Les Girls

I don't even remember when I started stitching these girls, but I think it may have been about a year ago. I know. But in the spirit of finishing things, I finally put the finishing touches on these little embroideries. They are, of course, the Stitchettes, from the wonderful Hillary Lang. I bought pretty much every series of Stitchette patterns as they came out, but this is the first time I've really finished anything. I think these are all from the Spring series, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I simply stitched them onto some beigy fabric, glued the edges onto the hoop, trimmed, and stuck them on Ruby's wall. I'd tell you that she loves them, but I don't think she's actually noticed them.


In unhappier news, yesterday Henry was stung by a wasp. In the face. His whole face immediately started puffing up and I called the public health line in anticipation of an allergic reaction (my brother was fatally allergic to yellow jackets as a child, so I'm freaked out about such things -- he's since outgrown it). He woke up this morning still breathing, but with his eye almost puffed shut. I didn't get stung by a wasp for the first time until I was 31 (and pregnant with Henry), how does this kid get stung before he's even two? He's a magnet. Must be because he's as sweet as honey.

Trimmings

This kind of fall into the no-big-whoop category, but it's actually taken me a year to make these little ornaments. Well, kind of two years, actually. My friend Jane gave me a little pack of Sublime Stitching Christmas patterns two years ago; I did the embroidery on these two last season; and I finally cut out some backing fabric and stuffed some fluff in them a couple of days ago. Lame, I know. Anyway, I think they're cute and they're going to Ruby's teacher later this week.

And you can't really see it, but I also stitched up a little felt crown ornament for my friend, whose last name is King. Not my finest work, but kind of cute.

Envelope, Please

Every year in early December all the blog types show off what are truly the world's most awesome advent calendars... which is about two months too late for my snail's pace crafting schedule. Last year I admired Jenny's calendar over at All Sorts and miraculously, I actually remembered it and have got a start on making one. I'll go into my insane love of advent calendars once I actually finish the thing, but for now I'll just say that I'm really looking forward to starting this tradition for Ruby and, eventually, Henry.

Jenny has a tutorial over at her site, but I'll tell you it's remarkably easy and the kind of thing that will look good even if you're not a particularly precise crafter. Basically, you make 24 felt envelopes and string them on your mantle or banister. I'm making the envelopes a bit bigger than the tutorial calls for so that I have more options on what to stuff in it (ideas, anyone?) and so that I can put two goodies in each pocket once Henry is a bit older.

And yes, it does seem to be a bit early to start on Xmas stuff (though I am secretly thrilled that that Sears holiday ad that uses the Badly Drawn Boy song is back on the air already), but I think Xmas prep is okay for early November. I won't actually decorate anything until December 1. I promise.

Stitchin'

I've been feeling crafty lately. Not that I have the time or energy to actually do much about it, but I've been feeling the itch. And I'm taking baby steps to get back in the game. I cast on for another pair of baby socks. I made Henry some curtains (pictures to come -- the weather has been awful here and there hasn't been a nice sunny curtain-picture-taking day). I've been thinking about making a quilt. I've been sorting through fabric. And I've been stitching.

I keep a little embroidery bag stashed under my couch and do a little bit of stitching in the rare moments when both the kids are asleep/otherwise occupied and I'm not in desperate need of a nap myself. Since I've spruced up Henry's room, I figured Ruby deserved some new wall art too. I've loyally been buying the Wee Wonderful Stitchette embroidery patterns and I figured the summer girls would be perfect for Roo's room. I'll share more once I'm done.


And, I figured I post this just to be consistent, though you probably don't really need to see another picture of chocolate cookies. These are the Milk Chocolate cookies from the Martha Stewart book, baked for my friend Joe's birthday this weekend. I'm starting to feel a little duped -- I've made three chocolate cookie recipes from this book now and they've all yielded virtually identical cookies. Now, I know that there are plenty of non-chocolate recipes in there and I don't have to exclusively make the recipes that are almost the same. But I like chocolate. These cookies were good, but again, were chocolate sugar cookies. Nothing more, nothing less.

p.s. Thanks to those of you who inquired about my health after the last post. I'm totally fine, but my insides took a bit of a beating from birthing Henry. I don't know much, there may be problems if I go into labour again, but since I have no immediate plans to have another kid, it's not too big of a deal.

Tea (Towels) For Two

Somehow I've had more to blog about these days than I've had time to blog. Don't expect this to continue -- my craftiness seems to come in waves. After a year or so of moaning about how I wanted to dive into some embroidery projects, I finally cracked into the Sublime Stitching kit that I bought at a closing out sale about two years ago. I don't know why it took me so long -- this is such an easy and relaxing craft (at least at the rudimentary level I'm taking it to) and makes for such great gifts. I thought I'd start with the obligatory tea towels, to be sent off to a dear friend for her birthday.


Being the rock 'n' roll kind of gal I am (yeah, as if), I started off with Jenny Hart's flying vee guitar, which was fun because of the numerous french knots. I also stitched my friend's name on there, which has been covered up to protect the innocent. I also whipped up the pretty kitty, with "bewitching" stitched beside her, because said friend is certainly a bewitching kind of girl. Anyway, not much to say, but I think I've been struck by the embroidery bug. I have plans for the Wee Wonderful Stitchettes next -- hopefully I won't take another year to get my iron out and do the transfers.

W.I.P. Friday: A Whole Lot Of A Little

With Ruby's new nap routine (she goes into bed; she refuses to sleep; she gets very tired; she gets very cranky; she still refuses to sleep; she falls asleep in my arms as I comfort her) I'm not getting a whole lot done. But there is a lot of a little. I've resurrected my interest in the crochet blanket (though only a trained eye would notice a difference) and I did finish the baby blanket, which I swear I'll show you once it's blocked. Above is the accompanying hat -- the Lil' Pumpkin Hat from Itty Bitty Hats. Naturally, I'm not going to spend $14 on green yarn to match the body of the hat so I can make the stem, so I've been experimenting with stashed yarns, none of which are doing the trick. I think I have some Brown Sheep Nature Spun somewhere that should work, I just have to find it.


Next up, I've finally started my first embroidery from my long ago purchased Jenny Hart kit. This shall be a tea towel. Again, much more exciting once it's finished.


And, finally, there's a new crafter in the house. This little bag, with feathers glued on by Miss Ruby is full of beans. It's a shaker she made in her new music class. She and the other kids were marching around the room shouting Go, Flames, Go! I second that sentiment -- not usually a hockey fan, but the boys have been showing a lot of heart the last couple of games. Thank heavens for the Kipper!