Strike Three...but I'm Still In

For the past couple of days I've been focusing my attention on creating the "perfect" mini-diaper bag. I've made improvements, but I haven't hit a homerun yet. Since I have to take up the dining room table for my sewing projects, I decided to put the sewing machine away for a couple of days and see what my mind comes up with after some distance from the project. I need to focus my attention back to Lady Eleanor, anyway.

My second bag was similar to my first except that I got the lining in the right place (inside of instead out!), and I added a loop strap and velcro to fasten the front. I was very pleased with the result.

I decided to make the third bag about two times larger, hoping it would be my final attempt. It would actually work perfectly if it was meant for disposable diapers and one of those mini wipes cases. Unfortunately, I could barely fit one Bumgenius cloth diaper in it! So, back to the drawing board...The velcro also doesn't work well at all, so I'm thinking of making a drawstring on the next attempt. I'm actually enjoying the "designing" process, as well as the creating. I do, however, like the double pockets and elastic (on the inside) in my third design. The first two bags are going into my gift stash, which Heidi is helping me work on through her giftKAL--check it out and join the fun! You'll be happy you did come December! :)

Oh, and one more pic of my sewing helper:

OK, last one: the obligatory spaghetti picture!

Score!

I bought these on Friday at the local fabric/quilting store--it had a terrific sale! Now, too bad there isn't a local yarn store...

Back to Walking

After a long hiatus due to weather, a broken stroller, and wild dogs in the neighborhood, Matt and I are back to our daily afternoon walks. The weather has been beautiful here. When I walk I'm really able to notice all of the little changes of the season that show it's spring. Tiny buds are sprouting, I saw the first daffodils in our neighborhood yesterday, I've noticed birds picking up string and twigs for their nests, and I've even had a couple of insects land on me. I'm excited for spring and all the new life it brings. Matthew is also big enough now to be in the Ergo backpack-style. He enjoys it, and it's very comfortable for me. I actually like it more than the stroller (which still has a flat tire)! I also feel better prepared: DH bought me some pepper spray to carry on our walks because there have been loose dogs in our neighborhood, including a pitbull! Here we are ready to go (ignore our messy bedroom!):As mentioned in my previous post, I've been brainstorming designs for a mini-diaper bag. I want it to be small enough to be more portable than Matt's current diaper bag, but big enough to accomodate cloth diapers. First, I needed to practice making the bag with a lining, front flap, etc. I'm pleased with the results, but I'm sure I'll need a few more practice runs.Pros: I was able to plan the general shape and come out with an ok-looking bag. It has flannel inside instead of interfacing, so it's nice and soft, yet also sturdy. It's also pretty cute!

Cons: I accidently switched the fabric, so the outside fabric was really supposed to be the lining. Oops! The sides stuck out from underneath the flap, so I had to make some tucks.

Modifications for next time: learn from my lining mistake, make the tucks first before turning the bag rightside out, make a loop for carrying.

I'll be sure to let you know how the next turns out! Happy spring!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! Although we pushed Matthew's nap time a little, we were able to go to the Easter service at our church and enjoy brunch with my extended family. It was a beautiful New Mexico spring day, and I feel fortunate to have shared it with those I love.

I am also happy to finally be back in the blogging world! I am pretty proud of my will power these past six weeks. No blogging for me, and I stuck to it. Ok, I checked my comments and one of my friend's blogs since it's the only way I've been able to keep track of what's going on in her life (she's a very busy mama to two children under two). Other than that, I stuck to my Lent commitment. I used the time I normally blog for Bible study and prayer. I have really enjoyed that quiet time and will continue even though Lent is now over. It has helped me prepare for my day, count my blessings, and have a deeper relationship with God.

Unfortunately, I do not have any finished knitting projects to report. I feel like I've been plenty busy, but obviously not with knitting. I've actually been brainstorming some designs for a mini diaper bag and a nursing necklace--both inspired by Matthew. He is now so squirmy when nursing and thinks it's funny to pull on my hair, poke my eyes, put his fingers in my mouth...you get the picture! I've looked at some nursing necklaces on various websites, then I thought, "I cold make one of those myself!" Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to go to a bead store in Santa Fe on Thursday. I'll be sure to keep you posted...

