Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Babies, a prize and the dreaded dishcloths

This weekend I took a tiny break from my Christmas creating to make some cute little baby things.  My neighbor across the street had a baby girl a couple of weeks ago.  She has a 14 month old and a new baby, bless her heart.  Last year when her first was born I made little booties and a hat for her.  I really don't think these were all that well received.  You know as well as I do that not everyone appreciates a handmade gift.  Did that stop me from making daughter number two the same thing?  No, it absolutely did not.  I had fun making them, they are a creative gift and if they are not used or even thought of nicely, then oh well who cares.


This hat pattern came from the lovely Olga at Lacy Crochet.  I made it with a size G hook and stash yarn I had from a baby  blanket I made my great niece. 


These little booties were an idea I got from the sweet Lisa at Needles and Wool on her Friday Favs.  Lisa is adorable and just had a birthday, pop on over and wish her a Happy Birthday for me.  The original pattern for these booties was from canalblog.com, but I could not find the exact source.  They have been reworded by Small and Friendly and are called the Bitty Baby Booties.


I think they are cute and I had fun taking a break from dishcloths to make them.  Ah, babies what could be cuter?
 

Because big sister's (even if they are still little) need a little something special too, I bought these little finger puppets at the alpaca store when I was there visiting this past Saturday.  Just a little something she can play with that might be fun and different.


Carla of the gorgeous blog The River had a giveaway and I was the very happy winner.  Carla and her husband make these gorgeous cards.  You can find them on her blog and also at her etsy store located here.  Carla has a beautiful blog, she lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two boys.  You all know I have a soft spot for Wisconsin, so visiting her blog makes me feel like a little bit of me is still there.  She has a kind soul, I hope you will visit her.  And for any of you thinking you are getting one of these in the mail from me you are wrong, they are much to lovely to use.   I am going to put them up on my bulletin board so I can be reminded of the beautiful Autumn in Wisconsin.

 
Seventeen of these babies have made it into the Christmas bin.  I have made a few more and already given them away so they don't count.  I have just a few more to do and I think I am at the point where this project might be over.  I bet you will be as happy about the finish as I will be.

Have a great Wednesday.

47 comments:

Susanne Tyree said...

You can be the most free-hearted and giving person in the world and there is always that person who zaps the joy right out of you. In my case I know several. I think the thoughtful baby gifts were very nice gestures. No, people do not realize that you took time from your busy life and spent it making something special. That is time you will never get back. The very thought that someone took the time to sit and think of me by making a gift is a gift in itself. Makes you wonder what motivates them to do anything for anyone else besides themselves. I love the little hat and the booties. I don't think I have ever seen any like those before. Definitely not your run of the mill pattern. All the dishcloths are cute. It is easy to see why they would be a satisfying make since they work up quickly and are a portable project for the gal on the go. It would be fun to have a dishcloth exchange, maybe if enough people are interested and would be fun after the holidays when life becomes boring and less stressful. Hope all is well. I will be trying to get that slipper pattern written up soon. Today I am roaming blogs in between loads of laundry.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Carla from The River said...

Hello
Thank you for the kind words regarding our Etsy shop and my blog.
xx oo
Carla

I love the gifts you gave, very fun and from the heart.

Gillian Roe said...

I am sure the hat and booties will be happily received - how could they not be?! It's so thoughtful, and I love that you bought a gift for the older child, who is no doubt feeling the arrival of a new sibling very keenly. And have you really made 17 dishcloths? You're amazing! x

Lucie said...

Bonjour Mereknit!
You said that you had fun making baby crochet... The result is so cute and I love it.
Have a nice Evening!
Lucie

Anonymous said...

There are a few people I know who still equate handmade with inferior until I point out to them my lovely crochet blanket that's still keeping us cosy warm years after it was made while their mass produced in a third world country blanket has long been resigned to the bin.......they soon change their tune.

Your little baby items are lovely, how could anyone not be thrilled to receive them for their new little one.

elns said...

14 month and a new baby. Sheesh. If I could gift her a few hours of sleep, I would!

Mere, you are such a sweetheart for thinking of the older child too. Lovely gifts, from a lovely lady.

ellen said...

What wonderful gifts you have made. I am especially in love with the booties..they are absolutely darling. I am certain that big sister will be so excited with her present. (I am envious as to those booties...I want a pair for myself, and can imagine just staring at them on these feet of mine.)
xoxo, Ellen.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I would swoon if someone gave my that hat and booties for a new baby! I'm hoping my next Grand (due in April) is a girl!! I know you will be glad to be done with the dishcloths also!
hugs,
Linda

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh . . . those baby booties are just adorable. I hope she appreciates at least the LOVE that went into them.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Those booties are the most adorable thing ever! Love those!

kathy b said...

