Babywearing Bag

I had look at some babywearing bags online to go with my baby wraps/carriers, but they all seemed to be quite expensive (well, for my budget anyway). So, being the crafty person that I am, I decided to make my own.

I looked online for tutorials and patterns, but they all either required too long a piece of fabric, or I couldn't understand the pattern itself!

Bugger it, I'll make it up as I go along!

So I did. 

I free balled the whole way and cut out various lengths of fabric. 4 bits for the straps, 2 big bits for the main bag, 2 for the poppered flap and 1 for the internal pocket. I used cotton for the outer, waterproof fabric for the inside of the straps and flap (because it seemed a bit more durable) and some polar fleece for the lining and pocket.

This is the end product. I road tester it yesterday when I took the little one swimming and it was very strong, yet comfortable. Managed to hold all our swimming gear and essentials. 

Things I'd do differently next time? Probably put a couple of pockets on the front and draw out a pattern instead of just free balling! Maybe attempt it in a nice (but expensive *sigh*) Cath Kidston fabric! 

Keep Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'...

And we're off!

No longer can I make a cup of tea, wash a dish or even go to the bathroom without wondering what this little dude is up to. He started rolling, and when he had done it once, they just kept on coming. He makes huge thuds and I run in thinking he's rolled over, but no, he's just battering his heels on the floor. Then I turn my back for literally 5 seconds and the little blighter is on his front, silent as a mouse!

Next he'll be crawling, oh no. How am I going to keep up with that one?!

Can't wait till he can master the art of rolling back over the other way, then he wouldn't need rescued every two seconds!

.....and this is what happens when I turn my back!!

Whitespace Kids (Mount Florida, Glasgow)

Apart from craft shops, I think I've found my new Mecca!

What a charming and extremely inviting little store this is. Based on Sinclair Drive in Mount Florida (round the corner from my wee home) this little shop offers wonderful gifts, toys and clothes for babies and children that you wouldn't find in your run of the mill kids stores! It's a retro/vintage lovers paradise. The staff are very friendly very welcoming. 

If I had a bob or two I would spend a fortune! I couldn't leave without buying something, so I got Brodie this lovely little comforter called a Flat Out Bear. It's mad from 100% Australian sheepskin and has to be one of the softest things I've ever touched. Brodie likes it too!

Stuffed Toys

Puff the Magic Wee Dragon

Actually made this wee guy a while ago bet here he is now. He doesn't have a name, but he's the first stuffed toy I've made. Think I did alright.

I used a pattern from Etsy, and although it said "Advanced" I'd say it was more "tricky" in parts.

He's made with green bamboo velour, brown minky, and stuffed with polyester toy filling. :) 

After the good result from Puff the Wee Dragon, I decided to make a wee Nelly :) he was made using one of Brodies old baby grows and some blue plush fabric

Goodbye North East, Hello Glasvegas!

Been a few weeks since I last posted, but to say things have been pretty hectic would be an understatement!

As of today I am back in the connected world, I have broadband again! Yay! 

So I made the 3 hour trek back home to Glasgow, Brodie in toe, and with a Luton van absolutely CRAMMED with all out belongings! Think of having to sit on your holiday suitcase to get the zipper shut, we had to physically push things in behind the door in order to get the van shutter down!

Brodie and I moved into a lovely flat in the south side of Glasgow and dad has been kept busy painting and decorating the place, it's looking pretty sharp and the best thing is that Brodie now officially has a pretty blue nursery. A room all of his own!

I'm not going to lie, it's been tough living as a single parent to a 20 week old. He's going through the sleep regression leap and during the day is really trying my patience, the little blighter. So used to have two pairs of hands to do everything. The flat is a bit of a riot with a lot of bags still left unpacked but I guess I'll get there in time. 

On the plus side, it's great to be back with in ten minutes drive of nearly all my family members and back to my home friends, although I do dearly miss the friends I made in the north east.

