.40 weeks!.

Today we welcomed 40 weeks!

And are feeling ready to meet our little man. Yesterday I washed and put the baby hammock together so now he has somewhere snug to sleep when we get home. We used the hammock for Tommy and the kids can't remember it so thought it was all very exciting when we were assembling it. One of Lil's dolls is currently occupying it at the moment - luckily she doesn't wake for night time feeds!

We also got the baby bath out and gave it a wash...I'd be happy to wash the baby in the sink while it is little but I do like popping the bath on the table so that the kids can gather around and be a part of it. Tommy and Lil have been having a bath in the bath for the last few nights and then turn the baby bath into a boat and float around the big bath in it - great entertainment!

And I finished one more Baby Shower blanket because two just isn't enough.

So, while I could easily busy myself with odd jobs and sewing projects and more housework, I would happily have the baby tonight but I'm also content to wait for another week - it would just be nice to know WHEN that day is going to be!

.Milos.

Some knitting projects to share with you today...
This Milo vest has been sitting waiting for two little ends to be woven in for 8 months! Ha! I did eventually finish it and luckily it was a little big for Lil back then because it fits her well now. Besides, it was too hot for her to wear it over the last 8 months anyway!

Such a great, quick and easy knit (super beginner-friendly if you are wanting to get into knitting) and I love working on circular needles. I used yarn from Bendigo - this one is Luxury 8 ply in Aquarium.

 I don't believe I've ever shared this Tea Party Skirt (pattern avaliable as a Creative Card) on my blog either. I think it's about 2 years old and still going strong - skirts fit girls forever!

And I've got to show you Lil's full outfit from last Sunday - we're always a bit mismatched over here, and I love it that way! I'm sure that in a few years she'll start deciding that colours and patterns have to "go together" so I'm making the most of her pulling together random clothing selections while she can get away with it!

Including heart-printed tights with her Saltwaters!

 And this little Milo was knitted for the bambino (because he really lacks clothing!) 

But I have seen some teeny baby boys wearing Milo vests and they are sooo cute that I had to make him one!

This yarn is also from Bendigo and is Alpaca Rich 8 ply in Rich Ocean. It is so small (I think I made the smallest size) that it was finished really quickly and used hardly any yarn...a great project to work on and add to the present box for other babies I think!

.Sweet Dreams flannel PJs.

Since cutting my old Sweet Dreams PJs up into little ones for Lil, I've been missing some snuggly, warm flannel jammies.

And it's getting colder at nights, so I had to dig into the stash and make myself a couple of new pairs.

And, no...I'm not going to model these for you - PJs + a heavily pregnant tummy don't look that flattering. But they are so comfortable to wear - I hang out for the end of the day when I can change into them!
 
I bought this fabric ages ago on sale with the intention to use it for PJs. I'm a big fan of anything Erin McMorris designs so when I saw her flannel on sale I stocked up.

I know I'll get good mileage out of them in the next few years - especially this winter when I'm in hibernation with a baby...may as well be comfy in style!

SUPPLIES:
Make It Perfect, Sweet Dreams pattern
Erin McMorris flannel, Irving Street, Neigbourhood in orange
Erin McMorris flannel, Irving Street, Birds in yellow
Erin McMorris flannel, Greenhouse, Fruit Salad in royal
Erin McMorris flannel, Irving Street, City Stripe in pink

.Sewing for baby: bibs and burp cloths.

Bibs and burp cloths are a necessity for my babies. Between spew and dribble, there is always something that needs catching or wiping!

I figure that if your baby is going to be wearing a bib, it may aswell be a cute one and always have a stock of pre-made bibs in my present box to give to friends when they have babies.

 

I'm all set with a fresh selection of new bibs and burp cloths that I sewed up a few weeks ago. The kids looked at them and kept asking me "Mum, how come you made bibs out of my shorts/pyjamas/dress/tie"!
 
The bibs were made using my Baby Shower creative card and are backed with super absorbent polar fleece.

For the burp cloths, I just cut a rectangle and curved the corners. These are backed with minky - nice and soft for wiping baby's face.

.NEW Instant Download Patterns.

Just incase you haven't heard...I've added a few more patterns to the Instant Download section of my website.

The following patterns are now avaliable in a PDF Instant Download format:

Little Mini Poppy (6 months - 5 years)

Big Mini Poppy (6 years-10 years) 

 

Big Uptown Girl (6 years - 10 years)

 The Honey Blouse

 Little Serendipity (6 months - 5 years)

If you prefer to get your patterns delivered instantly to your inbox rather than waiting for snail mail or driving to the shops, then be sure to check out the whole range of Make It Perfect patterns that are avaliable as an Instant Download PDF format.  
Happy sewing!

.naming a baby: 1 week till d-day!.

How do you name a baby?

This naming a baby business is doing my head in! How do you do it? Naming a baby is such a big deal - you are responsible for giving this little person the title that they will be referred to for their whole life. If that isn't difficult enough, getting both Mum and Dad to agree on one name is even harder! 

Oscar's name just clicked one day, I don't think we actually thought about it that much, it just popped into my head and we both liked it and it was done. I heard Lil's name in a restaurant one day...one of the wait staff called out "Lil" to someone in the kitchen and I was sold! Tommy is a family name (after my Dad) and it's completely fitting that we named him Tommy because he has SO many characteristics and similarities to Dad.

