Frugality - Pampers Wipes

I think one of the reasons I don't get a lot of things finished in a timely manner is that I so very much enjoy doing a multitude of hobbies.  Now I'm dipping my toe into the couponing world and adding another enjoyable hobby to the mix - but this one saves money instead of costing money!

My recent victory - these packages of Pampers wipes are regularly priced at $2.99, but after the store sale, store loyalty card discount and coupons I got them for .24 cents each!!!  With grandbaby number two on the way I figure I might as well stock up now and help the kids save some money.  If it happens that she's not able to use this brand, and we all know that happens sometimes, I'm sure we'll be able to find somebody else with a new baby that would be happy to take them.

Once I actually know and understand more what I'm doing I'll do a full post on my method.  But I was so excited about this score that I just couldn't wait to share!

Deep Thoughts:  "he who will not economize will have to agonize" - Confucius

It's a Girl!

It's a GIRL!  Grandbaby #2 will be a Little Sister for Brooklyn.  When they told her it was a girl she clapped her hands and jumped up and down.  Happy, happy Big Sister!!!

This is the picture that was posted to Facebook to let the world know that a baby girl is on the way.  Cute!!!

"One daughter was so much fun
Now James and Loni are having another one!!"

Burp Cloths using the Embroidery Machine

My sister-in-law is down this weekend because we have a baby shower to attend!  My cousin’s son is expecting their first (a boy!) so there will be much rejoicing.

I wanted to share the burp cloths that my mom made because I think they are so cute. 

 

Mom uses her embroidery machine and finds the most darling little patterns.  I love that these are so unique and the dragon is just too cute for words.  For those of us without an embroidery machine (insert sad face here) I’m sure we could come up with something cute to applique in place of the embroidery.

 

Mom sews on a strip of ribbon and then does a satin stitch at the burp cloth edge.  Simple and it really makes it so special.

 

Close up photos of the embroidery:

Pine Forest Baby Blanket

I FINALLY finished knitting the baby blanket for my ex-boss and got it in the mail to him and his family – woohoo!!!

 

I am thrilled with how it turned out.

 

Isn’t it pretty?  I can just imagine a baby girl wrapped up in this.

 

And this is the little note I put inside when I mailed the blanket.  I wanted mom to know it’s ok to wash and dry.

I used Baby Bee Sweet Delight yarn from Hobby Lobby in the Boo Pink color.  It really is very soft and I can see me using it again and again for baby blankets.  The pattern is Pine Forest Baby Blanket (Ravelry link) and is free.

Lace Shell Stitch Baby Afghan

Just finished the last of the baby blankets that I’ve been knitting.  Knitting a baby blanket is truly a soul satisfying project for me.  Just thinking of the new life coming, praying for health and happiness, remembering what it what like waiting for the baby to arrive – it all adds up to a happy feeling.

 

 

This blanket was for the daughter of a dear friend of mine – her first baby!  Obviously from the color they knew they were having a boy.  :)

 

 

The yarn is Bernat Baby Sport in the Funny Prints colorway and I used exactly one skein (it’s one of the great big skeins).  The pattern is from my mom – she used the Lace Shell Stitch and added the borders.

This is another baby blanket that I’m very pleased with.  I washed the blanket before gifting – naturally – and the yarn softened up and is very cuddly.  Can’t wait to receive a picture of Baby Sidney with the blanket!

 

** Linking to Get Your Craft On

Cable Baby Blanket

The baby blessings are all around and that means quite a few knitted baby blankets.  The wonderful thing is that there are so many beautiful patterns and yarns to try, so every blanket will be unique and fun to knit.

 

This blanket was knit for a dear friend’s daughter’s baby boy.  He isn’t due for a couple of weeks yet, but he did try to make an early appearance.  I guess he just can’t wait to get here and meet his new family!  Fortunately he changed his mind.  :)

 

The pattern is the Cable Blanket from the Debbie Bliss book Simply Baby.  This is one of the very few times I’ve bought a knitting pattern book with really the intention of only knitting one pattern.  But the knit and purl cable really struck me and once you fall in love with a pattern there’s not much else you can do.

 

I used Knit Picks Shine Sport yarn and the color is Hydrangea.  I *love* this yarn – it knits up so soft and has great stitch definition.  Really there is only one negatives to the yarn - the fact that it comes 110 yard/50 gram balls which means there are a lot of ends to weave in.   But the finished product is so wonderful that it’s worth it.

Now to wait patiently for him to get here so I can get a picture of him with his blanket.   Prayers are with the family as we wait. 

 

* Linking to Get Your Craft On, Toot Your Horn Tuesday, Take A Look Tuesday, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, We Did It Wednesday, Whatever Goes Wednesday

Baby Hats for Guild

Do you ever have times where you're just so tired and can't go on? I think I hit that late yesterday afternoon. But last night was knitting guild, so after dinner I packed my bag and drove away. After the first mile I realized the folly of driving so tired, so I turned around and came home, told Keith I was going to lay down "for a minute" and woke up three hours later! At that point it was late enough that I just went in to wash my face and brush my teeth before crawling back under the covers. I feel better today! However, I did miss out on guild last night.

One of our service projects is knitting baby items for a local hospital. I saw this pattern mentioned here and quickly followed her link to the pattern and printed it out.

This is a fast knit since it uses worsted weight yarn. And let me tell you how fast - I started and finished it last Saturday night while we watched movies at mom's house! I just love to think about a baby some day wearing this hat. Hopefully the prayers and thoughts that were knitted into this hat will bring a smile to the wee one's face. Or is it just gas when newborns smile??? ;)

Welcome Tori!

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season what better way to step back and slow down than to visit a newborn at the hospital?  Lynne's best friend had her baby yesterday evening.  Of course Lynne' was there last night and tonight the two of us went up to the hospital to see the baby.

Little Tori was 18 inches long and 5 lbs 13 oz.  She is so beautiful and has big, alert eyes.

There is so much joy sitting in a rocker holding a newborn baby.  When we walked in the room the nursery nurse was in showing A how to hold the baby while feeding her.  Apparently now they hold babies more upright than they did 24 years ago - and it all made perfect sense when the nurse was explaining it.

I could have sat here all night.   :)

Good times....

Every good and perfect gift is from above. - James 1:17