Recycled T-shirt Newborn Sleeper

Lately I've been all about trying to repurpose old clothing. We have so much of it and I hate to see it just go to waste, especially since I've been purchasing fabric just as quickly. So in a effort to economize and be a little bit greener, I've scoured the web for ideas. And there are some AMAZING ideas out there. I could go for weeks just trying out all the great projects I've discovered.

This one, however, takes the cake. At least for right now. We all know how many onesies a kid can go through in a day; it can be daunting. I finally found an economical solution for that -- the recycled t-shirt sleeper. I love this idea. I made this one using two of Richard's old Ts (mediums) that were destined for the rag pile. They are so soft and perfect for a baby. And I am delighted to say that I even mastered the rather difficult looking (but really fairly simple) collar that makes it so baby.

I'm telling ya, there are going to be LOTS of these cuties around here. It's addicting! Oh, and if you happen to live in the area and have any fun adult Ts that could have another life, I'd be happy to take them off your hands.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

What kind of idiot goes out to Walmart at 4 pm on a Saturday afternoon? Apparently, I do. (Pregnancy Brain, I fart in your general direction.) There was no Tylenol in the house, and I had a splitting headache. What's a girl to do? But upon arriving at the Walmart, I couldn't find the analgesics. They put the in the very center of the store, in the vortex of people, the most chaotic part of the mart. Who's brilliant idea was that?

And I got the last bottle of Tylenol in the store. I'm not exaggerating. (It's been known to happen, but not this time.) And you know what? Of course they were all out of Tylenol -- it was 4 pm on Saturday at Walmart. What was I thinking?

Nursery Plans

So I think I have a good start on the nursery (otherwise known as the upheaval that is about to take place); at least I have the bumper pad fabric and some paint colors picked out. Like I said, it's a start.

I think I will want to repaint a dresser that is currently white, and probably add some more modern drawer pulls to it. And the walls will certainly be getting a fresh coat of paint. (or two, or three -- as the color in Hayes's room is really dark!)

I will definitely be adding some solid colored fabric to this mix for sheets, blankets, changing pad covers, perhaps even a chair slipcover if I get that ambitious, but these colors and patterns really appeal to me and I am sure they will have a calming effect in the new nursery -- at least on my end.

It's a start. And Hayes seems to have finally settled on a color scheme for his room too. I feel like we can actually get started painting the guest room (soon-to-be-Hayes's-new-room). There is much to do before September arrives.

Card Makin' Fool

I have been burning a little creative energy making some cards lately. I've gone completely digital in the scrapbooking arena, and I have all these left over supplies from when paper was queen. Something had to be done. And I love to use up my scraps, to be utterly thrifty, and to make something beautiful out of what was once just a pile of unrelated items. (I also spent a good deal of time purging those I'm-never-really-gonna-use-this items. Boy what a difference that made!)

And this box was WAY too low. I like to send one or two of these with each book I sell; a little extra something is always lovely. I still need to beef up the birthday and baby cards, but progress is progress. And spending a little time with myself on an artist date doesn't hurt either.

I love it when the creative urge strikes.

Companion Knits for Baby

Of course, I am the sort of person who can't stop at just a cute pair of booties for the first baby knits. Oh no. I need to finish a set. And having a seemingly never-ending stash of yarn, I was able to complete this sweet little set. I realize that blue is traditionally a boy color, but I'm not a big believer in the whole, blue is for boys party. It is, after all, one of my favorite colors. And of course, my gift larder is becoming more of a hope chest -- storing away baby things that are slowly being created and stashed away for a time somewhere in the future.

I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't ready to get the Hayes's new room underway, and the nursery in full swing. But, life is such that we must take one step at a time. And knitting is something I can do right now. Hopefully, the other pieces will begin to fall in place soon. I'm hoping to start painting the current guest bedroom, soon to be Hayes's new room, in two weeks. (Although trying to get Hayes to commit to a new color - or two, or three - is not the easiest piece of the pie!) And in the next month, a trip to IKEA will cure all ills (at least in the home decorating department). Patience, Patience....

A quilter I am not...

May I just say, I am SOOOO glad this project is over! Please don't look too closely at any of the seams, they leave much to be desired. I love putting all this old fabric to use, but the actual putting together of this quilt was about to send me over the edge. I hate the precision of it, and the many, many steps that must be done in order to have a finished quilt. I have learned a lot, and perhaps that would make the next time easier. But it will be a long time before I tackle that sort of thing again! I'm much more about the instant gratification type of sewing.

Next on the sewing docket: bumper pads for the crib. I purchased some pretty fabric to recover some pillows in my studio, but it seems that it is the perfect sort of thing for a nursery, now that I'm looking at it. So this will be the next project to tackle. At least it goes together in small pads that will then tie to one another (or the crib rails). That seems more my speed!

Avatar

I realize I am probably the last person in America who has not seen Avatar - well, that, my friends, has been remedied. In fact, I saw it at the beginning of the week and I was so moved, so amazed, so intrigued that I haven't really been able to say how much I liked it. At least not with any accuracy. It is, as many people have already said, a MUST on the big screen in 3D. The use of 3D was so impressive. The story appealed to my native american heart and the art was simply beautiful.

My friend said it best as we were walking out of the theater, "Well, we don't have to watch the Academy Awards now." Indeed. If you haven't seen this film, you really must. Don't wait.

Featured In Inspire Online Magazine

Can I get a witness?! My keepsake books have been featured in Inspire Online Magazine! You can see the full issue here. I'm on page 17! (And if you want to become a fan of them on Facebook, you can do so right here.)

I'm a little pumped up about this, as you may imagine. The magazine is chock full of all sorts of goodies. I encourage you to take a look. And don't forget to stop by the Etsy shop for your Valentine Keepsake books before they are all gone! Selection is limited, you know. :)

No Autism-Immunization Link After All

I have to first say thanks to Josh for the link to this article. I know it will probably get heated reactions from some, but it makes me nuts that a retraction doesn't get the buzz that the front page stories do. In short, The Lancet states that no large study could recreate the same result as Dr. Wakefield's study did. Of course, the Dr. disagrees. The General Medical Council in the UK says that the Wakefield study can not be trusted. You can watch the Today Show story here for the full report:

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Super Scarves 2012

I recently discovered that the knit-signal has been lit for Super Bowl 2012 (you know, like the bat-signal?). Indianapolis is hosting the Super Bowl in 2012 and wants to give away 8,000 scarves to all those who volunteer to help with the Super Bowl happenings. As such, they are asking for knitters to donate their time and hand knit a scarf or two in order for the committee to provide them to all their volunteers.

For more information, you can check out the Host Committee's website. There is no set pattern, but there are patterns available on the website for those who may need a suggestion. There are, however, approved yarn colors (which are, coincidentally, blue and white). I will definitely be sending in a scarf or two. I just love being involved in stuff like this.