Mickey mouse messenger bag

I bought Cleary a Mickey Mouse cash register for his birthday because he loves to 'pay' at the store. I wanted to make a shopping tote/library bag to go with it and a little wallet, but I decided on this messenger bag instead. I'm planning on making the wallet at nap time. I bet total cost was under $5 to make! The most expensive part was the fusible fleece but it really makes it feel substantial and hold the shape. here is the tutorial~ http://pinoyinoz.blogspot.com/p/tutorials-and-pdfs.html I used a nylon strap and added a buckle to make the strap adjustable and i will be able to clip it onto my bag if he doesn't feel like carrying it. (and because he is obsessed with buckles right now) I also skipped adding the back pocket.

mickey mouse birthday party!

 I am so excited for Cleary's birthday party!  For his first birthday I made a banner and a crown that I plan on using until he tells me I can't use it anymore.  His first birthday was fairly small and I did very little planning, just called everyone and told them when to come by and sent out a facebook invite.  I also only bought him a few small gifts.  He was turning 1... I knew he would have just as much fun visiting with family with or without a big shindig. 

But now he will be two... and I know he will appreciate all of the fun Mickey Mouse themed party games, decorations and cakes he can get!
The first thing on my list to make was a Mickey Mouse romper.  I had to make it early enough so I could send pictures out with the invitations.  I think he looks adorable and since he will be a big boy and is already rejecting all of the other rompers I try to put on him I had to take advantage of the possibly the last chance I get to dress him like a baby.

Isn't that the most adorable outfit ever!

Pictures of the invitations and party favors coming soon.

knit knit knit

I have been knitting like crazy!  We have been traveling a lot the past few weeks and have had many guests.  It is the one crafty thing I can do on the move and while hanging out with friends.  Soren, who will be here in 3 months, will have lots of mommy made knits to rock out in!  My little man is sure to be fashionable.

these soakers are made from the snapdragon pattern

the diaper covers each took about 2 night to knit 

sheepy pants pattern, wool longies and a hat...
I still have an entire skein of  this yarn that plan to use to knit a small stuffed giraffe.

and a yellow sun hat for me!

making t-shirt yarn for a rainbow rug!

the yarn knit into strips,
ready to be seamed together.

my to-do list

these baskets for the toy shelves ->
http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=JC&Screen=STORAGE_BASKETS

finish tiny soaker

giraffe to match yellow longies and hat

nightie and hat

quinn longies, kimono, booties and hat

Avery's quilt

rainbow rug

Cleary's b-day party

show off...

here are some things I have made in the past few months ->

my absolute favorite is my sons waldorf inspired doll.  He is made with organic cotton and stuffed with wool.  His p.j.'s were designed by me... I was so excited when I found the monkey rainbow fabric!

I made the bunny for his easter basket.  It is made out of a recycled wool sweater and the accent fabric with the crayons is 100% cotton.

cleaning day

We tried to go to the pool this morning but it was locked, or I couldn't figure out the gate.  Either way we ended up at the way to hot beach and discovered that Cleary is scared of the Ocean this year.  I hope this doesn't last, I loved having a beach bum baby last year!

I will be desperately cleaning and organizing today.  So the red sweater is on hold until tomorrow.  The plan is to transform it into a kangaroo... it will be a cut and sew project so you never know how it's going to turn out.  If the pictures turn out clear enough I will post it as a tutorial.

I have a really great wall shelve system that should go up above my desk, if I can ever get my husband to hang them.
That would really help with the organizing, and give all these little clover creatures a place to live.

hedgehog

this little hedgehog took all day to make... I am exhausted!
I can't really blame him, it has more to do with my toddler that doesn't want to sleep and general pregnancy insomnia.

His body is made from a heather grey sweater and his spikes are from a navy and olive green striped sweater.
I didn't get a good sense of how long it actually took to make this one because I worked on him throughout the day during the moments that little man was occupied.  

At 7 inches long 7 inches wide and 6 inches tall this hedgehog should be the perfect size for my 5 month old nephew.
I hope he doesn't hold it against me that it took me 5 months to make his first stuffed toy!

Tomorrows plans include making something out of a red sweater that I felted when I felted the sweaters for the hedgehog and the elephant.  I also need to figure out how to take better pictures (hedgehog is much cuter in person!)  I'm sure I can fit those things in between swimming and b-ball practice.  

When my son and I took our walk to the park today he wanted to push his bear in the doll stroller.  This was good news as it meant he forgot about a ball.  He is obsessed with balls and his favorite park activity is for me to throw his ball in the basketball net, over and over and over.  He would never get bored of anything including a ball.  I celebrated the entire way to the park imagining Cleary going up and down the slide and swinging in the swing.  No luck.  Someone left their basketball at the park... so it was 45 mins of shooting the hoops.  That was my exercise for the day!