It's a Baby Shower!

 Never know what to buy for that up-coming baby shower?  Not sure what the latest products are, or where to buy them?  We've got you covered.  We put together some of our favorite products for newborns and where to buy them online (we believe in making it easy!).  These are high quality, unique products for that special baby gift. 

Below are our suggestions for baby girls:

1.   anne-claire petit:  Flower Rattle.  Unique, colorful, well made.  Hand-crocheted.  Can be hard to find, but worth the hunt!  Find the brand here:  https://us.amara.com/shop/childrens-gifts
2.  Barb Sweder Barrington:  Quilted bib and burp cloth set, 100% cotton.  Great designs and quality.  Find them here: http://barbswederbarrington.com/c-15-bib-burp-gift-sets.aspx
3. Barb Sweder Barrington:  Hand-knit merino wool sweater.  One-of-a-kind, heirloom quality and beautifully made.  Find it here: http://barbswederbarrington.com/c-26-sweaters.aspx
4.  Maileg:  Ballerina rattle.  Sweet, well-made with great details from the Danish company.  Find various baby and toddler toys here at http://usa.alexandalexa.com/shop/maileg?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing%20-%20Toys%20%26%20Games%20-%20USA%20-%20Maileg%20-%20Exact&utm_term=maileg and here http://www.mysweetmuffin.com/category/Maileg/c24pg
5. Little Jellycat:  another one of my favorites and loved by children, this is from a division of Jellycat and suitable from birth.  This Bashful Puppy Rattle Toy can be purchased here: http://www.yoyo.com/buy?s=%20+jellycat%20+plush%20+animal&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_Y&utm_campaign=BI%20-%20Soft%20Toys,%20Stuffed%20Animals%20&%20Dolls&utm_content=Jellycat&utm_term=+jellycat%20+plush%20+animal&clickid=0f8fd924-7af2-3a88-3bbf-0000548ba4a9  Yo-Yo toys is offering 15% off your first order as well and they ship fast!
6. Photo Frame:  New parents love having pictures of their newborns.  What better way than to show them off in a cute frame.  This ceramic frame is by Kate Aspen and can be found several places on line, including Amazon.com.
7. Feather Baby:  This company offers a great line of organic clothing and the softest, cutest onesies you can buy.  Buy directly from the company here: http://www.featherbaby.com/shop.  Since up from their newsletter and save 15% on your first order.  You can also find them frequently on Gilt.com.
8. Barb Sweder Barrington:  These double layer, 100% cotton gauze receiving blankets are the perfect lightweight blanket for swaddling a newborn.  These large blankets are approximately 35" x 43" and have a soft cotton voile binding.  Machine washable.  Get them here: http://barbswederbarrington.com/c-67-gauze-receiving-blankets.aspx

Suggestions for Baby Boys:

1.  Nui: Kimono style bodysuit.  Soft, organic cotton clothing for babies.  This New Zealand company also offers organic merino wool products.  Find them direct at http://nuiorganics.gostorego.com/baby/  or here: https://minoukids.com/product-category/kids-clothing-designers/nui-organics/?showall=true
2.  Maileg:  Pirate rattle.  Sweet, well-made with great details from the Danish company.  Find various baby and toddler toys here http://usa.alexandalexa.com/shop/maileg?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing%20-%20Toys%20%26%20Games%20-%20USA%20-%20Maileg%20-%20Exact&utm_term=maileg and here http://www.mysweetmuffin.com/category/Maileg/c24pg
3. Barb Sweder Barrington:  Every baby needs lots of blankets.  Whether cotton flannel or cotton gauze, we’ve got you covered.  All blankets are large in size, approximately 35" x 43", great for swaddling and super soft!  Machine washable.  Get them here: http://barbswederbarrington.com/c-10-blankets.aspx
4. Tegu:  While not for newborns, these magnetic wood block sets are great for a little gift for big brother or sister, keeping them busy while you’re busy with the baby!  Great for carrying in your purse.  Find them here: http://www.tegu.com , on http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=tegu+blocks&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=3520493456&ref=pd_sl_daq5ig843_e and occasionally on Gilt.com.
5. Kid O Products: Blue Go Car.  Really cute toy with easy to grasp handle/hood.  Get it here: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A165793011%2Ck%3AKid-O%20Products
6. Barb Sweder Barrington:  Quilted bib and burp cloth set, 100% cotton.  Great designs and quality.  Find them here: http://barbswederbarrington.com/c-15-bib-burp-gift-sets.aspx 
7.  Blabla:  Dolls, toys and accessories hand-knit in Peru.  Cute, colorful, cuddly and great quality.  Find them here: http://www.blablakids.com/Online-Shopping/Rattles  and at Amazon.com. 
8. Barb Sweder Barrington:  Hand-knit merino wool sweater.  One-of-a-kind, heirloom quality and beautifully made.  Find it here: http://barbswederbarrington.com/c-26-sweaters.aspx

We hope you have found a few new ideas and on-line shops to help make finding that perfect baby gift easier!

