On The Go....

Life has been busy round these parts! It always seems like everything important falls all within 2 weeks so you get run ragged! Nevertheless, life is full, happy and fun!
I thought I might show you a few pics of things I have made recently, am making or am going to make! I have quite a few crafting projects on the go these days!

Little girls handbag! Isnt it devine. So easy to make too which makes me happy!

I tried one of the new crochet sandal pattern I got during the week. It turned out ok, Im not overly happy with it, but will make the changes I think it needs and then hopefully next week, post a complete pair!

I also started some "Pirate Bunting" which will be about 8 different flag designs with some felt images sewn onto some of the flags. I cant wait to finish these, I think they are going to look really great!

I have also started making a quilt for our baby girl. These are the squares just cut out which I took last week but since then they are all sewn together and am on to the next step this week. I will do a more detailed post on quilting when I finish work as I figured since I am learning how to quilt, someone else may want to know how too!

I love being creative. Brings so much joy to my life....Im sure those creative ones out there agree! If you dont feel you are creative, I think EVERYONE can be creative, you just have to find something that interests you and get going!

Have a fab week, this is my LAST week of work before maternity leave so you can only imagine how exited I am!

Ciao

Bella

xx



Owls and Hats!

Hubs and I arrived home today from a wonderful Easter long weekend away with my family. The weather was exquisite - clear, blue sunny skies, the afternoons breezy and relaxing and the company top notch!
While away, the nights were very quiet so I had time to get into some hand stitching and crochet. I normally shy away from the hand stitching kind of work and use my machine, but I actually found I enjoyed it! I also found some time to complete two more crochet hats (which are way too cute!) Here are some pics:

This is my gorgeous niece Indianna..I made a crohet hat with brim and used a string of silk flowers I had on hand to decorate the top and give it the girly look..

I am loving this cute little hat on her!

Ok, now for my hand stitching!

A cute little boy and girl owl...

I am really loving pinks and reds at the moment!

I also tried my hand at this cute little owl hat...

Size 1-2..cute hey!

Ok that's it for me now, I've got a million things to go and then off to work tomorrow! (I am totally counting down - only 2 and a bit months to go and then I am off work to go have this baby! Yew!)

Ciao friends

Bella

xx

Woodland Crafting

Right now a huge storm is brewing outside, the wind is howling and big splats of rain are heralding the coming fierceness. What better time to be tucked up on the lounge, with coffee and oreos, chatting with you fine folks! Luckily, I just finished photographing some cute little Woodland creatures I had finished to show you today before it got too dark outside to get any decent pictures.

I am quite partial to so many of the cute little woodland creature sewing and crochet patterns that are floating around the internet at the moment, so I decided to have a go myself. I did have grand plans to get a whole set made, complete with a newborn hat as well. I set aside most of today (Sunday) but by midday I was feeling very ordinary and deciding on listening to my big fat pregnant body, I had a 3 hour nap. Oh yes I did. It was the best. So, because of that, I didn't get half as much of my sewing done, but that's life. I will try to finish them off this week, and if I am mega organised, will have another post ready before hubs and I head off to our annual family Easter weekend away at the beach (which I am counting down the sleeps to!)

Here is what I got done this week (not including some baby blankets for our little girl coming in August, but that will be another post!)

Newborn/Infant owl hat complete with ear flaps

I will be taking orders for these hats cause they are too good to keep just for me! I will be able to do sizes newborn to size 3 at this stage until I work out the patern for the bigger sizes. You can choose your colour and what colour you would like your owl eyes to be as well - I find you tend to enjoy something so much more when you can choose all the particulars!

(The hat is made in organic cotton, double stranded, so it is soft and flexible but also warm)

Now for my cute Woodland creatures...

I had made this owl and squirrel as cute little baby hand rattles...

I hand stitched both of them (with another 2 to come) and inserted stuffing and a rattle.

I have a deer and tree cut out as well that I should hopefully have done soon.

