changing table

Whew! I can finally cross this project off the list.  This changing table was in need of some freshening so to pieces it went for a coat or 3 of paint.  Mint green, of course, to match the dresser that has been sent to the closet for the time being.  Some new hardware, shelf lining and presto.  Now I'll need to work on some baskets for the shelves to hold all those things you need handy when there's a naked, crying baby laying there.

Also had to share my big score for the day.  On a whim, and because I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket, I stopped at the local thrift store.  Of course I always head right to the back corner where all the linens are because I can always use curtains, sheets and tablecloths.  I was quite happy to find these bedding pieces.  The duvet and pillow shams will be perfect for sprucing up my tired couch when we finish the living room.  Soft blues and yellows, what more could I ask for at $10.80 to support the local SPCA.

almost finished projects

I had hoped to share with you a few completed projects.  Well, one is complete anyway.  The others aren't too far off.

I made a version of this for myself last year (minus the flower) and had planned to make one for my niece.  Well, I started it, got a few rounds in and then forgot about it.  Now I think a soft yellow hat just doesn't fit her personality so I finished it smaller than originally planned for the new arrival.  All that's left now is to weave in the ends and attach the flower.  Hopefully there are no surprises ahead.

I started this scarf on vacation and finished it all except for attaching the buttons so that was an easy one to cross off the list.  It really didn't take very long to crochet considering it's nothing more than a few rows of double crochet. 

My most recent project made it to the top of the list after finding this pattern on Ravelry.  I couldn't decide if I wanted the whole front in petals or just the center so I did both.  Clearly I'm not quite finished, all those ends to weave in, but hopefully soon I can show you the finished product.  Now to decide, do I make it reversible or do I stitch up two simple backs and have two pretty cushions?

crochet pillow & love bug

Well, I'm finally starting to cross some of those projects off my list.  For  years now I've been thinking that my house needs pillows, lots and lots of pillows, so here's one for the nursery (I promise I'll get to the rest of the house someday).



I have to admit that I'm sort of a wimp when it comes to crochet, I always stick with the easy patterns.  One day I'll have to take the next step but until then I'll just wing it like I did with this pillow.  I'm a big fan of rows and alternating them with the back loop only.  This one is just that in a half double crochet.  What can I say, I like simple.  All along I thought I would do a shell stitch around the edge but when it came time to do it I wimped out.  The answer?  The picot stitch in, surprise, aqua.  Nice and simple.  Of course now I'll say that the shell stitch would have been too heavy but maybe that's just me making excuses. 

I also couldn't resist trying this little bug in that same aqua color.  This is the first little creature I've tried and I think I might be addicted.  I attached it to a simple little "blankie" of cotton and flannel but I think I'd like to add a little crochet trim to it (perhaps more picot stitch) but at the moment I'm not sure how.  I'll have to do a little research on how to add crochet to fabric like this.  So for now I guess it's on to the next project, which one will it be?

a painted little nursery

It's been a very long time since I've communicated with the outside world so I thought I should show a couple of the projects I've been working on and share with you why I've been missing. 

We discovered a few months ago, much to our surprise, that we'll be welcoming our first bundle of joy this April, so preparations are in full swing around here.  In addition to other projects around the house, renovating two rooms, we are preparing a nursery.  Luckily the majority of the work is done. 

I've been wanting to paint this dresser for a long time and probably would have painted it white but since it's now for a child's room I figured I could get away with something more colorful.

I've always loved the color of this room.  This was the first room we tackled after buying the house and I knew long before we started renovations what color I wanted.  I went with a minty green for the dresser because, well, I had some left over from another project and I loved it with the pale sea glass walls.

I painted the nightstand to match which also coordinates with one of my favorite books I picked up several years ago at the local used books store.

I still have lots of work to do to get ready like finish painting the changing table, touch up trim here and there and crochet lots of cute little things for our new baby.  I'll try to be better about sharing with you all the excitement to come.