Knitting: Green Asymetrical Cardigan for Christmas

I've been wanting to do this Bulky Baby Asymetrical Cardigan pattern because it looks like my speed: fast and easy. It is a garter stitch (my knitting is still much faster than my purling--or for the day when I do both equally quickly) and calls for worsted weight yarn. I thought it would be cute in this great green Lion Brand Jiffy yarn.

It did go pretty quickly but I am always so impatient--always want to finish and try it on and move on to another fun project. I thought it would be a cute look to use these embossed metal buttons. Now it looks a bit Alpen to me.

Cute with a plaid skirt and embroidered collar shirt for Christmas! If only Audrey would hold still for a photo!

Christmas Card 2006

I adore letterpress. I think the words themselves really need no other adornment when they are pressed into beautiful paper like this. I had the press that did Audrey's birth announcements, The Mandate Press, create these single panel Christmas cards for me.

This year, especially after Audrey's birth, I felt this one word said it all.

I used the same font and printed a message on vellum, enclosed a family photo taken by Julie Shipman and tied the little package with ribbon that has the same subtle sheen as the paper stock.

Fun to finally be sending a Christmas card, and to be involved in the making. I used to hand make cards in high school and college and I loved doing it. Maybe I can continue that in the years to come.

Knitting: Red Wrap Baby Cardigan and Booties with Bow

When I was on bed rest for a time early in my pregnancy with Audrey, my mother brought me this book of knitting patterns (Knitting the Easy Way by Terry Kimbrough) because she LOVED this little bootie pattern. It is pretty darling. I tried it first in a pink worsted weight yarn and ended up with something large enough to be a toddler's slipper--it's taken me a bit to learn how to read gauge and substitute yarns. This time around I used a Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn, which is so incredibly yummy, and this red color is so gorgeous. It was fun to look for a ribbon to match. I chose this white with red polka dots--a little tricky matching the reds. I found it at a scrapbooking supply store (whole new world in there!).



So, as I often do for myself, the "shoes" started this outfit! I found this little baby cardi pattern in a knitting book (Erika Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies) I received as a baby gift from one of my good friends, Amy. I haven't tried something with small needles like this before and I thought I would never finish! I remember working on it one evening and estimating that I probably finished 6 rows an evening, which meant it would take me months! And it did.

So it's finished just in time because Audrey has nearly outgrown it. As it turns out the sweater is a bit small and the booties a bit large--they fall off--but they worked to get a few cute photos in her nursery.

Room: Audrey's Nursery

UPDATE: Cute photos of Audrey in her nursery!

Audrey's nursery is finally coming together! Not my ideal to bring a baby home in the middle of construction, but with food, love and plenty of sleep, she doesn't seem to notice! We have the room painting, the chest of drawers from IKEA is transformed with new knobs and a changing table pad (I love the height of this chest--higher than most and more comfortable I think):

We moved in the armoire I painted a high-gloss red years ago, with the tassles my mother found for me when I was talking about a black, white and red nursery (still has some black white and red so this works!):

I LOVE the C.O.M. upholstered glider! So glad I did the red piping as I think it really makes the chair. The throw pillow was made by my very thoughtful friend, Lori--I just loved it when she brought it over. Still can't believe we have this little girl in our family!

And of course, the all important crib bedding! I used a Moda Dottie white-with-red-dot fabric for the inside and piped the bumper in the reverse. I love the look of the polka dots together with this floral fabric. Makes it a bit more light hearted.  

My favorite is the skirt. I made it straight with box pleats and the polka-dot contrast fabric inside the pleats and banded at the bottom. Can't wait to get it all put together on the crib!