obsessions

The first part of this isn't really about obsession, but rather the overwhelming love that is consuming me at the moment. Perhaps it's those pregnancy hormones again. Or maybe it's the process of becoming a mother. Suddenly savouring each and every moment I have with J, Bailey, Oscar and littleone has become so important, so essential. Much time has been spent reflecting upon the amazing things they give me each day :: the support, the love, the comfort, the smiles, the kicks {littleone}, the cuddles {bailey} + the bites {oscar}*. Just when I think I can't love J any more than I already do, he does something even more endearing or unexpectedly lovely. Like singing to littleone and kissing 'the belly' every night before bed. Or battling traffic and driving all the way to Santa Monica, just so I could go to wildfiber and buy some wool - I should mention that this was his idea, with no hints being dropped by me - he was worried that I don't get to do as many of the things I like to do anymore and wanted to spend his day off 'making me happy'. When we got home, he wound all of the skeins of koigu with my swift {he won't admit it, but secretly he loves doing this, partly because he bought it for me and partly because it's a 'cool-looking contraption'}. He also suggested that he take me to superbuzzy in Ventura on the weekend, so I can treat myself to some fabrics and books for making littleone's clothes. This is in addition to all of his 'new' responsibilities :: the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, the shopping, the dog-walking, the kitty-litter, the ice-cream fetching, the doctors' appointments, the back-massaging, the preparing of warm baths {something I could do for myself, but when he does it, he always lights candles and uses my favorite lavender bath salts, which makes me smile to no end}, the picking up of anything that falls on the floor {something I really can't do anymore, unless I want to fall over}...pretty much everything. Did I mention that he's also becoming an expert in 'hot stone therapy'? He warms up polished river rocks {not too hot, of course} and makes a pattern on the small of my back...which, although it does soothe the aching, is worth it just to see the care he puts into the process :)

*okay, maybe the bites aren't 'amazing' in the true sense of the word - but Oscar is very much J's buddy and only wants to be near me when I let him knead my neck, accompanied by rough kitty licks and bites

So, on to the real obsessions now...planning littleone's wardrobe is providing me with more amusement than you can imagine and is serving as a very good distraction from everything else that is happening {mmm...no comment}, although I'm worried I'm getting a little carried away.

I've never sewn clothing before {nevermind tiny clothing} but have decided it's about time that I learned. So after studying Sew-U very intently for several hours and creating a smaller, more baby-sized dress pattern {the original was from Handmade Girls Clothing}, I pulled out some muslin and practiced. I loved every minute of it. The satisfaction of seeing it come together much faster than anything I have ever knit. Taking time to make the perfect seams. Realizing the possibilities. Compulsively, and perhaps somewhat frantically, a series of dresses and tops were sketched, and the perfect fabrics were selected, but not ordered. That's when my restraint kicked in.

Or perhaps it was the idea of making a collection of dresses/tops with coordinating handknits that stopped me in my tracks.

Yet more sketching. And more selecting, but not ordering. Then came the decision that every collection needs some basic pieces to layer with. Things that can't be made by me. Simple white and black tops, with leggings...yes, black or grey leggings {it may be too bold of me to ask for charcoal leggings}. Surprisingly hard to find in sizes 0-12 months. Lots of pink sparkly ones, though. Hmmm. Some more searching {black + white leggings/tops found - but not grey :: american apparel, pokkadots and babycenter}. During this search, I discovered Imps & Elfs, a designer of very modern childrenswear with an amazing selection of basics. Don't be disconcerted by the animation, just click on the heading and then explore the different collections. I especially fell in love with a grey dress {#72G637 from the fall collection for newborns on their site} that would look adorable with black leggings.

Enter yet another obsession - the idea that a garment can start out as one thing {a dress} and can later be worn as something else {a top} - a particularly useful trait since babies tend to grow so quickly. Inspiration strikes yet again. Simple lines, soft yarn, 3/4-length sleeves, room to grow...a sweater-like-dress, perhaps? Something that I can't find a pattern for, of course. But I did find a very cute photo of something similar. This idea needs some more time to flourish, I think.

In between all of this, there was a trip to wildfiber {as mentioned at the beginning of this incredibly long post - yikes - sorry! can you see that this is no longer a problem?} that resulted in the purchase of koigu, which doesn't quite fit in with the plans discussed above, but is lovely nevertheless. I couldn't resist buying the color in the photo above - mostly because I fell in love with these stunning socks and was so surprised they had the same color in stock. More photos/details of the damage here. The trip to superbuzzy was postponed because I'd like to get another Japanese pattern book for making little one's clothes, but can't decide which to get - do you have a favorite one? And has anyone tried to re-size the patterns to make them smaller? The way that I did it seemed to work, but in an almost 'too easy' way.

Whew, that was A LOT. And now I'm hungry. Again.

Comments

[Kat]

Sounds like J is enjoying taking care of you and doing a mighty fine job of it too! I have a cat that shows love with bites, so I understand the appreciation of being bitten :) I'm looking forward to seeing your sewing results.

[Kuky]

All the sweet things J is doing, so very heartwarming.

And sewing can be very addictive. It does come together so much faster than knitting. In fact I've gotten quite carried away with sewing books. I got 3 new ones. Japanese ones. My honey asked why I don't take a Japanese class I'm buying so many books. :)

I haven't tried resizing. How did you do it? There are a lot of clothes I'd like to make (and will probably anyways) even though they are too big for Isabelle. She'll grow into them.

[Nora]

Oh, what a wonderful and uplifting post. Your positive feelings are refreshing and I hope your pregnancy continues to bring you joy.

[Emma]

You have found a real treat in J. All those sweet romantic things he do for you is just so heartwarming. Wow.

I wish the sewing bug would bite me too!

[Mefuza]

your baby will be a well dressed baby with mama's lovely designs. can't wait to see the pictures.