christmas already

I recently took a trip to the Little Falls Antique Center with my mother and sister.  I found this doll cradle and immediately thought my little girl needs this for her baby, doll of course, not her soon to be little brother. So here's my plan, before Christmas of course:  make a doll quilt out of the sweetest fabric I bought from agardenofroses on etsy, cross stitch a little pillow of my own design and of course find a new, all her own babydoll.  Plenty of time right!  We'll see if little brother cooperates.  

baby's first scrapbook

Here it is...my first ever scrapbook.  All I need now is the baby to photograph.  Soon, I hope.

I got the inspiration from this book by Better Homes and Gardens.  I used an 8.5 x 8.5 album because that's what was given to me at my shower.  I think the size is perfect for this layout since all I have to do is cut down a 4x6 photo to 4" square.  I think I can handle that, even with a new baby. 

I made the center tags on my computer in just the color I needed.  If you want to use them you should be able to find a printable version HERE.  I'm new to Scribd so I can't guarantee that it will work.  If it doesn't work I'd love to know if there's another option.

flower cushions and baby blankets

I have to apologize for being absent lately.  We are in the middle of renovations in two rooms so that has kept us pretty busy.

I finally finished my flower cushion so I thought I should share it with you.  I'm so happy with how it turned out that I think I might make a smaller version for the baby's room.

I also finished a little baby blanket for one of the many arrivals due this spring.  Again, I'll most likely make another for the baby's room with a little bit of yellow added.

I have lots of projects to work on for the new living room and 'parlor' so stay tuned for progress.  I hope to be painting walls next week so hopefully it won't be long before you see some of the other projects like making my couch look pretty with some thrift store fabric, some more pillows, closet home office organization and whatever else I think the rooms need.

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?