Onto diapers: my faith in cloth diapers has been restored! Matthew has been out of cloth for about five months now due to a rash he would get each time I put him in his Mother-ease cloth diapers. At first I thought it was due to a detergent build-up. I stripped the dipes *many* times, but the rash kept coming back. Well, lately I noticed that when I left a disposable on him for too long, he would get the same rash. My conclusion: the rash is due to his skin being wet too long, not a detergent build-up. My heavy-wetter also started leaking through his disposable EVERY night. Since we co-sleep that meant that our bed was wet every morning. I was tired of washing our sheets every day, not to mention poor Matthew having his jammies drenched, so I decided to investigate getting a good night-time cloth diaper. I bought one BumGenius from Nicki's Diapers and the first night it worked great--no leaks and Matthew was nice and dry in the mornig. Plus, no rash! Yay! Needless to say, I bought three more. I am very impressed. I am now excited about cloth again! I know many people like Mother-ease, and for a baby without sensitive skin I'm sure they work great (Matt never had a leak in them). Unfortunately, they didn't work for us. I'm going to put a lot up on ebay if anyone is interested...

I have so much to say, but I better spread it out over a couple of days. I hope everyone is enjoying the early signs of spring! I leave you with one adorable picture taken at a park last week.

Blessings,

Katie

'Tis the Season

The season of Lent. Lent starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday, and I've decided to give up blogging this year. It is something that I enjoy doing, and even though I don't post everyday, I spend much time reading other bloggers' posts. I am going to use the time I normally devote to blogging towards more prayer, Bible study, and perhaps some other religious reading. I have to admit that I will be tempted to check up on my favorite blogs...especially since I'll still need to get online for my class. I'll need to remember that Jesus faced much greater temptation than checking out the lastest blogs!

So, I'll be checking back in with all of you come Easter (don't forget about me!). Hopefully by then I'll have some FOs to report! BTW, I'm frogging Pat's sweater. I realized this evening that the front is a good four inches wider than the back, and I was so proud of myself for working on it. I'm not thrilled about the project anyway, so I think I'm going to try the Cobblestone Pullover...

Have a very blessed Lent season and Easter,
Katie

Crunchy Christians

A couple weeks ago I was scanning the groups on Ravelry when I came across the group, "Crunchy Christian Crafters." Under the heading it read, "Are you too crunchy for your Christian friends and too Christian for your crunchy friends?" or something like that. I was very intrigued. After reading some descriptions and threads in the group, I decided to become a member--being a Crunchy Christian perfectly describes me!

I am a Christian, and my relationship with God is very important to me, as is raising Matthew in a home with Christian values. I know that God entrusted us as humans with the Earth and its resources, and I truly feel that by wasting and devastating the Earth as we have been we are not being good stewards. I do not believe that having "dominion" gives us free reign to do whatever we like. I try my best to live simply, recycle, not waste, etc. I'm also a breastfeeding, babywearing, co-sleeping, homemade babyfood making mama!

I did some additional research regarding Crunchy Christians and found an interesting article here as well as a thread from the motheringdotcommune forum.

I deeply value my relationships with others who have different lifestyles and beliefs from me, but it is nice to know that there are some people out there making similar choices...

A Whole Lot of Nothing

Well, it's been a little while. I feel like I've been busy and had a lot going on, but at the same time I've been busy doing a whole lot of nothing. Does that make sense? DH had a stomach bug, DS has been on the go, and I've been jumping from (unfinished) project to project. So, it seems that there is so much to blog about, but at the same time not much exciting. Does all of that make sense?

Matthewhas sure been going and going. I thought that once he started crawling he would wear himself out and sleep more, but that isn't necessarily true. When he sees something he's not supposed to get into (like the dog beds), he says, "ooh," then crawls really quickly towards it. It's actually pretty funny. He's also pulling himself to a standing position with the coffee table and sofa. He falls a lot, though, so I am constantly watching and catching him. He is a busy little boy!

I'm still working on Lady Eleanor and am now about half-way done. I'm still enjoying the project and the yarn. It's getting pretty large, though, so it's not the best car project.

I needed a little project for the road, so I decided to start on some Citrine Socklets (but mine are taupe). I haven't made socks for a while, so I am enjoying the feel of delicate yarn and needles again.

Of course, Pat's sweater isn't finished yet. I just can't bring myself to finish it. I don't know why. It's just not a very exciting project. I'm a horrible wife!

Heidi's gift blog is up and running for anyone who's interested in joining. It's motivation for us all to complete a couple knitted gifts (or crocheted or sewn) a month in order to have a stash when December rolls around again. However, I'm not sure if I'll meet this month's goal!