Here's to a new life and hopefully, a run of good luck for baba and I

:) 

A Summery Top

So far I've really only made stuff for Brodie, so I thought, since it was a nice day I'd make a summery top for myself! It was really easy to make, just need about a metre and a half of material (cotton, poly cotton, crepe or sheer fabric).

I used some vintage buttons I'd acquired recently and my materials were from Dainty Crafts.

If anyone wants to know how I put it together then feel free to leave a comment. It only took about an hour to do, so it was made quicker than it took to wash and old top and ready for my day out!

All Time Low

Think of this as my online journal. 

Cue thoughts and feelings being blurted...

I'm sick of life. Every night now for the past few days I have been so down in the dumps at the thought of moving away and becoming a single mum on Monday. I am scared. Petrified that Im going to fail. Is this normal? 

I have suffered depression since I was a teen and I hate when it veers its ugly head. 

I don't want to move away from my other half, he's such a good dad. I've already had to give up my lovely little dogs yesterday. That was incredibly heartbreaking. How much more can I give up?

Apart from my beautiful little Brodie, I fell like I have nothing :( 

The Biggest Baby Bargain Of Life

I love a tip off me. And when I got this one from Kiddicare last Friday I was straight on that website!

A lovely lady had posted on Baby Centre about "Bargain 3p Wipes". I had to take a peak. My word, I was shocked. Not only did they have bargain wipes, but also lots of bargain cloth nappy loot. Frantically I added to my basket bargain after bargain and tried to make up to £30 to get the free delivery, but really I didn't need half the stuff. So gave myself a stern telling off and just got what I needed.

So here it is girls, my treasure trove of baby bargains...

72 packs of wipes

12 tubs of Mio Fresh nappy sanitiser

6 rolls of Mio Liners

FOR £11

Yes, just £11.

I nearly feel over when it arrived at my door on Monday. 

A Growth Spurt... Again

Ahhh no, not another one. How can this baby possibly get any bigger?

"Yeah, Brodie's brilliant, he's no bother, he's been sleeping right through since 8 weeks", I'd say

"Silly woman, you've just jinxed yourself", says the evil shoulder fairy.

Used to blissful nights of 10 hours uninterrupted sleep, but we are now back to waking up once or twice in the middle of the night, and I'm exhausted. This is one hungry baby, not to mention heavy, as my back is breaking! Bless his little chubby face. I'll be damned if this growth spurt doesn't end soon, so used to sharing the night feeds with my now ex partner. 

I'm looking at him now as he takes his bottle and he looks somewhat drunk. One eye shut and the other eye half open. This is the start of the milk coma. The gateway to my returning slumber.

Now sleep, little one, shhhhhhh.....

Pointless 3am rumblings 

The Highlan' Nappy

Been making lots of nappies recently (will post pics shortly) but have been planning this one for a while now. Bought all the materials ages ago but just lacked inspiration. Well I got it today and decided to steam ahead.

I used the Fatty Cakes nappy tutorial and pattern to make this, but instead of poppers I used applix. I bought some tartan material off of eBay and the rest of the fabrics from Plush Addict. It's an All-In-Two nappy with a snap-in insert. To be honest I should have made the bigger size as I forgot how much of a little chunk Brodie is. This won't last long on him so will either keep it for nostalgia or sell it on if anyone will have it!

Anyway here it is on the boy. He looks so damn cute in it I have to say, shame it won't last long!

I've Been Away... But Now I'm Back!

To say life has been hectic recently is the understatement of the year. In the last month I've moved house/in process of moving house twice. Once is stressful enough, but twice and with a 3 month old baba, very difficult.

I am WONDER WOMAN!!

In recent news, I'm back home in Glasgow couch surfing and trying to find a new home for Brodie and I, and finally get him a little but beautifully decorated nursery (can't wait to post about that!) I have big plans for the walls... Clouds, trees, birds... Ohh cant wait for this project! 

