It’s no secret that I love Orla Kiely’s designs.  A couple years ago, I fashioned a dishtowel into a bag because it had her beautiful pattern on it.  When faced with a blank-canvas iPhone case made to be cross-stitched, I settled on erinsy’s simple design.

I found my case at Connect Design, although I’ve seen them at Purl Bee as well.  I got one for Evan, but he can’t decide what he wants on it. He’s leaning towards these Monty Python characters by Wee Little Stitches on Etsy.  Of course, only a few characters will fit on the case.  But I think it’s brilliant.

Remember me?  I was having an industrious second trimester, and then I got tired.  That, and I’ve been busy getting Emily ready to start school.  Yep.  My 4 year old is in Pre-K now.  I can hardly believe it.

So now I have a little extra time every day to do stuff.  Whatever that may be.

Yesterday, I made a doll for my dear friend’s baby who turns 1 next week.

She’s based on Hillary Lang’s sweet “Bonneted Baby” in Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love.  I adore Mrs. Lang’s book.

I made the “Mermaiden” doll for Emily a couple months ago–at the height of my industry.  Emily wanted the doll to look just like the picture. :)

Lula’s doll, however, is quite different from the original doll.

She’s almost entirely hand-stitched.  And I changed some details to make her more “Lula.”  Although, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lula in a bonnet.

So I guess having a 4 year old in Pre-K and a 3 year old who still naps could work out well for me.

At least for the next 2 months before the New Baby arrives. :)

This striped baby softie is from the “Mooshy Belly Bunny” pattern by Chez Beeper Baby.  I love Holly’s blog and free projects–she’s got taste!  And this project is a refashion too.  Talk about frugal!  Holly used old T-shirts for her bunny; I used a thrifted Old Navy shirt (that was a bit heavier than a T-shirt) and some scraps of quilting fabric.

Upcycling can be chic, ya know. :)

Although… I fancy my bunny has just broken out of jail.

Silly bunny.  The fate that awaits him may be far worse than any prison sentence for stealing carrots.  Jail-Break Bunny is about to become Chewed-On-Spit-Up-On-Washed-500-Times Bunny. :)

The obsession continues.  While on vacation, I found myself at the Carter’s outlet store in Williamsburg where my mother-in-law and I got a little excited to say the least.  Coming home, I realized that (as fun as it is to shop for baby, and I really do mean that) I can totally sew up some clothes that are just as adorable as Carter’s.  That won’t stop me from shopping there again (I live about 40 miles from the outlet).  But maybe I won’t blow the baby budget out of the water. ;)

I drafted a pattern for these little dresses using a Carter’s romper for basic measurements.  Otherwise, I’d be lost.  I have no idea how big a 6 month old is anymore.  Since the straps are adjustable, these should fit for quite a while.  I could even add a ruffle to the bottom if Baby gets too long.

I’m a bit surprised by how much having a baby inspires me to make stuff.  I have an ever-growing list of things I want to make, and I’m scouring my craft book library once again.

Seen here: Fanciful Felties by Samantha Cotterill, Zakka Sewing by Therese Laskey & Chika Mori, and Creating Vintage Style by Lucinda Ganderton.

We found out that we’re having a girl on Tuesday around 5:30 PM.  That was less than 2 days ago.

I have since covered the dining room table in fabric, sewing supplies, and girly potential.

Yesterday, I made reversible bibs to match outfits I bought from Target.

Obsessive much?

I’m just getting started.  Some projects on my list: these little shoes, this bunny, and this pretty sunsuit.  Oh, man.  Perhaps I should take it easy.

But it’s just too darn exciting! :)

Emily helped me choose all the fabrics and the size and the buttons… She decided her doll needed earrings when she found these mismatched flower buttons in the button jar.  I love almost everything about this.  But I will admit that the combination of the heart-shaped mouth and the yellow skin makes her look a little bit like a baby chick.  Alas, that was my mistake.  I talked Emily into the yellow fabric for her body.

Emily doesn’t care.  She doesn’t see anything wrong with the doll.  And I think she is in awe of me for the first time in a while.  That is something I can appreciate coming from my sassy little lady. :)

Emily and I are making a doll together.  I just love her drawing, and I hope I can replicate it (with her help) in fabric.  She really wants the sparkly crochet thread in there somehow.  Can’t wait to share the results of this creative collaboration! :)

P. S. I’ve seen dolls made from kids’ drawings before.  Here is one of my favorites.

Inspired by Dottie Angel, I crocheted a little banner last night.

I looked at the quilt top I made for Jacob, considered finishing it, and decided I needed a different craft for the evening.  Crochet was just the thing.  I sat on the sofa, crafted, and listened to Lenka on Rhapsody while Evan played Call of Duty.

Perfection.

…are so hard to photograph!

Instead of decorating pre-existing curtains, I decided to sew some yesterday.  I mean, I must have been feeling good.

I bought this fabric from Sew, Mama, Sew a couple months ago to put in the kitchen.  Then something horrifying happened that changed my mind: Emily spilled spaghetti sauce.

It was epic.  The sauce got all over the less-attractive-orange-gingham that presently covers the broom closet.  That is precisely where this new, lovely, cream-colored fabric would have been had I felt like sewing in these past months.

Thus the fabric now safely resides in our living room.

It does not match the sofa.

Time to buy a new sofa.