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

Play Bags

Yesterday while shopping with my sister, we found some great second hand toys in the local opportunity shop. One in particular caught my attention, a full dinosaur play set complete with faux rocks, trees, dinosaurs - enough to set up a whole dino land! I grabbed it for $5 thinking it would be great for work and future kids.
It came in a plastic container (as do most modern toys) and age and use had made the container damaged and bent out of shape. Once I got the toys home, I soaked them in disinfectant and put them out to air dry. Then, I got to work making a cute bag to store all the toys in.
This is what I came up with:

I added a cute little dinosaur applique on the front, so you know what is in the bag, and helpful when kid are packing away their own toys, the dino toys go in the dino bag!

Easy drawstring top...

One of the best things about these bags is that they could easily be hung on the back of a door to keep the toys out of the way. If you had a rack with 4 hooks across the kids bedroom, I can imagine you could hang 4 bags like these and have some storage up off the floor! This is hung on the back of my bathroom door, but you get the picture.

These bags are great for most toys but especially those annoying "little peices" sets like lego, duplo etc. All together in one bag!

With a good wash and cute new bag, old toys are made new!

I can imagine I will have bags like these everywhere when my kids make their appearance! Would be great even for storing in toy boxes.

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



Welcome to the New Girls!!!

I recently got a new pattern which I simply had to make! I made it in two sizes, one for big girls and one for the toddler girls...

Aren't they really sweet?

The little red head (who reminds me of Strawberry Shortcake, minus the pink) comes with a big yellow headband and bow...

I love their cute little collars...

I added lace to one skirt and rick rack to the other...

cute little shoes....

I would love to hear what you think of them....would your girls/nieces/little people love one like this? I always like to hear what people think of the different patterns I use...

You can find the pattern on Etsy....the name of the seller is "AllDolledUp"...

Have a great week!

Ciao

Bella

xx

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

Holiday Snaps

I only have 3 days of freedom left before work resumes! I have been perusing some of my favourite pics from the holiday season and thought I would share with you....

We have had a great break. Hubs has had to go back to work this week so I have been catching up with friends, rearranging rooms in our house and generally getting ready for a big year.

What about you? Has this holiday been relaxing or busy?

I will be back in the next day or so with a project I finished while I was on hols.

Ciao

Bella

xxx