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neopolitan
If you've been wondering where all the pinks, creams and browns have gone these days it's because they've all been sucked into the vortex that is my craft room. It's been a whirlwind of projects for our upcoming niece. Hope Maggie likes Neopolitan!
ok Katie, no peeking beyond this point. (I know she won't. She's the good sister. The one who only halfheartedly helped me dig through closets for hidden Christmas presents when we were kids.)
I had to knit something and I've given up on knitted booties. I can never get them to look as nice as in the patternbook photos. I saw this pattern for a one piece kimono sweater in the Mason Dixon knitting book and I knew that was for me. So easy! and very cute I think. I used Tahki cotton classic yarn and it is smooth and soft and knitted up so well. Can't wait to see this sweater with a big fat baby in it!
Here's the first of many dolls I'm sure I'll be making for the new little girl in my life. And what's that she's leaning on? The most trying part of the baby trousseau...the bedsheets. The cream stripe is the bed skirt, the pink polka dot is a fitted sheet and the pink another fitted sheet (that I bought, thank god). There is nothing complicated about making a fitted sheet or bed skirt but it is just so irksome; dealling with huge pieces of fabric, pressing under tiny seams all the way around, sewing on elastic. uck.
And here's baby Maggie's quilt. I love the simplicity of this design. All rectangles. My friend Jen who knows all things quilt related says it is a version of the rail fence quilt. See more, not so impressive pics here here here. I tried something new on this quilt. I sewed the binding down by hand. Took forever but I love how it looks.
Now that I've got the presents made I just need to finish up the baby shower projects. I've made the favors and game prizes. I'm working on pink alphabet garland like this and then I need to order flowers and I think I'll be all done with my end. Woo! I'm anxious to get this shower over and done with because that means it will be closer to baby time. I am so excited to be an aunt! To get unchecked access to a new baby but still get to sleep through the night. heaven!
May 22, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
i love the colors! they make me want to go fabric shopping.
Posted by: leeanne | May 22, 2006 3:14:32 PM
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, and beautiful. May have been a pain to work on but well worth it. 'Cause it's all beautiful. That garter stitch kimono looks stunning and easy enough even for me to try.
Posted by: Meg | May 22, 2006 3:25:14 PM
i adore the quilt!!
Posted by: Johanna | May 22, 2006 4:04:57 PM
Jeepers! This is all so pretty! I love the softie, the quilt and the wrap. Such sweet and thoughtful gifts.
Posted by: Kelli | May 22, 2006 4:09:52 PM
I love everything! Those colors are so delicious.
Posted by: nancy | May 22, 2006 4:24:37 PM
It all looks so wonderful! I love the new kitty's dress.
What a fantastic job. That little girl sure has a warm welcome waiting for her.
Congratulations on being an aunt. It's the best thing in the world.
Posted by: Adriana | May 22, 2006 4:31:37 PM
Oh Hillary: I just love all the pinks and creams with the brown. Beautiful. And the softie. And sheets no less.
I'm sure Katie and Maggie are going to love the layette made with so much love. You're a great Auntie!
Posted by: JoAnn | May 22, 2006 4:32:04 PM
lovely Hillary! the colours are gorgeous together and I love your party favours and prizes. yes, everyone loves smelly soaps.
Posted by: dawn | May 22, 2006 4:34:31 PM
everything is so lovely. lucky baby AND lucky sister to have you!
Posted by: debs | May 22, 2006 4:35:04 PM
The sweater is adorable and I LOVE the kitty!!! You did a wonderful job on the quilt, it's lovely! What a lucky little girl!!!!
Posted by: Anna | May 22, 2006 4:55:33 PM
Oh wow! If somebody would have thrown me a shower as beautifully coordinated as this I think I would have died. Can we see the alphabet garland when its done? I need alphabet inspiration for my daughters homepreschool room.
Posted by: nikki | May 22, 2006 4:57:20 PM
Gorgeous! My niece's baby colors were pink and brown, too. Perfect for baby girls!
Posted by: *jenny | May 22, 2006 5:22:29 PM
Good grief! Sewing the binding by hand - you are a better woman than I am :). However, the result is absolutely wonderful!
Posted by: grumperina | May 22, 2006 5:37:47 PM
Good gracious! It's all lovely. What a lucky (and beautifully colour co-ordinated) baby she will be.
Posted by: Fiona | May 22, 2006 6:08:20 PM
I saw the suite over on Flickr first and thought neopolitan too! Tastier than pancakes for sure. I hope you feel redeemed after the red thrift quilt (though I thought that one had awesome powers)!
Posted by: Kim | May 22, 2006 7:56:12 PM
Man, you really have been BUSY! Goodness. All looks fantastic. Fantastic.
