Hansel and Gretel Dress

I knitted an adaptation of the Kaia Babydoll dress a couple of days ago, it was a nice and quick project. I was inspired by the AliGknits version's of this pattern I've seen lately, she recommended casting on in the size smaller and then increasing to the size you want. I did this but there was still a bit too much gaping at the neckline so added shirring elastic, this worked a treat.

I used an 8ply bamboo/cotton yarn called Bella baby layette, doubled on size 6mm needles. I then hand sewed the fabric skirt which was originally a very cute apron I found at an opp-shop.


Tessa really does love her Pusscats and like to make sure they are very well fed and watered.

Summer Yarn Swap

This was the yarn I dyed up for the summer yarn swap, that was organized by the lovely Hannah of Rainbow Child and Red Riding Hood Yarns.

My lucky swap recipient is Kate from Chevgirl. I used berry colour tones for a summer berries theme, added some yummy berry chocolate logs and wildberry tea. I also gifted Kate a pattern on ravelry that I had been looking at for awhile. The sweet Spring Garden Tee by Alana Dakos of the wonderful blog Nevernotknitting.

I dyed 200gms of pure wool with Queens food colouring in the crockpot, wow was it fun and amazing to think what you can do with something as simple as food colouring and vinegar. It was my first attempt at semisolid colours but it didn't work very well as I didn't use enough dye. So I overdyed using the steam method, on the stove.

Summer Pants

I have been busy sewing some cute summer pants lately. With upcycled linen and cute cotton prints. The sweet smurf pants Tessa finally fit just in time for summer, I can't take credit for. I bought them from the lovely Hanna of CraftyKin from her felt shop a few months ago.

These cute Owl and Tree fern pants were made for one of Tessa's little friends at Kindermusik, they are in size 18months and were inspired by Anna Maria Horner's Quick Change Pants from her gorgeous new book Handmade Beginnings.

Meet Milly

Tessa is quite excited to have a new knitted friend.

Millie is knitted from Jean Goodhowe's Twin dressing-up doll pattern


Just because I'm loving her sweet curls at the moment and I know they won't last.

Tessa loves carrying Milly around but her head is so heavy from all the hair that it just flops over, I think I will sew it down to the neck a bit to see if that helps.

So the pattern has all the info for knitting lots of clothes for the dolly. But by the time I had finished sewing on the last of the hair, I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to use Tessa's old clothes to dress Milly.

The Baby Expo

The first Gisborne Baby Expo was on Saturday. Thanks to all the hard work of three amazing Mums, Jacquie, Sarah and Janet, what a great day!!
Well all the hard work is over, and I couldn't have done it with out you Mum, I can't thank you enough. What a wonderful day, it started out freezing so we were lucky to have so many people come though. It was a lot of fun and I managed to catch up with heaps of people I haven't seen in a long time.

Here are few pic's of the table!


I quite like how the sign turned out, the bunting is so cute and effective.

Thank you Gisborne for your amazing support!!
We sold about a third of out stock, which was wonderful I am so chuffed for my first event like this. I learnt a lot about what people are looking for too, which will great to give me ideas for stocking my shop. I will be updating the shop over the next week with the stock left over and I think I might have a go with selling on Facebook too. Has anyone else had much success that way?

Some custom sewing pics

Here are a few photos from some custom sewing I did a couple of months ago.

A cute hoodie vest made from upcycled wool jumpers and some leather offcuts for a sweet little fantail patch. Don't you think my model has a gorgeous smile :)





Some cute waterproof pants made from PUL, I have made overalls too which have been popular.


And this is my favourite a cute little pair of pants also made from upcycled wool jumpers with sweet little scotty dog applique.

I will post a Kids sewing week round up in the next day or so to share what I got up to.

