::Always Move Forward::

I’ve been slowing moving away from the babywearing period of my life.   At this point, I haven’t carried Roan in a carrier, for about the same amount of time that I did.  Moving on, includes my business, Metrosupial Designs.   I’ve grown, sewn and maintained it for nearly five years.

Where does the time go?

When it came to the beginning of the year, when everyone displays their mosaics of finished projects, I felt a little inadequate.  It’s true.  It didn’t take long for me to snap back to MY reality.  To remind myself that much of my creative energy had been focused on my sling business.  Custom crafting a product for an individual takes A LOT of energy.

The impressive mosaics that I saw inspired me.  I wanted to branch out creatively, and for myself.  Producing the same thing over and over, had… well,  just got plain jane vanilla.

Regardless, here’s what I was sewing in 2008 for Metrosupial Designs:

Not so bad, eh?  I don’t know if I’m totally finished making slings or teaching classes, but I’m taking a break.  It was so enjoyable to help all the families I had in my classes.  Find carriers that worked for them, AND be blessed to teach such an enthusiastic bunch.

I will have two irons still in the babywearing fire: I will continue volunteer teaching in the New Moms Groups at Swedish Ballard, and my friend, Sarita, of Sarita Star Designs, and I, will hopefully have a pattern out in the Fall for those wishing to make their own slings.

So, moving forward.

Some of the personal 2008 finished projects.  I have not included the finished quilt tops under my bed.  Most here were gifts.  It was a pretty good year.

I just look at this too and wonder, where does the time go?

Metrosupial Designs did have a little milestone this year though.  I was recently contacted by the author Rena D. Grossman, who has written a babywearing board book entitled, “Carry Me.”

Rena was looking for photos depicting babywearing, and wanted to use my photo that is at the top of this post.  Rena’s publisher, Star Bright Books, look rather impressive in the quality their books’ content.

Kinda exciting?!?  I look forward to my copies.  It’s the small things that can make you feel that you’ve contributed positively, and it’s ok to step away for a bit and just BE.

ONWARD-

Read Full Post »

::Sunday Stash 3/Year of the Bull?::

The fabric world has me thinkin’ it should be “Year of the Bird.” For me it really started with Joel Dewberry’s Aviary line, but then I began seeing birds EVERYWHERE.

But I’ve always had a thing for birds, Herons in particular and I actually see Owls on the canal when I run, so with it popping up in fabric…you can only imagine.

This is a Japanese print. That’s Roan’s Miss Lilly peeking out of her snug ride .

Lots of Pillowcases, they make the best presents. Tutorial link here.

I especially enjoy the whimsical variety and am a huge fan of flannel. So when Joanns came out with the flannel, I armed myself with coupons and bought a ton.

Both pillows are made with owl fabric from Joanns.

And of course the typical receiving blanket. Double sided in flannel love.

Towels for a friend that shares her cabin on Whidbey Island with us. She’s a big bird lover.

We even nest with the birds.

Can’t afford to buy yourself some bird fabric? Just make an owl with what you got!

Now do you believe I’m obsessed?  Hmmmm…maybe a Bird Quilt…or a quilting bee?

P.S.  When are they going to do some Herons?

Read Full Post »

::Crib Duvet Covers::

I get bored with the usual pillowcased receiving blanket for Baby Shower gifts.  When Roan was wee, I spotted the duvet inserts for cribs and was hooked.  They are warm and you can change them up.  Plus, the added bonus of lovely flannel, which is a fabric for anything baby.

Shopping for insert:

Ikea’s Len. Only $14.99 and soft.  100% polyester filled.  But on the smaller side.

Jo jo Designs.  (Google for stores) More costly, but larger and down filled.

Company Store for Kids.  They sell sythetic and down filled.  The size is generous and they machine wash wonderfully.

I use two flannels.

Measure your duvet insert.

Add four inches to the length and one inch to the width of each panel.

I serge the edges (or zig-zag).  Add a one inch hem at the bottom of each.

Sew some snap twill tape or velcro onto the hem on the right side of the fabric.