Even though I have been away, I have been crafting loads. Making nappies, toys and even some clothes for little bubs. It's kept my mind occupied at least. I even started a job, but buckled under pressure, broke down in work and ended up on the sick. Yes I am clinically depressed again, gosh life is difficult and cruel.

Whatever happens though, this little cherub keeps me going. One look at that smile makes me forget everything for at least a few seconds :)

Newcastle Vintage Fashion & Textiles Fair

I love a vintage fair, and when I saw there was one being held in Newcastle the other day, I HAD to go!

I thought it would be a nice day out for me and the bairn and the weather was looking really promising in the morning. I loaded Brodie into the baby carrier and off we went!

The rooms were filled with lots of old dresses, fur coats (probably real - yuck!), jewellery, fabrics and craft accessories. I was in heaven! ... Then Brodie started winging and he wouldn't stop. The place was heaving and rummaging was proving a little difficult. I came across a beautiful vintage lace wedding dress, but no I didn't buy it, that's just a little creepy! 

Found a few nice pieces and went upstairs to try them on but the LO just would not settle at all, so mummy had to buy blind and get out fast. Absolutely pouring outside, made a mad dash for the car, baby in toe and headed home.

Note to self, never go to a rummage fest alone with your 10 week old child!

All was not lost though, when I tried on the dress at home it actually fit really well and will last me for years and years to come! 

Sunderland Vintage and Retro Festival next month :) 

New Makes - Reusable Wipes & Taggie!

I spotted online recently this thing called a Taggie. It's basically a square of fabric with ribbons around the outside and designed to keep babies amused by the loops, colours and textures. Decided to have a bash at it myself and got some lovely soft minky fabric, skulls cotton, various ribbons and cut out a square from the bag you get in a cereal box, to make it sound all crinkly when the Taggie is grasped.

Was a really quick make and was pleased with the results! Can't believe websites are charging up to £20 for these!!

Another expensive thing I was refusing to fork out for was reusable wipes! We acquired some baby washcloths in pretty patterns but they were really thin and just lying around in his changer drawer unused. Decided to back them with white cotton terry and sew around the edges. Et Voila! Cheap terry/flannel baby wipes! 

Now all I do is soak them in a solution of water, organic baby wash and a few drops tea tree oil, wring them out and store in a small wet bag, ready for use! Cheep and environmentally friendly :)

REVIEW - Ewan The Dream Sheep

Can this little lamb really send your baby to sleep? For Brodie it's a big bleating yes!

Ewan is a soft, cuddly sheep with a warm glowing heart. It has four different sounds that stay on for 20minutes. A Velcro fastening tail allows you to dangle him safely in baby's cot/crib/Moses basket without the risk of suffocation.

I was a tad sceptical when I read about Ewan, he got a lot of mixed reviews but I love him, he's really squishy and soft and will be great for years beyond birth when Brodie starts to cuddle into things for comfort. I find that if little legs is fighting sleep, I put Ewan on and within the 20 minute timer he is gone!

Only gripe I have is that you have to supply your own batteries to get any proper use out of it and the ones that it comes with only gives you a "trial" of each sound which lasts about a minute.

Here's the evidence of Ewan's power on my baby....

Like Pokemon, But For Mums

My cloth nappy addiction is getting a bit out of hand now, but alas, I have found a new hobby... NAPPY TRADING!

Have been at it for a day now on Baby Centre, they have a special Pre Loved Cloth Nappy group. its a bit exclusive and you have to be 'accepted' onto the board, i feel somewhat privileged! Trying to trade bits of what I have for new stuff I want to try. It's quite cutthroat, lots of mums all wanting the same ones or specific colours. Trading your "shineys" (excellent used/new nappies) for "doublers" (not so new nappies).

Learning new jargon like EEEUC (excellent excellent excellent used condition), VGUC (Very good used condition), AOI (all in one nappy)... And so on.

Gotta catch 'em all.

REVIEW - Tots Bots Bamboozle Stretch

Bombproof!

