Madeline

Madeline! I loved this character when I was a little girl and I hope my daughter will love her as well. I got it at Toys’r’Us today it was on sale for $8!! Its normally $12.50. I couldn’t find it on the Toys’r’Us website but they have it listed on Amazon.

She speaks 4 phrases in both English and French! Squeezing the right hand makes her speak English and the left French.

I got the beanie dog Genevieve as well (it didn’t come with the doll) it was on sale for $5 and I couldn’t resist getting Madeline’s furry pal.

Now all we need are the Madeline books!

It's a Winnie of a Quilt!

I am so excited about this baby quilt! I started working on it this week and its pieced together and I have safety pinned it to the batting. I used Classic Pooh fat quarters I bought at a local fabric store (sorry I don't rememeber which one) and I decided on Bamboo batting (really its 50% bamboo and 50% organic cotton).

I am really loving this quilt. I don't have the back pannel yet but I am planning on getting something super soft and cuddly. I haven't decided yet on if I want to keep it for my daughter or give it as a gift.

I am doing a little bit of hand embroidery on it (outlining some of the characters with a backstich and such) to add a little more interest to it. I will post a finished picture (don't expect it for a couple months, its not my only project and well its something I've never done before)  

2 Cats for my Baby

OK I couldn't wait to post the kittens onsie I'm working on! I thought it might be good to show what the iron on pattern looks like (remember the iron on pattern, this one from Aunt Marthas, washes off when you're finished). I am going to try and finish it tonight. I showed my husband and he asked me if I was going to decorate all of Ali's onsies, made me feel a little proud of myself especially considering this is the first time I've ever embroidered anything. Oh by the way I bought the iron on for less than $3 (it came in a days of the week set with big iron ons, this one is actually the test pattern) at Joannes.














Ok, as promised here is the onsie finished and on the baby! (March 17, 2010) I think I might have made the girlie cat a little darker, the white of the onsie kind of fades her out. Oh well, there is always next time!

Embroidery

During this economic depression we all need a little pick-me-up and if your an individual who likes to make things, this might be right up your ally.

Embroidery. There are TONS of tutorials online as well as books at the library that will teach you. I happened acrossed a book bargin bin at my grocerie store and found 'The Encyclopedia of Stiches' Edited by Karen Hemingway, and though it looked like it could be fun.

I have done cross-stitch before but never embroidery. I have to say embroidery is fun to learn and pretty easy to do. Its a nice quiet activity you can do while your kiddo is sleeping, or husband, or cat, or while your trying to fall asleep. Why is this a pick me up? Because with embroidery you can turn that plain onsie or bib into a work of art. There are iron on stencils that wash off once you've completed the embroidery and voila, you have an one of a kind onsie! I am working on an onsie with a vintage kitty pattern, so far it looks adorable. I will post a picture of it when I'm finished.

Also think of the gift giving possibilities. Who wouldnt love a hand embroidered onsie (or whatever else you find to make into your canvas!)?

Total Baby: Best Baby App EVER!

Quick review on this. I got this app in early Febuary and its awesome. If you have an IPod Touch or IPhone and even a little bit of baby brain your going to love this. It tracks everything baby does: sleeping, eating, diapers, bath time, and then there is a misc. box that allows you to track whatever you want like tummy time, medicine ect. It also has a 'diary' where you can write down special things like 'baby's first bath'. All I'm saying is tht it sure beats pen and paper and at $5 its a steal. I love looking at it and knowing exactly how long its been since baby ate or slept (really makes figuring out whats wrong with baby WAY easier)

A swaddle for those who stink at swaddling

 

This swaddle is fantastic! If you are looking for a useful baby shower gift or something for yourself this is it. I've used this and it makes swaddling a breeze. Best of all you’re not going into the baby's room every ten minutes to make sure baby hasn't wiggled out of the swaddle and is suffocating on the blanket.

The Velcro makes sure that the swaddle stays tight. Swaddling seems to make the baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. 'Happiest Baby on the Block' book recommends swaddling to help calm an unhappy baby. This brand is Kiddopotamus, they come in a few different colors and fabrics. Probably the best baby item you'll ever buy.