Babies with Moustaches (and crocheted booties)

Crocheted booties (pattern by Quartered Heart)

 As I type this, my four year old is busily arranging a photo shoot of all her toys wearing moustaches. Who would have guessed how much fun an investment of one pound at Poundland can buy you...

We decided on the French style `tache for Charlotte's contribution to the Babies with Moustaches photo challenge. Scroll down, and you will see I didn't escape, either. Not sure what message to take from the fact the four year old gave me the Chinese Emperor one to wear. Still, I might yet keep it on for the school run to bring amusement/embarrassment to the other mums and my daughters later on.

Here are my latest crochet makes - booties! I was so chuffed when I successfully made the first one that I emailed Sam from Betsy Makes to tell her. (I think she understood my glee more than my husband when I waved it under his nose.)

Here is Charlotte modelling her latest footwear. Delightedly, it has passed the wriggle test, as she kept them on for an entire afternoon. If I tell you that socks and many other booties we've tried in the past have lasted about thirty seconds, you'll know why this latest pair please me so much.

So happy was I that I made another two pairs. I am sure Sam (and plenty of other crafty people reading this) will relate to that, too. I found the pattern nice and easy to follow - once I converted it into English terms - and simplified it by stopping after row 11 and making them into Mary Jane style booties.

And finally, a couple of pictures the four year old has taken and requested I put on here. Her rates are very reasonable and (as you can probably tell), I would be grateful to be freed from the role of being her subject, should you need a photographer for the afternoon.

Chevron Cushion

Chevron cushion from Issue 30 of Mollie Makes

Here is something I finished at the weekend.

I made the top back in the autumn while we were on holiday in Seahouses, so it will always evoke wonderful memories of seeing baby seals, and, sitting in the lovely family run cafe on Main Street doing some crochet.

I'd been waiting for Charlotte to grow out of the dress I wanted to use for the back!

I love it.

It has pride of place on my sofa (until the girls come along and destroy my careful cushion arrangement with whatever game requires them to throw all the cushions on the floor to be jumped on for that day).

The front room already had some nice purple stripy wallpaper up on either side of the fireplace when we moved in last May, and so I am going with that colour with the little bits and pieces I am gradually making for the room.

I used the same yarn as recommended in the pattern. Four balls of Rowan Handknit Cotton got me this cushion and that dolly for Charlotte. Not exactly cheap, but not bad either, for two items that will (hopefully) both be cherished for years to come. The dolly continues to be her favourite toy to chew, by the way. She particularly likes sucking the hair - which not only gives her pleasure, but has stopped the middle girl from wanting the dolly now.

If my home looked like the ones in the pages of Mollie Makes, I might have gone for the colours they suggested. But this is much more me, and I like it.

I have just made another fabric purchase for this room from Fabric Rehab. They have a sale on at the moment, which my friend Pamela alerted me to. Somehow though, a big pile of non sale fabric dropped into my cart. Oops. Still, thanks to the latest Mollie Makes, I did get 10% off the final cost (use the code MM1 if you want to be cheeky and do the same). And so now I am waiting for the postman to bring me a lovely parcel. That is definitely something that will cheer up a rainy January day when it arrives.

For now, I am counting myself flipping lucky to be having peaceful sofa time while baby sleeps, resting my back, drinking tea, Radio 4 and crochet.

(Happy New Year) notebooks

Happy New Year

Hello lovely readers. I hope you've all had a good festive week.

We are in slight shock over the fact we easily managed to eat a huge ham between us (the us being mainly just the hubby and me, with some assistance from three little girls), as well as plenty of turkey, chocolates, and sweets. But the ham. Oh. I do believe we've slipped in another new tradition for our house that will demand to be repeated year after year from now on. Is it a little over the top to admit I feel a bit sad going to the fridge now that that treacle glazed lump of meat is not inside it for me to pick at each time I reach for the milk to put in my tea?

With the hubby off work and the carefree timetable that the holidays bring, I did a spot of sewing over the last week. Fabric covered notebooks, to be precise.

I bought the notebooks back in the summer. And then Charlotte was born the next day, which kind of explains why most of them had been unused ever since. I made three - one for each girl to use for colouring in, story writing and general written insults to each other (I take the stance that you have to embrace any writing they are doing as good practise). I've had a couple of grown up versions I've wanted to make, using favourite fabrics for specific people, and also one for myself, too. I am intending to start writing things down in a notebook (one of the three I made is for me) and the start of a year seems like as good a time as any to begin a new habit.

Even if the notebooks are only ever used for lists or handing to a small child to scribble on to buy yourself some peace when you need it, I figure beautiful stationary is always a Good Thing and worth the effort of making it if it brings you pleasure.

Here's how to make your own:

Cut a piece of fabric 40 cm by 25 cm and interface it.

