While Henry Naps

Crochet procrastination...crochastination?

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 08:08:00 +0000

So...I should be writing assignments for uni, but instead I keep picking up the crochet hooks. This is becoming a problem.

(Source)

Because I can't help myself, I ended up finishing the stashbusting (but not really 'cos I had to buy way more yarn) ripple blanket that I blogged about last time.

I decided on a simple edging of white, then the hot pink sc around. On the short ends, I used a diagonal edging by Le Monde De Sucrette which was super easy and not too frilly.

Looking all pretty on our QS bed - I love curling up under this at night. What is it about handmade bedding that makes it so much more cosy?

Ta-dah! My first go at The Little Bee's Sunday Shawl pattern. I decided on a whim to join the CAL going on Ravelry. There's still heaps of time to join in - prizes up for grabs!

I'm loving the border colours so much. I had to frog them a few times as my colour palette had too many brights and no pastels. Then I culled it down to these colours and added a few from the stash.

It screams Spring.

Hubby is off on a ski trip this weekend, so he requested a beanie. Lucky for me he chose the simplest pattern I had and didn't want the horns. So, it only took an hour or so from start to finish. I love these quick projects! Pattern is by Mamachee on ravelry.

Finally, I've been on a japanese crochet book buying binge. This doily pattern I first saw on one of my all time favourite blogs, Coco Rose Diaries. The border was a little tricky, particularly since Im' not used to using 4ply yarn. This one went to my Nan for her birthday a couple of weeks ago. I'm already onto my second one...hooked (badoom ching).

Oh, and if you'd like to follow me on Ravelry, here's my project page link. :D

Now, to get those assignments finished.

More ta-dahs

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 08:46:00 +0000

Yay for sunlight. I could finally get some nice pics of the blankets I've finished off recently and another progress shot of my WIP...

Cindy approves, although really I could have put anything on there and she'd be on top in a snap.

This is definitely my favourite blanket so far. The bright happy colours, the pixelated effect, the rainbow progression...

So soft and snuggly.

And that border....mmm

Happy kitty.

This is another finished one, this time for Henry. I wanted to use up all of my stash and this definitely did a good job. Using 3 strands at a time and a 10mm hook, it's a pretty heavy blanket. Lucky I didn't plan to make it bigger!

I do love the effect and it'll be great for those extra cold nights or even as a rug to lounge on.

I'm already 2/3rds finished with this WIP now. It's finally long enough to really snuggle under while I work away at it, but I'm already getting a bit bored. I'm still not sure what to do for a border on it, though. Ideas?

Ripply work in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 05:59:00 +0000

Woo it's school holidays! We're away on holiday this week and I'm loving having some time to crochet in new, peaceful surroundings without the pressure of housework niggling at the back of my mind. How lovely is it to stay somewhere when you know someone else will clean up for you!?

Windy, cold, but beautiful.

My current ripply stashbuster afghan is a third done. Now, I say stashbuster as the majority of the yarn is from my stash, but I was running out of the pinks too quickly. Luckily I found a yarn shop in the small fishing town that we're holidaying in and they just happened to have the right colours! It was meant to be. :)

I'm on the hunt for some new hooks too. These are all of the 4.0mm hooks I have, which is the size I use most of the time. The yarn store here has some Knitpro soft touch hooks, so I might try one of those. I know a lot of fellow crocheters love the clover ones too, but I'm worried they'll be too chunky for me. I'm used to using the top aluminium style. Shelley from Spincushions did a mammoth comparison of crochet hooks a while back and she recommended the Knitpro waves. You can check out her blog here. Anyhoo, I'll update when I've given it a go.

Catch-up and some Ta-dahs

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 10:15:00 +0000

So 6 months has flown by and this mumma's been super busy. But at least I've completed 40% of my teaching course! Hooray. Since semester broke up I managed to get quite a few projects finished off, which is so therapeutic. So, here we go...

This ripple blanket went to my mum for Christmas. I love the purples and reds together!

How ca-yuuuuute is my Christmas wreath. I've considered ripping the bunting off so that I can have it on my door or inside all the time...or maybe it's an excuse to make another.

A couple of little hanging pots for my mother-in-law for Christmas

Eep - my first go at using piping. This insanely cute reversible bonnet went to my new niece for Christmas. The pattern is by Made by Rae. It was really easy to follow so give it a go!

I've made a few pairs of these now in an attempt to stashbust and these particular ones are for sale in my etsy shop (go here to take a look). The pattern is by Bron Green on ravelry.

I decided to make something a little different with this doily that's not adorning my dining table. Loving the ombre effect, which was actually completely unintentional! The pattern is actually a floor rug by Creative Jewish Mom, but using 8ply (DK) yarn and a smaller hook obviously downsized it a tad.