I think they are really cute. I am wanting to make them as cuddlies as well, so they will be about 3 times as big as they are in these pics.

What do you think?

If you ever would like to find out more about my work or order anything you see, feel free to leave me a comment or send me message

Have a great week leading up to Easter, hoping that the Easter bunny is kind to you all!

Ciao

Bella

xx

New Hats!

I have been absent for a few weeks cause I got to go on holidays! Yay for 2 weeks of sunny bliss for me and the hubs. Lots of sleep ins, dinners out (no cooking - double yay!) shopping, beaching, swims, coffee dates and late afternoon naps! Our holiday was made even better by finding out that we are having a little girl! Hubs reckons he had a "gut feeling" from the beginning and he said girl all along. I wasn't too sure, but nevertheless, we are pretty thrilled! The crafter in me has already been skimming through my pattern books making a list of all the things I want to make for our little one!!

Anyway, seeing as though autumn is upon us and winter will soon be here, I have started working on some new hats..I am debating between cotton and nice warm wool, but thinking I will do a combination of hats so I can use both. I have done two so far ....

Size 2-3 organic cotton ear flap hat with decorative elastic ribbons! so cute and mega comfy.

Ok so I know this is a GIRLS hat but my niece wasn't overly keen in getting her pic taken, but Reece, who is amazingly cute and has these eyes that look into your soul, wasn't against the idea! My sister minds him a few days a week and he is gorgeous. I simply needed a noggin to model this hat on and he was willing...nothin to be ashamed of Reecy boy!

I did manage to capture this one but her face says it all "if you absolutely must!"

The hat also has ties that can either hang down for cuteness or be tied up for more practical purposes.

I love this one! Size 1-2. Made in 100% aussie wool with a cute white band and oversized flower.

I really love the colours of this hat...nice and bright!

I have also been working on some new patterns...these cute puppy rattles are some:

I am going to be working on getting my business up and running over the next few months. I am starting by working on my catalogue of items I will be offering and other boring stuff like webites, changing my blog name over to my business name and all other things like that.

Currently, most of my hats are available for purchase or I also take custom orders. Just facebook me or leave a comment on my blog and I will get back to you!

Hope you all have a great week, I will be back next week with more hats!

Ciao

Bella

xxx

Baby Showers and Holidays!

It feels like time flys by so quickly and I never get time to prepare the blog posts that I really want to write. I always end up offering the half version of what I really want to say just to get my post down and then find myself frustrated that my blog is not doing what I want it to do! I keep telling myself that once maternity leave rolls around (3 and a half months to go, but whose counting!) I will have more time to really put the effort in. That's right...keep telling yourself that! Right now I am frantically trying to get this post done while packing for holidays, finishing off a couple of orders and scheduling baby scans. But who is complaining...all of those a good problems to have!

A friend of mine at work is having a little girl real soon and I put together a cute basket for her baby shower which I can't make as we will be away....I figured that every little girl needs cute shoes and hats!

cute pink shoes and a bunny ears hat to match!

Hubs and I are heading off on holidays in the next few days and I could not be more excited for it!!!! I am hoping for a little quiet time over the next few weeks to try my hand at needle felting - my new craft interest! A few pics that have inspired me lately...

Source

Source

I also want to try a few hook projects I have had waiting...

I LOVE these...how amazing and cute are they!!!

Too many cute things and no where near enough time. Let's hope I get a newborn that behaves!

Have a great few weeks, see you on the flip side where I will hopefully be relaxed, rejuvanted and bursting with news about whether we are having a pink one or a blue one!

Ciao

Bella

xx

Missing! My Creativity....

Over the last 8 weeks or so I have had a total lack of desire to be creative...On top of being really busy with life in general, morning sickness has zapped any resolve to do anything apart from sleeping, being sick, rummaging in the cupboard for some kind of food to keep down and sleeping some more. I had no idea how tired I would be an how sick I would feel. I am hoping (with every finger and toe crossed) that it will pass soon and I might get my energy and creative mojo back.

