portable changing mat

There's a new baby girl on the way (no, not mine...) and I wanted to make something for the little bundle of joy. I'm planning a quilt for M, but in the meantime I thought of this "transformer" project: a changing mat which morphs into a tote.

This is the changing mat (open):
there are four pockets for diapers, wipes and baby change.

And this is the same thing (closed):
to close the mat into a tote, you just fold the pockets inwards, then fold lengthwise in half.

Soft pink ballons... that's a "fuzzy applique" (or so I call it)

I'm sure I've not invented anything, most changing mats are also bags, so there's really nothing new. Applique decorations were probably also inspired by some picture on the web.

But everything is smooth and soft and ready for M. Her parents liked it and me too... and you?

Mira's cowl

As I said last month, I've been knitting. Yesterday I finally finished the cowl, and I must say I really love how this project turned out.

As the pattern said, I worked it straight, not Moebius: at first I had doubts, but now I can see why you don't want to twist the simple but classy pattern: see the photo below?

I opted for the larger version, the one in which the pattern is repeated three times (the smaller one has only two repetitions): that left me with 180 stitches on a circular needle (love that, no seams...).

Mira didn't give any indication about the length of the cowl, she only said "repeat to desired height". I was at a loss: which length should be better for a cowl? What if I made it too short? or too long?

As always when I'm not sure, I turn to mathematic. The best thing about math is it has answers almost for everything. What comes to mind when thinking about proportions? well, easy! the golden ratio.

So now I had my answer: just divide 180 by the golden ratio (φ=1.62 circa). That gave me 111 (too much for the height), so 180-111=69 rows... mhmm, more like it. Turned out the golden ratio was a good one for this project. Yes, I know, in a twisted way, 'cause I didn't directly used the 111 figure.

I know, that sounds pretty insane.... but, hey! it worked. What do you think?

pink fairy costume

Well, Pink Fairy got Smurfette#1's approval.

It's a basic costume, 'cause the teachers told us (enthusiastic) parents that at some point during the school day the costumes would be gone... you know, to learn something. That was fine with me, so I complied planning a simple costume, that Smurfette#1 could take off easily and that would still leave her fully clothed for a school day.

So the gown is a simple jersey full circle skirt, with a silver waist band with plastic automatic buttons on the back. Underneath there's toulle to get the volume. I made four roses with silver strings and attached them at the waist, 'cause "Mom, I'm a spring fairy!".

The top is a simple jersey sleeveless shirt. Wings are from "H&M". No magic wand that could be used as a weapon in school. Better safe than sorry.

Under her costume, she wore leggings and a warm cotton white shirt.

When I picked her up in the afternoon, one of the roses was... separated from the gown, and the hem was nowhere near the white concept anymore... but the whole thing was still in one piece, so to speak.

(Thank god for my Sergej...!)

So for this year I can safely assume I'm done with Smurfette#2's costumes... until Halloween, that is.

needles (not pins)

There's this cosmic rule in my craft space that my needles get lost as soon as they are stored in a safe place... so safe that I can't remember where I put them... the rule does not apply to my pins, that are easily stored in a Nutella glass (along with the classic white cap).

This thing is driving me crazy, so I surfed the net for some solution... I found my inspiration and I made this needle book, which will hopefully help me with my hiding needles.

It only has 4 pages: the first for hand sewing needles, the second for safety pins holding labels on baby clothes, the third is for embroidery needles (no points) and the last is for wool needles (the big ones).

I love this little book!

I've been knitting...

... even if I promised I had to finish all of my sewing UFO. I know, I know... I do not have a single shred of willpower left in me...

I draw some sort of comfort from the fact that the project is coming so well... it's really very simple, a basic one. I saw this cowl on Ravelry and having recently purchased a soft wool stash I decided to give it a try.

I wanted something simple and super speedy and this was a project that perfectly met all the specifications (using the stash included...).

I plan to finish in the next few days, 'cause I usually work during the evening Fox tv shows, and mondays and thursdays are full of nice series...