Now press this hem to the wrong side so that the closure will be on the inside (press to the wrong side of fabric).

Place the panels right sides together.  Using a 1/2 inch seam, sew up the length, across the top and down the last length.  Backstitch of course.

Clip corners and turn rightside out.  Insert comforter.

I like to add appliqued stars or a contrasting panel at the top or bottom sometimes.

Read Full Post »

::Not Really Cohesive, But I Tried::

Since we’ve been home, I’ve been running of course…I even bought myself some new shoes.  This is one of the times in the day when I “run”  all the creative ideas through my head.  Sometimes, to my delight, I even forget I’m running and make it far beyond where I had planned with little effort.  If my brain is a bowl, it overfillith… because I’ve been thinking about what to write and can’t come clear.

Here’s an effort to be cohesive:

A) Family:

Roan somewhat bloomed into the realm of crafting in the past few weeks to my gleeful enjoyment.  (That’s probably an understatement.)  He has always been an imaginative storyteller, but has recently discover drawing Cylons…don’t ask.

This is my favorite photo of the holidays.  I loved his precision.  He must be watching.

B)  Friends:

While visiting the folks, we spent time with my fabric/craft buddy and her family in Pensacola.  I neglected to take good photos of us all, but scored at the local five and dime.  Flashback city.  The ladies at the A and E Pharmacy were the real thing.  You would have passed this fabulous fabric store by had you not been with my copilot fabric fanatic friend.  Some of which I scored at 50% OFF!

C)  Home:

Now comes the part where I don’t know where to begin, back to brain confusion when running.

My sewing table pretty much says it.  Unfinished projects, new ideas, and orders.  Did I mention I joined a sewing bee?

You couldn’t sew here if you wanted to.

Oh yeah, then there are also the aprons to make for the PCC’s Kids Cooking Classes and the dreaded TAXES to finish up.  But on a brighter note of why we all sew, here’s the beautiful fabrics I was able to procure for the aprons.  I love the feel of Heather Ross’ fabric.

Sorry, I’ll proof read tomorrow.

Read Full Post »

Summer’s End

I’m back to sewing for my business.

It’s bittersweet.

I am not a scheduled person. I like the carefree feel of summer.

Back to school for Roan, means back to work for me. I appreciate those who have waited in queue for slings till the summers end. Your time has come and I will be in touch. Hope those babes will still want to be in arms.

Here’s the first of the end of Summer slings.

I’m enjoying the process of it and my credit card will thank me.

Read Full Post »

Metrosupial’s Babywearing Workshop

Private babywearing classes available throughout the summer.

Next babywearing class date is to be announced.  Most likely it will be late July.
Metrosupial Designs offers hands-on workshops exploring the art of babywearing at Big Belly Services in Seattle’s Capitol Hill Neighborhood.

We will explore the pros and cons of different carriers, the benefits of babywearing for infant and caretaker, how to choose the right carrier/s, and tips, techniques and troubleshooting for safe babywearing.

I have dozens of types/brands of carriers to try and we will take most of the class to learn how to use them.

Read Full Post »

Butter Pouch Sling

Soft and buttery in color. Cornflower blue body to the sling, with cream colored edging and green detail. Della Chen Photography.

Read Full Post »

Fall Blues Ring Sling

Stylish babywearing in Seattle.

All ring slings, like our pouch slings, have edging that is professionally hand-crafted and double-seamed with a contrasting color thread for a finished look. We DO NOT use manufactured bias tape as edging.

Coordinating print edging covers the seam at the rings. Our pockets are fully lined in coordinating print, including the flap and inside portion sewn to the tail. Closure is velcro.

Read Full Post »

Cora Pouch Sling

One of my true favorites.  This pouch sling seems to fit right in with babywearing in Seattle.

Read Full Post »

Morena Metrosupial Designs Pouch Sling

This sling has lovely colors. The body is brown and the upper rail has a coordinating print with brown and orange dots. Perfect for babywearing all seasons in Seattle.

Read Full Post »