Fuzzy Leopard Pocket

I have been "working" on this particular diaper forever, now the leopard pocket in the stash! The inside is red micro fleece and the outside is a kind of fleecy fake fur thing. With red snaps to bring it all together. Feisty!!

Recent Craftiness

Wool felt toadstool made from a super simple + fun tutorial from My Little Mochi. I chose not to paint on the charming little face, but its still a very cute mascot for my sewing area downstairs.

Also, my first project from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. Wool felt needle book (a much needed object!) I painted the front patch with dye-na-flow textile paint, instead of using printable cotton. I also chose canvas for the inside "pages" instead of flannel. It still went together smoothly and looks just great. The above mentioned book is just FABULOUS!

Quilt in progress...

Quilt in progress..., originally uploaded by Hilary{pip&mouse}.

Project from Bend The Rules Sewing, by Amy Karol.

Latest Homemade Fluff

Latest Homemade Fluff, originally uploaded by Hilary{pip&mouse}.

Daddy flats! These are the easiest diapers in the world to sew! Well, next to the Not-so-flat-wrap anyway. Ddf's have all the absorbency needed, you just fold the "soaker" part over twice and your good to go. I even left the snaps off and just use a snappi for closure. Easy peasy.

New Blue Machine

At Goodwill in Waterville, I came across this rockin' bluish-teal beauty of a machine. Made in Japan and named "General" it sports a 1.5 amp motor (whoo-hoo! Thats powerful baby!) and from what I can tell is a "full size" machine. Singer's 99 is a 3/4 machine, for example. It does a nice straight stitch (no timing issues) and the feed dogs drop, for darning or free motion stitching. Hopefully the free motion bit will work. I haven't tried yet.This machine has won my heart with it's smooth quiet power. I know the picture isn't so great, but as we only have dial-up internet in our humble little home, no big sharp pics for us. Not yet anyway.

Is Octopi a word?

Window shopping at Purl Soho, finding fabrics to inspire more projects. I know I keep pimping purl, but trust me I am NOT getting paid for it...It's just one of my favorite places to go and drool over magnificent cloth/books/notions.
Heather Ross giant octopus (octopi?) for a wrap skirt...purl is nearly sold out so I'm thinking Fabric Worm on Etsy...
Etsuko Furuya oilcloth for totes and maybe a tablecloth...I am really getting into oilcloth here.

Weekend Sewing Projects

Here are two projects I've sewn up from Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross.
The everything tote, and the flower girl dress. I also just finished bloomers to match the sailor dress (Ruby's bloomers, also from the book) I just haven't taken any pictures yet.
I modified the construction of both patterns a little...of course. I added several pockets to the tote lining, since I'll be using it as my diaper bag...schlepping a massive amount of books, diapers and other baby & mama related goodies. Also, I only folded the binding and handles once, versus twice, to make attaching them easier (I used a size 16 needle which also helped.)
With the flower girl dress, I had to add a faced slit down the back because it runs quite small. A small hook & eye keeps it closed. Next time I'm thinking of making it from jersey, or making a larger size.
For the tote I used a nice slubby chartreuse linen for the lining, binding & handles. This was a great find on the Joannes clearance shelves at a 1.50 per yard! The outer fabric is Anna Maria Horner Good Folks oilcloth from Sew Portland.
Finally, Mia's dress is quilters cotton, by Micheal Miller found uber cheap at Marden's (my favorite local discount fabric store) The print is soooo cute...kind of a sailor/pirate theme. lol.
I've traced quite a few more patterns from this book, with plans to try out some of the clothing for myself (yay!) I think its one of my fave sewing books so far!

First Crocus of Spring!

First Crocus of Spring!, originally uploaded by Hilary{pip&mouse}.

At my moms house...this is so exciting :D Mia is playing outside all the time now on the *ground* Very cool. She loves it. I am just so freakin glad spring is here for now. Maine winters seem awfully long sometimes, pretty at first, but terribly terribly long.
Were off to Portland tomorrow for our spring trip. All five of us!

50's Sewing Machine-Thrift Store Find

50's Sewing Machine-Thrift Store Find, originally uploaded by Hilary{pip&mouse}.

My new (old) three dollar sewing machine. Sews like a dream, so quiet and smooth it's unbelievable. I am still getting used to it's quirks, we are in the getting-to-know-you stage.

I♥Recycled Diapers

I♥Recycled Diapers, originally uploaded by Hilary{pip&mouse}.

More recycled tee diapers! This is pattern of my own design, sewn up in purple and red tee-shirts bound in scarlet FOE. This is a SWEET & bright little diaper and I'm wild about it! More pictures of this diaper can be found on my photostream on flickr.
In fact, Dagny and I are going thrifting in Belfast today to look for tee-shirts. The best shirts are cheap, big, soft, & have a cute design on the chest. KWIM?

