My next project...

...After I get all of my baby sewing done, that is! I stumbled on this really cute tutorial for a toy storage hammock, or as I called them when I was a kid, a "pet net." Since we will be moving the changing table out of my daughter's room and into the new baby's room, we will need a place to store her stuffed animals. They currently reside on a shelf on the table and I thought this would make a great new home for them. It seems like a pretty quick and easy project, and can be made to any size that you need. Perfect!

What to do?

As I try out product ideas for my new shop, I'm often left with slightly less than perfect, but completely functional items as I tweak the design. Sometimes I take the less than perfect items and keep them for myself, but when I am left with more than one that didn't make the cut I wonder what to do with them?

For instance, today I made a cosmetic bag that is near perfect except for slightly off centered tabs on the zipper and a minor flaw in the fabric. I've already kept the first prototype for myself, and am left with one that needs a home. Some etsy sellers have sales to clear out prototypes and less than perfect items, but I was thinking it might be nice to offer it as a giveaway to thank all of you for being such a fantastic audience.

So my question for you, my dear readers is, would you be interested in a giveaway like this, or should I find another use for it around my house? I would love to hear what you think. If I get enough positive feedback I will take some pictures so you can see exactly what the issues are and open it up for a giveaway.

Biting off more than I can chew?

Since finding out that we're expecting a boy, I have a laundry list of things to sew before he arrives. Some of the things on that list include cloth diapers, cloth wipes, moby wrap, nursing cover, crib bedding, blankets and who knows what else I've forgotten to mention. First on my list of priorities though are the diapers and wipes. Because I learned to sew *after* my daughter was born, we never got around to cloth diapering her. So, I'm starting early this time so I will be prepared when he arrives.

My first order of business was knocking out the wipes because I will need so many of them. I finally got around to buying thread for my new serger and got to work. I made them out of one layer of flannel measuring 7 x 12 inches, rounded the edges and serged them to make a quick, easy wipe that won't fray in the wash. I made sure to size them so they will fit in our huggies wipes tub and even figured out how to fold them so the next one pops up when I pull one out! It's a little scary how excited I am about the fact that they pop up, because I've spent quite a bit of time making sure that they are all folded just right. We'll see how long that lasts once he's born.

I've made 42 so far, which I've found to fit perfectly in our tub and plan to make about 20 to 30 more. Though, I might take a break for a bit and move on to something else since I know I will have enough to last a few days. As for solution to dump over them, I used this recipe from Recipe Zaar and absolutely love the way it smells and the fact that I know exactly what will be going on my little man's bottom.

Baby Update

I had been counting down to the 20 week ultrasound since the moment I found out that I am pregnant. I just can't stand not knowing what I'm having. I'm a planner at heart and need to be able to plan and decorate accordingly. Well, the day finally came last week, and I thought I would share the news with all of you. We're having a BOY! :) We haven't even come close to coming up with a name for him yet because hubby and I just don't agree. I really, really love the name Nevin for him and am very close to using bribery to get my husband to agree to it. What do you all think? I would love to hear your feedback or suggestions for different names that are both unique and start with the letter 'N'. Without further ado, here's the little man in all of his adorable, thumb sucking glory!

A few things I've been working on

I've been sewing my fingers to the bone lately making these cute little travel tissue cozies and key fobs. I plan on offering both of these as free gifts with purchases for my grand opening sale in my new shop, which will hopefully take place sometime this spring. In the meantime, if you're interested in making a tissue cozy of your own, check out this tutorial. Mine are a tad bit different though, as there are no raw edges or loose flaps anywhere. I can't give away all of my secrets! :)