Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Sunday 1 July 2012

Lollipop dress

Busy Busy Busy 
was my theme this last week but work busy which is not so exciting as being craft busy. Companies so like tailor made courses for their in-company training programmes now, which means a lot more work for me. I have to create the syllabus and teacher design the course material. This had to be done before Friday of last week as the course was to start Saturday morning. Its been a lot of work in hardly sufficient time,but its done now!.

Nevertheless I wasn't going to be without my stress therapy and found precious moments to finally finish off the outfit I've made for a little girl who will be arriving very soon..a July baby. My old school mate (and C if you read this .. I use old as in we have know each other for ages ...you baint be old my luvver as you be the zame age as I !!! ) down in Somerset will be a grandmother for the fourth time on the arrival of this baby (lucky thing!) so it was a perfect opportunity for me to enjoy making this dinky baby's outfit.


The Mary Jane booties are my own pattern....the Lollipop pinafore dress (the name I've given it) was taken from a free pattern I downloaded from the www sometime ago when I was not a blogger and was not aware I should cite these things.
 I have tweaked the pattern quite a bit. The pattern indicated DK yarn but I felt the bodice would be too heavy for a newborn babe so I changed it to Soft Baby yarn , Nano C/7 Soft Lilac which has a light soft caress to it and the contrast of the use of DK and Soft Baby 4 ply yarn through out the skirt has turned out better than what I had expected. The heaviness of the DK yarn, I used Coats SMC Bravo Red , stops the 4 ply yarn from curling up as it is very light and this makes the skirt part hang better.The headband is also my own pattern based on a really simple chain & treble band and a repeat of the rosettes I made for the booties.



 This will be sent off to the UK tomorrow.


 However I have of course snatched moments here and there to keep up to date with my lovely followers as well as visiting some of the other blogs I thoroughly enjoy following.
This is such a thriving creative community and there is such a variety of interesting and inspiring things going on. I am never bored!!!!
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An Award




Many many thanks to Angeliki at My Hobbies Place  for this award. That is really sweet of you!

I am told The Liebster award has a few rules attached:

The person who receives it is to acknowledge the giver,done :-)
and 
then pass the award on to 3-5 other blogs by leaving a comment or emailing the blogger.
As the chosen blogs must have less than 200 followers 
I wish to send this award to the following blogs.
You must also paste the award button onto your blog, so others will know you have already received it.  

However I do realise that some bloggers are not awards people so if you do not wish to accept this award please do not think I will be offended, I will not be. It's your choice. :-)
I do think this type of award is wonderful to help new bloggers like myself (I've only been blogging since April) to meet up with other bloggers and who may eventually become reciprocal followers. 

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 Finished one make & next one on the go....   and my next  is some sewing. I am going  to try and make a heat pack cushion which Penelope shows us how to make on her blog at L is for Love. Her tutorial looks super easy to follow so I am giving it a try and I hope it will turn out as nice as hers.


Hello and a big welcome to a new follower Hawthorn at 11am. Thank you for following my blog. 

Monday tomorrow bloggers..so heres hoping this new week ahead of us treats you well

Amanda :-) 




PS: I found my jar!!!!







44 comments:

  1. Amanda...you are so kind to think of me for this Award... I am truly honored. Thanks so much!
    XOXO
    SHARI!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its a pleasure Shari...I really enjoy your blog :-)

      A x

      Delete
  2. What a sweet little lollipop dress and shoes!! Lucky bubba to start her life dressed so stylishly.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Trudy

      Just in time because I've been told today that the mother is having a section next week and baby will be here. Lets hope post from here doesn't take too long.

      Amanda :-)

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  3. This little dress and the shoes are so cute and beautiful!!!Very good job Amanda!!I like the combination of the colours!!
    PS
    Amanda ...
    If you like something from what you see on my posts and want to buy it you can write your name and address in my e mail and I'll send it by mail delivery.Thank you very much!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Sophie

      I choose Lilac and red because I wanted it to be bright and not the traditional white,blue or pink.

      Many thanks for these details I keep this in mind.

      Amanda x

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  4. Oh Amanda, that dress and the booties are so sweet - what a gorgeous baby she will look! Clever you! Congratulations on receiving your liebster blog award too xx

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    Replies
    1. Well I'm holding my breath a bit where size is concerned I made for a 0-3months old baby but I hear that its going to be a big baby.

      Thanks

      A x

      Delete
  5. That little dress and booties are the cutest! I wish I had your crochet skills!
    Hope you have a very happy week. :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comments.
      I love making things for a newborn they are so tiny and don't take too long to make. I don't often have the opportunity to do so

      A x

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  6. Aww how pretty is this....
    I wish they did a grown up version!!
    just beautiful Amanda....
    Congratulations on your wonderful Give away over on Lavender Attic too!!
    Maria x

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    Replies
    1. But they wouldn't be so cute Maria...its the smallness of them that makes babies things adorable to make .

