Sock skeleton

These sock skeletons are anything but scary!  They were fairly quick and easy to make.  You will need a pair of white socks, stuffing, white thread for sewing, black embroidery thread for the detailing and some buttons for the eyes.  You can find all the instructions to make you own here on Martha Stewart.com.

Christmas stocking - Santa making Christmas cookies

For a few years now I've been making felt appliqué Christmas stockings for various family members. This last Christmas (2012) I decided to actually take photos of the completed stocking - previous years I've forgotten too before gifting them!.  This stocking was made for my nephew who is currently 7 months old.  I hope that he will have years of enjoyment from it (and excitement about what he might find in it from Santa!).

If anyone is interested I bought the stocking (Bucilla - Santa Making Christmas Cookies Felt Stocking Kit) from Anitas Arts .  At the time the exchange rate between $NZ and $US was really good, so it was cheaper for me to buy and ship to NZ than it was to buy from any store here.  It only took about 7 days from when I ordered it until when it arrived in NZ, and the staff at Anitas Arts were great about sending confirmation emails and parcel tracking numbers.

Now for the actual stocking!  I have no idea how many hours it took as I didn't record that, but I'm guessing about 100+.  Each piece of the stocking is stuffed, embroidered and beaded/sequined by hand.

It's a lot of work, but looks amazingly effective when finished!  I've included some profile shots so you can get more of an idea of the 3D effect.  :)

Stash cake

I made this little "stash cake" for a friend of mine.  It's actually a small jar that I have covered with felt and  decorated to look like a small cupcake.  I should point out, it's used for stashing money or jewellery, nothing naughty!  :)

My list of essentails for baby

After having my first child recently (April 2012), I've had many people ask me what items I found most useful, so I have complied a basic list (below).  If you have any suggestions of your own - as I know every parent and baby are different, and what works for one person won't for another - then feel free to post in the comments section!  :)

• If it's cold some merino suits to wear under their clothes are great - you can buy these from the Baby Factory (they get softer with each wash)
• When they are very small, outfits that fully open out are the best for getting baby in and out of. Get NB or 0000 size clothes for first month or so. Even Ruby who was a big baby needed NB size when born. I would suggest 6 full outfits as you often end up changing them two or three times a day due to accidents. So 6 long suits, 6 short suits or singlets, socks, mittens, 2 hats - These would be then minimum basics I would suggest. It's very handy to have a couple of "pram blankets" to wrap them in if it's cold and you're out and about.
• Have 2 mattress protectors as you will need them.  I'm not joking
• Steam sterilisers are brilliant. Quick, easy and reusable. Some sterilizing tablets leave a strong odour.
• Huggies newborn are then best NB nappies (IMHO). Once baby is out if those I've found Treasures good. Even some of the cheap homebrand ones (Countdown) seem to be fine as long as you don't leave them too long between changes. 
• If your baby is a regular poo-er, start using a barrier cream. Ruby got nappy rash at two weeks old because we didn't know to use it that early. Sudocream is good but expensive (buy it from the supermarket not the chemist).  Zinc and caster oil cream (sold by supermarkets or chemists) also works well and lasts ages.
• Swaddling wraps - big (1x1m) of muslin are best. Or zip up ones (arms up or down).  Babies seem to wriggle out of the smaller wraps.
• Saard Wonder Soap works fantastically on poo stains. Just rub in and then pop in washing machine.
• Invest in a stretchy one piece bra (similar to a thin lizzie or ahh bra) to sleep in. These bras are comfy to sleep in and hold nursing pads in place (if you need them). They are stretchy enough to simply pull off one strap to feed. I got mine in a sale for $10 each.
• Breast pump. This really depends on the woman. For me it was a life saver.  If you think you may want a pump then the main things to consider is how often you think you may use it as the warrantees can vary. If you think you may hardly ever use it you might want to go for a manual pump (though they are slow and time consuming). Not all electric pumps are covered for daily use, so check before you buy
•  Nursing pads (you may find that you don't need them, but if you do, this is what I reccomend) Reusable nursing pads - the best ones are from Breastmates.co.nz. Others look thicker but just don't absorb as well. Best disposable - Pigeon brand, avaliable at supermarkets