A Precious year | Le Challenge {Crochet}

I am so excited! He is ONE!! Can you believe it? I can't... But yes Baby MiH is ONE today.. 

Le Challenge's theme for this month is 'precious'. And It was always going to be something for Baby MiH or in relation to his birthday - after all he is the first thing I thought about for precious . I had many ideas, both quick and time-consuming, but it was not really what I had in mind for today... And then came the idea of the bauble - one bauble every year for his birthday...  I do like Xmas traditions, and I thought that could be ours from now on. And yes it was a very quick project... 

 Pattern: Free on this blog (already made some here)

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed Chunky in Mahogany (unfortunately discontinued)
 - I used nearly one ball of it. 

Hook size: 5mm 

Modification:  Added a couple of rows in the middle to make the bauble bigger

Bauble filling: Soft toy filling found here

Cross-stitching:  Anchor Artiste Metallic ball - 
4 strands of thread held together

It is an easy '1' cross-stitching pattern to follow. The hardest is actually to try to find the cross-stitching 'grid' as the bauble is shaped using increases and decreases. 

On another note I 'baked' some Christmas ornaments (around the bauble and on the presents) - but more on this later on the blog. As for us, there is cake to eat, cuddles to give and precious time to spend. 

For all the other precious entry, go over to le challenge. Do join the fun for a chance to win a $25 at the Fat Quarter Shop (open until December 16 at 11am UK time). 

one of our first pics together

Merchant & Mills bag {Sewing}

There was a preview on the MiH facebook page as soon as it was finished (I just had to share) and then it went for an outing on Saturday... So let me formally present my (currently) favourite tote - all Made in Home! 

Well sort of... The bag came as a kit. I am usually not one to buy things in a kit - fabrics all cut up, and all notions provided (except the thread). It leaves little room for changes, and I do love to be able to modify things and make it my own. But I fell in love with the bag when I saw it on the Merchant & Mills website - and to be honest, there is nothing I would change. I may make a slimmer version now that I have this one, but that is it. I love the simplicity of it, and the fact that it can go with any outfit I have - and can take everything I owe.. 

So what to say... it comes in a very cute packaging - I thought that was a very nice touch. The pattern/tutorial is very comprehensive, including pictures as well as well-written instructions. 

It took me 2/3 hours - one of Baby MiH's long nap basically (could not believe it when he kept on sleeping). It is all cut for you and you are told what to do - that saves a lot of time! It is made out of oilskin fabric (that you can buy by the yard on the website), with a canvas lining. I had a problem with the gusset - not sure whether it is me or the size of it, but as far as the overall result is concerned it did not matter.

I learnt quite a lot - if I were to do another tote with straps it would definitely be inspired by this pattern. 

... with an internal pocket... 

This is the perfect summer bag - and at £48.00 - it is not that bad. You do get to keep the pattern, if you wanted to make more of them, in this fabric or others - and yes, I might be thinking of the next one already. 

Mr MiH styling... or showing off his car, I will never know

* This is not a sponsored post - I paid for the kit, and just happened 

to love it and wanted to share it with you*