The last year in review, and the Etsy shop

So sorry for such long radio silence. We are still here, and witnessing our little baby become a toddler! I think it was just before Iris’ first birthday that I last updated! So much has happened in a year! This parenthood thing, I just can’t quite find the words to describe it. It’s exhausting, and exhilarating all at the same time. Sometimes I just look at her big brown eyes, and still can’t believe she’s mine, ours. I tuck her in at night, so glad that my working hours have come to a close for the day, and immediately want to go check on her, and make sure she is covered up. Does that desire to cover one’s sleeping child with a blanket ever go away? I can’t imagine that ever happening. Even Iris does it with her stuffed animals and dolls. She will go around the house, placing burp rags, kleenex, anything resembling a blanket, on top of all her little babies.
She is so fun.  The more she is talking and comprehending, she seems like my little sidekick. We have conversations. I explain what we will do and see in the day, and she understands, and adds her own thoughts about it. She has opinions. LOTS of opinions. She has caught on to a lot of things that Mark and I do. Our hobbies and activities. The other day, she picked up a button in one hand, a cable knitting tool in the other, and started mashing them together over and over, saying ” Mama, I knitting! Mama, I knitting!”. I love her pretending, and imitating. I know that this is not unique to my child, but seeing her mind gather and construct her very own view of the world, is pure joy.
Her Papa built her a custom kitchen for Christmas. I really can’t get over how special I think it is. We are very spoiled to have both our families close, and we get to see them both almost every week.
Speaking of hand made items, I made another batch of things for the shop! I made more knitting needle cases, and a few little bibs, that can be found on my shop page here. Hoping to add some other fun things to the shop. Feels good to be sewing again though. Check it out!
 

The Shop is Up! Devin Makes!

Just a quick note to tell you …. 

 

my Etsy shop is up!

you can find it HERE! You can also go to Etsy.com and search for ” Devin Makes”. 

I’ve been wanting to put up an Etsy shop since I learned Etsy existed! The problem is, I never really knew what I wanted to make and sell. I started making cases for my knitting needles, and my friends that knit started showing interest in them. I  thought, “Hey! This might be something that other knitters would be interested in too! The first one I have made is to hold both your circular needles AND a set of interchangeable circular needles that are becoming very popular with knitters lately, but tricky to store.

 

I tried to solve as many problem as I could. First, I hate when a knitting organizer isn’t labeled. No one wants to sift through a million pockets, trying to find a size 7, you know? Also, I had a set of interchangeable needles, and I didn’t want two separate cases. I knew there had to be a way to fit ALL the circular needles in one place, and I think this is it! There are also four pockets on the end for the extra cables, and tools. If you have bigger circular needles, like since 15 for example, two of the end pockets are deeper, to accommodate the bigger needles. 

I plan on making cases for DPNs ( double pointed needles) very soon. I have decided not to make cases for your normal straight needles right now, because there are already so many cases out there for this purpose. I also found that once my friends had been knitting a while, there isn’t much need for need for straights, as you could simply use your circular anytime you’d be using straights. Maybe someday I will make a case for those, but if seems like there is a greater need for storage solutions for circulars and DPNs.

I also made a few multi-purpose fabric baskets. I made one originally to hold my current knitting project. Then I made another and used it as a gift basket for a baby shower. I thought it would be super useful in the nursery too, I love the idea of wrapping a gift in something useful!  I plan on making other things that appeal to non-knitters. Make some scarves and accessories, maybe some modern quilts, and other fun things. Keep my shop in mind, no matter if you are a crafter or not. 

 

 

I hope you wander on over to my shop soon and take a look! Subscribe to my blog, or follow my shop to be on top of anything new I put up. I’m so excited to launch ” Devin Makes” into the world, and share these things with you all.  Thanks for reading, I am so appreciative that you come to my little corner of the internet to read about what I make. It means the world to me 🙂

Love, Devin

I’m made stuff… to sell!

 

Don’t worry. I’ll reward you with picture of Iris at the end. But lookey! I made a few things I will be putting up on Etsy in the next few days. I’ve been making these little soft baskets. They can be used to hold anything. Of course I’ve been using one to tote knitting projects around. And I have also been making cases for knitting needles…

 

 

 

I’ve been scheming about how to make the perfect case for my knitting needles. I wanted a place to store my circular needles, as well as my interchangeable needles in one place. You need to be able to scan your stash and see if you have the right needle size. The pockets need to be labeled, and it needs to be compact, right? Oh, and the fabric should be cute of course :).