Fold it around your notebook so that you get a nice snug fit, and iron the creases in place.

Hem the side seams.

Trim the top and bottom edges with pinking shears, and then you only need to turn the fabric under once.

Iron the creases at the top and bottom edges, so they creep over the edge of your notebook by about 2 mm.

Time for your best straight stitching to make a line al the way along the top and then bottom about 2 mm from the edge.

These notebooks are so simple, but only look good if the stitching is neat, so take your time over this step - any wobbly stitching will be glaring up at you as you look down at your finished notebook. Yes, stitches can either smile or glare.

Fold the side flaps under and get ready to sew as close to the edge of the doubled up fabric as you dare so that you can squish the notebook into its cover once you are done.

Again, neatness is key. And go over the start of the flap a few times so that it is strong enough to hold together.

Embellish away to your heart's content. This sentiment was bought to you by a simple chain of crochet and then hand stitched in place.

Here's another one.

 And another...

This is what else I have been making in the last week as we've all been relaxing on the sofa together watching films and eating chocolates.

The original thunder thighs version has gone down a treat with baby Charlotte. I'd like to think it is because somehow, even in her little five month old baby brain, she gets that her very own mummy took hours making it for her. But no, it is the chunky hair she likes to chew and dribble over. And the shoes. She likes those, too. I am glad I stitched them on, as otherwise that would have been an endless task putting them back on and worrying she would swallow one.

But look - just like I say to the lovely people who come on my beginners' sewing classes, you learn from mistakes and everything gets better the more you do it. Even my crochet. The second dolly looks a lot more like the one in the picture.

Writing this post has provided me with a good distraction from thoughts about the back surgery I am due to have tomorrow. And, with just half an hour to go before my midnight nil by mouth deadline, I am off to scoff some more cake before heading to bed. Good night, all. 

Her first dolly

The week that has just gone has not been without its frustrations.

Two out of four children have had the sick bug.
Our anniversary meal was postponed.
My sewing class was cancelled when the sick bug returned.
The middle girl was too poorly to take part in her Christmas play.
An operation (to remove a disc from my back) was scheduled for the next day.
The logistical challenge of arranging child care for everyone at short notice was met. (Thank you, friends!)
My voice went.
Baby Charlotte is teething and feels miserable as a result.
As we were driving to the hospital, the operation was cancelled.
The operation was rescheduled for New Years' Eve. (Yes, I know how to party)
My head feels like it is stuffed with cotton wool.
Meal times continue to drag and feel like a form of torture.

But, tomorrow is the last day of term. Bring. It. On.

With just six sleeps to go (that is how the littlest big girl is understanding how long to go until the presents under the tree can be torn open), I have a finished Christmas project to show off.

A dolly for baby Charlotte to dribble over.

I hope she will one day love those little shoes as much as I do. They are my favourite part of the dolly. And we'll ignore the slightly stumpy looking legs. I am still new to crochet, and I realised too late that the extra stitch or two I had some how ended up with on the first leg did make a difference. Still, there is nothing wrong with a pair of legs that look robust enough to dig some potatoes with.

I started the dolly ages ago, while we were away in Seahouses. So, for me, it will always hold lots of nice memories of relaxing times by the seaside. I started making it almost as an after thought, once the actual project I had taken with me to do was finished. Yes, this poor little dolly was made out of left over wool - apart from her arms. I ran out of wool, and that is why the long delay in finishing her. And also the reason she is wearing leggings! I liked the making process so much that I almost don't mind if she doesn't get played with lots.

And look. I spy a star garland!

The middle girl was with me (off school sick, watching CBeebies on the sofa next to me) when I finished the dolly for Charlotte. She kept asking to cuddle her for a bit longer before I finally prised her off her and wrapped her up and put her under the tree. Would you like one, then, I asked. Big grin.

And so, that will be the Mummy made present for the middle girl. She doesn't mind it will be late, as we have agreed we will have a special shopping trip together to choose the wool for her hair and clothes. Phew. That buys me some time.

The littlest big girl would like a rucksack. A bit like the penguin one the biggest girl requested last year, only a rabbit. Not too hard, hopefully.

As for the biggest girl, well, she was impossible to pin down. It seemed she was well, too old to really want a Mummy made present. Gulp. Until, the suggestion of something involving these sparkly beads was dangled in front of her. Watch this space.

There are lots of lovely things to be enjoying around here at the moment. It is busy, but a good busy. And so, if I don't get chance to say `hello' here before Christmas is over, well, I hope you have a fabulous one.

And, if you haven't commented already, there is still some time to enter the purse competition. I'll extend the deadline and draw a name from a hat on Christmas Eve. My own wish is looking ever closer to coming true. Step one is now complete, in that baby Charlotte's all night milk bar has been closed for over a week. And, the customer is happy. Now we just need to clear our house of that bug, swap the cat for a mouse, and we will be just like The Night Before Christmas.

