Today's posts brought to you by the letter "P"

Today was have burp cloths. I'm still making more of these but this is the start.

Blanket. Oh the sweetness.

To be upfront: I made this blanket. I did not however, piece the quilt. That came that way. I just put it together. Nonetheless I'm very proud of this and want to make one for myself to snuggle with from the remaining fabric, although that might be a bit odd....But I did learn to sew a blanket binding on, which is tricky at least on my machine. In fact I realized making that that my basic machine is being out-grown by my interests. I think eventually I want to try quilting (although not for a long while as I still need to make scrubs, bibs, burp clothes, pajamas for my sister and a sock monkey and some of those things need to be done quickly (ie burp clothes, new mama jamas, breast pads, and the sock monkey). Plus I have plans to make my family all pajama pants for Christmas. I have one set done for my sister anyway and it is something easy that makes people happy. Then if things go according to plan (ha) I'll match them with homemade fleecey slipper socks. So that's the next 6 months to 6 years of sewing right there.....

(The blanket underneath is my custom 22 lb weighted blanket if anyone cares).

Bibs

Here are some bibs I've finished recently. Some are better than others. I'm learning...The duck is my favorite, although I designed the balloons myself and would favor it if I didn't know how many errors were in the binding.

Sorry for the funky editing; I may need to invest in a photo editor, or download one at the least.

A Brief History

I began treatment for bipolar disorder in 2002. After many years of treatment in the fall of 2009 it became necessary for a radical medication change that put me on a psychiatric unit for 9 days and then left me with months of agitation and needing calming activities as I very slowly recovered. Over the next months I tried out a number of hobbies, but when I learned I was going to be an aunt I decided to take up sewing for the baby. I quickly found that the sewing I had loved learning as a child was still something I loved. I had to give up sewing during the early part of treatment because I had many years of hand tremors, plus a low tolerance for frustration.

Each project I finish is magical, because until the last few months I have lacked the ability to do anything like this. I also have learned that my grandmother was an incredibly good teacher, as after not touching fabrics or patterns in years I have been able to pick up and make most things I've tried (although there often is at least one thrown away), as well as modify patterns to make things my way. I have even managed to make a pattern and design my own version of a common and expensive maternity pillow, the only project I have completed that does not have a picture because I forgot to take one I was so glad to have it off my kitchen counter.

Because I need to have the ability to look back and see that I do have the ability to do more than survive during the times I am not well, and because I want a record of what I have made, I will be posting photographs of completed projects on this blog. Until I catch up, I will be leaving this post on top and posting the older projects with random dates from earlier in this year. So please look down to see what's new.

All about Flannel

I really liked the swaddling blankets. They are simple, cute, and didn't require too much precision and since I didn't have a pattern (I made them from copying one I got online), they didn't have frustrating directions. I think this one is my favorite. The interior is little monkeys with bananas.

Apparently I'm missing pictures of the last few of those I made. So then my other early obsession: pajamas. I don't have pictures of 2 of the pairs I made, but here's the first pair. I really needed these because the pajamas I bought before my hospital stay this fall not only were way too big, they made me sad.

I also just realized that if you look at my left leg in this picture you can clearly see how badly my ankle rolls out without braces and orthotics. I can totally see now why the podiatrist jumped on the ankle as the issue; he just saw me walk. Or stand.

Early On: The Swaddling Blankets

This is the first swaddling blanket I made, for a co-worker who bowled until the 39th week of her pregnancy. The swaddling blankets typically will be shown with 2 images, one of the main design and one with the design and contrast. If a picture shows both well it will suffice, but some of that has to do with blogger's opinion if I want to delete a picture.

This next one was made for my sister's baby and is the only fleece one I've made. I love the fabrics.

Last for tonight, it's zoo animals.