Of course, if you don’t knit, this all means very little to you, you are probably here for the pictures of wee Iris, right? I’m no dummy. Someone asked my name the other day, and I said ” Iris”. I know that my name these days is ” Iris’ mom”, but for real? They looked at me like I was crazy, when I said ” Wait, I’m actually not Iris, my name is Devin. I meant to say my name is Devin!” Oy.

My plan is to get an Etsy shop up and running by Monday with these two types of items in it. I plan on making more baskets, and cases for double pointed needles too, as I see which items do well. Guys, I’ve ALWAYS wanted to start a little Etsy shop. I’m so excited to finally do it! Look  for a post next Monday with all the details of the shop.

 

And, as promised, some baby pics, to hold you over…

 

 

 

This little handmade item is not for sale. I’ve got way to much time and money invested in her. Same with her sweater. 

Holidays with Baby

I have no complaints about the holidays. Only that they went by too fast! Oh, there was there was the unnecessary stress I added myself, trying to squeeze in just one more do-it-yourself project. But that happens every year. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Of course, this year was especially fun, having Iris to join in the fun. Of course I was determined to make her a Christmas dress. It wasn’t cheaper. It wasn’t easier, but once I had the idea in my head, there was no turning back. Then I realized she wore the dress for all of 2 or 3 hours, and I didn’t even get a picture of her in it! Ha! Joke is on me this time. So I decided to fake a little photo shoot of her in the dress I made, as well as the striped hat I tried to crank out on Christmas eve. She wasn’t too happy about modeling, but the pictures give you a basic idea of both how the items look, as well as how crabby she gets around 4:30 each evening. I’m afraid this is just the beginning of Mama parading you around in handmade things, I hate to tell you sweet Iris.

The hat is THIS one, from the Petite Purls website. I love how to stripes turned out!

The little red coat the “Baby duffle Coat” by Debbie Bliss. Remember when I knit it, while pregnant? It still is a bit big, but I think it will fit this spring, and maybe even into next fall too! Wouldn’t that be great? I love that red looks equally good on little girls, and little boys. I’m hoping this coat will get passed on to many other babies, and hopefully tucked away in a cedar chest.

The dress was based  a simple one she had in her closet. It was a little tricky to reverse engineer, as I’m not super experienced with sewing clothing.  I’m excited to try some more things for Iris as she gets older. I have many idea that I want to sew for her, and so little time!

The weekend before Christmas, Mark and I got a chance to go on a fancy date, which also happened to be the wedding of our dear friend, Emily.  Emily lost her husband a few years ago. Our knitting group, the ” Knitch” saw her walk through a really difficult time before, during, and after the loss of her beloved Chris. We prayed, and hoped that this day would come, for her to marry again, have a partner again, and have another parent for her little Erika again. When she met Scotty, and later became engaged, we knew it would be an amazing celebration. And oh, it was. An emotional , sweet, perfect day. Emily even chose the very space that we knitters gather every year for our fall get away, the Pond View Lodge. This lodge is a sacred space for us girls. We’ve had our biggest laughs, and some of our biggest tears together in that place. The picture of all of us together on Em’s wedding day, in that very space, is so special to us.  These 7 girls are heaven on earth to me. Oh, and did I mention, she KNIT her dress.  You can pick your jaw back up from the ground now.

So, what’s on the agenda for 2014? More knitting of course. I am always wanting to do more original knitting, more designing. Maybe this will be the year? More watching my sweet baby grow.  I love fresh starts. Don’t you?

Boston in the Fall

October in my most favorite month ever. ( I know, it’s no longer October, that is how behind I am!) Could be because I was born in it, and was married in it. But it ususally the most busy too, because I just want to cram all the awesome things in!

The big highlight was our trip out East to Boston and Conneticutt. My dad’s entire side of the family is in CT, and Mark’s brother, along with his awesome wife, and two kids live near Boston, so we knew we had to make the trip. I was a bit nervous about flying with a 5 month old. The flight out was, well, something I’m not anxious to ever repeat, but the flight home, she slept the whole way! It really wasn’t the worst thing, and I am so so glad we braved the flight, because seeing your family together with your precious baby is probably about the best thing ever.