I LOVE comments and questions so feel free!

Recycled T-Shirt Diaper 5

Recycled T-Shirt Diaper 5, originally uploaded by Hilary{pip&mouse}.

Recycling tee-shirts into diapers is my latest passion. This was a too-small thrift store tee I'd been hanging onto since the screen print was so wonderful. I used the mama bird pattern, then I modified it to have cross-over aplix tabs in front.
This pattern is one of my faves, the fit is really trim & the instructions are thorough.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

bamboo ooga dress::Mia's woollens

My 100% wool came several days ago and I finally got around to felting it. I have found that when I have a really nice fabric I take forever to actually sew it because I want my project to come out just right. So I have made an effort to just jump in and cut, sew, serge and create. So I dove in and made the world quickest all wool undershirt for pippa. I just serged up the edges and they lie nice and flat, no bulk, AND it was quick! My favorite way.
Also my ooga came and I made pippa a dress only to realize just how impractical a dress is for a tummy creeping baby! I found a great DIY for a "taggie" blanket, immediatly I thought of pip. She loves to gnaw on the tags on blankets, pillows and even daddy's sweater. So I sewed one up for her using blue and white ribbons with the blue ooga. Its a great way to show off the lovely soft bamboo. Mia loves it quite a bit. She is always nuking it. {nuk: to chew, drool on, or otherwise examine an object with your mouth.}
Here is my to-do list of crafts for the next week or so...

• footed pj's for Mia from wool
• baby bag for Theo from wool
• shirts and longies from wool
• sew red wool bag w/ stamped applique for Dagny {x-mas}
• pin cushion for mum {x-mas}

Oh dear there is a lot to do. I have so many ideas and not nearly enough time. There is more too...but for some I need patterns that I don't even own yet. Like sewing Kris long underwoolies. ::sigh::

Welcome to the world baby Theo!!

December 2nd baby Theodore was born at 2:45pm weighing 6 pounds and 5 ounces!!
Dagny is head over heels in love and little T is nursing well....the family could not be happier. Mia is fascinated by her cousin and "talks" to him often.
Mia is crawling along nicely and cut her fourth tooth on friday night. She has such a sense of humor! It just gets more and more fun for Kris and I to be her parents. We are so lucky. Mia is just the most amazing thing that has ever happened to us.
Watching my sister becoming a mom is so wonderful. Dagny has such intuition her mothering seems so effortless...this week has been so great!
We are all so blessed!

::fantastic vintage machine::

This machine is so gorgeous! It sews through up to 8 layers of denim too...I really need a rugged machine as I have been known to push my Necchi too far...hehe. I'm in love.

funky little owls

Voila! My owl earrings, complete!

::thrift store swag::

So the trip to portland was fabulous! We went to goodwills and salvation armys and the beloved caravan beads. I am working on a couple pairs of very cool earrings made from beads i bought there. I will post pictures when they are completed. Caravan beads is so breathtaking! All the walls are cover floor to ceiling with a rainbow of beads made from every possible material imaginable. I had such a blast picking out funky beads and findings for earrings. Mia looked around in wonder at all the color and light, then promptly fell asleep in the carrier. When she woke up we sat down in nursed at their comfy "project tables" where you can work on whatever your making with the beads you buy....or in my case feed your babe. I was so impressed with that place. Oh theres more! They have buttons! I nearly fained with joy. I got the cutest owl and bunny buttons. Now I'm trying to figure out how Kris and I can take pippa for another portlnd holiday! : )

We are all (mum, Dagny Mia and I) going to Portland to spend the night and go thrifting. Love those thrift stores! Poor Kris is staying home, working and eating chili. We miss the daddy soooo much!
Here are some more photos for those far away (you know who you are...hehe)
Pippa looks so good in purple dont you think?

Mums latest sewing project is bibs for the pippa. Here she is wearing the first one, she wanted to eat it while I was taking the picture! I appliqued the trees, my mum bound it with bias binding and voila!
So, I've been making my own baby food from bananas and applesauce pureed very smooth. Pippa really enjoys it, even from a spoon! It's incredibly messy business that calls for a huge bib, so making our own is the obvious choice.

Time for bed now!

pictures for bubbe and farfar to adore!

Cute baby update for grandparents:
(enjoy!)

Mia wearing her new blue bunny hat mommy made for her from a felted sweater--------------------->

Mia and mommy...Mia looking a little under the weather------------------>

Mia takes a nice long nap------------------------>

Mia tries to eat popcorn with mommy and daddy!!------------------------->

Mia laughs with her mommy and flaps her wings-------------------->