe make a fresh little pear some day.  And I thought you might like it, too... so I've uploaded the pattern for you to use! 

Click HERE for the pattern.

(Please let me know if you have any difficulty accessing the pattern.)

At the bottom of the pattern, I've included the original stitches used in the design.  Some of the stitches are so loose, I thought the outline of the pear was actually a chain stitch, and not the stem stitch!  So please feel free to use whatever stitches make your heart sing.  I hope you enjoy the pattern, and share it with your stitchy friends, too!

I'll be back later this week to give you a quick update on my Baby Monkey Sewing progress.  And it will be quick, as there isn't much progress.  But Baby Monkey himself is making lots of progress and growing big, so I'm not a total slacker.  ;-)  See you soon!

37 weeks and oh-so-swollen!

The spirit is willing. . .

. . . but the flesh is, well, very tired from growing another human being.

35 weeks (and a very proud and excited big brother!)

I am feeling very creative, overflowing with new ideas and designs, but my eyes literally begin to droop as soon as I sit behind my sewing machine.  Or if I sit anywhere, really.  Oh, and thanks to pregnancy brain, I've lost -- LOST! -- my lovely fabric to make the Weekender / diaper bag!

I'm so frustrated and broken-hearted about it!  I even paid my daughter to clean / organize / scour my sewing room, and hopefully locate the missing fabric -- all to no avail!  (On the bright side, my studio does look quite lovely and tidy now.)  I suppose I can use some other fabric I already have in my stash (and can see from here, so I know exactly where it is). . . .

Maybe I'll use this?  Red piping, natural handles?  *sigh*  it's just not the same....

So I have made zero headway on my sewing to-do list, and his birth date is rapidly approaching.  Maybe with a nap or two or three, I just might be able to squeeze some sewing time into my weekend. 

But I need a nap first.

Just for today....

Every day, I wake up, and receive my gift:  a new day.  I may have an entire day, or I may have part of a day, or maybe just a moment, but I don't know that when I open my eyes every morning.  I must make the most of this gift of one day.  A blank sheet....

tiny embroidered book mark on reclaimed linen

What will you choose, just for today?

Sewing for the New Monkey

As usual, I've waited until the very end of my pregnancy to begin making handmade items for the New Monkey.  I'm 33 weeks now, and I'm only going to 38 weeks this time 'round.  That leaves five weeks.  Five. WEEKS. to get things done.

I know (and learned the hard way) that if some things don't get made or sewn, the world will not end.  I probably won't even miss it.  I do this for me -- as a creative outlet, and my baby and family are blessed by it.  So I'm going to give it my best shot anyway, regardless of my ever-shrinking time slot! 

Colors. . . .

I've chosen aqua and orange for the layette colors, plus lots of other autumn-y colors thrown in for good measure.  My awesome sister (who is much more on-the-ball than her big sister) made this crib quilt for the baby a couple of months ago. . . .  (click to enlarge the photos!)

 This side is made from THE softest flannel ever!

sweet appliques

 . . . SO cute!  And absolutely perfect.

This is the fabric I will be using for the diaper bag, with perhaps aqua piping and accents. . . .

Now, for The List. . . .

These are the items I really want to make, and in order of "importance:"

• diaper bag from Amy Butler's Weekender pattern
• ticker tape quilt
• swaddle blankets, made from loose weave muslin, just like the fancy + expensive ones
• burp cloths. . . not sure what style or type I want yet (although I'm drooling over LaundryMonster's hand-dyed burp cloths... and I'll probably purchase several from her shop!  LOVE this one.)
• nursing pads
• cloth wipes

The list isn't really toooo intimidating, other than the diaper bag.  I'm already bracing for that project, as the pattern reviews I've read say it's pretty intense!  I'll probably start on that first, as I know it takes the longest to sew as well, and I'd like to take my time on it. 

Other than that. . . .

I've got several eco shopping totes cut out, and just waiting to be stitched together.  Hopefully, those will be finished and listed in the shop over the weekend.  I also have those colorful buntings (seen here) cut, sewn and pressed, and simply waiting to be assembled to the fabric bias tape.  I'm not sure why I haven't finished those up, but I'm hoping to finish at least a few sets, and list those in the shop very soon.

I think that's enough to keep me busy for the next few... um, five... weeks.  I'll keep you posted on my progress!

And the winner of the Get Going Greener Giveaway iiiiiisssss. . . .

Ayana! 

Congrats!!  Please email me with your shipping info, and I'll get your prizes to you right away!

Thank you to all who entered the Get Going Greener Giveaway!  I really enjoyed all of your comments, and I loved "meeting" so many new faces, and exploring new facebook and twitter friends and pages.  I look forward to doing another giveaway... although this next one may have to wait until after Monkey 9 arrives.  :)  Maybe a holiday giveaway next time?  Thanks again for playing along!  Have a wonderful week!