Just wanting to share Ernest's fist back carry.
We have been planning ways to include Florence this Christmas. I think that's why I'm not freaking out, at least not yet.
Honestly I'm not at all sure how I feel about the forthcoming celebrations, apart from the obvious.
Today I went back to Slingmeet for the first time in months, and the first time since Florence was born. I knew I had to go back today or I never would. Actually it wasn't too bad. Lots of newbies who don't know my history, and a few regulars who I feel safe with.
I think I may have rambled on a little more than usual when doing demos, I was definately nervous, and I very almost cried on a couple of people,but mostly I coped.
There was one awkward moment chatting to a lovely pregnant lady when I thought the conversation may turn to the dreaded question,but I was rescued by my co leader who was keeping an eye on me.
Maybe I can get through this month if I just keep on keeping on, that's what has worked so far.
Just a few months ago I'd imagined life once Sid went to school full time to be full of a new baby, LLL meetings, baby massage classes, Slingmeets. Lots of snuggly breastfeeds on the sofa. I expected to be busy.
I'm not, not busy now. There is always the daily efforts to stop the household sliding into utter chaos. Plus I still have plenty of good friends checking in on me and invites out for coffee and lunch.
I know though that sometime very soon I'm going to have to start thinking about the future and work.
My little business has never made me my fortune,but it kept me busy and paid for treats we might not otherwise have afforded.
I wont be going back to making baby carriers. The level of detail and involvement with the customer and their babies is not something I think I could cope with right now. Maybe one day, who knows.
So, the thought is there, something to ponder.
Meanwhile, today I've made a skirt. I could've been cleaning the bathrooms, or making our bed, or cooking tonights tea,but I guess I'll never be a Stepford wife. To hell with the housework and on with the sewing!
This skirt is made using the Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt pattern. The fabric is Botanical Pop cotton by Jackie Shapiro. (And yep the raw edges are deliberate.)
Tonight there will be bonfires being lit all over , and fireworks lighting up the skies. We usually go to a local display, and despite my misgivings mentioned before, I do usually enjoy wrapping up in winter coats, woollies, and wellies, and walking through the smoke filled night to stand and oooh and ahhhh at the colourful explosions.
The thought of it this year though,just seemed to fall flat without Florence to tuck inside my coat.
Instead we will be having fireworks in the garden, and dedicating them to Florence's memory.
We can stay warm inside,I can wear these new pyjamas I made this afternoon, and toast Florence with hot chocolate and parkin. (while Woody gets to be all manly playing with explosives in the garden!)
...
Pyjamas made from snuggly cotton flannel, using an ancient threadbare pair of Boden pj's as the pattern.
Saturdays are usually my only full work day. Woody is home, so can take care of the children while I have the luxury of a full day working on custom orders. The rest of the week, like so many other Mums working from home and combining work with childcare, work is done in little bursts of available time, between school runs, dirty nappies and play times.
Today though, I only have one custom order to complete and that's me done for the next few months. My expanding bump has made me come to a decision regarding maternity leave. So no more custom orders for me, and the only remaining stock is in my Etsy shop until May 23rd, and that's it, until...well the beauty of working for yourself is, I don't know until when...until I'm ready.
For now, it's time to focus on the last 12 weeks or so of being pregnant and the arrival of our fifth baby.
Doesn't mean I wont be sewing at all though, still got lots of projects on the go, not least a wedding dress for someone very special...more news on that later.
We don't exactly have anywhere to store things for the new baby yet. I have a cupboard I'm intending to renovate,but at the moment that's drying out after being in storage in our cellar for some time.
Meanwhile there is a growing pile of baby items stored right at the back of our wardrobe cubby in the loft. It's really difficult to get to, especially if like me you have a sizeable bump. Consequently I'm not exactly sure what we have down there, but I do know there is a lot, and I also know the pile of slings is really rather large.
Still, I couldn't resist making one more ring sling. This time in grey linen with my Spoonflower Dahlia print and teal silk as an accent.
I had planned to make an Asymetric wrap skirt with the grey linen and Dahlia print, heavily inspired by the skirts over at Ink and Spindle , and I may still, but probably not until after the baby is here and I have some idea of what size I'll be...scary thought!
Looks very likely that the custom orders I'm working on this week will be my last for some time.
I'm 27 weeks now, and time to make some decisions about maternity leave.
Meanwhile, here's today's work.
Photos just don't do this fabric justice, it's soft and beautiful, and I'm so so lucky, because the fabby Mamas at Slinging In The Rain bought me this piece of Silk Indio Didymos for my birthday,and I quickly whipped it up into a ring sling all ready for baby.
I can't stop petting it, it's so soft and scrumptious!
I have one teeny tiny scrap left that I think I might try and make a little softie for the baby from too.