At the moment, my life is filled with doctor's visits (really, how many times is normal in one week?), work and filling current orders (which thankfully, have kept my mind occupied and hands busy). Cooking dinner for hubs when he gets home from work has been a bit hit and miss - there has been way too many pizza and thai meals around here!

Today e had a baby scan that totally amazed me. After nearly a year at IVF and a few losses, I am still in awe that I am actually having a baby. I sit and watch the ultrasound screen and think...Whose baby is that? That can't be mine! Yet, as my stomach grows and I devour salt and vinegar chips by the kilo, it becomes more real. To all those couples out there that are till trying and going through what is one of the hardest times of your life...stay strong. I know how it feels and to be honest, in the middle of it, it SUCKS. I am not going to give you "it will be alright in the end" cause I hated that. Just keep strong. Your future babies are worth it.

Enough waffling on from me....even though I haven't done alot of new projects lately (I do hve a few I want to try when time allows) I did have one small project I didn't show you...

My nan is the queen of making receiving blankets for babies. (Receiving blankets?? What the?) Basically, a soft flannel blanket with a crochet edge that is divine for wrapping bub, laying on the floor for bub to lay on and any general "baby needs a blanket" time. I wanted to give one a go considering I always loved my nan's one...
Here is my first attempt (I now regret the colours I used, so not happy with it but hey, it's a first attempt!)

Before you say it, I know my toenails drastically need a re-paint. It's been done!

That's it for me today! Hope you are having a great week and getting some sun!

Ciao

Bella

xx

Tiny Hand Rattles...

A miracle has occured today! The SUN is out! Yes that's right....after days and days of rain, it felt so good to feel the warmth of the sun on my shoulders. I spent the morning with my sister at some local fabric sales and scored some bargains, such pretty florals and spots - I can't wait to start sewing!

I did try out a new pattern recently for the cutest little rattles. What I love about these is the handle of the rattles are perfect for tiny hands, they almost fit right into the palm of baby hands. I love them!

Cute little bear and monkey!

They have the sweetest little faces and so easy to hold onto for little hands!

I love the monkey...so cheeky!

Colour combinations are pretty endless really...These rattles were made for little boys.

Do you like? I think they are cute!

Here's to hoping the sun stays around for a few more hours this week!

Have a great week friends..

Ciao

Bella

xxx

Baby Boy

There seems to be alot of bouncing baby boys born in my world lately! Whether it be friends, relatives, friends of friends, there must be something in the water!
My sister asked me to put together a few gifts for a little boy of her friend. Here is what I came up with...

Baby Converse Booties! They are so cute I could scream.

Complete with laces...

I also made this Bomber hat for the little man....

Made with 100& cotton, it feels so soft.

Cute little earflaps to cover little ears on cold nights...

back view of the hat. I decided to trim it in the same colour I added the front flap in.

What do you think? Cute?

It's been a miserable day here today so I have happily spent the afternoon cuddled up on the lounge crocheting and watching vintage movies. Bliss.

Have a brilliant week!

Ciao

Bella

xxx



Crochet Baby Dress

Over the holiday break, I got to work on a few projects that I had been busting to try but couldn't find the time to do.
I found this sweet little pattern in a book called "Little Crochet" (you can find it on Amazon). I made a few changes (as per normal!) and came up with a sweet little dress sized 3-6 months. I am going to make a few more as I wasn't totally happy with the crochet yoke of the dress and think I can do better. I thought I would show you a few pics and see what you all think....

What do you think? It looks alot better in real life than in photos (as do most things...) but when all is said and done, I am happy with it and would parade any baby of mine in it proudly.

The holidays are over for me, I am back to work tomorrow (booooo), but to be honest, I haven't been dreading it that much as I do love the girls I work with. The year promises to be a busy one but I am determined to make time each day to be creative, to finally get my exercise plan back in action and to take one amazing holiday with the hubs. Easy right? Let's see how we go.

Have a fab week!

Ciao

Bella

xxx