Sewing Calendar

I was so pleased to receive my copy of the 2010 Sewing Calendar edited by Megan Smith and published by Accord. I was even more excited to see the Rachael Rabbit Simple Hot Water Bottle Cover featured on the inside cover ...... and our 3 little sewing projects in February, July & October.There are many wonderful crafters in the calendar - I was really honored to be asked to be a part of it.

Tutorial: Simple Baby Beach/Bath Towel

Here is a super easy tutorial for recycling that old 'odd-one-out' towel that you may have hanging around in the airing cupboard. This took me one baby nap to make ... so it is a really quick and easy project.

Simple Baby Beach/Bath Towel Set
You will need:
- 1 clean old towel
- bias tape
- cotton for sewing

1) Take your old towel and using this diagram as a guide cut a square and a small triangle (hood)
2) Sew your bias tape to the outer edge of the hood
3) Pin the hood to one corner of your square and sew in place
4) Sew your bias tape around the entire square

NOTE: You can use the remaining toweling material to make a matching flannel ... ...or a friendly bath buddy ...
UPDATE
Another idea for this project is available here: http://rachaelrabbit.blogspot.com/2011/10/crowns-and-princesses.html

Aaahhh some sewing

Finally I managed to find a couple of moments to sit in front of Bernie!!

It seems to be baby making time in our peer group. Most of our friends have either just had one (or some), are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant soon. Our dear friends who left New York for opportunities in Hong Kong are just about to have twins! I find one exhausting enough ... two ... at once - well I hang my hat up to anyone who copes with that!

I wanted to send them a little something 'hand made with love'. So in between the baby squeaking I sewed some old scraps together and made two little mini quilts in a carefree Denyse Schmidt esq process.We have used our little super simple baby blanket so much. We use it to put down on the floor for some wriggle or tummy time, out in the car or stroller, wrap her up for a cosy cuddle ... the uses seem to be endless and the ease of washing and tumble drying essential. I hope these two little scrappy quilts are useful too!I obviously wanted to document the little quilts ... but my little model was a little shy and uncooperative. How can something so small wiggle quite so much!!

Look what Nana made

I have not found a moment to do any crafting yet (those moments I do have I focus on mundane things like fitting in a shower!) ... but just look what Nana made us. Isn't it just wonderful?
It is the most beautiful blue and white quilt. Each picture is hand embroidered. It is impossible to pick a favorite picture - they are all so utterly cute.
The detail is just amazing - I can't imagine the hours and hours and hours it took. I secretly suspect Nana must love her great grandchild a great deal already to have poured such effort affection into such a piece!
The quilt has two matching cushions as well! Perfect accessories for that toddler bed in a couple of years time.
And the dearest blue bird backing material with my favorite kind of label - hand stitched and made with love.
Charlotte is so very lucky to have such a talented Nana.

Wow .... and where did March go?

I'm blown away by all your well wishes and compliments on our new little bunny. Thank you - and I'm sorry I haven't yet had a chance to respond to your e-mails. Days seem to be pretty packed with looking after the little one these days.

So far I have been utterly blessed from the whole birth experience to the good humor of the little one (although she has had a couple of screaming fits just to prove to us her impressive lung capacity!) I have a new found respect for mother nature and how complex the human body is - I'm just in awe of how she grew to be and then came into this world - it is way beyond my comprehension at least.

I have found that being a human milk machine is way more tiring than I expected - napping when she sleeps and ramming food in my mouth (say bye bye to relaxed evening meals!) when every possible seems to be key to my sanity. I used to question people who had children that said 'I haven't found time to eat anything today' ... how I understand that comment now!

3 weeks old today - and it might sound strange but it is like we have always had her ...

Someone came a bit early ....

Tomorrow is my official due date but our little bunny came a bit early ...

Charlotte Emily
arrived 1.11am March 11th 2009
6lbs 14 oz

A Little Baby Bunny Break

NOTE: This post was typed up earlier in the week and scheduled to post automatically on the 12th March. So yes - I spent my anniversary and birthday in the hospital - but with perhaps the best birthday present ever!

Today I have been blogging for two years. It is also my birthday. It is also my 4th wedding anniversary! Lots to celebrate! I can't believe how quickly time flies by.

I'm going to take a little break from blogging for the next few weeks to prepare for (and recover from) our new arrival - but I promise to let you know once the little bunny has arrived. Thank you all so much for your best wishes - I'm scared - but curious to meet the little lady.

In the meantime here is a really cute picture of what I looked like as a little girl. Do you think she will look like this?