Those booties and hat are too darn cute Meredith!!!
I hope she loves them. I got a picture today of a baby who I knit a poncho for last year. Her MOMMA LOVED it and the baby is sitting up now; perfect poncho weather here . Ill show it on the blog soon.

Love your Christmas PADS. You have so much accomplished lady!

linda said...

Those baby things are so cute Meredith I bet they were a joy to make and if they aren't well received then I wouldn't worry about it you did really kind and thoughtful thing just taking the time to make them. That is a lot of dishcloths but you are almost done and you are way ahead with your Christmas gifts I haven't even started yet.:) xx

Judy S. said...

Love your latest projects, Mere! They are very cute. Finger puppets are one of my favorite things. These are adorable!

Home Meadows said...

Very sweet baby gift and I love the booties; they are darling. Thanks for sharing the bog and the pretty note cards, I'll have to hop over and check it out. Sounds like you are making great strides on the dishcloths. Take care, Heather

Deb said...

beautiful and generous gifts for a new baby & sibling ♥
love the dishcloths too ...you have been busy!

Elizabeth said...

I cannot imagine anyone not loving the hat and booties! They are adorable! How nice of you!

Ljubinka said...

So beautiful hat and booties!
Puppets <3!!!
Hugs.:*

brsmaryland said...

I think the hat and booties are a lovely baby gift. Hopefully she'll put them on the baby, at least once - smile! And I am loving the dishcloths. You inspired me to try my hand at crocheting again. It took a couple tries but finally got the hang of it and made one for an upcoming dishcloth swap. I think there are a few more in my future too.

Have a good day,
beth

Suzan said...

Adorable finger puppets from the alpaca store and great pink and green cap with shoes!!

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith.. that hat and those booties are so cute, I'm sure that anyone with taste can see that handmade knits are all the fashion for littlies! Good job on getting so many xmas presents made.. you are amazing!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Gracie Saylor said...

The hat, booties and finger puppets are wonderful gifts to celebrate your newest neighbor's birth, Meredith! Your creativity and generosity always inspire me to want to emulate you. While I haven't commented in the last month, I have been enjoying your posts. Little Buddy's progress is very exciting...bike riding...WooHoo!!! Your crocheted dishcloths are pretty and practical...great gifts! Belated Happy Birthday greetings to your dad! Congratulations on the wins and gifts you have received, and thanks for the intro to more interesting bloggers/blogs. I have been working on my youngest grandson's bunny, and love working with the alpaca I bought in Missouri...your alpaca store is full of temptations and I am very impressed that you are demonstrating such discipline on your yarn
diet! :-) xx

mamasmercantile said...

Such beautiful and thoughtful gifts from the heart, what's not to like. The little bootees are particularly gorgeous. I loved the finger puppets, I have a pattern for some somewhere I might do some for the children when I am not so busy.

gaia said...

When my Little Man was 3 months old, mysister's mother-in-law gave me 3 knitted cardigans in 3 different colours with matching booties.Those were the gifts the most used and I still appreciate is till today...

Géraldine B. said...

oh so adorable ! They'll love your makes ! Have a lovely day

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Those baby gifts are adorable :) The pink and green are so cute together.
On the dishcloths - we use the word bin for a rubbish bin (garbage can ? Trash can ?) and what you call a bin we call a box ie the dishcloths are in the Christmas box.
So I read your comment "the dishcloths are in the Christmas bin" as in you had binned them and I did think "whaaaaaaaat? All that work and she's decided to throw them out?" LOL
Jillxo

CJ said...

The hat and booties are absolutely gorgeous, I can't imagine anyone not loving them. And the finger puppets are a brilliant idea, how lovely you are to think of the big sister too. I'm off to investigate the blog you recommended now. CJ xx

Lilbitbrit said...

One has to be true to oneself and not what other people expect. I love the baby pieces.

Stins said...

What a beautiful and sweet gift! I can not imagine that someone may not like it actually....
Love from Mirjam.

HollyM said...

Well, I think the hat and booties are sweet and the puppets are very thoughtful. I think giving gifts for creative play is perfect.
The scenes on the Wisconsin cards look very much like our fall scenes. A nice win and a nice reminder for you.
I would be gagging by the time I got to that many dishcloths! They are lovely though. I always appreciate them as gifts.

Christina said...

