Baby Lola!

An excuse to make some girly things at last!

My friend whom I had made skinny bear for has had a baby girl!  Lola Olive!  Brilliant news to receive on a morning, and pleased to hear mum and baby are both doing so well.  I can't wait to meet her, but until my growing bump decides to arrive, I cannot make plans to visit and cuddle her as they are about 2hrs away.

So time to set about crafting for a baby girl!  I wanted something that I could personalise for her and as I was trawling through my fabric stash, I found some lovely colours that were begging to be used.

I did consider leaving the green out, but I thought it was a nice bright addition. 

 They are quite bright, busy florals, and I wasn't sure how to personalise them...fabric or felt applique?! And what colour for the letters to stand out enough?!  I personally prefer using felt for appliques as it tends to look tidier and amongst the materials I had I picked  a light pink felt which seemed to look okay against all of the fabrics and thought I could do a contrasting running stitch to bring out the letters.  A cream bias binding was chosen for the top.

Firstly to cut out all the flags or "bunts".  I thought 6 would be big enough....4 for her name and one either side.  This way it could hang above her cot for example without being too long, and also I wanted her name central without having a "swag" separating the letters in her name.  Once all cut, to start the personalisation...

Not looking too shabby!

Now to pin and stitch....

The stage I then love... to turn them all inside out and iron them to get them looking smart ready for the binding to be sewn on.

 Completed!

Now the bit I'm not so good at...photographing the finished work!  

I hung it in the conservatory so we could get an idea of it hanging up and the length, but it turned out such a dull picture...probably as it looks so bright and sunny outside!

 So the only other option was to lay on the cream rug and take a photo from above...

Well that's the best of a bad bunch...

I couldn't hang around taking photo's all day...this bunting had to be sent to mum and baby!  (well...and the dad...but dad's don't really appreciate pretty flags...do they?!)

I have heard that it has been well received so I am happy it is another project completed.

I have been making more girly makes for another friend expecting a baby girl in December...I'll write about that one soon.

I am over 39 weeks pregnant now, hospital bag is packed and I am enjoying the calm before the storm before my baby decides to make his arrival.

Bye for now.

Love from me and my little man x

Skinny Bear

One of my lovely University friends is also expecting a baby, about 2 weeks before me!  As part of a gift, I thought I would put my hand at crocheting something for the baby so that it would be unique.  She doesn't know the sex of the baby which, although exciting, made colour choice a bit more difficult.  I decided to opt for red with a navy stripe for the teddy's tee shirt in the end as I thought that was acceptably unisex!

This is the pattern I followed from Crafty Rah Rah.  I loved the teddy when I saw him so thought I would try. 

Well the head and the ears worked up well - I used Sirdar baby bamboo wool.  The legs also seemed okay, although when attached looked a wee bit wonky and not quite right!  The body I struggled with!...I did it twice and it ended up as big as a hat!  I was convinced I was interpreting the pattern right, but it was so disheartening I admit I lost my mojo.  I drafted in my sister to help with the body and arms and she helped explain the pattern instructions to me.

With all pieces made, I lightly stuffed, and sewed on all appendages!  Here he is...

 Sorry for the poor photo but you get the idea...can you see his legs look wonky...maybe one bigger than the other?!

He was well received and has now been aptly named "Skinny Bear"...hmmm...maybe I did stuff him too lightly!!!  The wonkiness adds individuality...and I explained that when he's being shook (which babies do to their teddies) he looks much better all wobbly a little bit like Mr Bean's teddy!  I did also explain that this has not been tested for safety...so they can't sue me if his legs/arms come off!!!!

I may even attempt another...at some point....

Love from me and my little man x