The Bamboozle stretch is a birth to potty 2 parter shaped nappy made with bamboo. It's boasts super absorbency and being soft against babies skin.

I love that it comes in 6 different rainbow shades (even if they are covered over by a wrap) or natural white/cream if you prefer. The super stretchy leg gussets and back panel mean that you get a more snug yet comfortable looking fit. The bamboo is super absorbent and so far had no leaky pooplosions! I love the snap in bamboo booster which stays in place even with my wiggly bum child!

They do require a wrap to be put over and while the bamboozles are so comfy looking, the Tots Bots flexi wraps were not. I got 4 wraps with my kit but they looked like they were cutting into little ones legs and torso, plus they did not contain the bamboozle too well and it kept poking out through the leg holes causing leaks. I prefer to use a Blueberry coverall as it has the double leg gussets, perfect for containment!

Only gripe I have with the actual bamboozles is the drying time... They take forever (up to a day and a half) to line dry indoors. I have 20 though, so plenty more to use while I'm waiting.

All in all, I love my bamboozles, they're so soft, highly absorbent and come in pretty colours! :)

Ratings -

Bamboozle
Absorbency - *****
Containment - *****
Drying time - **
Cuteness - ****
Comfort - *****

Flexi wrap
Absorbency - na
Containment - **
Drying Time - *****
Cuteness - ****
Comfort - *

You Go... No You Go... Ok I'll Go!

It's a common sight in this household to be up in the middle of the night feeding this hungry Bairn! Every night I wake up hearing him fidget and snort because he's hungry, look at the clock and hope that he's made it through the night for the first time. No such luck yet, I guess it will come with time, although tonight he has gone just over 5 hours, which is somewhat of an achievement. Yay for sleep!

Routine - wake, get up, let the dogs out the back, make bottle, nappy change, feed (while playing candy crush saga or trailing Baby Centre), SLEEP!

This time 2 years ago you'd never willingly catch me up at this hour on a Sunday morning, unless I was paralytic, stoatin' in from some club and clutching a half eaten tray of chips, cheese and/or gravy.. I'm so rock and roll now :)

BARGAIN! Famous Daves Self Tan

Got it from Debenhams for £7.65 reduced from £25.52! Just so happens the one I picked, the pumps broke! Still gives me a lovely tan though :)

My Baby Boys New Knitted Shorts

I'm absolutely addicted to cloth nappies! We started on them a few weeks ago and I love seeing his little squishy bum in them. I started off with a maxi pack of rainbow Tots Bots Bamboozle Stretchies (which are awesome by the way and the company based in my home town of Glasgow - www.totsbots.com) and then I have slowly (lie - more like quickly) been adding to my collection.

I caught wind of such a thing as a wool soaker and at first thought, what the hell is this and how would this stop leaks from getting through his cloth bum nappies? Turns out the wool evaporates liquid as fast as it absorbs it, or something like that. Anyway, I thought I'd make one of the wool soaker things.

Trying to find a 100% wool yarn that's not superwash (which I found out after I was half way through the shorts :() was pretty hard in the local area. So the wool soaker turned into just regular shorts, but they still look cute I think, plus 100% merino wool so they are lovely and soft. Wool was on deal at £3 for 50g from my local wool store.

I've now started making a blue pair, just in time for summer :)

Here's the pattern I used, I can't take full credit for its cuteness,
http://punk-knitters.livejournal.com/110889.html

Bonjour, Guten Tag, Hola... HELLO!

Welcome to my blog! Inspired by my Auntie-in-law Sue and her crafty blog which I can't find the address for. I'll get it later.

I'm 27, from Glasgow but living in the north east with my other half Andy and our gorgeous baby boy Brodie who's just 9 weeks old!

I love all things crafty, vintage, baby related, animal related and that's about it really! I started my blog to let you see all my crafty makes, tell my baby stories and really just to vent about everyday life!

I hope you enjoy reading :))

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