The sun has been shining today,and I've been sewing with these lovely fabrics. This Mei Tai is off to a customer tomorrow. I hope she likes it.
I also finished off some Post Partum Mama Pads for me, in pretty flannel fabrics by Sandi Henderson. I will need to make more of these.
I do think a Mama needs girly pretty stuff around her for the post partum weeks.
Also finished off a few more nappy wraps for baby...my stash of baby stuff hidden at the back of my loft is getting rather large now,and I'm losing track of what I have back there...
Hope everyone is having a good day. I've been busy busy busy,but am very lucky to have received lots of lovely pressies from my great kids and hubby.
Thought you might like to see my new labels too, I think I like these.
....and decided to keep the appliqued silk and corduroy mei tai I made at the weekend. I'm also keeping this baby. Double sided silk podeagi with applique.
This one has been on my to do list since the lovely Big Mama planted the seed of the idea after asking me to make a special podeagi for her new baby a few months ago.
Sadly I didn't get any decent pics of that pod at the time,due to a combination of horrible morning sickness and wanting to get the carrier to Becky as quickly as possible.
While I am keeping this pod and the mei tai for myself,I'm going to be adding one custom slot for each to my store on Sunday evening, when I'll (fingers crossed) also be adding some instock ready to ship pods too...it's been a while. Pregnancy and mechanical problems have been a huge hurdle these past few months,but hopefully I'm back on track now..at least until my belly gets too big to fit in front of the sewing machine anyway.
Should I keep this for myself ready for baby or should I sell?
Just can't decide, and I have a podeagi half complete in a very similar style....
Just having a play and a ponder.
We haven't used a Mei Tai for a while. I have made lots in the past,but was never quite satisfied with the design. This one is based on my Zidee design,and as you can see works well with Sid.
I've a feeling I'll be forcing all my babywearing friends to try this one out with their little ones.
Not so exciting this time. I've finally got around to listing the XS and S nappies for sale in my store,but these two have slight faults on them.
The seahorse print nappy is size medium,100% cotton outer,and 100% cotton velour lining with 100% hemp fleece soaker layers. Snap fastening. Only problem is I forgot to add the back waist elastic,so I've added a couple of extra snaps at the front,and it will work just fine.
The ABC nappy is size XS,perfect for a little newborn or for a baby doll. 100% cotton outer,100% cotton velour lining and 100% hemp fleece soaker layers. Snap fastening. This one has a slight stitching fault.
So,if you'd like these nappies just leave me a comment,tell me what your fave saturday afternoon activity is,and using random.org I'll pick a winner on Monday at 6pm.
My fave Saturday afternoon activity is curling up on the sofa and watching a jolly good old movie. I don't get to do that too often,but today I'm making an exception and going to watch "Move Over Darling" with the lovely Doris Day.
This pod ( well it's twin to be absolutely correct ) was featured at this years Summer Sling Show,fashion show. I was rather surprised to have it returned to me this week,I had thought it might be raffled at the show,but anyway their loss is my readers gain cos I'm giving it away!
Now this could be scary,I might have such a teeny tiny response to this give away that I'll have to go and cry in a dark corner of my work space.
The pod is a standard size Zidee,the blanket is made with gorgeous japanese cotton reversing to pewter dupion silk.The straps and headrest are aubergine corduroy,and I'll stitch on one of my lovely new labels before I ship it off to the lucky winner.
So, leave me a comment,and tell me what made you smile today.
I'll use a random number generator to pick the winner,unless there's only two of you then I'll do eeny meeny ...
I'll draw the winner next Friday 29th August .
ETA: I forgot to say what made me smile today; it was seeing the latest video from spoonflower on their blog,that dancing made me smile.
I haven't made this many nappies in one go for ages! All of these were made today, sixteen nappies. Some are for a friend ( yes Rachel if you are reading I finally made them! ) ,and the rest will probably go in my Etsy shop which has been sadly neglected for the past 18 months or so.
Weirdly I kinda enjoyed making these,maybe because I haven't made any for such a long time. I don't plan to start selling lots again though,and anyway I'm now pretty much out of nappy making fabrics!
Now to put on the snaps....
We had a long and busy day out with the children yesterday,by the end Sid was exhausted.I had a pod in my bag just in case and so it was time for a ride on Daddy's back.
This pod was one of the first I made,there have been a couple of design changes since then,but it still works nicely.
Sometimes projects just kinda develop as you sew them.This podeagi is one of those. I started off playing with some embroideries,then picking up fabrics and trims as they seemed appropriate.
I quite like the result,it's girly and summery. I can imagine it being the kind of podeagi Laura Ingalls might have worn her babies in when she grew up...if I'd been around to sew it for her.