But this one…it's so tricky.
 
I could name a zillion girls - girl's names can be pretty and sweet and cute and quirky and tomboyish…but it seems that a boys name needs more thought and attention.
 
I've got a handful of names that I actually really like, but Jaron isn't coming to the party with any of them!

Thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends I think we have agreed on one. (Really, I was lying in bed one night and picked up the Thomas book sitting on my bedside table and read them all out!)
 
But I'm not spilling the beans because you already know that we're having a boy so I've got to surprise you with something, right?! You'll find out soon enough...today is week 39, so I'm expecting to have this baby boy in about 2 weeks!

I've been consistently 6 days overdue with all of my babies, so am planning on it happening that way again this time...I'll be in for a shock if this one decides to make an early appearance because I've got my schedule planned for the next 2 weeks and am still whittling away at my list of things to do before baby!

I did, however get myself a little bit organised today and finally made a start on the hospital bag. With Tommy, I didn't start packing until I was actually in labour (I know, 6 days overdue...what was I thinking?!) and his labour was so fast that it was very rushed and a little bit stressful leaving it until the last minute!

We keep chatting about what this little one is going to look like...our other three have been totally different as babies. From completely different moulds so I wonder whether this one is going to have a different look altogether or take after one of the others?

 Oscar...Lil...Tommy

 

Time will only tell!

.Sewing for baby: little suits.

Two new patterns experimented with. Two more little suits.

This suit comes from Ottobre 1/2012 "Waldo Coverall". If you are wanting some great baby patterns, I'd highly recommend this issue as I've used it to death. The pattern actually used a lot of the same pieces from the viking suit I've already made. Because the viking suit looked a bit wide around the body, I slimmed the pieces down a bit for this one and it looks much better.

I used some towelling knit as the main fabric and thought it might look too much like a towel, but the Farbenmix Primera towelling is beautiful and soft and the loop is really small. I sewed some little elbow patches as an afterthought to match the knee patches on the front - love knee and elbow patches on kids clothes!

I'd been eyeing off this pattern in Ottobre 6/2012 "Nukkumatti Baby Sleeeper" since I first started sewing the baby clothes, but was scared of sewing the invisible zipper into a knit fabric. I thought it would stretch and move all over the place, but when I actually bit the bullet and had a go, it was waaaay easier than I had imagined and came together first go!

This one feels nice and snuggly and the zipper will make for super quick and easy changes. The pattern only starts at a size 56cm (looks like a 00 to me) so I'll definitley be using it again as the baby gets older.

.Super Tote.

I had no intentions to make myself a nappy bag. I've got lots of big bags hanging around that I was planning to use for the baby...until I saw Anna's new Super Tote pattern. And then my plans changed.

 

Another project added to the list of things to do before baby arrives!! But I couldn't resist, the bag is great - really roomy with four elasticized side pockets inside...

...and my absolute favourite part - the zipper! Nothing worse than having a choc-a-block full nappy bag with no closure at the top and having everything fall to the ground when your bag topples over. Actually, I think the zipper was what sold me!

As with Anna's Sidekick Tote pattern, the Super Tote was simple to put together. Anna has really outdone herself on this one though simplifying lots of steps and features that seem like they should be really tricky to master. 

I'm trying really hard to dig into my ridiculously out of control fabric stash and use up what I've already got at the moment. I was tempted to lash out and purchase some new fabrics for the bag but made myself stick with what I had in the cupboard. I like the fresh combination of colours - especially the purple and aqua together.

So, I'm partly organised...nappy bag made, but still haven't packed the hospital bags! Maybe a good job for today seeing as I'm due in 9 sleeps!? 

SUPPLIES:
Super Tote pattern by Noodlehead
Prints Charming cotton drill from Spotlight
Art Gallery, Urban Mod, Pointelle in Celeste
Alexander Henry, Heath in Metal
Grey/purple-toned cotton drill

.Mothers Day.

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in, it is what God gave you time for."

-Elder Neal L. Anderson

My babies and I: Mothers Day 2013.

.Duckies Zip-It + winner.

I've been holding onto this fabric since 2009! One of my absolute favourites from Lizzy House's first range, Red Letter Day.

 

So I guess it goes to show how much I love the Zip-It dress pattern...I didn't have any trouble cutting into the fabric at all!

Love the lime green with contrasting blue - always nice to have a change from pinks and purples for little girls.

And I think it looks absolutely adorable on Lil - I can't wait to sew some more for her!

The Zip-It pattern giveaway is now closed. Thanks for your entries and excited feedback! Congratulations Erika, you've won a copy of the pattern - I'll send you an email :)

And remember, if you want to get your hands on a copy of Zip-It, you can purchase an instant download pattern here or find a stockist here.

Happy Mothers Day to all of the beautiful Mum's reading - this message is for you! 

 

SUPPLIES:

Make It Perfect, Zip-It pattern

Lizzy House, Red Letter Day, Ugly Duckling in Pond

Suzy Ultman, Suzy's Dollhouse, Dots in Blueberry

.Fancy some weekend cooking?.

Nanna Cooper's Kiss Biscuits
Recipe here

Smartie Cookies

Recipe here

Chocolate & White Chocolate Muffins
Recipe here

Happy Cooking!