The Ocean, in Marshfield, MA ( Thanks for taking this photo, Ang!)

“flying” at Tito Derek, and Tita Ang’s house

My sister Avery, My aunt Wendy, Iris and I

Cousin Evan giving Iris a huggie!

Sitting in front of Auntie Wendy’s beautiful fall mums! Look at those cheeks! I just want to jump through the screen and smoosh those things with a kiss!

Iris with Tita ( auntie) Angie

Cousin Ella

With Daddy in Downtown Boston

Had to include a picture of all the Gallison ( My dad’s side) cousins.

It sure felt good to get outta town for a while. But there is no place like home, Mark and Pumpkin agree!

Knitted Pants?

Yup. My child is wearing knitting pants. Why not? I am completely embracing this short stage in her life, where I have total control over what she wears. Not to mention, baby items are SO fast to knit, and take very little yarn. Which is why I haven’t made anything for myself in a reeeeeeal long time. I keep trying to make something for myself, and then get sucked in by some adorable baby pattern. sigh. I may be wearing faded black stretchy pants, and a shirt with holes in it, but gosh darn it, my child will be wearing handmade clothing that she will outgrow in about 1.5 weeks. Ah, how the priorities change huh?

Back to these pants. They are the the Kanoko Pants. They make her rear look huge, and I love it! I’ve gotten over the fact that cloth dipes make her back side giant, now I just embrace it! Jeans are kind of out of the question for her right now, but that’s OK. I used some pink Cotton-Ease that I’ve had in the stash for years. As if knitted pants weren’t crazy enough, I had to go and make them bright pink. I suppose I could have used more than one color. I DO want to make her some striped ones soon.

Little girl is just learning to sit up. She looks so old when she is upright like that! She rarely likes to be held on her back, she’ll strain her neck , and work those little baby abs to pull herself up. So much to see, no time to miss it all lying on your back! She is so fun. Our days at home together feel a little less like a one-sided conversation. She communicates with me so much more now. Some times in the form of high-pitched pterodactyl screams, but mostly in the form of big smiles and babbling.  So much to learn about each other still, but it’s amazing to think how far we’ve come.

Now the question is, can I tackle a project for ME? Our knitch getaway is a little over a month away, I need to pack at least ONE thing for myself.

And I know what you’re all thinking, and no, I won’t make these for you in an adult size 🙂

4 months, and a Baby Shrug

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I blinked, and another month went by.  4 months old! I knit a shrug for my little babybug. I finished most of it at my knitting night, while Iris stayed home with Dad. I held it up and thought ” Rats! I’d soo big, she won’t fit into it for a while.” Imagine my surprise, when I tried it on her the next morning, and it fit just right! Am I in denial that my little bebe is no longer so tiny? I think so. But she’s so so fun right now. She’s giggly, and wiggly,  and flips like a pancake when you put her on the ground. She learned how to blow bubbles with her baby drool, which is gross and adorable all at the same time.  She’s got tons of rolls up and down her baby legs. It makes me sad that soon she will have to wear pants as the weather gets cooler. I love seeing her little drumsticks stick out of her summer clothes. sigh.

Anyway, about the. I’ve been eyeing this adorable little project long before I had Iris, heck, long before I even met Mark! I was flipping through the pages for something to knit Iris that she can fit into right now, and BAM  I saw it. For those curious, it’s from THIS book by Debbie Bliss. I used Cotton-Ease, in a new shade called “golden glow” that I picked up HERE. Only one skein for the 3-6 month size.  It was extremely fun to knit. Fast and satisfying. And oh so wearable. Just throw it over a onesie and go! 🙂 Le knitting ss than a week on the needles from start to finish. It’s the knitter’s equivalent of a book you can’t put down, you know? I’ve knit quite a few patterns out of this book, including the cable blanket I made for my nephew Evan, that was my first post!

Oh! and the adorable doll is a very special gift my friend Olivia had custom made for her. How awesome is that? I just can’t get over it! We call her Iris as well. Iris and Iris of course.

I also threw in a couple of photos from an impromptu photo shoot from a week or so ago. Some of my favorite times are when we just all lay on the bed together, admiring her, and trying to make her laugh. Blowing raspberries on her little round tummy. She’s more joy than I ever could have imagined. LOTS of work, but lots of joy.