Then to match my new mothers' day mug, I made a little coaster. The pattern is the very awesome Spring Mandala, which I'm definitely going to make again as a pot holder.

And this is the most recent finished project - my ultimate stashbuster pixel afghan. I was going to place the squares randomly, but the control freak in me couldn't handle it. So semi-rainbow it is. The square pattern is by my fave crochet chic, Attic24. I also used her join-as-you-go technique, which really was faster and easier. I might have to take better photos in daylight so you can see the edging - I used a little picot pattern and I love the effect.

Also, I've finally started to keep WIPs in my Ravelry page. All the links to patterns and notes are in there.

Phew!

Another finished blanket and a SALE!

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 22:07:00 +0000

What the...when did it become December already? This year really has been a crazy one, especially with a toddler and a new business in tow. Fun, though!

Do you remember the balls of yarn I had lined up for my sister's new blanket? Well - it's done already! This time I didn't use the ripple blanket pattern (shock horror) from Attic24, but a chevron one that used my favourite stitch, hdc. Yes, I'm a nerd who has a favourite stitch. Mostly because it uses the least amount of "yarn overs" and it's fast.

The pattern I used is from String With Style and I found it much faster to work up than the ripple pattern. It worked out as a bit bigger than a lap rug, so nice and snuggly for when sis moves to the colder climates.

Since it's December, Bebe Bouton is on sale. Today's Day 1 of our 12 Days of Christmas Sale and bow ties for little boys are down to $15 - bargain.

Sunshine Ripple Blanket - It's Finished!

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 09:49:00 +0000

Hooray - it's finally finished! This one has definitely ended up larger than I planned, but it was so cozy to snuggle under while I was crocheting away the past week. Isn't it supposed to be Summer? Pfft.

Henry approves - good enough to drive on. Now on to the next one...

Thanks again to Attic24 for the pattern. I used yarn by Moda Vera Marvel and Panda, since Moda have discontinued the pumpkin colour.

Toddler Recipes - Quiche Bites

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 09:43:00 +0000

It's finally happened - Henry's decided he'll try new foods. Hooray! I came across this recipe made as muffins at a friend's baby shower and asked for the recipe. Turns out they're a hit - Henry eats these regularly (usually 4 or 5 at a time!). I can't help but snack on them too - delicious.

Quiche Bites
Thanks to Maree for this recipe.

15 Sao Biscuits (crush in the food processor)
5 rashes of bacon (finely sliced) - I omitted this time
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup grated zucchini
2 Sliced button mushrooms
Finely diced chillies (Omitted for toddlers)
1 small onion (grated/finely diced)
1 250gram pkt of grated cheese (chedder/tasty)
1 cup of milk
4 beaten eggs
crushed garlic & ginger to taste (about 1 teaspoon of each)
salt and pepper or 1 teaspoon powdered chicken stock to taste

Method

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, spoon into greased mini muffin tray
Bake in a moderate oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown

Makes about 40
50 calories each without the bacon

nom nom nom

Ripple Blanket Pattern from Attic24

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 09:50:00 +0000

I came across this ripple blanket pattern by Attic24 a while ago when so many people linked to it from their blanket creations on Pinterest. Since then, I've finished three blankets and I'm almost half way through my fourth...

The first ripple blanket - this one was a loooong term project. My speed was pretty bad at the beginning - lucky SIL was gifted this one for her birthday :)

My second blanket - we repainted our bedroom just before Henry came along and it needed a pop of colour. I love cuddling underneath this colourful mood lifter!

The start of something wonderful...

I'm so in love with how my rainbow ripple blanket turned out! Hmm I wonder who will receive this ;)

A work in progress - I'm about half way done so far as it's a large 60" square but I'm loving the sunny yellows.

Crocheting a blanket of sunshine in the sunshine - yay for summer!

Number five will have to wait until I finish the sunshine one, but this is the idea of colours. Neutral with a little zing of the mustard yellow - for the sis this Christmas. I asked her to pick out colours from my enormous stash.

Thanks Lucy for this awesome pattern - I'm a convert forever :)

PS - I use mostly 8ply acrylic yarn by Moda Vera Marvel available at Spotlight.

Embroidery Hoop Art

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 23:37:00 +0000

Last week's market was a bit of a disaster with hardly any turnout, but it was a good excuse to try out my new market display ideas and to debut my new embroidery hoop artwork!

Aren't they darling? Henry had the longest nap ever that day so I managed to get these done start to finish.

The bow ties look great hanging on this wire draw from my craft cupboard - go ikea! I also finally got these little chalkboard clouds to use as the price points - I love them so much.