The booties and hat are just delightful, it is so kind of you to take the time to make them for your neighbours new baby. I love to receive gifts that were made with love and thought but unfortunately, some people don't appreciate the work that goes into a handmade gift. I once made a baby quilt for my nephew. It went to charity the moment we left because the fabric design was deemed unacceptable (it was harmless farm animals, just in case you wonder). Needless to say that I have not made anything for this particular family since. I am just about starting my own crochet cloth venture... Cx

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Well, Meredith, all I can say is if I had a baby girl I would love the hat and booties!! AND of course it would not only be a miracle but tragic for the baby, I'm tired and old...... hahahaha Well love your thoughtfulness and so will she and thinking of big sister too! So many dishcloths and all so brilliant!
Happy day Meredith, xoRobin

Elisabeth said...

Those baby gifts are beautiful! Your make such pretty things :) I always prefer a handmade gift because they always cost the same, or more, as a store bought gift, but the effort and love that goes into making them makes them truly priceless.
Your giveaway win is lovely.

Jennifer Hays said...

Most of the recipients of my handmade gifts have been lukewarm about them. Some haven't even bothered to properly thank me. That kind of bothers me because I have a hunch that if I'd walked in with a hundred-dollar piece of baby equipment, they would have squealed and hugged me. But the afghan I spent four months crocheting? Not such a hit. It doesn't really stop me, though. It makes me happy to create things for others and I think that's the best reward anyway. I'm glad to know you think this way too.

Clare said...

Those booties are soooooooo cute, fingers crossed they are happily recieved this time, love the finger puppets too
Clare x

Faeryfay said...

Just adorable baby hat and booties Mere! Gorgeous.
hugs. Fay.

Ana BC said...

In my humble opinion...these are beautiful gifts, and VERY special ;-)

Yarnism said...

I can't think of anyone not liking such a beautiful gift... The booties they are lovely I wish I could knit so that I could make one for Shania...You are such a sweetheart Meredith...

Love you,
Sabrina


Linda said...

Good morning Meredith, it is such a shame when hand made items are not well received. I think your hat and booties are just darling, what beautiful baby girl colours you chose too. I would have loved to receive such beautiful and thoughtful gifts when my babies were born.
You have done so well with all those dishcloths, plodding on to get them done and out the way. Well done :-)
What lovely Autumn cards too and how nice to win them, I think they'll look grand on your bulletin board where you can appreciate them every day.
have a great weekend x

Gillian said...

I love to make handmade gifts and it's great when they're appreciated. I've just given a baby blanket and pillow to a friend (who I work with) whose wife is just about to have their second baby. I also gave their just-turned-3 daughter a blanket so she wouldn't feel left out. I can tell you that those gifts were truly, truly appreciated. It made all the hours it took to make the blankets worthwhile. You can see Dhaveena's blanket and the blossom shawl on my blog if you want to see what they're like.

Ladybird Diaries said...

I love the wee baby set...such a beautiful and thoughtful gifts. So sweet that you gave a little gift to the baby's sister too who I'm sure will be very appreciative of it.
Marianne x

Kris said...

Hi Meredith! I too have wondered how many hand made gifts of mine have gone to the goodwill, or found their way to the very back of the dark linen closet? I have made my Mom lots of cute things that I never see in her home. Shhhh don't say anything on my blog in comments, as she reads them.
Oh well. What's a crafter to do, but keep on making!!
Love the little hat and booties. And like you, I have a big stack of dish cloths for Christmas!
Hope you are doing well. Give little buddy a smootch for me!!
xo Kris

Heldasland said...

Wow ,you are such a busy bee. Everything is gorgeous, those booties and hat are so cute. you have made so many of those flowered dishcloths ,i'm impressed. Have a lovely weekend

Chris said...

I love your booties and hat, they are adorable! It was very considerate of you to gift the finger puppets to her big sister. A lot of us put a lot of hard work time and energy creating for others, often it is not greatly appreciated. It's not very nice. Or sometimes I get wow that's nice , you must have a lot of time on your hands. I'd do it but I am too busy. Ouch! Or it's a competitive thing amongst other knitters. Beyond silly. Now I knit mostly for some family members and for friends that appreciate it- they are knitters too!!

Toni said...

Even if the mother is appreciative, I'll bet the babies are. The hat and booties are adorable!!!!!!

Amy at love made my home said...

Lovely baby things! Even if the lady didn't show it I hope that she liked the gifts. The cards that you received are lovely aren't they! xx

Apple Blossom Dreams said...

Making dishcloths has got to be the best crochet therapy around! These are so cute and will be well received!

Mindy said...

What sweet gifts for your neighbors!!!

Ooh, just love those Wisconsin cards, too. Posting them rather than mailing them sounds perfect. =)