Monday, January 18, 2010

Swaddler for Baby Heafey

This morning my good friend gave birth to a healthy baby boy!!!! YEA!!! Welcome to the world Sean!!

Last night, I was supposed to meet mama Heafey and our friend Cindy for a movie at 10pm. Mama was 40 weeks pregnant and the chance that she would go into labor during the movie was actually pretty high.. I mean.. it was a long movie. At dinner Adrian and I were discussing if she was to go into labor what the game plan would be.. was rather funny thinking of Cindy and I trying to escort our friend out of the theater and taking her to the hospital. No such drama.. Michelle (Mama) text us saying that she was going into labor and staying in vs going to movie.. Well I guess that is acceptable ;-)

Yesterday afternoon, I was busy preparing one last gift for Baby Sean. I have been wanting to learn the ropes of my sewing machine for a long time now. After my friend Cindy gave me this book Simple Sewing for Baby, I knew that it was time to put my fears aside and go at it.. Pattern reading and sewing. I was scared. I chose the swaddle blanket.. cause it was too darn cute.

Here it is!!

**Love this fabric!**
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**All bundled up! Hope Sean likes it!**
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**The velcro pieces make it easy to get him swaddled in a flash**
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**Thanks to youtube I was able to sew the darts into the fabric**
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**All open**
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And there you go! I did it! I literally jumped up and down when it was finished! It felt so good to use a pattern and make something! Now on to pants, shirts, dresses, and more and more and more!!!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

March For Babies

DONATE HERE: My Personal Page

My good friend Cindy sent me an email to help support her with March For Babies. I have decided to join her in the walk for March for Babies on April 24th. I am very excited about this and hope to raise at least $500 to support the cause. I always find myself so thankful that Huddy was born healthy and not too early.

From the website:
The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies. We’ve been walking since 1970 and have raised an incredible $1.8 billion to benefit all babies.

Now that seems like such a great cause, don't cha think?

To help even more I have decided that all profits from Made By Lora starting now until April will be 100% donated to the March for Babies!

Happy Walking!

Shower Invites

In February I am co-hosting a celebration for my Sister-In-Law. The celebration is for her upcoming baby arrival.. not so much a shower, but something to celebrate her as a mother. I love making handmade invitations so I offered to make them. I love the thought process I go through to make invites. During my wedding planning days I would make invites.. it was super stressful and time consuming, but I loved it. Luckily, this time, there were 13 invites vs 130! That takes the edge off a bit.

I decided on a tree theme after seeing this quote:
"Just as a tree grows best when anchored in the earth, so can a pregnant mother feel strong and capable when supported by a circle of nurturing friends."

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Knitting for family

This is how it started.. a big project. Mostly next to the Christmas tree.. which was a great way to spend my knitting nights. I wanted to make my sister in law a sweater for Christmas. She taught me how to knit so I wanted to make her something very special.
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Here is the final product. I was very happy with it. I would have, however, made it a tad wider..
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For her son, Juju, I wanted to make a sweater and line it with some adorable fabric. I was super excited for this sweater!!! and very happy with the outcome. However, when I was cutting the lining at one point, I cut the sweater! I have to learn more patience with these things. With the help of a sewing needle I was able to fix it.. I was quite devastated when it happened!! Can you imagine.. Hours of knitting and hurting hands.. just from one little snip!
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Both projects were "learning" projects and I learned a lot. I am excited to venture into more sweater making!!! I have a few more on the horizon.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Itty Bitty Heafey

sorry I have been a tad MIA lately. I have been very busy with projects, a husband who has to work late to prepare for his weeks of travel, updating my baby blog, Oh yea, and taking care of my son :) I need a New Year's Resolution right now.. Put more time in Made By Lora!!! And on that note...

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Oh I am so excited that I completed this project because of it's super cuteness. My good friend is due to have a baby any day.. and I really hope she doesn't have time to check my blog because I haven't delivered this yet... but I whipped up this itty bitty little outfit. It was my first time to make the vest and pants.. the pants were quite difficult, but all ended well in the end. I wish I wouldn't look like a total goon in this, or I would make one for myself.. could you imagine? Can't wait to meet little baby Heafey in a mere few days.

Making of the pants.. complete concentration was needed for the bum part! Which if you know anything about me.. concentration is not my strong suit.
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The vest is an all open vest with buttons at the top and on the side.. making it easier to put on a newborn.
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The pants are knit from the bottom-up.. then you separate the two legs and start knitting in the round for the bum. The waistband is elastic and I sewed the knitting over top of it.. then added the button.. and sewed the crotch.
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The hat is just changing of yarn many times. and Voila! An outfit for the tiny tot!
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