Grandma's knits

10 weeks today

The weather outside is miserable today. 

I am not going to even attempt to pretend that today's post is anything other than a collection of photos of Charlotte - vaguely under the guise of showing off a lovely little cardigan and hat my mum knitted for her. 

And here is the pattern link for the Rose Field Baby Blanket that Katy made for Charlotte. When I was walking her about in the pram this morning, the blanket got as much attention as the baby under it. It is so soft and gorgeous - and now I've glanced over the pattern, it has become even more clear to me just how much love went into making it. 

She is ten weeks old today - how time flies!

See those cheeks?

Squeezable and very kissable.

And the thumb sucking gets me every time. Too cute.

And there is a mutual love affair starting between her and her three big sisters, as they exchange smiles. (Please don't start crawling and grabbing their toys too soon, Charlotte...)

Oh go on then. Just one more picture...

Crocheted Rose Blanket (and baby smiles)

By contrast to yesterday's sunshine, this morning is looking decidedly Monday morning-ish out there. A wet school run awaits!

This post is nothing more than a gratuitous collection of baby pictures, loosely under the guise of showing you a beautiful crocheted blanket that was made for Charlotte by one of my husband's colleagues. I love love love the blanket - it was such a nice surprise to receive it, and, as a fellow maker, I know that it represents hours and hours of work and love, making it all the more special.

Charlotte started smiling properly while we were in Blackpool a few weeks ago. She was lying on the lovely blanket at the time.

The talented Katy, who made the blanket, has promised me the pattern - and I'll post it on here when she does, just in case any of my lovely readers would like to make one.

Charlotte is growing so quickly, that she is almost too big to fit on this blanket - incredible really, as this was not the case at all when I took these photos a few weeks ago.

But it now makes a nice cosy lap blanket for her when she is out in the garden now there is a nip in the air.

She has her eight week check up (and jabs - boo!) this week, so we are playing the guess the weight of the baby game in anticipation.

Thanks again, Katy, for what is a truly gorgeous and thoughtful baby gift that will be treasured for years to come.

Sofa time

Remember the crocheted cushion I started making in the last week or so before Charlotte was born? After a good few weeks of being ignored in an unfinished state (hmm, I wonder why), I pushed myself a bit and finished it.

Back then, I was feeling grumpy about being too hot, and that I had gone over my due date. With all the baby preparations done, there was not a lot for me to do but make the most of the opportunity her being overdue gave me to relax on the sofa, sip a nice cold Diet Coke with the tennis on and do a spot of crochet.

I finished the front of the cushion, and then Charlotte was born a day later - so unsurprisingly, the cushion was left untouched for a good few weeks.

You'll notice that I have cheated a bit and backed the cushion with some fabric instead of crocheting a back for it, which was my original intention. I decided the only way the cushion was going to be saved from a fate of an unfinished project under a pile of other stuff in a cupboard, and take pride of place on the sofa, was to go for the easiest possible option. And who looks at the back of a cushion, anyway. Well, that is my justification and I am sticking to it. Maybe one day, if I become super fast at crocheting, or, have more time on my hands, I will do a proper crocheted back. But for now, I like it the way it is - and this way I get to enjoy looking at it every day.

Will I make another one? Yes. When comparing it to other projects that have taken me loads of time to make - this dress comes to mind - this is more of a slow burner. I think the pleasure I'll get from the cushion will be more of mild pleasing "I made that" thought when I look at it on the sofa, rather than the undeniable thrill I feel when I put on a nice dress I have made. But, being in pride of place on the sofa means I will look at it a lot more often than the dress - which is currently squished in a sack of clothes that don't fit.

I have already bought some more wool for my next cushion. Different from this one, but the colours will also fit in with my front room, meaning that hopefully it will one day also have pride of place on the sofa.

Crocheting is not about to replace sewing for me. Neither is knitting, for that matter. But, recognising the former two offer me a very satisfying sofa based crafting thing to do, they are going to be an `as well as' part of my crafty interests.

As well as wool for a cushion, I have also just bought some gorgeous, love at first sight fabric. I saw it yesterday and just knew what it needed to be turned into. But more about that tomorrow, as there are no photos to show you yet, due to the fact I am being good and doing the boring thing of washing it before taking the scissors to it. There will be some proper sewing happening soon, I promise!

On a final note (tenuously linked to the topic of this post because we do it on the sofa), me and the girls have been loving reading the following books together this summer - Stig of the Dump by Clive King, and the amusing and very much of the moment Don't Wake the Royal Baby by Martha Mumford, and The Royal Nappy by Nicholas Allan. All brilliant reads, if you happen to be in the market for a book recommendation or two to enjoy with young children.