February Showers....

We had such a fun time in Vermont the past few days!  Thank you all for your safe trip wishes.  It was a really relaxing time.  On arrival back home, we are back into the hectic schedule of life. 

Today was the baby shower for Fran and my friends, Todd and Kester.  They are expecting a sweet baby girl in 4 weeks and today was a gathering to celebrate.

I had worked for a few days leading up to our trip on the gifts for them...I was grasping for something heartfelt and special.  Something handmade in a sea of prepackaged Onesies and baby socks and jumpers.  Don't get me wrong though, I used to just buy gifts for new babies and I never thought twice about the generic-ness.  But since I started sewing and have been helping Laura with Adirondack Mama's Gifts, I have no excuse to buy something. 

And honestly, I have no desire to either.

There is something so personal about handmade.  There is such a surge of pride that erupts deep down inside when the question "Where did you get this?" is met with the reply..."  I made it."

For Kester and Todd's little pink bundle, I did buy a sweet little dress for $3.00 (because, HOW on earth could I pass up a $3.00 baby dress?) and some picture frames, but that was it in terms of money spent.  The rest was handmade.

 My first attempt at a pair of crocheted booties.

with rolled cuffs (Thanks for the encouragement Laura.)

And a 5 year old copy of "The Secret Garden" (I bought it when I was pregnant with Eben and was convinced that "he" was a "she")
Along with some framed prints from the book The Little Red Hen.  Kester is an amazing fiddler and Todd really likes to fish.

I kind of have a thing for giving framed book pages as gifts.

I also had a set of three little ribbon tagged security blankets from a tutorial gone wrong.

 Hopefully, the baby will have a good time playing with them.

The blanket became my most favorite thing that I have made in a long while. 

Simple but detailed in a way that only a baby might appreciate.

It is crib sized and unbelievably soft in it's flannel and green fleece goodness.

I rolled it up tightly and wrapped a pretty satin ribbon around it's middle.  Then I placed it in the basket along with the other gifts.

And a wish for a "happy baby" from one happy babe to another.

See you on Monday.  I missed you all while I was away.

Hugs, Julia.