A Quarter of a Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My little newborn is no longer a newborn. This Tuesday marked 3 months since her arrival in this crazy world. Hard to even imagine what my life was like before those chubby cheeks entered my view. Before those little coos filled the rooms of our house. She’s the answer to prayers I never knew I had. My greatest joy and my biggest challenge. It’s hard to believe this is just the beginning. There is still so much for us to learn about her. So much personality we’ve yet to witness.

I keep saying ” I can’t wait until she _____” inserting what ever milestone I think of. I can’t wait until she helps me pick green beans from the garden ( sampling more than picking, I imagine). I can’t wait until she learns the joy of elmer’s glue, and a big jar of glitter.  The feeling of running through a sprinkler, or pedaling her bike so fast the momentum of the pedals spin faster than she can move her little legs. But right now she’s working really hard on rolling over. I’d kind of like to pause this moment. The gardening and glitter can wait.  Today is pretty great.

 

Baby Bloomers

 

 

 

 

so…. I need to warn you. This post, like every post since Little Miss has arrived, will be full of baby photos. Like, LOTS of baby photos. She will be modeling some recent projects, but let’s be honest, I am more interested in her chubby little cheeks that just about anything right now. But a close second place goes to anything handmade that can adorn her chubby little self. I think we need a play by play.

Baby and Mommy enter fabric store. Mommy stumbles into fabric store. Mommy picks out a few different kinds of fabric. Mommy picks up this amazing sewing book. Decides that she doesn’t have the budget for any new sewing books, no matter how amazing. Mommy thinks hard, and finds an area of the budget that has exactly enough money for the book. It’s meant to be!

I let Iris have a look at what I’m dying to make her:

 

Iris: I don’t know Mom, are you sure they would over emphasize my um… assets? 

Mommy: Trust me child…

Iris: You were right! I love them! I love Bloomers! Make me a hundred pair! In ever color and pattern! ( Mom is always right! A good lesson learned)

I mean… seriously?

SERIOUSLY!

I am dying of cuteness. One of the most satisfying things I’ve ever sewn. I honestly have no affiliation with Ms. Lotta Jansdotter ( except for the fact that I want to be just like her when I grow up)  but you should really get her book, and check out her other designs. She really nailed it with this book. All very simple, fast, and adorable projects to make for your own baby, or baby in your life. First of all, babies grow. Fast. You don’t want to spend so much time on something that they will outgrow before you can finish! This was a one nap project. Well, one nap while daddy played ” human baby monitor” while I finished the last seam. But still. I honestly can’t stop thinking about making more. 

 

See! She loves them! I think they even boost her baby confidence and self-esteem. And that’s a lot to ask from a pair of baby bloomers.

 

And Here’s proof that I do exist, and do hold my baby, not just subject her to photo shoots. And no, I don’t have a black eye, just fair skin, under eye circles, and no make-up. I knew you all would understand.

 

 

 

 

 

and one more, just because…

 

A Sad Day

Late last night we got a call from our vet, where our kitty Molly had just gotten emergency surgery. She had swallowed the rubber baby bottle nipple from one of Iris’ bottles and it was stuck. I never thought I’d ever give the OK to give a Cat surgery, but she was so young ( only 3 years old), and the surgery seemed very promising. When the vet called and said she was having trouble breathing that night in recovery, we rushed to the Animal Hospital with Iris, who, slept the whole time in her car seat carrier. The vets ( a sweet husband and wife team) tried everything they could to get her stable, but in between tears, and stories about all Molly’s brushes with her 9 lives, we decided it was best to let her go. I’ve never had to make that call before, and it was every bit as difficult as I imagined it would be. 

I find myself saying ” I know she’s just a cat”, but I’m not sure why I feel the need to apologize for feeling so sad. Maybe it’s that there are many worse things, like human family members lost, or wars and turmoil going on all around the world. Of course, there is always something worse.  But maybe that’s exactly why it hurts to bad to lose a pet. They are a simple, pure, escape from all that is wrong with the world. Their needs are usually quite simple. Food, shelter, and attention are really all they ask. As any animal lover can attest to, they give so much more in return. I swear I heard the sound of her cleaning her paws this morning, at the foot of the bed. All the little sounds and rhythms of Molly that were so intertwined in our daily lives, I didn’t even realize. You were so naughty Molly, but the best Cat. A really good cat. We miss you.