Christmas has begun

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 08:46:00 +0000

Yay! Christmas is coming! My favourite time of year! Every year I like to have a colour scheme and it usually ends up with me buying a whole load of new decorations, mostly from Myer. Ooh their displays are gorgeous. This year I'm thinking of going a bit untraditional and using pink...but more on that another day.

In the meantime, the Christmas orders have started rolling in for Bebe Bouton, which is so exciting as it means I get to dig into my new christmas fabric stash.

Yep, chevron is still kicking along. I do still love it. I also love that it's ok to be bright and colourful for Christmas - bring it on.

Eep aren't these shoesies delicious? There's a bodysuit coming to match these and the shorts for a photoshoot. *Update - now available to order in store at Bebe Bouton*

Oh, and I tried out patterned applique! Normally I just go around one shape, like on my moustachio tops.

Again...delicious! I think I might have to add this kind of thing to the shop. I love how the raincloud one came out. The raindrops were a bit fiddly, but so effective.

I've been getting a lot of initial top requests lately too, which are great little christmas pressies...

Busy busy busy - love it!

MPK Expo Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 07:54:00 +0000

Gubby came along with me to do our first family day at the Mornington Peninsula Family and Kids Expo at the normally amazing Morning Star Estate in Balnarring. I say normally as this particular day was the wettest, most miserable day all spring - a great day for an outdoor event! heh.

Our new marquee held up pretty well, although by the end the guide ropes tied to trees were the only thing stopping us flying away! Oh and our bunting sign lost a few letters...time to stitch them on I think. Next market I'll probably move the sign to the back wall to add some colour. It looks a bit bland back there now that I look at it.

Essential wet market day wear...my target gumboots :)

Would you believe that is a shoe rack? Perfect to hang Gubby's new christmas bibs on with tubs of her teethers and dummy clips on top.

I've had a surge in beanie orders lately, which is a really nice change to churning out nappy covers. These two Spock ones are in 6-12m and toddler sizes - there are going to be some super cute little Vulcans on halloween!

A newborn size Viking Helmet...

...and this 6-12m size aviator beanie.

Tee hee - so much cuteness.

Toddler Recipes - Pikelets

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 05:16:00 +0000

So we've hit the fussy toddler stage. Well, I guess Henry isn't as fussy as he could be, he's probably more bored than anything of what I keep serving up to him. Today I looked around for a basic pikelet recipe that I could sneak veggies into and first go was a winner winner chicken dinner!

Basic Pikelets
Thanks to Exclusively food for the basic recipe (I omitted the 2Tbsp sugar for savoury pikelets):

150g (1 cup) self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
36g (2 tablespoons) caster sugar
166ml (2/3 cup) milk
1 large egg
20g (1 tablespoon) butter, melted
Extra butter to grease pan
-Makes about 20 pikelets

Whisk up the milk and egg in a bowl and add to the dry ingredients, then whisk until nice and smooth. Add the melted butter and stir until combined.

Now add whatever bits you'd like - I added 1 Cup pureed sweet potato and 1/2 Cup grated cheese. Heat up your non-stick pan, add some grease (butter will do) and put tablespoonfuls into the pan. If they're not spreading very well, ie the mix is too thick, just add a bit more milk until it's the right consistency.

Cook on one side until you see bubbles coming through the top, then flip and cook until brown on the bottom. Let cool on some paper towel - make sure they're cool in the middle enough for bub!

I reckon these would be yummy with creamed corn and chives or some chopped mushrooms - remember that most veggies would need to be precooked before you add to the mixture.

He polished off 8 of them for lunch! What a guts, but I'd say that's a success :) Have you made pikelets before? What combinations worked - leave a comment and let me know. Henry will thank you :)

Messy Old Week

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 08:30:00 +0000

So my plan to get all of the Christmas outfits ready for the expo this weekend kind of went out the window and became a week just for me and Henry. We tried out a few new ideas for messy play as we realised he doesn't exactly like getting his hands dirty, although I don't blame him for not liking vegemite hands.

First up was "Yoghurt Finger Painting". All I did was add food colouring to some baby yoghurt we already had in the fridge and put it in a separated plate. At first he was pretty hesitant, but by the end he was sucking the yoghurt out of the plate and rubbing it all over the table. I'd say that's a win!

Next up was "Rainbow Rice" which is just dry rice I coloured by putting 1 cup in a zip lock bag with a tablespoon of vinegar and enough food dye to make it nice and bright. I shook it up to mix the colour in and then dried the rice out on a sheet of waxproof paper. Yep...I'm going to be finding rice for yearrrrrs!

