Continuing my theme of dipping my toe back in the crafting waters, post-baby, I went to The Wondercraft this weekend. The have a menu of crafty services you can try – I went with screenprinting.

Step 1 – stock up on cute, colorful onesies to bring in

Step 2 – meet Beth A. at the store

Step 3 – try and decide which of the awesome screens to start with

screen choices

Step 4 – make a whole bunch of outfits

new outfits for Max

Step 5 – pose with finished product when Amy stops by

matching outfits for Orion and Max

Step 6 – plan next visit since screenprinting = instant gratification — esp. when you do it at The Wondercraft.

(yes, they are very awesome – thanks Beth A, Kim and Jen!)

As a new mom, my crafting has to fall into two categories

1) can be done in 15 minutes or less (since naptimes vary)

2) can be picked up and put down over weeks without loosing steam

This weekend I did some easy-peasy metallic iron-ons from JoAnns that fit category #1.

new outfits for Max

baby gifts for a co-worker

So our nursery for Max is currently an empty room – but I’ve been saving pics of things I like for when we move him in. Some of my favorites include:

1) Welcome Tiny Overlord from Subversive Cross Stitch

2) Admiral Seymour Doughtridge print by Matte Stephens

3) Littlephant Giraffe poster from Huset

Here are some recent handmade gifts:

1) towel for my truck-loving nephew who’s about to start up swim lessons again (and also early birthday gift):

2) One of three shoe bags I made for my mom, sister and sister-in-law as a thank you for throwing me such a wonderful baby shower (I got the slippers monogrammed at Charming Chick)

3) a giraffe onesie for my friends’ cute daughter who lives in Florida

I don’t expect to do much more crafting before our baby is due, so it was fun to share these out.

So probably because our house currently looks like this:

my nesting instincts have to go somewhere. And the outlet has been – — lots of crafting.

So in my last post, I showed one of the drool animals from Baby Stuff. Well, that inspired me to make a bunch more:

And I took my Stitch Lab class yesterday (Baby Gift Sets w/Hayley – and I believe this class in only being offered 1 or 2 more times – so sign up now before it goes away). We made a bib, two burp cloths and a changing pad:

Which inspired a massive bib making session this weekend with my extra fabric:

I have quite a few other babies to spoil with gifts this spring – so most of these bibs are bound for other parts

I made them in two different styles (the one on the left is from Lotta Jansdotter’s book / the one on the right is the style we made in the Stitch Lab class – minus the ric-rac border)

You can see the back of the bibs are terrycloth here.

And have you seen the Stitch Lab’s online fabric collection? I didn’t leave there yesterday empty handed. I have a certain truck-crazy nephew who may get something made for his upcoming birthday from this fabric.

And this nesting/crafting is not limited to things I make myself. I was at Parts & Labour last week and had to get these super sweet booties from Franny and June:

I’m building up quite a goody stash for Baby M’s arrival in March.

Act surprised if I’m invited to your baby shower in the next few months, but I’ve been a busy bee crafting all sorts of baby-related-goodness this holiday break. Some of these goodies are for us to keep – some are to give as gifts.

Just this morning I finished up “Owlie McPillowpants” from “Small Stash Sewing” – you can see the back here.

Also finished is this baby drool towel from “Baby Stuff” – and I’ve got a lot more terry cloth on hand to make a bunch more of these.

Also recently finished, an old favorite, the minky blanket:

and some decorated burp clothes:

a nursing cover:

and a robot-themed onesie and burp cloth set:

and since I’m signed up for the “Baby Gift Set” class at the Stitch Lab next month, I expect the craft-a-palooza to contine.

Another great handmade shopping recommendation — visit the Blue Genie Art Bazaar (starts this week)

I plan to see lots of my fellow Etsy Austinites selling (and shopping) there.

Coming soon – Austin Craft Riot!

Come out and support handmade this holiday season.

Saturday, November 20th, 11am-6pm

Sunday, November 21st, 11am-6pm

The EtsyAustin Craft Riot event will take place at The Marchesa which is located at 6406 N IH-35 Austin, TX 78752