Blogtober #5

My project this week is to finish off Christmas presents.  I only have a couple of things to buy and make for P and J and my Christmas presents will be all sorted.  I feel virtuous already.  However, one of the things I am making is a pair of shoes for J.  I've got the leather, the needle for my machine and the pattern.  But somehow I just can't seem to bring myself to start them.  I think the pattern is the problem.  I just can't see how to follow the instructions and its given me sewer's block.  We shall see if I work up the courage to make them.

Wee weka nappies

My week of nappies was a success.  I re elasticated three of my smallest (and oldest) nappies and made a new fitted nappy for J.  I had to explain to P that these nappies were for a very small baby, smaller than our baby and that I would use them when we had more babies.  P was very taken with this idea and declared that we would have four babies (to be fair she can only say 2, 4 and 8).

I used the wee weka small nappy pattern, which you can find here.  Its my favourite small pocket nappy pattern, nice and straightforward, and a good fit.  I prefer to use velcro because I find it gives a much more versatile fit for when babies are smaller.

I also made a fitted nappy with the larger wee weka pattern for J to use at night.  I like fitteds for night nappies because they are a much better fit for the absorbency than pockets, which have the absorbency all in the middle.  I find that pockets tend to sit strangely on J and leak when stuffed, whereas fitteds don't have the same problems with bulk.  I didn't take a picture of it though because it is a bit ugly.  I recycled some bamboo from a previous nappy that just didn't really work.

Dinosaur comics

Okay, so this one is a little obscure (and not strictly a blog) but I do love Ryan North's dinosaur comics.  My favourite ones are the ones with the raccoons and cephalopods (you can search his archives).

Blogs

I thought I would use blogtober to blog about blogs.  The ones I like, the ones I can't live without, and the ones that everyone really should know about.  So to start off with:

Sew mama sew.  If there is only one craft blog you should be aware of, this is it.  Its fantastic, with tutorials, free patterns, fabric giveaways and themed months with lots of different ideas (and we all know I love a theme).  You can also search their archives.  I love their Christmas holiday ideas, they're exactly what you need to create a handmade holiday.

Blogtober

I had grand plans of taking part in blogtober, but I have fallen at the first hurdle.  Oh well, please pretend I am on the other side of the world, in which case this post is perfectly within time.

Nappies

As I've previously mentioned, I use cloth nappies for J.  Now J doesn't actually need any more nappies, but I do need to re elasticate a whole heap of my small nappies, and since I will have the sewing machine I may have to make another couple while I'm at it (it would be a bit wasteful otherwise).  

I love cloth nappies, they look lovely, they are very cost effective and they're good for the environment.  If you're interested in cloth nappies, you should definitely check out The Nappy Network.  The DIY page has some great, user friendly patterns, and the forum is a fantastic community of cloth nappying Mums.

Work

My project this week is to organise my own wardrobe.  Not just because its spring, but also because I have a job and need some work clothes.  DH suggested that I needed to buy a whole lot of clothes, and while it is nice to have a husband who wants me to spend money, I do actually have a reasonable number of work clothes sitting in the wardrobe since I last worked outside the home.

I have to admit that I'm feeling more than a little conflicted by the whole situation.  The extra money will be nice, and P and J are being looked a nanny for one and a half days, so they don't have to go anywhere, but still they are my babies and I don't like to leave them at all if I can help it.

And while ironing my work skirts, it occurred to me that I could sew some new clothes for myself, which was a very exciting (if slightly masochistic thought).