Posted by: Alicia P. | May 22, 2006 8:44:55 PM
beautiful stuff! What a lucky baby. Browns & pinks are such a great color combo
Posted by: heather | May 22, 2006 8:49:48 PM
will you be MY sister? fantastic all around. what wonderful gifts. i know they will all be cherished.
Posted by: molly | May 22, 2006 9:05:08 PM
I've just drooled over my keyboard thanks very much. If letters start sticking together or disappearing I know who to blame! Your sister is incredibly blessed to have you as her sister. Your gifts are not only truly gorgeous but incredibly thoughtful and are just pouring out the love. GREAT job!
Posted by: Lavanotes | May 22, 2006 9:40:57 PM
Everything is so wonderful!! Those colors are really lovely :)
Posted by: Heatherica | May 22, 2006 11:02:10 PM
Love the kitty and LOVE the quilt! What fabulous baby gifts :)
Posted by: Isabelle | May 23, 2006 2:25:16 AM
Delicious! I could just eat that quilt up. And those darling little shoes on the kitty...
Posted by: Marg | May 23, 2006 6:41:22 AM
Gorgeous! I like the colours and everything, great.
Posted by: Vera | May 23, 2006 7:02:11 AM
You are truly amazing and I bet you had so much fun picking out all that fabric!
Now it's the waiting to give the gift I'm sure is more difficult than all of the sewing you endured!
Posted by: carol | May 23, 2006 7:12:01 AM
oh my goodness. you made sheets? do i understand correctly? sheets?? wow. everything looks neopolitan yummy! i think you have hit upon a brilliant baby loving scheme. the aunt! of course! all the baby goodness without the exhaustion! enjoy my friend!
Posted by: hannah | May 23, 2006 8:53:47 AM
I love everything about this entry. Your sister and your niece are lucky to receive such lovely gifts.
Posted by: Rachel | May 23, 2006 9:32:34 AM
That quilt is wonderful! What a lucky neice (and sister!) you have.
Posted by: Sarah | May 23, 2006 9:43:05 AM
Everything is so lovely!
Posted by: scribblesnbits | May 23, 2006 10:07:18 AM
Gorgeous as always! I'm not having a baby but I was thinking of having a neapolitan color-theme for my wedding . . . :) I've said it before and I'll say it again, you really have a talent for pairing up aptterns that are so wonderful together!
Posted by: Rebecca | May 23, 2006 2:01:16 PM
Wow - just had to say WOW to that amazink! quilt action. And bless your heart for making sheets.
Posted by: Amber | May 23, 2006 2:58:59 PM
wow! that is an amazing spread you've created -- there must have been steam coming out of your fingertips.
Posted by: laurie | May 23, 2006 7:29:52 PM
Everything is gorgeous! What a lucky girl!
Posted by: kimberly | May 23, 2006 10:29:18 PM
It is all just beautiful and very creative !!!
I love the colors you used. Clarice
Posted by: Clarice | May 24, 2006 9:26:14 AM
So sweet and gorgeous, and very tasty colors!
Posted by: jess hutch | May 24, 2006 10:58:20 AM
These are beautiful and perfect! I especially love the delicate colors on the quilt--so precious & feminine. You mentioned garland--I have to tell you--have you seen Pam Garrison's blog?? She makes the most beautiful paper, fabric garlands...to die for! Check out her blog: http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/pamgarrison/
Check out the March 20, 2006 entry for some close up pics. There are also some in the April archive, but something in April makes my computer want to jam up. I would love to see your take on these! Oh, and Pam's blog is worth every minute you will spend there--such beautiful things! I'd love to hear what you think.
Posted by: debra | May 24, 2006 1:59:31 PM
Absolutely beautiful! Gorgeous palette, and I love your quilt. What a wonderful auntie you are!
Posted by: Maritza | May 24, 2006 10:06:44 PM
What an amazing , wonderful Aunt you are! I am sure your sister in law will be over joyed with the immense ammount of time and love you have put into every single detail
Posted by: marybeth | May 25, 2006 12:05:18 AM
The sweater is beautiful. So is everything else, but I especially love the sweater. Well done.
Posted by: Leta | Jun 4, 2006 11:29:37 AM
I love the sweater and all of the cute matching things for the baby! I also just want to let you know I linked you! Em
Posted by: Em | Oct 3, 2007 1:02:53 PM
I have a question - did you change the pattern at all - or did you do the newborn size sweater as it is in the book? I am looking at it, and it SEEMS short to me, but what do you think? I am starting one now. Em
Posted by: Em | Oct 6, 2007 10:30:02 AM
I used that pink polka dots to line Teagan's dreser drawers !!! what an adorable qilt.
Posted by: shevaune | Oct 15, 2007 11:52:29 AM
