I can't believe it's already Saturday! Bella has been staying with my parents since Wednesday night and I have to say that it seems like only minutes ago I had two whole days alone in the house stretching in front of me. And yet here I am on Saturday night, with Bella back, safe and sound, sleeping in her own cot again.
I'm not going to lie, I really enjoy being able to spend a couple of days being who I used to be - but the second I see that gorgeous, cheeky little face again I feel such a sense of relief. I guess I'll never again be who I used to be.
Welcome home sweety pie!
Whilst my little girl was holidaying with the grandparents I was of course trying to cram a years worth of work in to two days. Needless to say, I failed. But I did get a few things started and even a few things finished! I also listened to 2 days worth of podcasts.
I know that I'm very behind in this, but I LOVE podcasts! I don't own an IPod, so I haven't really discovered these things before. But then Hillary mentioned this podcaster and the interview with Maitreya and that was it, I was good and properly hooked. And I can't tell you how much I love finding a whole new obsession! It has made me stupidly happy over the last few days to work away in my studio whilst listening to interviews with the likes of John Murphy, Jeff Yamaguchi and Caire Garland. So inspiring!
Anyway, the main thing that I finally finished this week is the Princess and the Pea set. It's now on sale in my Etsy shop.
I'm pretty pleased with how she's turned out. I especially like her hair which is embroidered with crewel wool. It's the first time that I've tried my hand at this type of embroidery and I've really enjoyed it.
She's approx. 9.5 " high and her dress is made from vintage Laura Ashley (well she is a Princess after all).
I've made 10 different quilted matresses, each of which is 8.5" x 7". And of course I've also hand felted the little green pea.
At the moment I've just got 5 sets that are the same for sale, but I hope in the future to have some with different dresses and quilts. I must say that I've enjoyed playing with her and I'm not going to tell you whether that darned Pea keeps her awake or not!
(the Princess and the Pea set is sold out at the moment, but I am hoping to have a few more in stock in the next week or so).
I've also started a new cot quilt, using the same fabric combination as my new playmat. This combination of colours and patterns really makes me smile and I think that it's perfect for a little ones room. I'm still trying to decide on a border for it though. I keep sewing on and then ripping off the same border, over and over again! Arghhh.
I also got started on an order for a "very, very girly" stuffed rabbit and matching pillow.
I think those fabrics qualify as very, very girly!
Oh yeah, and did I mention ants? They're coming, but in the meantime here's a sneak peak of some embroidery that I did as soon as I got my new book the other day.
Both your princesses looks adorable :)
Posted by: Mirre | March 18, 2006 at 10:51 PM
that should be "look" of course...
Posted by: Mirre | March 18, 2006 at 10:52 PM
Wow, Bella's face, such a tiny beauty! You have gotten so much done, I thought you were sick while you were alone! I can't click on you Etsy shop from your post though. Every time I click on it, it just clicks over to my shop. I did a search for shops and still couldn't connect with yours.
Your princess is really beautiful, I love her hair. Its the one thing I have the most trouble with on the few dolls I've made, but yours looks perfect.
Posted by: Blair | March 18, 2006 at 11:02 PM
Oh how I wish my girls still wore babygroes!They are so cute!!!
Posted by: Kristy | March 19, 2006 at 12:50 AM
Feeling better, yes? Really hope so. You got a lot done! Your princess set is just wonderful. I knew it would be. The princess is lovely, and that hair is so nice.
Bella is such a pretty thing, those eyes!
And no my dear, you will never be exactly who you were because now you are a mommy* and that adds so much to "you".
Posted by: Toni | March 19, 2006 at 01:17 AM
Your princess turned out wonderfully! I love the name Bella, she is a pretty thing!
Posted by: Bessilu | March 19, 2006 at 02:39 PM
hello--
tried to email you, but it bounced back twice, so i'm leaving this here. if you can keep a secret, i'm beginning a new adventure: one for writing and photos, but not craftiness (that will stay at bara +
design). don't tell! i want to keep it fairly private, at least for now. the address is http://andall.blogspot.com.
cheers!
Posted by: eireann | March 19, 2006 at 05:55 PM
You got so much done! The princess and her mattresses are wonderful and I'm sure will be enjoyed by many little ones out there :) Bella looks so fresh and dewy - what a sweetheart!
Posted by: Cassi | March 19, 2006 at 07:46 PM
Lucky lucky me. I got to etsy before they were all gone. You do beautiful work and I can't wait to see the princess and her mattresses in person...really makes me :)
Posted by: Kristin | March 20, 2006 at 12:21 AM
...and really how could I forget to say what a sweet, beautiful face on your bellisima Bella.
Posted by: Kristin | March 20, 2006 at 12:23 AM
You should never have posted pictures of both your princesses in the same post! :)
Because as beautiful as your "Princess and the Pea" princess is (and I am so blown away by this) she doesn't have a patch on the lovely Miss Bella! Such a stunner - those curls and those eyes? She is simply edible....
Posted by: LLA | March 20, 2006 at 06:10 PM
Oh, my goodness, that baby is just incredibly beatiful! Such great stuff, all. I especially loved looking at the embroidery, as picking up hand embroidery again (something I've not done in quite some time -- almost since children) is on my list for sometime in the next few months.
Posted by: denice | March 20, 2006 at 06:47 PM