Nursery: Part 1

So, once we officially found out we were NOT moving before Little Miss O makes her appearance, I got down to nesting. It was KILLING me up to this point not to set up a baby space; instead of creating, I was stuck in planning mode. Some of these plans included a homemade crib set:

Just a fabric preview-finished set coming soon!

More after the jump...

Crochet Submarine Pattern

I have been on a crochet kick lately. Baby hats, mittens, booties... I am on a roll! I even found a few really cute Amigurumi websites, but I never really fancied myself good enough to make anything like them-until now! I found a pattern for a submarine, and decided what could be more appropriate for our little Submariner's daughter than a PINK sub, just like Daddy's? But in the nature of all things I make, I made quite a few changes to the pattern. The original pattern can be found here, but I included my pattern after the jump (my changes are in bold).

Pink submarine!

Baby hat and mittens

Yep, I am going crochet crazy. I am getting a head start on Christmas presents for all the little ones in our life (and those soon to be). I made an earflap hat and matching mitten pattern. I used a soft wool yarn that felts nicely, but I didn't felt any piece too much because I wanted the stretchiness to stay in each piece. The patterns are after the jump.

Blocks!

My friend Rachel from nursing school just recently had a little girl; the latest addition to what I have lovingly decided to call the Beth-El Baby Boom! So, in celebration of this little beauty, I made her a set of blocks based on the tutorial I found on a favorite blog. You can look it over here if you would like to try your hand at them!

I used leftover scraps from the sides to make the letters for the appliques.

Rachel sent me a picture of them on top of Bailey's crib, and I am tickled that she wanted to put them up there!

 
I asked for any feedback she had, and she said maybe something to keep the sides firm, so they would stack more easily. I have been brainstorming about things that would still be flexible and breathable, but supportive all at the same time. I was thinking of maybe adding a boning frame... Hmm. Any other suggestions out there, please feel free to share!

Happy crafting!
~Meara

Newly established KNIT-wit

I always have loved sewing, and when I was 12 my mom offered to teach me how to crochet. I liked the idea of one hook better than two needles, so I jumped at the chance! Because my mom does pretty much every type of needlework known to man, I knew I was in good hands learning from her. I completed my first crocheted scarf when I was 15, which I gave to Daniel for Christmas that year, and then I worked on various other projects through high school and college. My freshmen year of college a bunch of girls I shared a dorm with knitted, so when we weren't studying I would hunker down with them and work on new patterns. I always resisted knitting because the idea seemed so complicated. No hook to pull yarn through loops with? Leaving a whole mess of stitches on the needle? TOO messy.

Fast forward to two weeks ago: Des'ola Gunter, a photographer and a very dear friend here in CT, sent me a message with a link to a knitted baby sling with a question: "Can you make this if I bought the pattern?" Des suggested if I could make it, then she would love to use it as a prop for our newborn photo shoot when Little O gets here in a few months. It was now that I finally gave knitting a chance! I knew that I couldn't get exactly what I wanted in a crochet pattern, and with the broad options knitting seemed to hold, I figured with all the time I have now I may as well see if I can give this a shot.

I will never be so thankful to have been pushed out of my element in crafting as I am now! I completed my first knitted scarf in three days, and I already have plans for Christmas and birthday gifts using yarn. Here a couple of images of the scarf:

I fell in love with this ocean-like yarn!

I really like the pattern of the stitches too. The rows switch in and out naturally-gotta love self working textures ;)

I look forward to posting more projects soon! Happy crafting.
~Meara

Bean bags!

Because of the move across country, leaving my job and not immediately moving into a new one, and living on an enlisted budget, I have been working on ways to cut back. And what easier and more loving way than making handmade gifts! I finished these little beauties last week just in time for my nephew's 3rd birthday-unfortunately they did not get to him in time due to a mail mix up, so I am reshipping them!

I used this tutorial from sewlikemymom.com for the basic pattern, with one little tweak-I decided to do appliques on both sides of the bean bags. He is at that age where he is starting to know letters and numbers by sight, so I thought why not help with both!

Here are a couple of photos:

The front is his name.

And the back are the numbers 1-5.

I LOVED this tutorial. It was an amazingly easy pattern to follow, plus I made all of the bean bags out of leftover material, ribbon I got on sale and navy beans from the grocery store for around $1.50.

I will definitely be posting more of my craft-ventures soon, but until then: Happy crafting!
~Meara

I'm back!

After a 6 month unintentional hiatus, I am BACK! Thank goodness; I am in desperate need of a diversion right now, and crafting is just the thing :)

In the past months we have been busy in the O house. I graduated from nursing school and passed my NCLEX, we moved all of my stuff across the country, Daniel and I live together in the same house now, AND last but not least we are getting ready to welcome a baby girl into our family this December! WHEW! So, in addition to trying to find a job, which has been slow-going, I am doing a LOT of sewing, needlework and decorating.

And now without further ado, I present to you just what I have been up to...

More posts to come. Happy crafting!
~Meara

Birthdays!!!

This post will be all about one of my favorite things... BIRTHDAYS! In honor of our niece Laura's 6th birthday, which is on Valentine's Day, I am posting pictures of her present and the card I made her. It was quite a crafty week for me, considering I had a whole mess of school work to attend to...

Quilts, quilts, quilts!

I didn't want to make the first post super long, so I split them up! I also finished the quilts for my nieces just in time for Christmas!! Here are a couple more photos for you.



Rachel loved her quilt! The green and pink was inspired by Rachel's nursery, and I loved the flowery fabric. Thanks to Amanda, my sister in law, for the beautiful pictures!



More after the jump...

Baby Crafts

I know it's been quite a while since I have posted, but it has been awfully busy around here! Senior year of nursing school has been crazy, and I know it's only going to get more so. But that does NOT mean I won't have time to keep my crafts up! So, here's a couple of things I have been working on:



Bibs for some of the babies of the ladies in my boat's FRG. They are reversible, so even if one side gets messy or stains, then you can still use the other side for quick clean-up.


And onesies to go along with the bibs!

Directions after the jump... Just click read more!