NEW! Adjustable newborn-to-small AIO

My primary frustration with newborn size diapers is that the baby grows out of them so fast. But small diapers can be bulky on a newborn, and may end up leaking since a newborn's legs are usually quite skinny. Fitted diapers are often made adjustable with a fold-down front for their extra row of snaps, but an AIO (all-in-one) diaper cannot have a fold-down or it would leak.
So what's a mama to do?!
This diaper is the solution I came up with for my own son: A small AIO diaper with an extra row of snaps so that it can be done up tighter (and with a shorter rise) during those first days or weeks. The inside layer is soft (either velour or flannel) so it will not irritate that tender belly button even though it will cover it.

This photo shows my son wearing this design at about 8lbs (dark blue) and 13 lbs (light blue).

I've just stocked my first of these at LilBees, and plan to stock more in the coming couple of weeks.

Facebook Fan Page

I now have a Facebook Fan page...I am still learning how to use it, but it's there, and I'd love to have you be my fan there too. Come join up, everybody's doing it! ☺

Looking for knitting pattern testers

Calling all knitters!!

Fire and Smoke

What do you think, do you like it?

Purple Rain

This is the Swizzle Hat, a pattern I developed when I was learning stranding. It's a nice beginner pattern because the carries are usually just 2 stitches wide (occasionally 3) so it's not too hard to keep the tension even.

The two hats pictured were the ones I did as I developed the pattern...they both have flaws so I have kept them for my family rather than sell them, however I do want to sell the pattern (along with future hats). I think I have all the kinks worked out and that the pattern is written clearly, but I would like to have a couple of people test it for me before I start selling it.

If you would be interested in testing it, I would send you the pattern (free) and in return I would like you to give me the following:

• Any feedback you have on the pattern--mistakes, confusing parts, etc
• Let me know what needle size/yarn weight you used, and how many stitches you CO for that gauge (this is a simple repeating pattern so can be easily adapted to different gauges) I'd like to be able to include tips for multiple gauges on the pattern, and thus far I have only knitted it in sport weight.
  
• Send me a photo of your completed hat that I can use in my pattern listing
• If you choose to sell hats made from the pattern (and you're welcome to do so!), please give me pattern credit in the listing

I would like to find at least two people to test this pattern. So what do you think, will one of those people be you?! Leave me a comment (with a way to contact you) if you are interested!

My latest project...

...completed on November 12 at 8:03am after 40 weeks, 1 day, and 5ish hours of labor.
Son #3
He was born at home, in the water, into daddy's hands.
8lbs even, 20 3/4in long

Tools of the Trade

So I might as well admit it: I'm a little bit of a Bernina Snob.
Yes, I've used other sewing machines, but Bernina is definitely my favorite. When we were first married and I was getting ready to buy my own machine, I considered buying a cheaper brand, (with the knowledge that I'd replace it with a Bernina a few years down the road). However we were given some money for our wedding and the Bernina was on an after-Christmas sale, so we went ahead and got it. I've never regretted it--that machine earned back every penny within the year.
Why am I so stuck on Berninas? Well, first of all, they're Swiss. Yeah, those guys that are famous for making good watches? they also make really good sewing machines. My mother's Bernina is over 25 years old and going strong. My grandmother finally replaced her Bernina after 45 years--not because it was dead, but because one piece needed to be replaced and they no longer made the piece! In other words, these machines, though expensive, are a good investment. Berninas are also work horses. I've worked in two professional costume shops and one bridal shop, and all three used Berninas. For someone who just does a little sewing, a cheaper brand will probably suffice; but for someone who sews professionally, Berninas are where it's at!
When I was comparison shopping for sergers, a shop owner told me this: "I repair all kinds of machines, but I only sell Berninas, and you know why? Because I almost never have to see them for repairs!"

Now do you wanna see my sweet machines?

This is my sewing machine: The Bernina 1008. It's the most simple (and, at $600, the least expensive) of the Bernina machines. I prefer a simpler machine because they are easier to understand and less likely to break down. It's got a buttonhole-helper and 24 stitches--who really needs more than that?!
This is my serger: The Bernina 700D. It too is a simple, manual machine--no computerized junk. The more automatic parts there are, the more there is to malfunction, and sergers are finiky creatures to begin with. So I keep it simple. (I would not have purchased a serger on my own, although I do find them nice, but they are expensive and not really necessary...I do use mine, but there are other ways to do things, you know? Anyway, I got this one through my employer--at a discount--because they required me to have one in order to sew for them.)

Goods 4 Girls

I confess that I am annoyed every time I hear the perky woman on the kotex ad say "have a happy period!" because you know, I sure never did when I used their products. I am offended when Always brand boasts that they are donating to poor girls in Africa who are missing school because of their periods. How nice of them, they donate and help a girl once...but how long does one package of disposable pads last? And then that girl is back where she started: out of school during her period.

Enter Goods 4 Girls:

(click on the picture to go directly to their site)

Now you can donate CLOTH pads to girls in Africa! Of course some areas do not have sufficient water available to be able to wash the pads, so the organization does their research and only donates pads in areas where there is an adequate water supply.

LilBees is joining with many other etsians in donating to G4G, and now you can participate! For every pad you purchase to donate, I will not only ship it directly, I will also give you 10% off any other item in my shop. Karma really does come back around!

G4G also accepts monetary donations (information is available on their site).

My Samples are Here!

Remember how my next 25 orders get a free sample of LilBees honey soap? Well, the samples are here, so that special starts today! When I picked them up yesterday they made my whole car smell good--even before I got the envelope open!

You know you want one!

And remember that the first person to buy a full-size bar of LilBees soap from Heathen's Hearth on etsy will receive a $10 gift certificate to LilBees...just convo me with the link to the transaction report and let me know what you want from my shop! (The soap is not quite ready to be listed yet I guess, but I will post as soon as it is!)