Kids Clothing Week Challenge

I discovered this wonderful challenge in blogland, which is to sew/create for an hour a day to make clothes for your kids or any kids this week.
I decided it was just the inspiration (kick in the pants I needed) to get organized for the Baby Expo that I have got a table at in November. I am quite excited it will be interesting to see how much I can achieve. Join in if you like and there is a flicker group to show off your creations too. There is a great selection of tutorials if you would like some inspiration.

My Creative Space

These last couple of days have been lovely and sunny, so Tessa and I have been out in the garden. We managed to clear out some of the vege garden beds, which has been really overdue. I want to dig in some compost and blood n bone to improve the soil, then the fun part will start. Planting! I bought a few seedlings to get us started, but only wintery stuff as its still too early to get carried away. Broccoli, cabbage and lettuce.

Tessa also 'helped' feed the chooks and collect the eggs. As you can see she also discovered what is inside the egg.

Poor chooks Tessa likes to help feed them quite literally and trys to catch them and put the grain in their beaks.

The latest addition to my shop

I finally added something else to my shop, not for the lack of trying though. I have to admit I'm really quite a techno-phobe especially when it's to do with my camera. I have only just figured out how to adjust my camera so I take shots that are compatible (small enough) that I can load them onto my felt shop.

Ok, enough of that. This is a sweet little chocolate wool Cardi that I upcycled from an old wool cardi. With a cute hand sewn little owl applique, it's so soft and I hope will keep someone's wee one warm soon. It's size 9-12mth approx, and the measurements are:
Middle of the back to the cuff: 37cm
Under the arm to the hem: 20cm

As this is made from a recycled woolly cardi you know it's a one off and no one else will have one the same.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by the SouleMama blog

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend!

*** *** ***

Creative Space - A fresh batch of Bibs

Today I have been experimenting with a little bit of dying. Well trying to dye opp-shop woolies, the first attempt was in the washing machine with a nice dark green machine dylon dye. Umm maybe it would be a very good idea to read the fine print, at the bottom "does not dye wool". Second try I hope will be more successful, will have to wait and see. I used a denim blue hand dye dylon which does dye wool.

Above is a pic of the custom order for one of my little reversible merino bomber hats. The sweet little model/recipient is in our Kindermusik class which is every Tuesday morning. Tessa loves music and gets very excited each tuesday when I tell her its music today. She has really thrived on it and has great rhythm unlike her parents, hehe.


Another order of Bandana Bibs completed for the website I supply. I have two sizes, 0-12mth and 12mth+. I started making them after we had so much trouble with Tessa's teething rash, they were great as they sit just under the chin catching all that dribble.
I have been trying out my new toy a SNAP PRESS, yay no more bashed thumbs as I hammer on snaps. And much faster too.

Check out more creative spaces at Kirsty's

Upcycled woolies

I recently completed a couple of custom orders from friends. The above is a cute little hoodie vest with a leather scrap fantail applique made from recycled wool jumpers. I love this colour combination and it really suits him.


And the second was a sweet long sleeved hoodie for a boy who just adores tractors. It's miles too big, but that way he can wear it longer. This is also made from old wool jumpers. I really enjoy working with wool and other natural fabrics, especially when it upcycles something unwanted into something loved.

FO Milo and Ripley

Pattern: Milo by Georgie Hallam

Yarn: Cleckheaton Country Silk (discontinued) 8ply, 1 1/3 50gm balls. I got this yarn for a bargain from our local yarn shop, yay for discontinued yarn 11 balls for $3/ball.

I can't say enough good things about this pattern what a gorgeous vest so simple but very cute. The option of five easy cables is great for anyone wanting try cables for the first time. I knitted this up in the 3 month size with a little extra length to fit for a bit longer. Something I do with most of the kids knits I do. The aran cable looks great and I can't wait to try one of the other cables, maybe the owls.
This is a gift for our friends having their second wee boy due next week. Our weekly friday mummy and baby catch up group are giving her a surprise baby shower tomorrow afternoon I can't wait. Second babies don't seem to get as much fuss and adoration as the first so we thought we do a little something to make her feel pampered and special.



