Tres Chic Veronique

I'm still here! I just couldn't blog without having some kind of FO to show you...

This is Simplicity 5756, a super easy pattern. I can't really tell you which "view" I made, since I made the short sleeves from the shirt pattern, but followed the directions for the dress. I used a modern flower print from Purl. I finished this dress just in time to wear to what turned out to be a surprise baby shower!
I also finally made the second baby bootie.

This is a very clever pattern: it's knit from the sole up (I started with a magic 8 cast on), and it's done all in the round. I must admit that the translation (from german) was very confusing, but as you can see, I figured it out!
And, last but not least, I finally cut out the pieces for my diaper bag!

I'm basing it on the Amy Butler "Everything Bag" from her "Little Stitches" book. I had the idea to make a bag that was a hybrid of the Weekender bag and the Everything bag, but then I saw Fancie Pants Knits' version of the Everything bag... Well, it's so cute, I settled on making the Everything, with a zippered top!

Oh, I look so casual, leaning against the wall... But do you see that little pink dot? Right there, on May 14th? It's a moving target, as babies can decide to make their appearance up to 2 weeks before it or 2 weeks after it. Who knows where that little pink dot will actually land? (Everybody thinks early, but I have no idea why).

I've been slowing down on the crafting front, as my hands are hurting. One of my midwives mentioned the possibility of pregnancy-induced arthritis, and my reaction is: *fingers in ears* LA LA LA LA LA. I WILL finish the take home cardi that I'm reknitting in a smaller size, oh yes I will.

One thing that cheers me up immensely these days: people who give me their seat on the subway. I'd only heard stories about pregnant women not being able to get a seat, but my experience is the exact opposite. Some people get up of their own volition, others will ask a seated person to give me their seat, and not a single person so far has refused to give me their seat when asked. And believe me, I'll ask!

The baby quilt is done, except for the binding! As you can see, I opted to make a small (30" x 23"), double-sided quilt. Yes, double-sided. I thought it would be so easy! Ha! Lining up both sides precisely was .... how shall I say it... time consuming. I hand basted with super visible hot pink thread, checking that both sides aligned with every single freaking stitch I made, then machine quilted it.
Now I just need to choose a binding color that will complement both sides. Brown? Red?

I also made a pouch sling, from this free online pattern, and using my lobster fabric purchased 8.5 months ago in Maine ;) Now I can have a lobster roll with me at all times!

Oh yes, I also got an Obama "change" poster for the changing table. Cracking myself up over here!

Well, this WIP has 6 weeks (+/- 2 weeks) to become an FO. It seems I have become a one project kind of girl too. A lot of work going into this one! I feel like I'm spending my days going to physical therapy (oh, my aching back...) and to the pool (yay!), as well as lots of lounging on the couch and complaining about how the joints of my hands hurt. Seriously, the joints of my hands?! I hadn't heard that one before. They're not even swollen!
Not much craftiness going on as a result, although I have made a teeny bit of progress on the baby quilt:

(Turns out that planet fabric that I used to cover the crib bumper is pretty popular: Julie Frick used it too!).
Oh, and my family threw a baby shower for me! It was a whole weekend extravaganza, and they purchased almost every item on our registry. Wow.

In other news, I think my baby has learned kick boxing. *Punch! Jab! Kick! Repeat from *, all day long. It is highly entertaining, both for me and others, as this activity is visible from the outside.