Baby Sewing To-Do List

Per a previous post, you should know that I have been craving sewing time more and more this pregnancy. Which I guess makes sense since I haven't had any weird food cravings so far. As I sewed happily along on Project Linus quilts for my "after the baby comes" stash, I began making plans for all the things I wanted to sew for Baby Billy Bob.

One afternoon I finally sat down to make a list ... and I was scared by the number of items on it. I quickly finished up the quilt I was working on so that I could dive right into my Baby Sewing To-Do List.

So far, I have accomplished the following with very cute (if I do say so myself) results:

Billy Bob's First Quilt

Crib dust ruffle

Chiefs outfit (to match Daddy on game days)

Sling

Two Hooter-Hiders (AKA nursing covers)

Two on-the-go diaper changing pads

Still left on the list:
An ACU diaper bag
Two window valences for the Nursery
A pair of Chiefs pants
Hand-made birth announcements
etc...

Baby Smith Update

Today marks the 32nd week of pregnancy and we're starting to count down the days until our due date: October 3rd. We still do not know the sex of the baby as Army medical only pays for one ultrasound ... unless there is something serious that needs to be checked out. So, we've resigned ourselves to be excited for it to be a surprise! (Plus, it's fun to see people's reactions when we tell them we don't/won't know!)

The nursery is slowly starting to come together. We agreed upon a decorating scheme (sage green, pale yellow and brown with Jungle Animals). We ordered posters of said Jungle Animals and now just need Hobby Lobby frames to go on sale. Our crib arrived this week (Thanks, Mom & Bruce!!!) and after Cam spent an hour this afternoon putting it together, the room actually looks and feels like a nursery.

I promised Cam's mother that I would document the assembly process, so I thought that I'd share with everyone else too!

Step 1: Open all the boxes and deal with mountains of Styrofoam

Step 2: Figure out which pieces are which

Step 3: Giggle at the number of "dummy" labels on each piece

Step 4: Get annoyed at the photographer documenting each step

Finished Product with the Proud Daddy

What did I do the whole time? I read the instructions, of course! (with a little help...)

Now that the nursery is nearly complete, I'm starting to feel the pressure to get all my baby-related sewing projects done. First up: a crib dust ruffle. I already have instructions and fabric, so I just need to find motivation to dive in and get it done!

I'm also being pestered for a "bump picture", so for all of you (you know who you are!), here's the little bump that's poked out from under all the "normal" chub:
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Update: Crazy Crafter Woman!!!

As mentioned before, I was truly inspired by the first El Paso Project Linus meeting I attended. Since that meeting, I have been a quilting fool! I have completed 3 additional Linus blankets (see the photos below) and have a good start on the 4th.

I have also increased my fabric supply by 400% and am starting to worry that I'm turning into my mother!!! I've been shopping at the fabric stores in El Paso and a new friend, Susan, also has introduced me to the lovely quilt and yarn shops in Las Cruces, NM (about 40 minutes north). I have managed to restrict myself to only buying fabric with a dedicated pattern in mind, but I now have a big enough supply to last me the rest of the year!

Knitting is also something I have started recently. Susan has introduced me to several groups that meet throughout the week to knit or crochet. I've started on a scarf, but have had to pull out my work and start over so many times that I've lost count. I'm beginning to think that perfectionism and knitting do not go hand in hand!

In addition to all of that, I've been commissioned to make 3 nursing covers for friends of my friend, Jen. She has given me free range on fabric choices and I just hope that I pick something that each of the 3 ladies will like! Thankfully, the pattern for the nursing covers is really easy and I should be able to whip them out in no time!

Whether it is a good thing or not, my sewing progress has begun to slide ever since Cam has been home. Beginning tomorrow, he will be in training for the next 4 months and I should have the time to focus on my crafts ... and, I suppose, find a job.

A new pattern for a boy Project Linus quilt

Detail of the boy quilt

The same simple pattern, but fabric for a girl

Detail of the girl quilt

Left over fabric was pieced together to make...

Another girl quilt for Project Linus

Craft Projects - UPDATE

If you remember a few posts ago I mentioned that I've been trying new hobbies and crafts while Cam's away. Well, here's an update on my not-so-stellar progress!

First, I finished a nursing cover (AKA "Hooter Hider") in record time before my friend's, Jen, baby shower. Several of my other friends with babies use these and (being like my mother) each time I saw one, I tired to figure out how they were made. Then when Jen registered for one, I decided that I would make my own instead of coughing up the $30+ to buy one. I found a really easy to follow pattern online and marched off to the fabric store. I was a bargain shopper and got everything I needed on SALE! (My mother taught me well!) All in all, the cover took me a total of 2 hours and $7 dollars. I think Jen was pleased with it!

On the sewing front, I'm also continuing on with my Project Linus quilt projects. So far, I just have the first "girl" one done and have started on the first "boy" quilt.

Finally, I've been a baking fool this week! On Monday night, I made a cake for a Mardi Gras party at work on Tuesday. I had signed up to make a traditional King Cake, but ended up just substituting a chocolate bundt cake. The King Cake traditionally features a metal baby hidden within the cake, so I used a malted-milk egg hidden in the cake instead. The lucky coworker that found the egg was awarded the prize of a chocolate Easter bunny. It was a very yummy treat!

I haven't been a very busy girl lately, but I think I need to crank up the crazy Suzy Homemaker switch just a little in order to tackle all the projects I have lined up...

Craft Projects GALORE!

In an effort to keep myself busy while Cam's away, I've been trying new hobbies and crafts.

First, I learned how to quilt this past fall and made three really cute "tv blanket-size" flannel quilts for my nieces and nephew for Christmas! (See the pictures below) Those were so much fun that I decided that I would use the same pattern as well as left over fabric to make 4 more flannel quilts for Project Linus. I have enough for 2 more boy quilts and 1 more girl quilt. The last quilt will be just a random mix of left over fabric squares I have. I also picked up a new pattern online as well as some additional cotton fabric for another Project Linus quilt.

Recently, I took a basic knitting skills class one evening after work. I learned how to cast on, knit and purl and I'm all excited to use my new skills for scarves (and possibly some baby quilts for Project Linus too!).

On top of all that, I have quite a few cross-stitching kits that I have picked up along the way that I need to finish. Thankfully, the girls at work and I spend our lunchtimes cross-stitching together, so that gives me the perfect excuse to work on these.

Whew! I'll be a busy girl, but I have at least 2 more months of alone time to accomplish it all. Pray that I'll make it and won't become some crazy hermit-Martha Stewart-wanna-be!

Andrew's Quilt

Serenity's Quilt