Yesterday we had a go of "Rainbow Spaghetti". You make this by cooking spaghetti then colouring it in a zip lock bag with a tablespoon of oil and some food colouring. This one wasn't as popular although this mummy was smart putting it in the paddling pool outside! I had to rinse it off under water to get the excess food dye off, but bub was still coated in a rainbow poo kind of smear. I think what he didn't like was that as it dried out, it stuck to him. Oh well...baby steps.

This evening I made some Play Dough using jelly as the colouring, although I had to add just a touch more food dye to make it bright. The recipe is from Learning 4 Kids. We might try this out tomorrow - who can't love play dough?! I may have to join in on this one hehe.

OK so I did get a couple of dinosaur beanies done and some bodysuits moustchio'd up...pics to come!

MC Hammer Pants

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 03:58:00 +0000

Hammer time! So, Henry's still crawling. There is a lot of baby packed in there and so most pants in the stores are either too skinny (why oh why do babies need skinny leg pants) or too low at the back cos of his huge nappy clad butt and when he crawls around his crack hangs out. Enter the awesomeness that is harem pants...or MC hammer pants lol.

The pattern is by Suburbia Soup - another freebie and the fabric is a gorgeous soft cord from Spotlight. I made these in the 18-24m size but they're still too long for the little man so I just rolled up the hems. They should last him for a long while...fingers crossed!

Being all nonchalant...

The pattern also has options for pockets in the sides and outer pockets near the knees, so I'll try that next. I love them - plenty of room for him to move about freely and they're not too tight around his massive belly. This makes me happy :)

I also finished a Spock beanie for a custom order going to the US...I had to try it on bub. tee hee...

This is the 2T-4T size lol...my massive headed munchkin. You can order one on Etsy!

Baby Crossover Pinafore and Bloomers

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 21:57:00 +0000

I have a new baby niece! With all the boys that are being popped out lately, I'm kind of happy to be sewing for a girl finally. So I had a go at the Criss Cross Pinafore and Bloomers by Melly Sews, which is a super easy free pattern.

I put coloured snap backs on both sides so that it becomes reversible! The lamb fabric is Woodland Tails by Riley Blake and I think I found the yellow floral fabric at Lincraft - it's been in my stash for years.

Then, because I just couldn't resist, I made matching ruffled bloomers to match both sides of the dress. I used the tutorial by Melly Sews to make the ruffles, but my own nappy cover pattern.

This is a 3-6m size, so I'll have to wait a while to see this little girl all ruffled up, but by that time it'll be the middle of summer so she'll be nice and cool in it. Heh I just realised it's not pink!

I had some other sewing projects on the go yesterday but ran out of elastic and interfacing even though I'd just been to Spotlight that morning. Ugh.

Welcome! Hello! Hi!

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:07:00 +0000

New blog, new chapter, new craft. I decided it was time I had a general crafting blog; a place to share all of the lovely little things I make to keep busy while Button has his naps and after he goes to bed at night.

So what do I do in that precious time? I make for Bebe Bouton, a store I started with my amazeballs sis-in-law, Gubby from Love Gubby, making cuteness just for little boys. Why is it so damn hard to find gorgeous handmade things for boys?

I also still run Paper and Ribbons with my jewellery, but I haven't made anything in, well, forever and I'm in the process of clearing out the store so I can move on to a new vision...when I figure out what that is. So, if you're looking for bargain handmade pieces, take a look!

OK, now down to the craft. The past week I've been making for Henry and for our second market of this season. This weekend it was the Huckleberry Market in Mornington, a bit of a fave of mine. I love the stallholders and Amy, who runs the show, is awesome sauce.

New sign! I used this tutorial for the lettering from My Vintage Window.

All of the new nappy covers in their colourful glory and my pretty bunting. The nappy covers are by far the best seller at the moment, which isn't surprising. This summer is going to be hawwwwwt!

We're getting there with the layout. I've added more stands to add height on the table and baskets for the new teethers and dummy clips, but I think I might just go with the ikea stands in a long row.

I also made myself a new market apron - it was so handy to have the money in easy reach and secure and a great way to add colour to my outfit!

I'm in love with the geometric fabric I scored on sale...from Lincraft of all places! I used this tutorial from Sugar Bee Crafts, but made the apron 17" wide instead of 19".

And for Henry, I made him this super cute little summer outfit. I'm a bit addicted to this sailboat fabric from Spotlight.

The hat pattern is Oliver + S, which is actually a freebie, and the shorts pattern is from an old Kwik Sew book.

My chunky monkey is only 15mo at the moment, but the hat fits perfectly in the Medium, which is meant for 3-5 year olds.

Then I whipped up this cute as appliqued onesie for him using this template from Skip To My Lou.

Lastly, I quickly finished off this Oliver + S Art Smock for my newphew for his 2nd birthday. The little lions are so cute!

Hmm...what to make next...