Bibliosophy Handmade

In case it's a girl

 
Ever since I was little, I've had a love affair with pink.  My mom tells of when I was a toddler, I went around the house with a brown paper grocery bag, collecting anything and everything that was pink.  Years later she found a cookbook she had been missing in my hidden stash.  The cover was pink.

 
I've been somewhat cured of my pink passion over the years, especially now having a little boy.  But....with the possibility of a little girl coming into our lives, my pink passion has returned with a vengeance.  This little recycled wool sweater was made from an accidentally felted Baby Gap sweater a friend picked up for me at the thrift store.  I re-sized it even a little smaller than it was, and added the lace trim and hand-embroidered button.  In case this baby is a girl, this will be it's coming home jacket from the hospital.  Because nothing, nothing, can beat wool, especially if it's pink!

Ends and Beginnings

 
I seem to have many more beginnings in my crafting these days than endings.  Sometimes this does not bother me, and sometimes it does.  In an effort to feel free to start my new knitting project, I've been working hard the last few days to finish up my windowpane baby quilt.  I even did the quilting of it myself, and though not nearly perfect, it was very satisfying.  Now there is at least one handmade gift from Mommy awaiting the arrival of new baby.

 
And now, onto my second February Lady Sweater (my favorite pregnancy knit), and some super-secret Christmas knitting!  Little guy is helping me, as you can see!

Mr. PumpkinHead

 
This little boy is the light of my life (and of his Daddy's, who always gets a smile)!  He's sporting a new pumpkin hat, pattern by Fiber Trends.  It was a really quick knit, and now he can wear it all fall!

New Books in the Shop

 
After a great first weekend in October selling my books at the Hyde Park Art Show, I am now ready to list the remainders in my shop!  There are bright fabric-covered journals, upcycled vintage encyclopedia journals, and little Booklet brooches.  Be sure to check back daily, as new things will be listed each day until I run out!

Butterfly Museum

 
I've been fortunate to participate in a virtual quilting bee: each participant sends out their chosen fabric to the others, and gets back quilt blocks in return.  Fun, huh?  One of the best things about it is getting the chance to work with fabric that you wouldn't have chosen for a quilt of your own.  These blocks were made for a friend with some of the gorgeous fabrics she chose, and her theme is "Butterfly Museum."  It was so inspiring to me to think of cases of butterfly specimens under glass surrounded by framed botanical prints, all in a quiet color palette with gilded touches.  I hope she likes these; my piecing craftsmanship is getting more skilled with all this practice!

Windowpane Baby Quilt

 
Some small glimpses of the finished quilt topper from our woodsy getaway.  It turned out to be a square (because I don't really start with a plan, I'm always surprised by how my quilts turn out!), with 3 x 3 "windowpanes" of colorful fabrics for the new baby to explore.  Now, how to quilt the top of it...any suggestions?  Hand-quilting is out, but I was thinking some simple lines or squares across the top would be nice, what do you think?

 
As I get further into my fourth fall in Ohio, I've discovered that wool is the only safeguard against the damp chill of wet weather.  For me, but especially this year, for Baby.  I'm taking a short break from sewing and bookbinding to knit some wooly vests and sweaters to keep him warm this winter.  And I can't wait to experiment with my boiled wool sweaters from a dear friend, which I hope to transform into more winter worthy gear for the little guy.

What are your favorite ways to keep out the autumn/winter chill, and any lovely wooly yarn suggestions?