Pattern: Ripley by Ysolda

Yarn: Naturally Sensation 10ply yarn, about half a ball

Another knit I finished lately, a cute hat for my gorgeous sister's birthday last month, modeled by my lovely MIL. Hopefully I will get some photos of the hat modeled on Sis (hint hint). What a nice knit, simple and interesting enough for TV watching without being too complicated. My first of Ysolda's amazing patterns she is so talented. I bought her Whimsical Little Knits ebook and I can't wait to try the rest.

I have a few other WIP (works in progress) on the needles at the moment. Including Young Einstein hooded cardi for Tessa, a little ruffle scarf for myself and an Earflap hat for little bro's birthday. Hopefully I will have a few more FO (finished objects) to share by the end of the month.

My Creative Space

In my creative space this week I finished knitting my first attempt at pattern design. It's not perfect by any means but a nice start I think.


This wee knitted dress features a rib bodice for lots of room for growth, the idea is that it might fit for two or more seasons. The contrast edges and waist band is done in reverse stockinette to create a nice roll effect. With a dramatic ruffle on the skirt it creates a sense of fun.


The yarn I used was about 250gm Shepherd merino 8ply in chocolate, and 75gm Shepherd baby merino 4ply in pink, held double.
The pattern is still in notebook scribble stage but I think I will have something sorted soon. Hopefully I might even get some help with pattern testing from the amazing testers on ravelry, if anyone is interested.


I am not sure of a name for this pattern any ideas?

A couple of handmade gifts

Here is a few gifts I have made lately and actually remembered
to take photos of before wrapping. Above is a size 3-6mth merino bomber hat in charcoal grey and dusky pink. I can't wait to see if it fits ok.

And above is a pair of merino pants I refashioned out of the sleeves of a wrap top. I used a piece of elastic and attached cotton tape to the end, this is trial to improve waist bands, I think this might be the answer. Hopefully they will last awhile with this style of waistband, babies grow so fast. Normally I wouldn't have a 'V" section in the front as well the back but I was a bit distracted at the cutting out stage. Oh well I think it still turned out ok.

Away

We got away for a much needed break a couple of weekends ago. To Rotorua, it was cold and wet the whole time, but it was bliss to just relax and spend some time together. As you can see Tessa really enjoyed it, especially chasing mummy with the camera. We got a room with a spa bath mmm it was great soaking and Tessa had great fun splashing us.

I got to go to some yarn shops and spotlight, which we don't have here. It was great I spent far to much but it was so much fun. I was like a kid in a candy shop, heaven.
I even splashed out and bought some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK to knit Tessa a cardi design that has been rattling around in my head. The yarn is so soft I can't wait to cast on, I must hurry up finish some of what I have on the needles at the moment

My Creative Space

Introducing my new design, Merino Wool Bomber Hats.



A sweet soft Bomber hat to keep your gorgeous one warm, made from soft New Zealand merino and lined in a contrasting colour. An affordable option giving you two hats for the price of one.

I developed these hats after the frustration of our daughter getting cold ears and I loved the cute knitted hats in this style. So I trialed a merino fabric version with great success we got eight orders in the first week.
These sweet hats seem to stay on longer than other beanie styles, this is maybe because they are not quite as tight fitting.

With twelve colours to choose from, you are sure to find a colour combination that matches most of your babies clothes.
Current colours stocked include Cream, Charcoal grey, Spinach green, Ruby red, Dark chocolate, Dusky pink, Turquiose, Olive Green, Berry pink, Navy blue, light pink and sky blue.

Five sizes are available including
Newborn
3-6m
6-9m
9-12m
12m+

A unique gift for new babies or any babies in your life

I am currently developing larger sizes and welcome any interest.
Custom orders are always welcome.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions at tiny.lovelyathotmail.com

Made to order for just $19