Hot Air Balloons and the Wizard of Oz

I have been thinking about this post for a long time.  Well over a year.  It all started with the release of OZ: The Great and Powerful movie back in March of last year.  I had always been a fan of the original Wizard of Oz movie and waited with great anticipation for its "next installment".  Hot Air Balloon displays started appearing in store windows and on fabric (which I promptly purchased).

 I found interesting walking paths that reminded me of what the Yellow Brick Road may have looked like (minus the yellow) and started envisioning my own take on the theme.  We use to see Hot Air balloons during summer nights and mornings in Michigan and Illinois, and floating across the acres of grapes in California.  We even took our first voyage in a hot air balloon in Colorado-- what fun!

I finally got around to making three tote bags for little girls with the hot air balloon fabric but wanted to take a picture of the bags being "floated" by balloons.  The bags would be the "basket" of each Hot Air Balloon.  Well, after several popping balloons and two trips to the Party Shop, I was able to complete my idea, kind-of.  We had more balloons pop, the bags were a "bit" too heavy, it was no longer dawn (and not yet dusk) and it was getting windy.  I believe my husband was able to snap this picture and while not quite the look I had imagined, it will have to suffice!

I think you get the idea.  Imagination is one thing, execution is a whole 'nother.  Now, on to the next project!

New Sweaters for Spring!

It feels as if Spring was never going to come this year.  Lots of cold weather, lots of snow.  Flowering bushes, trees and wildflowers are just now starting to bud or flower.  I am looking forward to sitting on the patio and knit in the early morning hours, smelling the heavenly scent of jasmine just outside the screen door.  It's my favorite time of year.  I've been busy making a few spring sweaters for babies, delicate as the new spring flowers.  I hope to have them up on my website soon!

I should be cleaning...

Yes, I should be cleaning.  And I am.  Slowly.  Methodically.  As one of my New Year's resolutions, I have decided that I needed to clean and organize my workspace, which has expanded and spread to more areas of the house than I care to admit.  I figure that if I clear out the contemplated projects (complete with fabrics, trims, yarns, patterns, and props), I will be more creative.  At least that's my premise, so I'm running with it.  While sorting a particular corner of the room, I came across a flower (prop) and a tote bag (finished inventory).  In order to remove it from the targeted area to clean, I hung it on a ladder.  It struck my fancy and what you see above is a very edited photo of the described scene.  A nice break from the cold weather outside.  Now, back to cleaning.  Wish me luck!

Winter Hat Wreath

 

The chill is in the air!  First snowfalls of the season are happening!  This is such a great time of year.  Starting with the excitement of Halloween, the family gatherings and wonderful food to share during Thanksgiving, and the gift of giving during the Christmas season.  It's all so special!  One thing that most people will need during all these times is a nice warm hat.  I've been knitting a stack of hats, in an array of colors, sure to go with any coat or jacket.  Made from soft merino wool, in a cabled pattern.  Come and get one today! Happy Holidays to all!

http://barbswederbarrington.com/c-29-hats-and-scarves.aspx

Sea Glass Baby Blanket

I've always been drawn to ocean colors.  Beautiful turquoise, tranquil aquas and soft greens.  I recently finished a new baby blanket and didn't realize until I was half way through, that I was knitting with the colors of sea glass.  It recalled recent trips to the ocean and the calming effect of the water.

The baby blanket was knit with Madelinetosh Pashmina yarn (75% merino wool, 15% silk and 10% cashmere), super soft and cuddly.  I think this would make a great gift for a special newborn baby, something that would be saved and passed down to new generations of sea-faring babies.  Available now on my website: https://barbswederbarrington.com/p-403-sea-glass-hand-knit-blanket.aspx

Getting Ready for Fall

The weather has started to cool off, the sun, setting earlier.  The humidity is waning and mornings are cool and refreshing.   The A/C is being used less and less and I'm starting to break out the blankets and quilts at night.  This is a nice, cozy time of year. 

I've been busy lately working on fall and winter items: hand-knit sweaters, scarves and hats, blankets and soft quilts.  I'm still working furiously, but wanted to share some pictures of new items soon to be on the website!

Quilted throws

Hand-knit blanket, sweaters and cabled hat.

Cozy up with a quilt for an afternoon nap!

Shades of Fall - Hand-knit Pashmina Scarves