      Amanda :-9

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  7. What a lot of work has gone into that little dress - well done, the little Mary-Janes are so cute :)

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    Replies
    1. hello Hawthorn
      thanks for your comments...it was a bit awkward but not because of the pattern because I adapted it for a newborn baby.

      A x

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  8. What a gorgeous dress and booties Amanda! Congrats on your award too!
    Victoria xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Victoria and congratulations to you too!!!

      Amanda :-)

      Delete
  9. Lovely little dress and shoes - what a super present!
    June

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    Replies
    1. Thanks June....the mother received it yesterday and she seemed very pleased...goodie!!!

      A x

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  10. Thanks June lets hope the mother thinks do too!!! I know she doesn't like traditional babay colours so I hope I've chosen right.

    A x

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  11. Beautiful, I love the colours and the sweet little shoes are so pretty.xx

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    Replies
    1. They are so lovely to make too....so tiny!!!

      A x

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  12. What a sweet little outfit so pretty, congratulations on your award Amanda :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's a really sweet dress. I love the way you have used bright wools for a summer baby! Jx

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    Replies
    1. Bit daring I thought while I was doing it Jan but then I thought its summer so summer colours!!! LOL

      A x

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  14. The dress you made looks F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C! I love the colours and the shoes are so sweeet too!
    I wanna make clothes too, but later, when I'll gain some more experience!!
    Oh there's one more surprise for you in my blog!( Don't feel pressed, I just like your blog!)
    Many kisses,
    Angeliki

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  15. This is such a cute little outfit! I love the mary janes. Someday I will attempt to crochet a garment. Congrats on the Liebster :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lynne

      I don't often crochet clothes...not really keen on it but newborn sizes is another thing all together

      A xx

      Delete
  16. The baby dress is just so pretty and those mary jane shoes are just the sweetest!! You've done such a lovely job on them :)
    Congrats on the award!
    Magie x

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    Replies
    1. hello Magie

      I'm pleased with the outfit too its been a long time since I made any and I had forgot how sweet it is making for a new born babe.

      A x

      Delete
  17. Hi Amanda
    Thank you for your comments :)
    Thank you so much for the award, this is MY FIRST AWARD!!
    I'm so excited :D
    I shall finish my Holiday in Pictures posts and do this post tonight as soon as I finish work. Hurrah! I have something to look forward to and keep my going through a very boring shift at the restaurant today (nobody comes in when it rains and it's raining today!)
    Thank you again, you've made my week! :D
    Sue xx

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  18. The lollipop dress is gorgeous but little booties are soo cute. Your friend will be so pleased you found the time to make it. Congratulations on your award.
    Have a lovely week. Ali x

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    Replies
    1. hello Ali

      Just hope it all fits though.....

      have a great weekend!

      A x

      Delete
  19. I love the dress but am super impressed by your cleverness in making up the bootee pattern.....thank you for visiting my new blog too today. Fiona xx

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    Replies
    1. Hello Fiona
      Thanks for your comments. The booties were a variation of an old pattern that I used in the past to make booties mainly the sole part which I tweaked to turn into Mary Janes.

      A xx

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  20. Hi Amanda!
    What a darling little outfit for a sweet little one! You are an amazing stitcher...and, your Mary Jane booties are just adorable! What a thoughtful gift you have created!
    Blessings and a great week, my friend!
    Congratulations on your well deserved award!
    Carolynn

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    Replies
    1. hello Carolynn
      Just hope it fits baby. Doctor has told the mother she is carrying one big baby!!

      Have a great weekend

      Amanda xx

      Delete
  21. Αmanda,what a fantastic dress! You are
    a great sticher!
    Congratulations!

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  22. Hi Amanda,

    How utterly adorable!!! The colours, the pattern, the teeny tiny booties for teeny tiny toes are simply too cute for words! Your daughter will be thrilled!

    I know what you mean when you say busy busy busy!! I'm expecting a friend from England this coming week, my daughter is returning from university (yipee!)and then it's several projects before my mum and sister arrive in August from Canada!

    Have a great week,

    Poppy

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Poppy,

      hope you have a great time with your friend and your family visiting you this summer.

      Amanda x

      Delete
  23. Hi Amanda,
    Congratulations on receiving the Liebster Blog Award.
    The dress is wonderful and the booties are too cute. They really show the love and effort you have put into making them.
    Love, Sangeetha

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  24. many thanks Sangeetha...I thoroughly enjoyed making that tiny outfit too LOL

    A x

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  25. Gorgeous little dress and bootees, you clever thing you!
    Congratulations on your award too, very well deserved.
    Got a few posts to catch up on now!
    Gill xx

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Thank you for your comments. I do read them and try to reply to all as well.Please keep them coming. Amanda :-)