WIP wednesday #44

This week has been quite feverish, being the first week in primary school for Smurfette#1 and the first week in kindergarden for Smurfette#2... let's not dwell on that for now, I'll post about it another time. Aside from that, I got a serger (which I've not been able to use yet - remember the feverish part?) and sewed and crafted and planned...

COMPLETED PROJECTS:

- kindergarden bag: for my youngest nephew, Smurf#2

- pre-school bib: for another nephew, Smurf#1

- oilcloth diapers pouch: an organization issue is often the starting point for a new project...

- more little oilcloth pouches: after seeing my diapers pouch, Mom's asked me for smaller versions to keep in her bag for cosmetics, tissues, ... you can't say no to Mom, now, can you?

this is Smurfette#1's shot, complete with our feet... (!)

- basket ball holding net (the fishnet): I've finished the net, and now (   ) I have to invent a practical handle...

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:

- heavy girls' bedroom blind: planned, now I need to get supplies (plastic rings, wood sticks, string, ...)

- lunch bag: on hold

pre-sewn lunch bag

- Paths in my Garden quilt (king size quilt) - on hold 

- Secret project #1 (lap size quilt) - on hold

- Chains of Love quilt (twin size quilt) - on hold for priority reasons

- Secret project #2: it's a Christmas present for very important people :) - planned and partially supplied with the right fabric...
- craft room restyling: I know, I'm repeating myself, but don't you think that once in a while some restyling is in order?
- family room restyling: this is a very much needed project, and we are slowly progressing. I'll post about it later, it deserves a specific post.

THIS WEEK:

completed projects: 5

in progress: 9

new projects: 8

uhmmm... not so good, but I hot to do better next week!

one more bib

My nephew, Smurf#, needs some more bibs, 'cause it seems that the more you grow up, the more you make a mess at lunch. Funny how that actually applies also *out* of pre-school...

Anyway, Sis told me to go with a yellow pattern, 'cause colors identify classes. I personally don't like yellow too much, but this turned out pretty well.

One down, two more to go.

kindergarden - the never-ending story

I have four nephews: two are in school, one is in pre-school and one in kindergarden. Once in a while, some of them need something handcrafted, and I'm the crafty aunt. Lucky me! No, seriously, I love making something for them.

This time, Sis (who's a totally can-I-have-it-already-made-please person) asked me some bags and bibs for  Smurf#2 in kindergarden.

Yesterday evening I started on this project with the first bag.

I had just the right type of fabric, obviously Ikea, which has a fabulous selection of fabrics for kids. With the considerably positive plus of being super-affordable...

I made a bag for the weekly change, with the name cross stitched.

the front

the back

 Isn't this print the cutest ever? It's bright and happy.

For the embroidered part I used cotton emiane and satin ribbon. This time I didn't use an alphabet, but I've  transformed my own handwriting in cross stitch letters. I'm happy with the result.

planning the handwriting2cross stitch thing

it's kindergarden time (again)!

It's mom's fault: just before I went to Austria she told me "Haven't you prepared anything yet for Smurfette#2's kindergarden kits? 'cause she's going in September..." and that was it.

I told you that I wouldn't have been inactive during vacation, and in fact I did make something:

Does it ring a bell? Yep, kindergarden is tough.

I like my cross-stitch back to be clean and nice, and I often have it right, but when letters are involved it's sometimes tricky...

the whole 'activity' kit

hearts are all over

My old flame cross-stitch comes in handy for this purpose, but I'm also putting to good use my sewing skills for the 'containers':

bib pocket

I've already designed the change bag and the tote bag, which I'll post about when they're done.

cross stitch bib

In a month or so a friend of mine is having a little baby girl. It's a tradition: newborn = bib with name. So here it is.

little Martina's bib

embroidered bibs

Once in a while I like to indulge in my old love: cross stitch embroidery. So... what about bibs? I made these while I was pregnant with Smurfette#2, 'cause I knew I was going to need tons and tons of bibs.

This is first Smurfette#1's bib, made six years ago (more or less):

I don't know why I'm thinking (and blogging) about cross stitch, maybe the old flame is burning again...?

cross stitch napkin pochettes

four of them

packed up for Sis

My sister asked begged me to make some napkin pochettes, 'cause in a family of four it's sometimes difficult to know which napkin is yours...

I decided to go with cross stitch on cotton etamine cloth. And I must say they really came out well. Sis certainly liked them...